CHILDREN - BLESSING, RESPONSIBILITY, REWARD

G.I.J.N. - WHAT A BLESSING IT IS TO BE HERE TO WORSHIP THE LORD TOGETHER AND BE ENCOURAGED BY GODS WORD.

Heb 13:15 By him (JESUS) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN WITH A TESTIMONY OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE SAFE ARRIVAL OF OUR SON CORDELL, MY PRAYER WAS - AS IT HAS BEEN FOR ALL MY CHILDREN THAT THE LORD WOULD GIVE US A HEALTHY CHILD AND THAT MOTHER AND BABY WOULD BE KEPT SAFE THROUGH THE DELIVERY. LAST SUNDAY WHEN BROTHER AMOS ANNOUNCED THE BIRTH HE CALLED IT A MIRACLE AND A GIFT FROM THE LORD. HOW TRUE THAT IS - EVERY BIRTH IS THAT - A GIFT FROM GOD AND A MIRACLE THAT GOD CREATED AND DESIGNED AS PART OF HIS GREAT PLAN FOR MANKIND. SO I WANT GIVE A TESTIMONY OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO THE LORD FOR ANSWERING OUR PRAYERS ONCE AGAIN AND FOR GIVING US A HEALTHY SON.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY “THANK YOU” TO YOU THE CONGREGATION FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO OUR FAMILY - REMINDS ME AGAIN HOW BLESSED WE ARE TO BE PART OF A FAMILY OF BELIEVERS WHO TAKES LITERALLY THE COMMANDMENT TO HELP THOSE IN NEED - THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR US - ALL THE CALLS, MESSAGES, CARDS, MEALS, GIFTS AND FOR BEING WILLING TO COME AND SPEND TIME WITH US AND ENTERTAIN OUR CHILDREN SO MY WIFE COULD RELAX! EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS BLESSING TO OUR FAMILY. SO AGAIN “THANK YOU” TO THE CONGREGATION FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP OUT - WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND DESIRE THAT GOD WILL BLESS YOU FOR IT.

TURN TO PSALM 127:3 FOR A TEXT VERSE.

LAST MONTH BEFORE OUR SON WAS BORN - ONE AFTERNOON SATAN PUT INTO MY MIND ALL THE NEGATIVITY OF CHILDREN FROM THE WORLDS PERSPECTIVE - ALL THE DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS ONE COULD THINK OF: LIKE - IF THE BABY WOULD NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION OR BORN WITH A TERMINAL ILLNESS - IF THERE WOULD BE COMPLICATIONS AT BIRTH FOR MOTHER AND BABY, HOW WOULD I SURVIVE AND BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THIS - THEN THE FINANCIAL SIDE - MEDICAL BILLS, LOSS OF WORK, REALITY THAT AS THE CHILD GREW EVENTUALLY HAVING 4 CHILDREN IN SCHOOL AND THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR TUITION AND DENTAL AND EYECARE AND THE LIST GOES ON. THEN HE ADDED THE TIME ASPECT - TIME TO SPEND WITH THE FAMILY - TIME FOR MINISTRY AND TIME TO WORK TO SUPPORT A FAMILY OF 8 PEOPLE? AS THESE THOUGHTS STARTED GOING THROUGH MY HEAD AND I BEGAN TO BE DEPRESSED AT THE WEIGHT OF THE UNKNOWN - BUT THEN STOPPED THIS TRAIN OF THOUGHT BECAUSE I KNEW IT WAS A TRICK OF THE DEVIL AND BEGAN TO PRAY AND THINK ON THESE TWO VERSES -

ROMANS 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

SO I FOUND PEACE - KNOWING THAT I NEED TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING THE WILL AND PLAN AS GOD OPENS AND CLOSES DOORS SO I CAN ALLOW HIM TO LEAD ME ON THE PATH HE SET BEFORE ME.

ALSO

ISAIAH 41:10 ¶ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

GOD WILL BE WITH ME KNOW MATTER WHAT HAPPENS - HE WILL MAKE A WAY FOR ME AND WILL STRENGTHEN ME AS LONG AS I AM TRUSTING AND RELYING ON HIM TO SEE ME THROUGH. I PRAYED FOR GODS WILL TO BE DONE AND FOR THE SAFE ARRIVAL FOR OUR CHILD AND LIKE I SAID BEFORE PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS ANSWERED PRAYERS!

THAT EXPERIENCE AND VARIOUS OTHERS GAVE ME INSPIRATION FOR THE MESSAGE THIS MORNING -

TITLE: - CHILDREN - THE BLESSING, RESPONSIBILITY, REWARD

FOCUS: TO HAVE GODS VIEW OF CHILDREN.

LETS READ THE FAMILIAR VERSE - PSALM 127:3-5

3.Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

V3 LO - CHILDREN ARE AN HERITAGE - THE HEBREW WORD USED MEANS: something inherited - an heirloom - generally an estate, patrimony or portion - like an endowment or birthright.

HOW OFTEN DO WE ADAPT THE WORLD’S VIEW WHICH IS SATAN'S VIEW OF CHILDREN - WHY ARE CHILDREN ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SATAN ATTACKS? - HOW DO WE KNOW THAT GOD VIEWS CHILDREN AS A BLESSING? HERE ARE A FEW POINTS ON THE BLESSINGS OF CHILDREN.

