Love Your Children Equally

Love is Equal and Respectful

“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant [Annoyed at an unfair treatment of children]. He said to them, let the little children come to me, and not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:13-14).

The above Scripture is quit prominently quoted, but with no action! The Lord was visibly annoyed with His disciples for denying children access to Him. This led Him to make the most powerful statement about children and their role in the kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom is theirs by God’s Sovereign choice. I am referring to children who are under the age of accountability, which according to our Lord Jesus Christ is seven (7) or eight (8) years. This is what He told us through Charis when He rebuked an eight year old girl for deliberate sinful behaviour and He said: “Joan must stop doing wrong things because eight year olds can also go to Hell”. This has been confirmed by many other people whom we believe hear from the Lord as well. This week’s article has been revealed to us in a vision by the Lord. We asked the Lord what this week's message should be. He answered saying: "I will answer your father's question tonight". This was answered through Visions and a message to a mother.

In the first vision, the Lord showed Charis someone we knew standing in her kitchen with three children. One child was her own daughter and the other two children were not her children. These children were all standing there together when this mother suddenly gave sweets to one child while ignoring the others. Just then someone came in from outside saying: “That is unequal treatment of children”. Immediately, after this vision she was shown another vision, a mother with four of her own children, two boys and two girls. These children she estimates them to be about 10 to 12 years. She was made to feel this mother’s strong hatred for her two girls and her love for her two boys. After these two visions the Lord gave her a message for a mother in our ministry saying: “My daughter W must love her children equally”. Brethren, this is the message the Lord has for you this week. He knows every heart and reader on this website and the messages we publish online are for you. He knows His children and the challenges we face. The Lord provides word education for you and your family. Please find below a brief presentation.

The Bible categorically associates the Lord with virtues such as justice, righteousness and faithfulness to mention but a few of God’s attributes (Psalm 7:8-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Isaiah 45:18-21). This should undeniably be His children’s desire to be like Him. I am careful not to deviate from our message, but it won’t hurt to mention the following as an encouragement. The Bible makes a loud appeal to people and leaders everywhere to exercise justice and righteousness (Matthew 7:12; Exodus 23:1-9; Colossians 4:1). When God placed humanity on the earth, He gave them social laws to foster co-existence (Isaiah 1:17; Zechariah 7:9-10; Jeremiah 22: 3; Matthew 7:12; 1 John 3:17-18). These and many other Scriptures echo the same message of fairness. The result of wars and conflict in the world are based on two powerful pillars of evil, namely GREED and Injustice. As it is, peace is denied an entry because man is possessed by these evils and all we have is just harm, hurt and death!

Where Did We First Learn to Be Unequal?

As children, we have all learned to practice selfishness at home. While I do recognize that selfishness is innate and part of the human nature, we as parents must not encourage this kind of behaviour in our children. This is also further encouraged by our social setup and the television. There is no escape from this evil practice. It is everywhere present just like all other sins, but we must overcome it by doing what the Word of God says. As people, and being easily enticed by sin, we only have the Word of God to ‘escape’ to. “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it” (Genesis 4:7). Our refuge and escape from sin is obedience to God. We have been given the tools to master sin and do right. We have the Bible as our rule of living, the spirit of faith, obedience, prayer and the Holy Spirit who guides and convicts us (John 16:8). These are weapons mighty to attack ‘self’ and sin. Remember, Satan likes to inflate our egos to show us our self-importance – let us therefore guard against this evil (Genesis 3:4-5).

Furthermore, as a parent myself I had to learn to respect my children as humans with feelings and not just to demand respect and compliance from them. My wife and I have been repeatedly rebuked by the Lord for infuriating our children. In addition, I strive daily to bring my children up in the ways of the Lord and I teach them to fear God more than us, as their parents (Ephesians 6:4). This is easily achieved especially when we have just one child to bring up. The more the children one has, however, the greater the challenge and responsibility.Children compete against one another for our attention, and as parents we should encourage them to love and support one another, because “a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17: 17b NIV). It is considered a blessing to have more children (Psalm 127:3); we must also therefore guard against loving one child more than the other(s), like Jacob (Genesis 37:3). We are called to treat others as we desire to be treated, this is equality (Matthew 7:12). If we treat or love one child better than the other are we not sinning? Yes we are! Now not only are we sinning but we are preparing children who will transfer this behaviour into society. This unequal treatment of others, adopted by our children, and now well accepted in society found its roots with us as parents.

How to Practice Equal Parenting?

