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Honoring God in the Home, May 23
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16
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This is what we need in our households. There is in it no fault-finding,
no harshness; but peace, and joy, and rest in the Lord.... God calls for
loving service. He calls upon parents to speak lovingly and tenderly to
their children. Let them see that you think they help you. Give them
responsibilities to bear, small ones at first, and larger ones as they grow
older. Never, never, let them hear you say of them, “They hinder me more
than they help me.”...
How many there are who forget that the home is a school in which
children are trained to work either for Christ or Satan. Fathers and mothers,
remember that every word you speak in the hearing of your children has
an influence upon them, an influence either for good or for ill. Remember
that if you find fault with one another you are educating your children to
find fault.
With your children around you, bow before the Father in heaven. Ask
Him for help to guard the trust He has given you. Let your petitions be
short and earnest. Say, “Heavenly Father, I want my children to be saved.
Grant me the aid of Thy Spirit that I may so train them that they may be
counted worthy to inherit eternal life.” Train your children to offer their
simple words of prayer. Tell them that God delights to have them call upon
Him.
We can subdue our children only as we subdue ourselves. But there
are so many parents who have brought with them into the home life their
hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. They have not left their
childishness behind. They scold their children for things which should
never be noticed. Parents, never scold your children. Deal firmly but kindly
with them. Keep them busy. Make them feel that they are a part of the
family firm, that they can help mother and father. Thank them for what
they do for you.
Let your home be a place where God is loved and honored
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Manuscript 39, 1901
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