UNDER THE INFLUENCE

God has given you an ability to reach your kids. He has. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but remember, your feelings are liars.

The heart is desperately wicked; who can know it? – Jeremiah 17:9

Your feelings are often controlled by the enemy, as well as the in-a-me, which can be worse. When you feel like you don’t have an impact on your kids, you’re wrong and that’s the truth.

But here’s the deal: you’re not going to reach them by the same methods delivered to you. Some things are timeless and some are not. The truth is timeless. The way you deliver it and the way you apply it, is not. 

While the truth of the Gospel is the same, the way you reach your kids is unique to each generation. There’s a way you can communicate to your kids now that you couldn’t communicate to them in years past. 

There are certain things you need to communicate to your kids in this generation that no generation before has ever had to deal with. So it’s important that you and I are all about bringing the Kingdom into our families. Remember, the kingdom is when the King has dominion – when we let Jesus rule and reign. 

Now that doesn’t mean you have to make your kids learn a bunch of Scriptures and attend church every time the doors are open – though there’s nothing wrong with doing that. Please do that, but it doesn’t mean you force your kids to do church stuff. That’s not what the kingdom is. 

The Kingdom is for you to be submitted in a way that Jesus can operate freely in your home. When you talk about problems at school, on social media, television and movies and they see the Kingdom – or lack of the Kingdom – in this those things. 

They need to see Jesus in you. In the way you talk, treat people and deal with your finances. They need to see Jesus in you when you’re stuck in traffic, and when the doctor gives a bad report. They need to see Jesus in you when they fail and when they succeed.

They need to see that you love them because you’re madly in love with the Lord Jesus.

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

You have the power to influence your children for Jesus through your everyday dealings with them and others. So talk about Jesus – and if necessary, use words. 

FROM MY SERMON SERIES NEXT OF KIN

TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT

Just as I have shown you the way to live a righteous life pleasing to God, it’s your turn to teach your children. Trust yourself to lead them well. Follow Me. I will lead you, and them, in the way everlasting.