I spoke to a friend of mine yesterday. We were in a meeting when he whispered to me that he had great news.

Excited to hear what it was, he told me that God blessed him with a new car – a Toyota Fortuner. It was a straight trade with his Toyota Vios.

‘But I’ve been wanting one! You can’t have one before me! Here am I stuck with my clunky Crosswind. What in the?’ I didn’t say it but I heard these in my thoughts loud and clear.

(Sidenote: This is not “parinig” for that will take the rottenness of my heart to a sorry and extreme levels.)

I had to go to God and repent. 

Moreso, this is one of my best friends. I need to be sincerely happy for him. 

After realizing my folly and going to God, I now am genuinely and absolutely happy for my friend… seriously.

That’s how much we need transforming grace of God from day to day. So glad He’s in my life and loves me too much not to let me stay the way I am.

“”The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NLT)

So, here they are….

From Eph 1:15-19

Heavenly Father, God of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask that You may give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know You better.  We also pray that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which You have called us, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and Your incomparably great power for us who believe.  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

From Eph 3:14-19

Heavenly Father, I pray that out of Your glorious and unlimited resources, You may strengthen me with power through Your Spirit. Through faith, I pray that Christ will dwell and make His home in my heart. LORD I pray that my roots will grow deep and strong in Your love.  I pray that Your Spirit will empower me to grasp, know, and experience the greatness of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Fill me up LORD with the fullness of Your life, Your power, and Your presence.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

From Col 1:9-12

Our Father in heaven, I ask that You will fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. LORD I pray that You will show me everything You want me to do. As I understand Your will, plan, and purpose, may my life always honor and please You Lord.  May my life produce every kind of good fruit as I learn to know You better. Holy Spirit, strengthen me with Your glorious power so that I will have all the endurance, patience, and joy in my life. I thank You Father for giving me a share in Your kingdom of light. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Studies about their family show that over 1400 of their descendants followed Edwards’ legacy.  They contributed much to the society.

Not many people know, however, the story of Jonathan Edwards’ grandmother who got pregnant by another man, shortly after she got married.  For the rest of her life, she lived a life of sexual immorality.

In addition, her life was characterized by a lot of rage and violence.  She murdered her own child.  Her own brother, in a fit of rage, killed their other sister using an ax.

Jonathan Edwards was well acquinted with the realities of sin.  After giving his life to Jesus, he made a decision to take his family a different direction.

Two things he did as his kids were growing up:

1. Purposeful interaction.

Every single day, he would spend at least an hour with one of his 11 children.  He was actively involved in their lives.

2. Intentional discipline.

Understanding that “folly is bound up in the heart of the child” which is why disciple and correction was part of their home. (Prov. 22:15)

But rules without relationship leads to rebellion.

Which is why much time was invested in the Edwards’ home mentoring and discipling their children.

As a result, generations of God-fearing men and women came from the Edwards’ lineage.