Worthless Things

Most of the things we see are false, worthless, and temporary. We often wonder why we feel down, unmotivated, drained, and defeated, and usually blame our circumstances, other people, hormones, or a list of other things. Seldom do we realize the true cause is neglecting quality time in prayer and reading God's Word. We can't expect to be full of life when we consistently feed on things that can never satisfy. You will not find life in Instagram, the news, or in the flood of Facebook posts, but in God's Word alone. Lord, turn MY eyes away from worthless things, things that won't matter 10 years from now, things that don't even matter today.

An Idol in Your Pocket?

A smart phone can be a blessing or a curse depending on the way we use it. Many are unwittingly entangled in a system that they find nearly impossible to escape- the system of the World Wide Web.

The word “web” is defined as a:
network of fine threads constructed by a spider from fluid secreted by its spinnerets, used to catch its prey.
a filmy network spun by some insect larvae, especially communal caterpillars.
2. a complex system of interconnected elements, especially one perceived as a trap or danger.

I believe it’s not coincidence that the internet is called the World Wide Web. (www.)
While the internet itself is not inherently evil, it can be when we find ourselves being controlled by it.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12

Our activity on the World Wide Web can either-
Glorify Christ or glorify self
Encourage us in our walk with the Lord or drain us.

Short Phone Facts:
1. American adults spend more than 11 hours per day watching, reading, listening to or simply interacting with media, according to a new study by market-research group Nielsen.
2. People blink 15 times per minutes, but this rate decreases by half when on their smart phones and causes blurred vision, headaches, eye strains, and dry eyes.
3. Radiation from cell phones is a “possible human carcinogen” due to an increased risk of brain cancer caused from long-term and heavy usage. (The World Health Organization)
4. 47 percent of men who kept their smartphones in their front pocket had low sperm count. (Technion University)
5. Bending your head to look at your mobile device puts up to 60 lbs. of pressure on your neck and can harm your back.
6. In the past 5 years, symptoms of depression has risen 60 percent.
7. 65% are using their phone while eating out at a restaurant.
8. According to TIME, 80 percent of 18-24 year old Americans sleep with their phones right beside them, for easy access first and last thing.
9. The average person will spend more than five years of their lives on social media, according to a study by influencer marketing agency Mediakix.



So how do we know if we have become slaves to our phone?

Your Phone Has Control of You If:
1. You can’t go to sleep without first checking social media “one last time”.
2. You are always thinking about what to post next.
3. You spend more time trying to capture the perfect image on your phone instead of enjoying the actual moment.
4. You spend more time on social media than God’s Word.
5. You are always telling others how busy you are yet always manage to find time for social networking.
6. You spend more time taking pictures of your life than living it.
7. When something exciting happens to you, the very first thought is “I need to post this on…”
8. You begin having signs of ADD while trying to listen to Sunday’s sermon and struggle to read your Bible without thinking of your phone.
9. You have trouble fasting from your phone for even short periods of time and feel a sense of panic or unrest when your phone is not near you and may even sleep with your phone near you.
11. If you spend a large quantity of your life preoccupied with performing on the stage of the social media platform in order to impress and gain the applause of man.

As mothers it’s important to remember that for every hour we spend on social media is one hour less that we spend with our dear children. We only have one opportunity to raise our children. What if our children were only promised to us for another day, week, or year? Would we live differently than we do now? More is caught than taught. What are we teaching our children about their worth when they see us always on our phones? Do we cherish our children as much as our devices? These are all questions I have been asking myself lately.

While we are busy catching up on the latest news feed, our children are growing up at an astonishing speed. Mama, instead of picking up your phone, pick up your child, look them in the eye and tell them how much you love them, that they are more important to you than any hand held device.

Let’s spend more time reading our Bibles than decorating them.
Let’s control the amount of time spent on our phones and not let our phone control us.

Helpful Bible Verses to Remember While Using Your Smart Phone:
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry (anything that you put above the Lord God) and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this (daily, ongoing habit) will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

“The pride of life can be defined as anything that is “of the world,” meaning anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. John makes it clear that anything that produces the pride of life comes from a love of the world and “if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).”
https://www.gotquestions.org/pride-of-life.html

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God
1 Corinthians 10:31

For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:13

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
They have ears, but they do not hear;
Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.
Psalm 135:15-18

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Ephesians 5:1


A Mother’s Phone

The child at his mother’s knee, “does your phone mean more to you than me?“
Although it’s not said verbally, he often thinks this silently.

A mother’s phone, a thief at best, is children’s most unwelcome guest,
It steals their mother’s heart and mind, and to her family makes her blind.

With downcast eyes and saddened heart, quietly he soon departs-
Unloved, unwanted, pushed aside, resentment bottled up inside.

The mother never meant to hurt, by always being short and curt,
Distracted by a world of care, from latest news that others share.

A world so vast and yet not real, where other’s lives look so surreal.
This slowly caused her discontent, her home routine she now resents.
While other’s lives look so grandeur she wonders what is wrong with hers.

Her child sees her on her phone- smiling, laughing, yet alone.
Wondering why he cannot win, the affections of his mother’s grin.

Dear mother, is this story true, your child thinks these words of you?
Put down your phone, behold their face, and in your arms their frame embrace.

For children soon sprout wings and fly and leave our nests and make us cry.
We’ll one day reap what we have sown regretting time spent on our phones.

Treasure those who love you best, for if you do, you will be blessed!
By: Kristin Eason

When Christians are Offended with One Another

We are living in a day where everyone is offended by every.little.thing. Offense is found in every news report, social media message, every business, church, or just daily life with others. There are numerous reasons for being offended:

Someone expressing an opinion that differs from ours
Unmet expectations we have of someone who has let us down
Harsh or critical comments
Being left out
Seeing someone else’s faults
Feeling overlooked or underappreciated
Jealousy

But, the true cause of offense is pride.

Someone has wronged ME, someone has hurt ME, someone disagrees with ME, someone doesn’t care about ME…..

While being offended is something to be expected of non-Christians, many Christians are being offended today.

God’s Word has a lot to say about being offended and how allowing ourselves to be easily offended causes bitterness to take root in our lives.

Do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:18
Notice it says, “as far as it depends on YOU”. You can not control the actions of others, but you CAN control how you respond.
With God’s help you don’t have to be offended!

The opposite of being offended is love.
Love is long suffering towards others and not easily provoked.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

As Christians we will always face irritants and annoyances, but it’s what we do with the offense that matters.

Do we dismiss it immediately or do we allow it to fester as we allow ourselves to dwell on the incident over and over and over?

When offended, most people don’t address the issue with the person that caused the offense, which sometimes can be a good thing, but secretly harbor all kinds of negative emotions which is detrimental to their relationship with the Lord.
Holding on to bitterness is a deadly sin that poisons every part of our being with anger, malice, and eventually hate.

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled. – Hebrews 12:15

Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:15

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Colossians 3:8

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

God’s Word tells us to unconditionally love, always forgive, and do everything within our power to be at peace with everyone.

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 8:14-15

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” Psalm 119:165

So, put off all offenses and put on LOVE, the bond of perfection!


