âAnyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it wonât collapse because it is Built on Rock.â
For Fathers, Grandparents, Uncles, Cousins, Friends đ¤Š
For Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, Cousins, Friends đ¤Š
Chapter 1
Built On Rock
âSet Apartâ
Years after Erin met the Lord of Hosts, she imagined herself standing way up on a Rockâhigh above a vast, enormous sea. As she was peering down at the sandy beach below, the homes and lives began to disappear sinking into the sandâbeing washed away.
Erinâs heart ached when she realized she couldnât rescue them all, âOh, if only there were more of His Mighty Warriors who knew and lived the Promises of Your wisdom, more who knew how to follow Your lead,â she said to her Lord.
âSince each of us is Your letter, written on the hearts, known and read by everyone, each of Your Mighty Warriors would be a lifeline, right? Oh if only our families, our friends, and our neighbors witness the Promises of Your wisdomâthey soon would ask about Your powerful Promises!â Â
Dear Mighty Warrior, did Erin envision YOU?Â
When you read and or listened to Mighty Warrior, âCloser than a Brotherâ did you see that YOUR life has been set apart?Â
Are You one of His chosen Mighty Warriors for such a time as this!?!
Have you answered His call?Â
Just stop right now and say, âHere I am, Lord, use me!â just like Erin answered Him.
How wonderful!!! Now everyone who witnesses your life has the opportunity to listen to God and follow Him, being wise tooâlike a person who builds their house on solid Rock. And that means when the rain comes and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it wonât collapse because it is built on Rock.
Isnât it sad to know that God said that everyone else is like the foolish who built their house on the sand? So when the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that houseâit fellâand great was its fall. But Iâm excited, arenât you? Now God will use you, and all you need to do is simply protect others using His love! We love others because He first loved us!Â
Where do we start?
God says we must first love our brother and sister whom we can seeâpeople we live with every day. And if we can love our brother and sister who isnât always kind to us, like Adrien who left Erin to get home on the bus by herself, then it will be very easy to love everyoneâjust as long as we keep going to Him for His love, which is perfect love, that casts out and gets rid of all our fear!
Like the fear of the rains, He said will come into each of our lives.
Chapter 2
âTHE RAINSâ
âThe rains'' could be your parents who divorced or are separated or just fighting all the time, like when Erinâs parents separated. Â
âThe rains'' could be someone you love who is old and youâre afraid might die, as Erin feared. Since her parents were older when she was born and people asked her if they were her grandparents.Â
âThe rains'' could be when someone you love is sick.Â
Sometimes âthe rainsâ are money problems that pour down on your family.Â
Every day does it feel like there are more and more problems and things that cause you to worry? Are there too many stumbling blocks, obstacles, and hurdles that continue raining down blocking your path? Each of these is âthe rainsâ you can be protected from by first putting on the full armor of God so that it may go well with you, and so you may live long on the earth and save many more people alive! Just listen and obey your parents who God chose to guide you as you read in River of Life.
Are you or is your family living in a home that has fallen or feels like itâs about to fall?Â
Have your parents separated or divorced so you no longer feel happy and safe?Â
Have you heard that there's nothing you can do?Â
Maybe YOU canât do anythingâ BUT God can!Â
God can do anythingâand GOD loves to show up to do the impossible! Remember reading that in Macy's Barn Cat and Horses Hoped For when God said, with people it is impossible, but with God all things are possible? Because nothing, not one thing, will be impossible with God.
When Erinâs parents separated everyone said it was for the best, but thatâs not how Erin felt. So Erin spoke to her Heavenly Father and God did the impossible! God restored her parents' marriage after they were separated for 9 yearsâso that Erinâs children were able to visit both grandparents after she grew up and had children! And both her parents lived a very long life too!! Remember, nothing, not one thing will be impossible with God.Â
Just imagine how foolish and sad it could have been if Erin believed the lies rather than trusting the goodness of the Lord and she let fear rule her life all those years!
