Proverbs 22:6 : Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Today as we take this journey one step further on this Lenten Season, today and everyday we are pleading the blood of Jesus over our CHILDREN!  Yes, today’s topic of prayer and discussion are “CHILDREN”  

Jesus said:  Luke 18:16     “But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:14  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, tocome unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 

 Mark 10:13-15 KJV – 14But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom …

The bible clearly states and gives us as parents instructions on how to handle our children, and it gives the child instructions on how to honor their parent…  In the following passages of scripture I will post next, read up and read carefully….

1. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

   Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

2. Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

   Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart. King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they will become discouraged…
   
   
   1. Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.Obey your parents – This is the first great duty which God has enjoined on children. It is, to do what their parents command them to do. The God of nature …
       
   2. Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord..
       Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)Children, obey your parents in all all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

   Also, we are to protect our children from the hands of the enemy….
   

   Prayers for God’s Protection
    www.2heartsnetwork.org/protect.htm

   May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God … pray that through Your intercession of St. Nicholas You will protect our children. … darts of the enemy, And the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word, O Lord.  God bless the family of Travon Martin, whom the world is in an  uproar about on today… Lord Please do not allow our innocent children to be killed, battered or bruised mentally or physically by the hands of the enemy.. We rebuke the devour right now in Jesus Name!  Amen…
   

Why have children of one’s own when one could adopt?

From an early age, most of us simple assume that we will have children. (“I’m never going to make my kids wear sweaters they don’t like!”). And this assumption continues to influence our thought in early adulthood (“Well, I think when I have children I’d like to move to a quieter city.”).

Now, it may be reasonable to assume that one will have children, but, I ask, why should one have children of one’s own considering that one could adopt a child?

The question I’ll address is this: Are there any non-selfish reasons to have children of one’s own rather than adopt?

“Of course, Black Socrates,” you may be tempted to say. “Raising kids requires a lot from any individual. Raising a kid means sacrifice, stress and total devotion to another. How can that be selfish?”

But, remember, the question is not whether one can both be selfish and successfully raise a child. The question is whether there are any non-selfish reasons to have a child in the first place given that one could adopt a child.

Now image person with great genes. We’ll name this person Adrian. Adrian is hella smart, hella good-looking and a kind person. It seems that Adrian has a non-selfish reason to have children. Adrian can make the world better by passing on those great Adrian genes and raising a smart, kind, good-looking child. Adrian may wish to have a child for selfish reasons as well ( say Adrian just wants someone to love), but Adrian could act on the non-selfish reason of making the world better through raising children who possess Adrian genes.

Now, are there any non-selfish reasons to have children of one’s own other than this one?

Would it be wrong to have children of one’s own for merely selfish reasons?

What say you?

POSTED BY BRANDON HOGAN AT 2:13 PM  
Lenten Schedule  http://www.jamalbryant.org/et07/docs/40days_lent.pdf

Saddle-back Church In my local area in Irvine are offering small groups for those that want to discuss the word of God on an intimate level..