March 31 - Happy Resurrection Day!

"And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."  
Matthew 28:2-6 (KJV)

Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  What is the importance of Christ's resurrection to those who believe in him?  The Full Life Study bible list the following:

1. It proves he is the Son of God
2. It guarantees the efficacy of his redemptive death
3. It verifies the truth of Scripture
4. It is proof of future judgment on the wicked
5. It is the foundation of Christ's gift of the Holy Spirit and spiritual life to his people and for his heavenly ministry of intercession for the believer
6. It assures believers of their future heavenly inheritance and of their resurrection or translation when the Lord returns
7. It makes available the presence of Christ and his power over sin in our everyday experience

These points or reasons are all wonderful and good to know in addressing the importance of Christ's resurrection.  They're also great to share with our children when/if our sons/daughters become too enamored with the commercialism of Easter.  However, I'd like to offer one more item of importance as to Christ's resurrection, which is offered in verse 18.  "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."  The word power translated is 'exousia'  (eks-ü-sē'-ä), which means 'AUTHORITY'.  Therefore Jesus says "all authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth."  As believers, when we receive the Holy Spirit...we receive the authority and power.

Thank You Jesus for dying, rising and living for us!  What a truly awesome testimony, to serve a RISEN, LIVING Savior.  Thank you for the promise of AUTHORITY!  Because You were resurrected, I speak with authority to any child that is in rebellion to Your will; OBEDIENCE RESURRECTED!  I speak to any child that has gone astray; RECONCILIATION RESURRECTED!  I speak to any child that is feeling oppressed; ENCOURAGEMENT RESURRECTED !  To the child who is bound by whatever the vice may be; DELIVERANCE AND LIBERATION RESURRECTED!  I speak to the husband/wife whose marriage is under attack;  LOVE, HONOR, RESPECT AND SELFLESSNESS RESURRECTED!  To the finances that are out of order; BUDGETING, ORDER AND INCREASE RESURRECTED!  To the person dealing with physical or mental health challenges; HEALING AND WHOLENESS RESURRECTED!  Lord, let us live out the RESURRECTION today!  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 30

Above all else, we want our children to come to a knowledge of who God really is and to know Jesus as their Savior.  When that happens, we know their eternal future is secure; we know that when they die, we will see them again in heaven.  What a wonderful hope that is!  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

The importance of our children knowing God for themselves is that he/she can't get heaven based on our relationship!  While we should introduce them and make sure the foundation is laid; the ultimate decision to know God is up to them.  Each of our children have their own will and it's up to them to submit to God and His purpose for their lives. 

Just as the thief said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom", when our children accept, believe and confess; their eternal future is secure.  They shall be saved and not perish! 

Thank you Lord for remembering us when You were yet on the cross!  In the midst of dying, You took the time to minister and extend the kingdom to a sinner.  I pray that my sons and daughter will always be on Your mind Lord.  I pray that You will always remember them and continue to pray for them.  I pray that they will know you and accept you as their Savior.  I pray that we will all enjoy life eternally.  Thank you for "Verily  I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" because it is a wonderful hope for us to look toward.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 29

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:  the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Matthew 26:41 (KJV)

I use to ignorantly quote 'the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak' as a way to justify my shortcomings or inability to resist temptation.  Reading the scripture in context; I realize that the scripture is much more weighted than I could have ever imagined.  When Jesus says these words, He's in the garden of Gethsemane and has just found his disciples asleep after asking them to pray.  Jesus' realization that the fulfillment of scripture is inevitable has him, in his human state, "sorrowful".  So much so that He even asks, "if it be possible, let this cup pass from me..."  Thankfully, Jesus submits His will to the will of God!

The weight of this scripture lies in knowing that when confronted by the multitude, Jesus could have prayed to His Father and the Father would "presently give me more than twelve legions of angels" (v. 53).  But Jesus didn't...He knew what was at stake and He did not enter into temptation. 

As we enter this season of the Resurrection and we reflect on what was done on Calvary; I have to be honest about this season of prayer...I feel as if I'm being crucified.  Nevertheless; it's not about me!  There are so many people, children, marriages and unborn seeds that are being affected by the corporate prayers; like Jesus, I have to say "not as I will, but as thou wilt." 

