# Shepherding your child’s heart

Category: Family & Relationships
Key Passage: Proverbs 3:1
Speaker: Paul Chisgar
Date: February 27, 2024

Proverbs chapter number three, if you would please. Proverbs chapter number three.

We were talking about their little country church, and she went to Bob Jones University years ago, and she said back of the day, they would have the preacher boys go preaching all the country churches there and whatnot, and they went and preached. Of course, they always had stories to come back, and one of those country churches, you know, anybody want to sing? And the lady said, well, I’ll sing, you know. And she got up, and she said, well, y’all pray for me. I hadn’t practiced yet.

And they say, and I think I’ve heard this story before, so it must be some truth to her because it’s just been around so much. But they say, she said, word perfect, saying in church, “You ain’t woman enough to take my man.” So they came back to college, Bible college, and tell them all about that. So anyway, although that was an interesting story, I hadn’t heard it in years. I forgot all about it. I thought that was neat.

But Proverbs chapter number three of God’s word. And I am excited about Brother Joshua and Miss Giselle. They are going to dedicate their little ones, Sage, to the Lord. And we’ll say more about it. It is not, of course, parents can’t make the decision for a child, and we can’t make the decision for the child. But it is a wonderful thing when the parents are officially dedicating in some ways themselves to raise that child for the Lord. I’m excited about that. I think it’s wonderful we do with our children. I’m always thrilled when parents want to do that.

So kind of along that line, I want to just talk about child rearing a little bit tonight. And Brother Frank and Ms. Wanda, just call them Abraham and Sarah. They’re still planning on having a couple more. Ms. Wanda’s not at church tonight, now I know why. And she’s had the stomach bug, so now when she’s got the nine-month flu is what it is. We call them Abraham and Sarah. Of course, you know, I’m joking. But I know it’s not going to apply to everyone, everything about it. But we all influence those children or grandchildren for the Lord. Or sometimes we influence the parents of the grandchildren and so on and so on.

So just along that line, a little about tonight about, I guess if we put a title on it, shepherding your child’s heart, shepherding your child’s heart. I’ve got a book about it. I don’t have—never read it. I need to read it. I think it’s a good book, but this is a good book too. We’ll just stick with it, amen. But shepherding your child’s heart. Proverbs three.

And verse number one, we’re just going to get a thought there and pray and try to move on very quickly tonight. Proverbs 3, verse number one. Would you please stand just to show that God’s word respect tonight? We’re in trouble. Brother Johnny back here, our neighbor, he just lives just right down here, the next place over. He’s came to our church over the years. I don’t know how many times, maybe five, six, seven, eight times. And every time he comes, I’m not preaching. And so he came tonight and said, “Are you preaching?” I said, “Yeah, you’re just stuck with me tonight,” you know. So you all shake his hand because it’ll be the last time he comes now that he hears me preach. You know, I mean, so good to have Brother Johnny with him.

Verse number one, Proverbs 3, verse number one. He says, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments.” Not that last part, but let thine heart keep my commandments. Would you pray with me that God would let this just be helpful for all of us tonight in some form or fashion? Would you do that?

Lord, I believe all week long this is what you wanted me to focus on. Lord, in every individual here tonight, I’m not sure exactly how you would want it applied. I believe you knew who would be here, and you have something for everyone. So, Lord, you apply it. Lord, help it to be a blessing. Lord, let it not kill, be for me, and just bring death, but let it bring life. Help and encourage, instruction from your word for your people tonight. Lord, would you do so, Father, please. And Lord, we’ll thank you. We’ll brag it and pray you for what you do. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.

Thank you so much for standing. You may be seated.

I went to Christian school in pretty much all my life, and I graduated from Temple Christian School in Lakeland, Florida. And there was a man that graduated a couple years before me. His dad was a pastor in the area, a good, good guy, good Baptist pastor. But his son—this wasn’t his name, and I won’t even use his nickname, just in case. You never know what you do—but he graduated a couple years ahead of me.

And graduation night after he graduated, as Dad’s a local pastor, he went to Christian school. But he graduated that night, he got in this car. He had a nice car. I think it was a Firebird. It kind of looked like this Firebird out in the parking lot. And I’m teasing about that. But he had a nice sports car, and he went down the main drag of town doing donuts and just going, if you will, “Wow!” And here’s the thing: it was the night of his graduation, and a little bit in his mind, it was a little bit the night of all the chains were off, and quote unquote, he was a man; he could do what he wanted to do. And listen to this: what was in his heart came out that night.

Now, it’s very, very important what’s in the heart of a child. Did you notice the last, by the way, if you knew this young man, you could see it in his heart even though he was in the rules of his home, his parents, his school. But you could tell his heart was to get out. “I’m going to get out and do what I want to do one day.” And he did it that night. You could tell it was in his heart.

