The Tree Withers

Scripture Reading ( Matthew 21:18-22)

     18 Early in the morning as he went his way back to the city, he was hungry.19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but seen nothing except leaves. Then he said to it, " May you never bear fruit again." Immediately the fig tree withered. 20 When the disciples saw this they were amazed. " How did the fig tree withered so quickly?" they asked. 21 Jesus replied, " I tell you the truth, if you have faith and no doubt, not only you can do what I done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, go, throw your self in the sea, and it will be done.22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
 
     What benefit we could get out of a barren tree who suppose to bear fruits? Aside from providing shades, nothing else. It deserves to be cut off and thrown into the fire. That's what happend to the fig tree who does not served to its purpose.
    As christians, we are also designed to bear fruit. It is the fruit of the holy spirit. It must manifist to our character, actions and the way we deal with people. It must be shown on our willingness to serve God and people at all times.
    On the other hand, disciples were so amazed as they seen the withered fig tree. they knew Jesus cursed it and the tree died so fast. But Jesus told them that they can do bigger things and more than that only if they believe.
   Faith is everything that matters. We exist because of faith. Nothing is impossible if we only believe and ask in prayer. Whatever mountains of problems we have, we can conquere everything because Jesus promised. He has given the key to achieve the answers to our problems. Pray and have Faith!

How to Raise our Children

 " Train a child in a way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Ps. 22:6

        " Spare the rod and spoil the child" maybe the famous of the bible proverbs. Proverbs call punishment a form of love and says that parents who won't discipline their children are in danger of ruining them.
(29;15).

         Its been 15 years since I gave birth to my son. It was so amazing to think that a little child once I nortured is now a young man. Being a parent has no exact formula to follow on how to raise them properly, but I think we have common goal in mind. All we wanted is all the best for them in the near future.
 
         Since from the beginning, I got negative impression on hitting the rod as a form of discipline. I think any mistake of a child will not resolve on imposing violence. I just rely on verbal instruction and words of encouragements to motivate him in doing his responsibilities at home and even in school.

         But this method is now no longer effective on him. He grown up rebellious and always goes home late. He fights back to me and to his father in moment he is corrected. Now, I started to put a doubt on my self.. Have a raised my kid the wrong way?
 
           As I read this passage, I now realize the value of punishment as a form of discipline. Imposing consequences in their mistakes is another form of love to them. Punishment and discipline, and verbal encouragement has of equal importance in teaching good values to our children. The bible gave us authority as parents to raise the rod against  them when it is needed.