MEMORY VERSE: and when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. Genesis 37:4
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Galatians 2-4
Friend, no man is born a giant. The majority of the people you are using as ‘point of contact’ today, started very little. Do not use your beginning as a yardstick to measure your end. Do not use your present situation as a yardstick to measure your tomorrow. Do not be discouraged; continue making efforts, one day it will yield results. Someone once said, “Consistent effort brings luck.”
Where there is sibling rivalry, everyone suffers – the siblings involved, their children, their parents, etc. Not only that, if sibling rivalry is left unchecked, it may affect the work of God. In Numbers 12, Miriam, the first prophetess in Israel, became a leper as a result of sibling rivalry. Also, Moses’ wife, an Ethiopian woman, saw hell in the hands of her sister and brother in law as a result of the rivalry between Moses, Aaron and Miriam. Friend, God is not happy that you are not in talking terms with your siblings. They may have wronged you, please find a place in your heart to forgive them. One of the biggest hindrances to prayer is unforgiveness. Forgive them, not because they deserve it but because Christ forgave your sins and washed you in His blood.
How can we avoid or stem the tide of sibling rivalry in our families? Firstly, treat your children the same. Even If you love one particular one more than the others, do not show it. Due to one reason or the other, you may love one child above others probably because he or she is the child of old age. The bible records: “now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors” (Genesis 37:3). Sibling rivalry did not start amongst the 12 sons of Jacob because he loved Joseph more than the rest. Loving your last born more than your first or second child will not breed sibling rivalry. The rivalry between the twelve sons of Israel started when they began to see that their Father loved Joseph more than them. Genesis 37:4 says,” and when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” The old man loved Joseph and he did not hide it. He made him a coat of many colors in other words he got him a very expensive jacket and got the brothers nothing. Anytime they wanted to go out, Joseph would put on his expensive jacket, others would put on their old tattered jacket. Friend, are you treating your children the same or you buy a brand new coat for John and ignore the rest? When Beatrice speaks, you give her audience but when others speak you shun them. I want you to know that by doing this, you are dividing your family into two.
ACTION: Treat your children the same. Give them equal attention. It will save you a lot of stress when you grow old. Let us remember to pray for parents that God will give them the wisdom to raise their children in a way that will promote love.
Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.
twitter@BroOluwatoki
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