God's Word Is More Trustworthy Than Your GPS

Today I cancelled my appointments when I woke with a sore throat and swollen glands. In between resting and napping, I watched a youtube sermon ("The Holy Spirit's Power and Our Effort, Part 1") by Francis Chan, and another short portion of a sermon ("The New Middle Road") by him.  Two points from these messages stood out to me:

1. When God says in His Word for us to do something, what do we do? It's really very simple.  When we ask our child to go and clean their room, what if they come back a couple of hours later, and tell us they have memorized what we said to them? They can say it back to us in Greek.  They tell us they are having a few friends over and they are going to do a study on how to clean their room? Hmmm.
2. He compared God's Word and voice to your GPS.  We have made some wrong turns.  We hear God's voice saying, "Recalculating."  We need to look to His Word for directions and listen. He says, "I can still get you there.  It's going to take longer, but I can get you there.  But you have to listen to Me now."

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." Psalm 25:10 (emphasis mine)

My daughter drove all over the western suburbs of the city and out into the countryside today, using our GPS to direct her way.  We got a phone call about the time she was supposed to be arriving at her Bible Study tonight.  The GPS had led her astray, quite a ways from her true destination.  She was going to be about 15-20 minutes late.  We were able to help her find out where she was and how to get back to where she needed to be, but her "faith" in the GPS was a little shaken!


That is one problem we will never have when we rely on God's Word to guide us.  God will never lead us in the wrong direction or astray.  We can put our complete trust and confidence in what He tells us to do.  We can run in the direction He tells us to go!  He is utterly faithful.  His Word is sure.

"For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth...By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth...Let all the earth fear the LORD:  let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast.  The counsel of the LORD standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Psalm 33:4,6,8-9, 11

Psalm 27:11 says, "Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."  This is really saying, "Lead me in a plain path, because of those which observe me."  There are people following me, Lord.  Don't let me get lost, or go off in the wrong direction, because they will get off track, too!  And those who are observing me, will judge You, and Your ways, by watching the path I take.  Please lead me in a plain path for their sakes, and for the sake of Your Good Name, Lord.

"For this God is our God forever and ever:  he will be our guide even unto death."  Psalm 48:14

Thankful Thursday: Drink It Up!

I  recently heard it suggested that, for better health, you should drink a liter of water the first thing in the morning, before you do anything else.   (1 liter = 33.8140226 US fluid ounces!)

For many a moon, I've been a water-drinking fanatic, I guess you could say.  My family simply rolls their eyes when I suggest drinking water as the cure for seemingly every complaint!  But, it does seem to affect every area of our physical lives!

Here are some of the things drinking water does for me!

Drinking water:

• Regulates my body temperature
• Cleanses my system of impurities
• Helps my digestion and keeps me regular
• Helps me lose weight by making me feel full
• Keeps me from getting sick (and if I add lemon to my water, it becomes a natural antibiotic when I am sick!)
• Gives me energy
• Keeps me from getting headaches
• Is a natural moisturizer for my skin

So, after hearing this advice, I naturally pulled out my 32 oz. water bottle, and have been  trying to drink at least half a gallon of water before lunch everyday, starting with downing my 32 oz. water-bottlefull first thing in the morning (or as close to it as possible).  Lately, I've even drunk more than a gallon during the day.  But, I have to think about it, or I forget!  That's because I haven't really established this good habit yet.

This whole water thing got me to thinking of spiritual analogies.  I started thinking of ways that drinking water is similar to reading my Bible and I actually thought of quite a few!

