“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
Yesterday was heartbreaking. I can’t help but to acknowledge it. I pray Jesus is near and comes soon. We need Him.
While I was watching the news I noticed what you all noticed too. A group of students gathering on their football field to pray. To come together in solidarity and seek the only One who holds the answer. They knew what to do when their hearts were overwhelmed and troubled. They turned to Jesus. We should all take note. They remained on their battlefield where blood was shed at their schools. They could have ran. They could have left. But they knew in order to gain ground they had to gather and assemble and take the physical battle into the spiritual realm. These students were interceding. They were taught it somewhere. My guess is that it started in their homes. They have parents who are raising up saints in a fallen world. Our current world leaders won’t be the ones to bring change, it will be the generation we are raising. Let that sink in. Voting is necessary. However, on either side of the ticket, no political leader has yet to stop a law from being violated. It’s a heart issue. It’s a home issue.
Today is Day 14 of our journey. Fourteen is significant in the Bible. It’s not coincidence but divine appointment that you’re reading this today. That I even have the words for it. From Abraham to David are fourteen generations. There are three sets of 14 generations between Abraham and Joseph that lead us to Jesus. In the book of Proverbs the expression “the fear of the Lord” occurs 14 times. Fourteen is the double measure of spiritual perfection and deliverance. The Biblical importance of the number 14 is all throughout the Bible. I’d encourage you to look into today.
Today is significant because it will bring forth change. Change within the walls of your home. It begs the question. Who are you raising? Are you raising a generation of saints who will rise when called upon to pray? We can all debate the public school vs. homeschool vs. I can’t trust the government to keep my kids safe anymore….but at some point our kids will have to exist outside the walls of our home. To take a stand and maybe, yes, maybe a stand against evil. Evil doesn’t just operate within schools, it’s been happening in your backyards, your neighborhoods and in our communities for years. Kids killing kids. (Proverbs 29:15) It’s a heart problem. It’s a home problem. Are WE part of the problem? Take inventory today as a family.
I have a sign in my kitchen, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 But are you? Am I? Not just serving when it’s convenient. Not just serving when it suits my political agenda. Not just serving when it makes me comfortable? Am I, are you, serving the Lord in your home and is there evidence of it when your children are not under your thumb and they are out in the world? Are YOU obedient to His word and His commands or only when its suits you? (1 Peter 5:2-3) Will you deny yourself and take up the cross whole heartedly or continue to straddle the fence in Luke warm waters? (Revelation 3:16) Will your children recognize the need for Jesus and assemble to pray because they know the power of their prayers or will they coward to the world as it tells them we don’t want your prayers, we just want your vote? (Proverbs 22:6) I want you to remind them, that those “votes” have secured their elected presidential candidate for 21 of the last 30 years and yet….neither political party has made the world better. The world is corrupt. But there are still good, Godly people and a generation willing to rise. They assembled together on the field yesterday. Don’t lose sight of that. Don’t miss God at work. Make sure your home is centered around the Lord. The way you teach and lead should operate from it. We do not have to wait until a tragedy happens to gather and pray. We can do it now. Urge your children to be the leaders of their friend groups and gather kids around to pray. Rise up, those who call yourself a child of God, and show yourselves to your coworkers, your friends, your family and within your own home. Leave no gray area where you stand with the Lord.
Prayer and Challenge in one:
Today, sit with your husband and have a real conversation and ask yourselves if your life lines up with Gods word. Are you raising Godly children or children who just know God? No kids? Are you a walking example of what God called the church to be or just someone who goes to church? Pray over these verses. Look up the other verses I referenced and write them down.
Ephesians 4:12 “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
Psalm 34:7 – The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. – 1 Peter 5:2-3