THIS PRESENT TIME #14

Children are Our Heritage 5.21.23

Psalm 127 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame

when they contend with their opponents in court.

I. Moses, Moloch, and Murder

II. A Mother’s Love in Corinth

III. Eight Beginning Steps to Pray for Your Children

#1. A Life of Wisdom

Proverbs 4:7 NKJV Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

“What is the wise thing to do?” —Andy Stanley, The Best Question Ever

A life in Proverbs

Ephesians 1:15-17 NASB For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

2 Chronicles 1:10-12 NASB Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 11 God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.”

#2. A Life Under God’s Protection

2 Timothy 3:1 NIV But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

The Psalm 91 Mindset

B.L.E.S.S.

- Bodies

- Labor (school, work, hobbies, etc.)

- Emotions

- Social Relationships

- Spiritual matters

Dealing with Life

#3. A Life Experiencing God’s Favor

Luke 2:52 NASB And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Numbers 6:22-26 NKJV And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

Acts 2:46-47 NASB Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

#4. A Spirit-Filled Life

Remember Luke 2:52 NASB.

“A Double Portion”

1 Kings 1:47 NASB Moreover, the king’s servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name and his throne greater than your throne!’ And the king bowed himself on the bed.

The Samuel Moment

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

#5. An Understanding Of Their Life Assignment

Jeremiah 1:4-8 NASB Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, 5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.” 7But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. 8 “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the Lord.

The general call as a Christian

Service and fellowship in the local body

Vocational wisdom

Motivate, don’t dominate.

#6. To Find The Right Mate

A helper suited

Judges 14:1-3 NASB Then Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 So he came back and told his father and mother, “I saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.” 3 Then his father and his mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she looks good to me.”

Acts 18:24-26 NIV Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

True Love

Spirit, Soul, and Body Connection

#7. A Lifestyle That Pleases God

Titus 2:11-12 NASB For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

Jesus Model

The Acts 4 Principle

A Biblical World View

#8. A Life that Understands The Father’s Love

John 3:16 NASB For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Romans 8:35-38 NASB Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

Remember, some things happen when I pray that do not happen if I do not pray. Therefore, if I do not pray, somethings may go undone in my life or in the lives of those I love.