IMAGE BEARER - GEN 1:26 - LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE -

VERSE 27: SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, IN THE IMAGE OF GOD CREATED HE HIM; MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM.

SO FROM THIS WE CAN SEE THAT EVERY BIRTH IS A TESTIMONY OF THIS FACT AND AS EACH BOY OR GIRL IS BORN IT IS PROOF OF GODS CREATION - ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN COMING TOGETHER AND EITHER A SON OR DAUGHTER IS BORN - JUST AS GOD CREATED IT BACK IN THE BEGINNING.

THE WORLD HATES ANYTHING THAT POINTS TO GOD AND IS A WITNESS OF HIS GREAT PLAN AND ORDER AS HE CREATED AND SET UP AT THE BEGINNING OF MANKIND - NOT THROUGH EVOLUTION OR ADAPTATION OR SOME OTHER MEANS AS BEING PORTRAYED TODAY.

2ND BLESSING - FOUND IN V28 - GEN. 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.-

THIS IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT I SEE LISTED IN THE BIBLE GIVEN TO MAN

I AM NOT SAYING THIS IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT GIVEN TO MAN BECAUSE IN CHAPTER TWO IN VERSE 15 IT SAYS GOD TOOK THE MAN AND PUT HIM IN THE GARDEN TO DRESS AND KEEP IT - THEN V 16 IS SAYS: AND THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN SAYING - THIS IS BEFORE WOMAN WAS CREATED - : AND GOD THEN GAVE THE COMMANDMENT FOR NOT EATING OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL AND THEN IN V18 IT BEGINS TELLING HOW GOD CREATED WOMAN OUT OF MAN.

REGARDLESS OF WHICH COMMANDMENT WAS FIRST I BELIEVE THAT IT IS VERY HIGH ON GODS LIST FOR MAN AND HIS CREATION OF NATURE IN THE WORLD TO REPRODUCE AS A BLESSING AND TESTIMONY OF HIS DESIGN AND ORDER - AND I BELIEVE WE NEED TO SEE IT THAT WAY - NEVER AS AN INCONVENIENCE OR BURDEN ON OUR LIVES.

3RD REASON I BELIEVE CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING IS BECAUSE OF THE BURDEN THAT THE BARRENNESS OF WOMEN WE READ OF IN THE BIBLE ALWAYS PORTRAYS BEING CHILDLESS AS A SORROW FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE CHILDREN TO LOVE AND CONTINUE THE FAMILY LINEAGE. AS WE THINK ABOUT THAT - SHOULD THIS NOT BE ONE OF THE MAIN DRIVING FORCES TO RAISE CHILDREN TO FOLLOW THE LORD AND CONTINUE THE WORK OF THE KINGDOM - SO AS BARRENNESS OR THE END OF A LINEAGE BRINGS SADNESS SINCE A HERITAGE DOES NOT GROW AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE BUILDING OF A FAMILY LEGACY -THEN WE SHOULD BE THANKING GOD FOR BLESSING OUR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.

I WAS REMINDED OF THIS FACT WITH MY GRANDMOTHERS FAMILY - HER FATHER WAS EZRA W. MARTIN - AND LAST WEEKEND WE HAD A MARTIN REUNION TO REMEMBER AND SHARE FAMILY HISTORY. EZRA W. MARTIN HAD ALL DAUGHTERS AND ONE SON - THE SON HAD TWO DAUGHTERS - SO WHEN ELMER MARTIN PASSED AWAY THAT WAS THE END OF THE EZRA W. MARTIN NAME ONLY REMEMBERED BY SOME ARTICLES AND PUBLISHING’S AND MEMORIES RELATIVES HAVE.

HERE ARE FEW COMMENTS FROM AN ARTICLE WRITTEN IN THE LANCASTER NEW ERA ON FEB. 25TH 1975.

IN THE SPAN OF 100 YEARS A BUSINESS WAS STARTED AND ENDED.

ONE OF THE GREAT GRAND CHILDREN IS IN BUTCHERING BUSINESS - SO LEGACY IS NOT COMPLETELY LOST BUT THE MARTIN NAME IS - HOW SHORT A TIME IT TOOK TO END.

HOW DIFFERENT AN OUTCOME WHEN WE CONSIDER THE ISRAELITE BEGINNINGS AND HOW THE LORD BLESSED THE LINE OF JACOB AS HE HAD PROMISED - IN GENESIS 46 :27 And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten. - SO 70 PEOPLE ENTER AND HOW MANY LEFT?

EXODUS 12: 37-42

37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual.

40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

I AM AMAZED HOW THAT EVEN UNDER SLAVERY THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL BECAME A GREAT HOST OF PEOPLE THAT WENT OUT FROM THE LAND - A TESTIMONY OF WHAT GOD WANTS FOR HIS PEOPLE IF WE FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS.

4TH BLESSING OF CHILDREN IS THAT IT IS A WITNESS OF GODS DIVINE ORDER FOR THE FAMILY UNIT AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CHURCH - THE WAY GOD WANTS US TO LIVE IN UNITY UNDER HIS PLAN THAT WE SEE IN EPHESIANS IN CHAPTER 5.

