A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST: THE STRATEGY REVEALED

On Dec. 29th I posted the first of many entries under this title. This year I have a power theme for my family, which is the title of this series.

The vision I have for my family consists of God's Love pouring out abundantly upon my family in all areas of our lives because we choose to follow the path He laid down for us. This includes myself, my wife, our ten year old son, and five month old daughter. This is the vision I have because God not only told me it's possible, but He told me this is what He wants for us.

Yesterday I was blessed to find out exactly how He wants me to approach this vision. Like all truth, the answer is simple--difficult but simple.

Yesterday I went to a men's group at 7:30am. My church holds it on the second Saturday every month. The men get together and we go through a few exercises to keep us sharp. Well, my bishop called me at 7am to make sure I was coming. He's never called me early in the morning like that, but my family has recently suffered from all kinds of colds and we haven't been present. I totally forgot about the meeting, but was blessed by the reminder.

The Lord revealed to me exactly how I am to receive this bountiful harvest for my family. He revealed to me what my office is as His son, as the father and husband of this family. The message was delivered by two scriptures: Rev. 5:10 and Hosea 4:6.

Basically, in order for me to realize this vision of family prosperity and a deeper relationship with ourselves and with God, I need to step it up in the two roles He has given all fathers washed by the blood. Both of these roles comprise one office. One is that of a Leader (King). The other is that of a Sacrificer (Priest).

What I realized yesterday morning has changed my life! The new perspective I have will assure us the success of a blessed family.

In order for me to sow correctly I must be the leader of this family. This means I must lead by example all that I want my family to do. I cannot ask my son to read his Word and do a math sheet on a Saturday morning before he plays his DS, then go play my PC-based chess game without adhering to my own advice. Neither can I ask my wife to watch her spending habits if I don't want mine. This is what a king does: he leads by example.

In order for me to sow correctly I must sacrifice and intercede for the family. This means I must be last, while putting everyone in my family first. Yes, I get up at 5:30am so that I can write and stay focused on my writing career, but when my daughter gets up at 5:45am I need to praise my Lord that she's alive, instead of hoping my wife handles that for me. I must be last, as Jesus explained to the Apostles. I must sacrifice my desires and feelings for the needs of my family, and I must do this ALL OF THE TIME. This is what a priest does: he sacrifices for his people.

In order for me to sow correctly, I must intercede with prayer for my family. I have to have a robust prayer life before I can admonish my family for not praying enough. I must learn how to build that aspect of my relationship with God, then show my family the wonders of what awaits us when we honestly communicate with our God. Being the prayer warrior for my family is an honor and the sweet smell of my prayers will cloak my family. My intercession will be honored by God and He will address those areas of concern. Building a better prayer life will also assist in building a deeper level of communication within my family. This is what a priest does: he intercedes for his people.

This is the strategy the Lord chose to reveal to me yesterday. I know the message was directed at me because just the night before my wife expressed how selfish I can be, how coarse I can be, how indifferent I can be.

Stepping up my level of responsibility for my family will cancel out those aspects of my flesh. Stepping up to the plate will assure us the success I so desperately crave.

In one way or another we eat what we plant. This year my family will eat healthy!