Everything about which we are tempted to complain may be the very instrument whereby the Potter intends to shape His clay into the image of His Son- a headache, an insult, a long line at the check-out, someone’s rudeness or failure to say thank you, misunderstanding, disappointment, interruption. As Amy Carmichael said, “See in it a chance to die,” meaning a chance to leave self behind and say yes to the will of God, to be “conformable unto His death.”
Elisabeth Elliot


Calvary Love
By: Amy Carmichael


If I have not compassion on my fellowservant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any; if I can speak in a casual way even of a child's misdoings, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve around myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not give a friend "the benefit of the doubt," but put the worst construction instead of the best on what is said or done, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I take offense easily; if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.

If I say, "Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget," as though the God, who twice a day washes all the sands on all the shores of all the world, could not wash such memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

The Silent Witness of a Smile

I’m sure we can all attest to the impact of a simple smile. On days we are in an “off” mood and someone smiles at us, we are instantly encouraged and uplifted. We also can attest to the way we feel whenever we are around people who never seem to smile and have a look of doom and gloom on their face.

God’s Word says that a happy, joyful, heart makes a cheerful face and that those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy! I don’t know about you, but I know my face doesn’t always convey radiance of joy, but I believe that it can and it should!
The flesh likes to live according to how we feel, but feelings constantly change. We are commanded in Galatians not to live according to our flesh (emotions), but by the Spirit, the life of Christ residing in us. That means we have to choose joy!

As Christians our face should be a walking billboard of the transforming grace and power of the Lord Jesus Christ! Having a downcast countenance changes the entire atmosphere of our home and affects everyone we come in contact with. Try it and you’ll see! Make it a point to look at your children and husband and smile at them. Watch their reaction and remember the power of a smile!

What message is our face sending to the world and to those around us? Is it a message of joy and hope in the Spirit or a message of defeat, despair, and self pity?
I once heard that our countenance reflects what is going on inside of our heart and is the index of our soul. If we are harboring bitterness, un-forgiveness, un-confessed sin, ingratitude, or self pity in our hearts then it will show up on the countenance of our face.

Our countenance can be a silent witness that can eventually give us the opportunity to share verbally the power of the Gospel to change and transform lives! So smile at someone today! :)

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. Proverbs 15:13-14

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalm 3:3

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:5

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 42:11

Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. Ecclesiastes 8:1

One Thing is Needful- A Reminder to Live for the Eternal

The cares of this life is dangerous when it means neglecting our relationship with the Lord. Don’t labor for the bread that perishes and neglect feeding the soul, which will live forever. Be like Mary, who chose the good part, choosing the eternal over the temporary, and chose to take time to sit at the Lord’s feet. Don’t let yourself get so busy serving the Lord that you sacrifice your relationship with the Lord. When work and service is highly esteemed and the spiritual life forgotten, we cannot fulfill God’s will for us- to be conformed to the image of Christ. We can only be conformed as we take the time to read and study His Word and be faithful in prayer seeking His face before all things. Serving the Lord with little to no fellowship with the Lord is fruitless and vain.

One thing is needful. (Luke 10:42)

Martha was distracted.

Mary chose the good part.

What will you choose- the temporary or eternal?

How to Overcome in a World of Distractions

Not only does our Savior come to save us from our sin, but He comes to save us from hopelessness, discouragement, and the pit of despair. He came to give us life more abundantly in and through Him! He takes our sin and works of the flesh and makes us grow in the fruit of His Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The secret to living the abundant christian life is Christ in us- the Hope of Glory!

The devil also comes, not to give, but to take. He wants to steal our joy, our hope, our future. He wants to kill our marriage, our family, our faith. He wants to destroy your home, your child-like trust in Christ, your testimony, and your very soul.
He comes to you when you are at your weakest- when you are tired and have no strength- during an illness, while the children are bickering, or whenever things are all going well and you begin to have a self-sufficient spirit instead of trusting in Christ who is your strength. He tells you lies, one at a time, until you begin to believe them.
He plants discouragement, fear, envy, bitterness, and evil suspicions in your mind. He tells you that you don’t have what it takes to endure to the end and that your faith will fail.

There is only one way to be an over comer and the answer is not to try harder, but to surrender your life DAILY, even moment to moment, to Christ. Stop striving in your flesh. It’s not your righteousness that saves you or keeps you- it’s His. It’s Christ in you- the Hope of Glory! If Christ is truly in you, you will love Him, you will OBEY Him. All throughout God’s Word it says that our love for Jesus is shown through our obeying His Word. We are to be doers of His Word and not hearers only. And we can’t obey Him if we have never fully surrendered our will to His. It is God who works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure. To many people today are burned out trying to live the Christian life apart from Christ.

Are you growing as a christian? A true christian grows more and more each day into the likeness of Christ. Are you more loving, merciful, kind, forgiving, holy, set-apart than you were a year ago? Or are you drifting more and more into the cares of this world, the business of life that keeps you to busy from prayer and reading His Word? Only by spending time daily in His presence can we be conformed to His Image. Whose image do you reflect- the world’s or Christ?

The days are evil and will get worse each day as the end draws to a close. Now isn’t the time to be wasting precious hours on things that wont count for eternity.
We are living in a world with so many distractions and substitutes that keep us from growing into the fullness of Christ. ANYTHING can be a distraction- your blog, your face book and other media, your hobbies, your love of reading good, wholesome christian books.

Yes, I said good, wholesome christian books. There is no end to the making of books and always reading the opinions of others is wearisome to the mind and brings confusion. To place a higher value on christian books over the Bible is idolatry.


And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12:12


Don’t neglect the One who died to save your soul. He is the only one that can bring true joy and satisfaction. Do you hunger for Jesus more than anything or are you drinking from broken wells of this world that can never satisfy?

For My people have committed two evils:
They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,
And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 2:13

Return to the Almighty and let Jesus be your greatest Treasure! He will Shepherd and oversee your soul and bring you to your desired eternal home at last!

If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up;
You will remove iniquity far from your tents.
Then you will lay your gold in the dust,
And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks.
Yes, the Almighty will be your gold
And your precious silver
Job 22:23-25


For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
I Peter 2:25

Why We Don't Want Children

http://www.ephrataministries.org/remnant-2012-07-why-we-dont-want-children.a5w
EPHRATA MINISTRIES:
Michael Fisher - Bedford, PA

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Ge. 1:28

In the beginning, the first command God gave mankind mandated the reproduction of the man and woman, with the purpose of filling the earth with people. God would receive glory and pleasure by the expansion of the human race across the earth He had created.[1]

The fall of man meant that the growth of the human race would be accompanied by all the problems caused by Adam and Eve’s sin. As one specific consequence of the fall, children would be born in great pain. However, we understand from Scripture that children were considered a great blessing—not a curse.

One of the most familiar statements in the Scriptures about the blessing of children comes from Psalm 127:3-5:


Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Twice this passage emphasizes that children are a gift from God. It also seems to suggest that a “full” number of children is something to be desired, and is a source of happiness.

The past hundred years have seen considerable change in family demographics in this country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average household size in 1900 was 4.60 persons. One hundred years later, in 2000, this number decreased to 2.59—a fairly dramatic change.[2]

These numbers reflect society as a whole. However, it seems more than likely that this trend is reflected in Christian subcultures as well. Conservative Christian groups are often characterized by larger families, but many of these groups would likely show a decrease in family size over the past century if a scientific study were done on them.

