RIGHT LIVING

RIGHT LIVING

  • Playing in the Kingdom

RIGHT LIVING

We were on the road, and as we were packing up our hotel, I noticed how clean and neat it was despite the night before when it was trashed with our stuff everywhere. I realized I had taught the kids that we lay down our rights in order to show love. In this case, I taught them over the years we have every right to trash a hotel room and let housekeeping do their job, but is that who we WANT to be? We have decided as a family we want the housekeeping staff to walk in and say, “Oh WOW,” which often includes leaving them notes, a tip, and finding a tidy room. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy, which means right living must occur if we live in and share His Kingdom with others. The laying down of our ‘rights’ to do things His way brings peace and joy that no amount of ‘rights’ could ever bring. It is an honor to play in His Kingdom by loving others well.

KINDNESS

Ponder for a moment why God would say there is incredible power in blessings and kindness. The reality is it has the ability to transform the worst of situations. So how can you be an agent of ‘doing good’ today?

PLAYING IN THE KINGDOM

When my kids were little, I would drive 45 minutes south to attend a church in Denver that believed children could play in the Kingdom. I was so undone by the power they carried. They needed some coaching in the ‘how,’ but when it mixed with their childlike faith, INCREDIBLE things began to happen. I never wanted my children to feel like God was a religious burden or that walking out our faith meant putting them in uncomfortable situations. I wanted to teach them that it was a JOY to love those around us and that the Kingdom truly is FUN. I called it ‘Playing in the Kingdom,’ and they came to life. They are older now, and we all still look for ways to play in the Kingdom and love those around us in everyday situations.

TIPPING POINT

Your family’s prayers can change the world – literally! Revelations shares how the story ends. Pay attention to Revelations 8 – “The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God . . . Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth” (Rev. 8:4-5).

This is not to be taken lightly or flippant. When you pray, you are filling the prayer bowls of heaven. Gather your family and place a bowl with a little water in the center of the table. Give each person a glass filled with water and a spoon. Play a game to see how many spoonfuls of water they can get into the larger bowl to make it spill over (literally). It will simply take ONE more spoon full of water to tip the water over the edge. Have fun, and let joy break out. Then share the verse above and tell them that their prayers can change the world. I encourage you to use Philippians 4:6-7 as your prayer guide as a family. Talk about the verse, act it out, and then pray in response to each line. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

**Don’t worry about anything – make a list of the things you are worried about. 

**Take that list and pray over each item. 

**Tell God what you want and need. 

**Thank Him for what He has done in the past. 

**Thank Him for what He is going to do now.

LASTING FRUIT

We had ministry students who would come to our home once a week. Our sweet Laura walked in and told us about a friend of a friend who was staying at their house from London. She was telling them about school and that once a week they are with our family. He says, “OH, Lisa Max, doesn’t she have an Airbnb?” and grabs his Bible and pulls out a prophetic card from Ellie from years ago. Teaching and training our children to love those around us bears lasting fruit because it is GOD’S heart we are releasing over them.

SERVING YOUR SERVER

This is a great way to teach children to love others while growing their confidence. I would have the children take off the sticker that is often wrapped around their napkins at a restaurant and ask Jesus what He wanted to say to our waitress. While waiting for our food, they would ask, listen, and then write or draw what they heard. When she handed me the bill, we would tuck the notes in our bill. She would read them while processing my payment and oftentimes come back in tears. The children got to see how hearing God for others was a blessing, and their faith increased that they heard well. Multiple times we would go back to a restaurant, and the waitress would rush over to tell us she still had the words we gave her. Priceless!

LET’S ASK JESUS

“Jesus, who do You want me to show extra kindness to today?”

Gather as a family in the living room, in the car, at the dinner table, or at bedtime, and ask Jesus together. This is so empowering for children because they witness how God communicates with you, it increases their faith, and you get to encounter Him as a whole family. Spiritual hearing is a muscle that is strengthened by worshiping and praying. The more you do it, the stronger you become at it.

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?

How far would you go to empower your child’s faith? A dear brother mentioned they were coming to Redding for a quick trip. I could feel something so strong on this trip but he did not communicate the purpose. The night before they came I asked a friend if he would be willing to get a word for the family. But in the morning as we were getting ready for church, I felt like God said to focus on the eldest daughter. I called my friend and asked if he would seek God’s heart for her specifically. After the service, they remained in their chairs as the Lord was touching the daughter deeply. We connected with my friend who gave her a very powerful word. Hours later, back at my house, I asked him what made him feel led to come out. He shared that during their church planting summer in Spain, God began to speak to him about truly preparing his children for the call of mission. That it wasn’t just about taking them along but truly preparing the next generation. Shortly after their return from Spain his eldest daughter said, “I think God told me that we are supposed to go to Bethel.” This father booked round trip tickets for five, two hotel rooms and a rental car for a less than 24-hour trip JUST to sow into his daughter hearing from God and empower her in that area. He wanted to strengthen her own faith and get behind what God was doing in her life. Jesus, bless this father for having eyes to see that his daughter was learning how to hear you and getting behind it. Give us eyes to see how we can strengthen our children’s spiritual muscles.

NO JUNIOR HOLY SPIRIT!

I love what my friend is doing to impact families!

“Here’s a very special and proud moment for me. I was invited to give a parenting talk about creating a prophetic culture at home, and I had two very special guests. These two have been part of my Prophetic School since the start of it. After training them for almost a year, I invited them to join me in ministry. I really admire their courage for stepping up, standing in front of a crowd, and holding the mic for the very first time in their life. Though nervous, they did their best. They shared about their prophetic journey and prophesied over some people. Their words were so impactful and accurate. Here is an example. One of them asked if anyone had drawn a picture of a cross recently. A lady raised her hand and shared that she just drew one during the talk. The other kid continued and asked if she liked nature as she saw a vision of a tree. The lady said yes and that God always speaks to her when she’s out in nature. There is really no junior Holy Spirit! These two kids can prophesy better than many adults that I know. What the next generation needs is someone to believe in them, teach them, empower them and give them a platform to learn and shine. I was so proud of them, and I look forward to many more moments like this in the future.”

HOPE CHALLENGE

I am putting out a challenge to all Let the Children Fly families. A while ago, I was feeling really discouraged and said, “I just wish someone would see me,” and I heard the Lord say, “Go see others.” Each morning we would have devotion time as a family, and I told the kids to bring their phones. I prayed, asking God to highlight someone in my mind. I started a group text with me, that person, and my kids, and we each gave them a prophetic word. It was so life-giving to US that we did it again and again. Ever since, each morning, we have a prophetic time where we intentionally ask Jesus for a word for someone else. 

I challenge your family to join us. It not only strengthens your spiritual hearing, but it also brings light and hope to the hearts of others.

JESUS LOVES HIM

Someone was supposed to drop something off at the house but called to say they were running late because he had many screws in his back, which made it nearly impossible to move fast during the cold Colorado weather. I told the kids about the delay, and they all said we should pray for him when he comes. He was such a sweet guy, but I could tell he had a story. He mentioned that his wife had just died in her sleep. I invited him in so the kids could pray for him. While he said he didn’t believe in God, he was willing to let the kids pray for him. They bossed that back pain around like there was no tomorrow! So bold and confident in what they believe. He came in all hunched over, and by the time he left, he was standing up straight. I know more than anything he felt loved by us, which was evident by his spark of joy and desire to keep talking. I bless that man and will continue to pray for his broken heart.