Our success in equal parenting is dependent on our personal sense of fairness or justice. When we lack integrity and honesty we will make poor parenting and this will result in many troubles for us with people and God. I’d rather teach my children how to live with others in society then have society as my enemy because of being biased. I tell you this; prudent and discerning children will blame you later in life for the poor example you set for them. Kindly allow me to state this, you are preparing your children for HELL because you working against God’s model for raising Godly children, (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). In addition, my beloved brethren, we must remember that it is not about us or how we feel but what is important to God and how it will affect our children’s future and destiny.

Before I turn to testimonies and what the Lord said, I would like to add the following encouragement. It is our Biblical duty as parents to instruct our children in the fear of the Lord as the above Scripture says. It is also our duty as parents to listen to them when they relate their failures and experiences with others. This is invaluable feedback to you to impart or encourage more corrective behaviour.

In the home, children must all feel equally loved. When a child comes to us as parents to complain about someone else’s behaviour towards them, we must act to help rectify the problem. It might be a misunderstanding or a problem that requires just recourse. Whatever that is might be considered minor by us, but this affects our child and this might leads to feelings of rejection. The feeling or spirit of rejection brings a spirit of hatred and rebellion. I will use my own upbringing as an example of this. As a child I grew up with my four sisters and our parents. I was about seven years when my father left home to live with another woman. This badly affected us and especially my mother who resorted to drinking. She became negligent and one of our aunts took care of us. My aunt had children of her own (my cousins) and she practiced gross inequality. We suffered unfair verbal and physical abuse. I am not saying this to be pitied. I have long forgiven and love everybody who made our lives hell. This treatment made me very stubborn, rebellious and hateful. I desired normal childhood like other children who had their parents. I became very shy and withdrawn and I lacked self-confidence. I confess while I did not know that then, I avoided other children because I thought they would mock me for my lack of things, and they did. The spoiled brats (cousins) on the other hand became disrespectful towards their mother, and today they have children of their own who are equally affected by their parent’s nonchalant way of life. By this I was just trying to show that what we are exposed to as children is being transferred into society. This made me a troubled child causing me do untold harm to others. It took the GRACE and the LOVE of Jesus Christ to CHANGE me from this destructive way of life. I am not asserting that all abused or unequally treated children end up like me. Mine has a happy ending in Christ, doesn’t it?

The Lord’s Correction of Parents

Earlier this year, I was commanded by the Lord to share some of the things He taught us on how to raise children in His ways. We have an article titled ‘Christian Parenting: Bringing up Children in the Fear of the Lord’. This is a basic document based on our experiences with the Lord and His direct counsel to us as parents and our children. This is a very, very serious thing to the Lord, not raising and teaching our children in His ways. Beloved, I want to be bold and brave on this subject, children are the most neglected when it comes to their training and instruction in the Word of God. Many parents have shifted this responsibility to the church through the Sunday School program. While this is ministry and is somehow helpful, it is not a God-ordained purpose. The Sunday School setup is formal and it teaches knowledge more than applied obedience, faith and proper behaviour. The Lord has mandated parents to bring their children up in His ways (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). We hinder the children to serve the Lord because we consider them way too innocent for spiritual things. This is wrong. There are numerous scriptures showing us that children must be brought up in the instruction of the Lord and taught the Word and they will grow up to serve the Lord. Samuel the prophet was promised to God and brought up in Holy law of God (1 Samuel).

As I mentioned in our previous articles, we have mostly God-fearing mothers in our ministry. These mothers are born-again and spirit-filled. I have no doubt on their genuine commitment and faith in the Lord, but their poor parenting abilities has been laid bare by the Lord. Many of us were rebuked for taking sides with children while giving the other children unfair treatment.

The Lord expects us to listen to both sides and issue correction or discipline where necessary. Children are naturally selfish and simply jumping to their defense is kind of giving them license to offend others while they are being denied the opportunity to learn to love and respect others. A truth-loving and honest parent would abandon her feeling of pity for her child and satisfy herself in obeying the truth and correct her child.

Some parents are afraid to correct or discipline their children, some mothers were rebuked for being afraid to rebuke or discipline their children. There was a girl who got away with almost every wrong thing and as parents; we consider it ‘childish’. The girl was only eight then, so the Lord gave her mother a message to give her a spanking at a certain time. My wife and I and this girl’s mother thought, ‘Lord how could she get a spanking without an offence’? The mother was however determined to obey the Lord and my wife and I sat there as witnesses. When the time came for her to receive a spanking, she committed an offence. She refused to do what her mother asked her to do and to top it she gave her mother a dirty look; this gave our sister the opportunity to discipline her. The Lord was vindicated, Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ!