Chapter 3
âThe Knowledge of Good and Evilâ
Should we learn both good and evil?Â
Well, let me ask you: As you begin to build your life on Rock, set apart, do you want to use good or bad building materials? Then why look at anything bad, why consider it? God says we must choose good and turn our backs on evil. We know this is true because God commanded us, saying, not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of both good and evil.Â
To be safely set apart means we must turn our backs on the evil and then ask God how we can do something good! Donât let doubt get into your mind either because God said if we doubt it will feel like we are being tossed about like the surf of the sea.Â
When Erin asked God to understand this principle, being tossed about like the surf of the sea, she imagined herself at the beach where her family had a vacation house. When she was at the ocean, on the Pacific Coast, there were large, powerful waves, so her parents wisely taught her that she needed to stay back up on the warm sand and watch the waves. Â
They said that even if she stood with her feet in the water, soon she would sink into the wet sand and a large wave could easily crash over her headâdragging her into the deep, rough water. God says itâs the same with doubt. So, rather than doubt and simply be tossed about, or sink with worry, God says to trust Him and grab hold of the gift of peace left by our very own Prince of Peace!Â
Never forget to simply ask Him and then not doubt what He says because at the appointed time God promises to answer us and give us the desires of our hearts âjust like you read in âMacyâs Barn Catâ and âHorses Hoped For.â This means that each time we think about what we asked Him to doâwe can rejoice, full of joy!!
Chapter 4
âWho Knows? GOD Knows!â
Today, everyone likes to give their opinion, and many people claim to be an âexpert,â but the truth is, no one but GOD knows. Thatâs why when anyone asks Erin something, she loves to say, âWho knows? God knows!â Thatâs because itâs the truth and she knows the truth will set her and everyone else free so they can be set apart for Him.Â
Erin began to go to the Source of truth, she asked her Heavenly Father and read the Promises in God's Word. Now you know where to find the truth and you can do the same thing. You can hide Godâs Word in your heart.Â
You already have learned so much of what GOD says about His love in Mighty Warrior âCloser than a Brother.â Itâs also important to find out what GOD says about you as a daughter to your parents, a sister to your siblings, and what He says when you become a husband and then a father. Being a father means you will be fruitful and multiply which is important because God told us to be fruitful and multiply 14 times in the Bible! When you go right to the Source, your Heavenly Father and His Word, you will be drawn to finding a virtuous woman to be the mother of your childrenâ who God compares to be finding a precious jewel! These royal words of wisdom: These are the inspired words the King's mother taught to him recorded in the book of Proverbsâfrom the wisest man in history, Solomonâso as a future king, you will need to listen and pay close attention to these words too.Â
Remember, you have been set apart and God has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be His own special treasure. For Erin to reach the nations, she needed to know what God said, and then give away what she learned to everyone who asked. By following Him as He led her (as you read in Mighty Warrior âCloser than a Brotherâ Erin began looking for the narrow gates that few ever find.
Chapter 5
âEntering the Narrow Gateâ
Being set apart and building on Rock to reach the nations, means you must look for the narrow gate and then choose to walk through that gateâa gate very few will find. Here is one story of walking through the narrow gate.Â
One day Erinâs teacher, a nun, said that unless someone confessed to something that happened when she was out of the classroom, her entire class would miss recess for a week. Unfortunately, the person whoâd done this was a very shy French girl. So, Erin felt led to encourage all of her classmates to stand up when asked so Monique would not be afraid to stand up alone. But when the nun asked for the person who did it to stand, only Erin stood up and was immediately sent to the principalâs office!Â
Erin didnât say anything, she didnât defend herself, she didnât say that Monique had done it because Godâs Word says that we are the only person who can confess our own faults, not someone elseâs. Erin never confronted Monique either but trusted God who judges righteously, fairly. It may not always seem fair, but it always brings about a hidden reward. Erin simply spoke to her FBF âForever Best Friendâ Who told her to remain quiet and wait. So, Erin chose to love the one whoâd treated her unjustly by speaking kindly to Monique before and after school.
