Who is Guarding the Front Door of Your House

[Coconut]

America's children today are a lost generation. No
other generation in history has been so plagued by sex,
drugs, alcohol, greed and murder at such a young age.
My question is, who is to blame?

Everyone knows something terrible has happened in our
nation's schools. Crime and violence have become so
common, many school buildings now have metal detectors.
Seventh-grade boys are able to obtain guns and mow down
their classmates with no sorrow at all.

Our educational system itself has become vile and
perverted. Teachers are introducing students to
atheism, evolution, homosexual lifestyles, permissive
sexual attitudes, anti-religious bigotry. A teacher
can't place a Bible on his desk - but he can display
literature on subjects ranging from communism to
pornography.

Ever since our judicial system shut God out of our
schools, Satan has taken them over. Yet I am convinced
it is not our corrupt school system that is damning our
children.

Our entire society is experiencing a moral collapse.
Cultural programs and art exhibits have become filthy
and vulgar, making profanity commonplace. Even
respected leaders in government and business positions
use vile language freely. They curse Christ and damn
God's name without even thinking about it.

America's moral collapse has become so urgent, even
liberal atheists acknowledge that our foundations are
being threatened. Yet it is not our corrupt society
that is damning our children.

The entire media today appears to be demon-controlled.
MTV is the devil's private network, with Satan himself
presiding as CEO. Music videos have become nothing more
than lewd pornography with wicked, demoralizing lyrics.

You have to wonder what kind of demon-possessed minds
could push such perversion on an entire generation of
youth. The sellers of this hellish filth obviously have
wrecked their own lives, and now they'll settle for
nothing less than ruining the next generation. Yet even
the wicked music scene isn't responsible for damning
our youth.

In advertising, sex sells everything. No sexual act is
considered sinful anymore. Anything goes, so that with
every passing hour America sinks deeper into
debauchery. And it's all being promoted by a media in
collusion with the powers of hell. Yet as bad as
advertising companies have become, they aren't to blame
for damning our youth.

You may wonder about the influence of a dead,
compromising church that brings worldly filth into
God's house. Many pastors now routinely deny the
existence of heaven, hell and the virgin birth. Their
churches have become empty shells, having a form of
godliness but no power. And their services have become
so bland that the youth leave in droves. Young people
are left thinking Christianity is totally irrelevant to
their lives.

Many worship leaders have replaced hymns with MTV-style
rock music that mentions Jesus only in passing. Instead
of offering holy worship, churches now stage
body-slamming punk-rock concerts, where menacing,
tattooed, body-pierced band members gyrate wildly,
polluting God's house with the music of angry
rebellion.

Yet as dry and worldly as the compromising church has
become, it is not the primary force that is damning our
children.

Many parents - including Christians - blame all of
these things for the loss of our youth. When their
children stray, turning to drugs or alcohol, these
parents rage against schools, the government, the
media, the church, their kids' peers. Some end up
removing their children from public schools and
enrolling them in Christian schools. But too often
their kids' rebellion only grows worse.

Even unconverted parents take such action with their
kids. They want nothing to do with religion - yet they
send their children to Sunday school hoping it will
instill in them some positive principles. They expect
that in just an hour each week the teachers will
magically transform their young rebels into angels. But
when it doesn't happen, those parents blame the church
for the chaos their child still brings to their home.

cont`d...

 

[Coconut]

Who Is to Blame for the Loss of Our Children?



All of the forces I have named do play a part in the
disintegration of our youth. But neither schools,
culture, media, wicked music nor backslidden churches
alone are causing all the ruin. The truth is, the
responsibility for this generation of youth rests
primarily with parents. The home is where most seeds of
rebellion and wickedness are being sown.

I have to ask parents: Do you know where your children
are while you're going about, seeking a blessing? Are
you losing your kids in the process? You may testify
that God has changed and revived you - but if your home
is in disarray, with your children still showing signs
of rebellion, you have missed God's best.

Did the fresh touch of God give you a renewed burden
for your children? If not, how could you sit in God's
house selfishly enjoying his presence and then go home
unconcerned about the darkness in your house?

