Purposed to Progress

Our society has been saturated with sex, violence, and complete disrespect for all things pertaining to God! When we raise a generation in a godless environment, devoid of ethics, morals, or principles to live by they are left to develop into incomplete human beings lacking the qualities that God designed to succeed. All parents want their children to succeed and excel at all that they endeavor to do. You can increase their propensity for success by addressing four areas. IDENTITY, CHOICES, ACADEMICS, and FRIENDSHIP/RELATIONSHIPS these four areas in a child’s life that I have identified are keys to modifying behavior. Once the child can apply God’s perspective on these segments in their lives they will progress to purpose!     

Identity is defined as the orientation of self sameness of essential or generic character in different instances. Who you are when nobody else is looking, and the choices you make when no one else is around should match the personality you exhibit when surrounded by other people, it is also important to note who does God say you are?
Psalm 139:14-16, Ephesians 2:10, Genesis1:26-27 boldly reminds us who we truly are in light of so many different opinions.

Choice is defined as care in selection the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. The importance of knowing that the choices we make today will determine our tomorrow. How do we know if we are making the right choices? It’s important to know the Word of God, analyze the end result of the choice being made. Then ask yourself will this choice honor God or bring shame to God? I Thessalonians 2:12, 5:21-22 and I Peter 1:14-16 These scriptures point will point our children and youth in general in the right direction.

Academics are important because no matter how spiritually mature we may see our children become we do not want them to operate at a level of academic delinquency. We want our students to understand that education and Christ and is a powerful combination. God wants us to operate in abundance an ample or overflowing quantity of affluence and wealth this is communicated to us in John 10:10 having the proper attitude concerning school will help the child achieve success. We as parents, youth leaders and mentors have to tell them that God will lead and instruct them. Psalm 32:8

Relationships/Friendships can play a major influential role in the lives of youth. This frightening stage is a part of the psycho-social development that occurs with all human beings. What we can do is make sure we have excellent communication with our children to make sure the correct information is being downloaded into their systems. Everybody is not progressing to fulfill purpose! Some students have a different agenda, an ulterior motive. Pray that Godly friends and relationships that promote spiritual growth will occur in the lives of your students! Ecclesiastes 4:10 and Proverbs 13:20 guide us in this area.

God has a wonderful plan laid out for our children, Jeremiah 29:11 communicates that God’s desires for us are genuine with no negative consequence. We have been given basic instructions before leaving earth, the BIBLE! If we will only follow the instructions, all purpose can be made into a reality. No matter what spiritual situation your family may be facing today God ready to strengthen and empower you to succeed in leading your child to Purpose and progress!

 

Writer—Kenneth Brown Youth Leader
Vision International Ministries, Inglewood CA
Bishop Peter Morgan-Pastor