Notice that last little phrase: “but let thine heart keep my commandments.” Now, that young person one day is going to keep the commandments or not keep the commandments according to what’s going on in their heart. The heart is crucial.

By the way, parents, I can’t always be, especially as you get older, I can’t make their—and I’m not trying to—watch what’s going on in their heart, but I can’t necessarily make their heart be right. Now, I’m just sitting; when they’re living inside my roof, I’m to set the guidelines, not to make them do right, but what’s in their heart one day is going to come out. And I must watch for that, focus on that.

We’re talking very much tonight about parents of little children. And here’s the interesting thing: when they’re young, they automatically—it’s just instinct—want to at least give their heart to the parents. They say if that mother carries that little one for nine months, Miss Gator has got that little one.

How many think it’s a girl? How many think it’s a girl? How many think it’s a boy? Oh, let’s try it again. How many think it’s a girl? How many think it’s a boy? Man, maybe the boys have got it slightly. I don’t know. But that boy, that girl, they say if she carries him or her nine months, they say that little one has heard her heartbeat 31 million times. So there’s already a little bit of a natural bond. Now you want that to grow.

I think the last time I was in the hospital a couple months back with a newborn and the dad was there, and it was—it was early, so it was a NICU—but he said they did—they were able to, when it was born, to put the son, I believe it was, on, you know, they do skin to skin nowadays, on the mom, and it was amazing how that baby, you could just tell, was just bonding. That is a wise thing to do. Why? Because that baby had been hearing that heartbeat 31 million times, and they’re just a natural, if things are normal, that that child wants to bond to that mom.

Not only that, but it’s amazing how children just naturally—I’m talking about the little ones—naturally just attracted to their dad. Dad can do anything. The Bible even talks about it. Proverbs 17:6: “The glory of children are their fathers.” I mean, those little ones, they think Dad is the strongest man in the world. They just naturally…

McKenna, our daughter-in-law, she uploads all these videos on this family album, this digital family album. And it alerts us: there’s a new video, a new picture, whatnot. And we love getting all those pictures and videos. And one of the last ones, I was watching it this afternoon. But one of the latest ones, there’s a little plastic steps on one side you go up, and then there’s a slide on this other—you know how they have it, like on a—I don’t know if it’s a nursery or the church wherever they took it, but maybe the house, I’m not sure—but and then, you know, so you go up the stairs, and there’s a little house, tiny little bitty house, got some windows, type thing, you know, some doors, and then other side is a slide. Well, John had laid down in there, and he had his head, you know, just laying there, and his head was inside the little house, you know, with the steps and the slide. And there’s like a little doorway or a window, and Ryan was going to get in there where Dad was, because Dad’s in there. I mean, he’s like climbing in there, just jumping and stepping all over Dad. John said, “Oh, man, Ryan, you’re killing me,” you know, because Ryan just wanted to get in there where Dad is. And that’s just natural. I mean, children just think their dad can do anything.

That’s why, and by the way, they say by the time that little one is one year old, he or she has already identified themselves: either “I’m a man, supposed to be like daddy,” or “I’m a mom,” or “a girl is supposed to be like…” By the way, they try to change all that in our day and time. By the time they’re one year old, they already know what they are. Subconscious. They know that. It’s foolishness is what we’re doing every day and time, and we’re leading them to just mess their lives. What a shame we’re doing that. It’s a shame.

By the way, some of them that get misguided young or wounded in problems, they just need a loving parent, a loving adult, and say, “Hey, no, you’re a boy, you’re a girl. You’re going to be a good young man one day, and you’ll be a beautiful young lady one day. You just say what God made you to be.” That’s all they need. But a lot more than that, but they need that for sure.

But that, that’s why that little boy, he’ll—I think we’ve got a video like this—but that little boy, he’ll try to get in Daddy’s shoes. You know, you ever see that little kid and he tries to walk in Daddy’s shoes, and every step he takes, and he’s stepping out of Daddy’s shoes to be, but he wants to be like that. And the little girls, they want Mom’s clothes and Mom’s necklace and Mom’s earring, and it’s just natural for a child. And they just naturally, they want to give their heart to Mom and Dad. Very important, very important.

Now, our goal: Our goal is we got that heart, we keep it, and slowly over the years we’re turning the heart of that child, not just to us, but from us in some ways to the Lord. Because we’re not going to be there 24/7. They’re going to grow up and move out and go on their own if it’s natural. And we want their heart to be given to the Lord one day. And the Lord’s going to be there 24/7. And that’s our goal. That’s what we’re after.

By the way, Jesus, what’s the greatest command of all of the Bible? To love the Lord your God with all your heart. I mentioned, I think, three times: all of it starts with all your heart. Love with all your heart. So that’s what we’re trying to change. That’s how to do, to love the Lord. And it’s very, very important we have their heart. We’re trying to turn their heart to them.