Please don't misunderstand - I am not putting down
revival meetings or divine manifestations. I have
experienced genuine spiritual awakenings and Holy Ghost
stirrings myself. As a minister of the gospel, I know
that the Spirit manifests in our flesh to break our
pride, expose our spiritual apathy and renew our
spirit. Nor am I blaming all youth rebellion on
parents. There are other causes of their worldliness.

Now let me give you a definition of true revival: It
happens when the walls and gates guarding God's house
are restored. And those walls include the doors of
every Christian home. Let me explain.

When Nehemiah and 43,000 other Jewish patriots returned
to Jerusalem, they found the city lying in total ruin.
The walls were torn down and the gates removed, so the
inhabitants had no protection from their enemies. And a
whole parade of antagonists were plundering the city as
they pleased: Sanballat, Ammonites, criminals, thieves.

These enemies had been given total dominion because of
Israel's backsliding and disobedience to God's word.
Nehemiah wrote, "...because of our sins: also they [our
enemies] have dominion over our bodies, and over our
cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great
distress" (Nehemiah 9:37).

Jerusalem here is a type of the church of Jesus Christ
today. Like the Israelites, many Christians are under
sin's total dominion. And the iniquity in God's house
has brought on distress and bondage, spreading poison
throughout the body of Christ.

How has this happened? The walls of truth have been
torn down - those protective barriers that are erected
when believers stand on God's word. Because of our sin
and compromise, those protective gates are falling,
leaving multitudes of Christians open to Satan's power.

Yet Nehemiah here represents God's plan of restoration.
This man knew that for any true revival to take place,
there had to be a safe, protective wall of truth
surrounding God's people.

So, did Nehemiah stride into the wall-less city calling
for a revival of supernatural manifestations? No. The
only manifestations seen after Nehemiah's arrival were
men and women with picks and shovels in their hands.
They were doing the hard work of rebuilding the city's
walls and restoring its gates. And Nehemiah was leading
it all.

This work of restoration began the moment Nehemiah took
on the Lord's burden over the ruin in his house. When
Nehemiah saw the affliction and reproach God's people
were suffering, he fell to his knees crying, "The wall
of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof
are burned with fire" (Nehemiah 1:3).

What did Nehemiah do next? He fasted and prayed night
and day, confessing Israel's sins. "It came to pass,
when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and
mourn-ed certain days, and fasted, and prayed before
the God of heaven" (verse 4).

This is the beginning of true revival - when a godly
Nehemiah company takes on the Lord's burden for a
church trapped in sin. This godly company fasts and
prays, pleading with God to begin rebuilding the walls
and gates that will protect his people from every
enemy!

cont`d...

 

[Coconut]

Once Jerusalem's Walls Were Rebuilt and Its Gates Set Up, Gatekeepers and
Watchmen Were Appointed To Every House.



Walls and gates are no good without gatekeepers who
know what can or can't be allowed in. Thus, Nehemiah
says, "It came to pass, when the wall was built, and I
had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers
and the Levites were appointed" (Nehemiah 7:1).

Notice that these gatekeepers were not strictly
priests. They were laypeople - musicians, porters,
people from all walks of life. And they were
instructed: "Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened
until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them
shut the doors, and bar them" (verse 3).

According to Nehemiah, guardians were to be appointed
not just to the gates of the holy city, but to every
home as well. In short, the heads of every household -
that is, the parents - were responsible for everything
that came into their home.

God's message here is crystal clear: Fathers and
mothers, you are charged to guard your home from every
demonic enemy that tries to enter. This means you are
responsible for every book, every record, every friend
your child brings through the door. You are also
responsible for every influence within your home,
whether it's TV, videos or the Internet.

I sincerely believe that parents today need more wisdom
and discernment than at any time in history. Satan has
many more wicked inventions and subtle disguises to use
against God's people. And only through daily, diligent
prayer and immersion in God's word will we have power
against him as guardians over our homes.

Before I go any further, I want to encourage all single
parents: God knows your struggle to be both a father
and a mother to your children. Yet his charge to you
remains the same: You are the appointed guardian over
your house. You can't wait for a mate to come in and do
the job for you. The Lord promises to provide all grace
and strength to you if you will stand up for his word
in your home.