Conservative Anabaptists have typically been among the last bastions holding out against societal changes. However, even in these groups, a similar trend seems apparent. A 2006 study by Cory Anderson noted this trend in the Beachy Amish churches.[3]

Some time ago, a midwife lamented to my wife and I that she was obligated to purchase stocks of birth control products at Walmart for the Plain ladies in her community who were too embarrassed to be seen buying them.

The bottom line is clear: we are having fewer children. And it is not by accident.

The primary reason for the decrease in family size over the past hundred years seems fairly obvious. Discoveries in science and technology have brought access to easy, reliable, and affordable methods of birth control. No one needs to have children unless they intend to do so. Now, more than ever, having children is optional.

There are valid ethical debates about birth control methods. This discussion will not enter into those questions. Rather, the question to be addressed is one that is more basic: Why do we want to prevent conception in the first place? Why don’t we want children?

All methods and means of birth control have the same purpose: the prevention of conception. The motives behind the desire to prevent conception will be the focus of this discussion.

As Christians, we should be more than willing to examine our motives in the light of Scripture. Are we willing to take an honest look at our motives, critique them, and even modify behavior if necessary?

Why?

What then are the reasons we want to prevent having children? The following list of reasons is intended not so much to overtly approve or condemn any particular motive, but to begin in our minds the process that was described earlier of getting to the root of why.[4] The process begins with examining our motives in the light of what the Scriptures have to say about this topic. I believe that for the most part we well know what God thinks about this. The following list is probably incomplete, but here are a few possible motives for not wanting children:
•We dislike the stigma attached to large families. Large 15-passenger vans full of children are embarrassing spectacles, as are the string of children at the grocery store. People make jokes. Even Christian people chuckle, “Yeah, God said to be fruitful and replenish the earth, but he didn’t say it had to be done by one family alone!” Everyone “knows” that children in large families are deprived of proper attention and care. Obviously, too many children, not spaced apart enough, are “evidence” of poor planning and management on the part of the parents. Nobody wants that kind of image. Making sure there are two or three years between children is as important to our image as keeping our property landscaped nicely.[5]


Have you ever noticed ...
◦how the world seems to have more concern for animals than for humans?
◦how there is a fine of up to $5,000 for killing a bald eagle, yet abortions are acceptable?
◦how our culture thinks it nothing to spend hundreds of dollars on pedigreed dogs, yet does not want children?

It is nothing new. Consider this quote from Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215):


But those who are more refined than these keep Indian birds and Median peafowls, and recline with peak-headed creatures; playing with satyrs, delighting in monsters. They ... overlook the chaste widow, who is of far higher value than a Melitaean pup, and look askance at a just old man, who is lovelier in my estimation than a monster purchased for money. And though maintaining parrots and curlews, they do not receive the orphan child; but they expose children [ed. - leave them out to die] that are born at home, and take up the young of birds, and prefer irrational to rational creatures; although they ought to undertake the maintenance of old people with a character for sobriety, who are fairer in my mind than apes, and capable of uttering something better than nightingales; and to set before them that saying, “He that pitieth the poor lendeth to the LORD”; and this, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.” ANF II, 278
•We may wish to pursue adoption or dedicate our lives to other ministry avenues. Some have suggested that with all the children in the world who are available for adoption, Christians should perhaps forego having, or at least limit the number of, their own children for the purpose of helping as many of these as possible. The adoption of children is without question as blessed a pursuit as that of having one’s own children. If there really are those who are willing to forego having a family of their own in favor of serving their fellow man in this way, it seems difficult to criticize this motive. This line of thought seems to imply that children can hinder ministry. It might be worth mentioning, however, that having children may open as many doors in ministry as it may seem to close. Perhaps having children interferes with our plans more than it hinders God in His plans.
•We do not view children as a blessing. Clearly, the Scriptures speak of children as a gift and blessing from the Lord. However, some parents may really view them as a bother. It is sad that a family should have any child who is not seen as a gift from God. Families, large or small, where there is not sincere love and thankfulness for each child are indeed a sad situation.
•We find it challenging to meet the needs of the children we already have. This is a very real giant that parents face. The responsibilities of parents, particularly of mothers, can at times be overwhelming. There is never a vacation for a mother. The clothing must be washed. The house must be cleaned. The meals must be prepared. This is in addition to the attention that must be paid to the physical needs of each child, as well as the educational, social, emotional, and spiritual needs. And although fathers can feel overwhelmed as well, often the mother is the one who bears the weight of this burden.
•We face health issues. Pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing are often complicated by preexisting health conditions. Even in the best circumstances, every birth is some sort of health risk. Childbearing may be physically impossible for reasons that are out of our control. Scripture speaks of God opening and closing the womb. Having children is not always a matter of choice.
•We are afraid. We may fear childbirth. We may be afraid we cannot provide for more children. We may fear having a dysfunctional family. We may fear what others think. We may fear loss of freedom. Fear seems to be coupled with a lack of faith. Faith is believing that He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” But fear militates against faith, and fear often leads one to trust in man’s wisdom rather than God.
•We can. With the advance of technology, we have easy access to effective birth control products. With the advance of science, we better understand the human body. Thus, we understand practices that help to prevent conception. We live in a modern Western society with new and “better” ways. We have health care choices that most people in history could only dream of. And so we prevent conception for no better reason than that we can.
•We may face financial issues. Children are expensive. When a child is born, it can cost a family anywhere between a few thousand dollars and everything they own. Each child is a financial risk. The possibility of sickness, injury, or other problem poses a constant financial hazard to a family. The cost of sufficient housing can be considerable for a large family. Even though as a whole we live in a financially prosperous society, economic success does not always translate into a family-friendly lifestyle. Stress, along with countless technological and social interferences made possible by affluence, encroaches on family time.
•We may have a better understanding of the responsibility of parents. Perhaps the parents of large families that we have observed seem to have had their large families almost by accident, without having a clear purpose and vision. Never before have we had so many resources, books, and sermons on child training. Perhaps one result of this is that some feel that they have a clearer concept than some others of the seriousness of parental responsibilities, leading them to be more intentional in their family planning.
•We feel that preventing conception reflects proper consideration of the husband for the wife. 1 Peter 3:7 is sometimes quoted in this regard: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel …” Even if there are no clear health, financial, or other reasons to prevent having children, it is sometimes suggested that doing so is simply a loving gesture of courtesy and consideration towards the wife.
Large families
Almost nowhere in our culture is having large families promoted. Have you ever seen an advertisement featuring a family with six or eight children?

