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The topic this month is parenting, or mothering if you will.
First and the most obvious thing about being a mother is realizing what a blessing/gift you have been given from the Lord. "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is His reward." Psalms 127:3
Next thing we need to know is you (meaning dad and you) are the boss, "Children, obey your parents in all things." Colossians 3:20. So start acting it. You are the authority and this authority comes from the Lord. So we need not be hesitant or afraid to be the boss. You are to be obeyed.
Whenever we train up our children in the Lord, there are many blessings for us and for the children.
Parenting takes time. It is simple, but not easy to raise God-honoring obedient children. Frankly, most parents are not willing to make the sacrifice of time, energy, and self to see this parenting thing through. Do yourself and your children an amazing service by training your children. Life is much more pleasant for everyone, when children are obedient. And really the children are happier, too.
First and the most obvious thing about being a mother is realizing what a blessing/gift you have been given from the Lord. "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is His reward." Psalms 127:3
Next thing we need to know is you (meaning dad and you) are the boss, "Children, obey your parents in all things." Colossians 3:20. So start acting it. You are the authority and this authority comes from the Lord. So we need not be hesitant or afraid to be the boss. You are to be obeyed.
Whenever we train up our children in the Lord, there are many blessings for us and for the children.
Parenting takes time. It is simple, but not easy to raise God-honoring obedient children. Frankly, most parents are not willing to make the sacrifice of time, energy, and self to see this parenting thing through. Do yourself and your children an amazing service by training your children. Life is much more pleasant for everyone, when children are obedient. And really the children are happier, too.
Loving Others, May 3
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." (Romans 12:10 KJV)
Let other siblings go first. Think of others before yourself--even when they are little let them hand an older sibling something and say they want you to have this first. They can practice this by giving something to one child and say hand this to your brother and then on and on till everyone gets a chance to hand something and to share. If you only have one child have that child hand something to a parent first.
"Be kind one to another"--just be sweet
"Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth." 1 Corinthians 13:6. We love our siblings. Don't be glad whenever they do something wrong. Don't be glad to get them in trouble.
"Children obey your parents..." Colossians 3:20 Obedience is very very important: immediately, completely and sweetly.
These are just a few.
These are three great books on child training that I recommend. Now keep in mind that you will never agree totally with anyone (except the Lord). The thing I love about these books is that they all encourage and help us learn to use God's word in training our blessings.
What the Bible Says about Child Training by Richard Fugate
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman
Let other siblings go first. Think of others before yourself--even when they are little let them hand an older sibling something and say they want you to have this first. They can practice this by giving something to one child and say hand this to your brother and then on and on till everyone gets a chance to hand something and to share. If you only have one child have that child hand something to a parent first.
"Be kind one to another"--just be sweet
"Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth." 1 Corinthians 13:6. We love our siblings. Don't be glad whenever they do something wrong. Don't be glad to get them in trouble.
"Children obey your parents..." Colossians 3:20 Obedience is very very important: immediately, completely and sweetly.
These are just a few.
These are three great books on child training that I recommend. Now keep in mind that you will never agree totally with anyone (except the Lord). The thing I love about these books is that they all encourage and help us learn to use God's word in training our blessings.
What the Bible Says about Child Training by Richard Fugate
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman
Older Siblings, May 4
Every child needs and deserves to be trained by their parents. Sometimes we start to slip with the younger siblings especially if we have a lot of children. It seems and is so true that we have done this a million times.
Your older children are not responsible to train and raise their younger siblings. It is certainly okay and even necessary for older children to help you, but not to disciple nor raise your younger children.
We can not expect our older children to train nor raise younger children because they are not their children. Nor do they have the parental office/parental authority that you, the parent, hold.
You must train every child. I so understand the multiple children mom's plight---I am one. But every child requires and deserves the same intense training as number one child received. A child does not acquire training by virtue of being born into a family that has a well trained number one child. Every individual child must be trained. It takes time with every child. Each child needs the same basic instruction. Remember to "weary not" in your child training and blessing teaching.
"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." (2 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV)
Your older children are not responsible to train and raise their younger siblings. It is certainly okay and even necessary for older children to help you, but not to disciple nor raise your younger children.
