As promised last week we will continue this discussion about the children. If you didn't read last week, simply scroll down and you will see part 1 still posted so you can read it. For those who did I pray that over the last week you applied the principles from that message, and have begun the great work of reclaiming our children for the Kingdom.
Our first text this week should be familiar to most, yet the second verse is what we'll be highlighting. Acts 2:38 (NKJV) reads; "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." This verse is widely referred to, as it should be, and sets forth the necessity of baptism. As His children we know this is a requirement to receive all the Lord has for us. We must publicly align ourselves with Him before the whole world. In today's days and times this doesn't seem like such a big move to the majority of us. Yet, in those days we were being persecuted for our faith. A sobering reality is that many through out the world still are. Do a little research and you will embrace the significance of being baptized and standing for Jesus the Christ. Daily our sisters and brothers world wide are being imprisoned and killed for there faith. Make no mistake, we are still very much under attack family.
Today let's look at verse 39, because it's applicable for this message. It's applicable for our lives everyday, and it's often overlooked. "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:39 NKJV) See how it pertains to our message? You have to be the example so your children can receive the promises God has for them. You must follow the "formula" God has placed forth, and your children will be blessed through you. Not only your children, their children after them. You can not expect this younger generation to just figure out how to live a godly life. Not going to happen, wasn't designed that way. No amount of complaining, punishment, or "things" can cause them to stay on track. Your example, your obedience will directly effect the outcome of their eternal life. You have to adhere to everything laid out in v.38 and then v.39 is relevant. Otherwise....let's talk about that now.
The fundamental issue with our kids today is their not being raised. Period. With the hustle and bustle of today's world, focus has been taken off of them. Children should be in our front windshield, not the side view mirrors....and surely not the rearview. Yet, they are. You would be amazed at the things I've seen parents do. I worked at a certain child entertainment restaurant in high school. The number of parents who used this place as a "daycare" was astonishing. Rather than enjoying that time to play with their children and make memories, they would get their hand stamped and rush out to have their own fun. I've lived long enough, praise the Lord, that many of those children are young adults now. When I run in to their parents I hear them grumbling and complaining about how the children don't listen, stay getting "jammed" up, have no drive, no focus. Ironically, they take no responsibility as they run down a list of all the opportunities afforded their children. Ministry is perpetual, so I give them my number and leave a verse under my name. That verse is; "The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother." (Proverbs 29:15 NKJV) Some call and continue to complain. Some call and their upset, because the whole time I've known them they claim to be Christians and actually read the verse. Others call and ask me to pray for them, that God restore their children and relationship. Still others thank me, and explain how they have dropped the ball. Which category do you fall in? Notice the child brings the mother shame because they have been left to themselves. That isn't the child's fault, that fault lies squarely on the parent. AMEN?
None of today's conditions come as a surprise. Romans 1 runs down a litany of things we suffer due to disobedience, check out verse 30 sometime. Now the Lord's word is true, so these things must come to pass. AMEN? This world must fall in to a state of utter despair, society will eventually be consumed by it's compromised sense of righteousness. My apologies, did I say eventually. Scratch that, society IS being consumed. AMEN? With that said let's take heed to Paul's warning to Timothy so that we accurately see what our children are up against. This is an urgent matter, and I'm just going to leave you to meditate on this verse. Pray for our children, love on our children, their calling out and we need to answer. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV) Reality....this is the time we're living in. I love y'all
BE BLESSED BE FAITHFUL