Now, here’s the thing: Satan is always—he’s after their heart. And if he can cause us, you can lose a child’s heart prematurely. They’re going to naturally go up, and their heart’s going to hopefully go to the Lord, what we’re after. But if I’m not careful, I’ll prematurely lose my child’s heart. And it’s very important that does not happen. We’re always watching.

And let me give you a couple of things. How can we prematurely lose our child’s heart? Would you look over in Malachi chapter number four, the last book of the Old Testament, the last chapter, chapter before, and the last verse, Malachi 4 and verse number six of God’s word. And there’s a formula here that’s very important about this right here. Malachi 4 and verse number 6. Malachi 4 and verse number 6. If you’re there, would you say amen? Good.

Look at this verse here, and he, really speaking of John the Baptist one day: “And he shall turn…” But I want you to watch a formula. Here it is: “…but he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children, notice that the heart now of the child, to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”

Now, it starts with the heart of the father. That’s so very, very important. Talk about losing our child’s heart prematurely. If I as a parent, specifically as a dad, if I’m just so preoccupied, my heart is so preoccupied that my heart is not turned to my children, then I can lose the heart of my child very quickly. The heart of the fathers to the children, and then the heart of the children to the father. That formula is so bad. If that doesn’t happen, by the way, that’s one of the major—might believe it’s maybe the most major problem America has. If that doesn’t happen, then society gets so bad, then a… God eventually, he says, “I have to bring a curse.” Remember the story I read this morning about the prison, the Father’s Day cards? It gets so bad and so sinful, the last word of the Old Testament is “curse.” Why? Because this formula did not happen.

Now, the heart of the fathers—mothers, yes, I believe you’re included in that, but specifically fathers. But here’s the thing: look, can I say it this way? Children, especially young ones, they spell love: this is how they spell it: T-I-M-E.

And if I was so preoccupied with the ministry, I never had time for John or Sarah, my children. Hey, I’m going to lose their heart pretty quick, isn’t it? And I must. I must. And by the way, it’s not just time, but my heart.

I remember some times over the years, and I for sure—we for sure, Tammy did everything right. I for sure did do everything right. We weren’t perfect parents, and I’m not trying to act like that, but I remember times that I was so—I get so preoccupied with the ministry and what’s going on here, whatnot—and I’d pray, “Lord, help my heart to be turned to John and Sarah.” Because if my heart is not turned to them, what’s going on in their life and their heart, if it’s not there, then I’m losing this formula. And it’s so crucial.

Now, here’s a sad thing. Let me read this for you. This is a couple years old. I say a couple years old; it may have been 15, 20 years old. I’m not sure. But I would say in the last 20 years, this is true. But they did a survey of middle-class fathers. Not very wealthy, not very important, middle-class fathers. And they asked the fathers, “How much time do you think you spend with your one-year-old?” They interviewed many of them, had a one-year-old child. “How much time do you think, dads, how much time do you think you’re spending with your child daily?” The average answer was about 15 to 20 minutes of fathers thought they were spending with their children.

Now, the men that they interviewed, they said, “Can we put just a tiny little microphone on you?” And I’m not sure how long they had the microphone, but they had to—they were able—they asked, “Can we monitor you?” And they monitored these middle-class fathers of one-year-old children, and technically they watched, and this is—the average interaction, that was them interacting with their children, these fathers, middle-class fathers, they said 37 seconds a day. I’m talking about interacting. They said with 2.7 second encounters or interaction. Now, friend, there’s our major problem: 37 seconds. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, 2.7 encounters that lasted over 10 to 15 seconds each. I’m sorry about that. I’m just talking specifically with our younger children here.

So very, very important. I mentioned, I think, this morning—well, I mentioned this morning, one of the most important things to give your kids is a good, godly marriage. But can I say more than giving them things? They need you. They don’t have to have all those things. They need you. So very, very important.

This is an interesting story. I thought it was amazing. James Boswell, famous writer. How many know James—you know, you’ve heard the name of Lee James Boswell? Some. But a famous writer, years gone by, he would always talk about a day that his dad took him fishing. It was just kind of a day he would mention here and there. And a very famous man in his day, in his day, and he would always talk about this day his dad took him fishing.

So his dad, he passed, and they found his dad’s journal. And they said, “Well, let’s find this day that James Boswell always talked about, that his dad took him fishing.” So they went to the dad, and they looked up this journal, and they found the day. They could figure it out about when James Boswell talked about it, whatnot. They found the day. And this is what his dad wrote. Now, this famous son, this is the thing he always mentioned that day. And here’s what the dad said about that day in the journal: He said, “Gone fishing today with my son. A day wasted.”

My friend, that was his most famous day, if you would, and maybe or probably had the greatest impact on society. But in this journal, he said, “A day wasted.” And I’m just talking about children: man, spend time with them. Spend time with them. Make time with them.

