404: Prenatal Purpose

A few minutes ago, I was in the car with my wife and said, "i have given absolutely no thought to the Monday Memo this week."  She said, "Time to pull out an old one?" I responded, "Nah.  I think I'll write on prenatal purpose."  So with no planning or outline, let's read on together and see what transpires. Last week I interrupted my series on PurposeParents to write about pipe dreams. Before we move on next week to Daniel, however, let's talk a little more about that topic -- PurposeParenting that is.

ROLL CALL

There were five mothers in the Bible who had a good idea of their child's purpose before they were born.  Their roll call includes:

1. Rebekah.  She had twins who were struggling in her womb.  When she inquired of the Lord as to what this meant, He told her about her two boys in Genesis 25:21-28.
2. Samson's mother.  She was told before he was born that her son would "begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines" (Judges 13:5).
3. Hannah.  Hannah agonized over having a child and finally had Samuel, whom she dedicated to the Lord before he was ever born.  Her son went on to do great things for God (see 1 Samuel 1 and 2).
4. Elizabeth. Elizabeth knew her son was special, due to the unique circumstances surrounding his birth. What's more, John jumped for joy in Elizabeth's womb when he heard the voice of Mary, the mother of Jesus (see Luke 1:39-45).
5. Mary.  Mary discovered quite a bit about Jesus before and right after He was born (see Luke 1:26-33 and Luke 2:21-38).

LESSONS FOR PARENTS

What can parents learn from these five examples of parents who had prenatal purpose awareness for their children?

1. God can reveal clues and directives about your child's purpose before he or she is born.
2. You can ask to see your child's purpose and God may show you.
3. Your child can be filled with the Holy Spirit and purpose before he or she is born.
4. Notice that all these PurposeParents were mothers. Mothers help give birth not just to children, but to purpose in children.
5. Your relationship with the Lord and your ability to hear from Him play key roles in knowing your child's purpose - and consequently them knowing it as well.
6. You play a key role in directing your child into his or her purpose. 
7. Somehow, I think this same kind of information and impact is available to fathers and grandparents as well.

Finally, these five mothers did not know that their children would be doctors, lawyers or accountants.  God did not speak to them about their child's job, but rather their child's role in the plan and economy of God. As parents you have a choice: to raise your children to be good cultural citizens or good citizens in God's kingdom.  The former may get them a job; the latter will bring them into God's purpose. The choice is yours. 

Shall I add your name to the roll call above as good PurposeParents.  I hope so, for we need more PurposeParents and PurposeChildren to do the work that God has assigned for the generations ahead.  Have a great week!

Feel free to add your comments or insights to this post on PurposeParents on the site where it is posted.

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1. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE: Just $35 came in last week, but the restaurant called and said they have $113 sitting in their safe waiting for me to pick up. As you know, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I wrote an update and a thank you for those who have given to the Fund three weeks ago and you can read it here. You can also read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more. You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

If you give a gift of $25 or more during the month of June, I will send you a free copy of my book, Strictly Business, while supplies last (I sent out seven so far). Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you play a part in addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and world hunger.

2. REVELATION: I still need your help. I still cannot find a publisher for an important book I have written, which is a devotional focusing on the book of Revelation. So I feel an urgent need to self-publish this work, which will cost about $2,500. I wrote about this project in my blog a few months ago and encourage you to read what I wrote there. You can also read some sample excerpts of the book here.

In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Once you read my rationale, please consider if the Lord wants you to help me to restore an important book of the Bible that has been obscured by so many weird interpretations. I was ready to remove this appeal this week, but I sense someone is out there who is going to help. Just do whatever God is telling you to do.

3. DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.

4. FACEBOOK: I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow along.

5. FREE PURPOSEQUEST ASSESSMENT: I updated and improved the feeback email you receive from your online assessment, so now is a great time to take or re-take the purpose assessment on my website. This is not a scientific survey, but something that is meant to stimulate your thought and direct your study concerning where you are in your PurposeQuest.

Comments

[Jana]

Struggling to fall pregnant, but knowing that I know that I will have my own children, this is a super encouraging piece!!

Thanks!

[Vickee]

My son is 11months old and time and time again, people say to me that he will be a great leader. In fact, once this came from a lady who was very drunk. I keep claiming those words and speaking blessings into this life. Incidentally, his paternal relatives are politicians and even though we have no contact with them.

Do you think this is God's way of revealing his purpose to me?

[solomon]

Thanks for this article. Last week we were blessed with a baby girl. One of our fellowship ladies named her Abigail and prophesied that she will be a great leader and prayerful. We have also prayed that she will be of great understanding which we have seen that in her. God bless