V1 - BE YE FOLLOWERS OF GOD, AS DEAR CHILDREN.

V2. WALK IN LOVE AS CHRIST ALSO HATH LOVED US - GIVING HIMSELF FOR AN OFFERING AND A SACRIFICE TO GOD.

THEN LIST A NUMBER OF THINGS WE ARE TO PUT OFF AND NOT BE INVOLVED OR PART OF

V 18 BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT -

V21 WE SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LIVE TOGETHER AS A FAMILY UNIT AND THE ROLES A HUSBAND HAS UNDER CHRIST AND THE LORD.

V32 TELLS US THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY: BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.

WHEN THE FAMILY UNIT IS BEING FOLLOWED IN ACCORDANCE TO GOD PLAN THEN WE HAVE THE BLESSING OF CHILDREN THAT FOLLOWS IN CHAPTER 6: 1-2 WHERE CHILDREN ARE COMMANDED TO OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN THE LORD - AND HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER

V3 WE HAVE THE PROMISE: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

5TH BLESSING IS THEY ARE TO BRING JOY TO US HERE ON EARTH BECAUSE THEY ARE GIFTS OF LIFE FROM GOD - JESUS TELLS US THIS IN MARK 9:36-37 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

DO WE OFTEN FORGET THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE GIFTS FROM GOD THE FATHER - THE ONES WHOM WE HAVE PRAYED FOR - HAVE DEDICATED THEM TO GOD’S KINGDOM AND AS WE RELATE TO THEM AS WE ARE COMMANDED IN GOD WORD AND AS WE FULFILL OUR ROLES AS CHRISTIAN PARENTS - DO WE FORGET THAT WE ARE RECEIVING A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD THE FATHER. DO WE TEND TOO OFTEN SEE THEM FROM THE WORLD AND SATAN'S VIEW AND FORGET THAT WE ARE TO RAISE THEM TO THE AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY SO THAT AS THEY MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES IT IS DONE WITH RESPECT TO AUTHORITY - AUTHORITY OF GOD - THEIR PARENTS AND THOSE WHO WATCH FOR THEIR SOULS.

SO TO SUMMARIZE: A FEW OF THE BLESSINGS CHILDREN BRING.

IMAGE BEARER OF GOD’S LIKENESS

FULFILLING GODS COMMANDMENT TO BE FRUITFUL

FOR AN INHERITANCE TO CARRY THE FAMILY LINE

FAMILY UNIT OF FATHER, MOTHER AND CHILDREN BEING A TESTIMONY OF GODS DIVINE ORDER.

GIFT OF LIFE TO US FROM GOD THE FATHER

SECOND PART IS: THE RESPONSIBILITY

IF WE LOOK AT THE FIRST 2 VERSES OF OUR TEXT CHAPTER - PSALM 127 WE SEE INSTRUCTION ON WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE WE CAN EXPERIENCE THE BLESSING AND REWARD OF CHILDREN.

PSALM 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

THESE VERSES REMIND US OF THE IMPORTANT INGREDIENT OR THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THE SECRET TO HAVING THE BLESSING OF CHILDREN - TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY AND HAPPINESS AND THE REWARD THAT GOD WANTS US TO HAVE. -EXCEPT OR UNLESS WE HAVE GOD AT THE CENTER OF OUR HEART AND MIND IT TELLS US 3 TIMES IN 2 VERSES : THAT ALL IS IN VAIN.

BUT IF WE HAVE GOD IN THE CENTER - THEN I SEE 4 PROMISES THAT WE CAN CLAIM.

#1. WITH GOD IN THE CENTER - HE WILL GROW THE FAMILY - HE WILL BUILD US UP TO WHAT HE HAS IN STORE FOR US.

#2. WITH GOD IN THE CENTER - HE WILL BLESS US - OUR LABOR WILL NOT BE IN VAIN BUT WILL YIELD FRUIT AND BRING RESULTS AND WE WILL NOT HAVE TO EAT THE BREAD OF SORROWS.

#3. WITH GOD IN THE CENTER - HE WILL GUIDE US - HE WILL HELP US SEE WHAT WE NEED TO GUARD AGAINST - IF WE LOOK TO THE LORD FOR GUIDANCE THEN HE WILL HELP US WATCH AND BE PREPARED FOR DANGER. A CHALLENGE I HEARD RECENTLY IS DO WE GO TO GODS WORD OR GOOGLE TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS AND QUESTIONS - OUR CHILDREN WILL LIKELY FOLLOW OUR EXAMPLE

#4. WITH GOD IN THE CENTER - HE WILL PROTECT US - IF WE TRUST GOD THEN WE CAN ENJOY THE QUIET SLEEP HE GIVES TO HIS BELOVED CHILDREN WHO PUT THEIR FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD TO KEEP THEM SAFE FROM HARM AND DANGER AND WHEN WE FILL OUR MIND WITH THINGS OF GOD THEN UNBELIEF AND DOUBTS WILL NOT PLAGUE OUR MINDS AND KEEP US FROM THE TRANQUILIZING INFLUENCE OF GOD’S LOVE FOR US.