And I’ve already mentioned that we didn’t do everything right with our children for sure. But me and John, we love sports, and we played sports. I have—I have, I have, I have—I’ve had my nose broke three times, all right? One time in surgery, two times playing basketball. One time I was very young, all of them actually. One time I was very young, maybe 20 years old, whatnot. And then one time, playing with my son at a sports complex down there. And you say, “Why did you keep playing after all those injuries? I mean, I don’t know how many times I’ve been to the doctor for this, you know, knee or this, that other.” Why did you do it? Because that was my time to spend time with my son. It was my way of spending time with my son. And I just…

By the boys like to do things together typically. Now, me and Sarah, amen, we went and got ice cream together. Somebody say amen. A whole lot better than a broke nose, amen. I mean, gain some pounds. I did my curls, one, two, three, you know. I like that better. But fine, fine, make time to do things with them.

How do we lose our children’s heart prematurely? Just we’re heart so pulled here and there, we don’t have time. Our heart’s not given to our children.

Number two, number two: by being a hypocrite. Oh, man, you’ll lose your child’s heart so quickly. If I’m acting one way at church and the other way at home, man, I’ll lose them so quickly. Can I say this? You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to be perfect. There’s no such thing as a perfect parent. It’s really not. But at least be honest. Be honest.

I’ll never forget this, but I remember one time we were going to watch a movie as a family, and it was a questionable movie. You know how it is: should we watch this crazy thing or not, you know, and all that in the house there, you know? And it was a questionable movie, and our family kind of sat around and should we watch this thing or not, you know? And finally I said, “Well, we probably ought not watch it,” so we didn’t watch it. But I’ll never forget John—and I’m not sure how old he was in—but John said this: He said, “Well, I’m glad we didn’t watch it because I didn’t want to listen to Dad tomorrow come out.” This is what would happen if we would watch something that we probably shouldn’t watch. The next morning, devotion, I would get convicted. And I’d come out after devotions and tell my family, “Hey, I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I’m supposed to be the leader here.” And that has happened.

So that night, we said, “Well, we’re not going to watch it.” John said, “Well, I’m glad we didn’t watch that movie because I didn’t want to hear Dad tomorrow come out and apologize to the family.” Now, I say that to say, well, we’re perfect? No, and I wasn’t even perfect at this, but I tried. If I messed up, it’s on up to—and there were too many times that I said, “Hey, I’m sorry, we shouldn’t have watched that movie last night. It’s my fault. I’m the one that’s supposed to be the leader here.” But if I’m a hypocrite, I never, ever, never did anything wrong. You got problems because we all got wrong. But I lose their hearts so quickly that way.

Number three, we’re just trying to move along. Talking about for the most part, just young children. But look over in Proverbs 22. Proverbs has got so much about child rearing in it. Proverbs 22 and verse number 15. Proverbs 22 and verse number 15 of God’s Word. Proverbs 22, verse number 15.

When you’re there, would you say amen? Number 22:15. My parents—I think my dad was the one that would quote this to me when I was young, and I never liked it when my dad was quoting this verse to me when I was young. It probably or typically seemed like at certain times he would quote this verse to be, not good times. I have a little bit nightmares about those times, flashbacks. You’re kind of like, you know, those guys have PTSD from these times. You’re all right now, you know.

This is a verse they would mention, maybe not quote, but they’d mention sometime. Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child.” It’s amazing. It’s bound there. God has a natural formula for getting it out. It’s not a pleasant one, Brother Anthony, he’s chuckling over that way there. “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction should drive it far from him.”

And here’s the thought I’ll just use that verse for this, but here’s the thought: If I never discipline my child—and I’m not saying every single time it’s the rod; now, it is from time to time; it’s up to the child so much of that—but if I never do that, there’s a real good chance that I’m going to lose their heart.

Look, if that child can just run over me, and then they can just run roughshod over me, that shows—it shows a couple of things: shows a lack of love, and it shows not a lot of strength on the parents’ part. And it may be, it may be that the child says, “Well, I don’t know if it’s worth me giving their heart to, keeping my heart there. They’re not going to go through this.” But subconsciously, there’s a good chance they’re going to say, “Hey, I don’t know if they’re valuable enough to have my heart there because I can just control everything about him.” And so there’s a good chance I’m going to lose their heart because I just won’t discipline them.

It’s so important that I’m willing. Remember Eli, the priest, and he had the two boys, Hophni and Phinehas, remember them? They’re just sinful boys, and Eli would never do anything about it. And let me read for you what the Bible says. Very interesting what God says about it. 1 Samuel 3:13: “For I have told him that I will judge his house forever.” Wow. “For the iniquity which he knoweth—excuse me, which he knoweth—because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.” And their boys may have gone that way, but he never even did anything about it. He never restrained them. So God said, “You got a judgment.” And he just wouldn’t do anything about it.

