UNCOMMON PARENTING

Today’s Bible Verse

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.

Proverbs 13:22 (NKJV)

Uncommon Parenting

Living an uncommon life means being uncommon parents. We are to take care of our children. God has entrusted them to us, to take care of them, guide them, and teach them to walk on the right path. 

The Word instructs us in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” It is wonderful and pleasing to see generations serving the Lord because they were raised by uncommon parents! Understand that an inheritance is not limited to money. It also ought to include godly character qualities like integrity, accountability, and truthfulness. 

Financial inheritance alone is not the answer. There are so many young people under the sway of the spirit of this world. We need to impart wisdom and Christlikeness to them through our example and teachings. This reassures that the next generation will also manage God’s blessings, God’s way for God’s glory even after we have graduated to heaven.

Some of you may be asking yourself, “What if I don’t have any children?” If you are a Life Group Leader, God has entrusted you with spiritual children. They too need to be brought up in the training and admonition of the Lord so that they can grow strong in their faith and fulfill their God-given purpose in Christ. (Pastor Patti Matanza, Word of Life Yokohama)

An Uncommon Life

When I was growing up, I recall my parents telling me that God had entrusted my siblings and me to them. They said that they would have to answer to God when they went before Him on the Day of Judgment. I remember being born again at 8 years old.

When we moved to the United States, from El Salvador, my parents would take us to church every Sunday without fail. I grew up with a strong sense of who I was in Christ. My parents taught me that I was valuable in the eyes of God. I learned that I was the temple of the Holy Spirit and as such, I had to take care of myself. 

When I attended college, however, I was confronted with a lot of different ideas and teachings, which caused me to waver for a few years. But when I came to Word of Life in my mid-twenties, God healed my heart and I rededicated my life to serving Him and Him alone. Today, my husband and I have a 15-year-old son, Isaiah. He is one of the best gifts from God that we have been blessed with. As he grew up, there were five principles that we endeavored to instill in him:

  1. Always honor God
  2. Walk in love and forgiveness
  3. Respect others
  4. Accept responsibility for your actions
  5. Be a good example

It is a joy to see Isaiah serving the Lord and being a part of a generation that is bringing glory to His Name. Leaving a legacy is crucial during these times. I pray that our children will rise up and be the Joshua Generation that they have been called to be. A mighty and courageous generation full of the life of God as ministers and dispensers of His love and power! 

Today’s Declaration

Today, I declare that my child(ren) will be raised in the fear of the Lord. I will do my best to help guide them and to teach them to honor God and those around them. I speak life over my child(ren) believing that God’s Word does not return to Him void but accomplishes that which He desires and the purpose for which it was sent. In Jesus’ Name!

Today’s Bible Reading

  • Old Testament: 1 Samuel 21-23; Psalms 104
  • New Testament: Mark 12:28-34; 2 Corinthians 9

UNCOMMON PARENTING