ARROWS
One of the principal callings in my life is to help train the next generation to know God, love Him & walk with Him throughout their whole lives. And to help equip parents to disciple the arrows in their quiver.
"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of arrows." Psalm 127:3-5
The Lord is raising up an army of children, awakened to His love and power, moving forward in faith and purity, filled with the Holy Spirit to walk in signs and wonders. As children declare and pray, changes are taking place in the Spirit all over the city and region and among their generation. As the Church, we need to recognize the supreme privilege we have to impart God's heart and His Word to these young ones, that they would be equipped to take their place on the wall of intercession.
The Lord is raising up an army of children, awakened to His love and power, moving forward in faith and purity, filled with the Holy Spirit to walk in signs and wonders. As children declare and pray, changes are taking place in the Spirit all over the city and region and among their generation. As the Church, we need to recognize the supreme privilege we have to impart God's heart and His Word to these young ones, that they would be equipped to take their place on the wall of intercession.
There are 4 parts to every arrow. The goal of every parent to is steward the arrows that the Father in heaven has given them. There is a battle for our children's hearts. We need to fight for their affections. The enemy is after what they will love and where their affections will be placed. This is why parents are called warriors! We are in a battle.
1) Shaft: Every other part of the arrow attaches to the shaft. This speaks to identity,destiny & purpose. Relationship with God is essential for a child to know who he/she is. Moms & dads, ask the Father in heaven what He sees in your child; what His desire is for him/her. It is important to get with God to seek Him about each of your kids so you can speak to your child's spirit, not to their flesh. Speak destiny, identity, purpose to each of your children. "You are a leader to your generation"; "You are such a powerful person"; "You have been marked by the image of God"; "You are a change-maker to your generation"; "You are so important to us".
2) Fletching (feather-like): The fletching creates drag when the arrow is in flight which keeps the back end of the arrow behind the front. It also stabilizes the arrow as it flies to its target. An arrow without good fletching is undependable and dangerous. If an arrow has the right kind of feathers, properly installed, it will fly straight. This speaks to core values. Core values are those beliefs that are in the CORE of who you are and from these values form the basis of decision-making. They are the "why" for decisions. Core values are deeply held beliefs and define what is valuable in life. They create a framework for defining what is right & wrong. As you disciple your children, your core values are transferred to your kids. What are you most passionate about? What motivates you? What is your grid for defining right & wrong? Why do you make the choices you do? Core values set our destiny. It is important to take time to evaluate your core values as you begin to disciple your children. They learn by what they see and experience.
3) Nock: All of the power in a bow is of no value if it cannot be effectively transferred. That’s why every arrow, at the rear of the shaft, has a small groove that holds the bowstring. This is called the nock. The nock keeps the arrow in place on the string until the power is released. This speaks to relationships. When someone’s life intersects with God and with people, a power transfer occurs. None of us was intended to make a journey through life alone. We need the strength, comfort, encouragement, resources, and power provided by God and others. Friends in a community offers much! Our best in any area is NOT good enough. Your children need to see you in community so they will desire a healthy community as they grow. In community we gain: 1) Strength—when we disconnect from others who are pursuing the Lord the way you are, it will cause your heart to lose strength. 2) Wisdom— if you rely only on the wisdom you have, it will not be enough to sustain you when times are challenging. Draw on the wisdom of others, just as a new mom does as she is struggling with the challenges of sleepless nights; colicky babies; potty training, etc. 3) Courage—the enemy will try to discourage you from pressing into the deep places in God as you change the course of direction in your life. Community pours courage into your heart! 4) Grace—staying submitted to one another gives a grace to stay the course, even when we mess up or get off track, we can count on community to release grace to jump back on the track. Humility is the key to grace being poured out.
4) Arrowhead: Only the front end of the shaft needs a finishing touch—a point. This speaks to the need to have a reason to live, a driving passion or calling that provides meaning and impact. This is a person’s mission. "Without vision, the people cast off restraint (directionless; unrestrained; aimless)," Proverbs 29:18. We need to ask ourselves, "What are my goals in life—are they ones I want my child to copy?” Every child should be helped to understand that life is a dynamic love relationship with God. Everything else, as good or innocuous as it may be, is only a prop to facilitating this mission.
1) Shaft: Every other part of the arrow attaches to the shaft. This speaks to identity,destiny & purpose. Relationship with God is essential for a child to know who he/she is. Moms & dads, ask the Father in heaven what He sees in your child; what His desire is for him/her. It is important to get with God to seek Him about each of your kids so you can speak to your child's spirit, not to their flesh. Speak destiny, identity, purpose to each of your children. "You are a leader to your generation"; "You are such a powerful person"; "You have been marked by the image of God"; "You are a change-maker to your generation"; "You are so important to us".
2) Fletching (feather-like): The fletching creates drag when the arrow is in flight which keeps the back end of the arrow behind the front. It also stabilizes the arrow as it flies to its target. An arrow without good fletching is undependable and dangerous. If an arrow has the right kind of feathers, properly installed, it will fly straight. This speaks to core values. Core values are those beliefs that are in the CORE of who you are and from these values form the basis of decision-making. They are the "why" for decisions. Core values are deeply held beliefs and define what is valuable in life. They create a framework for defining what is right & wrong. As you disciple your children, your core values are transferred to your kids. What are you most passionate about? What motivates you? What is your grid for defining right & wrong? Why do you make the choices you do? Core values set our destiny. It is important to take time to evaluate your core values as you begin to disciple your children. They learn by what they see and experience.
3) Nock: All of the power in a bow is of no value if it cannot be effectively transferred. That’s why every arrow, at the rear of the shaft, has a small groove that holds the bowstring. This is called the nock. The nock keeps the arrow in place on the string until the power is released. This speaks to relationships. When someone’s life intersects with God and with people, a power transfer occurs. None of us was intended to make a journey through life alone. We need the strength, comfort, encouragement, resources, and power provided by God and others. Friends in a community offers much! Our best in any area is NOT good enough. Your children need to see you in community so they will desire a healthy community as they grow. In community we gain: 1) Strength—when we disconnect from others who are pursuing the Lord the way you are, it will cause your heart to lose strength. 2) Wisdom— if you rely only on the wisdom you have, it will not be enough to sustain you when times are challenging. Draw on the wisdom of others, just as a new mom does as she is struggling with the challenges of sleepless nights; colicky babies; potty training, etc. 3) Courage—the enemy will try to discourage you from pressing into the deep places in God as you change the course of direction in your life. Community pours courage into your heart! 4) Grace—staying submitted to one another gives a grace to stay the course, even when we mess up or get off track, we can count on community to release grace to jump back on the track. Humility is the key to grace being poured out.
4) Arrowhead: Only the front end of the shaft needs a finishing touch—a point. This speaks to the need to have a reason to live, a driving passion or calling that provides meaning and impact. This is a person’s mission. "Without vision, the people cast off restraint (directionless; unrestrained; aimless)," Proverbs 29:18. We need to ask ourselves, "What are my goals in life—are they ones I want my child to copy?” Every child should be helped to understand that life is a dynamic love relationship with God. Everything else, as good or innocuous as it may be, is only a prop to facilitating this mission.