In Proverbs 13:24: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chastiseth him betimes.” I think that “betimes” has to do with early. After a while, it’s too late. “Chastiseth him in a while there is hope,” the Bible says. “Let not the soul spare for his crying.” Look.

If I never discipline him, it’s not a matter—someone’s like, “Well, I just love him too much to discipline him.” No, I love myself too much. I don’t want to do the hassle. I don’t want to hurt myself; that hurts me to hurt that child. I don’t want to go through that pain. If I love them, I’m going to do what’s best for them. See? And if I love him, I’ll discipline him.

Anita Bryant. I don’t believe everything Anita Bryant said, of course. She was the singer years and years ago. Now this is going to date—how many of Anita Bryant? This is going to date myself. All right, I’m not going to say the older generation because I am one of those. But all that generation, they know who she is. The younger generation, like, “Who in the world is she?” But she is this thing your ears are going by. But she wrote this one time. She said, “Today’s younger—your young generation has grown up for the most part with too little loving discipline. These young people often say their parents hate them.” The Bible would bear the kids out for it. It says a father who doesn’t chasten his son hates his son. Children somehow know this. They know it takes more love and hard work to discipline them.

The Chinese proverb says this: “Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have their children who step on their toes.” Benjamin Franklin said, “Let the children’s first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.” If I don’t discipline, I’m allowed to lose their heart. I’m just losing their heart prematurely.

Let’s go number four. We’re just trying to hurry along. Number four: How can I prematurely lose their heart if I or us, if we continually wound our child’s heart? We’re just continually wounded.

“And you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath,” Ephesians 6:4. You provoke not your children to wrath. And we’ve talked about it before. Anger is that initial, boom, you just lash out; that’s anger. You can be angry and sin not; don’t mean you have to sin. But that wrath is that inner smoldering. “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.”

All right. Now, here’s the thing: this can happen a lot of different ways, but if I just lose it—I mean, I just have a temper and I just lose it—a real good chance they’re going to wound that child’s heart. And very often they’re going to close their heart off to you. And they’re going to just kind of close all the doors and close all the blinds and the latches. They’re going to latch everything up because they’re tired of getting wounded. And their clothes are horrible. You can see that sometimes a child has been majorly wounded and abused in some way. You’re just—it’s closed off, and the heart’s been wounded in a major, major way. Parent, it is so important when you lose it on that child, you’ve got to realize it’s damage. Now, you can go back and say, “I’m sorry,” and get things around; God could work, but you’ve got to be so very careful and be wise about that.

Not being fair. If you’re just blatantly not fair—sometimes parents are just blatantly playing favoritism—both of that can cause their child to just wound their heart and to close their heart up. If a child just cannot please—and I’m talking about overly here—they just cannot please their parent. The parent has always, always, always, always, always told them, “Be better, better, better, better.” Let me just never pleased. A child’s—after a while, the child’s guard is set. “Man, I’m tired of trying. No hope.” You can lose a child’s heart that way.

Can I just say this alone that loud? Especially as a young boy grows into manhood, that boy needs his dad to interact and do a lot more discipline. The older he gets, he needs that dad to do more and more discipline. It’s important because he’s trying to become a man. And if Mom’s just on him and on him, and if she just nitpicks him, if there’s a chance to say, “Man, I don’t want a lady.” Now, Mom, you’re still Mom, but man, get your husband involved. And husbands, you’ve been involved, especially as they get—especially teenage boys as they get older—dads, man, deal with those kids. And you’d be there to deal with so many problems with those kids. But losing—in fact, continually wounding my child’s heart, they’re just going to lose their heart.

Maybe if I’m raising them for me. Some parents are just raising them for me to make me look good and be around my side until they’re 40 years or whatever. No, no, no, no. I’m not raising them for me. I’m raising them for the Lord. If I’m just selfish, it’s all about me, me, me. Those children, they get older, they’ll understand that a little bit, and it causes me to lose their heart.

Just prematurely, we can lose our child’s heart and have: If I’m just so preoccupied, my heart’s not given to my children. If I’m just a major hypocrite—well, you say all this in the pulpit, and I go home and live like that—I’m going to probably lose my child’s heart. If I’ve never disciplined my children, I may—they run right over me. They’re going to say, “Well, I don’t know if my dad’s worth giving my heart to.” If I continually wound my child’s heart, good chance I’ll lose it prematurely.

And can I say this? We’re almost done, but can I say this? Satan’s always after children’s heart. Man, Satan, he targets children. You know what they say in the advertising industry in our day and time? They say, “We target the youth of our day and time with our advertisement because if we get young people in our day and time, adults follow young people.” And that’s sad. I’ll not be like that. But the world knows that’s how it is. And so the world even targets them in many different ways. And Satan’s after them.