• We must drink water, but not just any water.  We not only need to drink pure drinking water, but spiritually, we must have Jesus Christ, the Living Water.  We find Him throughout the Word of God.  Anything else is tainted and will cause us to be soul-sick or diseased.
•  Water must be available.  If you don't have your Bible, you can't read it, no matter how "thirsty" you are!
• Water must be of good quality.  Just any old translation won't do.
• Water must be pure.  We are not to tolerate any adding or subtracting to the Scriptures.
• I need a water filter to filter out what's bad for me, so that the water is able to help me.  The Holy Spirit is like a filter, allowing me to understand the Word so that it can be applied to my heart and life.
• Water must be actually swallowed to do any good.  God, in the book of James, says we must be doers of the Word, not just hearers only. It's no good to just hear it, you have to believe it and do it.
• Drinking water is always advised, but seldom taken in the quantities suggested.  You always hear people say, "Yes, I should drink more water." And, "Yes, I should read my Bible more."

For physical and spiritual health, it's "just what the doctor," and Our Great Physician, "ordered."

I'm very, very grateful for good quality water to drink everyday but, also, more so, for the Living Water, Jesus Christ, and my Bible--I should never take them for granted.

To participate and read other thankful hearts, visit Laurie at Women Taking a Stand.  Thanks, Laurie, for hosting this month!

Looking To The World?

 In the Bible, "Egypt" is a figure of the "World," which is opposed to God's ways and the path of spiritual Truth and life.  Repeatedly, Israel is exhorted not to go back to "Egypt" or "the World" for its answers or help.  The Lord tells us to find our help in Him.  The world's "help" is really no help.  One reason that's true is because if the Spirit doesn't do the work, it's not eternal.  As I read these verses this morning, I couldn't help but relate what it says to the modern church today, and I encourage you to ask, "Is my church looking to God's Word for its answers, and for direction in everthing it does: what its vision should be, its activities or programs, what the services are like, what staff it has, etc., etc., etc. Are you, as a Christian, looking to God and His Word, as sufficient, to give answers to your problems, direct your life, and help in time of trouble?

Isaiah 30

 ¹Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

 ²That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

 ³Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. 

⁷For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

 ⁸Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

 ⁹That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

 ¹⁰Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

 ¹¹Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

 ¹²Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

 ¹³Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

Isaiah 31 

¹Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

What are you trusting in and relying on for your help?

The Flipside of Irritations: What Are You Getting So Upset About?!

Without warning, a bomb explodes under your feet soon after your foot hits the floor by the side of your bed.  Your spouse is angry.  And by seemingly small irritations!  Little things you neglected to do for him.  Careless words you tossed out without thinking.  "Minor" infractions of the rules of marriage.  Certainly nothing to get angry over!  Really no big deal, right?  Now he's "attacking" you like a wounded bear! And everywhere you step you fear setting off another explosion.  Both of you have already been injured and are bruised and bleeding.  What can be done?

A number of weeks ago, I wrote an article, "He's Driving Me Crazy!  When Little Things Become Big".  This article is the flipside of the coin.  What do we do when "little" things which we have, or have not, done, become "big" to him?

I've noticed that there are 4 Steps We're Tempted to Take that will lead to certain destruction. I've also found at least 8 Steps that will lead to Healing Wounds and Restoring the Minefield of Marriage to a Field of Beauty.  Let me share them with you here.

Steps We're Tempted To Take
That Lead To Certain Destruction

• Anger and Bitterness

Oh, how easy it is to become bitter!  Fight it in God's strength, with all your might. Speak out loud these words: I will trust God. I will obey. I will forgive and I will love my husband.  "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God: lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." Hebrews 12:14-15

• Thinking of His Faults (see taking your thoughts captive, below)
• Taking Revenge

What does God say? Don't give back evil for evil.  "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."  'Giving place' means stepping out of the way of the wrath of God coming down!  You don't want the wrath of God coming on you, because you are taking revenge--Get out of the way! If there's wrath coming down, let it hit the target! Let God take vengeance, if there's any to be taken.  (This is not wishing my spouse to "get it" from God, though.)

• Giving Up

Satan wants us to just get tired of trying, to give up.  We are in a spiritual battle. Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy, and marriage and family is a favorite target.  Be strong and of good courage and don't give up!

Steps That Lead To Healing Wounds and
Restoring Your Marriage To A Field Of Beauty

• Like a drowning man, cry out (to the Lord), and look UP, for help.