As I think of the two boys in Colorado who killed their
classmates and themselves, I wonder: Where were their
parents? Those boys were making pipe bombs in the
family garage. And their rooms were full of clues about
what they were up to: hate material, threatening notes,
black coats and hats. Didn't their fathers check up on
them occasionally? Didn't their mothers ever go into
their rooms to clean up, and notice all the demonic
paraphernalia? Apparently, there was no guard at their
door.

Today, whenever I see teenagers with pierced tongues,
demonic symbols and spiked hair, I recognize these as
mere symptoms. Such kids are crying out, "Mom, Dad,
you're neglecting me. You're too busy - you don't even
notice I exist."

One day we're all going to stand before the judgment
seat and answer to the Lord for how we raised our
children. And in that moment, none of us will be able
to offer excuses or blame anyone else. Therefore, we
have to examine ourselves today, asking: Have we
brought up our children in the fear and admonition of
the Lord? Have we modeled for them a life of love and
reverence for God?

I remember playing outside as a boy and hearing my
mother pray for me from the third floor of our house.
Her example remains vivid in my memory. Later, when
Gwen and I were raising our children, we did the same,
praying for our kids according to Proverbs: "Lord, make
our sons as oaks beside the waters of life. And make
our daughters as polished stones in your palace. Keep
them all from the schemes of the wicked one."

Every Christian parent has high hopes for his child. I
see this regularly in our congregation, as parents
bring their children forward to be dedicated to the
Lord. Our pastoral staff prays for God's love and
protection over these little ones. Then we anoint them
with oil and ask the Holy Ghost to put a wall of fire
around them.

But occasionally, I can't help wondering: How many of
those precious children are going to end up in the
devil's clutches - on drugs, into crime - because their
mom or dad got careless about the spiritual atmosphere
in their home? Will they end up in ruin because their
parents were wrapped up in their own problems, never
giving them attention or proper discipline?

Maybe you're a parent who hurts because your grown son
or daughter no longer serves the Lord. Or, perhaps
you're heartbroken because your youngster is hooked on
drugs or alcohol. You've seen your once-tender child
grow bitter, hard and lost.

This message is not meant to condemn you. No one can
take back his or her past. But I do have a question for
you. As you look back on your parenting years, ask
yourself: Were you a true guardian over your home? Did
you bathe your children in prayer daily? Or were you
too busy? Did you allow your kids to intimidate you?

That is all in the past now. Yet there remains
something you can do: You still have a calling as a
watchman to pray diligently for your child's salvation.
That's right - you can make up in prayer today what you
might have missed in past years. You can still seek
God's face, bathe your loved one in prayer, and call
down Holy Ghost conviction on him to bring him to the
cross.

I must warn you, however - if your kids are backslidden
or unsaved, you must not preach at them. Simply pray
for them. You can't nag anyone into the kingdom of
heaven. Addict after addict has told me, "My ears still
ring from my mother's screaming. I could hear her all
the way down the block."

There is no real power in raising your voice, because
all power rests with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, be
empowered by your respect for God's word. When someone
walks through your front door, they should sense God's
authority in your home right away, without a word being
mentioned. And until your children become adults, you
are the guardian in charge who has authority to set
down all the rules.

Scripture makes it very clear that if you raise your
children on the authority of God's word, they won't
depart from that training in their later years. They
may veer away from it for a while, even for years - but
ultimately it will bring them back to truth.

cont`d...

 

[Coconut]

The Bible Offers a Word of Hope to All Parents Who Grieve Over a Backslidden Child.



Here is a covenant promise that every parent should
memorize. It applies both to children who have been
lost and to those presently under your care:

"Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I
have chosen: Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and
formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear
not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I
have chosen.

"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon
thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: and
they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by
the water courses" (Isaiah 44:1-4).

This word of promise to Israel is also meant for us
today. Its words of comfort are given to all who are
chosen (see verse 1) - meaning, all who are in Christ.

The Lord begins by telling us in verses 1-2, "I am the
Lord who made you, and I know your pain. I am going to
help you now. You don't have to fear." The word for
Jesurun in this verse means righteous one. In other
words, God makes these promises to his righteous ones -
glorious, binding, covenant promises. The promises are:

* God will provide water to satisfy our thirst: "I
will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
floods upon the dry ground" (verse 3). Has the
Lord brought you his thirst-quenching word? Has he
come to you in your dry spells and flooded you
with his Spirit? Are you drinking the pure water
of his word?