We can not expect our older children to train nor raise younger children because they are not their children. Nor do they have the parental office/parental authority that you, the parent, hold.
You must train every child. I so understand the multiple children mom's plight---I am one. But every child requires and deserves the same intense training as number one child received. A child does not acquire training by virtue of being born into a family that has a well trained number one child. Every individual child must be trained. It takes time with every child. Each child needs the same basic instruction. Remember to "weary not" in your child training and blessing teaching.
"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." (2 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV)
The Throne of Your Heart, May 5
"And let the peace of GOD rule in your hearts..." Colossians 3:15
This is an amazing thing my nephew, Tyler Smith, wrote and I wanted to share it with you. Let it soak in, reread it and let it dwell with you today:
"It is amazing how many things fight for the lordship of our heart: sin, fear, pride, emotions, circumstances. But the Word teaches us to submit our heart to nothing but the peace of God. So next time we are tempted to allow life to speak louder than God, let us remember who really sits on the throne of our heart. I promise you peace is a way better king than death."
--Tyler Smith
This is an amazing thing my nephew, Tyler Smith, wrote and I wanted to share it with you. Let it soak in, reread it and let it dwell with you today:
"It is amazing how many things fight for the lordship of our heart: sin, fear, pride, emotions, circumstances. But the Word teaches us to submit our heart to nothing but the peace of God. So next time we are tempted to allow life to speak louder than God, let us remember who really sits on the throne of our heart. I promise you peace is a way better king than death."
--Tyler Smith
How's That Bucket, May 6
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)
This is the scripture that inspires that old saying, "What's down in the well comes up in the bucket."
Do we need to clean out our buckets, or the buckets of our children?
Whatever you allow your children to see (we do have control of this when they are little!), hear, be around is what is down in their well. Be aware mom!
This is the scripture that inspires that old saying, "What's down in the well comes up in the bucket."
Do we need to clean out our buckets, or the buckets of our children?
Whatever you allow your children to see (we do have control of this when they are little!), hear, be around is what is down in their well. Be aware mom!
May 7
If you want to be encouraged and blessed, here are a couple of things you might want to consider:
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful." (Psalms 1:1 NKJV)
1. Don't listen to, and for crying out loud don't take the advice of, the ungodly.
2. Don't hang around with nor dabble in the way of those whose heart is not toward God. We love them, pray for them, help if need be, but don't make them your buddies. Don't stand in their path. Because before long you'll not just be standing there.
3. Don't "sit in the seat of the scornful." Don't do what the scornful do. They scorn. Down everything. Dislike, disrespect, disdain, they are contemptuous, and indignant. And they will bring you down.
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful." (Psalms 1:1 NKJV)
Have a great day, walk, stand, and sit with Jesus!
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful." (Psalms 1:1 NKJV)
1. Don't listen to, and for crying out loud don't take the advice of, the ungodly.
2. Don't hang around with nor dabble in the way of those whose heart is not toward God. We love them, pray for them, help if need be, but don't make them your buddies. Don't stand in their path. Because before long you'll not just be standing there.
3. Don't "sit in the seat of the scornful." Don't do what the scornful do. They scorn. Down everything. Dislike, disrespect, disdain, they are contemptuous, and indignant. And they will bring you down.
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful." (Psalms 1:1 NKJV)
Have a great day, walk, stand, and sit with Jesus!
His Will Be Done, May 8
Got something you really want, or really want to happen?
Here is the deal. We say we want to walk with the Lord. We say we are in the place with the Lord where we really want to pray "Your will be done," "Have Your way with me," "Use me for Your glory," except we continue to say: except not that, Lord. Or if You let me have this or that or this person. Well, ladies we can't have it both ways. Either we trust His ways and Him and walk out this short time here on this earth or we continue to micro-manage our life. Your choice, totally your choice.
Part of this is TRUST. Do you want to trust the Lord to direct you and your life in the direction He has for you? Or do you just want to take care of that yourself. Hint: Trust Him. He'll do a much better job with much better results and a much better trip getting there.