Father, you know what I'm facing and You know where I stand.  You know my head and my heart.  You know that my head says, 'right is right and wrong is wrong'; but my heart says 'forgive for they know not what they do' and I should not judge but take them to Jesus.  You know that as a parent, I want this 'cup to pass', but as Your servant, I know that this portion of life must be fulfilled.  So Lord, I ask for Your strength and grace.  Thank you for peace!  Thank you for your word to help me increase my faith and trust.  I know that You would not put more on me than I can bear.  Weeping may endure for a night, but joy will come...it will come!  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 28

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  Psalm 91:11 (KJV)

God commissions angels to watch carefully over the lives and interests of the faithful.  (1) They take special note of all who seek continually to dwell in God's presence, and they guard the body, soul and spirit of these believers.  (2) The protection includes all our ways; there is no limit as long as we walk in the shadow of the Almighty.  They lift us up in our troubles (v. 12) and give us support as we face our spiritual enemies (Ephesians 6:10-12; 1 Peter 5:8).  {Full Life Study Bible, study notes}
 

Working in the school system, I see so many children (they're all children no matter their age) that are facing incredible obstacles in addition to trying learn.  Often there is abuse/neglect/dependency in the home, undiagnosed AND diagnosed mental illness, financial challenges, homelessness, parental incarceration...and that's just what the elementary kids are dealing with!  No wonder they're constantly being sent to the office with "behavior issues"...with all of that drama; who wouldn't exhibit some type of behavior?!?! 

As today begins spring recess for the kids; my thoughts are with them and what this Sunday will mean to them.  Everybody knows (*Phaedra Parks voice*), that even folk who don't regularly attend,  will make their way to some body's church this weekend.  Children will get to wear their special outfits complete with hats, gloves, hair bows and bow ties.  But after the fashion show is over and all the palms are tossed aside...what about the children?  Now, more than ever, our children (biological and the village) need to know that Jesus died for them and no matter what they're facing; His blood still works!  Our children need to know that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).  We need to make sure we know the significance of what Jesus did on Calvary and that our children know the significance as well.  Not just that they get to look 'fly' on Easter!

Father, as we draw near to the day set aside to celebrate Jesus' resurrection; help us to keep the main thing, the main thing.  Let us be mindful that Jesus paid it all and we're now benefactors of healing, deliverance, salvation, peace, joy, forgiveness and protection.  Let something be said or done to make Calvary real to some child this weekend.  Show them, that after all these year...the blood still has miraculous power!  Watch over them while they're on this break from school and allow them to return safely, with a greater understanding of Your Son.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen!!

March 27

After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, “Abraham!”  “Yes?” answered Abraham. “I’m listening.”  He said, “Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I’ll point out to you.”  Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants and his son Isaac. He had split wood for the burnt offering. He set out for the place God had directed him. On the third day he looked up and saw the place in the distance. Abraham told his two young servants, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I are going over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.”   Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and gave it to Isaac his son to carry. He carried the flint and the knife. The two of them went off together.  Isaac said to Abraham his father, “Father?”

“Yes, my son.”  “We have flint and wood, but where’s the sheep for the burnt offering?”  Abraham said, “Son, God will see to it that there’s a sheep for the burnt offering.” And they kept on walking together.  They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son.  Just then an angel of God called to him out of Heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Yes, I’m listening.”  “Don’t lay a hand on that boy! Don’t touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn’t hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me.” 
Genesis 22:1-18 (Message)

The Full Life Study Bible's study notes offers that "The central issue lay in two areas that illustrate God's measure in dealing with all believers. (a) Was Abraham's love for God greater than his love for others, even his beloved son? (b) Was Abraham's hope of the fulfillment of the promise still in God, or did he now hope in something else, i.e., in Isaac?  Through this test God forced Abraham to face these questions and to make clear whether he indeed feared God with all his heart.  God did not really desire Isaac's physical death, for he later condemned human sacrifice as a terrible sin.  But he did want to test Abraham's commitment."  WOE!!! 

For me, two things validate these two areas in the scripture.  First, the scripture tells us that 'Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and gave it to Isaac for his son to carry.'  I believe that the wood symbolizes the cross and we all have our own cross to bear (carry).  In this time of testing, though we may be tempted to carry the cross for our children; greater love for God would have us to give them the wood and let them carry it for themselves.  How else will they ever truly appreciate the cross?  Second, we must keep our hope in God for the fulfillment of the promise and our prayers.  Abraham said, in faith, that God would provide!  Thus exhibiting his faith in God fulfilling the promise.  Sometimes we get caught up focusing on the promise (our children) and we neglect the Promise Keeper.  Our hope, our faith, must be in God...not our children.  It's dangerous to put your faith in anyone other than God not only because it's likely that people will fail you, but also because God may just decide to test your commitment!