I would like to conclude by sharing this, I have three children of my own and the Lord has given us three more children to bring up. They are God’s children whom He took from their parents and entrusted into the care of me and my wife. I resisted this within myself knowing that this was added responsibility. It took me about one week of prayer to make peace with this change of life. Through the grace of our Lord, I fought against this selfish spirit through prayer and obedience. During this time, I learned to allow the Lord to do His will through me. Admittedly, my thoughts disagreed with the Lord, but I was determined to obey and be made submissive (John 3:30). I thought, gone are the days of being just me and my family. We had to learn to love and live with these other precious children. Because of our love and fear for the Lord, we united in love as a family and shared all the good things the Lord provided. Love is proven pure and unselfish when we share our lives and possessions with others. Then the Lord said this is proof of our love for Him (Matthew 25:31-40). Let us practice equal love to our children and other people as followers and children of God!

Blessed grace and peace to you all in Jesus Name,

Brother Glenn.

Life Through Experiences With The Lord Jesus Christ - Part II

Brethren, this is a follow up to a previous article which goes by the same heading, in which we looked at some ungodly behaviour that is accepted as normal practice by many Christians. The Christian who conforms to this pattern of life is no different from an unsaved person. They are essentially the same. In reality, you find two kinds of Christians acting this way the first group are those who conform to please man, like the apostle Peter did (Galatians 2:11-21) - such people want to “fit in” in order to avoid or escape persecution, and they do this at the expense of their own salvation which is hypocrisy; and the second group are those who are driven and enticed by evil desires to feed on those habits (James 1:13-15).

In my short life, I have seen many such believers. They are no better than unbelievers and the Lord is going to judge them; this is the “bully” believer as the Lord showed Charis recently. They know better than others and accept no correction. Beloved, you must choose your position: the uncompromising straight and narrow road accompanied by faithfulness or the broad road that leads to Hell (Matthew 7:13- 14). If you choose the broad road, then you do not love eternal life and you would have chosen the temporary, easy road in exchange for eternity. What a regrettable choice! If you are still reading this, there is still hope. Endure the scorn and persecution that comes through the CROSS and be un-apologetic about it. Pursue a life of faith and total devotion to Christ Jesus; only then will you inherit life.

I admonish further, what reward is out there in the world that is better than everlasting life? Do you despise the Giver of eternal life (Christ Jesus) for temporary and self-destructive pleasures? (Mark 8:36). Have too many voices of encouragement to sin ministered to you, blinding you and leaving you confused? Has the Christian message left you confused because there are way too many denominations? If so, you might ask, ‘how do I get right?’ ‘Which “truth” do I follow?’ Indeed there are many! We offer a basic solution below.

Like the conscience-stricken jailer, who asked “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30b NIV).The is no other name or way of salvation other than the reply the jailer got; “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved….” (Acts 16:31-32) and “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). This is the first and most important decision, principally, to believe in the redemptive work of Christ for you, so that you may escape God’s wrath (Hebrews 2:3). Equally important, is to obey and practice Bible teachings (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7: 21- 27). Obedience, therefore, is an expression of faith towards God. Faith is manifested in action, and the result is the fruit (John 9:7).

Furthermore, the best way is the Bible way. Sometime ago I wrote in one of our articles how I got saved (see my article ‘God’s Serious Judgements’ on this website). I did not hear about God in a church, but through reading the Bible for myself resulted in me believing and following what the Bible teaches. I later joined a local church to fellowship with other believers. I did not allow their way of life to influence me; I followed what the Bible says. Being a very conservative but inquisitive person, I resolved to allow nothing to convince me except the Truth, the Biblical Truth! My brethren, you cannot just be satisfied with my view or other people’s views on matters of life and death without comparing your conscience state with what the Bible teaches! The Lord has not called us to follow a specific church or leader, but to seek an audience and fellowship with Him directly (Matthew 4:19; Luke 6:46). I conclude on this matter with these words: The Old Testament believers under the Law were commanded to follow and obey the teachings of Moses because he was a God-ordained minister (Joshua 1:7; 2 Kings 21:8). In the New Testament, however, we are commanded to follow, obey and to imitate Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 7: 21-27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). The apostles received from the Lord Jesus and passed it on to us, (1 Corinthians 11: 23); they did not promote or testify about themselves, except to encourage believers(2 Corinthians 11: 16-33).

Question: WHY do you follow your leader’s teachings more than what the Bible teaches? Are you intimidated by his experiences and knowledge? You should not be! He or she is just a fellow believer and his/her attitude must be humble and meek.