You will be tempted to look for help from every other source. You will be tempted to look within yourself, to be introspective, to have a "pity-party"--fight the urge. Cry out to God: if you don't know how or what to pray, or if you're too hurt or angry to pray, just cry, "Help!" He's there.

• Take your thoughts captive; resist the devil and he will flee from you.

This is so important.  Actions follow thoughts. Satan will tempt partners in even the best marriages to hear thoughts such as, "Just walk away. You don't have to put up with this", etc. Put those thoughts away--you have power over your thoughts.  To be tempted in this way is not sin, but it is sin to let these thoughts in, and to dwell on these thoughts, and let them set up residency in your heart and mind.  Discipline your mind to think on truth, and what God says.  Choose righteousness, and you do what is right, without regard to what anyone else is doing. Be strong and vigilant in this area. It is so important.

• Pray for your adversary/enemy/attacker/offender.

Now that he is hurt, he is hurting back, and you feel offended back. You feel attacked.  Be the first to seek peace.  Pray for him.

• Think of what their needs might be and have compassion; show mercy.

Is it possible that he is under special pressure at work?  What happened today or this week?  Might there be things you don't even know about that are beating him up, making him feel like a failure and causing him to question his manhood or his ability to provide for his family? Might this not even have anything to do with you, but be a hurt man lashing out? Does he especially need your love and support right now?

• Treat your spouse as you would want to be treated.

How would you want to be treated right now? When things are really bugging you, and/or you get upset, how do you want him to respond? Now is the time to show the love of Christ (who loved us when we despised him, even dying for us).  The Golden Rule: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:  for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12

• Fill your mind and heart with truth.

Quote appropriate Scripture to yourself.  Open your Bible and read 1 Corinthians 13 (the Love Chapter).  Read Ephesians 5! and Galatians 5:22-23 about the fruit of the Spirit.  Remember Proverbs 18:17: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." And Proverbs 31:26: "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." This is the moment to be the woman worthy of your children rising up and calling you blessed someday. Be an example of how to take reproaches, and criticism, and how to handle tensions and strife.  Your children are watching. Read 1 John 3, especially verse 18.

• Throw out the trash.  Do what is right; confess your sins.
• Purify yourself.  Apply Scripture.  Examine yourself, not him.

1 John 3:1-3: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:  therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." God is perfect. We are not responsible for others' actions, but we are responsible for our reactions. Look within. Don't think about how he has to change. What does God want to change in you? Why did God allow this. Is there any truth in what he says? Anything God wants to change in you through this? This takes a lot of humbling yourself, but remember,

"He giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded." James 4:6-8

Purpose to do today that which will be a step to setting right the thing that has caused the most friction.  Do it for the Lord, who deserves much more than this.  Do what is right. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

God is developing in you a "message" and giving you a ministry, which will help other women in the future.  Wives everywhere around you are searching for the answers to their marital problems.  How God helps you now will become truth lived out in your life, which He then will use to help others.  Learn the lessons well.  God bless you.

Quote of the Day: We're in a War

Do you realize that you're in a battle?  Have you gone into battle without armor, or ammunition?  Are you feeling besieged, and don't know why?  "What have I done wrong?  I feel so overwhelmed!  I'm losing the fight.  I feel like quitting.  I'm the only one who feels this way.  Oh, Lord, help me."  As wives and mothers, we are in a battle. We are the major influencers of the next generation!  Satan is fighting to win the souls of our children.  Our husbands fight the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life daily, out in the world, as they strive to provide for their families.  We are attacked.  There is a war on, and we have gone into battle unprepared!  We must put on the whole armor of God. We must above all be in God's Word, and we must pray!  We are on the winning side:  Don't give up--we will win!



