Bringing a Child Home Changes Everything

Bringing a Child Home Changes Everything

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters…  Genesis 5:22

As far as I can tell, Enoch knew his great-great grandson Noah, for about 31 years before Enoch was called to go to Heaven.  One of the extremely unique things about Enoch is that he did not experience death.  His walk with God was so genuine, real, and vital, that God did not let him taste death – He took Enoch directly to Heaven!

As we are told very briefly about Enoch in Genesis 5, we discover that his walk with God appears to become more real, relevant and deep AFTER he has his first child.  When Methuselah is born the entire world of Enoch changed – for the better.

Whatever Enoch was doing after Methuselah was born – it pleased God.  Not everyone will be a preacher like Enoch became, but we all can walk closely with the Lord.

  • Enoch pleased the Lord. Hebrews 11:5 says, By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
  • Enoch prophesied for the Lord. Jude 1:14 teaches, And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.

When Enoch named his first son Methuselah, the name had a special meaning.  Enoch knew that God was going to judge the world because nearly all the world had turned their back on God.  Methuselah means, “When he dies, it cometh.”  Enoch understood that the evil of his world was self-condemning and that God while merciful would soon judge.  When Methuselah dies at the ripe old age of 969, then the flood of Noah’s day begins.

Every man – and woman reading this post, should passionately consider their walk with the Lord.

  • Did your life change when you became a parent? More than sleep patterns and busy schedules…
  • Did your walk with God get closer to the Lord when you brought your baby home?
  • If you adopted a child or married a person with children, are you parenting them with passion and purpose, adopting them as your new responsibility?

I see it often in ministry.  A beautiful young couple gets married and seem to be or become casual in Christianity.  Not in church often.  Not as involved in the life of the church as they could be.  Then it happens.  God blesses them with a child.  Then things start to change.  The gravity of nurturing that little life to know the Lord starts to take hold.  I am always thrilled when apparently nominal Christians step up to the next level in their walk with Jesus.  It thrills me to see the changes a little baby will make in the home!

You do not want to be the one that brings a new child of any age into your home and nothing changes.  If you have a child of any age in your home – it should change your life.  It should elevate your walk with God to new levels!   Be like Enoch – walk with God even more closely as a parent that pleases the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by Dr Steven

Steven Harness is a Christian husband and father of three who has been married to Natalie for nearly 25 years. A veteran pastor and counselor he’s been in gospel ministry for 25 years. He blessed to serve as the lead pastor of the Wilton Baptist Church in Wilton, NY. He has a long-term interest in archeology, history, creation science, ancient languages, and the Bible. He enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and targeting. He is also a fan of youth sports such as Jr. NBA and Little League baseball, both of which he has enjoyed coaching. Concerning credentials, Steven holds a Bachelor of Bible (BB) at Pensacola Christian College, a Master of Divinity (MDiv.) in Education from Mid-America Theological Seminary, a Master of Ministry (MMin.) in Pastoral Studies, a Doctor of Philosophy of Religion (PhD.) in Counseling from Bethany Divinity Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry (DMin.) in theology and apologetics from Liberty University. He is also a Board-Certified Christian Counselor (BCPPC), a SYMBIS facilitator, and president of the New York Association of Christian Schools. He is the lead counselor of Mountain View Christian Counseling and the lead speaker for Truth Defended, and apologetics ministry. www.truthdefended.org Ultimately, Steven hopes to serve the Lord with gladness, humble plodding along and making a difference for the Kingdom. He is available for special conferences and training sessions. Steve is also a Board-Certified Christian Counselor (BCPPC) and a SYMBIS facilitator. He is the president of Mountain View Christian Counseling and the New York Association of Christian Schools. He recently started "Truth Defended" a ministry equipping Christians to defend their faith.

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