TOPIC: SHARPEN YOUR SWORD WITH PATIENCE
TEXT: James 1:3 “_ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience._
Memory Verse: Revelations 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
FOCUS:
This morning we are going to be looking at how do we sharpen our sword? But today I want to divert a little bit and talk about the sword that is children. Don’t forget the Bible said that Children are the heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward and today is children’s day. So happy children’s day to our children all over the world.
The Bible says that Children are God’s gift to humanity. It’s not just a way of continuing a family but they are also in a family for nurturing, for comfort. We are going to be looking at Children as the sword this morning and we are going to be looking at how do we sharpen them to become Kingdom ambassadors by patience.
James 1:4 “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Did you know that one of the things children teaches you as an adult is Patience. I remember clearly that when we were young there is this impatience we have with our parents that we look at them and say ‘when I am big I am not going to do this, I am not going to do that’ but the truth of the matter is that some of them actually did better in raising us; they were patient. So if you are going to sharpen this children and let them become whatever they are meant to be, then you have to be really patient.
To be patient means you will have to go extra miles to ensure that the children do what is required of them by God and not just you looking at them from the critical angle of Oh it’s my child. No. you must cultivate; you must nurture; you must motivate; you must ensure that they are crafted into what God has designed them to be. Just like the way the Bible said in Ephesians 2:10 that we are his workmanship, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. So it is not enough to have Children you must be patient to conform them into the image that God has prepared for them before the foundation of the world. If you are not patient, you will ruin the children.
Children are God’s blessings but you need patience to sharpen them as a sword that will be there for you tomorrow. God bless you. Amen.
LESSON:
Revelations14.12 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Today is children’s day and we are looking at the children that the Lord has given to us as signs and wonders. The bible said that I and the children whom the Lord has given me, we are for signs and for wonders (Isaiah 18:8). So, if we are for signs and for wonders, it means they are beautiful crafted for His kingdom. He made them for His purpose but He needed someone who could nurture them into His image and that is why He gave them to you as children.
God will not do anything without man and that is why in Revelations 14:12, which is our lesson that we are going to be looking at. We are going to be looking at what to do for this children to conform them. The bible said “here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Do you know that any parent who exercise patience and thoroughly nurture the children to become the image of God has a reward? What is their reward? The children stand with the enemy at the gate ; the children are blessed after them; the children becomes a royal vessel; the children makes their parents to be proud! And these are the things you have to understand and go after. The bible said ‘here is the patience of the saints’; if you are not patient, you will ruin the lives of your children.
Every child at one time or the other may have a character default but you are not to give up on them. You are to conform them to the image of God and that is why every parent must understand the purpose why that child was given to you. You must know the uniqueness, the temperament, the ability and the weakness of your child so that patience can have a perfect work in you. You must show then the way of the Lord; you must make sure that they love others which encapsulate the purpose of their lives; you must make their relationship with God to be a priority. You shouldn’t be a parent who discourage their children when they begin to show interest in the things of God.
Of course I understand that there are many things out there that are not right but there are still some that are very right. God bless you. Happy children’s day to our children all over the world. Those who are waiting, your waiting is over! May the Lord give you children as He answered Sarah and gave to Hannah. God bless you. Amen.
PERSONAL CONFESSION: I receive grace to be patient with myself and with people around me.
PRAYER FOCUS: Father deliver me from impatience in the name of Jesus christ.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Impatience robbed Esau of his destiny; Beware!
Nothing brings you to honour like patient. Patience is a symbol of a godly character.