PROMISE OF GODS PROTECTION - THE ILLUSTRATION USED IN THE BIBLE IS THAT OF A MOTHER HEN - WHO SEEING DANGER OF A STORM OR PREDATOR WILL CLUCK FOR HER CHICKS TO GATHER UNDER HER WING - TWO REFERENCES THAT SHOW THIS ARE

PSALM 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

JESUS WORDS

MATTHEW 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

THIS MOTHERING IS WHAT GOD DESIRES TO DO FOR US - IF WE ARE STRUGGLING AT PARENTING - ARE WE ALLOWING GOD TO PARENT US?

THIS IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS PARENTS - WE NEED TO HAVE GOD AT THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES - SO THAT WE CAN CLAIM THE PROMISE THAT GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US - IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW FAR WE ARE FROM GOD OR HOW FAR WE HAVE STRAYED - ALL WE NEED TO DO IT TURN AND CALL ON HIM AND HE WILL BE RIGHT THERE TO HELP US AND PROTECT US.

LAST MONTH WE HAD MINISTER’S CONFERENCE AND ONE OF THE THEMES WAS “LEADERS UNDER AUTHORITY” BY NATHAN GOOD FROM VIRGINIA.

AS I SAT THROUGH HIS TEACHINGS WITH TITLES LIKE:

LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD -

LEADERS SERVING IN THE CONGREGATION

LEADERS IN UNITY

RAISING UP GODLY LEADERSHIP IN OUR CONGREGATIONS.

I WAS CHALLENGED THAT AS A PARENT- AM I DOING MY PART IN RAISING CHILDREN FOR GODS KINGDOM. SO I WANT TO INSERT SOME OF WHAT HE SHARED IN THIS MESSAGE. THIS STUDY HAS CHALLENGED ME TO BE MINDFUL OF MY RESPONSIBILITY.

SO OFTEN WHEN WE CONSIDER LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH WE GO TO SCRIPTURES LIKE 1 TIMOTHY 3: WHERE THERE IS A LIST OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEADERS OF THE CHURCH - BROTHER NATHAN CHALLENGED US TO BE RAISING CHILDREN TO BE WILLING AND ABLE TO SERVE IN THE CHURCH. YET WE SHY AWAY FROM THAT CALLING AND SO OFTEN WE AS PARENTS WILL HAVE THIS THOUGHT PATTERN TO EXCUSE OURSELVES -THAT I DON'T WANT MY CHILD TO BE RAISED AS A CANDIDATE OR NOMINEE TO BE ORDAINED AND SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF THE WORK - THE SERVING -THE SCRUTINY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF AN ORDAINED LEADER OF THE CHURCH -WE MAY COUNTER WITH THOUGHTS OF HOW WILL THEY PROMOTE THE FAMILY BUSINESS OR BE SUCCESSFUL OR FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS - THESE ARE QUESTIONS WE MAY USE TO JUSTIFY OURSELVES IN OUR MIND - YET - WE EXPECT TO FIND THESE INDIVIDUALS WHEN OUR SON OR DAUGHTER IS LOOKING FOR A LIFE PARTNER - WE ACT AS THOUGH ALL OF A SUDDEN UPPER TEENAGERS MIRACULOUSLY BECOME SUITABLE COMPANIONS - OR WHEN WE COME TO NOMINATING LEADERS THAT THERE ARE COUPLES WHO ATTAIN THESE QUALIFICATIONS WHEN THEY TURN 25 OR 30 AND ARE NOW ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED LEADERS - I AM NOT MINIMIZING THE POWER OF GOD AND HIS ABILITY TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO BE PARENTS OR LEADERS IN THE ROLE HE CALLS THEM TO DO - PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS STRENGTH OTHERWISE MY SIMPLE MIND WOULD BE A LOST CAUSE FOR THE KINGDOM - BUT BY GODS STRENGTH WE SERVE.

HOWEVER - WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE CHILDREN SO THAT THEY CAN BE USEFUL TO GODS KINGDOM IN WHATEVER CAPACITY AND NOT EXPECT THAT THEY WILL LEARN IT ON THEIR OWN OR FIGURE IT OUT WHEN THE TIME COMES THAT THEY NEED THESE QUALITIES.

I BELIEVE PRAYER AND CONSISTENT TEACHING ARE NECESSARY FOR CHRISTIAN PARENTS TO RAISE CHILDREN ACCORDING TO GODS WORD AND HIS DIVINE ORDER OF THE FAMILY UNIT.

ONE OF THE EXAMPLES THAT NATHAN GOOD USED WAS THE EXAMPLE OF NEHEMIAH WHEN HE WAS TO LEAD THE PEOPLE TO REBUILD THE WALLS OF JERUSALEM - WHEN THE KING ASKED NEHEMIAH IN CHAPTER 2:4 - WHAT DO YOU REQUEST - IS SAYS THEN NEHEMIAH SAYS: SO I PRAYED TO THE LORD. IS THIS OUR FIRST RESPONSE? -OR DO WE TEND TO PRAY TO THE LORD AFTER EVERYTHING WE HAVE TRIED HAS FAILED - LOOK AT WHAT NEHEMIAH DID -

NEHEMIAH 2:20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. IF WE CALL ON THE LORD HE WILL PROSPER US, SO WE CAN ARISE AND BUILD.

