Week Ten: Men of Influence

     I can't believe how surprised I can still be at something that pops up on TV, be it a commercial, "family show", or even a cooking show, things that would totally shock our grandparents! The enemy is working hard at mainstreaming every type of depravity and immorality that exists. There is even a series based on a professional prostitute during prime time, to name one example. It is the desensitizing of Americans (and all people) that the enemy is after. If nothing shocks us anymore, how can it offend us? And if we're not offended, then we're actually becoming compliant. The word says, "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." 2 Cor. 7:1. I don't believe in works or trying to make ourselves holy to earn our place before God. But I do see in the word that if we love Him, we will keep His commands, we will keep ourselves from evil, we will be in the world but not of the world. And I love the fruit of a holy lifestyle; the peace, the joy, the favor that comes when we separate ourselves unto our Saviour. "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 2 Tim. 2:21
     SO, if we, as mature Christians, are faced with all these challenges everywhere we turn, how much harder is it for our young men? No recent generation has ever faced this kind of onslaught of darkness. I have to believe that as we pray and as we help guide our boys into a life of integrity and purity, they will reap a GREAT reward, a rich harvest. Most of all, instead of being influenced by all the world offers, we can pray THEY will be men of influence and influence their friends, families, and even their part of the world, wherever it may lead.

Lord, we come to you with hearts full of thanksgiving for the promises you have for our children. They are a heritage from you and we do not take them for granted! Help us to see them as you do, in faith, as perfect and complete through your blood, shed for us. We ask today, again, that you'd keep our sons from evil, that you'd guard their hearts and mind from the onslaught of sin and compromise being thrown at them. Give us wisdom as parents, as how to allow them recreation and activities without compromising your word. It is a daily battle and we need your discernment, wisdom and strength to keep up the fight. Thank you that there are godly men among us, leading the battle for our sons minds and awaken the men/fathers who do not see the battle. We ask for spiritual eyes to see; for us as mothers and for the fathers, things that might be subtle influences, cloaked in the appearance of righteousness. Most of all, give our sons these spiritual eyes with discernment and the boldness to live out their convictions. For those sons who have not made you their Lord, we pray you would continue to draw them into your light and love and that serving you would become a joyful choice.

These scriptures speak of the blessings of holiness. Before our young men can become men of influence, they must know how to stand against the influences of our culture. We speak these scriptures over our sons as promises for them!

"Therefore, preparing (their)your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children,  do not be  (they will not be!) conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-17

"But (they are!)you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

One of my favorites:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, (let them!) think about these things." Phill. 4:8

"That (they) you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Phill. 2:15

"Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way." Psalm 85:13

"For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness."1 Thess. 4:7

A promise for us!:
"And your offspring shall be known among the nations, and their

descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed." Isaiah 61:9

We thank you, Lord Jesus, that as we confess these scriptures over our precious sons, that they would become truth and you would bind that truth around their necks. That YOU would train up our sons to not just abide in this world but to be leaders, world changers and men of influence wherever their paths would lead! We believe and confess this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen and amen!!!

(Sorry about all the spacing, lots of challenges copying verses today!)