Changes for the Kingdom
My church is growing tremendously and changes were necessary to adapt. Children ages 5 & up needed to sit with their parents. Initially the thought terrified me as I mentally visualized myself keeping Noah and Sophia with me. Huge tears gushed out as I verified with a couple people that yes, it wasn't a joke.
Seven days passed by, alas, it was Sunday again. I prayerfully packed two bags for Noah and Sophia. It was well received and we all survived. I breathed a sigh of relief and was amazed with how God is raising up a "Joel" army of young children to learn to pray for others.
Our church corporately prays for one another as a unified body of Christ. I went forward with Sophia's hand clasped in mine. She stood there watching intently as we prayed for others. Another mom friend took Sophia's hand and explained what we were doing.
My thoughts wandered to the book of Joel.
"...Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants... And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your "daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. - Joel 2:16, 28"
This speaks of an outpouring for ALL generations. There is a spiritual war raging between heaven and hell. Unfortunately, there's no option to be exempt from that war. The enemy works overtime attacking godly mothers because we hold the most influential power over our children. We are with them day in and out. My mind is filled with thoughts of feeling like a failure. I'm a mom of 7 kids... I'm outnumbered... excuses after excuses fills my mouth of endless words. I felt like there were obstacles after obstacles, continuous attacks attempting to destroy me from the inside out.
No! Enough! I'm not falling for that scare tactic of the evil one. I choose to rise up and prepare my seven precious arrows: Nathanael, Eliana, Elijah, Noah, Sophia, Seth, & Aaliyah to teach them to have a fiery arsenal of weaponry found on Word of God. I find this play of words interesting... God's word --> God sword.
We spend too much time accommodating instead of training and equipping our children. I was very encouraged when a friend texted me... "I am so so impressed by you my friend! What a "joy"it was to watch you and your children minister at the altar! It is Very clear that God was intentional about bringing children into a new level of knowing him through the changing of the CM ages. I'm so glad you confessed your offense and you allowed God control to do what he wanted and intended for your life! Hallelujah! My heart sings because of your life!"
I replied shocked because we were definitely under an attcak from the enemy that morning and I felt too defeated to attend church. One of the songs we sang made me weep because I felt like He let go of me. I wasn't planning on coming... but it allowed me to encourage Elijah and another child to pray for others. I enjoyed talking with Elijah after church. He felt the power of God move. He rather be there in the midst of the action instead of socializing with peers.
Seven days passed by, alas, it was Sunday again. I prayerfully packed two bags for Noah and Sophia. It was well received and we all survived. I breathed a sigh of relief and was amazed with how God is raising up a "Joel" army of young children to learn to pray for others.
Our church corporately prays for one another as a unified body of Christ. I went forward with Sophia's hand clasped in mine. She stood there watching intently as we prayed for others. Another mom friend took Sophia's hand and explained what we were doing.
My thoughts wandered to the book of Joel.
"...Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants... And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your "daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. - Joel 2:16, 28"
This speaks of an outpouring for ALL generations. There is a spiritual war raging between heaven and hell. Unfortunately, there's no option to be exempt from that war. The enemy works overtime attacking godly mothers because we hold the most influential power over our children. We are with them day in and out. My mind is filled with thoughts of feeling like a failure. I'm a mom of 7 kids... I'm outnumbered... excuses after excuses fills my mouth of endless words. I felt like there were obstacles after obstacles, continuous attacks attempting to destroy me from the inside out.
No! Enough! I'm not falling for that scare tactic of the evil one. I choose to rise up and prepare my seven precious arrows: Nathanael, Eliana, Elijah, Noah, Sophia, Seth, & Aaliyah to teach them to have a fiery arsenal of weaponry found on Word of God. I find this play of words interesting... God's word --> God sword.
We spend too much time accommodating instead of training and equipping our children. I was very encouraged when a friend texted me... "I am so so impressed by you my friend! What a "joy"it was to watch you and your children minister at the altar! It is Very clear that God was intentional about bringing children into a new level of knowing him through the changing of the CM ages. I'm so glad you confessed your offense and you allowed God control to do what he wanted and intended for your life! Hallelujah! My heart sings because of your life!"
I replied shocked because we were definitely under an attcak from the enemy that morning and I felt too defeated to attend church. One of the songs we sang made me weep because I felt like He let go of me. I wasn't planning on coming... but it allowed me to encourage Elijah and another child to pray for others. I enjoyed talking with Elijah after church. He felt the power of God move. He rather be there in the midst of the action instead of socializing with peers.
Thank you for sharing your precious heart! What a wonderful word! Joel 2 Ninjas is what I always say!
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