Ne 6:9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. PRAY THAT GOD WILL STRENGTHEN US

Ne 8:1 ¶ And ALL the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; SPEAKS OF UNITY - ALL THE PEOPLE GATHERED

8:3 before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. GOING TO GODS WORD TO FIND WHAT HE HAS FOR US.

Ne 8:8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

NE 8:10 for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. THE REWARD AND JOY OF THE LORD AS OUR STRENGTH OF BUILDING UP OUR CHILDREN FOR THE KINGDOM

NEHEMIAH IN THE BUILDING OF THE WALL WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW WE AS FATHERS SHOULD LEAD IN OUR HOMES - IF WE FOLLOW THESE VERY BASIC STEPS THEN WE CAN FIND THE JOY OF THE LORD TO GIVE US STRENGTH WHEN WE MAY FEEL DISCOURAGED OR DEPRESSED.

STEPS WE ARE CALLED TO USE AS CHRISTIAN LEADERS AND PARENTS IN OUR HOME -

1.PRAY TO GOD FOR HIS DIRECTION -

2.RELY ON GOD TO PROSPER AND BLESS THE EFFORT AND WORK OF TRAINING UP CHILDREN -

3.LOOK TO GOD FOR STRENGTH

4. SEEK UNITY BY USING GODS WORD FOR DIRECTION TO GET CLEAR UNDERSTANDING SO WE CAN APPLY WHAT HE HAS FOR US.

5. FIND THE JOY OF THE LORD IN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RAISING CHILDREN FOR A WITNESS OF GOD GIFTS OF LIFE WHOM HE HAS BLESSED US WITH.

THERE A LOT OF THINGS WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO DO AS PARENTS IN RAISING CHILDREN. ONE OF THEM THAT I WANT TO MENTION IS TEACHING RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY.

DO WE AS PARENTS TEND TO USE AUTHORITY IN THE MINDSET OF PUTTING THE FEAR OF GOD IN OUR CHILDREN - HOW DO WE SHOW RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY?

IS OUR RESPONSE TO AUTHORITY GENERATED OUT OF LOVE? - IS IT A TESTIMONY OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US AND FOR THE LOVE HE HAS SHOWN US - GOD WILLING TO USE US AS IMPERFECT PARENTS STRIVING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN IN RAISING THE CHILDREN GOD HAS ENTRUSTED TO US.

WE DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR TO SEE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE RESPECT FOR GOD AND HIS WORD - WHO DON'T RESPECT THE LAWS OF THE LAND - WHO DON'T RESPECT OTHER IN AUTHORITY - DON'T RESPECT THEIR PARENTS OR THEIR ELDERS OR THE CHURCH OR EVEN THEMSELVES. THIS IS ONE OF THE TRAGEDY’S OF THE WORLD THAT PEOPLE HAVE LOST RESPECT FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT GOD DESIRES MAN TO KEEP HOLY.

TEACHING OUR CHILDREN RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY STARTS AT AN EARLY AGE - LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER - THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOWS UP WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL REACHES A CERTAIN AGE AND THEN IT COMES TO THEM AS A REQUIREMENT FOR LIFE.

HOW ARE WE TEACHING AND LIVING OUT THE COMMANDMENT TO RESPECT AUTHORITY - TURN TO ROMANS 13 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO THESE VERSES - WHEN YOUR PARENTS ASK YOU TO OBEY THEM - IT IS NOT TO BE OVERBEARING BUT TO HELP YOU LEARN THAT WHEN YOU GET OLDER - YOU WILL HAVE TO OBEY OTHER PEOPLE AND RULES THAT ARE NOT PUT IN PLACE BY YOUR PARENTS - SO IF WE REBEL AGAINST EVERYTHING OUR PARENTS ASK OF US NOW - I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IT WILL BE A STRUGGLE TO SUBMIT TO GOD AND THOSE IN AUTHORITY LATER IN LIFE. LISTEN TO WHAT THE BIBLES SAYS IN ROMANS 13:1-8

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

I WANTED READ THESE VERSES FOR THE SAKE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO REALIZE THESE ARE COMMANDMENTS FROM THE BIBLE ON RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY

- V1 SAYS FOR EVERY SOUL - IF YOU ARE ALIVE - YOU HAVE A SOUL - SO THIS APPLIES TO YOU.

V2 WHOEVER - AGAIN INCLUDES EVERYONE EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON IS SUBJECT TO THE POWER OF GOD - EVEN SATAN - AND IT TELLS US THAT IF WE DO NOT RESPECT AND RESIST GODS POWER WE WILL RECEIVE DAMNATION OR JUDGEMENT

V3 RULES AND RULERS ARE TO KEEP THE EVIL AT CHECK - NOW WE KNOW THAT IN THE LAST DAYS EVIL WILL BE CALLED GOOD AND GOOD EVIL BUT WE KNOW THAT IN THE END THE HIGHEST POWER IS GOD AND WE MUST OBEY HIM ABOVE ALL.

