WEBVTT 00:00:19.820 --> 00:00:22.699 It's good to be back together again after our 00:00:22.699 --> 00:00:24.699 little ones are off to Kids Church. We're hoping 00:00:24.699 --> 00:00:26.820 that they'll have a wonderful time as well in 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:29.690 Tiny Town. and in all the classes they have prepared 00:00:29.690 --> 00:00:32.590 for them. Once again, my name is Keisha Wellington, 00:00:32.789 --> 00:00:35.950 and it is such a pleasure, such a joy, to be 00:00:35.950 --> 00:00:38.009 able to stand here this morning to bring the 00:00:38.009 --> 00:00:39.990 Word of God and to share the Word of God with 00:00:39.990 --> 00:00:43.990 you. But before we get into the Word, as a representative 00:00:43.990 --> 00:00:46.490 of the state office here in Pennsylvania, one 00:00:46.490 --> 00:00:49.090 of our initiatives in our girls' ministry department, 00:00:49.310 --> 00:00:52.289 as we go to different churches and we worship 00:00:52.289 --> 00:00:55.490 with them, we love to celebrate what God is doing 00:00:55.490 --> 00:00:57.770 in and through the youth of your church. church. 00:00:58.009 --> 00:01:00.149 So this morning we want to say a big thank you 00:01:00.149 --> 00:01:01.990 to Pastor Alyssa. If you will just join me by 00:01:01.990 --> 00:01:03.609 putting your hands together. Let's celebrate. 00:01:08.140 --> 00:01:10.939 We celebrate her and all that God is doing in 00:01:10.939 --> 00:01:13.140 her and through her as she pours into the youth 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:15.719 of this church here at LifeHouse. Now, it is 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:19.140 also our joy to celebrate one of your young ladies 00:01:19.140 --> 00:01:22.780 here with you this morning. I asked Pastor Alyssa 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:25.560 and her team to help us identify one of the young 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:27.980 ladies in our youth ministry, and we want to 00:01:27.980 --> 00:01:36.719 celebrate Little Miss Chloe Krieger. Now just 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:38.780 in case you don't know who Chloe is she's 10 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:42.200 years old. She's very sweet and respectful and 00:01:42.200 --> 00:01:44.959 she does have a heart to serve. She helps her 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:47.540 four younger siblings and volunteers in Tiny 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:50.859 Town right here. Pastor Alyssa shared that she's 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:54.319 also a very active listener, and she also provides 00:01:54.319 --> 00:01:56.700 great feedback whenever they participate together 00:01:56.700 --> 00:01:59.299 in class. So I want to invite Chloe to come on 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:01.060 down because I have a special little treat for 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:03.739 you. We want to celebrate you, Chloe. We want 00:02:03.739 --> 00:02:08.509 to say thank God for all that you're doing. We 00:02:08.509 --> 00:02:10.770 love you. We appreciate you and keep on shining 00:02:10.770 --> 00:02:12.909 bright for Jesus. Amen. Let's celebrate Chloe 00:02:12.909 --> 00:02:21.650 once again. Happy Mother's Day. Happy Mother's 00:02:21.650 --> 00:02:23.669 Day to all of our mothers in the room this morning. 00:02:25.050 --> 00:02:27.849 As Pastor Dixie shared earlier, sometimes it's 00:02:27.849 --> 00:02:30.909 not always the most joyous day for some. Because 00:02:30.909 --> 00:02:33.229 we have those who have lost their mothers or 00:02:33.229 --> 00:02:36.030 gone on to glory. And with that, we want to cherish 00:02:36.030 --> 00:02:38.310 and we want to honor all of our mothers who are 00:02:38.310 --> 00:02:41.590 no longer with us. To all of our grieving mothers 00:02:41.590 --> 00:02:44.289 and our mothers in waiting. And I didn't know 00:02:44.289 --> 00:02:47.229 I was going to cry, but here I am. We want to 00:02:47.229 --> 00:02:50.569 let you know that God sees you and he loves you. 00:02:51.250 --> 00:02:55.020 And we're praying for you. Today, I'm honored 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:57.979 to bring God's word and to encourage everyone 00:02:57.979 --> 00:03:01.759 here today that as mothers, we have an assignment. 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:05.479 And this assignment is to pass on our faith from 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:09.319 one generation to the next with strength, authority, 00:03:09.659 --> 00:03:13.479 and guidance that God provides. Now, we all love 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:16.620 our children. And I'm yet to meet a mother who 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:18.680 doesn't want the best for their children. Amen? 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:23.460 And so our responsibility is to remind our sons 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:25.500 and our daughters that they have purpose and 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:28.080 that the promises of God are still available 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:31.319 to them. The Bible says that they are like arrows 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:34.479 in our hands, right? And it is our God -given 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:36.620 assignment to point them in the right direction. 00:03:36.919 --> 00:03:39.120 So very briefly, I want to share with you on 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:44.199 the topic today. Pass it on. Prior to leaving 00:03:44.199 --> 00:03:46.719 Illinois, but when we transitioned here to Pennsylvania, 00:03:47.139 --> 00:03:50.819 I took about a month. And I went to social media 00:03:50.819 --> 00:03:53.840 to take some time to just reflect on all that 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:56.400 God did over the past eight years at our local 00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:58.939 church while serving our state as youth director 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:02.520 with my husband. So on Facebook, I would just 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:04.719 post pictures of like when our children were 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:07.840 first born, when we first brought them to church. 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:10.819 We would have pictures of little children who 00:04:10.819 --> 00:04:12.900 are now teenagers that grew up in our ministry. 00:04:13.550 --> 00:04:16.069 We would post pictures and videos of times like 00:04:16.069 --> 00:04:17.930 when Desmond got dumped with a whole bunch of 00:04:17.930 --> 00:04:20.709 water for losing at VBS. That was really fun. 00:04:22.050 --> 00:04:24.930 And there are so many memories. And every picture 00:04:24.930 --> 00:04:28.649 came with a tagline, remember when. But nothing 00:04:28.649 --> 00:04:31.389 beat that. Nothing was better than that until 00:04:31.389 --> 00:04:34.009 the Sunday morning, our last Sunday at our local 00:04:34.009 --> 00:04:37.269 church. And our pastor's wife brought us a box. 00:04:37.430 --> 00:04:40.790 And inside that box, it was filled with endless 00:04:40.790 --> 00:04:45.019 pictures. cards, notes from our parents, the 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:47.720 parents of our kids in the ministry, all saying 00:04:47.720 --> 00:04:49.500 thank you for the time that we had together. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:52.939 And on top of the box, it was labeled, remember 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:56.399 when. And as a result of that, I know for sure 00:04:56.399 --> 00:04:59.040 that is a treasure that I will forever cherish. 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:01.699 Now, when we think of treasures, we think of 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:04.220 things that have value, things that have worth, 00:05:04.300 --> 00:05:07.259 things that we want to protect. But what does 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:11.040 the Bible say about treasures? In Matthew chapter 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:14.800 6, 19 through 21, it says, do not store up for 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:17.199 yourselves treasures on earth where moth and 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:19.899 vermin destroy and where thieves break in and 00:05:19.899 --> 00:05:22.680 steal. But store up for yourselves treasures 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:25.420 in heaven where moth and vermin do not destroy 00:05:25.420 --> 00:05:27.800 and where thieves do not break in and steal. 