"Turn"
Malachi 4:4-6
Turn Your Heart to Your Child . . .
- By turning from selfish pursuits, and pursuing the heart of your son/daughter.
- By turning from inattentiveness, and being fully present with your son/daughter.
- By turning from passivity, and taking initiative with your son/daughter.
- By turning from a critical spirit, and offering encouragement to your son/daughter.
- By turning from harshness, and showing gentleness, compassion and grace. "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
You cannot turn your heart to something without turning your heart from something.
But How . . . ?
Your heart will turn when your heart is transformed.
- By repenting of sin, and turning your heart to Jesus.
- What your child needs is a dad whose heart is fully surrendered to Jesus.
- What your child needs is a dad whose heart is saturated by the Word of God. (Deuteronomy 4:8-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
- What your child needs is a dad whose heart is committed to prayer.
- By determining to be intentional in pointing your children to Jesus. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Turn Your Heart to Your Father . . .
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1
"Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Ephesians 6:2-3
- Be forgiving.
- Unforgiveness imprisons your heart with bars unseen.
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give not opportunity to the devil." Ephesians 4:26-27
" . . . as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians 3:13
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
The Heart of the Gospel . . .
- God the Father has turned His heart toward us in His Son, Jesus Christ.
