"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth”

 ~Proverbs 22:6

"Start Children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

In the Bible, God tells us that children are a blessing and a gift! They 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”. 

I always look forward to parties, and moments with families, especially long for time with kids who have moved out and now have a life of their own. 

Growing up; I was fortunate to have it all. My father was a successful businessman. He was the owner of a well known moving company, and owned the most beautiful house in the neighborhood. But, there was one thing missing. 

My family was family oriented. They were strict and traditional. They had rules. We were not allowed sleepovers, and we had to be home before it was dark. Dinner was together, and weekends were spent as a family no exceptions. No friends were allowed in rooms. Bed had to be done once up, and the rooms clean and organized. Having everything yet the most important thing was missing. “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 

My parents were catholic. I was taken to church for as long as I have memory. I was baptized as a baby. I did my first communion and my sacrament of confirmation. My best friend and I were always looking forward to our youth church meetings. I recall crying on our last day; because I did not want to come back home. I was empty. Something was missing. I was looking for something that I could not explain. I did not have a Christian background nor were my parents believers. I did not have the privilege of having parents that prayed. Even when I had everything; I felt empty. I knew something was missing and I was reaching for it. 

Fortunately, we gave our four children the privilege to have a choice. “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” What a blessing and a privilege to be married to a man who prays and reads the scriptures. My husband had a Christian background. When we got engaged; one thing he said: “God will be the center”. “Our children will be raised in a house of fear to God”.

I met Jesus Christ in my early 20s; my mother in law was a fearful woman of God. She knew I was empty. She was a woman of prayer. Back then she went to Pentecostal church 6 days a week. “There is such anointing in grandmas”. She always had oil. She prayed and fasted for days. She knew the scriptures. She anointed me from the moment she knew her first grandson was going to be born. She told me she was going to take her grandchildren to church everyday with me or without me. I remember her picking up the kids carrying her back pack, oil and huge bible. She knew how to fight that battle. She would put the kids to sleep with worship or “Yiye Avila” One of the most respectful anointing men of God from Puerto Rico. She knew she was planting a seed in good soil to her grandchildren. Hallelujah! Indeed. 

There are many young people today who grow up in the church with many advantages that children like myself who were raised in the world knew nothing about prayer or the word of God. All children who were brought up in church are under grace all their lives. Children have heard hundreds of sermons and bible lessons. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ". Romans 10:17. They know the scriptures. “You are mistaken, not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God.” Mathew 22:29.  The privilege of prayer. To be born into a Christian home is to be born into a house of prayer. I have prayed for all my four kids. From the moment they were conceived, we prayed. I have prayed over my children, by them and with them. We taught our children the importance of prayer and daily devotion. To be born into a Christian home is to be born into a house of declaring the gospel. I did not want to raise a child that did not know God. I will not raise an atheist nor a Scientologist. There are many children today that have never visited a church. My children will have an opportunity to make a choice once they are older. Christian home is something that we must all strive to create for the future of our children and the children of our children. A Christian home certainly does not happen by accident; it takes sacrifice, and purposeful decision making. When we choose to do things his way, the sacrifice today is infinitely worth the blessings he gives in eternity. When I hear my oldest son talking and writing on his Instagram page about God; all I want to do is worship him for his goodness. He understands the fear of God. He knows that he will always encounter temptation and that the world will always see us differently; but he knows who he is in God and not what the world labels society today. All of his promises are Yes and Amen. I encourage you to stand firm and make this big decision today. As parents it is our responsibility to teach the world of God to our children. Teach them how to pray. If you don't teach your children, society will do it for you. Never give up on your children. Children stopped going to church when their parents delegated the upbringing of their kids to the church. It is crucial that children know the importance of Christian habits and values. Legitimate belief cannot be coerced or forced. This is by faith. 

Let's pray, Father God. We bless your holy name. I thank you for my children. I thank you for the opportunity to raise them and and call them my children. I thank God because today, we are proud of four kids that belong to you God. Father, God do your will. We pray today with anyone reading “Butterfly by grace” “Mommy and daughter blog” I ask you God for discernment, courage Lord. Let their children know that they are strong than any evil or wicked influence in this world. We raise our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Therefore, We believe that our children cannot depart from the truth they were taught. Break your light upon children upon all the prodigal sons and daughters. “Let there be light”. You sent your light into this world to shine into the darkness. Shine the light of Jesus in every child's heart, merciful father, by your spirit. Send your spirit Lord to every youth, teenager and young adult now. Let them hear joy and gladness. In the name of Jesus, restore to them the joy of your salvation, and uphold them by your generous spirit. In the name of Jesus. Amen 

My Fortress And My Deliverer!

