Some time ago, the CBS television network was in the basement regarding its viewership ratings. Week after week, the ABC and NBC networks constantly outperformed their programs. After many strategy meetings, the CBS marketing team came up with this slogan – “Watch us again for the first time”. In other words, they were telling television viewers to look at their dramas, comedies, and movies as though it was the very first time to ever watch a CBS program.
This afternoon, I felt impressed to ask you to look at what God has to say about your children using the “again for the first time” way of reading. God’s declarations about your child(ren) are so powerful, so powerful that the enemy wants us to quickly breeze by God’s forever-settled promises. You know what I am writing about, right? It’s so easy to do because we’ve read these words before.
Here’s the challenge that I felt in my spirit. Read these three verses “again for the first time”.
Isaiah 44:3
King James Version – “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.”
Easy-to-Read Version – “I will pour water for thirsty people, and streams will flow through the desert. I will pour my Spirit on your children, and I will bless your family.”
Joel 2:28
King James Version – “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”
Good News Translation – “Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old people will have dreams, and your young people will see visions.”
Acts 2:39
King James Version – “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
The Message – “The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”
I believe that this whole “again for the first time” insight is being shared so that the “thy”, “thine”, and ” your” will shout bold promises to YOU about YOUR child. At this given moment, your child may be running from God and everything may seem hopeless. In our “again for the first time” reading, God is reminding us that He has the final word about the matter! His infallible, unchanging, forever-established Word declares YOUR son and YOUR daughter will serve Him and be filled with His Holy Spirit.
Don’t lose hope and give up. Our God is a promise-keeping God. Amen? AMEN!
Yes, I believe God! I didn’t have these on my list, thank you.
Here are some more that I have been standing on.
Deuteronomy 6:2
Psalms 103:17
Psalm 127:3-5,
Isaiah 59;21-22
Ron, aren’t you thankful that God watches over His Word to perform it? When He said the “thy”, “thine”, and “your”, He meant what He said and said what He meant. Household salvation is OURS.