Motherhood 💗

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~ Ephesians 2:10 NIV

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

“Have you ever heard someone say that motherhood is a woman’s highest calling? I certainly have. Whole books and blog posts have even been written that were centered around this idea. For a long time, I personally believed that statement to be true. But I don’t, any longer. Interestingly, what I have found is that as I have reoriented my thinking around what my actual highest calling is in life as a Christ-follower, motherhood has had infused into it so much more purpose than it ever had before, back when I merely believed mothering, on its own, was my ultimate calling.

If motherhood is not our ultimate highest calling, though, then what is? I find it to be two-fold: to be an image bearer of God (Genesis 1:26-28) and to be an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), living our lives as Great Commission workers (Matthew 28:18-20).

Why is this important? Well, it’s important for several reasons! I don’t know about you, but when I wrongly view motherhood as my ultimate purpose in life, I begin to base my identity in a place it was never meant to be based—in motherhood itself. When that happens, my identity (rather than being placed in the firm foundation of who I am in Christ) is easily shaken—on the good days I feel like the most amazing mom ever, while on the bad days I find myself drowning in despair. Likewise, when I am wrongly viewing motherhood as being my ultimate calling, I begin to think my ultimate fulfillment is to come from being a mother, as well. Then when I experience a hard day with my kids and find myself not enjoying motherhood very much in that moment, I begin to feel shaken, wondering what I am doing wrong if my fulfillment is to actually come from mothering. 

No, mama, motherhood on its own is not to be seen as your highest calling. Your ultimate calling is to image God to the world and to spread His gospel. And that? That is what then makes motherhood such life-changing, important, and worthwhile work. When we understand motherhood to simply be one of many different ways we live out our primary calling as  ministers of the gospel sharing the good news with all, then we understand its worth and find ourselves excited about the journey ahead.”

Moving Beyond the Truth You Once Knew

“The book of Acts is quite complicated. It is an expression of man’s first attempt to carry out the mandate of God without the physical presence of God there to steer him. It is the trial flight of the new apostles as they step into leadership. More importantly, they are in a position to bring to fruition what their Leader has spoken. 

There is a great gulf between what a leader speaks and what a student understands. Just because something is taught does not mean that the lesson is learned. There are people who do not hear what is said; then, there are people who hear what they wanted the teacher to say. People don’t really get the message all at once. The apostles are grappling to see how they have successfully attained an adequate understanding of the Word of God they received. You cannot teach what you do not understand. 

The apostles are now under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The Christ that was with them is now in them. The voice surrounding them now speaks from the inside. The problem with the voice on the inside is that it is not the only voice that speaks. When God speaks from within, you have to filter because there are other voices speaking also – the voices of your past, your history, your religious tradition, your own opinion and ideology. It is easy to confuse the voice of God with all those other voices. 

The apostles are learning to differentiate what is God and what is them; what is God and what is their teaching; what is God and what is their personal proclivities; what is God and what is religion. Understanding God and the difference in those voices is a process that they consistently contend with. They find themselves disagreeing amongst themselves with what they heard. And the disagreements become intense and exciting. Preachers today are still debating texts. It is good to know that even those who heard Jesus directly, heard different ideas and grappled to understand. This is great news because if God were easily understood and easily diagnosed, He would not be God. God cannot be explained through intellectualism. If He could be explained, He would not be God. Anything that can be explained, can be managed; God cannot. He must be experienced; revealed; walked out in our lives and in our circumstances. Little by little, God weans us from the elementary, fundamental ideologies that started us on our way, and we graduate from faith to faith, and from glory to glory in our understanding of Him if we are not afraid to let go of what we once held as truth. You have to be willing to move beyond the truth that you were taught before…But moving beyond can be so difficult.”

Below are some bible verses that go more in depth on the topic.

“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” ~Acts 1:1-14

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” ~Isaiah 55:8-9

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” ~Hebrews 5:12-14

“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,” ~Hebrews 6:1

God Supplies All Your Needs

A devotional about God’s promise to us!

“It’s so easy to become anxious about all the what-ifs tomorrow may, or may not, bring. But here, Jesus says exactly what to do in any given day or circumstance – seek God’s kingdom first and foremost. That means putting both palms up and saying “Okay, God, I trust You and believe that as I live out this day for Your glory and do what You lead me to do, You will provide everything You know I need.” That includes peace of mind that passes all understanding to rule in your heart.”

Bible Verses for reminder:

“Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil— they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them.” ~ Isaiah 33:15-16 NIV

“He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.” ~ Psalms 111:5 NIV

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” ~ Matthew 6:33 NIV

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” ~ Psalms 23:1-6 NIV

Prayer of the day:

Father, I give You praise and thanksgiving as I walk in faith believing that every need I am tempted to worry about is already fulfilled. My life you have already written it from beginning to end. You know all and see all. May you help me water this mustard seed each day. You are good in very season and throughout every need. In you we have it all although we can’t see it but our souls knows it.

Mistakenly Miraculous!

Today’s devotional was too good not to share!