00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:31.100 For where your treasure is, there your heart 00:05:31.100 --> 00:05:35.100 will be also. So when we think of our children, 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:41.000 what are our true treasures? And in the Bible, 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:43.800 Psalms 127, 3 through 5, and we're going to see 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:46.740 that on the screen right now. It says, don't 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:51.759 you see that children are God's best gift? The 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:55.139 fruit of the womb, his generous legacy. Oh, how 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:58.420 blessed you are, parents, with your quivers full 00:05:58.420 --> 00:06:02.050 of children. So our true treasures here on earth 00:06:02.050 --> 00:06:04.449 are not the things that we receive and the accolades 00:06:04.449 --> 00:06:07.389 and the celebrations. No, it is truly the gems 00:06:07.389 --> 00:06:09.970 that God has blessed us with to love and to raise. 00:06:10.610 --> 00:06:14.089 So the question is this, what's going to outlive 00:06:14.089 --> 00:06:17.589 all of our treasures here on earth? Our traditions, 00:06:17.670 --> 00:06:21.490 our legacy, our family name, our financial securities, 00:06:21.649 --> 00:06:24.709 all that we put in place to bless our children 00:06:24.709 --> 00:06:27.310 and to help them to be successful. What's going 00:06:27.310 --> 00:06:30.029 to outlive all of that? It's the word of God 00:06:30.029 --> 00:06:35.089 and our faith in him. Matthew 24, 35 says, heaven 00:06:35.089 --> 00:06:38.170 and earth will disappear. It will pass away, 00:06:38.350 --> 00:06:43.370 but my word will last forever. Speaking of remember 00:06:43.370 --> 00:06:46.209 when, I don't know how many of you grew up in 00:06:46.209 --> 00:06:48.129 like what we call the old school church, but 00:06:48.129 --> 00:06:52.009 I did. And when I think of a church mother, I 00:06:52.009 --> 00:06:54.250 think of those ladies who usually sit on the 00:06:54.250 --> 00:06:55.930 front row. Does anyone know what I'm talking 00:06:55.930 --> 00:06:58.449 about? And they have the white, beautiful hats. 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:01.860 The white attire from head to toe, white stockings, 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:04.899 white gloves, white fan, the whole enchilada, 00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:07.319 right? But one of the things I loved about these 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:09.319 church mothers is they always had like something 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:11.560 in their purse for you, whether it's a napkin. 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:14.560 or a peppermint, whatever you may need. But more 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:17.480 importantly, they always had a word of encouragement 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:20.060 in their mouths. These were the mothers that 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:22.579 would come down to the altars with you, and they 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:24.920 would pray you through whatever situation you 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:27.379 were going through. Not only that, but the moment 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:29.620 you walk into church, they could kind of look 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:32.199 at you and have that spirit of discernment. And 00:07:32.199 --> 00:07:33.759 tell whether you've been living right or not. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:36.040 So we always want to make sure before we come 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:37.819 in, we're like, okay, God, forgive us of everything 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:40.379 we've done because mother so -and -so is going 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:42.000 to tell us. She's going to call us. She's going 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:44.839 to read out our mail, right? So as I look around 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:47.639 today, I ask the Lord the same thing. God, where 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:50.480 are those church mothers? Where are those women 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:53.220 who would go to battle for you? Where are those 00:07:53.220 --> 00:07:55.660 women who will stay right there at the altar? 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:57.839 They would weep. They would cry. They would pour 00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:00.819 out their all for you. And then the Lord kind 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:05.079 of reminds me. me that you're the church mother 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:08.279 now, right? We're growing. We are growing in 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:10.879 the Lord. Our children are growing up. We have 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:13.620 a responsibility now to pass on the same passion, 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:16.819 to see our children grow in the faith and the 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:19.939 knowledge of who Jesus Christ is. So with that 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.920 in mind, here's what I want to bring to you today. 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:25.500 Three main points. What do we do with this responsibility? 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:29.560 Our first point is this. First, we want to pass 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:34.179 on our faith. Through our presence. Being present 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:36.879 in the lives of our children is one of the most 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:40.360 impactful and powerful ways we can show them 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:42.919 that we love them. And we can guide them in knowing 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:46.360 who they are and whose they are. Our presence 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:49.600 at times speaks more volume than actual words 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:52.019 of love and encouragement, right? It's more than 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:54.419 just sitting next to them or just being there. 00:08:54.580 --> 00:08:58.620 But it's actually being there emotionally as 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:02.000 well as physically. I love the story in the Bible 00:09:02.000 --> 00:09:04.320 about Naomi. And some of you may know the story. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:07.379 Naomi, she got married to a man named Elimelech 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:11.519 and they settled in the land of Moab. And while 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:14.220 there, she had two sons. Those two sons got married. 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:16.919 And so she had two daughters -in -law, Oprah 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:20.080 and Ruth. And what happened was there was a famine 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:23.120 in the land. And 10 years after marriage, she 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:25.740 lost both of her sons. She lost her husband and 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:29.169 she lost her two sons. So all she had left. were 00:09:29.169 --> 00:09:32.210 her two daughters -in -law. So it came to a point 00:09:32.210 --> 00:09:35.149 where she decided to go back to Judah, her hometown, 00:09:35.490 --> 00:09:37.450 so that she'd be able to provide for herself. 00:09:37.769 --> 00:09:39.850 And she said to her daughters -in -law, you know, 00:09:39.929 --> 00:09:42.190 I don't have any more sons for you to marry, 00:09:42.250 --> 00:09:45.289 so you might as well go on and live your life 00:09:45.289 --> 00:09:47.850 and go find new life, go back to your families. 00:09:48.129 --> 00:09:50.769 And Orpah thought about it. She kissed her mother 00:09:50.769 --> 00:09:55.049 -in -law and she said goodbye. But Ruth was adamant. 00:09:55.049 --> 00:09:57.559 She said, I'm not leaving you. I'm going to stay 00:09:57.559 --> 00:09:59.679 with you. Here's what the Bible says in Ruth 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:03.419 chapter 3 verses 6, excuse me, Ruth chapter 1, 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:06.759 16 to 17. It says, don't force me to leave you. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:08.580 This is Ruth talking to her mother -in -law, 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:12.980 Naomi. Don't make me go home. Where you go, I 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:17.340 go. Where you live, I live. Your people will 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:21.330 be my people and your God is my God. Where you 00:10:21.330 --> 00:10:24.029 die, I'll die, and that is where I'll be buried. 00:10:24.070 --> 00:10:28.169 So help me, God, not even death itself is going 00:10:28.169 --> 00:10:31.149 to come between us. Now you have to pause and 00:10:31.149 --> 00:10:34.990 think, what kind of impact did Naomi have on 00:10:34.990 --> 00:10:38.490 Ruth for her to have this adamant plea about 00:10:38.490 --> 00:10:41.480 not leaving her mother -in -law? So it tells 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:44.360 us a lot that presence does matter, right? It 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:47.200 matters being with your children, your daughters, 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:49.340 your daughters -in -law. It doesn't matter. The 00:10:49.340 --> 00:10:52.059 presence of a mother is very, very impactful 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:56.360 in the life of their children. I love the way 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:59.240 how Naomi says, listen, I'm not going to go back. 