•We have been influenced by secular thinking concerning the problems of population growth. Our culture not only outright, but also subliminally, teaches that small families are the way to go. As conservative Christians, we may scoff at the dire predictions of earth-conscious environmentalists who declare that having children at all is helping to doom the planet, but we may be succumbing to the more subtle influences that end up pointing us the same direction. Almost nowhere in our culture is having large families promoted. Have you ever seen an advertisement featuring a family with six or eight children? This thinking permeates our culture, and we may be shaped by it more than we realize.
•We don’t really know why. Just like some people seem to have had large families seemingly almost without thinking about it, we size our families smaller in the same sort of aimless way. We have no vision or strong compelling reasons to have children. Family does not excite us.
•We don’t have the time. A friend once lamented about the lack of time in his busy community, which is known for being saturated with Christian churches:
“The community is thriving, and there are seemingly always things to do, and good activities to be involved in. Committee meetings, PTF meetings, graduation ceremonies, school programs, ball games, prayer meetings, revival meetings, support group meetings, chorus practice, benefit auctions, fundraisers, and the list goes on. But it all comes with a price. With all this activity, there seem to be precious few evenings to simply spend at home. And even at home we have our distractions. E-mail, cell phones, and Facebook allow us to stay in touch with more people, from all over the world, than ever before. And so our already-stretched lives get stretched even more.”
Where in the world are we supposed to find time to have children? Educations need to be completed, businesses must be established, and of course the newly married must have time to enjoy and learn to know one another without distractions. Yes, certainly, children are wanted, children are valued, and children are blessings—when we find the time.
•We may lack the support of our community. Some communities are well known for the practice of having young ladies volunteer significant amounts of time and effort helping mothers with small children. Sometimes more experienced families are able to offer encouragement by example. Not all families are blessed with this sort of community support. In some cases, those who might be available to lend a hand to overwhelmed families might have other interests. But it is possible for a family to feel alone and overwhelmed, which makes the idea of having more children less appealing.
•We don’t like giving up control. To leave open the question of how many children we will have seems irresponsible and scary. A woman of average health might conceivably have children as often as every year or two. Is managing this natural course of events any different from cutting one’s hair, mowing the lawn, or taking Tylenol to help a headache?
•We are selfish. Recently, a friend was telling my wife about the first years of their marriage. They waited a number of years to start their family, because they were enjoying the free lifestyle provided by two sizable incomes and no children. “We were selfish,” she said simply. Selfishness seems to be a primary reason that people don’t want children. Other reasons may often be simply a cover for pure selfishness. Children interfere with our personal interests, our freedom, our time, our resources, and our plans.

As we have focused on our own hearts in this way, hopefully the Spirit of God has made the connections, or in some cases revealed the disconnects, between our reasoning and the teaching of the Scriptures. As we allow this process to reach its completion, the course of our lives will be altered, perhaps radically, as we attempt to align our thinking and our actions with God’s expressed word in relation to children.

Big house; small family
The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing, but in our culture we apply for a curse and reject blessings. Something is wrong with this picture.

In conclusion, there are a few things that should be clear to us in thinking through this issue. We understand that there has been a distinct shift in family demographics in the recent past. We also know that, relative to other parts of the world and other times in history, we enjoy unprecedented prosperity and unparalleled access to health care. Financial success and generally improved health, however, have not caused an increase in family size in our society and in our communities; rather, the opposite is the case. We are wealthier and healthier than past generations, and therefore seemingly better able to sustain larger families, and yet our families are shrinking. It seems clear then that much of our reasoning in limiting our family size can be attributed to pure selfishness.[6]

In a widely circulated quote, Doug Philips notes another irony about our culture. “The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing, but in our culture we apply for a curse and reject blessings. Something is wrong with this picture.”[7] Clearly, our values as a culture are reflecting values other than those the Bible promotes.

A final clarification should be that it is not at all necessary to have children in order to be blessed of God. In fact, the single person or the husband and wife who are childless or whose family is limited by circumstances out of their control can expect God’s special attention. “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land” (Ps. 68:5,6).

If we were to act primarily by the values in God’s word and of His kingdom, instead of the self-centered, materialistic values of our generation and culture, how might we think and act differently in terms of planning our families?

There are single persons or childless couples whose “families” far exceed those of others both in number and in blessing. “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord” (Is. 54:1).

If we were to act primarily by the values in God’s word and of His kingdom, instead of the self-centered, materialistic values of our generation and culture, how might we think and act differently in terms of planning our families? Fifty or a hundred years from now, what investment of ours will matter most?

May you advance on a journey that leads you toward what God wanted the world to be in the first place, when He spoke of a verdant earth filled with His creation, which would continuously glorify Him and bring Him pleasure.


And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. Ge. 1:31

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Lu. 18:16 ~


[1] Ed. Note: God loves people. Satan hates people. While it is true that Satan hates a holy man more than a carnal man, he simply hates all men and is on a mission to destroy humanity. Think about this mission in the light of birth control.

[2] No. HS-12. Households by Type and Size: 1900 to 2002, U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/statab/hist/HS-12.pdf. Accessed 2/12/2012.

[3] “Contemporary Beachy Amish Mennonite Birth Rate Trends and Evaluations” by Cory Anderson. http://www.user.shentel.net/coryaa/birthrates.htm. Accessed 2/29/2012

Christianity Begins In the Home

"Christianity begins in the home. If not there, it is nowhere. We may attend meetings, and sing hymns, and join devoutly in prayer. We may give money to the poor, and send missionaries and Bibles to the heathen. We may organize societies of every description for doing good. We may get up church fairs, and tea-parties and tableaux and picnics. We may, in short, devote all our time and all our means to doing good, and yet not be the true and earnest Christians we ought to be, after all.
If they cannot say of us in the family at home; “He, or she, is a Christian, we know it, we feel it,” –if home is not a better and happier place for our living in it, if there is not an influence going out from us, day by day, silently drawing those about us in the right direction, then it is time for us to stop where we are, and begin to examine our profession to the name of Christian.
Christianity. Christ-likeness. Is that ours? Are we possessed of that? Are we patient, kind, long-suffering, forbearing, seeking with all our hearts to do good, dreading with all our hearts to do evil? For if we are Christ’s we shall be like Him; and the first fruits, and the best fruits of our daily living will be in the better and happier lives of those who are about us day by day."
~ John Angell James in Golden Thoughts of Mother, Home and Heaven, edited by Gene Fedele.

The Unruly Woman vs. the Noble Woman

She can be found at every corner- gadding about.

 According to Cambridge dictionary gadding about means to visit or travel to a lot of different places, enjoying yourself and not worrying about other things you should be doing.

This is the life of the unruly woman-
She will not submit to her calling as a wife/mother. She is headstrong, which is considered an asset in worldly eyes.  She often volunteers for every activity under the sun and can even be found teaching Sunday school, leading Bible studies and prayer groups. She is found attending every community affair and is involved in as many outside activities that she can.
There is only one place that you will not find the unruly woman- in her own home.

