Things Smart Moms Know

I subscribe to the Joe McGee's Ministries newsletter and love reading each month. I thought this one was extra great. It is a continuation from some previous newsletters. The subject: SIX THINGS SMART MOMS KNOW. Check it out:

Greetings!

In review, the first three things we covered last month were:

1. Raising a family involves sacrifice (John 10:10-13).
2. Daily planning is a way of life (Proverbs 16:3, 9).
3. You have to be flexible (2 Peter 3:18).

The last three areas are:

4. Encourage Your Children To Dream Big.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

No two children are alike. Each one has a different gift and calling. That's why we should never compare ourselves, or our children, with anyone else. Children do not all blossom at the same time. Never be guilty of discouraging your child. That's what the devil does. He is the accuser, and his number-one weapon is discouragement. Don't let a few failures keep your child from dreaming big. The Bible teaches that the righteous fall seven times a day but they get back up. We are not known as the perfect people, we are known as the getting-back-up people.

Albert Einstein was four before he could speak.

Thomas Edison's teachers told him that he was too stupid to learn anything.

Walt Disney was fired from a job once because his boss claimed he had no creative ideas.

Abraham Lincoln entered the Black Hawk War as a captain and came out as a private. He had two businesses fail, he suffered a nervous breakdown, and he was defeated in seven different elections before being elected President of the United States.

Alexander Graham Bell was laughed at most of his life as he tried to raise money to produce his invention, the telephone.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

Smart moms always encourage their kids to dream big!

5. Help Your Kids Avoid Bad Company.

The number-one way the devil tries to get at our children is through their social lives.

Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)

We have to guide our children in the selection of their friends. Every child should be taught how to start a conversation, how to carry on a conversation, and how to end a conversation. "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly." Proverbs 18:24

In the New Testament we are commanded to stay away from certain people lest we become like them. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT) we read, "In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!"

Smart parents want their kids to have godly friends--the kind mentioned in Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Jesus taught that a friend is someone who will die for you--not someone who will get you killed.

Smart moms teach their children how to be good friends so they will always have good friends.

6. Never Give Up On Your Children.

Smart moms have eternal hope for their kids. They know they should "always pray and never give up" (Luke 18:1 NLT).

In 1 John 5:14 (NLT) we read, "And we are confident that he (God) hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."

Smart moms know that when they pray according to God's will, He will hear and answer them. They also know that no matter what their kids have done, it's God's will for their children to be saved.

He (God) wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4 (NLT). He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT).

Pray that God will teach your children to fear Him, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. It's the devil who blinds the minds of people lest they believe in the glorious gospel. We need to work with God to lead our children to a saving knowledge of Jesus. It's the goodness of God that will lead them to repentance (Romans 2:4).

God is not trying to scare our children into his kingdom. He's trying to love them into it.

If we fear the Lord and delight in His commandments, our seed will be mighty upon the earth! (Psalm 112)

Smart moms never, ever give up!

God bless,
Joe McGee

To download free messages by Joe McGee or to order teaching materials, visit us at www.joemcgeeministries.com.

If you have never heard Joe McGee speak, you don't know what you're missing. He is absolutely hilarious and is so full of wisdom. Whenever he speaks at our church, people love it. I encourage you to check out his website. I think you'll be glad you did.