Raising Children For The Lord

It’s such an awesome privilege
And a big responsibility
God has given to us as parents
This wonderful opportunity
To raise our precious children
And instil into their lives
The wonder and amazement
Of the love of Jesus Christ

So they will learn to trust in Him
And worship and to pray
To love others with the love of God
And to honour and obey
As parents we’ve been entrusted
To raise them in God’s love
To be there to encourage them
When they feel like giving up

And to be there just to listen
When life deals some painful blows
And comfort them when they feel afraid
And when tears begin to flow
To share with them those joyful times
The precious moments in their lives
When doors begin to open up
And opportunities arise

Through everything they face in life
Let’s be there cheering them on
For we only have one chance at this
For childhood soon is gone
So let’s rely on Father God
To raise them to become
Men or Women who trust in Him
And in His precious Son.

© By M.S.Lowndes.

Read: 1 Samuel chapter 3

This was a very special revelation for Samuel, as we read in V:1 that ‘The word of the Lord was rare and precious in those days; there was no frequent or widely spread vision.’ God called Samuel three times before Eli perceived it was the Lord speaking to him. Samuel did not know the Lord at this stage (V:7). How often has God called out to us, but we have not heard Him, or recognized it was He that was calling us? What has God laid on your heart to pursue? A ‘dream’ or ‘vision’ He has given you. Of course we need to have discernment, to know if it is of God or of ourselves. But I think that anything in the area of ‘ministering’ to others and ‘spreading the gospel’ must be of God. I believe that God gives us real ‘passion’ in our hearts for that ‘dream’ or ‘vision’.

It must have been hard for Samuel to tell Eli everything the Lord spoke to him about. Sometimes there may be times like this where we need to share something the Lord has shown us. In saying that, I don’t believe that God is in the business of ‘gossiping’. If he gives somebody a ‘word of knowledge’, I believe it is for the benefit of helping that person, maybe to come to know Jesus, or in an area they need healing. Eli must have perceived that God had something real important to say. Even though it wasn’t great for him – He recognized it was from God and it was His will. He accepted it.

Samuel had a sensitive spirit, and was willing to listen and obey. We too need to have sensitive spirits, willing to listen and obey. We need to remain in-tune with God. We all have a purpose and a destiny. God has created us for a reason. If you are still unsure of what God wants you to do – ‘Ask’. He will show you. He wants us all to rise up to that which He is calling us to – to be functioning in it. Don’t think God hasn’t got anything for you to do. On the contrary, He has an awesome plan for your life. If you have a ‘dream’ or ‘vision’ God has laid on your heart, why not take steps today to make it a reality. Pray that God will direct you and show you what you need to do to make it happen. He will begin to open doors. Watch and see what the Lord will do - when we heed His call.

By M.S.Lowndes.