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:03.000 I'm going to give up my family, their lowercase 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:06.539 gods, their lifestyle, and I'm going to pursue 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:09.399 the true and living God with my mother -in -law. 00:11:10.129 --> 00:11:13.590 Naomi and that's exactly what she did but before 00:11:13.590 --> 00:11:17.149 we can truly impact our children we also have 00:11:17.149 --> 00:11:20.929 to immerse ourselves in the presence of God the 00:11:20.929 --> 00:11:24.039 strength The strength of your personal relationship 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:26.679 with God daily is very, very true because we've 00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:28.720 heard this so many times. Children live what 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:31.620 they learn and they learn what they live. So 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:33.899 what a difference it will make when we take the 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:35.960 time to make sure we're standing right before 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:38.700 God, we're living right before God. And in turn, 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:42.120 that will impact our children as well. Now, as 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:45.700 the youngest of 12 siblings, same mom, same dad, 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:49.820 we grew up together in a home where when I was 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:52.960 five years old, my mom passed away. So my dad, 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:56.580 he was a pastor, he was a farmer, and he was 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:59.279 a very skilled mason. So he built a lot of things 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.559 and homes with his hands. And one of the things 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:05.759 I fondly remember, it would be on Sunday mornings 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:08.679 after dad worked from Monday through Saturdays, 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:11.799 before we went off to church on Sundays, every 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:14.419 morning we would hear this little hymn coming 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:17.899 out of his room. And he would sing hymns. Those 00:12:17.899 --> 00:12:21.899 songs like, it's so sweet to trust in Jesus. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:26.860 And that was our cue to wake up. Just to take 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:30.320 him at his word. You better hurry up before he's 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:34.379 done. Just to rest upon his promise. Everybody 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.940 come let's meet in the living room. Just to know 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:41.059 the step of the Lord. Every Sunday morning. And 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:43.080 we would gather as a family. We would have worship 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:47.440 time. With us kids, someone had to pray. Someone 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:50.059 had to read the scripture. Someone had to share 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:52.840 what the scripture meant. And it's just interesting 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:55.379 to me that. Even though my dad, he didn't have 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:58.259 much. And even in his passing, he didn't leave 00:12:58.259 --> 00:13:02.240 us much of an earthly legacy. But he died the 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:05.480 richest man in the world. Why? Because he left 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:08.919 us a godly heritage that we passed on to our 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:11.480 children. And in the future, our prayer is that 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:14.120 it will go on to our children's children. I'm 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:17.159 grateful for my husband, Desmond, and I. These 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:19.259 are the things that have forever been imprinted 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:22.139 in our hearts. Where even now, we aim to have 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:24.649 Bible study with... our little children. We have 00:13:24.649 --> 00:13:27.149 a three -year -old Gianna, and we have a six 00:13:27.149 --> 00:13:30.649 -year -old Declan, and we make it a point to 00:13:30.649 --> 00:13:32.830 take time to say, God, we thank you for these 00:13:32.830 --> 00:13:36.509 things today. We make it a point to pray and 00:13:36.509 --> 00:13:38.789 to have a devotional every day before we go to 00:13:38.789 --> 00:13:41.509 bed. Now, why is that important? It's important 00:13:41.509 --> 00:13:44.350 because it is God's will for us to pass on our 00:13:44.350 --> 00:13:47.429 faith to our children. We can't just say it, 00:13:47.429 --> 00:13:50.269 but we actually have to do it in practice. Now, 00:13:50.289 --> 00:13:52.509 it's going to look different for everyone. no 00:13:52.509 --> 00:13:55.029 doubt. But as long as we take that step forward 00:13:55.029 --> 00:13:57.610 to say, you know what? My faith won't die with 00:13:57.610 --> 00:14:00.769 me. I want to see my children and my children's 00:14:00.769 --> 00:14:03.549 children grow in the faith and in the knowledge 00:14:03.549 --> 00:14:06.950 of who Jesus is and all that he's done for us. 00:14:06.990 --> 00:14:10.580 Amen? I love the verse that takes us back to, 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:14.539 that says, what does it profit a man to gain 00:14:14.539 --> 00:14:17.600 the whole world and lose his soul? We don't ever 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:20.860 want to be the believers that we do everything 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:23.980 else for our children. We set them up. We prepare 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:26.279 them for the future. They're involved in sports. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.740 They're involved in all these great things. But 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:31.340 at the end of the day, every one of us, we have 00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:33.639 to stand before the Lord. And it would be my 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:35.740 greatest joy to know that I've left that legacy 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:38.620 with my children as they're growing. So I'm thankful 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:41.860 for my dad and all that he did for us as we were 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:45.000 growing up. We've also heard it said, hey, do 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:48.559 what I say and not what I do, right? Or because 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:50.779 I said so, I've been guilty of that too. I've 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:53.200 done that a lot. But just in case you don't know 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:56.220 this, this generation of children, they don't 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:59.639 fall for that. They don't. They watch you very 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:01.720 closely and they will call, am I right about 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:04.600 it? They will call you out when you say something, 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:06.200 but you're doing something else. They'll say, 00:15:06.299 --> 00:15:08.519 hey mom, but you said this, but here you are 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:11.000 doing this. So we have to be very mindful of 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:14.580 what we do and not just what we say. With all 00:15:14.580 --> 00:15:18.080 the influences and the influencers that our children 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:20.600 now have at the tip of their fingers and in the 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:24.120 palm of their hands, our presence as moms matter 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:27.539 more than you will ever know. Who's the loudest 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:31.519 voice in your child's life? Something to think 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:34.500 about. Who has the most impact and the most influence 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:38.940 in your children's life? So the question is, 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:42.299 where do I start? Our goal is to definitely spend 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:44.259 time with our family each and every day. Talk 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:46.600 about the things that are going on. Listen and 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:49.100 learn. Address their concerns and their needs. 