“Every spiritual program must be defended and supported by definite believing prayer. Every God-called man and every God-planned enterprise must have praying folk to pray out the problems. To carry on the work of God is to wage a terrific warfare with Satan and all his hosts. Before the battle there must be preparation wrought in prayer; during the battle the warriors must be upheld by those guided of God to be intercessors; after the battle there should be praise.”
EVERYTHING BY PRAYER - Overholtzer


"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel...(Ephesians 6:10-19, KJV)

What Is In Your Hand?

Everyday lessons for life
From the Bible record of the feeding of the 5000 as recorded for us in Mark 6:30-44.

³⁵And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:  ³⁶Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. ³⁷He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. (emphasis mine) And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? ³⁸He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. ³⁹And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. ⁴⁰And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

 ⁴¹And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. ⁴²And they did all eat, and were filled. ⁴³And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. ⁴⁴And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

What I have is nothing, really--my talents, my abilities, my resources-- in myself, I have nothing to give.  The need, the complexity, the magnitude is so great (whatever is before me on any given day: my "things to do" list, my problems, those who I will meet and the problems they bring to me).  There is no way that what I have will make any difference or meet the need.  Satan says, "Why bother?  Why try?  What difference can it--can you--possibly make?"


He is right, if not for Christ.  When I give Jesus what is in my hand--nothing really, but I give it, nonetheless--a miracle happens.  What before would not even be enough for me--or my family--now is more than enough for all the need!


Why did Jesus instruct the disciples to find out how much food they had?  Perhaps, I think, so they would recognize their total inability within themselves to meet the need.  Now they were ready to recognize Christ at work.  Now they were humble.


He had them sit everyone down on the grass.  Did they believe, or just obey?  Then Jesus gave them back what had been in their hand before, only now it had been transformed by His Touch, His Blessing.  Before He gave it back, He broke it.  When we give ourselves and what is in our hand to Him, we must be willing to be broken.  Then, in obedience, the disciples, and we, give what is in our hand--now transformed, changed, multiplied--to all those before us, and it fills them, feeds them, nourishes them.  And we are not left depleted and empty, but filled ourselves.  There is enough for all when we bring what is in our hand to Jesus.

Timely Tips on Tuesday: What in the World is a Woman to Wear?

The subject of modesty will never grow old, or be answered for all time.  Why? Because it is a spiritual battleground. Men and women are drawn away of their own lusts, but they are tempted by the dress of others.  This is true in the Christian community, as well as in the world.  That is a sad commentary, but true.  Today, I am linking back to an excellent article on the subject of Modesty on the site "At the Well". It is found under the category of "Woman to Woman", which is a section devoted to older Titus 2 women teaching the younger. (The first section of the article was written June 5, 2009, by Andrea Parlinak, with another section following immediately, which was written by another author. I recommend reading both.) 
The Bible has so much to say about the subject of modesty, that it is amazing that many Christians have not given it much thought.  They dress according to their tastes and preferences, and what appeals to their eyes, their flesh and what they think will attract the opposite sex. Does this remind anyone else besides me of the verses in 1 John 2?
¹⁵ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17

Also, in Proverbs 7:10 it says there is a certain way of dressing that is the "attire of a harlot"

 ⁹In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
 ¹⁰And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
 ¹¹(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house).
If there is "the  attire of an harlot", it would naturally follow that we study to not look that way!
But you say, "I don't dress that way!!"  Are you absolutely positive?  What is our dress communicating to men? (I speak to us, as women) Ladies?  Do you know for sure that you are not causing a "brother" to stumble, by provoking his thoughts to lust? (At the end of this article, I am including a survey which our church did of the older boys and men on what caused them problems in a girl's or woman's dress--I think it is very helpful.)

No, it is not only his problem.  I must act in love, and not cause another to stumble, using my liberty as a cloak of maliciousness, 1 Peter 2:16, (using my freedom to harm someone else). 