V4-7 WE ARE TO RESPECT AND OBEY BECAUSE GOD HAS INSTRUCTED US - DO IT TO BE OBEDIENT TO GOD AND NOT BECAUSE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE EARTHLY LAW.

V8 - TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER - FOR HE THAT LOVETH ANOTHER HATH FULFILLED THE LAW.

AS PARENTS ARE WE FAILING TO SHOW OUR CHILDREN HOW TO RESPECT AUTHORITY OUT OF LOVE OR ARE WE SHOWING THEM TO OBEY BECAUSE OF CONSEQUENCES OR INCONVENIENCE OR HOW IT WILL AFFECT OUR REPUTATION IF OTHERS FIND OUT?

FOR A SHORT STORY I WANT TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY AND FOR GUIDELINES AND FOR FENCES THAT ARE PUT UP FOR OUR SAFETY AND WELL BEING ARE DISREGARDED.

CATTLE STORY PART II

THIS STORY HAPPENED AT THE BEGINNING OF MAY - ONCE AGAIN I AM MOVING OUR CATTLE AROUND TO DIFFERENT PASTURES - AND I MOVED TWO YOUNG BULLS INTO MY FATHERS PASTURE - THESE WERE VERY NICE ANIMALS AND WE WERE CONSIDERING SELLING THEM TO OTHER BREEDERS SINCE THERE SEEMED TO BE A SHORTAGE OF FULL BLOOD BULLS IN THE FARMS OF BEEFALO BREEDERS THAT WE WORK WITH AND KNOW OF.

SO TUESDAY NIGHT THEY ARE MOVED IN AND ON WEDNESDAY MORNING WE DISCOVER THAT THE TWO BULLS - ROUGHLY 400 + 500 LBS ARE IN THE NEIGHBORS HORSE PASTURE - THE REASON IS THAT 3 OF DADS FENCE POST ARE BROKE OFF AND THE FENCE IT LAYING DOWN TO ALLOW THEM TO WALK ACROSS. BUT THEY ARE FINE - THE NEIGHBOR LADY FEEDS THEM HAY AND TALKS TO THEM AND ALL IS FINE.

WEDNESDAY EVENING WE HAVE COTTAGE MEETING AT FAIRMOUNT HOMES SO MY PLAN IS AFTER WE GET HOME LATER IN THE EVENING -THEN I WANTED TO BRING THE LITTLE FELLOWS BACK ACROSS THE FENCE - PUT IN SOME TEMPORARY T-POST TILL THE FENCE CAN BE FIXED PROPERLY AND EVERYTHING WILL BE BACK IN ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE.

HOWEVER THE NEIGHBOR LADY WHEN SHE FOUND OUT WE WERE GOING TO BE WORKING ON THE FENCE DECIDED TO TURN OFF THE FENCE SHOCKER SO WE WOULD NOT GET ZAPPED - UNFORTUNATELY THE CATTLE FIGURED THIS OUT AND WENT THROUGH THE FENCE -SO AS SOON AS WE FINISH COTTAGE MEETING MY FATHER CALLS - THE BULLS ARE OUT AND ARE ACROSS THE ROAD IN THE NEIGHBORS FIELDS - WE NEED HELP TO CHASE THEM BACK - WHERE ARE YOU?

SO SOON AS WE GET HOME WE CHANGE - AND HEAD OUT TO ROUND UP SOME CATTLE - SO THE NEIGHBOR HAS HIS FARM IN STRIPS - STRIP OF CORN STUBBLE THEN A STRIP OF TALL BARLEY - 3-4 FOOT TALL. AND TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE EXCITING THAT AFTERNOON THE NEIGHBOR HAD SPREAD MANURE ON ALL STUBBLE GROUND.

NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS A DISASTER - FOURWHEELRS - GOLF CARTS - AND UTV’S AND A TRACTOR WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL AT ROUNDING THESE FELLOWS UP - AT ONE POINT WE DID GET THEM DOWN CLOSE TO THE BUILDINGS WITH OTHER CATTLE AND WERE TRYING TO HERD THEM INTO THE OPEN BARN BUT THEN THEY BOLTED RIGHT INTO OUR UTV’S WITH NO REGARD TO OUR HERDING TECHNIQUE AND WERE SOON LOST IN THE TALL BARLEY - WE GOT SPOT LIGHTS ON THE TRACTOR BUT COULD NOT FIND THEM ANYWHERE.

SO THAT NIGHT I WENT AND REPAIRED THE FENCE WITH T-POST AND BUNGEE STRAPPED THE BROKEN POST TO THEM SO THE FENCE WAS UP AND BACK IN PLACE .

THEN NEXT MORNING WHILE AT WORK - THE CATTLE CAME ACROSS THE ROAD AND PAST OUR HOUSE AND BACK INTO THE HORSE PASTURE. AGAIN MY FATHER CALLS - THERE BACK! NOW WHAT - SO I TOLD HIM WHAT I HAD DONE AND HE WENT AND UNDID THE STRAPS AND LAID THE FENCE DOWN SO THEY COULD CROSS BACK OVER - AN LO AND BEHOLD THE TWO ARE BACK IN THE RIGHT PASTURE AND THE FENCE IS UP - SHOULD BE END OF STORY - BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOT, WE HAVE A BARNYARD OR CORRAL AREA WITH FENCES AND GATES AND WE HOPED TO TRAP THEM IN THERE TILL WE GOT THE FENCE REPAIRED AND A SHOCKING WIRE INSTALLED.