A week later, Erinâs desk was still in the hallway as punishment and she still hadnât been allowed to go out to play at recess. But suddenly, Monique felt convicted and she no longer wanted to hide her transgression (what sheâd done wrong).Â
Chapter 6
âFew are Chosenâ
The day Monique confessed her own faults, Erin was again called to the principalâs office. When she walked in, she saw Monique and her grandmother (who she and her little brother lived with) and Monique was crying. Erin was sad to see that her eyes were red and puffy because sheâd hidden her transgression so long.Â
Erin was surprised that by doing what was right she was not rewarded or praised for it, instead, the principal and her teacher were angry with her. Even though she didnât understand it then, God had hardened their hearts because He wanted to teach Erin that the only One she needed to please was her Heavenly Father and because God was saving Erinâs blessings for later. Itâs just like when the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, making it strong and immovable. Thatâs because later when Pharoah does let Godâs people go, His people left carrying whatever they asked for, which was all of Egyptâs wealth!Â
Doing the right thing isnât always easy and even though it may not feel like itâ itâs much better when youâre not praised or rewarded because the best reward is stored up for us in heaven! A Wise Man, His Prince, doesnât store up his treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. A Wise Man wisely stores his treasures in heaven, where the desires of his heart will also be.
Chapter 7
âSet Apart for GOODâ
The next year God rewarded Erin by moving her to a new school, even though at first it didnât feel like a rewardâbecause, at her new school, Erin had no friends. Once again, God chose her, just as God chose YOU to be set apart from others, His treasureâwatching from aboveâhigh and safe on Rock.
Thatâs why Erin was so excited when she was invited to a classmateâs birthday party, another narrow gate. Erinâs mother dropped her off and as all the girls sat around on the floor, she noticed that the girls were passing something around, giggling. It made Erin feel uncomfortable because the tone of their voices and the look on their faces meant that something wasnât right. Erin had heard of drugs, but she knew little other than it was something she wanted to stay away from.Â
So without opening her mouth, Erin simply got up, walked out the front door, and didnât look back. She didnât know where she was, but she was sure she was too far from home to walk there. So without any money (and of course back then there were no cell phones), she heard her FBF âForever Best Friendâ lead her to turn to the right and walk down the street towards a busier street, and then she heard someone call out âWait!!!âÂ
Instead of looking back, Erin began walking faster, not wanting anyone to try to persuade her to go back inside where she knew something wasnât right. Then the girl began to overtake her, catching up to her saying, âWhere are you going?â Erin replied, âI donât know but I donât want to be part of whatever is going on back there.â Then Liesel said, âMe either! Iâm going home, do you want to come? I only live two blocks from here.â
That day Liesel and Erin became close friends and years later when they each got married both of them had a little blonde-haired boyâright at the appointed timeâjust like they dreamed and talked about when they became friends. Having just one like-minded friend (who God will choose for you if you ask) was such a blessing. Even though Erin didnât get to see or talk to Liesel much (because they were only in the same school for one year), it strengthened both of them to remain walking along the narrow path, each set apart.
Many events happened over the years that set Erin apart, which we trust God will no doubt lead Erin to share in later Wise Man 4 His Prince stories!Â
We are excited that you are building YOUR life and future on Rockâwatching from aboveânot enjoying what everyone else is doing but instead being elevated, set apart, and attaining royalty at the appointed time, for such a time as this!
The more you build your life and future on Rock, the more youâll understand that choosing the narrow road is a moment-by-moment decision that only happens by holding the hand of your Forever Best Friend who you got to know in Mighty Warrior âCloser than a Brother."
