Tag: Raising Children

Bible Verse of The Day – 8-18-14

Psalm 127:3 (NKJV) 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Children. That word can bring so many different thoughts to our minds.

For those of us who have them, we know that children, and the proper raising of them, can be a lot of hard work. It can be tiring, frustrating, exasperating and stressful.

But above and beyond all of that, it can be so rewarding.

Whenever someone I know has a new baby or they talk about their very young children and how fast they’re growing up, I always tell them this: “Don’t blink because they’ll be married and moved out before you know it.”

That might sound far-fetched or it might even seem like I’m being sarcastic, but it’s neither of those. It’s the truth.

I remember very clearly the day that both of my daughters were born. I know it was a long time ago, but in some ways it seems like it was just yesterday.

And then I remember the day that they both got married and I walked them down the aisle and performed their wedding ceremony. And once again it seems like it was just yesterday. But it wasn’t.

Our lives go by so very quickly. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in your 20s or in your 50s or in your 70s, or anywhere in between those ages, or even above them. If you look back at your life, you will admit that it flies by very fast.

We are only here for a season… a short season that comes and goes, seemingly in the blink of an eye.

James 4:14 (NKJV) 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Our children are a gift from God, a blessing He has entrusted us with. If we have them, it is our obligation to raise them properly and give them the love and the time they deserve.

There will always be other things that pull on our time. There will always be other things that will seem more important. And there will always be days when we just don’t feel like going that extra mile for our kids.

But we need to remember that if we don’t take the time to be there for them and shine God’s light into their lives and be a godly example for them, the enemy will gladly provide substitutes.

So let’s be sure to make the time to spend it with our children and grandchildren. When a day has passed, we will never get that day back, and we are never, ever guaranteed a tomorrow.

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

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

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Bible Verse of The Day – 4-23-14

(Psalm 78:4 NKJV)  We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

It’s important that we teach and share with our children about God’s wonderful works that He has done!

Sometimes my grandchildren come over and they are so focused on playing in their playroom that I don’t want to disturb them. But, while they are playing, I’ll prepare snacks and then I’ll begin to share some things that God has done. Their little eyes light up and they start asking questions!

Kids want to know the truth; they love to hear the things God did and the things He continues to do in our lives.

The best part about sharing God’s works, and strength, is that it is all truth! The Bible is alive! We don’t have to guess or make it up; it’s all right there in the book. We are safe to share with them His might and strengths! It will stick with them and help them.

They need to know when they are away from mom, dad, brother or sister, that they can stand and not fall down. When they’re in school and there is someone bullying them, pressuring them, tempting them or telling them lies, they need to know who to cry out to. They need to know who will help them at that time.

Mom and Dads are wonderful, but let’s face it, we can not be there all the time. We are really just a pinch of help compared to what God can do for them.

The enemy would love to get us to keep quiet and not share God’s wonderful works and strengths with our children. Maybe we don’t know much about them ourselves so we leave it up to others to teach them?

We can always share the things we do know and those things that God did personally for us. Don’t be afraid; our kids need God just as much as we do.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 2-21-14

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

Children. They’re a gift and a blessing from God himself.

As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, it’s our duty to set examples for the little ones in our lives.

Our words and, most importantly, our actions are what they see and follow. Everything we say and do gets absorbed like a sponge and then emulated.

If they see us pray, they will learn to pray. If they hear us singing praises to God, they will learn to praise God. If they hear us cussing someone out, they will learn to do the same.

We are being watched!

Knowing that our lives are examples for the little ones in our lives should give us good reason to make sure we do what is right in the eyes of God.

As they grow up, they will do what they have seen us do, so let’s set a good, godly example.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 10-31-13

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

Just the other day I enjoyed lunch time with my mom & dad! They have taught me so much throughout my life… I am so grateful!

One of the most important things they taught me was love. They showed me how to be a good parent and a good person by the way they loved all 10 of us kids, teaching us to never give up on your children no matter how they turn out or what direction they’ve taken.

They are always there for each one of us! Their example has taught me how to love, not just my children, but how to love others as well.

With love, came discipline. We were scolded when we needed it. We were hugged when needed it. We were encouraged and humbled at times when needed. It was the love that they had for us that prompted them to discipline us and teach us God’s way.

I truly believe that this love, this example, should be demonstrated in the home. Children should not have to go to school to be taught this. They should not have to go to church to learn it in Sunday school.