The sex of a person should be shown in how they dress.  But it goes further than that:
"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Deuteronomy 22:5
I have chosen to wear dresses or skirts all the time, since the Lord convicted me about my way of dressing, through this verse, and other verses and articles.  One reason is that I want to associate with, and identify with, the design that God created me to have: God made me a woman.  I am grateful for that. I want to be fully a woman. I want to look like a woman.  I want to act like a woman. I find it easier to act, sit and move modestly, and act more "ladylike", when wearing a longer skirt. You can do everything that a woman should do wearing a long skirt (in the "olden days" they had to).  I think people treat me more like a woman, and many (even strangers) have voiced their appreciation verbally for the way I dress. It honestly took me a while to figure out and change my wardrobe, and I still have to constantly think about this subject when buying new articles of clothing, and in my thoughts and actions. Please don't think that I think I have "arrived".

Another fact that I think is interesting is: What is the symbol that identifies women worldwide? A little drawing of a stick figure wearing a skirt.  Everyone around the world knows that is the symbol of a woman. That is what you look for when trying to decide which room is the women's room. From a distance, a person has no trouble identifying me as a woman, because I wear a skirt.  If you haven't turned me off yet, I hasten to add that wearing dresses makes me no better, or worse, than anyone else. It's not something that will get me into heaven, or keep me out.  Related to the subject of modesty, until about a hundred years ago, women wore skirts, but that doesn't mean they were always modest.  It goes much deeper than that. I do not tell you to wear dresses, unless the Lord does, and I am not saying that you are sinning if you wear pants.  I am not on any campaign to get women to wear dresses.  What I am doing is urging you to study this subject, and know why you wear what you wear, and that it is pleasing to the Lord. Modesty, like everything else, is a heart issue.



I encourage you to, please, read these interesting and thought-provoking articles, and do a study of Scripture, and decide prayerfully, talking and praying with your husband if you're married, about what you should wear.

Here are some books I recommend to you as you study this subject:

Christian Modesty and the Public Undressing of America, (really thought-provoking historical look at clothing) by Jeff Pollard

What in the World Should I Wear,
by Cathy Corle   Here's a link:
What in the World Should I Wear


"Unless the Lord" magazine:
Article on Modesty
(I didn't read this one at this time.)

Please read this Excellent Article(!) entitled "Modesty in Appearance" by Arlo Moehlenpah

Modesty Survey

55 Responses

Answer to question:  "What is an eye-catcher for you, what do you consider immodest,

what can cause you to have lustful thoughts?"

• Tight shirt, skirt, or pants that reveal the form of the body parts = 42
• Low-cut tops/dresses/blouses that reveal the bust or draw your eyes down = 37
• Short skirts (knee or above) = 20
• High slits in skirts/dresses = 8
• Sheer fabric, see-through material = 6
• Too much makeup = 4
• High heels = 2
• Hair hanging in front of face/unkempt hair = 2
• Lettering on front of shirts = 2

Thankful Thursday: Seder and What It Means

It's Thankful Thursday.  To participate and read other thankful posts, go and visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.  (Thanks, Lynn, for hosting this month!)

Last Friday our family attended a seder presentation, put on by representatives from Jews for Jesus.  I encourage you to attend one, if you ever have the opportunity. It was excellent and I still get chills thinking about it.  I have also watched a video explaining the symbolism of a seder meal and how it is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  One of the elements especially moved me, though I sat with goosebumps through most of the presentation.  As I heard again of the bag called the matzotosh with its three compartments holding three pieces of matzoh, or unleavened bread, I thought of how perfectly God has planned everything, from the beginning of time. The messianic Jew explained that they believe the three compartments represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which I believe is true, also.  He said that the Jews do not know the meaning of the three compartments, though there are many conjectures as to what it may mean.  What gives me goosebumps is that, during the seder, the middle piece is taken out and wrapped up and "hidden" or "buried".  The children search for it. The middle piece is found and brought back.  The way he explained it, it is so clearly a representation of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection!  The piece that has been brought back from "burial" is then broken and a piece is given to each participant at the table with a sip of wine. When asked what this reminded us of, we all answered Holy Communion. Other symbolism which struck me was that the matzoh has to be "pierced", to be approved. If you hold it up to the light, you will see little holes. And the baking process leaves "stripes". Jesus was pierced and "by His stripes we are healed".