Oh Lord, I love You and I declare that You are the desire of my heart!  I love my children with an indescribable love.  Although this is fact; I dare not love or covet them, more than You.  On a grading scale, one can pass with a 'D'.  Though the grade is considered "Poor", it's still a passing grade.  Well Lord, I don't just want to pass this test; I want to ACE this test, so that I will not have to repeat the lesson again.  Let me not hesitate to put my son/daughter on the altar for You and You will know that I reverently fear You as the all-knowing God.  As my faith is tested, help me to "consider it pure joy",whenever I face trials of many kinds, knowing that the testing of my faith develops perseverance.  As You implore me to release my child to you; God give me peace in the process and comfort during the chaos.  Just as this test will pass, so will I...with an 'A'.  Amen!

March 26

One of God's main purposes for your life is to fill you with so much of His love that it overflows onto others.  Praying for your child will not only be a sign of that love in your heart, it could also be the very means by which that love is multiplied to overflowing.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

"Intercession may be defined as holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God's intervention." (Article on Intercession, Full Life Study Bible). 

The 'hook' of intercessory prayer is that the recipient may need prayer, and not necessarily want it!  In this season of corporate praying parents, the reality is that some of us are dealing with children who are prepared to build houses in the wilderness.  The truth of the matter is, some of our children have gotten a taste of immorality, drugs, rebellion and everything else the enemy could plant in their path, and they're enjoying the ride.  We can't get too upset, because if we're honest, when we were in the midst of sin...we liked it too!  I've heard preachers say that the devil don't tempt you with nothing you don't like...for instance; it's easy to resist temptation from Whoopi Goldberg, but Halle Berry is another story!  So if they're gonna do what they want to do anyway; why should we even waste our blood, sweat and tears interceding on their behalf?!?!!  We put God in the same position and instead of kicking us to the curb, He sent his son.  We are reminded that "Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us"  Romans 8:34 (NIV).  That's love multiplied and overflowing.

Lord, every time I feel like throwing in the towel, You remind me that You didn't give up on me and therefore I can't give up on him/her.  Thank you for raising your eyebrow at my tantrum, but lovingly raising the standard in us to pray with even more determination.  Continue to fill us with Your love and continue to teach us how to parent Your children the way You parent us...never giving up!  Fill our cups with love...let them overflow.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 25

"For you are a holy people to the Lord you God.  The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.  The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were fewest of all peoples.  But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.  Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments."  Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (NIV)

The people of Israel were called holy because they were "set apart" and called to "abstain from every kind of impurity" as God's chosen people.  Sometimes we see the word holy and we automatically begin to disqualify our self (ok, I know you don't because you're a super saint, but I'm still striving). We equate holy with The Holy One or Perfect and thus we're not capable of being holy, but 1Peter 1:16 says "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."  Verse 14 repels the excuse that "we're human" with "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance."  In other words, that excuse will fly as long as we don't know any better, but once we know better, we're accountable and we are to be holy in a moral sense...pure, upright.  Yes, mankind is sinful in nature, BUT as a believer our sinful nature should sin-less the more we grow and know our Father in Heaven. 

The Full Life Study Bible study notes reflect that "God's choice of Israel was motivated by his love for them.  Moreover, God promised to faithfully keep his covenant and show mercy to generation after generation of 'those who love him and keep his commands'."  That was the Old Testament and I'm grateful for the history and foundation of the Old Testament.  Nevertheless, I am persuaded that God's choice of us is motivated by His love for us and solidified by Jesus' death on the cross.  There's power in knowing that God has promised to keep his covenant of love to a thousand generations!  To that point, just as God promised to love the generations, we have to stand in the gap and pray for the generations.  We have to pray for our children's children and their children's children. 

Heavenly Father, we pray right now for the wives that our sons will 'find' and the husbands that our daughters will marry.  We pray and believe that our children will receive your word as the ultimate authority for their lives.  He/she will abide in your love and hide your word in his/her heart.  We declare your word manifested in their lives, in that they will be a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people that shall show forth the praises of you who has called them out of darkness and delivered them into the marvellous light!  We are your treasured possessions and we thank you for choosing us.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 24

Lord, with each day that my child grows in the confidence of being loved and accepted, release in him/her the capacity to easily communicate love to others.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

My beloved husband often says that many times in life, "we may be the only 'bible' a person sees".  What he means by that is, people may not always read the bible or attend a church, but people will most likely have relationships.  The way we as believers demonstrate God's love toward one another, and especially to those that are unsaved, could be the difference between life and death.  Think about how many times you've given someone a hug, sent a card, offered a word of encouragement or even something as simple as a smile, and the recipient said; "you don't know how much I needed that"!  Now if you're not giving and showing love, you're either keeping it all to yourself (which is not good) OR you don't have any to give!  Hmmmm, that's a subject for another day.