Below are direct remarks by our Lord Jesus Christ that we are sharing to encourage you. I have added scriptural references to point to the seriousness of these so-called minor offences. If they did not carry a sentence, the Lord would not have mentioned it.

Statements of Correction from Christ Jesus

Keeping Oneself Poor: This is a very serious charge. The Lord rebuked a member of our ministry for ‘keeping herself poor’ (Proverbs 11:24). The reason Jesus stated was that she was only receiving and not giving, contrary to His teaching that “…It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). I noted in our giving article that not giving to the needy and those who ask from you is dastardly sinful. This behaviour shows no care for others (Proverbs 19:17).

Taking Advantage of the Lord’s Grace: Again, a message like this is somewhat surprising to come from the Lord, but He did rebuke a member of our fellowship for taking advantage of His forgiving nature, (Proverbs 3:11 – “… do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke”).The Lord repeatedly gave the same message to the member, who asked for forgiveness from Him, but she never complied. The person never addressed the problem area in her life and ignored the Lord’s call for action. People, does this not address a situation in your own life? You have repented from a wrong in your life, but you still continue to indulge in that wrong. Is that not taking advantage of the Lord? This is sinful and shows no fear for God! Don’t play with your eternal salvation, repent and sin no more!

Self-Pity: The Lord revealed that self-pity is a sin, when a person was supposed to address a situation and face the consequences of possible persecution and rejection. The person tried everything to avoid this problem so she employed fear and self-pity to ‘ease’ the conscience. This is false security and it shows a weakness of dishonesty. We must own up to our sins and seek deliverance by acknowledging it. The Apostle Paul strongly addressed the Corinthian church on this matter (2 Corinthians 7:8-12). In addition, Moses likewise wanted a break from doing what God sent him for so he took pity on himself thinking God would fall for that, but the Lord rebuked him (Exodus 4:10-16).

Screaming at Others: Screaming at someone during a normal conversation with an angry tone or bitterness is being rude. This comes from a spirit of anger and it is demonic. The Lord rebuked a sister, telling her that screaming is from the DEVIL. As it is, many other members were warned by the Lord not to yell or scream at others. This comes from a hateful spirit. If you are tempted to scream, keep quiet and just walk away. Do not allow the devil to use you to sin against God. Be gentle and kind (Galatians 5:22). Instead, the Lord said that we must have a spirit of love. Screaming or yelling at someone is being rude and disrespectful.

Making Ugly Faces or Gestures: This might seem acceptable and justifiable, but if the Lord took offence to it, then it must be sinful. People were severely warned for turning their mouths and faces ugly when speaking to others. Some of the individuals were not even aware their appearances changed so drastically during heated arguments or exchange of words. I say the truth: anger, hatred and violence are written all over those faces. The Lord would indicate the seriousness of this in a capital STOP, saying “My son X [or daughter Y] MUST STOP………..! (Luke 16:14; 1 Corinthians 13: 4-6). Making ugly gestures during arguments or conversations is an expression of unkindness, while the heart is being darkened with hatred. This is sinful, so be careful!

Not Rebuking Others: I was sternly rebuked by the Lord for overlooking a sinful behaviour of others without correcting them. The Lord has rebuked every one of us in this ministry for ignoring the sin of others. As I mentioned earlier, many of us are afraid of persecution or rejection. This is such a serious sin that the Lord warned somebody he was in danger of going to Hell for this. The Bible puts it this way: “Do not hate your brother in yourheart. Rebuke your neighbour frankly so you will not share in his guilt” (Leviticus 19:17 NIV).

Thinking Sinful things in Heart or Mind: This needs no explanation for the Bible says: “O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise, You perceive my thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139:1-2). People, even we are thinking quietly or silently, this is still loud enough for the Lord to clearly hear! He knows our every thought! This is how many of us found out, when the Lord rebuked some of us for thinking wrong things in our hearts about others. This is sinful, so repent and meditate on His ways instead: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Also, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2). Let our prayer be: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14)”.

Being Unfaithful: Many of us have been rebuked for being unfaithful. The Lord made it clear that some of our prayers are not being answered because of unfaithfulness. This is disobedience! When the Lord brings a message for someone whom He chastises for being unfaithful, the word disobedient is always mentioned. I was once rebuked for being disobedient; it hurt my heart because I was guilty. The Lord requires faithfulness in our daily prayers, daily bible reading and faithful dedication and devotion to Him in our fellowship with Him. The Lord measures obedience through faithfulness. This is a FRUIT and the true believers’ most welcomed phrase (“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful… Matthew 25:21).

