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© Focus on Jesus. Focus on Souls. ©
Building Family Discipline
Father has a purpose in absolutely everything – the good thing, or the bad thing (in human perspective). Could it be He allowed the spiritual attack on Edmond just so mom could learn few things:
Do It Yourself
Sunday afternoon on 7/20, Edmond became agitated again. Mom said, “Son, we just did this together – waiting upon the Lord until He touches us. Now, you don’t need me to do it with you any more. You can just pray in the garden by yourself. You must not quit, not come in… until you know He has strengthened you.”
Edmond went praying and pacing back and forth from the front yard to the back yard. A good exercise, mom thought. He came in for lunch and went out again. At around four o’clock, mom needed to pick up his sister from dad’s house. She reminded him to persist until God moves. Edmond nodded and seemed focused.
“Did the Lord touch you?” Mom was eager to find out what had happened after she and Sonya had been back two hours later. “Yah.” Edmond quickly answered.
“When was it?” Mom needed a little more detail. “At five, I prayed and felt good. Then I just came back in.”
Building Personal Discipline
Altogether, Edmond prayed almost two hours that Sunday afternoon when Father replaced his anger with peace. Mom calculated the time and praised God. Words could not express her gratitude. She felt relieved and revived. Father did it, and Edmond got it. He had learned to wait upon his Father ‘alone’ – self-motivated and persistent. He prayed through and received victory.
Mom was awed. The same discipline God spent several years to develop in her – at age 40+, He is building in her son – at age 13. She of course wished she could have learned it at age 13 as well. (OK, mom also knew everything that has happened to us is the best for us.) She rejoiced and continued to be awed by what Father has been doing in His kids.
Challenges From On High
Since writing the 4th part of the summer testimony series on 8/7, another severe challenge has arisen. Mom has been enduring the pain and asking for the Lord’s grace and strength to ‘soon’ receive victory and write the next testimony.
Yes, mom has asked, “Why this tough?” As she recalled, few months ago when her heart was troubled by both kids, Holy Spirit said, “Love is longsuffering.”
Then a while later, her heart was broken for Sonya’s stiff-necked refusal of counsel. Holy Sprit said, “Just so repentance will go deeper.” (Repentance not only for ourselves but also for other souls – our friends, country, cities and nations.)
The Lord has since taught her this is just part of a continuous purification process. Kids are God’s tools to train her so she can grow, rely on Jesus and remain a conqueror through Christ.
The next testimony shall come forth, and to God be the glory.
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