LET'S GIVE THANKS!

LET'S GIVE THANKS!

Finally, the year is ending. Many things may have happened to you this year, both good and bad.  Some of us have accomplished much in the course of the year, while others may not have done much.  In spite of how the year went, it is important to be thankful. Many people longed to see the end of 2016 but were not able to do so.  Those of us who have gotten to the end of 2016 need to give thanks to God for giving us the grace and strength to make it all through the year.

I will now share a few verses below to get you into the thanksgiving mood.

Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." (NLT)

His faithful love – what a beautiful description. Regardless of what we may do that displeases him, he loves us faithfully. Faithful love (loving kindness) is part of his nature.

Psalm 107:8 "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind." (NIV)

Psalm 9:1 "I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonderful deeds." (NIV)

Is there anything that God has done for you this year? If so, be thankful and praise him. As you declare what God has done for you, you are encouraging someone out there to put his or her trust in him.

1 Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. "(NLT)

The world needs to know that the God we serve is faithful and that he does great things for us. Do not be afraid to share!

Lastly, if you are anxious about what next year has in store for you, you need to know that just as God sorted you out in 2016, he will sort you out in 2017! Put your trust in him.

Philippians 4:6 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (NLT)

Talk to the Lord about what you desire for the coming year, as you thank him for what he did for you this year.

I wish you a happy and blessed Christmas, full of thanksgiving to the Lord!

PS. Please take a minute and comment at the bottom of this post, sharing what you are thankful for. Blessings.

MAKING THE GRADE

MAKING THE GRADE

For many children, the final examination results of primary and secondary school are a big deal. Many of our children are asking themselves the following questions.

• ·         If I fail these exams, what will I do?
• ·         What happens if I do not get into my favorite school?
• ·         What will my parents say if I do not get the marks that they are expecting?
• ·         If I had studied harder, would I have gotten better results?

Although these questions are valid, they are also a sign of desperation. What is the cause of this sense of desperation? Our grading system!

Grading is not necessarily a bad thing. The problem, however, is that our children have been led to believe that they will not succeed in life they do not attain a particular exam grade. Below are some the disadvantages of our current grading system.

1.      It gives those who are not up to scratch low self-esteem. A child who is constantly at the bottom of the class will feel discouraged and worthless.

2.      The system puts more focus on academic prowess rather than character building. Think about this – there are very few schools that give prizes for kindness, cleanliness, leadership, etc. Character building should be an important part of the educational process.

3.      There is no room for the development of an individual's gifts and talents. Many children struggle to attain the required grades while in reality if they had the chance to explore their talents, they would excel in those areas.

4.      Parents have also been led to believe that grades are everything. Have you heard how your friends boast when their kids attain good marks and go silent when the grades are bad? What message are they communicating to their children through these reactions?

What is the way forward?

Not much can be done about the grading in schools. There are, however, several things that parents can do to counteract any adverse effects of this classification system. Here are a few tips on how to handle a child who is not making the grade.

a)      Find out what your child's gifts are.

Is there a particular thing your child loves to do? Have you taken the time to observe your child and see where his or her interests lie? You never know that hobby or pastime could lead them to a successful career path.

b)     Encourage your child.

Some kids just need a little push from Mum and Dad to help them improve their grades. Sit down with your child and help with the difficult subjects. Study together for exams. Go out for a walk together as you both take a break and chat. Parents must, however, maintain a healthy balance between pushing and encouraging. Clear expectations should accompany every dose of loving encouragement.

c)      Explore other options.

If your child is not an academic, find a school that has a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Avoid the schools that do lots of drilling, or where the children spend long hours in class. Not all children can cope with such a strict regimen. You could also opt to have your children explore their creative side on the weekends through sport, art or music classes.

d)     Love your child.

This child is God's gift to you. It is, therefore, your responsibility to point this child in the right direction. If you are very harsh and demanding, you will find that your child confides less in you, and this will affect schoolwork. Accept your child and give guidance. Help your child find his role in society. 

Making the grade will not guarantee your child success in life. If you desire the best for your kids, begin to instill values that will help them cope with the world out there. Teach them the values that you learnt as a child. Equip them for the challenges they will face in future. Love and encourage them. Most importantly, pray for them. That way, even if your child does not make the grade, he or she will be a confident and well-rounded individual.