It’s amazing how Satan, he’ll use anybody. He’ll use a wrong friend. He’ll use a coworker. It is so sad how a parent can spend years and years training and working on that child, and one bad friend can undo years of work. And Satan’s always—and parents, I would say, man, do the best we can to guard your child’s heart.

Now, your child in the end is—they’re responsible for how you raise them. We were coming in this morning from Sunday school over here to church, and Sarah was saying, “Happy Father’s Day,” and along that line. And I said, “Well, thank you, Sarah.” You took it. And she said, “What do you mean?” And I said, “Well, you had a choice of the matter, too. And she could have took it and just threw it aside and said, ‘I’m going to do my own thing.’ She had a choice to make, too. And I’m thankful she made the right decision.”

And that’s why they’d be so careful. Boy, I did all this right, look at my kids. They’ll be so careful because your kids got a mind and heart of their own, too. I’m thankful she took it—took the right thing. But, oh, Satan’s always trying to get his little claws on our children. He’ll use wrong music. Well, that music has an atmosphere that goes with it, and it’ll sway that young person so greatly. He’ll use social network. He’ll use screen time.

We held out, we held out longer than most parents in letting our children have a phone. And all these years later, I wish we’d have held out longer. I mean, you know, it gets to the point where, you know, even teachers or whatnot, “Well, your children need a phone so they can call you and get a hold of your contact.” And we waited. We got criticized a little bit, but I wish today we’d held out even longer.

Screen time, whether it be phone or TV or whatever, computer, screen time. Oh, be so careful about that. It’s so very, very important. And because Satan’s always trying to get in there, and he’ll use every angle that he can, but your child’s heart is vital.

Now look over, if you will, and we’re done. Look over in Ephesians chapter number six. Ephesians chapter six, if you would please. Ephesians 6. And would you look at verse number four? Ephesians 6 and verse number 4. We’ve already mentioned this verse one time. Ephesians 6. Would you look at verse number 4? Ephesians 6 and verse number 4.

Ephesians 6:4: “And you fathers…” Amazing how much the Bible talks about fathers all through the Bible. “…and you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.” We’ve already mentioned that. But “bring them up in the nurture and admonition…” What’s the next three words? “…of the Lord.” That’s interesting. “Of the Lord.” The nurture and admonition of the Lord.

From day one, it’s more than—yes, there’s been times with my children, my parents for sure, my dad for sure, why? You know, why? Because I said so, boy. And he’s okay, all right, that, you know. And I’m not saying that’s wrong. And I’m not saying there’s not time for that. But it’s more than just because the Lord said so. Because the Lord said so. Bring them up to the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It’s always from day one because God wants this. Because God created you for this. God loves you. God made you. The nurture and admonition of the Lord. It’s from day one. It’s always: we’re raising you for the Lord. It’s much more than me or Mom and all that; it is the Lord. You and the Lord.

I’ve told my children: “One day you’re going to be on your own, and me and Mom are trying—we’re going to do our best, but we’re not perfect. But one day you’re going to be on your own; it’s going to be between you and the Lord, and you’re going to be responsible what you do with what we did. It’s going to be up to you.” I’m just saying always bring them up with the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It’s always about the Lord.

By the way, by the way, always be begging God, “Would you get a hold of the heart of my child?” Our goal, and we weren’t perfect—man, we look back now and see, “Oh, I kind of wish we had to do more of this and less of this”—all kind of problems now in our childhood. But the goal is we got that child’s heart, and over the years we would have turned that heart to the Lord. Because one day we’ll be gone. The Lord—there is the Lord going to be around. And bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. So we’re just begging, “Lord, would you get a hold of our child’s heart?”

By the way, you said, “Well, Pastor, I’ve got a wayward child.” Oh, don’t give up. Don’t give up all those years invested in, and keep praying. God can turn that child’s heart. It may take years, but keep praying for that. That their heart—sometimes God’s got to let what’s in their heart come out a little bit for them to see it, see what’s—see the end result for them to say, “Whoa, man, my heart’s messed up,” for them to give their heart to the Lord. But don’t—don’t give up on that.

Look over here in Isaiah 44. I’m sorry, I’m trying to wind it. They have a great promise over here, Isaiah 44, and verse number three. It’s a great promise about that about God working in our child’s heart. And all, even while you’ve got young children, Lord, praise you, thank you, their hearts turn to me, but give me wisdom. Show me how to turn their heart to you. Would you get a hold of their hearts for me?

Isaiah 44, verse number three. I want you to notice this little promise tucked in this verse here. He says, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” That’s a wonderful promise. Watch this: “I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed.” As you see it’s your children. “I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessings upon thine offspring.” Oh, God, I’m thirsty. I need you. Would you pour your Spirit on my seed?

By the way, there’s no age limit to this promise right there. Lord, would you pour your Spirit on my seed? I’m hungry. I’m thirsty. I need you. Would you do that? That’s the key for him: the heart being given to the Lord. That’s so very, very key.

