CoffeeWithFather

Malachi 4:
5 "But also look ahead:
I'm sending Elijah the prophet to clear the way for the Big Day of GOD - the decisive Judgment Day!
6 He will convince parents to look after their children and children to look up to their parents.
If they refuse, I'll come and put the land under a curse."    (The Message Bible)

This closing prophecy of the Old Testament was fulfilled in the life of John the Baptist, who came with the power of the Prophet Elijah, to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explains the ministry of the Lord Jesus like this:
1 Timothy 3:
16 . . . He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels.
He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.    (The Message Bible)

However, Malachi 4: 6 says that if the hearts of fathers and children weren't reconciled to each other - that the Lord would possibly come and put the land under a curse.
According to Proverbs 26: 2, a curse that is underseved, does not take effect. However, one of the most terrible problems we face in the human race at the moment, comes from the hearts of fathers and children not being linked in love to each other.
It certainly seems that this curse has gone into action.
Many fathers' hearts are turned away from their children; and many children's hearts are turned away from their fathers. If this has not happened in your family, you have much to thank God for.

The Apostle Paul gave fathers these instructions in his letters:
Ephesians 6: 4 Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.    (The Message Bible)
Colossians 3:
20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.
21 Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits.    (The Message Bible)

Here are some ways in which fathers exasperate their children, make them bitter and crush their spirit:
Abuse:
   physical,
   sexual,
   psychological,
   emotional.
There are abused people in all walks of life. If they remain unhealed they all remain prisoners in one way or another.
Neglect:
   disowning your child;
   not providing physically for the child's needs;
   having no time for the child.
Failure to understand each child and to treat each child uniquely.
   Stifling their uniqueness and creativity.
Unrealistic expectations:
   expecting a child to carry adult responsibilities;
   expecting the child to view life as an adult does.
   coming down hard when these unrealistic expectations remain unmet.

Prayer:
Father in heaven,
if as a parent I have I have exasperated my children, made them bitter or crushed their spirit
through  abuse,  neglect,  stifling them or  unrealistic expectations,
please wash me in the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and forgive me.
Teach me how to begin to make things right with my children.
If as a child I have been
abused,  neglected,  stifled
or had  unrealistic expectations laid upon me,
I ask that You, my heavenly Father, begin to heal my heart today.
Work in me until I am completely healed and fully trusting in You.
Thank You that You are the mighty God who alone has the ability to heal hearts
and turn lives out of destruction and into Your way of hope and purpose.
Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ,
whose death on the cross and coming alive again, makes this healing possible.
I place my trust in You, Lord Jesus Christ,
Amen.