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:51.940 Definitely get into the word and pray with your 00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:55.220 families. Our children need to know that our 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:59.899 God is good, our God is faithful, and our God 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:03.019 forgives. Because even when we fall down as adults, 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:05.940 when we mess up, we make mistakes, our children 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:08.720 need to see that we serve a God who's redemptive. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:12.039 He forgives and he restores. So this is a part 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:14.600 of life's journey that we need to show our children 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:18.000 that God is able to heal and strengthen us as 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:19.960 we go through life's journey each and every day. 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:23.700 So not only do we want to pass on our faith through 00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:26.799 our presence, but what about our proclamations? 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:30.480 Let's talk about that for a second. As quickly 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.879 as we build our children up through meaningful 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:36.019 investments of our time and our presence, we 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:38.879 want to propel them into purposeful living and 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:42.480 a promising future. Guess what? We can easily 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:46.500 chip away at their progress with our proclamations 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:49.990 and the words we say. Not just us, but think 00:16:49.990 --> 00:16:52.049 about the people who have a say in their lives. 00:16:52.309 --> 00:16:54.909 People who have an impact in the way that they're 00:16:54.909 --> 00:16:58.009 living and they're being brought up. What is 00:16:58.009 --> 00:17:01.669 being spoken over your children today? Proverbs 00:17:01.669 --> 00:17:07.470 18, 21 says, words kill, words give life. They're 00:17:07.470 --> 00:17:12.849 either poison or fruit. You choose. Our children 00:17:12.849 --> 00:17:15.829 need to know that just because someone says something 00:17:15.829 --> 00:17:20.490 about them, it doesn't define who they are. They 00:17:20.490 --> 00:17:23.089 need to know that this world will come at them. 00:17:23.170 --> 00:17:26.390 But as long as they have an understanding of 00:17:26.390 --> 00:17:29.869 and a firm foundation in the word of God, what 00:17:29.869 --> 00:17:34.339 he says trumps everything else. Amen. Being present 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:36.180 with our children, especially when they're young 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:38.240 and dependent like our two who are three and 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:40.839 six, is one thing because they hear it every 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:43.740 day. Oh, you're so beautiful. You're so smart. 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:46.599 We love you. You can do hard things. You know, 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:49.480 those words of encouragement. But you may have 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.619 adult kids and it's a lot different because they're 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:54.799 not right there with you. Maybe you came to the 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:57.420 faith as a Christian after your kids were grown 00:17:57.420 --> 00:18:00.779 or they were living on their own. But there really 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:04.339 is no distance in prayer. And there is power 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:06.859 in the conversations we have with our children 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:09.900 even now. Now, there's a story in the Bible. 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:12.400 It's the story of a centurion. And I'm going 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:14.079 to share this passage with you very quickly. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:17.039 And here's what it says in Matthew 8, 5 through 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:21.299 10 and 13. It says, when Jesus had entered Capernaum, 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:24.500 a centurion came to him asking him for help. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:28.380 Lord, he said, my servant lies at home paralyzed, 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:32.380 suffering terribly. Jesus said, shall I come 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:36.119 and heal him? The centurion replied, Lord, I 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:38.759 do not deserve to have you come under my roof, 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:43.140 but just say the word and my servant will be 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:46.720 healed. For I myself am a man under authority 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:49.539 with soldiers under me. I tell this one to go 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:51.980 and he goes. I tell this one to come and he comes. 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:54.940 I say to my servant, do this and he does it. 00:18:55.259 --> 00:19:00.400 And when Jesus heard this, he was amazed. You 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:03.000 want to know how to amaze Jesus? Let's hear about 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:05.579 it. He said to those who were following him, 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:09.880 truly, I tell you, I have not found anyone in 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:13.640 Israel with such great faith. Then Jesus said 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:16.980 to the centurion, go, let it be done just as 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:20.380 you have believed it would. And his servant was 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:23.920 healed at that moment. Now, after looking at 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:26.299 the passage, we find ourselves as Christians 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:29.700 and as godly parents, we have the same authority 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:32.460 through Jesus Christ over the spiritual well 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:35.700 -being of our children. Our level of faith in 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:38.259 God can be the difference between our family's 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:41.460 success and our family's surrender. Now, what's 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:43.480 interesting about these verses, this passage 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:47.319 about the centurion is in the verses above, it 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:50.670 tells the story of where Jesus touched. a leper, 00:19:50.769 --> 00:19:54.269 and he was healed. And the passage or the verses 00:19:54.269 --> 00:19:59.329 below tells the story of how Jesus touched Peter's 00:19:59.329 --> 00:20:02.309 mother -in -law, and she had a fever, and instantly 00:20:02.309 --> 00:20:04.369 she was better, she was up, and she was making 00:20:04.369 --> 00:20:06.869 everybody some food, right? But right between 00:20:06.869 --> 00:20:09.589 those two passages, we find the story of the 00:20:09.589 --> 00:20:12.710 centurion and the servant. No physical contact, 00:20:12.990 --> 00:20:17.680 no physical presence. But the faith of the centurion 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:21.279 and the power of Jesus' word is what healed the 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:25.279 servant. We've got to know the power of the word 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:28.619 of God. It can change the course of any situation 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:32.420 in our lives at any given time. And those words 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:36.059 we speak over our children from the womb all 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:39.500 the way through adulthood, it matters. The word 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:42.940 provides protection over their minds, their hearts, 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:46.599 their souls, and it serves as a shield and a 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:49.579 weapon against the attacks of the enemy. The 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:52.180 word of God helps to shape their identity, their 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:56.279 self -esteem, their belief systems. Now, we may 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:59.519 know the word of God, but do our children know 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:02.880 the word of God? Do they know how to speak life 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:07.269 over themselves as well? I've heard it so many 00:21:07.269 --> 00:21:09.329 times as you probably have around your house. 