She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. Provers 7:11

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

To the unruly woman, the domestic duties of caring for a husband and children are beneath her.  She doesn't dare waste her time when she has much more important matters to tend to.  The unruly woman convinces herself that she is doing ministry because many of the things she is doing is considered an honor by the christian circle.  She often hears the praise of men for the sacrifice she makes with her time to serve others, while those of her own  household is daily neglected.
The unruly woman usually takes care of the outside needs of her family such as clothing so that she can impress others, but the inside needs- that of tending and discipling her little lambs are neglected as she pursues her own dreams and ambitions and leaves the tending that should be her job to the daycare or babysitter.
The unruly woman feels that she is superior to the mothers that "waste" their lives and their talents wiping noses, changing diapers, and will never understand why on earth anyone would ever willingly sacrifice their life to stay at home.  She can never be found cooking wholesome meals for her family, in her prayer closet, or holding her children in her arms while reading them a story. She is much too busy for such things.  If for some rare occassion she is found at home-perhaps when a child is sick, she quickly turns on a movie so her children will be quiet while she checks her email or updates her faceebook status.
The unruly woman can be very religious and moral and may know the scriptures, but sadly she doesn't  know the Lord she is reading about.
The unruly woman knows nothing of sacrifical love or dying to self. Her children are often viewed as hindrances to ministry instead of the primary ministry that the Lord has called her to.
The unruly woman isn't ruled by the Lord, but by her own fleshly desires.  She is rather successful in ruling over her husband by her unsubmissive spirit and argumentative attitude. Instead of seeing herself as God calls her- the husband's help meet, she sees her husband as someone that is there to meet her own needs. She thinks the Bible verses that talk about submission are outdated and not relevent for today.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24

The unruly woman's family is driven by activities, entertainment, and media. They are always gadding about-  going to and from ballgames, music lessons, daycare, shopping malls, sporting events, among many other things.  They are never found around the dinner table with a home-cooked meal or having family prayer and devotions.  They are too busy to build meaningfull relationships with the Lord or with those of their own household, but somehow manage to find the time to spend on facebook and other media sites.

Titus 2:4-5
That they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7

The life of the noble woman is much different.
She enjoys making a home.  She sees her home as the place where true ministry begins. She realizes that one day she will have to give an account to the Lord for the souls of her children that the Lord has entrusted to her care. She takes her job very seriously and guards against any outside distractions or anything else that may harm her family.  She is often found in her prayer closet for she knows that without the Lord she can do nothing.  She seeks direction, wisdom, and strength from the Lord each day and is purposefully living life with the end in mind.  She often grows weary, tired, and gets discouraged after caring for her home, and those of her household all day, but she knows that God's Word is true-
...Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

She knows that even a cup of water given in His name will not go overlooked.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42

The noble woman is often mocked by other christians who label her as being too family focused and of neglecting ministry.  But the noble woman isn't shaken, for she knows the truth and patiently awaits the harvest of all her labor. Serving Christ by loving her husband and children and training them up in the ways of the Lord is the very least she can do for all that Christ has done for her.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8

The noble wife is also involved in outside ministry.  After she has first been faithful in her own  home, she then becomes a blessing to the homes of others.  She and her children are often found bringing a hot meal to someone that is sick, writing cards of encouragement, or meeting any other needs that the Lord lays on her heart.  She teaches her children how to share the gospel with lost family members and is always looking for opportunities to share and do good to others.

Who can find a noble wife? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

A seed is useless until it is cast into the soil where it will die in order to become something greater- a plant, a flower, a tree.  In the same way, my dedication to life at home as a mother is a seed of sacrifice.  I give up my own desires and sacrifice my gifts and talents so that new life may come from me. I am buried in the rich soil of homework, homeschooling, chracter training, disciplining, and the myriad responsibilities of making a home. To many in my generation, my decision to stay at home is a fruitless sacrifice, a waste of feminine intelligence and abilities. To me, though, it is a small sacrifice if by it I may send my children into the next generation bursting with spiritual life, ready to change the world for Christ. Fruitless? Only by the world's standards. By God's it is a worthy sacrificce that will  yield a harvest of righteousness. 
Sally Clarkson


The biggest sacrfice for me has been in the areas of relationships and harmony. Once I dedicated my life to biblical motherhood, I very quickly found myself crashing into relational barriers where before there had been none. All of a sudden I was "too commited" to my home and family and not involved enough in outside activities that would provide my children a "balanced life."
 Sally Clarkson

Blessings of Obedience and the Results of Disobedience

Picture Source

Obedience to God isn't an option. Those who truly love the Lord will obey Him and it will be a delight to do so. Obedience to God isn't always easy and there will be times when we will fail, but if we repent, God is always faithful to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.  Each morning the children and I try to have a short morning devotion. I thought it would be nice to type out the blessings of obedience and the results of disobedience and laminate them as a reminder of the blessings that follow obeying the Lord and as a warning of the path of disobedience. We plan to study some of the scripture references for our devotions in the upcoming weeks. 
Jesus didn't come only to forgive us of our sins, but He came to save us FROM our sins. Jesus gives us the power to overcome sin. In Him we have victory!
 
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
Hebrews 5:9

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
 Matthew 7:21

Source

Blessings of Obedience:

Peace with enemies- Proverbs 16:7

Deliverance- Proverbs 11:21

Strong confidence and a place of refuge- Proverbs 14:26

Eternal life- Rom.2:7

Preserved by the Lord.-Ps. 121:7

Long life-Pr.3:2

Favor with God-Pr.3:4

Direction- Pr.3:6

Health to bones-Pr.3:8

Provision- Pr.3:10

Prayers that are heard- Pr.15:29

Delivered out of trouble- Pr.11:7

Fruitful life -.12:12

Mouth of wisdom- Pr.10:31

Peace, quietness, assurance- Isa.32:17

Mercy and truth- Ps.32:10, Pr.14:22

Children taught by the Lord and peace- Isa.54:13

Life everlasting -Gal.6:8

Happiness- Ps. 128:2

Blessings- Ps.128:4

No fear- Isa.54:14

Everlasting joy and gladness- Isa 51:11

Crown of righteousness- 2 Tim.4:8

Grace and glory -Ps.84:11

Life, righteousness, and honor- Pr.21:21

Friend of God- John 15:14

 

But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

We can give all our money to the poor, share the gospel, teach sunday school, take care of the sick; but it doesn't matter if your ministry isn't the outflow of obedience.
 On the outside we may look the part, but if we lack obedience to the Lord and we're living intentionally in our sin without repenting or forsaking our sin, then nothing else matters.  Nothing we do can make up for lack of obedience to the Lord.  Before we can ever obey the Lord we have to first be born again; which means to be given a new heart that desires to please the Lord.  Without a new heart and the Spirit of God living inside of us, we can never live a life of obedience and will face the consequences listed below.
Results of Disobedience:
Death- Rom.8:6

Wrath of God- Rom2:7

Shortened life- Prov.10:27

Curses- blindess, madness, confusion, and disaster-Deut.28:20,28

Unfruitful life- Lk.8:14

An end that leads to destruction- Phil.3:19, Prov.10:29

Enslaved, weighed down- Lk.21:34-36

Death -Ezek.18:4

Will reap vanity and corruption- Pr.22:8, Gal. 6:8

Trouble- Pr.15:6

Never satisfied- Pr.13:25

Will perish -Ps.1:6, Ps.37:20

Will reap what he sows- Ps.7:15

Lack of understanding- Prov.28:5

Sudden calamity- Pr.28:18

God’s displeasure -Pr.15:8

Far from the Lord- Prov.15:29

Tribulations and anguish- Rom. 2:9

No peace- Isa.57:21


 

Having an Answer For the Hope We Believe In

Several weeks ago during our family devotions I started asking my children basic questions about the christian faith.  Although they knew the answers in their hearts, they had a difficult time verbalizing their answers.  I found that it was even difficult for my husband and I on particular questions as well.  1 Peter 3:15 tells us to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect". We as parents need to prepare our children to be able to answer basic questions about the christian faith such as:

What is justification?
What is sanctification?
Who is God?
What is sin?
How do you know there is a God?
What does it mean to be born again?
How can you know if you are truly saved?
Where did sin come from?

