Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Teaching Children There is Power in Prayer!


As I watched this 5 year old boy from the Potter's House deliver this unforgettable prayer, I instantly got excited!  Then, I realized how so many churches are falling short in there teachings when it come to our youth.  How do we as a church and as parents teach our kids to walk in the power of God?   How do we expect for our children to find power in prayer if parents don't believe in the power themselves?  To see a child pray with so much power and strength is by far rare this day and age.  Considering the presence this child displayed, in this congregation of great size, shows this child has been taught the power of prayer.  The average adult would have been afraid to stand and proclaim the Word of God before thousands.  This child has brought glory and a change to the Body of Christ! 

Children usually display what they are taught!  The Bible tells us, "Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6  What are we teaching or training our children to do? Sometimes we have to examine our own actions.  Because children tend to mirror their parents.  I notice my two year old daughter, watching my every step and I mean the good, bad, and the ugly.  She teaches me a lot about myself.  She wants to be like mommy, but I want her to be a better me.  In order for that to happen, I have to put my best foot forward and show her a positive example.  That means, she should see me praying, praising, reading, and being a good wife and mother.  

If you want your child to have a great relationship with God start off by explaining God and Jesus to them.  Children will ask, "Who is Jesus" and we have to be prepared to answer.  Explain to them how they are created in his imagine.  Then, I would suggest buying them a Children's Bible.  Another great relationship builder is to teach your child to pray at night before bed and over their dinner aloud.  We usually let our children take turns and we all hold hands every evening at dinner.  Each day their prayers got stronger and longer, as the kids got more comfortable.   This gives children an opportunity to do something positive for God, allows them to feel good about themselves, and puts children on a path to NOT be ashamed to pray for other or themselves in public.   

Just imagine your child as an adult, praying their way through life issues and situations.  There is no weapon greater than Prayer! It is our job as parents to equip our children, for the life that is placed in front them.  The way to equip our children for this life is to teach them "there is Power in Prayer!"

Saturday, March 12, 2011

The Spirit Spot: Failure Does Not Define You!

The Spirit Spot: Failure Does Not Define You!

Failure Does Not Define You!

         Often times, people go through life afraid of failure, unable to realize life is about risk. You will never succeed, if you don’t even try. Step out of the box and stop looking at failure as embarrassment, shame, and defeat! Have you ever heard the old saying, “I would rather try and fail, then to have never tried at all?” The reason this quote is so popular is because people are so afraid of failure. People wouldn’t be so afraid, if they could see failure from God’s viewpoint. God looks at the failures in our life, as an opportunity to let his glory shine. This is God’s opportunity to show out! To make your shame and embarrassment into a TESTIMONY!


         I can promise that if you speak with a person with success, they will tell you they have also failed. The key to that person’s success is that person refused to let that failure define them. You have to understand that you are destined for success, in whatever God called you to do. God says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Isaiah 1:5)

          Failure is not going to stop God’s progress. Look at all the people who failed in the Bible, David committed adultery and murder, Abraham impregnated the maidservant instead of believing in God’s promise for him and Sarah, and Paul had a thorn in his side. ALL of them continued to stand with the Lord and persevered. If we continue to stand despite our failures, God has no other choice but to bless us. Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” This just lets us know despite our failures and shortcomings, God is going to take them and work them out for the good. As the song goes, “Get back up again!”

         A SETBACK is a SETUP for a COMEBACK! Pray and repent your way through the failure. We have to stop looking at our failure as something that is ruined, or something we can no longer recover from. We have to look at failures as a stepping stone towards our VICTORY!

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Spirit Spot: Love and Faithfulness

The Spirit Spot: Love and Faithfulness

Love and Faithfulness

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

Love and faithness most people believe are easy to do. I here people say "I love you" just about everyday. Is love displayed in their actions? Many times I have heard someone say they have faith in God. Although, their behavior communicate something different. Truth be told it takes a strong person to be truly faithful and to mirror the love of God.

I use to wonder, why my husband allowed certain people to treat him unkind, despite their age, job, or relation? Why is he not retaliating? Then, I learned it takes a strong person, one with integrity, to love despite others behavior or opinions of them. If we really love God and desire to be faithful to his word and his teachings, we should be afraid of his punishment for acting out of character that is not becoming of a Christian. In Hebrews 10:30, God tells us to let him be the avenger. To be faithful to his teachings, we have to love him enough by letting him avenge any and all situations in our life.

Although walking in love and faithfulness is not easy for all Christians, my advice is to take the first step, with each step it gets easier. True character takes work, God never said building character was going to be easy. Since we as Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, it can be done. Remember if we are suppose to imitate Christ, there is no time like the present! Start the process of walking in love and faithfulness!