Here is the deal. We say we want to walk with the Lord. We say we are in the place with the Lord where we really want to pray "Your will be done," "Have Your way with me," "Use me for Your glory," except we continue to say: except not that, Lord. Or if You let me have this or that or this person. Well, ladies we can't have it both ways. Either we trust His ways and Him and walk out this short time here on this earth or we continue to micro-manage our life. Your choice, totally your choice.
Part of this is TRUST. Do you want to trust the Lord to direct you and your life in the direction He has for you? Or do you just want to take care of that yourself. Hint: Trust Him. He'll do a much better job with much better results and a much better trip getting there.
May 9, Mothers
Mother's day is Sunday. So, you guessed it, we are gonna talk about Mothers.
Mother, well for sure we all have one. Whenever we hear that word it conjures up lots of emotions for all of us, some good and some not so good.
Whether or not your mom was or is a good mother, she had an incredible impact on you.
Maybe this is a very sensitive and hurtful place for you. If so just know that "Nobody's ever gonna love you like Jesus," and for whatever hurt you have had with your Mother in the past that is just that. The past. Allow the Lord to heal you. Give Him permission to make you whole.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)
If you had/have a not-so-great Mom or whether you had/have a super awesome one--here's one thing for sure. You have an example. Of what to do or what not to do.
So be the Mom you wished you would have had, be to your children the Mother you always longed for. Love your children like Jesus loves. Love like your Mother or like you wish she would have. You are formed by your past, but not bound by it. Break those chains and be the Mom you wished and longed for.
Mother, well for sure we all have one. Whenever we hear that word it conjures up lots of emotions for all of us, some good and some not so good.
Whether or not your mom was or is a good mother, she had an incredible impact on you.
Maybe this is a very sensitive and hurtful place for you. If so just know that "Nobody's ever gonna love you like Jesus," and for whatever hurt you have had with your Mother in the past that is just that. The past. Allow the Lord to heal you. Give Him permission to make you whole.
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)
If you had/have a not-so-great Mom or whether you had/have a super awesome one--here's one thing for sure. You have an example. Of what to do or what not to do.
So be the Mom you wished you would have had, be to your children the Mother you always longed for. Love your children like Jesus loves. Love like your Mother or like you wish she would have. You are formed by your past, but not bound by it. Break those chains and be the Mom you wished and longed for.
May 11, Happy Mother's Day
This is Mother week and I am so behind...which is the sign that you are for sure a Mother, ha ha.
What an amazing honor it is from the King of Kings to be given the privilege to be a Mom. To love, mold, shape, raise, train, another person. It's that little lump of clay (just like the potter) that comes into your life, that one day when they are born that changes your forever. When you realize they are dependent on you, they need you, and boy do I love this little bitty.
You love them before they are ever capable of loving you. Hey, doesn't that sound like a familiar story of how our heavenly Father first loved us:
"We love Him because He first loved us." (I John 4:19 NKJV)
What an amazing honor it is from the King of Kings to be given the privilege to be a Mom. To love, mold, shape, raise, train, another person. It's that little lump of clay (just like the potter) that comes into your life, that one day when they are born that changes your forever. When you realize they are dependent on you, they need you, and boy do I love this little bitty.
You love them before they are ever capable of loving you. Hey, doesn't that sound like a familiar story of how our heavenly Father first loved us:
"We love Him because He first loved us." (I John 4:19 NKJV)
May 12, Praying for Our Children
I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating. One of the greatest privileges of being a Mom is praying for our children.
Praying for our children not only brings us closer to the Lord, but brings us closer to our children. By communication with our Creator about our children we gain wisdom and insight.
Instead of worrying and fretting about your children, use that time and energy to pray for them. It will bless you and them!
Praying for our children not only brings us closer to the Lord, but brings us closer to our children. By communication with our Creator about our children we gain wisdom and insight.
Instead of worrying and fretting about your children, use that time and energy to pray for them. It will bless you and them!
May 13, Joy Through Serving
One of the reasons Mothering can be so fulfilling and cause such joy is that it is full of serving, and through serving comes our greatest joy.
Motherhood calls for lots of sacrifice and diligence.
Thanks for the service that you have given and continue to give to your family!
May our Precious Lord give you ladies an extra dose of His love today.