I have found the best way to teach my children the answers to these questions isn't just me reading the answers, but having them give the answers outloud themselves.  In our family devotions we let the children take turns answering questions about the christian faith. This will help them to witness to the lost in the future and help increase their own personal faith in Christ. Alot of children can have a strong foundation of faith and know what they believe, but still have a difficult time expressing themselves. 

A resource I highly recommend is something called a catechism.  Alot of christians are unfamiliar with this word and relate it to the Catholic faith, although this isn't true.  Catechism (from the Greek word catechesis) is simply instruction in the basic doctrines of the Christian faith.
A catechism is a summary of the basic Christian beliefs in a Q & A format. It's that simple. 
The use of a catechism does not and should not take the place of the Bible, but is a supplement to use to help children understand the basic concepts of faith from the Bible. Make sure when looking for a catechism that you purchase one of the christian faith.  Another one I recommend is The Westminster Shorter Catechism. 
The one we use for our family is called Training Hearts Teaching Minds  I highly recommend it as a family resource in teaching your children the basic beliefs of christianity.  It has even helped me have a better understanding of scripture and be able to explain myself better. 

Be ready to spread the word whether or not the time is right. Point out errors, warn people, and encourage them. Be very patient when you teach. 2 Timothy 4:2 God's Word Translation

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6


.

Stop Striving and Start Abiding

I can't think of anything more exhausting than trying to produce fruit apart from Christ.  It is impossible. You cannot become more loving, patient, or kind without abiding in Christ daily.  It is not our job to produce fruit, but to bear fruit.  If you are struggling with a hot temper, foul mouth, bad attitude, you don't need to work harder to change your behavior, you need Christ.  Ask yourself when the last time was that you spent time with the Lord and if you are abiding in Christ.

Hos. 14:8 "From Me comes your fruit."

To abide in Christ is the only way to live a fruit-filled life.  We abide in Christ when we:

1. Are filled with the Holy Spirit- without the Spirit you can't produce the fruit of the Spirit.

2.  Are led by the Spirit.
Not by your desire to impress others, not by selfish ambitions, but by Christ Who is living inside of you.

3.  Spend time each day in prayer.
If we truly love someone we will spend time with that person.  How can we say we love Christ, but not spend time in prayer getting to know Him?

4.  Spend time in His Word.
God's Word is our daily bread- It is alive and active.  I heard a quote somewhere that said that the Bible is the only Book you can read with the Author standing right beside you while you're reading it.  Spending time in His Word strengthens our faith, convicts of our sin, directs our paths, and encourages our hearts. 

 If we neglect any of the following we will notice that it's not long before the works of the flesh become evident. I've learned that whenever I neglect prayer or reading my Bible, I always develop a bad attitude.  I have a short temper with my kids and have a complaining and critical spirit.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  
envyings,murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21

Whenever you are lacking in the fruit of the Spirit you need to repent of any known sin and run to the cross of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our only Hope. 

John 15:2
"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

John 15:8
"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

Matthew 7:20 "'By their fruits you will know them"

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

John 15:4-5 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing"

Count the Cost

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is costly. In fact, it costs us our life. One cannot claim to be a born again christian without surrendering all and making Jesus LORD of their life. We must make a willfull decision to become slaves of Christ. If the Lord isn't Lord of ALL He isn't Lord at all. You can't make Jesus your Savior without making Him your Lord. Have you surrendered all?

Your reputation, your time, your dreams, your money, your spouse, your children, your "rights", your comfort, your heart?

In no way does the act of surrender save us. It is Christ's work on the cross, His sacrifice for sin, that is our only means of forgiveness and salvation. But His death is the provision that frees us from sin and enables us- yes, compels us- to surrender ourselves wholly to God. The person who has never acknowledged Christ's right to rule over his life has no basis for assurance of salvation. He may claim to be a Christian; he may have walked an aisle or prayed the sinner's prayer, he may know how to speak "Christianese"; he may be heavily involved in Christian activities; but if he thinks he can have a relationship with God by retaining control over his life and somehow trying to fit Jesus in with everything else, he is deceived and is still at war with God. Sadly, for the past 150 years or more, evangelicalism has developed a theology that offers assurance of salvation to almost anyone who prays a prayer or "makes a decision for Christ," even though he may still be cliniging to his rights, holding on to his sin, and bent on running his own life. The Scripture does not recognize such a profession as genuine. Jesus warned, "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21 Surrender to the will of God is a mark of the truly converted. Nancy Leigh DeMoss from her book Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness.

Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

So what are the costs of being a follower of Jesus Christ?

EVERYTHING you have!

What can you expect from living a life completely surrendered to His Will?

Persecution
When you are following Jesus you will experience persecution from men. You will be hated by many because of the name of Jesus. People that were once your friends will become your enemy. Even those of your own household can turn against you. Are you ready to give up friendship with the world to be a follower of Jesus Christ?

Death

God's Word says we must be born again to inherit eternal life. To be born again we must first die to self. What this means is that your life will be hidden in Christ. To be a true follower of Christ you have to die to the flesh and live by the Spirit. This cannot be done apart from God's Grace.

Joy, Peace, and Eternal Life!

Only through Jesus can we experience true joy, peace, and hope in times of despair.

Just remember... it will be worth it all when we see Jesus! For what good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:26

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.

Deuteronomy 5:32

Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Luke 14:33

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Romans 8:13
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

John 15:18-21
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me .

Matthew 10:34-38
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[a]
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.


Galatians 2:20
20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Luke 14:25-33
25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

John 12:25
25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

God Give Us Homes

Homes where the Bible is honored and taught;

Homes with the Spirit of Christ in their thought;

Homes that a likeness to heaven have caught.

God give us homes!

God give us homes!

Homes with the father in preist-like employ;

Homes that are bright with a far-reaching joy;

Homes where no world-stain shall come to annoy.

God give us homes!

God give us homes!

Homes where the mother is queen-like in love;

Ruled in the fear of the Savior above;

Homes that to youth most inspiring shall prove.

God give us homes!

God give us homes!

Homes with the children to brighten the hours;

Budding and blooming like beautiful flowers;

Places of sunshine-sweet, sanctified bowers.

God give us homes!

By J.R. Clements

Childrearing is Soulwinning . . . Or Not

Posted By Tiffany on October 7, 2010

Modern-day Christian parents can’t figure out why their children are turning away from God in droves and rejecting the faith they were raised with, and it’s not uncommon to hear older couples in churches speak with regret about their children “who aren’t following the Lord.” Bewilderment and confusion surrounds their thinking as they try to grasp how their children could have walked away when they had tried so hard to “raise them right.”

It’s undeniable at this point that Christianity is losing its youth. Although many fall away from faith during high school, the college-aged population is where Christianity is being hit the hardest.

