HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN BUSY DURING THE LONG HOLIDAYS

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN BUSY DURING THE LONG HOLIDAYS

The long-awaited November and December holidays are finally here with us. The children are excited about sleeping, resting, watching TV and eating. Parents are however at a loss as to how to keep their kids busy. How do you keep them occupied and out of mischief for two months?

Below are a few tips on how to manage this extended holiday period.

1. Come up with a program for your children.

A simple program outlines what to do at specific times. Remember, kids love predictability. Sit down with your children and decide what is important. Set aside time for revision, play, TV, and chores. Older children can make their own programs. Sit down with your kids every evening and do a review of the day. Learning to stick to a program is the first lesson in time management, a critical skill that our children will need when they are older.

2. Holiday Camps

There are several holiday camps around for children of all ages. These camps offer classes in cookery, gardening, music, drama, art, and crafts. Some schools are also offering sports camps. For the older children, some camps focus on preparing them for high school. Rites of passage camps are also very popular this season. Churches also offer Bible camps.

Make sure you get the details of the camp that you choose. Is it well organized? Are the charges reasonable? How will your kids get home after the sessions? What age groups does the camp cater for? Are there snacks provided?

Discuss the details of the holiday camp with your children, so that they know what it involves. Ask them what new skill they would like to learn. That way they are more likely to enjoy themselves, and you will get value for your money.

3. Involve your children in household chores

Your kids have grown considerably in the past year. Each one should be able to handle simple household chores. Give each child simple age-appropriate chores to do daily. For example, a 5-year-old boy should be able to make his bed when he wakes up, and help to fold and store clothes. An 8-year-old child can help with washing dishes and cleaning the house. These two months are also a good time to teach your older children to cook and do laundry. Use this long holiday to teach your kids survival skills. They will enjoy learning from you.

4. Revision

As much as our kids are tired of school and anything related to books, a little studying in the first few weeks will not hurt. You can get revision booklets and ask them to do one test paper daily. You can also get storybooks and ask the children to read a chapter or two daily.  Reading storybooks will help to develop your child's vocabulary and reasoning skills. Good storybooks are available in local bookshops, supermarkets and from some secondhand dealers.

5. Time with Extended Family

The grandparents of your children need to spend time with your kids and get to know them better. You also need a little break. Why not send the kids to spend a few days with your parents? They will learn a lot from them and will enjoy being spoilt. They can also go and visit other members of the extended family, or close family friends. The long holiday gives the perfect opportunity for bonding time with family and friends.

6.  Time with Parents and Siblings

Do you ever feel like you rarely get to see your children? This long holiday gives you the opportunity to hang out with them and get to know them better. Take some days off work and spend time with them at home. Show them how to cook, to change a flat tire, to weed the garden, to do simple errands, etc. Take time to talk about school and life issues. Your children will consider that the highlight of their holiday.

Children in boarding schools hardly get to interact with their siblings. This long holiday will give them time to catch up on each other's lives.

7. Rest

Our children need a break. They have been in school all year. Our current educational system is very demanding and involving. Let them stay at home and relax. After all, within no time they will be back to school again!

Keeping your children busy during holidays does not need to be an expensive affair.  Give them the basics – food, shelter, clothing and love, and they will be okay.

I wish you an enjoyable and fruitful holiday!

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, 27TH NOVEMBER. "SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE"

SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE

One Sunday, as our pastor was preaching, he mentioned the words "Setting a good example" in passing. Those four words got me thinking. Why is it necessary to set a good example? Simple. There is always someone looking up to you, even if you do not want to admit it. It may be your co-worker, children, family members or even the attendants in your favorite supermarket.

 For the Christian, setting a good example draws people to Christ.

Titus 2:7 "And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching." (NLT)

Paul encouraged Titus to set a good example for the people around him so that they would take his words seriously. People are always drawn to individuals who practice what they preach.

Christ set the perfect example for us to follow. He had no sin; he lived a righteous life and practised what he preached. Do you remember the instance where he washed the disciples' feet?  Jesus was setting an example of servanthood for them. After washing all their feet, he had this to say.

John 13:15 "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you." (NLT)

A person who serves others with a genuine motive always gains the respect of men. That is the message Jesus was putting across.

Earlier on in his ministry, Jesus encouraged his followers to use their good deeds as a form of evangelism. Not many people are aware of the impact of a simple good deed. Did you know that a simple act of kindness and compassion could draw somebody to Christ?

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your good deeds shine for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (NLT)

The apostle Paul was given a great responsibility by God – to mentor thousands of Christians. Paul had no choice – he had to live a life that would draw these young believers closer to Christ. How did he manage that? Paul had the best example, Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (NIV)

Paul also had this to add.

Ephesians 5:1 "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." (NLT)

Children imitate their parents. If you do not believe this, watch your kids as they have ‘pretend' phone conversations. Don't they sound just like you? In the same way, we as children of God should imitate him.

