I have raised four children.  I raised them to the best of my knowledge.  Ignoring my own needs, I often got up in the middle of the night to take care of their needs.  I homeschooled them for ten years.  Yet, I was utterly surprised and disappointed when I learned that they had a sinful nature inside of them, after all. Sneaking negative, destructive beliefs into their minds and hearts during the years that I was taking such good care of them, the father-of-lies contaminated their minds, hearts, and spirits, and formed in them his sinful nature.  I thought I had prevented all of this with my diligent care and love.

Disappointed and disillusioned, I took the matter to God: “What have I done wrong?  Was my love not enough to protect my children from the father-of-lies and sin?  Was my care meaningless?”

 APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING
(John 15:5).

Filled with love and tenderness, God comforted me: Child of Mine, nothing you did for your children was meaningless.  Your love mattered.  Your care counted.  Your diligence made a difference.  However, you are no match against the father-of-lies.  Prowling around like a roaring lion, he is looking for someone to destroy all the time. He had it all figured out from the start– how to bring each person in this world to destruction through his OLD MAN nature of shame, abandonment, rejection, and condemnation. However, do not despair, My Child. I have good news for you. I sent My Son, Jesus, to save you and your children from the roaring lion.  He gave Himself as the NEW MAN to take the place of the OLD MAN nature in you and your children. Believe in Him; teach your children to believe in Him, too. Then, you and your children will receive a new life—My abundant Life.

BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD:…I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH
(Psalm 46:10).

As we approach the end of the year, I bless you to understand that your children need a NEW MAN nature, regardless of how well you cared for them. Surrender them to God and ask Him to exchange the OLD MAN nature of condemnation, shame, rejection, and abandonment the father-of-lies had formed in them for the NEW MAN Nature of Jesus Christ. Know that God will keep raising your children long after you have stopped…until they breathe their last breath.

FOR IT IS GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU
BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE”
(Philippians 2:13).

Ponder the comfort these truths offer and write out a prayer for your child/children, as you surrender them to God’s care.

PRAYER: Lord God, how encouraged my heart is to know that You will keep raising my children, long after I have stopped, until they breathe their last breath here on earth.  Today, I surrender them to You. Take care of them, Lord God. Bless them and keep them. Thank you that You sent them a NEW MAN Nature to live in them in the place of the OLD MAN nature of the father-of-lies, so they may live in Your abundant Life.