The thing about God's love is that it's so good; you just can't keep it to yourself!  The more you're loved and accepted by God, the more it shows.  Your confidence grows, your appearance may change, your mindset changes and things that "so easily beset you" are easily laid aside.  Translation, the saying, "Too blessed to be stressed" becomes REAL.  As we love and accept our children AND they grow in the confidence of His love; we are excited about them becoming ambassadors for the kingdom extending the same love and acceptance shown to them.

Father, as we continue to grow in Your love, help us continue to sow love in our children.  Help us to accept them and cherish them the same way You accept and cherish us.  Though our children have our DNA; they are Your seeds!  Just as much as they resemble us, they should exhibit Your spirit and Your character.  We pray that You release more of Your love in their lives today and that they will not only receive it, but they will also communicate love to others.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 23

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.  You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."  Romans 5:5-6 (NIV)

The Full Life Study Bible's study notes say this about Romans 5:5}

Christians experience the love of God (i.e., God's love for believers) in their hearts through the Holy Spirit, especially in times of trouble.  The verb "poured out" is a present perfect tense in the indicative mood, expressing an existing condition from a prior action, i.e., the Spirit continues to flood our hearts with love.  It is this ever-present experience of God's love that sustains us in sufferings and assures us that our hope for future glory is not illusory.  Christ's return for us is sure.
 

 When I think about the power of Christ's death on Calvary and the significance of the Holy Spirit to the believer; I can't help but get excited and (in the face of adversity) encouraged!  Not only did Jesus' blood save us "from wrath through him" (verse 9), but we also "received the atonement" or "reconciliation" (verse 11).  In other words, Grace and Mercy!!!  This is good news for a parent praying for a prodigal child.

Lord, thank you for the reminder that what Jesus did on the cross cannot be undone!  After all these years, the blood still has miraculous, saving POWER!  The blood reaches where we cannot be in the flesh.  Therefore, we plead the blood over our sons/daughters right now.  As Jesus died for us while we were still powerless; we contend, in faith, for our children but with the POWER of the blood and the Holy Spirit.  We rejoice in knowing that goodness and mercy shall follow our children all the days of their lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 22

Along with prayer, children need to see love manifested toward them with eye contact, physical touch (a pat, a hug, a kiss), and with loving acts, deeds and words.   (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Gary Chapman, PhD and Ross Campbell, MD have a wonderful book called The 5 Love Languages of Children.  The book's description asks 'Does your child speak a different language? Sometimes they wager for your attention, and other times they ignore you completely. Sometimes they are filled with gratitude and affection, and other times they seem totally indifferent. Attitude. Behavior. Development. Everything depends on the love relationship between you and your child. When children feel loved, they do their best. But how can you make sure your child feels loved?'  The book then goes on to discuss the different Love Languages listed below:

• Physical Touch
• Words of Affirmation
• Quality Time
• Gifts
• Acts of Service

"Every child has a primary language of love, a way in which he or she understands a parent's love best." (Chapman)

Back in the day, DeBarge had a song called "Love me in a Special Way"...this is the essence of the Love Languages!  In my marriage, if I constantly offer my husband words of affirmation when he desires physical touch; it's not that I don't love him, but that I'm not loving him in his special way.  The key to showing our children love is not loving them how we want to, but loving them how they want to be loved. 

