Righteous Parenting

 

I want to begin this letter/sermon/reflection, by saying, praise the Lord, my brothers and sisters! Glory to God in the highest for His gift of another beautiful day in His presence. I’m not blind to the woes of the world, in fact, I do my best to keep up on global calamities so that I may pray for those dealing with the stress and heartache that soon follow. But, as St. Peter instructs in Ephesians 6:10-20, verse 11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” I put on the armor of God as soon as I wake up, and that allows me to stand with power, and pray for everyone going through a hard season. Now, let’s take a dive into the Word, and I tell you what, it’s going to set your heart on fire for righteous parenting!

Hallelujah! Proverbs 22:6 declares, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” We’re talking about shaping champions for Christ, raising them up to be warriors for the everlasting Kingdom! You hear me? That is some mighty fine good news if you ask me. As parents, our responsibility extends beyond providing for physical needs; it encompasses nurturing the spiritual foundation that will sustain our children throughout their lives.

Going back to the words of the Apostle Paul, he says in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This teaches us the importance of creating an environment of love, discipline, and above all, instilling the Word and the power of God into their very beings. If we reflect on Psalm 127:3-5, we understand that children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward, and like little arrows in the hands of a warrior and you’re launching them into destiny. Aim them towards righteousness and purpose. Our homes are the training ground, and we’re molding champions for God’s Kingdom. Let the devil know he isn’t stealing your legacy!

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 reads, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk to them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Our homes need to be filled with a continuous dialogue of faith and values, not just on Sundays, my beloved brothers and sisters; I’m talking about a 24/7 immersion in the world.

I just love the promise of Matthew 7:11, it is the ultimate example of divine parenthood. Jesus assures us, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” As earthly parents, we strive to emulate the boundless love and generosity modeled by our heavenly Father. Lean into His example, tap into His wisdom.

As parents, let’s rise in prayer and dedication, embracing these immaculate principles, and cultivating an atmosphere of faith. We’re on a mission, and God’s Word is our battle plan. I pray we can raise a generation that will impact this world for Jesus Christ. May they shake nations for the glory of the Lord. As we navigate the challenges that come with being blessed as parents, may we seek strength and guidance in these verses, knowing that through our dedication and reliance on God’s Word, that we can raise children who shine as a light in a world hungering for love and purpose. 

Amen.