Psalm 71:20-21

You, who have shown me great and severe troubles,

Shall revive me again, And bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.

I have moments in my life that I have said: “Really God?” I have so many moments in my walk with God that I've just come out of one thing and now here's another. When we say stand strong in the Lord; It is not always going to be easy. But, I do rather fall into the arms of the Lord. We can write down our goals and our targets and through all of my wins and losses, I expected things to go my way. My walk with God has been full of surprises. In fact, I've found myself trying to figure out an easy way out or trying to do things my way. The Lord has always been my rock and deliverer. We can make all the plans but the bible established that we should seek God in everything and he will direct our paths. The bible also says: “separated from God we can not do anything”. Jonah ran away from God's plan and he ended up in the belly of a fish, Noah followed God's plan and he was saved. Lot's wife deviated from God's plan, and she was turned into a pillar of salt. Joseph trusted in God and in his plans, and he became the ruler of Egypt. Sampson decided not to follow God’s instruction, and he lost his supernatural strength, Joshua stuck to God's plan and the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. Indeed! God’s plan will always work out for those of us Love God and are called according to his plan. It's crucial to not deviate from our path with God. This can be  dangerous and we should not take our salvation for granted; otherwise, we are running the chance to be faced with judgement. When you reject God and his plans; you leave yourself open to the attacks of the enemy and the judgement of God. Trusting in God's plan isn't  always an easy thing to do because it requires more faith than does sight. We have to believe even when we don't see. Trusting in God requires us to go against everything we've been conditioned to do. Trusting in God requires us to ignore what we can see or understand. Trusting in God and trusting the new anchor. Trusting in God and ignoring what the economy is doing. We need to let go of the need for control. Today we say Yes God and Amen. Not my will God; but yours, I want only and nothing more than your will for my life. “For nothing will be impossible with God” “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you God. In psalm 119 David said: “It is good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees”. And when I read this psalm; I asked! How is it good to be afflicted? How is it good to go through pain and distress? I learned that afflictions, pain and distress do more than simply show what kind of character we have. What’s inside our hearts? Touch times, shape and form out character. Affliction is necessary for the Christian man or woman, because if it is not for those hard times you’re going through, how much would you know that God will never leave you nor forsake you? If it is not through sickness, how would Jesus heal? If not through financial hardship, how would you know that the Lord is a provider?  My need for the Lord increases everyday when I realize that without God who knows where I would be. I rather lose all and everything than to gain this world and lose my soul.  Today, take heart. Listen to the holy spirit because the time is near. 

Lets pray,

Father God we are sorry. Please forgive us for trying so hard to figure it out. We are sorry for our anger, we are sorry for disobedience. We love you. Come into our heart. Holy spirit of God, I will not move unless you are with me. Holy spirit I declare that anyone who reads this Blog as they read, hallelujah they feel the joy of salvation. I declare doors open, I declare healing, salvation, new job I declare that you who are reading this blog God will bless you and your family, I declare that miracle in your hands. I declare no weapon formed against you shall prosper. I declare that every tongue against you shall not prosper and will be condemned. I declare the favor of God comes toward you today, it reframes your past: It refocuses your present; It releases your destiny; I declare miracles your way. In the name of Jesus! AMEN hallelujah O Lord our God, the most high God, maker of heaven and earth, our creator, sustainer, our protector, you are the just God of all the earth sitting on your throne of judgement, the high court of heaven. You Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. You are the Lord, the ruler over all, the God angelic armies that fight for his nation United States against our enemy and our adversaries. Bring your righteous judgment against our adversary and all that he is doing. I command in Jesus name the release of all increase that has been fraudulently withheld, mistreated, sabotaged, blocked, stolen and destroyed. Execute your vengeance against the enemy. Bring to us full recompense that is due to us as redeemed heirs of God and join heirs Jesus Christ that we may advance your kingdom in all the earth. Crush the oppressor of all wickedness and establish your kingdom. In the name of Jesus…… AMEN