Lord, as much as we pray for our children, let us not forget to show them love manifested in a way that is receptive to them.  For the child that receives love by physical touch; let us hold them as Your word says we are to hold fast the faithful word.  For the child that receives love by words of affirmation; let us remind them that he/she is "fearfully and wonderfully made".  For the child that receives love through quality time; let us teach them that "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven".  For the child that receives love through gifts; let us pray for the gifts of the Spirit.  For the child that receives love by acts of service, we pray that they'll know, if they're faithful over a few things, You will say "well done" and make them ruler over many.  We will love them specially, we will love them in a special way.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 21

Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, For in You do I trust.  Psalm 143:8
(Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Sometimes our kids are slow to get up in the morning on school days.  I have the morning routine down to a science so every minute is managed to ensure we stay on time and don't miss the bus.  The routine is always the same:  wake up, eat breakfast, brush teeth/wash face, get dressed, head out!  As the conductor of this 'morning train', I'm the one that gets it started with the wake up call.  I've noticed that when I yell from the kitchen for the kids to get up, they come downstairs with a little attitude.  But when I go into their room and tickle them awake or sing a song to get them up; they are much more pleasant.  I also make a conscious effort NOT to fuss or discipline them in the morning.  IT'S CHALLENGING because the children are not always cooperative!  Sometimes, one gets back in bed (totally throwing off the routine), somebody eats slow, somebody can't find their socks, somebody didn't finish all their homework...SIGH!  Nevertheless, yelling at them only serves to start their day off on the wrong foot.  Just think about it, if I bring them to tears before they even leave the house, I'm setting the atmosphere for their day.

The scripture above comes from a passage titled, "The prayer of a soul in distress".  It may seem strong, but look at it this way.  Have you ever used the phrase; "I got out up on the wrong side of the bed"?  You stayed up too late watching television, the alarm clock sounded too early, you burned the toast and the coffee spilled all over the counter.  Now imagine that morning with someone yelling at you to "Hurry up or you're going to miss the bus" or "what do you mean you can't find your socks?...they're your socks...don't make me come up there!"  When it's time to leave the house, faces are long and hearts crushed.  Our children have enough to deal with outside the home!  While they're at home, they should be safe from distress, at least first thing in the morning!  I got this practice from my mom because she would always admonish us about arguing with one another and not resolving it before parting ways.  She'd say, "you don't know if this is the last time you'll see one another".  God forbid if something were to happen to a child and the last thing he/she remembers is their parent complaining about being late for school or incomplete homework!  

Lord, help me to remember that I can establish my child's day with my words!  Help me to first spend time with You Lord, so that when I encounter my child(ren) he/she will know that I've been in Your presence.  There will be some days that I will not only need to pray for them, but I will need to pray WITH them, so help me to have the right mindset when I rise.  Give me and the children an attitude of gratitude for another day You've blessed us to see.  Help me to greet my children with Your loving kindness in the morning and the day will align accordingly.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 20

Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Luke 6:37 (NIV)

As parents, the positions we hold in our childrens' lives require great discernment, wisdom and understanding.  All of which are available for the asking!  We can pray for discernment in a matter to see and know the will of God.  Speaking of wisdom, Proverbs 4:6-8 says this, "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.  The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you."  Safe to say...we need discernment, wisdom and understanding.

It's important to have this 'trio' because there will be times when we will need to forgive our children.  Yes, I said forgive!  We do ourselves a disservice when think that because we are the 'adult' things don't affect us when inflicted from our children.  That deception will have you bitter towards your child and you not even realize it.  Take for example the first time your child betrayed your trust with a lie...as my mother would say, 'a bold face lie'.  He/she stood right in your face and denied breaking that vase; refused to confess to eating that cookie even though the crumbs were still evident on their face; claimed ignorance when asked about his/her behavior when you got the phone call from the teacher.  In all these instances, after the initial frustration and disappointment, betrayal of trust may not have been addressed although it was definitely the elephant in the room.  It is important for children to know and realize that as parents we are still human and we have feelings!  Our children should know that the things they do not only affect them, but they also affect us because we love them so much.  

We are called to forgive, just as God forgives us.  We may not even realize it because we don't want to admit the hurt or we discount our feelings as immature...NOT SO!  I'm here to tell you,  unforgiveness towards our children for the smallest untruth, to the most significant act of rebellion is something that we cannot ignore.  Ephesians 4:32 says, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Heavenly Father, once again You've shown us that we have a lot of growing up to do!  As our Father and Creator, You know all about us...the good, the bad and the not so pretty.  Thank you for reminding us that just as You have forgiven us, Your children; we too must forgive our children.  Show us the issues that we hold onto, maybe because they represent a greater sin within ourselves, that we need to forgive.  Teach us how to forgive and give us the ability to forget, in spite of our human inclination to suppress, rather than suspend from our mind the offense.  Reveal to us, when we should ask our children to forgive us, for we will undoubtedly hurt them  as well.  If we have been forgiveness, we cannot withhold forgiveness!  Thank you for another chance to get it right.  In Jesus name, Amen!   

