Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Judges 13:11
Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, “Are you the man who talked to my wife?” “I am,” he said.
Judges 13:18
The angel of God said, "What's this? You ask for my name? You wouldn't understand—it's sheer wonder."
Judges 13:21
He said to his wife, "… We've looked on God!"
the·oph·a·ny
/ Spelled[thee-of-uh-nee]
noun, plural -nies.
a manifestation or appearance of God or a god to a person.
When God brings a child into the world, He will send a Herald, a Messenger to instruct. Why does He do this? Because every one of them came from Him. Every one of them. There is not one child born that does not have a plan and a purpose born of God on his or her life. Not one. As parents, our responsibility is to seek God’s will for our children, just as Manoah and his wife did. This is a Holy calling, to raise Godly children. We must not take it lightly. For the parent who has an ear to hear, there is a Word from the Lord concerning your child. A very specific Word.
Forgive me. This is not my normal pattern. However I was struck by the magnificence of the circumstances surrounding Samson’s birth. God Himself came to Manoah and His wife with very specific instructions on rearing of the child that He was speaking into their lives. There are four times that come to mind where God touched the womb of a barren woman, Sarah; the mother of Isaac, Hannah; the mother of Eli, Manoah’s wife; the mother of Samson and Elisabeth; mother of John the Baptist. Then there is Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was not barren, but a virgin. Each of these sons had God’s purpose in their veins and each had a Herald, a Messenger who instructed their parents specifically in how they should be raised.
Does God still send Messengers to herald the coming of His children? Yes, He does. Most every person I’ve met had some kind of memorable spiritual experience as a child (myself included)J And in many cases, God sent messengers to their parents with clear guidance from on High. An Elder, a preacher, one of the older sisters from the church, a relative, a friend... Someone with a sensitivity to the Spirit of God, who in obedience, spoke into the life of their child, sometimes, not yet born. I’m a witness. I know some of these people and I’ve heard their stories. I’ve heard enough of them over time that I’ve come to believe that God, who is not a respecter of persons, acts in this way every time. Every time. I’ve also come to believe that if that parent or parents will receive that really specific ‘Word’, they will remember and ‘speak’ that same word over and over to their children, shaping them and molding them into the Godly children that the Master seeks.
Parents: Be encouraged. God has a purpose for your child. Don’t give up. Don’t stop praying for them. Teach them to walk in God’s path.
Children: Obey your parents in the Lord. They have a tough, but Holy job: raising you.
For those of you who think that my message today may not apply to you: Not so fast. God loves you and has spoken into your life continuously from the day you were conceived. He really does have a plan for you. Just keep living. His Will will be revealed in you in due time. Count on it.
Blessings,
-wb
Malachi 2:15
Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth.
Luke 18:15
[ The Little Children and Jesus ] People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them.
Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 23:19
Saying 16 Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:
Proverbs 31:2
Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
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