“Judah then said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s household until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, just like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s household. After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua, died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah, to the men who were shearing his sheep, and his friend Hirah the Adullamite went with him. When Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep,” she took off her widow’s clothes, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and then sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that, though Shelah had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “And what will you give me to sleep with you?” she asked. “I’ll send you a young goat from my flock,” he said. “Will you give me something as a pledge until you send it?” she asked. He said, “What pledge should I give you?” “Your seal and its cord, and the staff in your hand,” she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow’s clothes again. Meanwhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite in order to get his pledge back from the woman, but he did not find her. He asked the men who lived there, “Where is the shrine prostitute who was beside the road at Enaim?” “There hasn’t been any shrine prostitute here,” they said. So he went back to Judah and said, “I didn’t find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, ‘There hasn’t been any shrine prostitute here.’ ” Then Judah said, “Let her keep what she has, or we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn’t find her.” About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.” Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!” As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.” Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not sleep with her again.” ~ Genesis 38:11-26 NIV

“When Judah’s third son, Shelah, was of age, he did not offer him to Tamar, the wife and widow of Judah’s eldest son, Er, to legitimize her, after Judah’s second son, Onan, refused to comply. Judah deceived her but thought it was for a good reason. He was afraid to lose another son. Like most people who have been broken, they avoid anything that might put them in a vulnerable position again. The problem with closing out the pain is you also close out the power. Closing out the burden inevitably closes out the blessing.

Tamar took the future into her own hands. She was destined to birth someone who would be in the lineage of the Messiah himself. Her one decision changed everything. She replaces her widow’s garments with clothing that suggest prostitution, veiling herself so that she is not recognizable. When Judah sees Tamar on the side of the road, he thinks she is a shrine (temple) prostitute and propositions her, and she became pregnant with twins.

Word gets to Judah about Tamar’s pregnancy, and he sentences her to death by burning. However, Tamar had prepared for what could have changed Christ’s story for all time. When she presented the artifacts Judah gave her in exchange for her services, they proved Judah’s guilt, and her sentence was retracted. In Judah’s defense and to his credit, he immediately admitted to committing the act when he realizes the children belong to him.

Tamar is pregnant with what Judah lost – two sons. Sometimes God will use strange situations to restore what you have lost. Had Judah burned the baby, he would have burned the answer to his prayers. God will find a way to give it back to you! At times, it is so unconventional that you do not recognize it to be God! God will turn your test into a testimony and make your mistake miraculous!”

3 Major things you have control over !

In this season I have learned so far that God is good at being God ! That as humans we always want control but yet what we can control, we don’t. We can’t control other people and everything that comes with them but we can control ourselves! We can control our emotions, attitudes, and choices! The sooner we give God all the freedom to be who He is in our life, He will start taking full control! However although God is God, He still waits for us to decide how to live and if He is invited fully!! .

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LET GO OF WHATEVER IS WEIGHING YOU DOWN AND GIVE THE CONTROL BACK TO GOD. HE GIVES US A BIT OF CONTROL, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH OURSELVES. YOU WANT CONTROL ?? WELL YOU HAVE 3 MAJOR THINGS YOU CAN FULLY CONTROL; YOUR FEELINGS, YOUR ATTITUDE, YOUR CHOICES!!

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Don’t overlook these major 3. For they are the reasons for your falls and blessings. It’s important to be aware of them. Now don’t take it overboard and become paranoid and all together just separate yourself from the world. Yet seek and ask for wisdom from our Lord. Don’t stress or worry over it but pray constantly for the Lord to guide you and help you with your feelings, attitude, and choices.

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Here are some verses to keep in mind!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” ~ Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” ~ Colossians 3:23 NIV

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ~ Romans 12:2 NIV

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” ~ 1 John 1:8-9 NIV

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” ~ Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” ~ Galatians 5:22-26 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ~ Colossians 4:2 NIV

Parenting Wisdom from God’s Word…Part 2

“Rebuking

When children are out of line in action or attitude, it is important to rebuke them. Reprimanding, scolding, admonishing, and chastening are all part of biblical parenting. Notice, none of these involve screaming at children, beating children, demeaning children, or calling them names. Rebuking also does not mean over-correcting children; this leads to bitterness in the heart of the child (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).

Rebuking your children means you are calling them to account for their words or deeds. You are reminding them of the biblical standard and showing them how they have failed to meet it. This would be the “put off” of Ephesians 4:22-24. For this to be effective, these standards must be taught and upheld by everyone as part of everyday life in the home. While most children are not wise, they can be fairly discerning at a young age, especially when they see parents saying one thing and doing another.

It is easy to become weary in consistently calling them to account; some days it may seem that all you do is discipline! However, if that is the case, it is time well spent.

Correcting

When children wander off the path of righteousness, they need to be corrected. Biblical correction involves informing them of the “put on” aspect of the previously cited Ephesians 4 passage. It is not enough to tell a child to stop doing something; parents must take the time to help their children understand the heart behind the sinful and disobedient actions that necessitate the corrective action. If the heart is not addressed parents run the real risk of creating a Pharisee who performs righteousness outwardly, but has a darkened heart (Matt. 15:8).