March 19

"...I have loved you with an everlasting love."  Jeremiah 31:3
(Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

In the Old Testament, the Lord spoke about His EVERLASTING LOVE and in the New Testament; He proved it when He sent His Son.  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE."  John 3:16 When I read the verse from Jeremiah 31:3, a song popped into my head.  I believe that it's what God wants said about this verse.  God also wants us to know that in order to live out His word, we have to be able to APPLY HIS WORD in our lives.  This walk doesn't always have to be deep, sometimes God speaks in "life situation" ways.  I hope this song helps you with God's everlasting love!  It is my prayer for today.  Click on the link below:

http://youtu.be/RC-_DImwd88 


Amen!

March 18

"...we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.  God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."  1 John 4:16 KJV (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

Initially this scripture would seem like one of those meek and mild scriptures that give you a warm fuzzy feeling.  But when I think about what it says, I get excited and stirred up about another line of defense against the enemy.  When I read "we have known AND believed", I was immediately drawn into KNOWN.  The word translated known in our text comes from the Greek word gnosko which is 'to know by experience'.  It is a verb, an action word, meaning something we do...we participate in the knowing.  And because we participate in the knowing, we gain the experience of knowing, which is something that can never be taken away.  When we KNOW GOD, it's a lot easier to BELIEVE GOD!  There is a hymn that says, "There are some things I may not know, there are some places that I can't go; but I am sure of this one thing...that God is real, for I can feel Him in my soul."  Another song says, "You can't make me doubt Him, I KNOW too much about Him".  Knowing God is important in being able to "stand against the wiles of the devil".  Nevertheless, we also have to recognize that there are some, that have not known the love of God and therefore believing can be a challenge.  Our responsibility is to show God's love in tangible ways and point them to Jesus as the author and finisher of their faith. 

God I know that You love me because You sent Your Son to die for my sins!  I know that You love because You gave me Your Spirit so that I can crucify the flesh and be led by the Spirit.  I know that You love me because Your compassion never fails...Your word says "It is the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  I know that You love me because when I was speeding and deserved a ticket; You granted me grace and had the officer give me a warning.  I know that You love me because when it could've been malignant, You said benign.  I know that You love me because as a single mother, when I needed my brakes fixed, You approved my credit so the repairs could be made.  So many times You've proven Your love toward me...I just can't tell it all.  My prayer is that anyone who has not known You, will know You for themselves and they too will believe.  In Jesus name, Amen!

http://youtu.be/4QKeGO-5nao

March 17

Parental love is often the means by which children actually open themselves to God's love and come to understand it early in life.  That's why from the time our children are born, we should pray, "God help me to really love my child the way You want me to and teach me how to show it in a way he/she can understand."  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

The wonderful article on Parents and Children in the Full Life Study Bible says, "In bringing up their children, parents should show no favoritism, encourage as well as correct, punish only intentional wrongdoing, and dedicate their lives in love to their children with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12-14, 21)."  Whew, that sounds like A LOT!!!  The truth of the matter is, any parent who is honest will tell you; sometimes parenting is down right HARD!  At the same time, we have to remember it is a privilege and honor to be entrusted with the lives of His seed. 

If you have more than one child, you've probably encountered the favoritism issue, either from the children or in your mind.  I don't want to get into whether or not favoritism actually happens...what I believe, is that the "perception" of favoritism is more so the issue and often perception is reality!  Being able to encourage as well as correct is something that must be a conscious effort.  If the only thing your child(ren) hears from you is that he/she has done something wrong, sooner or later, that's all he/she will believe is the extent of their capabilities.  Only punishing intentional wrongdoing...on this, I'll admit shortcoming.  Sometimes the frustration of parenting and why my son or daughter just can't 'get it', becomes too much and rather than deal with with the issue...I'd rather issue a reprimand and hope he/she learns the lesson.  <REVELATION> What if God did the same to me?  Time to rethink what and how we punish!  Dedicating our lives to loving our children with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience is accomplished through living by the Spirit. 

What a treasure to have the blueprint on parenting in God's word!  We know that we can look to God as the model of what a parent should and should not do, as well as,  what a parent should and should not be.  Just as God loves us all in a special way; let us too love our children in a way that will be embraced by them.  To the child that is musically inclined, maybe we sing together...even if it's off key.  To the child with athletic ability, maybe we can develop 'stat' cards highlighting their accomplishments.  For the child who excels in school, maybe a collage of report cards, tests, and certificates.  We have to get out of the mindset that telling our children we love them is enough...sometimes we need to let them see it.  Love is what it does!  Help us to meet our children at their point of need, especially when their primary need from us is love.  In Jesus name, Amen! 

