Turn

"Turn" Malachi 4:4-6   Turn Your Heart to Your Child . . . By turning from selfish pursuits, and pursuing the heart of your son/daughter.   By turning from inattentiveness, and being fully present with your son/daughter.   By turning from passivity, and taking initiative with your son/daughter.   By turning from a critical spirit, and offering encouragement to your son/daughter.   By turning from harshness, and showing gentleness, compassion and grace. "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4   You cannot turn your heart to something without turning your heart from something.    But How . . . ? Your heart will turn when your heart is transformed.  By repenting of sin, and turning your heart to Jesus. What your child needs is a dad whose heart is fully surrendered to Jesus. What your child needs is a dad whose heart is saturated by the Word of God. (Deuteronomy 4:8-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-9) What your child needs is a dad whose heart is committed to prayer.   By determining to be intentional in pointing your children to Jesus. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)   Turn Your Heart to Your Father . . . Be obedient. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1    Be honoring. "Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."  Ephesians 6:2-3   Be forgiving. Unforgiveness imprisons your heart with bars unseen.   "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give not opportunity to the devil."  Ephesians 4:26-27   " . . . as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."  Colossians 3:13                "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."  Ephesians 4:32   The Heart of the Gospel . . . God the Father has turned His heart toward us in His Son, Jesus Christ.