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.