A Message on Parenting
Psalm 127:3-4; Proverbs 31; Ephesians 5:21-6:4
Bishop Alfred Jackson
May 26, 2016
 
Being a parent is not an easy task in this society that we live in.  There are many challenges, hurdles, roadblocks, curves and turns; however, there is always help for those who are seriously looking for it.  Whether father or mother, the Word of God speaks directly and definitively to us.

Psalm 127:3-4 states, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.”  Most of us see children as a blessing; however, many people do not know or fully understand the directives of scripture when it comes to children.  Taking the above mentioned scripture alone, it states that children are a heritage or an inheritance, not the union of the man and the woman, but from The Lord.  Since children are an inheritance from The Lord, it is imperative that we seek God’s wisdom in raising our children so that they will be raised from the perspective of the Most High, Sovereign God. 

Children are as arrows in the hands of a warrior, the Bible says.  Considering this, it is important to note that a person does not simply become a warrior.  He or she must be trained so that he/she will develop the physical, psychological and spiritual strength it take to be a warrior, trained in how to use the weapons given to him/her and must know battle strategies.  All of this takes place before the warrior ever goes into battle.  One of the main problems we are facing today is that people are becoming parents before they know what the Word of God says about being a parent or before hey learn how to be a parent; consequently, there is much failure, many undisciplined children, and chaos in the home and society.

What must we do?  We must look to Jehovah Saboath, the Commander in Chief of the armies of Heaven for His directions; submit to His authority, His wisdom, and His instructions.  We are in a battle for our lives and the lives of our children.  We need Him!  The world will not give us the best advice on being a parent.  God will!  Take some time from your busy schedule and discover God’s wisdom and instruction on parenting.  You will be amazed at what you will find in the Holy Scriptures.

The Almighty God has given us spiritual resources to empower us to be and to do.  Christ stated, "Whoever believes in Me, out of his/her belly shall flow rivers of living water."  That Living Water is His Spirit who flows in, through and out of us, empowering us in every way for everything God has called us to.  Like a river, we must have clear identity, clear intentions and powerful ability to adapt to situations and circumstances so that we are relevant in every situation we find ourselves in.  Have a blessed and productive New Year.
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Life is a set of challenges, problems and hassles.  Sometimes we think that these things would end if we could just deal with the immediate challenge we are facing; however, this is not always the case.  We often find that once one problem is resolved, another one is just around the corner.  The answer to this is to trust The Sovereign God in the midst of everything that you go through in your life.  He is able to work all things together for good if you love Him and are the called according to His purposes.