As a Christian, you need to remember that there is always someone watching you, observing how you live your life. It is, therefore, important to live a life that is consistent with what you believe in, as that is what God expects of you. God expects you to be different from the world, and more like him. The verse below gives us a good idea of God's expectations.

Romans 12:2a "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." (NLT)

If you imitate God and let him transform you into his likeness, you will be well equipped to be a good example to others.

Have a great week!

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXCELLENCE

Do you remember in primary school seeing your teacher writing the word ‘excellent' in some children's books? Did you ever ask yourself what this word meant?  Well, excellence means being outstanding or extremely good.

Achieving excellence is not an easy thing to do. It is, however, a value that we should all seek to cultivate. God has given us specific tasks to do, and he requires that we do them well. To find an excellent employee in our country today is rare, as not many people realize the importance of doing things to the best of our ability.

God has called the Christian to a life of excellence. The perfect nature of our Father would require nothing less.  Let us look at why a life of excellence is important.

1.      Excellence pleases God.

God's perfect nature is a good example for us. Everything he does portrays excellence. Think about the creation process. When he finished, he looked at his work and was pleased with the outcome.

Genesis 1:31 "Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!" (NLT)

If we strive to perform all tasks he has given us to the best of our ability, he will be pleased. Remember, we are his servants. Our aim should be to please him in all that we do.

2 Corinthians 5:9 "So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him." (NLT)

2.      Excellence earns a reward.

Most companies have a reward system. If you do a great job during the year, you get a bonus at the end of it. God also has a reward system. His rewards may not always be monetary, or immediate. You can, however, be sure that he will reward you for doing your best.

Galatians 6:9 "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." (NLT)

Excellent work always receives a blessing. The blessing may not come immediately, but if we are patient, we will receive it. That is how God's reward system works.

Colossians 3:23-24 "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (NLT)

We need to work with willing hearts, to please both our earthly employers and Christ. If we work in a way that pleases God, we will receive an inheritance.

3.      Excellence earns the recognition of people in authority.

Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people."  (NLT)

Who would you rather work for, a king or an ordinary person? Working for a king would be better. We can compare working for kings to working for well-established companies, or people in high leadership positions in society. To get there, one has to do whatever little tasks they have perfectly so that God can open the door to bigger ones. In Luke 16:10, Jesus had this to say on the topic.

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities." (NLT)

If you are aspiring to rise in your career or get a better job, work with excellence at your present job. God will see your faithfulness and reward you. Remember, people in positions of authority are always looking for people to mentor. Let the excellent nature of your work stand out, and you will get the opportunities you deserve.

4.      Excellence leads to leadership roles.

The way we do our work has a direct impact on how society views us. The person who works hard and does his job well always receives praise and the lazy person receives ridicule. Note that you cannot be lazy and work with excellence; the two do not go hand in hand. The following verse describes the results of working hard.

Proverbs 12:24 "Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave."  (NLT)

Doing your work well and with excellence will put you ahead of everyone else, making you a leader. Your peers will look up to you and even seek your advice. They will view you as their leader and mentor. Your employer will take note of how well you do your work and give you more leadership roles and responsibilities. Being lazy, however, puts you at the bottom of the pack, making you a slave.

5.      Excellence gives you personal satisfaction.

When God finished the creation process, he was pleased with his work.  The same should apply to all of us. When you do a GREAT job, to be the best of your ability, don't you feel good? It is always exciting when you achieve your personal goals. We should all have the goal of doing everything with excellence.

Gal 6:4 "Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else." (NLT)

Personal satisfaction in your work will build your confidence and give you the drive to keep excelling in all that you do.

6.      Excellence brings glory to God.

To bring glory to God is to bring honor, credit, and praise to him. When people look at how you do your tasks with excellence, they give credit to God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (NLT)

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (NLT)

People will want to know more about the God who motivates you to do your best. An individual who does things with excellence will always attract people. As a result, you will have a perfect opportunity to share your faith in Christ with your peers and colleagues, having already won their respect and admiration.

Titus 2:7 "And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching." (NLT)

Excellence is a virtue that each one of us should practise in our daily lives. Every little task needs to be done well because that is what God requires and expects of us. Excellence should be part of our lifestyle.

In conclusion, on those days when you need a little push to do your best, meditate on these words.

Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (NLT)

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, NOVEMBER 20. "THE NAMES OF GOD, PART 5"

JEHOVAH M'KADDESH

Jehovah M'Kaddesh means, "The Lord who sanctifies, makes holy."

I have noticed that this is one of the least known names of God. Could this be because it refers to a topic that many of us do not want to discuss – holiness?

What does it mean to be holy?

Generally speaking, being holy means being set apart for a religious purpose. For us Christians, to be holy means to be set apart for God's purposes. 

