It Starts at Home

May I share something quite personal? (Warning: this is an open book-blog of where God is working with me)

The Lord has been really working on me regarding my relationship with my wife, Elizabeth, and my children; Rachel, Jaron, Justus, Judah and baby #5.

Questions I'm wrestling with: How well am I leading them? Am I leading them in a righteous spiritual walk before the Lord; walking with Jesus as their Savior and Lord? Are my children being fed the Word of God? Am I being an example to them on how to worship and pray? In regards to my wife, am I being the prophetic voice, the spiritual covering, the righteous protector, provider and priest she needs?

These are not rhetorical questions by the way; the demand an answer.

God's Word commands me to lead my family in every area of life. From faithfulness to discipline, from holy living to a life of worship for the King...I'm the leader of my home.

Ladies, please do not take offense. My wife is my partner in ministering to my family but I have been positioned by God to lead and to lead strong; to cast the vision for my own household. I can tell you right now, I am so very thankful for my wife. Her gift of discernment is strong and I'm learning to listen. I need her help to lead! Man that's good stuff. Let me say it again...I need her help to lead.

Elizabeth and I don't have it all figured out. We're seeking the Lord continually for wisdom, peace and answers on how to parent, grow in our marriage covenant and more. And He's providing that wisdom, peace, and the answers come as we grow closer to Him and as we learn. The Lord is continually making our marriage stronger but we have to submit to His correction, discipline and love. That's the key. We must, together, submit to the Father's teaching and rebuke.

The spirit of divorce is working overtime lately. DO NOT GIVE THAT DEMONIC SPIRIT ANY ROOM WHATSOEVER. Don't even utter the 'd' word. Grow closer to your spouse and wrap your arms around your children declaring the sovereignty of God over your household.

Husbands, stand firm in God's Word and declare peace and the presence of God in your house. Show your family how to worship, to pray, to memorize scripture, to know the commandments! Teach them how to listen for the voice of God.

Listen, these are things I'm doing. I'm joining Apostle Paul's bandwagon on this one. He claimed he didn't have it all together but one thing he had figured out...forgetting what is behind!!! Praise God for His grace to help us more forward and forget bad history. Pressing forward people!

I want this open book-blog to be an encouragement to you today. It starts at home...revival.

It hit me the other day, what if my children do not serve the Lord? What if my children do not experience His power and presence like I have? These are sobering questions my friend. My children will be impacted by my every decision, both spiritually and physically. 'GOD HELP ME!' I am desperate for the Lord to show me how to lead them. I can feel when my family is running on empty or needing my special and spiritual attention.

Let me be bold right now and proclaim to you that I will lead my family in prayer on their knees. I will teach them to live righteously even though I may falter at times; even then, I will teach them about the grace and forgiveness of our Savior Jesus. I will help them know God and hear His voice. I will show them how to walk uprightly and in God's identity and purpose for their lives. My children will experience God's love and power and presence like Elizabeth and I have...and they'll do more things for the Kingdom than we ever have!

It starts at home. Join me in the journey. Lead your family by following Jesus. His precious and powerful Holy Spirit will guide us, lead us and yes, correct us.

We're doing this for our family. So that generations from now we'll see our children's, children's, children serving the Lord with zeal and passion.

Thanks for letting me share the journey of leading my family. More to come.