Today, I am thankful that everything, absolutely everything, in the Passover, but also in creation, points to a spiritual reality, and to Jesus Christ.  God has left for us testimony of His Being, His Love, His Plan, His Son and Salvation.  It is there if we will only have eyes to see and ears to hear. Thank you, Lord Jesus for dying for me. Thank you, Father God, for accepting the payment for my sins on the cross, and raising Jesus from the dead. I am so thankful.  I serve a risen Savior.  Hallelujah!

Isaiah 53:4-5 (KJV) "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Child-Training (Part 3): What's It Going To Take?

Yesterday, (in "The Proof is in the Pudding", number one of a three-part post), I spoke out against the tendency of all of us, including me, to look to and at those in the boat with us, for our leading, counsel, and "Godly wisdom" on how to raise our children, and live our lives.

Who are you following?  Whose advice are you listening to?  Jesus warned that not all who say they're a Christian, know Him:  Just because a person says it, doesn't mean it's so.  They may not know Christ.  If you say that you are a Christian, are you sure that you know Him? What should you look for?

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:

depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(ed. note: iniquity means "doing my own will", not God's, as it says in His Word.)
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them,

I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,

shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,

and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 

Matthew 7:21-27

A person who is a Christian, and believes that Jesus finished the work ("finished" means there's nothing left to do) in paying the penalty on the cross for his or her sins, and believes that God the Father accepted that payment, and showed it by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, and is trusting in that for his or her salvation from hell, is saved and is going to heaven someday.  But that person will have also, and must, surrender their lives to Jesus Christ as the Lord of their life.  He is Savior and Lord.  He settles for nothing less.  You can't say, well, yes, He's my Savior, but I don't want Him to control my life.  Then He's not your Savior, either.

 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus

and shalt believe in thine heart

that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;

and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 (KJV)

When we make decisions about how we will raise our children, we often look at others' lives and what decisions they have made, and follow them.  Jesus said, before you listen to them, or follow them, look at the fruit in their lives.  Wait to see the end result, and the mature, ripened fruit--in the life of a person, before you follow their methods and counsel. In child-training, that would mean that the person has grownup children.  Listening to, and following, those whose fruit is still immature is risky, at best, and though the person may be very Godly, and their example stellar, and it may be that their fruit will end up being sweet indeed, you won't know for sure until they're grown.  There may be some little chip in the cup that will cause it to crack and break later.  Choices they are making now, habits they are forming, associations they are allowing, wrong belief systems they are making their own from the media or entertainment world, misled examples they are admiring from the real or blogging world: any or all of these may be the seeds sown, which will reap destruction in a future season. We may not understand all the reasons, but God's Word teaches young women to listen to older women.

"The aged women likewise...

⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober,

to love their husbands, to love their children,

⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

 Titus 2:3a-5 (KJV)

You're listening to someone.  No doubt you're copying somebody in your day-to-day living and thinking.  You're formulating some philosophy of child-raising.

Do it with thought and prayer. Do it Biblically.

Who you should listen to is God, in His Word.  Then, your husband.  Then, Godly older women. Whatever you do, listen to the right voices.  Your children's (and grandchildren's) faith and future depends on it! And God's reputation is at stake.

Ask, as you examine, "Is this the result, or fruit, I want in my life, for our family, in my children?" "Is it lasting fruit?" and "Is it Godly fruit?" (according to Scripture).  (Remember that no human being is perfect, so ultimately God, through His Holy Spirit and His Word, are the only things you can completely trust to lead you--and He will.  If the person you want to be like is also taking credit for the fruit, and proud, look somewhere else, because it's only by God's grace, and the work of His Holy Spirit that Godly fruit is produced.)  So, what I'm saying is, look at the fruit. And, check everything against Scripture.