God, through Jesus Christ, has paid the price for our salvation and thus expects us to live in a way that pleases him. He requires that we follow his example of holiness. 

Leviticus 20:7-8 "So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the LORD your God. Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the LORD who makes you holy." (NLT)

Leviticus 11:45 "For I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy. "(NLT)

The Lord declares that he is our God. He is the one who makes us holy. 

1 Peter 1:5 "But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy." (NLT)

The Lord who chose us and set us free is holy. We must, therefore, be holy like him.

Did you know, however,  that if we are not holy, we will not see God? 

Hebrews 12:14 "Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord." (NLT)

The Lord takes holiness very seriously. The text above implies that if you do not live a holy life, you will not get the chance to live with him in eternity. 

Let us conclude with the following verses from Psalms. 

Psalm 24: 3-5 "Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols, and never tell lies. They will receive the LORD's blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. ‘(NLT)

Have a blessed week, as you contemplate on the importance of living a holy life.

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, 13 NOVEMBER. "THE NAMES OF GOD (PART 4)"

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH

Hi, everyone. I hope you had a superb week and that you saw Jehovah Jireh work in your life. This week we will look at Jehovah Shammah.

Jehovah Shammah means, "The Lord is There."

Ezekiel 48:35 "The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord is There' ".  (NLT)

This scripture was written right at the end of Ezekiel's prophecy. In essence, the Lord was reassuring the people that his presence would be in the New Jerusalem forever.

Let us narrow this down to our Christian lives. When we accept Christ, he changes our hearts. He takes over our lives and dwells within us. We become ’new’.

Galatians 2:20 "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. " (NLT)

If Christ lives in you, does it mean his presence is with you? Of course! He is constantly there with you.

Below are some verses from the Old Testament that speak of the Lord’s presence.

Exodus 33:14 "The Lord replied, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (NIV)

The Lord said these words to Moses just before the Israelites left Egypt for the promised land. Moses was faced with a difficult task and needed to know that God would be with him all through.

Genesis 28:15 "What's more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you." (NLT)

God spoke the words above to Jacob just after being sent away by his father, Isaac. How encouraging.

As a Christian, remember that because Christ lives in you, his presence goes with you wherever you go.

Deuteronomy 31:8 "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will  be with you, he will neither fail you nor abandon you."(NLT)

Let us conclude with these beautiful words from Psalm 139.

Psalm 139:7-10 "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me." (NLT)

Have a great week ahead. May Jehovah Shammah be with you.  

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, 7TH NOVEMBER. "THE NAMES OF GOD (PART 3)"

Hello, everyone!

In the past two weeks, we have looked at five names of God. Yahweh, Jehovah Rohi, Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Nissi.

This week we will look at Jehovah Jireh.

Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)

Note the future tense used. The Lord Will provide. The Lord guarantees that he will provide for us. The Lord's nature does not allow him to make promises he cannot keep, as he is a faithful God. As his name says, he will provide for us.

Genesis 22:14a 'Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means "The Lord will provide")'. (NLT)

God told Abraham to sacrifice his precious son Isaac. Abraham was ready to obey God. He also knew, however, that God would provide a sacrifice when the time to kill Isaac came. Just when he was about to thrust the knife into his son, an angel appeared and told him to stop. At this point, Abraham looked up and saw a ram trapped in a bush. God had provided the sacrifice. 

Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God. He knew, however, that the God he served was a righteous and faithful God. He would not let Isaac die.

God requires that we trust in him as our provider even when things are not going as we planned. He knows us by name, and his plans are for our good. God's plans for us are always in line with his loving and faithful nature. 

Deuteronomy 2:7 "For the Lord has blessed you in everything you have done. He has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you, and you have lacked nothing." (NLT)

For forty long years, the Israelites had been in the wilderness. That is a long time to live in the desert! The interesting thing is that despite being in the desert, they always had food to eat and water to drink. Who provided for them? Jehovah Jireh. Are you in a desert right now? The Lord will provide.

Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?" (NLT)

Our Father takes care of the birds you see flying in the air. We are more precious to God than these birds. He has promised to take care of us. The Lord will provide.

Psalm 34:10 "Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing." (NLT)

This verse is self-explanatory. Put your faith in the Lord, and you won't lack. Note that trusting in the Lord doesn't mean you come up with a plan and ask him to approve it. You need to let him take full control of your life.

Just in case you doubt God's ability to handle your issues, read the verse below.

1 Chronicles 29:12 "Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it is in Your hands to make great and to give strength to everyone." (AMP)

Jehovah Jireh has promised to meet all our needs. Your needs may be material, physical or spiritual. If you put your faith in him, he will provide for you at his perfect time. 

Let me add this final verse as an encouragement for everyone who is looking to God for divine provision.

Philippians 4:19 "And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (AMP)

Have a blessed week!