When Christian couples set out to raise a family today, they are well aware of these statistics, but they begin their journey with the best of intentions of raising their one to two children up as godly Christians, hopeful that their children will be an exception. They may even consciously intend on making choices that they believe will help their children remain faithful and moral–taking them to church, restricting what movies they can see, and heavily monitoring and overseeing their interaction with other “worldly” children. Every Sunday morning, they faithfully bring their child to Sunday school, and every Wednesday night, their child is in attendance at Awanas or the other church children’s program. For years, they are involved in every possible church activity, but as the child grows older, the parents wonder why their child isn’t making the faith his own or doing things of his own initiative. By the end of high school or college, the parent is tired of the battles. They don’t want to fight and drag their children to the youth group; they are tired of arguing about modest clothing choices, CDs, movies, boyfriends, and everything else. They look around at the other children in the church and shrug their shoulders. It’s just hard to raise kids in this culture, and they did their best. Apparently, they were just given a child that would not be a Christian. They are saddened and downcast, thinking that they were helpless victims and couldn’t have done anything better.



So said the older mother across from me, a year ago, as we sat in the church nursery rocking babies. She told me her story: how her son had walked away from the Lord, was living with his girlfriend, and was about to have a baby. She talked about how she had always brought him to church and youth group, but she ended with a shrug of her shoulders, saying, “But we tried to raise him right, he just wouldn’t listen. I don’t know what else we could have done.”



I continued to rock the baby asleep in my arms, as she went on, “But your parents, they’re so lucky to have children like you two. Such good examples, ministering and going to a Bible college. Your parents must be so happy!”



I smiled and replied something along the lines of, “Yes, my parents did an excellent job of raising us. The tireless effort my mom put into homeschooling us has really shaped us into who we are today.”



The mother’s tone changed slightly and she replied, “I don’t know how she did it! I would have killed my two kids, I tell you that! Your mother was so lucky to have such good, patient, and quiet kids.”



She continued, “You don’t intend on doing that with your children, do you?”



“Absolutely.” I replied. “It is one of the things I look forward to the most!”



At this, shock and slight repulsion started to show on her face, and she went on to try to convince me why I should work and put my children into public school. Although I tried to present my reasoning, she was incapable of understanding where I was coming from, and she ended our conversation by saying, “Well, you’re young. You might change your mind once you have kids and have to put up with it every day!”



When I walked away from the nursery that day, my mind was just completely boggled by this interaction. Though this woman had admired the results of the training we had received at home from our parents, she failed to see the role that it played in shaping children into mature and God-loving individuals. You see, she may have thought my parents were “lucky,” as in “You must have hit the lottery jackpot and gotten two great kids!” but the truth of the matter was that my parents had put in tireless effort into shaping us into who we were. They were not “lucky,” they were obedient to God’s call to train up your child in the way they should go.



My parents did not simply take us to church and hope that Sunday school and sermons would bring us to the Father. They read us the Word, had nightly devotions, prayed and conversed with us about all of life from a Biblical viewpoint. They also led by example, and showed us what it meant to minister, love, forgive, and put God before all else.



Christian parents who trust in church ministry programs will be disappointed. There is only so much that a church can do for a child, and in the end, it was never the church who had responsibility for the child in the first place. God’s Word calls parents to train up their children, and God gives the responsibility for shaping the child’s worldview squarely into a parent’s hands.



“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” ~Deuteronomy 6:6-9



Notice that this verse speaks of the home having an atmosphere of godly instruction. It is all good and well to have Scripture training at church, but if the home is not the foundation of the child’s Scripture learning, results are doubtful, and the parent is not fulfilling his God-given responsibility.

In a culture where getting a “Christian” child out of the child-rearing experience appears to be “hit or miss,” it is understandable why people react even more harshly to me when I say anything about wanting a big family. To them, this is merely my way of trying to be more spiritual or a “supermom,” while increasing the chance that I will bring up children who walk away from the Lord.



But, let me tell you, I am not setting my mind on this because I think there is anything about having babies that is holy or righteous in and of itself, or because I hope to one day be viewed as “supermom.” Having children for the wrong reasons can be done with any family size in mind. Even Christian parents who have two kids because it’s “the next life step” can be wrongly going about the idea of child-rearing.



Any parent who brings a child into this world ought to do so with fear and trembling and prayer and supplication before the Lord, because a new soul–one that will live eternally–has irrevocably been created, and that soul will end up one of two places. If Christian parents truly believe what they claim to about eternity and Heaven and Hell, than I urge them to think more carefully about what choices they will make in raising their children.



It may not mean homeschooling–though I think public schooling your child will only increase those exhausting battles, and is comparable to swimming upstream–but it most certainly will mean providing a foundation of truth and Gospel learning at home, and not merely Sunday school or church camps.



May God help us to bring up godly children who will glorify Him with their lives, whether we are parents now or will be in the future!

This article orignally appeared on Tiffany’s blog, True Femininity

Children Keeping You Out of the Ministry?

Are you a mother who often feels like you're not serving God unless you are always busy serving in the church? Do you ever wish that you were involved in "true" ministry?  Do you feel guilty for not "doing enough" for God? This was me and is still me at times. I love Jesus and want more than anything to serve Him in everything I do.  I am so thankful I found the blog post below to help remind me of the fact that raising my children IS ministry.


If this sounds like you or someone you know, head over to Walking with Sarah and read Rhonda Devine's post titled, "Children Keeping You Out of the Ministry?" I pray that it will bless you as it did me.

Women are called to manage their homes (1 Tim. 5:14) ; this pleases God and keeps the adversary from speaking reproachfully. Women who make homes keep God’s word from being blasphemed (Titus 2:4). The way I understand this is that a home that is well managed is a positive glory; a home in shambles is a poor testimony. But this is not to lay a guilt trip on women; rather, it should inspire us to view our seemingly mundane tasks as a truly worthy calling that God uses to transform the world. We often think of homekeeping as drudgery. But God says it silences our enemies. That is something potent. God always does things backwards from what we think. This requires wisdom.

Nancy Wilson of Femina

Your good works ought to first be done at home--ministering to the needs of your family. Then if God gives you time, opportunity, available resources or in a different season of life--to take those gifts and those abilities and expand them, as we'll see the Proverbs 31 woman does, outside of your own home.

Nancy DeMoss

We have experienced substantial joys in professional ministry, but nothing is quite so fulfilling as the personal joy of seeing family friends come to faith… The family is at the very heart of authentic ministry and evangelism. As ministry professionals, we hold the firm conviction that family is ministry and that the most effective spread of the gospel occurs through family. We are also convinced that we were never more effective in evangelism than when we had children at home.

Kent and Barbara Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Family, Crossway, 2004, p. 86- 87

Characteristics of a Meek and Quiet Spirit

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

1 Timothy 6:11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

We are to seek meekness, put on meekness, and pursue meekness.  This is a wonderful article below that lists some of the characteristics of a meek and quiet spirit.  I fall so short of having this type of a spirit and realize that I can't develop these characteristics on my own.  Only through abiding in Christ and His grace can I ever manifest any of these characteristics mentioned below.  Meekness isn't a word we use very often in our society.  Society teaches that we are to be bold, loud, outspoken, opinionated,and to stand up for our "rights" as women.  Being submissive, having a meek and quiet spirit is looked down upon by society, but is highly valued by God. 




