Lots of talk out there about spiritual warfare these days. Seems best to me to start with what is very clear in scripture re: our responsibility. Encouraging to me from meditating on these commands that we have the power and authority in Christ to resist the most powerful supernatural being (other than Jesus Christ and His angels) in the Universe.

In the early church water baptism of all new converts was taken very seriously. All converts were baptized soon after their conversion. Below are some quotes that speak to the significance and importancer of water baptism for the believer.

The apostle John in his third letter to those he had ministered to said these words, “Beloved I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” God has always been concerned about our bodies/health, and not just our souls. BTW – note the connection between the two in this verse.

God created fathers to have a lasting, positive, life transforming impact on each of their children. Nothing can interfere and hinder that destiny and calling more than exasperating one's children.

We get what we expect in life. “I was a terrible student, so I can’t really expect my children to be any different.” Our Society and American culture has greatly lowered the bar or standard of parenting, and the consequences of that have been devastating

Very few parents that I have known over the years have a clear vision or understanding or revelation from God and His word about what they are clearly called to be and do as parents. This course will focus on the scriptures as much as possible. It will not be as much problem oriented as purpose oriented.

Our culture in America has embraced anger especially about supposed "justice" issues. Sadlyt we have no clue for how it is eating us up and destroying us on the inside. The church must model freedom from anger and dying to the "right" to anger. This freedom and ability to die to the right is a significant part of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

While quotes from men do not have the power that the word of God does, they are helpful to strengthen and support our biblical convictions. Many of these writers below probably learned these lessons the hard way. May the Holy Spirit use them to help us see the wisdom of God in wanting nothing to do with anger.

I’ve had to give up the “righteous anger” excuse. Is there such a thing as righteous anger? Yes I believe there is. But most of my anger issues have not been “righteous”. The father of lies loves this excuse and it has kept a number of Christian leaders in bondage.

In the kingdom of God, our gracious King expects us to ask, ask, ask (Matt. 7:7-11). James says we have not because we ask not (James 4:2). Effective Bible study rides on the back of effective and persistent prayer for such. These prayers are listed to this end.