Parents, you are the gatekeepers of your child's body, soul and spirit. You are in a spiritual battle for your children. The enemy comes to steal kill and destroy. It is our responsibility as much as possible to keep watch and pray for our children.
In the book of Mark chapter 9:14-29 there is an account of a father bringing his child to get set free. The disciples tried to deliver this child but failed. Then Jesus returns from the Mount of Transfiguration and a dialogue ensues. The father brought the child because the boy was harassed and the enemy was after his life. The spirit had robbed him of his ability to speak. Notice what else happens to the child as a result of this spirit. He is seized, thrown to the ground, foams at the mouth, and gnashes his teeth. He is also thrown into fires or water to kill him. The enemy may start with one area of bondage but it will not stop there. His mandate or goal is to steal, kill and destroy. The outcome he wants is to completely take over. I see far too many lives being destroyed form lack of knowledge, understanding and spiritual wisdom and implementation.
The enemy is no respecter of people. He will begin from the time of conception to attach to a person’s life. If someone who truly does not want to be pregnant conceives a child, then while the child is developing in its mother’s womb it is getting the message that I am not wanted. Either parent can release rejection to the child if they don’t want them. An example of this could be the mother is thrilled but the father isn’t happy. Also there are times when circumstances transpire that are beyond the control of the parents, which may affect the child. We experienced this first hand.
Our first two children were twins and the birth was not pretty. I had many complications that left me incapacitated. I had tubes coming out in all directions; I was hemorrhaging and close to death myself. I remember the nursing staff bringing Joel into me and laying him on my chest. He was placid and would just lie there with me. I could feel his heart beating with mine; I remember feeling such love. But poor Becky had colic and was constantly writhing from it so they didn't bring her to me. Jim held her, walked with her and cuddled her; and they bonded together. But over the first few years of her life it felt like we were always in a battle with her. To us it was frustrating because we felt it just shouldn't be but we didn't know what was wrong. We loved her dearly and we so wanted them both. We felt so blessed as parents but we knew something was not right.
We asked a friend who worked in our church’s bookstore to help us discern the situation. Sometimes we are just too close to see clearly the source of the problem. We felt we couldn't see the forest for the trees. One day a customer walked into the bookstore with her newborn child while Becky was there. Our friend in the bookstore said to Becky: “Doesn't she love her baby like your mommy loves you?” Becky responded: "My mommy doesn't love me!" and ran home. (We lived next door to the church and the bookstore.) Needless to say when this was shared with us I was heart broken. I did love her deeply but the enemy had gotten in at the very beginning to sow rejection into her life. It was played out in self-will and rebellion but the root was rejection.
The thing I would like to emphasis at this moment is that we have talked and prayed with many parents and children. Many parents have a hard time accepting that they have a part to play in the situation. They often refuse to acknowledge their actions could have contributed to the rejection finding a foothold, yet they feel guilt and shame, as if they are terrible parents. This is why we must remember that your fight is not against flesh and blood but the enemy. He takes any and every opportunity to bring death in a person’s life. This is about your child being free to be all that God has called them to be so don't let pride stand in the way of freedom. Believe me, freedom is so much better!
(image courtesy of Ambro @FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
In the book of Mark chapter 9:14-29 there is an account of a father bringing his child to get set free. The disciples tried to deliver this child but failed. Then Jesus returns from the Mount of Transfiguration and a dialogue ensues. The father brought the child because the boy was harassed and the enemy was after his life. The spirit had robbed him of his ability to speak. Notice what else happens to the child as a result of this spirit. He is seized, thrown to the ground, foams at the mouth, and gnashes his teeth. He is also thrown into fires or water to kill him. The enemy may start with one area of bondage but it will not stop there. His mandate or goal is to steal, kill and destroy. The outcome he wants is to completely take over. I see far too many lives being destroyed form lack of knowledge, understanding and spiritual wisdom and implementation.
The enemy is no respecter of people. He will begin from the time of conception to attach to a person’s life. If someone who truly does not want to be pregnant conceives a child, then while the child is developing in its mother’s womb it is getting the message that I am not wanted. Either parent can release rejection to the child if they don’t want them. An example of this could be the mother is thrilled but the father isn’t happy. Also there are times when circumstances transpire that are beyond the control of the parents, which may affect the child. We experienced this first hand.
Our first two children were twins and the birth was not pretty. I had many complications that left me incapacitated. I had tubes coming out in all directions; I was hemorrhaging and close to death myself. I remember the nursing staff bringing Joel into me and laying him on my chest. He was placid and would just lie there with me. I could feel his heart beating with mine; I remember feeling such love. But poor Becky had colic and was constantly writhing from it so they didn't bring her to me. Jim held her, walked with her and cuddled her; and they bonded together. But over the first few years of her life it felt like we were always in a battle with her. To us it was frustrating because we felt it just shouldn't be but we didn't know what was wrong. We loved her dearly and we so wanted them both. We felt so blessed as parents but we knew something was not right.
We asked a friend who worked in our church’s bookstore to help us discern the situation. Sometimes we are just too close to see clearly the source of the problem. We felt we couldn't see the forest for the trees. One day a customer walked into the bookstore with her newborn child while Becky was there. Our friend in the bookstore said to Becky: “Doesn't she love her baby like your mommy loves you?” Becky responded: "My mommy doesn't love me!" and ran home. (We lived next door to the church and the bookstore.) Needless to say when this was shared with us I was heart broken. I did love her deeply but the enemy had gotten in at the very beginning to sow rejection into her life. It was played out in self-will and rebellion but the root was rejection.
The thing I would like to emphasis at this moment is that we have talked and prayed with many parents and children. Many parents have a hard time accepting that they have a part to play in the situation. They often refuse to acknowledge their actions could have contributed to the rejection finding a foothold, yet they feel guilt and shame, as if they are terrible parents. This is why we must remember that your fight is not against flesh and blood but the enemy. He takes any and every opportunity to bring death in a person’s life. This is about your child being free to be all that God has called them to be so don't let pride stand in the way of freedom. Believe me, freedom is so much better!
(image courtesy of Ambro @FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
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