Satan is determined to prevent the bringing forth of children and their upbringing in the knowledge of the Lord. This is especially true of today because in the present hour God is bringing forth people who will be of first rank in His Kingdom. There is a Joshua generation at hand! Many who are last in time are destined to be first in the Kingdom of God.

Homosexuality, lesbianism, abortion, sexual perversion, molestation, feminism—all prevent or tend to inhibit either the bringing forth of children or their upbringing in the knowledge of the Lord.

Cross-dressing, men wearing women's clothing and women wearing men's clothing, the feminine man and the masculine woman, are Satan's efforts to change the Divinely defined roles of men and women. What is the net result? It is the prevention of the bringing forth and training up of children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

How blessed is the home where the father is a godly man governing the home in the Presence of the Lord, and the mother is a godly woman loving and nurturing the children according to God's Word. Children thus raised are of eternal value in the Kingdom of God.

Our generation has become so corrupt there are few such homes it appears. Our day is, as Paul says, "the present distress" (I Corinthians 7:26). Knowing the present life is soon to pass away, let us pray night and day that the Lord will save our families into His eternal Kingdom.

The evening of the Day of the Lord is coming to a close. The glorious day of eternity is at hand, the era without end in which every day will be more wonderful, more filled with joy than the previous.

The idols, the demon-gods, soon will be no more. Let us therefore have nothing to do with them. Let us rather look continually to our Lord Jesus who through His own Virtue and wisdom will enable us to overcome the idols and to enter His Presence with the fullness of joy.

The Valley of Achor

When we recognize we are partaking of that which is offered to the demon-gods, what are we to do?

God has given us a helpful example in the story of Achan, the troubler of Israel.

But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel. (Joshua 7:1)

When we practice the behaviors that gratify the demon-gods, the idols, we are committing a "trespass in the accursed thing."

Whenever we partake of that which is cursed of the Lord we cause Israel to be defeated in battle. We defeat not only ourselves but all who are associated with us. We have given place to Satan.

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. (Joshua 7:5)

To be continued.