March 16

Lord, help my child to abide in Your Love.  Manifest Your love to this child in a real way today and help him/her to receive it.  As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you:  continue ye in My love.  John 15:9 (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

In the prayer above, the word 'ABIDE' kept jumping out at me.  Actually in the reference Mrs. Omartian uses, the latter part of the scripture is recorded as "abide in My Love", not "continue ye in My love".  But I could not find "abide" used in John 15:9 in either the King James Version or the New International Version (if you know the version used, please share).  So I delved into what the translation said about this word.  The word abide is from a Greek word 'meno' and the meaning is the same for the "continue ye".  As it is used in John 15:9, it means "not to depart--to be held, or kept, continually."  Jesus then goes on to tell us how 'not to depart from His love'...by keeping His commandments!  Jesus' commandments, not to be confused with the Ten Commandments, were always about love and compassion.  Don't be deceived; Jesus kept and followed the Ten Commandments, please don't think I'm saying otherwise.  Jesus commanded that "ye love one another, as I have loved you."  Jesus commanded that we judge not when He said, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."  Jesus commanded, if you love me, "Feed my sheep".  It is clear to me that love and abiding in love, are key to being kept by Jesus.

Heavenly Father, help our children to abide in your love daily.  Help us to show them Your love by the way we treat one another.  I speak to the obedience of every person that is capable of showing love and I pray submission on their part.  A smile, a hug, a card, a word of encouragement, a monetary blessing, whatever You have placed on their heart as a way to show love, let them give it cheerfully and let it return to them 100 fold.  As we abide in You, as our children abide in You and not depart from You; it is promised that You will hold us and keep us continually.  Wrap Your loving arms around us and let us abide.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 15

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  1 John 4:9-11 (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

God's love for us sent His Son "to be" the "propitiation" for our sins.  'To be' is a third person singular present indicative of IS.  The word "propitiation" defined is "a means of appeasing" or "to bring to a state of peace, quiet or calm; to satisfy, or relieve."  So the amplified reading of this portion of scripture says this:  "His Son IS the means of appeasing for our sins."  This significance of this is not to give us an authorization to continue to sin, but it is an inclination to do the opposite!  Remember this, "each time we sin, we crucify Jesus again".  If we call ourselves Christians and we do not love one another, we sin!  How can we love God whom we have not seen and not love our brothers/sisters/children whom we have seen?  1 John 4:20 says, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar." 

What does this have to do with praying for our children?  Just like a husband, who does not honour his wife, will have his prayers hindered; so will a parent who does not love his/her brothers and sisters.  OUCH!!!  This cuts me today as  I'm struggling to deal with an estranged sibling who I feel has been very cold to me.  But the fact of the matter is, it's not about me...it's about Jesus!  I dare not crucify Him again and I dare not sacrifice my children over foolish misunderstandings and failing to forgive.

Father, thank you for allowing us another chance to get it right today!  Thank you for showing us in your word that we are called to a higher standard if we say that we love you.  We can not ignore our neighbor and expect You to move on our behalf.  We can not hold grudges with our baby daddy/momma and come to You for forgiveness.  We can not judge someone elses' shortcomings, when we have sin (gossip, bitterness, disobedience etc) in our lives.  Help us get our act together, love one another and love our children...our very lives depend on it!  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 14

Even though it is God’s love that is ultimately most important in anyone’s life, a parent’s love (or lack thereof) is perceived and felt first.  Parental love is the first love a child experiences and the first love he/she understands.  (Power of a Praying Parent, Stormie Omartian)

An article in the Full Life Study Bible on Parents and Children says that "The very core of Christian nurture is this:  The heart of the father must be turned to the heart of the child in order to bring the heart of the child to the heart of the Savior."  Commentary on Luke 1:17 says, "One of the greatest sins of God's OT people had been the failure of the father to love their sons and daughter enough to teach them the ways and commands of God."  Since many relationships with the Heavenly Father closely correlate with the relationship we have with our earthly father; it is imperative that children experience love, from their father as much as, if not more than their mothers.  For example, a young man whose earthly father was a great provider, will not have an issue believing that God is Jehovah Jireh.  While the young woman whose father was not a part of her life, will most likely have trust issues and struggle initially with "I will never leave you nor forsake you".  

