DON’T GIVE YOUR CHILD EVERYTHING RIGHT AWAY
(A Biblical Guide for Raising Godly Children)

As a parent, the best way to raise your child is not by indulging every desire immediately. Even if they deserve it, resist giving them everything just because you can. Godly parenting requires foresight: investing in your child’s character, discipline, and spiritual foundation now so they can stand firm tomorrow. Overindulgence can ruin not only their character but also their spiritual destiny.

Many parents fail to recognize a key biblical principle: even though a child is an heir, they must first live under guidance and discipline.

📖 Galatians 4:1–2 (NKJV)
“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.”

God’s design is that children learn to obey and grow in wisdom before inheriting wealth or authority. A child who receives everything too soon may grow proud, irresponsible, or spiritually weak.

A wise parent does not measure love by how much wealth they spend on their child today. True love seeks to build a life rooted in God’s wisdom.

Consider the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–31, NIV). The younger son demanded his inheritance early, left home, and squandered it in reckless living. Only when he reached rock bottom did he repent and return home. The father welcomed him with open arms, showing God’s heart of forgiveness and mercy.

Meanwhile, the older son, who had faithfully served, became resentful. Even though he had been obedient, he felt unappreciated. This illustrates that obedience and faithfulness are often tested before blessing, a principle God uses to shape character and faith.

📖 Romans 8:17 (NIV) — “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

• Just as God’s children must endure discipline and trials, so too must human children learn responsibility before fully inheriting privileges.

Sadly, many modern parents do the opposite. They spoil their children with wealth and convenience — hiring staff to cook, clean, and serve, while the children spend hours on entertainment. This may seem loving, but it can produce modern prodigals: children who are entitled, spiritually weak, and unprepared for life.

When children misbehave, some parents hesitate to discipline them, fearing they might “suffer.” But the Bible teaches:

📖 Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) — “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”

📖 Hebrews 12:7–11 (NIV) — “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. … No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Discipline is an act of love that prepares children for spiritual and moral strength. Without it, children remain vulnerable to sin and poor choices.

It is not necessary to give your child gourmet meals or satisfy every whim. Sometimes they should eat simple food — plain ugali and beans — to develop patience, gratitude, and humility. Let them experience small hardships; these are the building blocks of strength and resilience.

During school holidays, instead of beaches or parties, take your child to the village. Let them experience simple living: eat local food, fetch water, help with farming, or tend animals. Let them observe God’s creation, understand responsibility, and learn the dignity of work.

Meanwhile, a wise parent quietly prepares for the child’s future — saving, providing education, and building spiritual foundations. When the child matures, they will be capable, disciplined, and compassionate leaders, able to serve God and humanity faithfully.

True parenting is about making your child a servant today so they can become a king tomorrow. If you make them a king today, you may end up serving them tomorrow — like the elder son in the parable.

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

📖 Ephesians 6:4 (NIV) — “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

May the Lord bless you as you raise your children in wisdom, discipline, and godly love. Share this teaching to inspire other parents to build strong, Christ-centered families.

Print this post

When the Apostle Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and brought before kings to be judged, we see his remarkable boldness. Instead of using that opportunity to defend himself legally, he boldly preached the gospel. His message was so powerful that King Agrippa was almost persuaded to believe in Christ. Such courage is truly worth imitating.

**Acts 26:25–29 (NIV)**
25 Paul replied, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus. What I am saying is true and reasonable.
26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

We notice something important here: King Agrippa was deeply moved by Paul’s words and was fully persuaded in his heart, yet he stopped short of surrendering to Christ. He ended at being “persuaded” but never truly converted. The truth is, anyone in that position is still unsaved.

This is similar to what happens today. Many people hear the gospel—they respect it, enjoy it, and are touched by it. Some even feel sorrow for their sins. But the question remains: **Have they truly accepted it and obeyed it?**

You will often hear people say:

* *“I’ve been blessed today.”*
* *“That was a powerful word.”*
* *“God help me, I’ve been touched today.”*

But, dear friend, those words do not mean you are saved. You are no different from Agrippa.