I’m so thankful. I was very, very blessed. My mom and my dad got saved before I was born. My dad got saved, and my parents—I’m so thankful—they really just, they always had me in church, and they always kind of had me in front of the Lord, if you will. Man, I’m so thankful. I’m very blessed, full, rotten in many, many ways. And I went to Vacation Bible Schools, and I went to camps, and I went to Christian schools, and all that. And here’s the thing: very early, it seemed, at least by the time I was 12, I remember the Lord, he got a hold of my heart. And man, there’s problems growing up. I had my problems, and my heart strayed. I’m very thankful the Lord got a hold of my heart very young. I’m so thankful. And I can look back and say, “How, man, I just so easily would have fell off the cliff here, there, and yonder,” but God stole my heart pretty young. I’m so thankful for that. But I’m thankful part of that was my mom and dad had me always in front of preachers and teachers and all that where I had a good opportunity for the Lord just get a hold of my heart. That’s what we’re praying for, our children.

Hey, don’t give up, don’t give up. And you’re hungry, thirsty for the Lord, he can pour out his Spirit on your seed. That’s what you have to—always pray for that.

Would you bow your heads? Let’s just spend a little time. It would be a good time for us to pray, maybe for your children, your grandchildren, maybe younger generation you’re just burdened about. Lord, you get a hold of their heart. You get a hold of their heart. Parents, grandparents, be so wise with your child’s heart. Lord, give me wisdom to keep their heart. I don’t lose it prematurely. Now, I pray that their heart—give me some influence to the heart of that child, and I want to do my best to transfer that heart to you. Would you just come to the Lord about that younger generation? Would you do that?

Be a perfect just had VBS and all these children their hearts at the end of the day they’re going to obey the commandments from the heart. Let’s pray for the hearts tonight. Would you do that? Would you please stand? We’re going to have word of prayer. Let’s just come pray for the younger generation.

Father, thank you for your goodness. Lord, I do pray that something—something that was said would be helpful tonight or take a truth and maybe help someone raising your children and grandchildren, or maybe someone who got away with a child. Lord, encourage them, Father, please. Thank you for your patience. Lord, I pray for these young folk. Would you tug and pull on their heart to give their hearts to you? Use us as you see fit in that. Lord, we beg for you to get a hold of their hearts, Father, please. Bless the next generation of our church. Lord, I think about them even this morning: Kevin and Angela joining, Heather and Lillian. Lord, I pray those young girls that grow up and give their hearts to you. Use our church to that end, Father, please. Well, thank you, Lord, for what you do. Jesus, and we pray. Amen.

Would you just spend some time, whether we have to spend some time praying for the heart of the young generation? Would you do so as the organ plays?

Brother Fontaine, I mentioned this story not too long ago, but he had a grandmother that prayed for him, tried to influence him. Brother Fontaine, of course, he’s in heaven, but for years and years he did not live for the Lord and lived by all standards of a very sinful life. But the last—I don’t know—in our church, the last 20 years, I used to say about Brother Fontaine, he was the independent fundamentalist before he knew what it was. He used to want to witness, but he never knew how to. And pray, Lord, he got in our young church. Man, he just became a great soul winner, a man of God and all that. But he had that grandmother of all those years he was sowing some wild oats, was praying for him. And we reaped the benefit of that. He was in our church about 20 years. Man, he was just a great Christian. I mean, and I don’t know how many people…

Ron Plott, missionary to Israel, just remember he was with us. He did the Lord’s Supper for us. We did the Lord’s Supper for us. And I was texting, and he asked, he said, “How’s Brother Fontaine doing?” Brother Fontaine had taken him and his boys fishing. And I said, “Brother Plott, I’m sorry to tell you, Brother Fontaine’s in heaven now.” And he said, “Man, I didn’t know that.” And he started sending me pictures of when Brother Fontaine took him and his boys out fishing. And Brother Fontaine had an impact on just so many people over the years, 20 years. But we reaped the benefit of his grandmother praying for all those years. So I’m saying that, don’t give up. Don’t give up praying for those wayward children. Don’t give up. And praise the Lord for just praying grandmother.

We got Sage here tonight. She’s cute as can be, isn’t it? Look at this. If y’all want to be seated, we won’t be long here. Brother Josh, Miss Giselle, would you all mind bringing her up? Can we bring her up? That’d be great. That’d be great. Look at this right here. Do you think I could hold her? She’s going to try. They said she’s going to spit up. She’s going to spit up. She looked at me. Why don’t you know there, Sage? About as cute, cute as can be, isn’t it? That’s precious. Look at all those people out there staring at you. What about that? Right there. I’m going to give her bag.