00:21:09.470 --> 00:21:13.470 I can't do this or I don't know how. And, you 00:21:13.470 --> 00:21:15.269 know, you hear it all the time. But something 00:21:15.269 --> 00:21:17.430 within me serves me to say, hey, let's change 00:21:17.430 --> 00:21:20.710 the way we say that. Say, I don't know yet or 00:21:20.710 --> 00:21:23.430 I think I'm going to try. I can do hard things. 00:21:23.549 --> 00:21:25.589 This is something we pour into our children daily. 00:21:26.049 --> 00:21:28.990 Why? Because our words matter. Our proclamation 00:21:28.990 --> 00:21:32.410 makes a difference. Now, we want to be like David 00:21:32.410 --> 00:21:35.690 and have our whole family say, like it says in 00:21:35.690 --> 00:21:39.799 Psalm 1914, let the words of my mouth. and the 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:42.579 meditation of my heart be acceptable in your 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:45.519 sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. So 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:48.539 on the next slide, I have a little QR code there. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:52.839 And what it is, it has 40 powerful blesses that 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:55.900 we can pray over our children. If you want to, 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:58.500 you can scan that, or we do actually have some 00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:01.279 printed copies out in the square. You're free 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:03.500 to pick that up and take that home and start 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:05.599 praying over your children, pass it on to someone 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:07.279 who may need that word of encouragement as well. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:10.099 But before we do that, I want us to take some 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:12.859 time to proclaim some things over our children 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:15.759 can we take some time to do that here's what 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:18.160 we're going to proclaim each and every day first 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:21.980 of all I proclaim that no weapon formed against 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:25.960 our children shall prosper our children will 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:29.299 be able to stand in the evil days clothed in 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:32.839 the full armor of God I proclaim that God will 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:35.400 provide for every one of their needs according 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:38.759 to his riches and glory. I proclaim peace over 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:41.480 their minds, their bodies, and their spirits. 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:46.220 Our children are blessed. Our children are loved 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:50.299 and favored by God. Our children are validated 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:53.960 and affirmed by God's word, not by man's applause. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:58.000 Their steps are ordered by God, and whatever 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:01.720 they put their hands to will prosper. Our children 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:05.319 will not miss their calling and purpose in this 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:08.220 life. And our children will not just survive, 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:11.369 they will thrive. So speak that not only over 00:23:11.369 --> 00:23:13.769 your children, but your future children as well. 00:23:13.910 --> 00:23:16.289 Because the word of God is powerful. It's not 00:23:16.289 --> 00:23:19.450 limited to time and space. It transcends every 00:23:19.450 --> 00:23:22.329 aspect and area of our life. So speak those words. 00:23:22.490 --> 00:23:24.690 Not only that, but let's teach our children to 00:23:24.690 --> 00:23:26.990 open up their mouths and say these words. When 00:23:26.990 --> 00:23:30.009 they feel sick, they can simply say, by his stripes 00:23:30.009 --> 00:23:33.809 I am healed and I am strong in the power of the 00:23:33.809 --> 00:23:37.430 Lord. When they feel afraid, remind them to say, 00:23:37.549 --> 00:23:40.990 hey, I am covered. by the blood of Jesus, yes? 00:23:41.210 --> 00:23:44.190 And his angels will protect me wherever I go. 00:23:44.410 --> 00:23:47.990 When the enemy tries to throw confusion at our 00:23:47.990 --> 00:23:52.609 children, teach them to say, I know who I am 00:23:52.609 --> 00:23:56.490 in Christ Jesus because my identity is found 00:23:56.490 --> 00:24:00.549 in him. And finally, when they feel down or when 00:24:00.549 --> 00:24:03.589 they have fallen down, remind them that they 00:24:03.589 --> 00:24:07.140 are victorious through Jesus. They are what we 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:10.460 call more than a conqueror. They will overcome 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:14.559 because greater is he that is in us than he that's 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:18.440 in this world. So mamas, keep on praying. Keep 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:21.279 on speaking life over your children. Because 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:23.920 we must pass our faith on to the next generation. 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:26.660 Not only with our presence, but with the words 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:29.400 we speak and the words that they speak for themselves. 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:33.619 And then lastly, we want to pass on our faith 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:36.799 through our position. In the book of Daniel, 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:41.339 chapter 3, there were three Hebrew boys who found 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:45.140 themselves in a very tricky situation or position 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:48.619 where they either had to spare their lives by 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:51.339 bowing down to this idol the king had created 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:55.900 at the sound of the music, or they could defy 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:59.940 his wishes and stand but be thrown into a fiery 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:04.269 furnace. Now, one of the things I love about 00:25:04.269 --> 00:25:07.450 these boys is that regardless of what the outcome 00:25:07.450 --> 00:25:11.390 was, their faith and their reverence for the 00:25:11.390 --> 00:25:15.089 true and living God did not falter. They stood 00:25:15.089 --> 00:25:18.890 strong. And verse 17 in Daniel chapter 3 says, 00:25:19.250 --> 00:25:23.309 if we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the 00:25:23.309 --> 00:25:27.670 God we serve is able to deliver us from it. And 00:25:27.670 --> 00:25:30.349 he will deliver us from your majesty's hand. 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:36.700 Even if he doesn't. How many of you want to raise 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:41.079 some even if he doesn't generation? Amen. Even 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:44.400 if he doesn't, we want you to know, your majesty, 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:47.859 that we will not serve your gods or worship the 00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:51.700 images of gold that you have set up. They refuse 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:54.400 to compromise. They were not going to let their 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:57.380 faith falter. And I know their mamas were very 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:59.519 proud of them that day. I know I would have been 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:02.579 if I was their mom. Now, fast forward to 2025. 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:06.259 Here's where we're living now. We are raising 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:10.599 children in a world that has raised several idols, 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:16.279 all in the name of freedom and rights, individuality. 