When I take my son to his bus stop in the mornings, there' s a young father there with his daughter.  Some days he's holding her in his arms, sneaking kisses before she gets on her bus.  Some days he watches closely as she walks around the grass and he makes sure to caution her if she gets too close to the curb.  Today they must have been running a little late because as the bus was approaching the bus stop; they were still coming down the street.  What struck me was that this young man was not walking and dragging his daughter to keep up, but he was carrying her.  It was brisk out this morning and he wore a thin hoodie, but his daughter's face was buried in his chest protected from the cold as he walked with haste and determination to get her to her destination.  I can't help but believe, that one day when she gets older and she needs to feel protection or to be carried; relying on God will be easy because she experienced it in the natural from her father.

Dear Lord, as deep as a mother's love is; it cannot and should not take the place of a father's love.  Our children need the strength, security, direction and discipline from a father.  They need to experience tender moments as well as tough love.  Our sons need fathers to teach them how to tie a tie and change a flat tire.  Our daughters need fathers to open doors for them and send them flowers, dance with them and discern the wolves for them.  Help us to always look to You Father so that we'll know how to love Your children and they will experience Your love all the days of their lives.  In Jesus name, Amen!

March 13

March 13 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16  (Power of a Praying Parent daily, Stormie Omartian)

There are so many elements or 'nuggets' in this verse that you could literally spend hours studying it word by word and receiving enlightenment from it.  Today we focus on "BELIEVES".  The word 'believes' is an action word, indicating that we must take part and actually DO something.  The Full Life Study Bible says, "To believe includes three main elements: (a) a sure conviction that Jesus Christ is God's Son and the only Savior for lost humanity; (b) a self-surrendering fellowship with and obedience to Christ; (c) a fully assured trust in Christ that He is both able and willing to bring you to final salvation and to fellowship with God in heaven."  Unfortunately for some of our children, they never establish their own belief foundation!  Often, our children believe in God because we do!  They 'believe' in God because of what we tell them and that's good for understanding, but he/she can't really, truly believe in God and receive the everlasting life promised in John 3:16 if he/she doesn't KNOW AND BELIEVE GOD for himself/herself.

Lord, we pray that our sons and daughters will know You today for themselves!  We declare that our children will know that You will never leave them nor forsake them.  We declare that our children will seek You as a present help in the time of trouble.  We declare that there will no longer be a veil of grandmomma's relationship, momma's relationship, or daddy's relationship with You, but my son/daughter will KNOW AND BELIEVE YOU as The True and Living God!!  He/she will know You and not just Your names.  He/she will know You and not just what You can do, know You in all of Your splendor and glory, know You as the Revealer of Truth, know You as The Deliverer, know You as The Way out of whatever situation they may encounter...Oh God, they will KNOW AND BELIEVE!  In Jesus' name, Amen!!

March 12 - Lord, I pray for my child to feel loved and accepted.  Penetrate his/her heart with Your love right now and help him/her to fully understand how far-reaching and complete it is.  (Power of a Praying Parent daily)

"It reaches to the highest mountain, and it flows to the lowest valley.  The blood that gives me strength from day to day, it will never lose its power."  The words of this familiar hymn offer comfort and assurance to compliment today's reading!  Regardless of how far geographically or spiritually our children go, God's love and the miraculous power of the blood are both far-reaching. 

The struggle if you will, comes when we as parents have to release or "cut off" our child(ren) for their own good.  We think that if exercise "tough love" that our child(ren) will think that we don't love them or they'll feel rejected.  But if we keep loving them when he/she clearly is operating outside the will of God, we not only enable them, but we also enable them to fully experience God!  I thought about "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.  If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."  Matthew 7:6 (NIV)  Although we're not to judge, we must use judgment when continually giving that which is holy to someone that may "trample" it under their feet.  To make it plain, we can't keep giving them money, buying gifts, getting them out of jail, covering up bad behavior, making excuses poor choices, if he/she continues to trample it under their feet!  The best thing, as gut-wrenching as it may be, would be to step back and let God be God!

Father, I know that Your love is far-reaching and everlasting.  I know that You are all seeing and all knowing.  I know that You are Sovereign and can do whatever You want to do...nevertheless; it doesn't make "tough love" any easier for me as a human!  I pray that through it all, You keep my son/daughter...let him/her not succumb during the process.  For me, help me to hold out until Your work is done.  In Jesus name, Amen!