The meek will be at rest in the storms of life …

(Matthew 11:28–30; Psalm 37:7; Hebrews 4:1–11)

The fretful will be fearful in the storms of life …

(Mark 4:35–41; Jeremiah 50:6)



The meek will react to circumstances with peaceful trust …

(Isaiah 26:3–4)

The fretful will attempt to manipulate individuals or circumstances …

(James 4:1–3; Proverbs 7:21)



The meek will make life choices based on Scriptural principles …

(Psalm 119:105)

The fretful will make life choices based on emotions or fleeting passions of the moment …

(James 3:13–18; Proverbs 19:16)



The meek woman’s confidence is in the security of the truths of Scripture and the faithfulness of God …

(Proverbs 3:26, 14:26; Psalm 119:165; Jeremiah 17:7–8)

The fretful woman’s trust is in her own abilities and power to control others and details …

(Proverbs 12:15, 14:12, 16:25; Jeremiah 18:12)







“Meekness is the silent submission of the soul to the 'providence' of God concerning us.”

—Matthew Henry



The meek woman finds her worth and value in knowing who she is in Christ …

(Ephesians 1:3–8)

The fretful woman finds her worth and value in her own accomplishments and what others think of her …

(Psalm 49:11–20; Proverbs 11:28, 16:18–19, 29:25)




The meek woman finds her strength of character in Christ …

(Ephesians 5:8–11)

The fretful woman finds her strength of character in her own personality traits …

(Proverbs 28:26)


Meekness restrains the stormy tempest of our emotions and passions by commanding them“peace be still” …

(Proverbs 16:32)

Fretting fuels the stormy tempest by venting passions and emotions …

(Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 14:29–30, 29:11, 22)



Meekness is the strength and courage to battle and overcome our own sinful anger and passions, by holding fast to peace—through trusting in the providence of Almighty God …

(Romans 12:18–19; Colossians 3:1–17; 1 Peter 4:19)

The fretful woman is too fearful and weak to trust God,but allows her sinful emotions and passions to rule …

(Proverbs 28:25)


“The work and office of meekness is to enable us to govern our own anger when at anytime we are provoked, and patiently bear out the anger of others that it may not be a provocation to us.”

—Matthew Henry



Meekness is constancy and steady composure in spirit and frame of mind, reflecting the consistent stability of our Lord, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

(Psalm 102:25–27; Ephesians 4:13–15; 1 Peter 3:13–16; Hebrews 13:8)

The fretful woman is always on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, continually up and down …the only thing consistent about her is that you never know what mood to expect.

(Proverbs 21:9, 19, 25:24)



Meekness does not allow the mind to run away with vain imaginations and to dwell on thoughts which inflame volatile emotions and passions …

(2 Corinthians 10:3–5; Philippians 4:8–9)

The rash woman is filled with suspicions, doubts, and assumptions based entirely on emotion, and allows these imaginations to determine the course of action …
(3 John 9–10)



The meek woman does not avoid or run from controversy, but walks through necessary confrontations under the control of the Holy Spirit …

(Galatians 6:1–2; Proverbs 27:5)

The rash woman enters controversy hastily and recklessly …

(Proverbs 10:19, 13:3, 14:16–17, 29:20)




The meek woman is at peace because she is master over her passions …

(Proverbs 17:27, 25:28, 29:11)

The rash woman is fretful because she is mastered by her passions …

(Psalm 37:1–8; Romans 6:16; James 1:14–17)




“It is better by silence to yield to our brother, who is, or has been, or may be, our friend, than by angry speaking to yield to the devil, who has been, and is, and ever will be , our sworn enemy.”

—Matthew Henry




The meek woman speaks truth in love, the law of kindness is on her lips …

(Proverbs 31:26, 16:24; Ephesians 4:1–2, 29)

The rash woman speaks harshly, and is not truly concerned for the listener’s feelings …

(Proverbs 12:18, 16:27; James 3:6–12)




The meek woman patiently waits to hear the whole matter before reacting …

(Proverbs 15:28)

The rash woman reacts emotionally before giving time to pause and consider …

(Proverbs 15:18, 18:13)



The meek woman is not unemotional, but her emotions are ruled by the Spirit of God …

(Proverbs 14:30, 31:25; Galatians 5:22–26; Philippians 4:4–7)

The fretful woman is ruled by circumstances, emotions, and passions …

(Proverbs 29:22; Psalm 37:1–8)


“To study the art of quietness is to take pains with ourselves, to work upon our own hearts the principles, rules, and laws of meekness; and to furnish ourselves with such considerations as tend to the quieting of the spirit in the midst of the greatest provocations.”

—Matthew Henry


The meek woman does not entertain suspicions or assume the worst concerning others—but reacts based on first-hand knowledge …

(Proverbs 18:13, 17)

The rash woman imagines and assumes the worst, then she reacts accordingly …

(1 Timothy 4:7, 5:13)


The meek woman is not easily offended …

(Proverbs 19:11; Romans 14:19, 1 Corinthians 13:4–7)

The fretful woman is easily offended …

(Romans 12:3, 16)


The meek woman forgives quickly …

(Matthew 5:23–25; Ephesians 4:26–27, 31–32)

The fretful woman holds onto offenses and hurts, becoming bitter …

(Hebrews 12:14–15)


Meekness demonstrates gracious restraint. It responds to accusations or criticism with restraint rooted in humility, by recognizing that without God’s grace, I am capable of far worse than what I am being accused.

(1 Peter 3:8–9)



Rashness seeks vengeance. It responds to accusations or criticism with the wrath of a haughty heart.

(Romans 12:14–19)




“If God should be as angry with me for every provocation as I am with those about me, what would become of me?”

—Matthew Henry


The meek woman is still and knows that He is God; therefore she trusts in Him and is at peace …

(Psalm 46:10; Proverbs 18:10, 30:5)

The fretful woman runs through life at a frantic pace, not stopping long enough to sit still and listen to the Master’s voice …

(Luke 10:38–42)

“It is 'in the sight of God of great price.' It is really a precious grace, for it is so in the sight of God … Herein we should every one labor and this we should be ambitious of, as of the greatest honor … it is a thing attainable through the Mediator from whom we have received instruction how to walk so as to please him. We must walk with meekness and quietness of spirit, for this is 'in the sight of God of great price.' Therefore this mark of honor is, in a special measure, put upon the grace of meekness, because it is commonly despised and looked upon with contempt by the children of the world … meekness and quietness of spirit is a very excellent grace which we should every one of us put on and be adorned with.”

— Matthew Henry



© Revive Our Hearts. Written by Kimberly Wagner. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com Info@ReviveOurHearts.com

Meekness is not to be confused with weakness: the meek are not simply submissive because they lack the resources to be anything else. Meekness is quite compatible with great strength and ability as humans measure strength, but whatever strength or weakness the meek person has is accompanied by humility and a genuine dependence on God. True meekness may be a quality of the strong, those who could assert themselves but choose not to do so.

Leon Morris
Matthew, Eerdmans, 1992, p. 98.

Article shared on the Raising Homemakers Link Up.