Those who are genuinely convicted by the Word always take the next step. They ask: **“Brothers, what shall we do?”**

**Acts 2:37–42 (NIV)**
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Did you notice? They didn’t just say, *“Thank you Peter for the word,”* or *“Be blessed, pastor.”* Instead, they responded with action—repenting, getting baptized the very same day, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching. These are the people who later carried the gospel across the world.

This is what we need to see today—a generation of believers who don’t stop at being “persuaded,” but who fully surrender to Jesus with all their hearts and lives. Not like Agrippa, who admired the message but never obeyed it.

The time for salvation is **now**. Don’t say, “Tomorrow I will give my life to Christ.” There is no salvation tomorrow—only today. Do not deceive yourself. The Lord requires action now. To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48). So don’t just enjoy sermons and emotional moments. The real question is: **Have you been saved? If Christ returned today, would you go with Him?**

👉 Share this good news with others.

📞 If you would like help to receive Jesus into your life freely, please contact us through the numbers provided at the bottom of this message.

**Contacts:** +255 693 036 618 | +255 789 001 312

✝️ May the Lord bless you!

Print this post

Saul (later the apostle Paul) was on his way to Damascus with the intent of arresting and persecuting the saints. As we know from the story, Jesus met him on the road. A brilliant light struck his eyes, and he lost his sight. He was then led by the hand into the city, completely blind.

But while he was there, Saul was not in a normal state. He was in deep spiritual anguish. He ate no food and drank no water—he was fasting. More than that, he was praying earnestly.

After this, something remarkable happened. A man named Ananias was visited by the Lord in a vision and was instructed to go and find Saul. And the place he was told to go to was a street called Straight.

That is, the straight road.

Acts 9:8–12 (NIV)

8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

You might ask yourself: Why that street?
Why call it Straight, and not “Main Street,” or “Good Street,” or any other name?

Because spiritually speaking, Christ places His people on the straight path—the path that is made right.

Before this encounter, Paul was walking on a corrupted path: a path of opposing Christ, violence, slander, sin, and death.
But when he met Jesus, he was taken off that broken road and placed onto the straight path of his calling and service.

It is striking to see how many people today resist Christ and refuse salvation, thinking that religion will straighten their paths, that money will level their valleys, or that education will remove their mountains.

They do not realize that the only straight path is life in Christ. Everywhere else leads to valleys and mountains—and in the end, to the pit and to death. There is no rest outside of Christ.

John the Baptist understood this and cried out loudly, saying:

John 1:23 (NIV)

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

To believe in Jesus is to make the way of the Lord straight.

So let me ask you: Are you on the straight path?

Be saved today, dear brother, dear sister. Remember, outside of Christ you are lost—there is no debate about this; it is the truth. There is no hope unless Jesus saves you. Hurry and repent today. Believe in the finished work of Christ’s redemption accomplished for you on the cross. Time is short; the door of grace will not remain open forever.

May the Lord bless you.

Share this Good News with others.

Print this post

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”Acts 9:4

There are things you may do that seem right in your own eyes but in truth, they deeply grieve Christ.

The Apostle Paul formerly known as Saul thought he was doing God’s work by opposing those who followed Jesus. He was zealous, believing he was defending the faith. But what he didn’t realize was that he was actually fighting against Christ Himself.

It wasn’t until his dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus that the truth was revealed:

“And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’”Acts 9:4–5, ESV

In the original Greek, the word translated as “persecuting” also carries the idea of “causing suffering” or “harassing.” Jesus was telling Saul: “You’re not just opposing people you are attacking Me.”

TWO GROUPS WHO PERSECUTE CHRIST TODAY

1. Unbelievers Who Oppose the Church

Paul is a prime example of a religious person who didn’t know Jesus, yet aggressively opposed those who did. He dragged Christians out of their homes, imprisoned them, and even supported their execution (see Acts 8:1–3).

Today, there are still people governments, communities, even individuals who:

• Oppose true churches,
• Speak against God’s servants,
• Mock or physically harm believers.

But what they may not realize is that in doing so, they are persecuting Christ Himself.