Correction often involves a physical component. Sometimes it is the use of the rod (Prov. 13:24; 22:15) or loss of privileges. The physical component of correction is commonly the only method employed. I would suggest that is a grave error on the part of parents, for then the opportunity for biblical discipling is lost; it becomes “punishment” instead of discipline. Biblical discipline involves all of these components.”

The peace of God

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

“Children are sometimes afraid in the dark. Fear gets into their hearts and nerves and they get into a tremendous state; then they hear the voice of mother or father, and all is quietened and they go off to sleep. In our own spiritual experience it is the same. Some terror comes down the road to meet us and our hearts are seized with a tremendous fear; then we hear our own name called, and the voice of Jesus saying, “It is I, do not be afraid,” and the peace of God which passes understanding takes possession of our hearts.

A man can never be the same again after having heard Jesus Christ preached. He may say he pays no attention to it; he may appear to have forgotten all about it, but he is never quite the same, and at any moment truths may spring up into his consciousness that will destroy all his peace and happiness.

Reflection Questions: What frightens me? When am I most likely to be afraid? What words of Jesus alarm me? What words of Jesus take my fear away?”

Parenting Wisdom from God’s Word

Ran into this online and thought it was a great message to share with all my parents! The complete message is very long so I decided to break them into pieces. This week we will focus on how much time has changed over the generations. Also on our teaching! How are we teaching our kids what they need to know in all aspect of life. Are we helping them nourish spiritually according to the word, socially how society wants us too, or a combination of both? Is there one more important to you over the other ? And if so why?

*Part of teaching a child is having clear instructions on what is said and expected!

“As an older woman and now as a grandma, I often receive questions about parenting. Times sure have changed since my husband and I were raising our children, and many of the discipline methods used then are no longer recommended by the “experts” of today. Young moms and dads are looking for help and wisdom. Regardless of the newest studies and books about parenting, the Lord has given timeless counsel in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (NASB).”

Teaching

The core of discipline is to disciple, to teach, to train, to clarify what is right and wrong through instruction. Children need these things, and they will not learn them from videos or children’s television programs. Parenting is not a passive activity; it demands consistent and personal involvement by mom and dad.

Dads have an enormous responsibility in discipling their children. Far too often I observe them leaving all of the child training up to their wives and only getting involved when mom is frazzled because the kids are out of control. Fathers are to teach their children to fear God and walk in His ways. They are to teach their children, both by modeling and by instruction, how to serve the Lord with all their heart and soul (Deut. 10:12).

Moms have the responsibility of supporting and enforcing the discipline methods that Scripture provides and that their husbands determine is the best course of action. There is little that is more destructive to family relationships than for mother to undermine the authority of the father, deciding that his instructions for discipline are arbitrary, or that her way is better. Usually, these arrangements are clandestine and the children are told, “Don’t tell dad!” There are no winners when this becomes the norm. The kids get mixed messages about discipline; the mother sets up a secret treaty with them and becomes an adversary of her husband instead of his partner in parenting.

Expectations for behavior must not only be made clear, but must also be enforced. If you are going to set a standard, you must be sure your children understand what it is. Ask clarifying questions such as, “What did I ask you?” “Do you understand what I want you to do?” When children fail to obey, it is important to discern if the failure was intentional disobedience, a lack of understanding, or simple childishness. Not all disobedience is willful; sometimes children are just being silly, squirrelly kids!”

Peace I leave with you

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~ John 14:27 NIV

“The idea of peace in connection with personality is that every power is in perfect working order to the limit of activity. That is what Jesus means when He says “My peace.” Never have in mind the idea of jadedness or stagnation in connection with peace. Health is physical peace, but health is not stagnation; health is the perfection of physical activity. Virtue is moral peace, but virtue is not innocence; virtue is the perfection of moral activity. Holiness is spiritual peace, but holiness is not quietness; holiness is the intensest spiritual activity.

The profound realization of God makes you too unspeakably peaceful to be capable of any self-interest.

Reflection Questions: In what ways does inactivity give a false sense of peace? Why is activity required for peace? Why does self-interest have to part in peace?”

New Mercy

“God Brings New Mercies Every Day 

Imagine lying in bed at night, wrapped up in your sheets, and replaying the day in your mind – all the things you wished you’d done or said differently. Or maybe your soul is downcast because of an overwhelming problem. You may even wish you could hit replay and start all over. Well, you can! With each new dawn, God’s love and mercies are there waiting for you to soak them in and start anew. Yesterday and its regrets are over, and His faithfulness and love are still burning strong with each new morning.”

Verses for guidance:

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” ~ Psalm 13:5 NIV

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,” ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3 NIV

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” ~ 1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” ~ Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Prayer of the day:

Father, I am thankful and relieved that, because You love me so much, Your new mercies abound in my life every day. Thank you for showing me that I can put my trust in You. For your love toward me does not blow away like the wind but remind steadfast through it all. Thank you for your compassion toward us, that comforts us every morning and night, of every day. A compassion too profound to understand and a comfort so real and touchable. In You we can rejoice constantly. For You do not condemn us but wash us clean every time. In You everything is new and everyday is a new start. A new day with a new chance to get it right this time. Your patiences toward us is beyond amazing father just like your promise of new mercy every dawn. Amen.