Hurting People’s Hearts: I am confessing here. Before I got this rebuke I was influenced through debates to say things to hurt others. During my student years I was taught to win an argument at all cost even if it meant hurling insults. In politics, this is often done to discredit someone. In the context of a discussion, I would use my “superior” knowledge to savagely humiliate my opponents. I carried this sin over to my new life in Christ. I knew it was wrong, but I was in bondage to this kind of being. So, finally I got my rebuke. The Lord said: “Your father must not say things to hurt other’s hearts.” Amazingly, the Lord freed me and delivered me from this spirit. I also used to hear the Lord saying that I must not make people’s heart sore, but I did not understand until this rebuke. I knew I had to say GOODBYE to this destructive habit. Beloved, I’m sharing to warn you (Ephesians 4:29-32).

Not saying “Thank You!” and “Please!”: This might seem small but I was also rebuked some time ago for taking for granted the services I received from my own family. The Lord told Charis, “Your father must learn to say ‘thank you’ and ‘please’.” I repented of this ungrateful attitude (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It is easy to show gratefulness to others, but very hard to say thank you to our own children or spouse.

Being Self-righteous: The Lord has called us out of darkness, and as a people who sin and make mistakes, we must be able to humble ourselves and accept correction from others. I fell and stumbled too by being self-righteous and having the attitude that I was always right. The Lord took me to task for this as well, saying: “Your father does not like being wrong.” Did these words hurt! Ouch! Yes it did! It took me from my high seat. Please allow me to say this, I am now a servant and I humble myself in full submission to Christ’s corrections. He is my Judge and God. Please consider James 5:16. I am not confessing here to win your sympathy; I do this to save you from repeating my mistakes. Be wise learn and inherit life!

Treating People Unequally: Beloved, many of us are guilty of this conduct. We often cater only for our own children’s needs and not so much for others. This is very displeasing to the Lord. He has rebuked many of our members for such behaviour. This is favouritism and unjust conduct. The apostle James says warns the body about this kind of behaviour (James 2:1-4). We often favour some people over others if they have ‘influence.’ I have witnessed some pastors spending more time with their rich church members than the poor. The motive is selfish and not helpful. I have also seen some parents giving more of something to their own children and less or nothing to other children. A mother in our ministry was sternly rebuked for such conduct.

Vision of a Woman Dressed Inappropriately

I deliberately left this for last. On Monday, December 3, 2012 the Lord Jesus showed Charis a vision of a woman who was indecently dressed. I will try my best to present what she was shown including her hair. Here is her account:

“I saw Deborah (not her real name) dressed in pair of cheeky shorts and a crop top. She had very long hair extensions in different colours. Then the Lord said: “Look at her; she is ungrateful the way I created her.”

I have never seen this woman before, but I was told this is a naturally beautiful woman. Now people, I am very careful about this, but I must share what the Lord showed and revealed through Charis. Many of you have read and believed some of her visions and revelations, this is one of them and it is scriptural (1 Timothy 2:9). Also, earlier this year, the Lord rebuked a mother for trying to use a chemical substance on her daughter’s hair. This was a relaxer or perm. The Lord forbids us from using substances on our hair that change our natural hair colour and change our hair texture. The Lord showed Charis in a vision how the hair of one of the sisters in our ministry would fall out if she treated it with chemicals at a hair salon. This is true, people, many women are going bald because of these chemicals. I have daughters and the Lord instructed my wife through Charis to wash with Shampoo and blow-dry their hair twice a week. She applies nothing else except some hair food.

In conclusion, brethren, please be encouraged and work out your salvation daily. I would like to add another vision the Lord showed Charis of a man who died three (3) months ago. Many people think that if you served the Lord and become backslidden you will automatically make it to Heaven (“once saved, always saved”). This is not true! The man in this vision was a believer and he backslid a week before he died in a tragic car accident. About three weeks after his funeral, the Lord showed him to Charis in his spirit body. She describes the appearance of his spirit body as follows: He looked like he was wearing the same clothes the last time I saw him, and that was July 2012. He looked soft and appeared to be made of steam or light smoke. According to Charis, the smoke did not evaporate but moved in the shape of the body. Then she heard these words: “I feel very sorry for this young man.” The Lord knew what was in our hearts: we thought he must have made it to Heaven, but we were wrong! The Scripture warns that we will die if we sin and our righteousness will not be remembered (Ezekiel 18:24). This young brother attended a house church meeting where I preached in July this year (2012). I solemnly warned them to guard against unexpected death.

Brethren, let us use these warnings to be ready and serve faithfully until the end. “But he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

Shalom!

Brother Glenn Van Rooyen

December 6, 2012.