HOWEVER - WHEN THE FENCE FELLOW SHOWED UP TO LOOK AT JOB - THE ONE BULL - REDBULL WE CALLED HIM - WAS HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYONE NEARBY AND CLIMBED THE PERFECTLY GOOD FENCE WHILE MY DAD AND THE FENCE FELLOW WERE WATCHING - PUTTING HIM IN THE HORSE PASTURE AND REDBULL DECIDED THAT WAS NOT FAR ENOUGH AWAY SO HE CRASHED THROUGH A WOODEN THREE RAILED FENCE AS WELL AND OFF HE WENT ACROSS THE ROAD TO THE NEIGHBORS FARM. THE OTHER BULL WAS ABLE TO BE HERDED INTO THE CORRAL AREA AND WAS KEPT SAFE AND SOUND AND HE STILL LIVES IN THIS PASTURE TODAY.

SO ON FRIDAY ALL THE FENCES WERE REPAIRED - THE BROKEN POSTS - THE 3 RAIL FENCE AND A SHOCKING WIRE WAS ADDED BUT REDBULL WAS STILL MISSING.

WE HAD THE GATES OPEN HOPING HE WOULD COME BACK AS BEFORE BUT NOT THIS TIME - SATURDAY MORNING IT WAS RAINING AND I GET THE CALL THAT THE NEIGHBORS FOUND HIM DOWN OVER THE HILL IN THE FIELD NEXT TO ROUTE 30 - SO IN ORDER TO KEEP HIM OFF THE ROAD THEY CHASED HIM BACK UP THE HILL - THEY TRIED GETTING CLOSE BUT HE WOULD BOLT AND GO BACK DOWN THE HILL TOWARDS THE BUSY HIGHWAY - LIKE I SAID IT WAS RAINING AND WHEN I GOT OFF WORK I GOT THE CALL THAT HE WAS IN THE FIELD NOT TO FAR FROM 30 BUT THAT THEY WERE TIRED OF CHASING HIM AND IF THEY WENT OUT AGAIN AFTER HIM IT WOULD BE WITH A GUN. I UNDERSTOOD THEIR FRUSTRATION WITH THE BULL AND THE RAINY DAY SO I KNEW I HAD TO GET THIS BULL ONE WAY OR ANOTHER -

SO SATURDAY AFTER WORK MY DAD AND COLE AND I SET OUT TO CAPTURE THIS BEAST. I WANTED TO BE DONE AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I WAS SCHEDULED TO BRING THE MESSAGE THE NEXT MORNING AT NEW LIFE. SO IN THE RAIN WE CHASED THIS BEAST FROM ONE END OF THE NEIGHBORS FARM TO THE OTHER - ONCE GETTING HIM CLOSE TO CROSSING THE ROAD BACK TO OUR LAND BY WADING THROUGH RAIN DRENCHED BARLEY BEFORE BOLTING BACK ACROSS THE HILL DOWN TO ROUTE 30 - WE CHASED HIM THROUGH THE WOODS ALL OVER VARIOUS FIELDS - HE CROSSED IN AND OUT OF MY NEIGHBORS HORSE AND GOAT PASTURE FENCES AT LEAST 5 TIMES - SO WE KNEW THE ONLY WAY TO CATCH HIM WAS TO WEAR HIM DOWN TILL WE COULD GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO ROPE HIM - SO WE KEPT AFTER TILL HE WAS SO TIRED TO RUN HE DUCKED INSIDE MY NEIGHBORS IMPLEMENT SHED - HE WAS TIRED AND GOING INSIDE THE SHED SEEMED LIKE A GOOD WAY OUT - WE CLOSED ALL THE DOORS TO KEEP HIM INSIDE - THEN WE SET OUT TO CORNER HIM A PUT A ROPE ON HIM. WE DID - BUT NOT BEFORE HE CLIMBED ONTO A WORKBENCH AND MADE A MESS OF THINGS - ONCE THE ROPE WAS ON - WE TIED IT OFF TO A SKIDLOADER AND USED IT TO FORCE HIM ONTO OUR CATTLE TRAILER - A FEW TIMES WHILE ROPED TO THE LOADER HE TRIED TO CHARGE ME - HE WAS VERY UPSET WITH THE SITUATION.

ONCE ON THE TRAILER - MY NEIGHBOR AND HIS SON MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT REDBULL IS WILD AND UN- MANAGEABLE AND SHOULD ONLY COME OFF THAT TRAILER AT THE SALE BARN.

SO - IN ORDER TO KEEP PEACE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS WHAT WE DID -REDBULL SPENT THE WEEKEND IN THE TRAILER AND MONDAY MORNING HE WAS OUT OF LIVES FOR GOOD.