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:20.490 I can do me, you know, and inclusion. The Bible 00:26:20.490 --> 00:26:24.150 says that all that is in this world is the lust 00:26:24.150 --> 00:26:27.210 of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride 00:26:27.210 --> 00:26:31.210 of life. And there are those subtle demonic practices 00:26:31.210 --> 00:26:36.289 and influences. These new age experiences, they're 00:26:36.289 --> 00:26:38.930 really grappling at the heels of our children 00:26:38.930 --> 00:26:43.180 every single day. They tried to infiltrate our 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:46.420 homes through our streaming platforms. I mean, 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:49.160 I can't barely turn on the television today without 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:51.420 having to do the mommy filter first at times 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:54.220 and say, okay, you can watch that one now, you 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:57.049 know? It's on our streaming platforms. It's on 00:26:57.049 --> 00:26:59.609 our apps. It's in the books that our children 00:26:59.609 --> 00:27:01.529 are reading. I'll tell you this real quickly. 00:27:01.750 --> 00:27:04.849 My son, he's an avid reader. He's six years old, 00:27:04.950 --> 00:27:07.009 and he's reading on what we would say like a 00:27:07.009 --> 00:27:09.769 third grade level, and he will devour books after 00:27:09.769 --> 00:27:12.509 books after books. And I know that he loves graphic 00:27:12.509 --> 00:27:16.609 novels. And for some reason, I decided to get 00:27:16.609 --> 00:27:18.890 him The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Don't stone me, 00:27:18.930 --> 00:27:23.140 okay? But before I found out that it was not 00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:25.700 the best book in the world, and even through 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:27.460 the process, I would peek in every now and again 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:29.119 and say, what are they talking about now? What 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:31.160 are they doing now? But what I've learned is 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:33.859 even those little subtle ways, you have to be 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:36.279 present with your children and you have to have 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:38.500 conversations. I'm not saying the book is all 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:41.000 horrible, but it's definitely not all good. Choice 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:43.559 words sometimes, the way they treat other people 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:46.160 in the novel. We had to sit down and say, all 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:48.200 right, son, now that you're done with the whole 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:53.589 12 books. What did you think about it? And out 00:27:53.589 --> 00:27:56.759 of his own mouth, he said. Some were good and 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.900 some were bad. And in my spirit, I'm like, thank 00:27:58.900 --> 00:28:00.859 you, Jesus. He has a spirit of discernment. Okay, 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:03.680 good. Let's start there. And then we're like, 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:05.559 okay, so what did you think about how they were 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:08.420 talking to each other, their conversations? And 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:10.519 we started talking about appropriate words, inappropriate 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:13.759 words. And it's just so interesting. When he 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:15.740 was done, he was like, mom, can I get some more? 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:18.420 Can I get some more? And I got onto Amazon and 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:20.579 I was just about to purchase like a whole nother 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:22.880 set. And I believe it was the spirit of God said, 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:29.210 no, you are his. You are his watchman. You are 00:28:29.210 --> 00:28:31.990 his warrior. So those little subtle things that 00:28:31.990 --> 00:28:35.190 you let slide under, it can grow in him without 00:28:35.190 --> 00:28:38.309 even knowing that's not of God. And I took all 00:28:38.309 --> 00:28:40.289 the books out of my cart, and now we're reading 00:28:40.289 --> 00:28:42.710 a whole new series called The Investigators. 00:28:42.750 --> 00:28:44.710 I'm giving a little plug for them, okay? It's 00:28:44.710 --> 00:28:46.430 really, really cool. It's about gators who are 00:28:46.430 --> 00:28:48.549 investigating all these great things. So needless 00:28:48.549 --> 00:28:50.950 to say, we do have that responsibility. We have 00:28:50.950 --> 00:28:53.609 to be very careful about what our children see, 00:28:53.829 --> 00:28:56.670 what they hear. and what they experience in this 00:28:56.670 --> 00:29:00.309 life. These different mediums of influences, 00:29:00.490 --> 00:29:04.150 they are truly racing to impact our children 00:29:04.150 --> 00:29:09.150 in a way that is anti -Christ and anti -godliness. 00:29:09.289 --> 00:29:11.710 But I'm truly grateful for the mamas who stand 00:29:11.710 --> 00:29:14.289 on those battle lines day after day, praying 00:29:14.289 --> 00:29:17.279 for your children. and also practicing the faith 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:19.319 with your children, living that life before them. 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:21.839 I'm thankful for the mamas who are intentional 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:24.460 about what their children take in and also what 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:28.119 they put out. They may not like it, obviously. 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:30.599 I don't have teenagers yet, but I've been around 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:34.019 teenagers enough to know sometimes they don't 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:36.579 like the boundaries that we set, but it is not 00:29:36.579 --> 00:29:39.759 our responsibility to turn a blind eye to those 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:41.839 things that we know can be detrimental to their 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:44.559 spiritual growth. They have been entrusted to 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:47.160 us. to train them up in the way they should go. 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:50.180 So we must state our position and be spiritual 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:53.819 warriors and watchmen for our family. Let's continue 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:57.079 to be vigilant in prayer, discerning God's word, 00:29:57.240 --> 00:30:00.619 actively guarding our families against spiritual 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:05.759 dangers. I love the verse in Joshua 24, 15, where 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:09.140 he says, as for me and my house, we will serve 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:13.859 the Lord. There are so many benefits and blessings 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:16.660 for children who walk in obedience to God's word. 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:20.279 Proverbs 3, 1 through 2 says, My son, do not 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:23.279 forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:26.619 heart, for they will prolong your life for many 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:30.279 years and bring you peace and prosperity. Romans 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:34.960 14, 17 through 18 says, God's kingdom isn't a 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:36.920 matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:40.910 sake. It's what God does with your life. As he 00:30:40.910 --> 00:30:44.150 sets it right, puts it together and completes 00:30:44.150 --> 00:30:48.069 it with joy. Your task is to single -mindedly 00:30:48.069 --> 00:30:51.950 serve Christ. Do that and you will kill two birds 00:30:51.950 --> 00:30:55.309 with one stone. Pleasing your God above and proving 00:30:55.309 --> 00:30:58.369 your worth to the people around you. Our children 00:30:58.369 --> 00:31:01.190 need to know that they're valuable and they're 00:31:01.190 --> 00:31:05.210 worthy. And it's not set by the standard of the 00:31:05.210 --> 00:31:07.430 earth or the earth that we live in rather. But 00:31:07.430 --> 00:31:09.410 it's set by our heavenly father who gave his 00:31:09.410 --> 00:31:12.460 son. And he took our place so we can walk in 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:15.220 righteousness, peace, and joy in his Holy Spirit. 