If so, you are ready to claim another covenant promise:

* "I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my
blessing upon thine offspring: and they shall
spring up as among the grass, as willows by the
water courses" (verses 3-4).

As you may know, willow trees grow fast and tall and
they spread wide. You often see them growing beside
streams or bodies of water. God is saying here,
"Because you are my chosen, I'm going to pour my Spirit
out on your children. And I will cause them to grow
tall and strong in the Lord."

As you read and reread these verses, I urge you to fill
in your lost child's name. Claim God's promise to you
by praying, "Lord, you said you would pour your Spirit
on my child. Now, bless my child, Michael. Pour out
your Spirit on my young one, Susan. Cause both of them
to thirst for your living water."

* Finally, God says your children will testify, "I
am the Lord's" (verse 5). What an incredible
promise.

Yet these promises are not for everyone who merely
says, "I am of Christ." They are only for hungering,
thirsting parents - those who drink in God's word
daily, praying regularly, asking the Spirit to pour out
on them his power and presence.

If this describes you, then plead God's promises. Claim
them as yours, and hold the Lord to them in your
intercession. Then bathe your family in prayer - and
watch the enemy flee.

Glory to God!


- slightly edited for length only.
Entire message written by David Wilkerson
© 2000 by World Challenge

 

[peeps]

Hi Coco . . .wow. . .this is like text for a whole year for me to chew lol . . .but i will work it through for me piece by piece. . . i just wanted to let you know that its great stuff. . .and Im really thankful for this thread. . .just will take me forever to read it all hehe. . .thanks, God bless you in your choices and paying attention

 

[Mike]

Awesome Shelly ! :thumbs_up :boy_hug: Mike

 

[Peanut]

Meaty stuff to chew on in that!

But neither schools, culture, media, wicked music nor backslidden churches alone are causing all the ruin. The truth is, the responsibility for this generation of youth rests primarily with parents. The home is where most seeds of rebellion and wickedness are being sown.

There is no real power in raising your voice, because all power rests with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, be empowered by your respect for God's word. When someone walks through your front door, they should sense God's
authority in your home right away, without a word being mentioned.

 

[Chad]

Thank you sister for a great post.

"God's message here is crystal clear: Fathers and
mothers, you are charged to guard your home from every
demonic enemy that tries to enter. This means you are
responsible for every book, every record, every friend
your child brings through the door. You are also
responsible for every influence within your home,
whether it's TV, videos or the Internet."

Amen. I couldn't agree more. Parents are responsible for raising the children then how could any parent rightfully blame anyone else for what it exposed to their own children? Of course there is a line to how responsible they are. Iif a child say 15yrs old goes to the mall and sees sexual advertisements, I think it is reasonable to a certain degree that the parents are not responsible for what it there out of their control, other than to teach them what Scripture says about lust for example.

Otherwise, the parents hold all the responsibility and no excuses. They are in the tougher position today than yesterday but Scripture was always there to teach them how to raise their children.

 

[peeps]

...phew...

Thank you sister for a great post.

"God's message here is crystal clear: Fathers and
mothers, you are charged to guard your home from every
demonic enemy that tries to enter. This means you are
responsible for every book, every record, every friend
your child brings through the door. You are also
responsible for every influence within your home,
whether it's TV, videos or the Internet."


(THANKS FOR THE SHORTCUT LOL)

Amen. I couldn't agree more. Parents are responsible for raising the children then how could any parent rightfully blame anyone else for what it exposed to their own children? Of course there is a line to how responsible they are. Iif a child say 15yrs old goes to the mall and sees sexual advertisements, I think it is reasonable to a certain degree that the parents are not responsible for what it there out of their control, other than to teach them what Scripture says about lust for example.

Otherwise, the parents hold all the responsibility and no excuses. They are in the tougher position today than yesterday but Scripture was always there to teach them how to raise their children.

. . .it is tough . . . and I dont even wanna know how many things we do wrong raising our children . . .before God . . .I just thank Him for keeping them safe and raising them with me. . .He will be there when they leave our house. . . to catch them and fill the blanks . . .I trust in that. . .otherwise I would go insane

 

[Jesuslovesu]

meaty is right! i will probably re read this thread it was very very awesome! Joyfully ~ Jlu