That’s just precious. Now, I mentioned already, but baby dedication, it is—of course, it is not Sage just has to do anything with her salvation. One day, Sage, when she reaches that age, when she understands—we call it the age of accountability—she’ll have a decision to make herself. But as these parents saying, we want to raise this little girl for the Lord, and we’re dedicating Sage to the Lord Jesus Christ. And in very many respects, it’s them dedicating themselves to raise that child for the Lord. I think it’s a wonderful thing. I’m so proud. They’ve mentioned it maybe a month ago, and I forgot, I’m being honest, one time, and then sickness and everything came out, but I appreciate them wanting to do that.

But I want us to do this as a church family. I believe in collective prayer. God’s people praying. Something about the family of God praying together. I want you, all of us, we’re going to pray for Sage. And I want you to pray that God would even now begin to tug and pull her heart, yes, to her mom and dad, but even through her mom and dad to the Lord. And then one day her heart would just be wholly given to the Lord. And God give them wisdom to raise her. Church is important. Church can assist the home with the very most important thing for Sage. Brother Joshua, Miss Giselle, at home, ask him. And so let’s pray for them that they’re going to raise her for the Lord.

Sage, are you ready to pray? Are you ready to pray? She says, “Yeah, let me get down from here so I can burp up and do what I need to do.” Let’s pray. Let’s all pray. Would you pray as I pray that God would bless them?

Lord, we come, Father. This is not just a ritual, if you would, Lord. We’re coming in faith. We’re asking, we’re calling on heaven. Lord, would you hear our prayers today? And Lord, we take Sage, and Lord, the parents publicly are taking Sage and giving her to you. And Lord, I do pray in a unique, special way, would you begin even now cultivating, pulling, and turning her heart to you? Lord, would you give Brother Joshua love, patience, wisdom to be the dad she needs? Lord, do you pray that his heart would be turned to his children as it is, Lord? The hearts to him? Lord, thank you for a good, godly mom. What a blessing, Lord. I pray that you give her the patience, the love, the wisdom to lead those girls to live for you, Lord. Bless the home, give them a lot of love, a lot of laughter, a lot of joy, Lord. Thank you, thank you, Lord. What a wonderful blessing for our church just to have a little part to see a young couple dedicating their lives to live for you. Thank you, Lord, for that. Help our church to assist Brother Joshua and Miss Giselle. It will be a help and blessing to them in raising their children for you, Lord. Thank you for a young couple. What I hope it brings. Thank you, Lord, for that. Bless them, Lord, please. And Father, we’ll thank you for what you do. Lord, we’re asking for all these things in the name of Jesus. So, Father, we’re coming in faith, believing and trusting in the name of Jesus. We pray. Amen.

We’ve got—I don’t know if it’s the first Bible or not—but we’ve got a Bible. It’s actually got her name in there. It’s a King James Version Bible, too. Amen. Amen. And we got a little baby dedication, just a reminder of today. Amen. I love you. Hey, let’s give my hand. Amen.

That’s the hope of America right there: young people raising their kids for the Lord. Praise the Lord for them. What a blessing. They’re a blessing. And Sage is awesome. She’s a cutie. She’s a cutie. She is. My daughter said this. She said, “I’m going to miss Sage’s dedication.” She said, “Well, that’s all right because I can play with Lily Rose in the nursery.” So praise the Lord for that. Praise the Lord for good, good young couples raising their kids for the Lord. What a blessing. Praise the Lord.

And I guarantee you there’s some very, very proud grandparents right back there, amen. And that’s awesome. Praise the Lord for Brother Wama doing you. What a blessing. And that’s awesome. Thank y’all. Thank you, Brother Josh, Miss Giselle. Thank you very much. What a blessing. Pray, Lord for it. And we love it. I love it. And I would love to see Timmy. Brother Anthony was out here yesterday. Little Timmy was followed around. And… man, little Timmy’s cute. I’d love to see all these kids that grow up living for the Lord. And let’s pray for them and be the best testimony example we can to them and assist that mom and that dad all we can, raise them for the Lord. And then, Brother Adam, Miss Melissa, they got the seven on the way, too. Amen. What about that? Let’s stand, if you would, please. We’re going to go home. And Brother Chip, Ms. Tammy, says, “Come on now, we need grandchildren, too.” We won’t say anything about those Firebirds out there. We’ll leave it alone, you know. Amen, amen. Praise the Lord for just great people in church. What a blessing you are. And I love you. Man, we’re blessed. Have a great church family. We got a lot of people out sick. Pray for them. The Lord’s going to get us all through this thing, get us back in church. But we love them. We love them. We love them. We love them. We give them a hard time. It was because we love them and we miss them, you know. But I’m looking forward to everybody getting better and getting back in church. I love you folks. You’re great. You’re awesome. Praise the Lord for you, and what a blessing you are.

Original File: Shepherding Your Child’s Heart - Pastor Paul Chisgar - Sunday PM 06192022