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:19.380 If we don't pass on our faith through our victorious 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:21.839 position given to us by the cross of Jesus Christ, 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:25.920 We will raise a generation that will not know 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:28.759 the Lord who did all these wonderful things for 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:30.960 us. They won't understand the mighty hands of 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:33.180 the Lord and all that he did and all that he's 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:35.619 doing. If we don't pass on our faith through 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:38.259 our proclamations, the words that we say of who 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:41.200 God is and who he says we are, then we're at 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:44.420 risk for raising a biblically illiterate generation, 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:47.339 right? Who will be defenseless against the attacks 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:50.019 and the wiles of the enemy. And if we don't pass 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:52.309 on our faith through our presence, guiding them 00:31:52.309 --> 00:31:55.710 by our godly examples, then church, what legacy 00:31:55.710 --> 00:31:58.710 are we leaving for our treasures, God's best 00:31:58.710 --> 00:32:02.690 gifts to us? No doubt raising children is hard. 00:32:07.529 --> 00:32:09.910 In terms of all the work and the sacrifice that 00:32:09.910 --> 00:32:13.369 we put in, right? Raising children in an ungodly 00:32:13.369 --> 00:32:16.769 world is even harder. And raising children in 00:32:16.769 --> 00:32:19.089 an ungodly world and watching them make decisions 00:32:19.089 --> 00:32:21.690 that is opposite of their upbringing, I can imagine 00:32:21.690 --> 00:32:24.910 has to be the hardest. But the good news is we 00:32:24.910 --> 00:32:28.910 are not doing this alone. We have a heavenly 00:32:28.910 --> 00:32:32.349 father who loves us and loves our children far 00:32:32.349 --> 00:32:36.019 more than we could ever love them. The fact is, 00:32:36.099 --> 00:32:39.200 while children are God's gifts to us, they truly 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:42.279 belong to him. He has given us his spirit and 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:44.940 his word to raise them and show them that he 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:47.960 is the way, he is the truth, and he's the life. 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:50.980 Amen. So as the worship team is coming, and we're 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:54.759 going to come to a close. As Christians, we're 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:58.119 all running a race. And when we think of our 00:32:58.119 --> 00:33:00.859 families, I love to think of it as a relay race. 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:05.980 This race is not about... Excuse me. This race 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:09.920 is about persevering through generations, striving 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:12.640 for a prize, which is eternal life with our Savior, 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:16.559 and having faith in him to walk with us in life 00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:21.440 daily. Now, if you've never really seen the analogy 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:24.160 or heard the analogy of a relay race, let me 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:26.180 just quickly walk you through it. There are four 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:28.980 runners in a relay race, four legs we call them. 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:33.210 The first leg. is where your faith starts now 00:33:33.210 --> 00:33:35.869 your family's faith may have started with your 00:33:35.869 --> 00:33:39.849 grandparents or your parents maybe with you and 00:33:39.849 --> 00:33:42.049 the bottom line is this it doesn't matter where 00:33:42.049 --> 00:33:45.730 you start just as long as you start it's not 00:33:45.730 --> 00:33:48.690 easy always getting off that starting block as 00:33:48.690 --> 00:33:51.410 a runner we used to run as well Desmond and myself 00:33:51.410 --> 00:33:53.130 we used to run in high school don't ask me what 00:33:53.130 --> 00:33:55.130 happened because that's another story for another 00:33:55.130 --> 00:33:58.859 time but It's not easy getting off that starting 00:33:58.859 --> 00:34:01.299 block, but it takes a lot of discipline and self 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:03.420 -control. And if there's anything we're going 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:06.180 to pass on to our children, let it be our faith. 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:10.559 So the first leg is all about starting. The second 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:13.500 leg, the second leg is about enduring. You may 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:16.039 have a powerful shot out of that starting block 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:19.619 and you're going, but about 10 seconds into it, 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:21.880 you start to lose your breath. Don't lose your 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:25.800 breath. Keep a pace. Endure. Persevere, right? 00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:28.440 We have to learn how to teach our children how 00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:31.239 to face difficulties. I have experienced the 00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:32.780 goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, 00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:36.119 thank God. I have so many testimonies of what 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:39.059 God has done. But we've got to tell our children, 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:41.699 hey, maybe God gave me that experience so you 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:44.559 don't have to go through it. Learn from my experience. 00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:46.820 Let me tell you what the word of God says. That 00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:48.699 way you don't have to face these difficulties 00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:51.639 by yourself. God has given parents to children 00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:54.739 for that reason. So that's our second leg, learn 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:57.760 to endure, persevere. But then we get to the 00:34:57.760 --> 00:35:00.940 third leg. The third leg is what we know as the 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:05.039 weakest runner of the four. Now, as a mom, you 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:08.860 may have entered this morning feeling anything 00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:12.119 but joy or peace about being here for Mother's 00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:15.199 Day. Maybe you felt like you dropped the baton 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:17.760 somewhere along the line, whether it was in receiving 00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:21.099 it or passing it on. I want to encourage you 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:25.250 this morning. Lift your head up. You're not disqualified 00:35:25.250 --> 00:35:28.849 from this race. Your children are not disqualified 00:35:28.849 --> 00:35:33.510 from this race. Lift your head up and keep on 00:35:33.510 --> 00:35:37.550 going. It may happen again, but don't stop. Pick 00:35:37.550 --> 00:35:41.389 the baton up and keep on going. I love what the 00:35:41.389 --> 00:35:45.289 scripture says here. It says in Matthew 24, 13, 00:35:45.650 --> 00:35:50.289 staying with it. That's what God requires. Stay 00:35:50.289 --> 00:35:53.900 with it to the end. You won't be sorry and you 00:35:53.900 --> 00:35:57.739 will be saved. Paul says in Philippians 3, 13 00:35:57.739 --> 00:36:01.059 and 14, I'm not saying that I have this all together, 00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:06.280 that I made it, but I am well on my way reaching 00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:09.460 out for Christ who has so wondrously reached 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:12.840 out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong. By no 00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:15.980 means do I count myself an expert in all of this. 00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:19.719 But I've got my eyes on the goal where God is 00:36:19.719 --> 00:36:24.260 beckoning us onward to Jesus. I'm off and I'm 00:36:24.260 --> 00:36:27.039 running and I'm not turning back. Come on, look 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:29.000 at someone next to you and say, don't turn back. 00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:33.039 Keep on going. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:35.500 your eyes on the goal and keep on going. So we 00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:37.760 have our first leg, our starter. We have our 00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:40.340 second leg, the ones who are persevering. And 00:36:40.340 --> 00:36:42.889 we get to our third leg. Maybe you feel like 00:36:42.889 --> 00:36:44.949 you've been weak, but God is here this morning 00:36:44.949 --> 00:36:47.590 to remind you that it's not in your strength 00:36:47.590 --> 00:36:50.050 that you're raising our children, raising our 00:36:50.050 --> 00:36:53.210 children. It's in his strength and in his power 00:36:53.210 --> 00:36:55.889 that we're going to be able to keep this line 00:36:55.889 --> 00:36:59.070 of faith and this faith walk with our children, 00:36:59.150 --> 00:37:01.050 teaching them God's word each and every day. 00:37:01.190 --> 00:37:04.690 But then we get to the fourth leg, the anchor 00:37:04.690 --> 00:37:09.510 leg. This leg is the fastest runner in the race. 00:37:10.230 --> 00:37:15.690 My God, let our children be faster, be stronger, 00:37:16.050 --> 00:37:20.909 be bolder, be firm, be passionate about the things 00:37:20.909 --> 00:37:23.670 of God. As we continue to pass on our faith to 00:37:23.670 --> 00:37:26.949 them, let them stand firm. Let them not be wavering, 00:37:26.949 --> 00:37:30.030 but let them be relentless in going after God, 00:37:30.110 --> 00:37:33.510 pursuing him with all their hearts, and chasing 00:37:33.510 --> 00:37:37.630 after him until he returns. Amen? Will you stand 00:37:37.630 --> 00:37:40.889 with me as we get ready to close? I hope that 00:37:40.889 --> 00:37:43.090 today's message somewhat encouraged your hearts. 00:37:43.349 --> 00:37:45.949 And once again, mothers, thank you all for staying 00:37:45.949 --> 00:37:48.690 on that prayer line. If you walk away with anything, 00:37:48.929 --> 00:37:51.750 just remember, don't give up the race. The race 00:37:51.750 --> 00:37:54.590 is not about who's fastest. It's for those who 00:37:54.590 --> 00:37:58.090 endure to the end. We must do our job in passing 00:37:58.090 --> 00:38:00.849 on our faith to our children and our children's 00:38:00.849 --> 00:38:06.670 children. So as we get ready to pray, if you... 00:38:07.849 --> 00:38:10.570 If you know someone or if your family just needs, 00:38:10.570 --> 00:38:12.550 just receive that word of encouragement today. 00:38:13.130 --> 00:38:15.210 I would like to invite you to come down to the 00:38:15.210 --> 00:38:18.130 altars and receive one of these batons. I have 00:38:18.130 --> 00:38:20.610 a lot for everyone. And take these home with 00:38:20.610 --> 00:38:23.010 you. Let it be a reminder that each and every 00:38:23.010 --> 00:38:25.510 day we're passing on our faith to the next generation. 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:28.579 Maybe you know of a family who's not in church. 00:38:28.699 --> 00:38:31.360 They're not saved yet. And you want to encourage 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:33.280 them with these words of encouragement as well. 00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:35.820 I would like for all of us to come on down. And 00:38:35.820 --> 00:38:38.320 one of the things I love about LifeHouse, you 00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:42.559 all always say what? Don't do life alone. So 00:38:42.559 --> 00:38:44.539 will you come down to the altar, church family? 00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:47.440 Let's pray together. Receive one of these batons. 00:38:47.519 --> 00:38:49.639 And we're going to ask God to help us on this 00:38:49.639 --> 00:38:52.619 life journey as we follow after him and as we 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:55.420 teach our children and the generations to come 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:58.119 to follow after him and to pass on our faith 00:38:58.119 --> 00:39:00.300 for the years to come. Will you come at this 00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:05.920 time and let's get ready to pray. Thank you, 00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:15.050 Jesus. Thank you, God, for your word today. Thank 00:39:15.050 --> 00:39:17.309 you, God, that we can rejoice that we serve a 00:39:17.309 --> 00:39:19.610 heavenly father who loves us and cares for us. 00:39:20.269 --> 00:39:22.250 Thank you, God, that in this life's journey, 00:39:22.329 --> 00:39:25.289 we're not doing it alone. Thank you, God, for 00:39:25.289 --> 00:39:28.389 the generations that went before us in the faith, 00:39:28.590 --> 00:39:32.650 teaching us your word, living by example. and 00:39:32.650 --> 00:39:35.929 showing us the hope that Jesus brings. Our prayer 00:39:35.929 --> 00:39:38.909 today, oh God, is that we will not give up. We 00:39:38.909 --> 00:39:41.949 will not lose faith, but we will keep our eyes, 00:39:42.010 --> 00:39:45.010 oh God, fixed on you as you have given us this 00:39:45.010 --> 00:39:47.929 assignment to raise our children and our children's 00:39:47.929 --> 00:39:50.909 children. God, we need your anointing to be able 00:39:50.909 --> 00:39:53.690 to stand in the days like these, oh God, the 00:39:53.690 --> 00:39:56.570 evil days as the Bible calls them. But God, we 00:39:56.570 --> 00:39:58.829 should not be afraid because we're not doing 00:39:58.829 --> 00:40:01.730 it, Lord, in our own might, in our own power, 00:40:01.789 --> 00:40:04.849 but it's by your spirit each and every day. So 00:40:04.849 --> 00:40:07.130 God, we pray for all of these families as they 00:40:07.130 --> 00:40:10.349 come forward. Help us, oh God, to be one big 00:40:10.349 --> 00:40:13.909 family where we are our sister's keepers. We 00:40:13.909 --> 00:40:16.889 encourage our brothers. We encourage our mothers 00:40:16.889 --> 00:40:20.409 in the Lord and showing them that God's way is 00:40:20.409 --> 00:40:23.650 perfect. God's way is right. God's way is peace. 00:40:23.969 --> 00:40:26.110 And I pray, Lord, that you will encourage, Lord, 00:40:26.130 --> 00:40:28.769 someone's heart today. Let them know they have 00:40:28.769 --> 00:40:32.039 not failed. You have not given up on them. But 00:40:32.039 --> 00:40:34.760 instead, God, you are helping them through life's 00:40:34.760 --> 00:40:37.900 journey, through life's race. They can keep their 00:40:37.900 --> 00:40:40.320 eyes set on you, God. Give them the power and 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:43.599 the grace to start if they haven't started. It's 00:40:43.599 --> 00:40:46.599 not too late. Help us, oh God, to spend time 00:40:46.599 --> 00:40:49.420 in your word so our children can grow up to know 00:40:49.420 --> 00:40:52.380 you for who you are. We love you, Heavenly Father. 00:40:52.800 --> 00:40:55.280 We thank you for the greatest gift you've given 00:40:55.280 --> 00:40:58.239 us, our children. And now we just pray a special 00:40:58.239 --> 00:41:00.559 blessing over each and every heart in this room. 00:41:01.119 --> 00:41:04.380 We pray, Father God, over these batons. We ask, 00:41:04.400 --> 00:41:06.059 oh God, as we pick them up and take them home 00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:09.460 today, help us, Lord, to never stop passing on 00:41:09.460 --> 00:41:12.900 our faith. Help us, oh God, to walk. by faith 00:41:12.900 --> 00:41:15.400 each and every day, knowing that you will see 00:41:15.400 --> 00:41:18.340 us through life's highs and life's lows. And 00:41:18.340 --> 00:41:20.340 I thank you, O God, for all that you're doing 00:41:20.340 --> 00:41:23.079 even right now in this generation. We believe, 00:41:23.159 --> 00:41:25.460 O God, that this will be a generation that will 00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:28.500 cry out in the wilderness, prepare the way of 00:41:28.500 --> 00:41:31.079 the Lord for your return, O God. It's coming 00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:34.159 soon. So let our hearts be in a place, O God, 00:41:34.239 --> 00:41:37.739 to live for you, to love you, and to serve you. 00:41:37.900 --> 00:41:41.019 Until the day, God, we see you face to face. 00:41:41.659 --> 00:41:44.639 We bless you, Lord. We honor you. We say thank 00:41:44.639 --> 00:41:47.199 you for this beautiful Mother's Day. Thank you, 00:41:47.199 --> 00:41:50.500 Father God, for those who pour out into our children 00:41:50.500 --> 00:41:54.599 each and every day so that we can live and enjoy 00:41:54.599 --> 00:41:57.500 and be a blessing to those who are around us 00:41:57.500 --> 00:42:00.539 through the goodness of God. Let's worship the 00:42:00.539 --> 00:42:03.199 Lord together with this song. And then you are 00:42:03.199 --> 00:42:05.260 free to take a baton with you on your way back 00:42:05.260 --> 00:42:08.250 to your seats. And I want to say Happy Mother's 00:42:08.250 --> 00:42:10.289 Day to everyone once again. God bless you. We 00:42:10.289 --> 00:42:12.389 love you. Stay encouraged in the Lord. Amen. 00:42:20.250 --> 00:42:23.130 Thank you for tuning in to this message from 00:42:23.130 --> 00:42:26.349 Lifehouse Church. We pray that you were impacted 00:42:26.349 --> 00:42:29.409 powerfully by this message. If you have been 00:42:29.409 --> 00:42:32.110 personally affected by our ministry and you would 00:42:32.110 --> 00:42:34.789 like to partner with us as we love God, love 00:42:34.789 --> 00:42:37.639 people every day, visit our website at