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”Matthew 25:40, ESV

If you’re in this category whether by actions, words, or attitudes repent today. Turn to Jesus and receive His mercy. Don’t continue fighting the very One who died to save you.

2. Believers Who Fall Away and Return to Sin

There’s another way people “persecute” Christ and it comes from within the Church.

This happens when someone has truly received salvation, experienced the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of God’s Word but then willfully returns to their old sinful life.

“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened…and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”Hebrews 6:4–6, ESV

This is not just “backsliding” it is re crucifying Christ, treating His sacrifice as something cheap. It’s not just a mistake; it is spiritual rebellion.

When you, as a believer:

• Go back to sexual immorality,
• Indulge in drunkenness and worldly pleasures,
• Treat sin casually…

…you are wounding the Savior who died for you.

It’s like a child striking his own father. Isn’t that a curse?

STOP PLAYING WITH SIN

Don’t grow comfortable in sin just because you’re “already saved.” The sins of a believer are not like the sins of the world they are acts of spiritual betrayal.

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.”Hebrews 10:26, NIV

So ask yourself honestly:

Did you receive Christ just to wound Him again?

RETURN TO HOLINESS

Repent sincerely. Return to Christ before your heart becomes too hard to feel conviction.

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”Hebrews 12:14, ESV

Love righteousness. Pursue a holy life. Jesus didn’t die so we could live like the world. He died to set us free from sin.

• Unbelievers persecute Christ when they attack His Church.
• Believers persecute Christ when they return to sin after knowing the truth.
• Whether you’re in the world or in the Church, if your life is grieving Christ, repent.
• Choose holiness. Follow Jesus with sincerity. Don’t be the one who brings sorrow to the One who saved you.

Print this post

When Mary was visited by the angel and told of things that were humanly impossible, she responded in a most extraordinary way. She did not argue. She did not resist or oppose the purpose and plan of God for her life even though it far surpassed her human understanding. On the contrary, she embraced it. And not with shallow words or surface agreement, but with a confession of servanthood. She said:

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
(Luke 1:38, ESV)

In other words, she was saying: If this task requires me to serve as a slave, then so be it I am willing.

Let’s revisit the passage:

Luke 1:34-35, 38 (KJV)
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Mary becomes a perfect model not just for godly women but for the entire Church of Christ. Her example shows the kind of obedience the Lord desires from all who revere Him.

Despite the fact that this calling was, by human standards, impossible, and even though she knew it could bring shame and public disgrace, she still accepted God’s plan. She knew that becoming miraculously pregnant would make people assume the worst that she had committed adultery. She knew there were serious responsibilities ahead. Still, she received the purpose of God, a purpose far beyond her ability.

Mary didn’t make the mistake Moses did, telling God to “send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). She didn’t resist the calling like Jonah, fleeing to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). Instead, she received the divine assignment with greater devotion than a slave she gave her whole self.

No wonder the Lord granted her such great grace.

God Looks for Willingness Over Ability

Dear brother or sister, the Lord is looking more at your willingness than at your natural ability. He values your obedience more than your age, experience, or qualifications.

Every believer today, under the New Covenant, has been called to do great things just as Mary did. There is no one who is exempt from the high calling of God, because our God is the God of the impossible:

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
(Luke 1:37, ESV)

The only reason many do not see great results in their spiritual lives is because our faith is weak. What is required is a complete surrender to God.allowing Him to work through us, beyond our own understanding.

It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman, young or old, educated or not, rich or poor.what matters is that you, like Mary, surrender yourself fully to whatever purpose God has for your life.

If you have the opportunity to pray for the sick, do it. If you can share the gospel on the streets, in marketplaces, at sports grounds, do it. In these moments, the Lord will reveal Himself to you in extraordinary ways and all glory will go to Him.

God Uses Weak Vessels

Never forget: God has chosen to use weak and ordinary vessels to fulfill His perfect purposes.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”
(1 Corinthians 1:27, KJV)

So let us, like Mary, say from the heart:

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Amen.

May the Lord bless you.

Print this post