Discipline is not for the benefit of the person doling out the discipline.
We must tell stories the way God does, stories in which a sister must float her little brother on a river with nothing but a basket between him and the crocodiles. Stories in which a king is a coward, and a shepherd boy steps forward to face the giant. Stories with fiery serpents and leviathans and sermons in whirlwinds. Stories in which murderers are blinded on donkeys and become heroes. Stories with dens of lions and fiery furnaces and lone prophets laughing at kings and priests and demons. Stories with heads on platters. Stories with courage and crosses and redemption. Stories with resurrections.
If you want to fight hell and the power of darkness that seek to destroy the hearts of our daughters, I know a type of spiritual warfare that creates value in a daughter’s spirit. It is called “Taking your Daughter out for tea” or “Going to Her Soccer Game”, and it works in direct opposition to the agenda of hell and darkness that wants to destroy their lives.
April 1, 2020
Children do not find it difficult or complicated to talk to their parents, nor do they feel embarrassed to bring the simplest need to their attention. Neither should we hesitate to bring the simplest requests confidently to the Father.
If you love God, you never have to worry again.
Alan Redpath had two daughters who loved to swarm him when he came home at night. As he came in the door one evening, his little girls ran to meet him. One grabbed his leg and hugged him with all her might. He snatched the other daughter up in his arms. The one squeezing his leg said, “Now, I’ve got all of Daddy.” The daughter in his arms replied, “Yes, but Daddy has got all of me!” Perhaps the question we need to continually ask is, “Does God have all of me?”
D. L. Moody once said that at a certain meeting two and a half people were converted to Christ. A friend asked if he meant two adults and a child. The facts were just the opposite – two children and an adult. When a child is led to Christ, a whole life is saved!
We want to raise our children not to only avoid things that hurt God’s heart, but to pursue the things that bring Him joy!
God’s “not yet” means exactly that. It doesn’t mean “no”. Earthly parents sometimes lie to their child, saying “not yet,” with the hope their child will forget about their request. God’s “yes” is always ‘yes’ and His “no” is always “no.” God doesn’t forget His promises and He makes no promise that He will not keep.