This love should not have to be learned by spending time with someone else’s family or by watching certain television shows. The foundation of love should by taught by us parents.

I love because my parents loved me; they were examples of it. With this love, they taught me right from wrong.

God is speaking to parents today; be an example. Raising our children is an important ministry in itself!

If we want this world to change, then we have to start in our own homes, with our own children first.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-315-0902

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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Bible Verse of The Day – 10-24-12

(Eph 6:4 NKJV)  And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

There are many different ways that we, as parents, can provoke our children. The verse above mentions fathers specifically, but this can be applied to mothers also.

We can provoke them directly, with antagonizing or harsh words, or abusive treatment. But we can also provoke them with some of the things that we don’t do.

We can provoke them by not spending time with them, by not paying attention to them, not being there when they need us, not showing them and giving them the love they deserve, etc.

Being a parent is a privilege, not a right. Our children are a blessing from God and we need to be sure we’re treating them that way! It’s way too easy to skip out on our responsibilities in today’s world, with so much time spent working.

But we can also skip out by spending too much time playing… time in front of the computer, on the smart phone, on the golf course, on the boat, in church, in ministry, and the list goes on.

God has given us priorities and they go like this: God, Spouse, Children, Work, etc. Our children are in the top 3, so we need to be careful not to let them slip into the bottom 3! It’s easy to do and sometimes we need a gentle nudge to remind us or to wake us up.

Love your children with everything in you, even when they get under your skin. We have one shot at raising each one of them, so we need to make it count!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 8-28-12

(Gen 1:1 NKJV)  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Just the other day I met this little 5 year old girl. We were having a conversation; She said to me, “how did God get to heaven?” I said, “Oh dear, He made heaven, He spoke it into existence.” She looked at me and said, I would like to do that some day. She said “I would like to speak things and they will happen”.

She made me realize how even little children have questions pertaining to God. They are so willing to listen. They want to know the truth.

If you have young children and you are wondering if they understand everything about God, don’t wait until you think they’re ready, just start speaking it; speak the truth to them.

Just like anything else, at first it may be hard for them to understand some things, but keep telling them; repeat it over and over until they get it. Sunday school is good for kids, but how about Monday school or Tuesday school, etc.? Keep teaching them throughout the week; in the kitchen when they’re helping peel carrots or when they are getting tucked into bed…oh those wonderful, true stories!

Kids need to hear the truth!

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 6-19-12

(Prov 22:6 NKJV)  Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

If we are a parent, we have a responsibility to train up our children in the way they should go. That means teaching them about the Word of God.

Therefore, we should know what the word of God says and reinforce it in their lives. That doesn’t mean to give up and stop teaching them when they are (or think they are) old enough to tell us what to do.

Number one, they should never tell us what to do in our own home or anywhere else. Number two, they should have respect for our home and obey the rules that we set in our home, no matter how old they are.

No child should tell us what to do in our own home or mess up the atmosphere there. It’s not allowed! Something will dominate your home; either God’s Spirit or the devil’s. Which one is it for you?

Take some time and give your home and your children a good evaluation and then take the necessary steps that need to be taken to make sure things are in order.

If you need to change things up, don’t wait. Do it now. If you need to take a stand in some areas, don’t wait. Do it now. Sometimes things get ugly before it get’s pretty and the longer you wait, the worse it gets.

Get God’s wisdom on how to clean up, if need be, and move forward.  

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

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Bible Verse of The Day – 5-26-12

(Prov 22:6 NKJV)  Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

This is a promise straight from God’s word, to us.

Any of us who are parents know and understand the struggles of raising children in this harsh world. There are so many things that pull on them, trying to tear them away from us and from God’s protection.

But God promises us that if we raise them up correctly, teaching them to love Him and honor Him, they will ultimately not depart from His leading.

This doesn’t mean that they might not test the waters of “lands away from home”. But it does mean that if we have trained them up properly and loved them with the love of a parent and the love of God, they will live for Him and honor Him.

If you have children or have raised children who follow God’s ways and live their lives honoring Him, give glory and honor to God for his faithfulness.

If you’re struggling right now with a child or children who have strayed from God, keep trusting Him and believing His word. His word does not return void. He does not break a promise.

Keep loving them and praying for them. Showing them love can be hard when they’re belligerent, rebellious or hateful, but God’s word says that love always wins.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808

401-377-5400

If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!

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