HOWEVER - AFTER HE WAS AUCTIONED OFF AND THE BUYER WAS LOADING HIM HE CLIMBED THE FENCE AND ONCE AGAIN WAS RUNNING WILD - THIS TIME DOWN THE STREETS OF NEW HOLLAND. THERE IS A VIDEO FOOTAGE OF REDBULL RUNNING DOWN THE STREETS OF NEW HOLLAND AND AN AMISH MAN IN A JEEP TRYING TO PUT A ROPE ON HIM.

WE TALKED WITH THE SALE BARN LATER AND THEY SAID THE BULL WAS CAPTURED AND RESOLD AND BUTCHERED DIRECTLY AFTERWARD.

THIS BULL - A BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL - WHO COULD HAVE LIVED A LONG LIFE ON A FARM AS A SIRE FOR A BEEFALO HERD HAD A TRAUMATIC END TO HIS SHORTER THAN NECESSARY LIFE BECAUSE OF HIS CHOICES TO DISREGARD ALL AUTHORITY PUT IN PLACE FOR HIS SAFETY AND WELL BEING.

THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A DRASTIC AND TERRIBLE END FOR DISRESPECTING AUTHORITY BUT REMEMBER V2 OF ROMANS 13 SAYS Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

SO RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY IS NECESSARY - ARE WE AS PARENTS TEACHING OUR CHILDREN SO THEY DO NOT LEARN THE HARD WAY THAT GOD COMMANDS US TO BE SUBJECT TO A HIGHER POWER - THAT WE WILL ALL FACE GOD THE HIGHEST POWER SOMETIME .

THE REWARD -

PROVERBS 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

THIS VERSE TELLS US HOW CHILDREN ARE A REWARD AND IF WE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS of God that in well-trained families the parents and children shall be a mutual comfort and honor to each other.

I HEARD A GRAND PARENT COMMENTING ON HOW MUCH JOY IT WAS TO BE AROUND AND INVOLVED IN WHAT HE CALLED HIS SECOND FAMILY - AND TO SEE GRAND CHILDREN GROWING UP WITH BIBLICAL TEACHING.

FEW OF THE REWARDS THAT CHILDREN BRING TO US.

1 THEY GIVE A REASON TO LIVE MORE SELFLESSLY

2 THEY TEACH YOU WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT IN LIFE

3 THEY CAN BE A GREAT SOURCE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR LIFE

4 THEY GIVE YOU LIVELONG MEMORIES.

IF WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND LIFE IS FULL OF TRIALS REMEMBER THIS PROVERB IN PROVERBS 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

I BELIEVE THE SAME PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO CHILDREN AND WE COULD SAY - WHERE NO CHILDREN ARE THE HOUSE IS CLEAN - BUT GREAT IS THE REWARD OF CHILDREN.

IN CLOSING I WANT TO READ PSALMS 127 IN THE NIV.

AS WE THINK OF THE BLESSING AND RESPONSIBLY AND REWARD -

VERSE 5 TELLS US THAT CHILDREN WILL BRING STRENGTH AND HONOR TO THEIR PARENT IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.

IN WHATEVER STAGE OF PARENTING WE MAY FIND OURSELVES MAY WE DO IT TO BRING GOD HONOR AND GLORY.

IF WE ARE NOT A PARENT THEN HONOR AND GLORIFY GOD BY RESPECTING THE AUTHORITY THAT GOD HAS PLACED OVER YOU - SO THAT YOU DO NOT LIVE A REBELLIOUS LIFE AND EXPERIENCE A BITTER END LIKE OUR REDBULL DID.

PRAYER -

THANK THE SONG LEADER?

FOR A FINAL COMMENT - HOW MANY OF US KNOW OF A CLASS MATE OR YOUNG PERSON LIKE A COUSIN OR NIECE OR NEPHEW WHO SEEMED TO STRUGGLE WITH AUTHORITY AND OBEDIENCE AND TEMPER - BUT THEIR PARENTS WHER FAITHFUL AND CONSISTENT IN THEIR TEACHING AND NOW THEY ARE GROWN OR MATURED TO A BEAUTIFUL INDIVIDUAL AND ARE TRULY A BLESSING - I KNOW I HAVE - HAVE YOU OR DID YOU ENCOURAGE OR COMMEND THE PARENTS FOR THEIR LABOR OF LOVE?

HOW MANY HAVE SEEN THE OPPOSITE HAPPEN WHERE THE CHILD DID NOT TURN OUT - DID WE OFFER ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE PARENTS OF THAT SITUATION - MAY HAVE IT MADE A DIFFERENCE IF THEY KNEW THEY HAD SUPPORT.

LET US GO FORTH - DOING OUR PART TO BE UNIFIED IN TEACHING OUR CHILDREN THE IMPORTANCE OF WHO GOD IS.

MAY GOD GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND IF YOU ARE LACKING IN STRENGTH BE LIKE THE WOMEN IN THE BIBLE WHO PRAYED TO GOD AND HE HEARD THEM AND ANSWERED THEIR PRAYERS - TRUST IN GOD WHO IS THE AUTHORITY OVER ALL THINGS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING - GOD BE WITH YOU AS YOU SERVE HIM WITH INTENTIONAL CHRISTIAN LIVING - ALL DAY EVERYDAY.

Ac 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. AMEN - DEPART IN PEACE .