Sunday Open Heavens Devotional - Fulfilling God’s Purpose (5)

MEMORISE: A wise son maketh a father glad: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Proverb 15:20.

READ: Psalms 127:3-5.
3.Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4.As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5.Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

MESSAGE
The Bible in several passages uses the word fool to describe a disobedient child. It is  important therefore to take a closer look at the characteristics of fools as presented in the Scripture. According to Proverbs, a destructive fate awaits the fool. This is especially so because of the rebellious attitude of fools. The Word of God also describes fool as arrogant, untrustworthy, argumentative, reckless, and impulsive. Fools usually refuse instructions to their own detriment. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:15: "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."
Children are usually disobedient when they wrongly assume that they know better than their elders, especially their parents. Such attitude would naturally give birth to arrogance. It is this arrogant attitude that makes them impulsive, that is, they confidently speak and act without properly thinking through. This is also the root of reckless behaviour of such children. Because they think they know so much, when in fact they know very little, they usually get into needless arguments. The combination of these detrimental behaviours would usually lead to unstable lifestyle. When these vices are found in anyone, success will be far from such a person and destruction would be looming over such a life. I hereby prophecy into the life of every child of God that is reading this devotional today, the Lord will purge your life of all evil vices and behaviours today in Jesus name. The encouraging thing is that God has a glorious purpose even for young people. And the earlier they start pursuing the purpose of God for their lives the better.
The purpose of God for Christian children is to be wise sons and daughters. Their wisdom is always expressed in their humility and simple obedience. The reward of their obedience and godliness is always evident in their success stories and testimonies. Obedient children are always at peace with God and man; they live in good health, and are usually free from any form of addiction. Because they have sound minds, they cannot be lured into cults and other destructive lifestyles. Even at a tender age, an obedient child views himself as a role model and a future leader. An obedient child is conscious of God's purpose as his sole occupation and his mind is constantly ruminating over how to achieve this. This awareness will keep his mind fixed on the word of God.

PRAYER POINT: Father, Please help me to be obedient in all things and help me to fulfil your purpose for my life in Jesus’ name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: LUKE 1:1-2:21 AND JOB 21:17-34.