Pack a PUNCH!

It's Martin Luther King, Jr Day today.  His life was focused, dedicated to making his dream of equality for all a reality.

What dreams do you have for your child? Do you desire that he would honor the Lord with his behavior? Are you hoping she grows her relationship with Jesus?

MLK could tell you prayer, persistence, and perseverance are the ingredients called for when fighting a spiritual battle against God's enemy.

Faith, hope, and love are the things I need before stepping into the battle. Then I'm ready to don the full armor of God. And like Abram in Genesis 14, I rally a few trained men and allies.

If you are in a spiritual battle, fighting for your kid's souls- pray, persist, and persevere. Have faith and hope to step into the war knowing that love never fails. Put on that armor and enlist the help of  your allies.

In the Christian community it can be hard to admit your child has walked away from the Lord. I believe that is exactly what the enemy wants. He wants you to keep this under wraps. Move past any fear and ask for help. (People that judge your situation are not the ones you want praying anyway.)

The adversary knows once the concern is spoken the power of secrecy is broken! 

NOW the troops are free to assemble and storm the gates. Trust God and trust in His power and strength as you move forward in faith to fight for your kids.

Prayer, persistence, and perseverance are called for when you are in a spiritual battle against God's enemy for your child's soul. Start PUNCHING!

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can  take your stand against the devil's schemes. 

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, 

against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." 

Ephesians 6:11-12

Who are your allies? Who are the people that will stand with you, pray with you, and fight with you? When you grow weary, who will be your Aaron and Hur-the ones who will hold you up and stay by your side?

Don't Drink the Water

Well...you don't have to tell me twice. Actually you don't have to tell me once. Seriously, who would drink toilet water? Okay... besides Murphy (my dog).

Like a splash in the face, it hit me. I do. I drink toilet water. I pour all kinds of tainted things into my heart and mind. My thoughts, the things I view, or what I listen to can be poisonous.

Why do I do this?

I am a sinner.

But...I am a saved sinner. There is hope for me. God has given me the power to turn from sin, to run from it. I just need to tap into His Holy Spirit power, drink it in, and let it flow through my veins.

 On my own, I'm parched, dying but His Spirit is the life-giving, pure water-waiting to be consumed.

I pray my children will drink living water.

The college years are filled with toilet water, beckoning the kids to take a sip, next a gulp, then consume a gallon, finally it is their beverage of choice. They can't even taste the poison. (This can make a parent sick, heart-sick.)

If you find yourself in this position of hurting due to your young adults choice of beverage,

PRAY.

My prayer for my kids is any activity that does not honor the Lord leaves them thirsty. I pray they desire clean water. I pray that only Jesus can can quench that thirst.

The enemy may have won the battle but he hasn't won the war.

Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.

John 4:14

The Lie

It is better to deal with dirt and grime immediately rather than later. Don't you agree? I find waiting means tougher scrubbing, built up scum, and possible stains.

 Life is like that, too. Dealing with our mistakes or sins or dealing with our children's mistakes or sins should occur sooner rather than later. The mess is  contained, easier to address.

There are times we may want to look away, not tackle the issues at hand.

Denial, lack of time, fear... all play a possible role in avoiding a problem.

I love how Jesus dealt with the woman at the well (John 4). He went out of his way to speak with her, met her where she was, demonstrated love and concern, and spoke truth. He timed it perfectly. He talked with her privately. No one else was within earshot. What a tender moment.

This is a tough thing to do, to love by showing mercy and grace while speaking truth. But that is what our kids need and frankly that is what we (by we... I mean I) need.

Our kids need us to take the time and to be brave. They need us to treat them respectfully during a hard conversation. If issues, big or small, are dealt with in truth and love there is a better chance of altered behavior and character growth. This approach will keep the relationship intact.

Don't listen to the enemy's lie, "If you address this problem you will lose your child."

PRAY.

Pray for your child's faith to blossom. Just as with the woman at the well, this is the main focus.

Then follow Jesus's example. Be truthful and loving in the midst of a challenge. And ...remember to be respectful so the relationship isn't damaged.

...keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

1 Timothy 3:9