|
Day: December 25, 2018
The Son of God Appeared
|
FAMILY TALK NIGHT LIGHT FOR PARENTS – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2018
Joyful Harvest
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest. Galatians 6:9
Gigi Graham Tchividjian and her husband, Stephan, are experts on the trials and joys of parenthood—they had seven children. Not surprisingly, considering the twenty-year span between their oldest and youngest kids, they often struggled with family activities such as devotions. It was a constant challenge to present material that held the attention of the older children and was also understandable to the younger ones. Sometimes it was a battle just to get them all into the same room!
Yet Gigi and Stephan persisted. They knew that family devotions often led children to a deep love for God’s Word. And years later, they began to see the fruits of their efforts. Stephan, for instance, ran into one of his sons walking in town with his fiancée. The son remarked, “We’ve just finished having our devotions together in the car.” Another son related to Gigi over lunch how much their family devotional times had meant to him. They’d shown him that the Christian life was a daily, workable reality. Gigi realized then that the years of struggle had been worth it.
You, too, may wonder if you’ll ever see the fruits of your parenting efforts. We believe that if you persevere, then at the “proper time” you will indeed reap a joyful harvest.
Before you say good night…
Are you persevering in your spiritual goals for your children?
In what areas did you struggle most when your kids were small, and what solutions did you find?
How can you help each other “not become weary” as parents?
Dear Father, sometimes we become so bogged down in the daily battles that we lose sight of where we’re going. Help us, Father. Empower us to make the most of our opportunities today…to love, to counsel, to warn, and to teach. Amen.
- From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.
Illustration adapted from Weatherproof Your Heart by Gigi Graham Tchividjian (Old Tappan, N.J.: Fleming H. Revell Company, 2000).
PROVERBS
Proverbs 25 (New International Version)
More Proverbs of Solomon
25 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with your eyes
8 do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11 Like apples[b] of gold in settings of silver
is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.