It is our tendency to not look far enough down the road to see what the end result of our decisions is going to be.  That is the definition of a lack of discretion.  Discretion means: Seeing and avoiding thoughts, words and actions which could result in undesirable consequences.  Wisdom and discretion are kindred spirits.  Two peas in a pod.  The quality of a lack of discretion brings to mind the old saying, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."

Why am I going on and on about this?  Because it's so serious.  It's so important, that satan is working night and day against it.  Your salvation, and your children's, and bearing fruit that lasts, was the main topic of Jesus' last words before He died, and His last instructions on earth.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ² Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ³ Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. ⁸ Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

John 15:1-8 (KJV)

Ask God to lead you to those who you should listen to, and pray earnestly for "much fruit" in your lives. Ask Him to show you what is in your life that needs to be "pruned" away in order to be more fruitful.  Go through the areas of your life: friends, music, hobbies, books, thoughts, etc., and give them to Him.

Well, I'm giving you advice in this series, and some of you will listen, and will be willing to take the road less traveled, will be willing to be thought "weird" and different, will be willing to turn your backs on the world's ways, and even many of your friends' ways, to choose God's ways, and to bear much fruit.  You will not see the fruit now, but in obedience to God's Word, you will see it.  Trust.  You will choose not to risk the consequences of sitting on the fence, or loving the world's ways.  You will choose not to risk your children, or listen to their whines and pleas, because you see far down the road and envision a Godly result that is worth far more than the immediate good and gratification of participation in activities which "everyone" seems to be doing.  Some of them, there is nothing "wrong" with, but you will look straight ahead and never swerve in your resolve, because you're choosing that which is best.  You are who I'm writing to, praying that you will sacrifice the good, for the best.

I end with two questions:

Are you saved?  Are you doing the will of the Father, or just hearing it.  Are you fully surrendered to His will for your life?  If not, pray now and give your heart and life to Jesus Christ!

Secondly, if you are saved, are you committed to choosing His best for you and your children?

Do your thoughts, words and actions, your activities, your spending, your clothes, your hair, your home, your spare-time pursuits, show that you belong to Him, and that you are pursuing "much fruit"?  Is your fruit good?  Is it going to last?  Are you abiding in Him?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with

so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin

which doth so easily beset us,

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV)

Musings from me and Video from Francis Chan on "Being Too Popular"

I see myself as a "prophet" speaking forth the Truth at times. This week I had to speak some hard Truth.  But, I constantly struggle with my need to be loved, affirmed in what I'm doing, and reassured from those around me that I'm doing fine. I'm inclined to be too bold. To speak the Truth, alright, but not as lovingly as I perhaps should.  Sometimes I don't hear how what I said came out!  I have a faithful family who keep me in line when they're with me.  They let me know when I've said something I shouldn't have! When they aren't there, and even when they are, I need to be saturated in the Word of God, and sensitive to the Holy Spirit to guide my words.  As a blogger, I seek to edify, encourage, and build others up in Christ. I find that I must continually look to my Heavenly Father for whether I'm doing ok.  Even more than that, I ask Him continually, "What do You want me to say?"  This short video by Francis Chan really spoke to my heart this week.



Luke 6: 22, 23, 26-28--"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."
www.biblegateway.com

Love and Marriage: "Happily Ever After"

Stories of  “they lived happily ever after” bring dreamy sighs from girls of all ages (from some guys, too). Movie producers know it. Book writers know it. Fairy-tale endings are big business. The fair maiden becomes a damsel in distress, and the knight in shining armor comes to her rescue and whisks her off into the sunset, where they live “happily ever after”! Why are we suckers for a story like this? What does this have to do with God anyway? Can we talk of fairy-tale endings and God’s thoughts on Love and marriage in the same breath? Can, or do, our fairy-tale stories and reality come together--ever? What does God think of Love and Marriage and our fairy-tale endings?


