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"Train and Equip" by Connie Armstrong
Proverbs 22:1 Rather than wealth, choose a good reputation,
esteem over silver and gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common —
Adonai made them both.
3 The clever see trouble coming and hide;
the simple go on and pay the penalty.
4 The reward for humility is fear of Adonai,
along with wealth, honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares beset the way of the stubborn;
he who values his life keeps his distance from them.
6 Train a child in the way he [should] go;
and, even when old, he will not swerve from it.
7 The rich rule the poor,
and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8 He who sows injustice reaps trouble,
and the rod of his angry outburst will fail.
9 He who is generous is blessed,
because he shares his food with the poor.
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Proverbs 22:6 provides us with a valuable instruction often given as advice to new parents: Start your children off right by training them in the way they should go. We raise them to the best of our abilities. We weep innumerable tears while spending time on our knees for them. Finally, we entrust them fully into God's care.
However, what should we do with this word of wisdom when we have neither been a parent, or are now empty-nesters whose children have taken flight? Are we dismissed from giving heed to this counsel from the Lord?
The grace of Proverbs 22:6 is that it not only applies to children. Wouldn’t it be well-suited to new Christians, children in the faith? In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul speaks of “infants in Christ” who were not ready for solid (spiritual) food. We can have the privilege of equipping and training them to become fully-grown disciples of Christ, by building relationships and sharing community with them. We can equip others by teaching them the Word of God, helping cultivate their prayer life, and encouraging them in this blessed journey to heaven.-------
Hymn for Today: "A Charge To Keep I Have" by Charles Wesley
1. A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.
2. To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
to do my Master's will!
3. Arm me with jealous care,
as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord,
prepare a strict account to give!
4. Help me to watch and pray,
and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.
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Thought for Today: 2 Timothy 4:2 proclaim the Word! Be on hand with it whether the time seems right or not. Convict, censure and exhort with unfailing patience and with teaching.-------
Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Poland.
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