âď¸Â BONUS âď¸
HIS PROMISES
Lord of Hosts âTest Me now in this,â says the Lord of hosts, âif I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.â Malachi 3:10
"Here I Am" âThen you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, âHere I amââ Isaiah 58:9
"on Rock" âAnyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it wonât collapse because it is built on bedrock.â Matthew 7:25 NLT
âChildren are a gift from God... a reward!â âBehold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.â âChildren are Godâs love-gift; they are heavenâs generous reward.â Psalm 127:3 TPT
âfull of her own childrenâ âOh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children.â Psalm 127:5
âfor GOODâ âAnd we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.â Romans 8:28
âappointed timeâ âThen the LORD answered me and said, âRecord the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that he one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, WAIT for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.ââ Habakkuk 2:2-3
âPrince of Peaceâ âAnd His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.â Isaiah 9:6
âRejoice" âRejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoiceâ "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it againârejoice"Â Philippians 4:4
"Hide Godâs Word in your heart" "I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11
âA virtuous woman" âA virtuous woman, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.â Proverbs 31:10
âwisdomâ "King's...royal words of wisdom: These are the inspired words my mother taught me." Proverbs 31:1Â
âconfessed everything to Godâ âIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.â 1 John 1:9
âsurpassed all understandingâ âThen you will experience Godâs peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.â 1 Peter 1:8
âchanged instantly and radicallyâ âDo not marvel that I said to you, âYou must be born again.ââ John 3:7
âset apartâ âTherefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.â 2 Timothy 2:21 ESVÂ
âFor such a time as this?â âAnd who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?â Esther 4:14
âcloser than a brotherâ âA man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.â Proverbs 18:24
âdesires of our heartsâ âDelight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.â Psalm 37:4
âTruthâ ââŚand you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.â John 8:32
âfull armor of Godâ âPut on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.â Ephesians 6:10-11
âgo well with youâ âso that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well for you on the land which the Lord your God is giving you.â Deuteronomy 5:16,Â
âlive longâ âThen you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.â Deuteronomy 5:16Â
âaliveâ âto keep many people alive.â Genesis 50:20
ânarrow gateâ âEnter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14
âdidnât say anythingâ âYet He did not open His mouthâ Isaiah 53:7Â
âfoolishâ "But God has chosen the foolish things [and people] of the world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong." 1 Corinthians 1:27
âimpossibleâ âImpossible with man, is possible with Godâ Luke 18:27
âspeaking kindlyâ âSpeak kindlyâŚwarfare has endedâ Isaiah 40:2
âconfessâ âIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.â 1 John 1:9
âhardened their heartsâ âDonât harden your hearts the way they didâ Hebrews 3:8
âhardened the heart of Pharaohâ âGod hardened Pharaoh in his stubbornness.â Exodus 9:12
âwhatever they asked forâ âYesâand if you embrace this kingdom life and donât doubt God, youâll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles.â Matthew 21:21
âEgyptâs wealthâ âSo they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth!â Exodus 12:36
âstore thieves break in and steal treasures in heavenâ âDonât store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.â Matthew 6:19-21Â
âwithout opening her mouthâ âHe was oppressed and afflicted, and Yet He did not open His mouthâ Isaiah 53:7
âlooking backâ âBut Lotâs wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.â Genesis 19:26,Â
âovertakeâ âAnd all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God.â Deuteronomy 28:2
âappointed timeâ ârecordâ âinscribeâ âThen the LORD answered me and said, 'Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.ââ Habakkuk 2:2-3Â
dreams Ephesians 3:20 âGod can do anything, you knowâfar more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!â Ephesians 3:20
âattaining royaltyâ â such a time as this such a time as thisâ âAnd who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?â Esther 4:14
âlike-mindedâ âmake my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mindâ Philippians 2:2Â
âfearâ âI will fear no evil, for You are with meâ Psalm 23:4
âgood and evil.â Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of bothâ Genesis 2:17
âturn our backs on the evilâ "Walk away from the evil things in the worldâjust leave them behind, and do what is right, and always seek peace and pursue it.â 1 Peter 3:11
âdoubtâ âtossed about like the surf of the sea.â âwithout any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.â James 1:5â8Â
âask Godâ  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5
ânationsâ âevery nation and tribe, people and language,â Revelation 7:9
âeveryone who askedâ âeveryone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.â 1 Peter 3:15
âgiveâ âGive, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measureâpressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.â Luke 6:38
âjudges righteously, fairlyâ âkept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteouslyâ âHe left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.â 1Pet. 2:21-23
âwaitâ âYet those who wait for the Lordâ âwith wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.â Isaiah 40:31Â
âloveâ âBut I tell you this: love your enemies.â Matthew 5:44
âsuch a time as thisâ âAnd who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?â Esther 4:14
âfirst loved us!â âWe love each other because he loved us first.â 1John 4:19
âlove our brother and sister whom we can seeâ âWhoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.â 1 John 4:20