Many questions. Let’s go to the Bible for some answers. God is the Original “fairy-tale ending” Writer, Who began His story by placing His characters, Adam and Eve, in a blissful paradise, the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 2) It was perfection on earth. There was no sin, only perfect love between the couple and between them and God. This was His idea of a fairy-tale story: perfect love between God and man living together in the perfect place, forever. Only one thing. God said, “You can have everything in this perfect world except "this one tree"--this one little thing: Don’t eat it. Everything else is yours. He gave man “free will”. You know the story. Eve looked at what was forbidden (instead of being content with all God gave), she saw that it was good for food (she thought and dwelled and focused and dreamed about the forbidden thing instead of dwelling in her thoughts on all God had given) and she took of the forbidden thing (didn’t ask God—well, He’d already told her “No,” and didn’t consult her husband, well, he was standing right there, but she obviously was putting herself  before him in leadership, and he obviously was letting her.) She ate it and then she gave the forbidden thing to her family (just a husband at that time) and he took it and ate it—and sin entered the world. (Genesis 3:1-6) This was not God’s idea—sin—violating His will and command. He knew, though, that this would happen when He gave His created beings free will. So, He had made a plan before the beginning of time to give His Son to die and pay the penalty for sin. Because whenever someone sins, well, it says in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” Someone had to die. God said, “I’ll do it because I love you.” This is the definition of Love. This is the original Prince on the white horse saving His beloved. God had warned Adam and Eve. But they sinned anyway, and we’ve been looking for the perfect ending ever since.

We were created for perfect union and love with God and man. This is what our souls long after. In the Garden, they had it all. But, we can never have perfection on earth again, because of sin. Even as through one man, Adam, sin entered the world, through one man, Jesus, salvation came to us. What we’re seeking after is “they lived happily ever after.” Loving, being loved, and perfect communion with God and each other. We think it’s going to happen on earth through a person. This perfection of Love and union will never happen on earth. Because now that sin and death entered the world, heaven is the only place we can experience perfection. The best we can do here on earth is present a picture of God’s perfect plan.

God obviously loves bringing a man and woman together (maybe that’s why we’re such “romantics”.) He demonstrated this in the beginning by bringing Eve to Adam. Can’t you just see the Big Grin on God’s Face watching Adam wake up to see the Woman of His Dreams before him? God sets the lonely in families. He thought up sex. God loves children and calls them gifts from Him to us. “Godly seed,” as He calls children, is His plan and purpose.


God’s goal for us is marriage and children. How do we know that? We have only to look at the meaning and symbolism that He attaches to them. He says marriage is symbolic of the union between Christ and the Church. (Ephesians 5) He says Christ comes into us when we are married to Christ (becoming Christians and indwelt by the Holy Spirit) and that once saved we are to produce “spiritual children”. (We are commanded to make disciples which we can do only through His being in us.) We are told to reproduce ourselves. New lives are born out of our union with Christ when we make disciples, which is His command and our purpose. New life is born. Our disciples are called our “spiritual children”. Bearing spiritual children is His goal for us, but we are not to try to do it (it’s impossible) without Christ indwelling us. In Malachi 2:15 God speaks of “Godly seed” as the intended outcome of Christian marriage, just as bearing spiritual children (making disciples) is His intended outcome of His spiritual union with us through His Spirit. Just as in earthly marriage, our relationship with Him, our Husband, cannot be neglected or forgotten. Love is always at the center of it all.


On earth, it’s just a picture. But in heaven, when we, the Church, are united with our Bridegroom, His Bride will finally be truly one with Her Beloved, Who will whisk her away on His white horse, and the Real Happily Ever After will begin.

Scriptures referred to
(and there are many, many more that I could have on this list):
Romans 5:12-21
Psalms 68:6
Psalm 127:3
Malachi 2:15
John 3:29
Matthew 28:19-20
John 3:7
2 Corinthians 5:17
Galatians 4:19
1 Timothy 1:15
1 Corinthians 13
Revelation 21:9

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13