EVEN IF YOU'RE DIFFERENT, GOD STILL HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

EVEN IF YOU'RE DIFFERENT, GOD STILL HAS A PLAN FOR YOU

Yesterday I attended a unique wedding. Apart from the fact that it was a Sunday wedding, what stood out was that both the bride and groom were born with albinism.

Look back to your childhood. What perception did the society have towards albinism? The way I remember it, society looked down on people with albinism, simply because they were different. After yesterday's wedding, however, it dawned on me that although this young couple looked different from most people, God's plan for them still came to pass. They have been to school, have good jobs, are active in church, and now they are married. In spite of all the negative vibes society may have had towards this couple, they have succeeded.

What am I driving at? We are all different, yes, but for some people, the differences can be a challenge. Below I will share some scriptures that will encourage you, your children and your friends who may differ from society's expectations.

Psalm 37:23-24 "The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand." (NLT)

The Lord delights in EVERY DETAIL! Nothing about you surprises him. After all, he created you! Parents with children who have learning difficulties or social challenges need to remind themselves that God delights in their children because he created them.

Note, also, that the Lord knows we are bound to stumble as we walk through life. He promises to be right there to hold our hands.

Psalm 139:16 "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." (NLT)

This verse encourages me when I can't figure out what is happening in my life. God saw every moment of my life before I was born. He knew that the present challenges would come along, and I would conquer each one.

The above verse from Psalm 139 reminds us that each one of us has a different path to follow. For example, my path is different from that of my brothers, my husband, and my children. Does that make us different? Yes! Do our differences exclude us from the plan of God? NO!

Sadly, society today exerts pressure on people who are different, making them feel like second-class citizens. Interestingly, most of us do not realize that we are all different in some way; it is just that some differences are more obvious than others.

This post is to encourage anyone who is feeling like they will never measure up to the standards of society. Remember that God created you, and if you take the time to seek his will concerning your life, his purpose for you will slowly become apparent. It doesn't matter what people say – God loves you and he has a purpose for your life.

Let me end with two of my favorite verses.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)

Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."(NLT)

Have a great week!

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL, 4TH DECEMBER. WORDS FOR MOMS AND DADS - PART 1

WORDS FOR MOMS AND DADS

This week I would like to have a chat with parents. The responsibility of being a parent is quite overwhelming for most of us, and as such, I thought to share a few pointers on the role of a parent.

First, who made you a parent? God made you a parent, by giving you children. Did you know, however, that every child is a reward from the Lord?

Psalm 127:3 "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him."(NLT)

How do you handle a gift that you receive from someone you love? Do you treat it with care, or you do you throw it in the dustbin? You treat the gift with care because you love the person who gave it to you. In the same way, we should value our children because they are gifts from the Lord.

What are the duties of a parent? We will look at two key responsibilities of parents below.

1. Love your children

God gives us the perfect example of how to love our children.

Psalm 103:13 "The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him." (NLT)

We need to show tenderness and compassion (love) to our children all the time. Our love for our children should not be dependent on their behavior, performance in school or achievements in life. Love your children because they are yours.

Note that loving your child does not mean ignoring negative behavior. Correct your child lovingly, and he or she will return to the right path.

2. Provide for your children

As parents, we must also provide for our children. Children are very dependent on their parents until they reach the age of 18. Until then, parents need to provide food, shelter, clothing and access to education. These are the basic things necessary for the healthy growth and development of any child.

As the children grow older, they will need to learn the basics of financial management. Teach them to manage  household supplies well. Do not just give the children what they need and assume that they will know how to manage their homes in future.

Proverbs 13:22a "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children." (AMP)

What kind of legacy do you plan to leave for your kids? Will it benefit future generations?

As you invest with your children in mind, make sure that you prepare them to manage the investments so that they will also be able to provide for their children. Teach them how to manage their money early. As soon as you introduce pocket money, introduce the principles of saving. That way, you will not only have provided for your children's present needs but also their future needs.

Dear parents, this may seem like a difficult task. With God's help, however, you will be a great parent. If you ever feel like you are running short on strength for the task, meditate on the words below.

Psalms 29:11 "The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace." (NLT)

Have a great week as you enjoy the parenting journey!

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)