Motherhood calls for lots of sacrifice and diligence.
Thanks for the service that you have given and continue to give to your family!
May our Precious Lord give you ladies an extra dose of His love today.
May 14, Conform Not to the World
"In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." (I Timothy 2:9, 10 NKJV)
Can you tell a difference in the world and you?
Can other people tell a difference in you?
Dwell on the things of the Lord. Don't fill your mind with deception and lies of the world. Don't seek your advice from ungodly sources. If confusion is surrounding you just know: "God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (I Corinthians 14:33 NKJV)
For living, don't pattern your life after the things of this world---movies, magazines, books, fashion, Pinterest. Why do we conform ourselves into the image of Hollywood? Somewhere there is a happy zone: not on a desert island, but in a personal safe zone. That's everyone's personal limits. Guard your testimony.
Can you tell a difference in the world and you?
Can other people tell a difference in you?
Dwell on the things of the Lord. Don't fill your mind with deception and lies of the world. Don't seek your advice from ungodly sources. If confusion is surrounding you just know: "God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." (I Corinthians 14:33 NKJV)
For living, don't pattern your life after the things of this world---movies, magazines, books, fashion, Pinterest. Why do we conform ourselves into the image of Hollywood? Somewhere there is a happy zone: not on a desert island, but in a personal safe zone. That's everyone's personal limits. Guard your testimony.
May 15, Self
Do we walk as if we trust God?
Are you selfish? Thinking of your needs above all others? Are you like the two year olds you are raising?
Love this quote: "Submission is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get your own way." --Foster
Die to your own agenda and it then seems to be clear to you the path to take.
Are you selfish? Thinking of your needs above all others? Are you like the two year olds you are raising?
Love this quote: "Submission is the ability to lay down the terrible burden of always needing to get your own way." --Foster
Die to your own agenda and it then seems to be clear to you the path to take.
May 16, The Power of Words
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue...." (Proverbs 18:21 KJV)
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." (Psalms 19:14 KJV)
Be cautious about the words you use. Particularly as a mother, your words last for a lifetime on your children.
Affirm your family and friends. Use your words to edify, uplift and encourage. Be positive and pleasant. Share your "joy" of the Lord with others, so others will be drawn to you. We should stand out in this world with joy unending, being overjoyed, because "greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world."
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4 KJV)
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." (Psalms 19:14 KJV)
Be cautious about the words you use. Particularly as a mother, your words last for a lifetime on your children.
Affirm your family and friends. Use your words to edify, uplift and encourage. Be positive and pleasant. Share your "joy" of the Lord with others, so others will be drawn to you. We should stand out in this world with joy unending, being overjoyed, because "greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world."
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4 KJV)
May 17, Seeking God's Heart
Pray for wisdom and clarity of mind. Pray really to see God's heart on a matter.
Why is someone angry?
Why is someone mean?
Why does someone feel they need to be first?
Why do we rise up when someone cuts us off in line or traffic? Make it your idea and allow them to go first.
"Instead of trying to make a right decision we are trying to make a decision right."
Be real, be truthful with yourself, before God. Anyway do you really think you are fooling Him? Do not deceive or rationalize things before God. Do you hunger, thirst, have passion for, long for God?
Are you going through the motions of life or are the motions going through you?
Why is someone angry?
Why is someone mean?
Why does someone feel they need to be first?
Why do we rise up when someone cuts us off in line or traffic? Make it your idea and allow them to go first.
"Instead of trying to make a right decision we are trying to make a decision right."
Be real, be truthful with yourself, before God. Anyway do you really think you are fooling Him? Do not deceive or rationalize things before God. Do you hunger, thirst, have passion for, long for God?
Are you going through the motions of life or are the motions going through you?
May 18, Time with Him
Check your attitude. Check your children's attitude.
"Sin is an attitude before it's ever an act." Richard Foster
If you feel yourself or your attitude slipping, just run to the Lord. Spend that time with Him and you will find those attitudes, cares, worries will fade and things will go back into right perspective.
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass." (Psalms 37:4, 5 NKJV)
"Sin is an attitude before it's ever an act." Richard Foster
If you feel yourself or your attitude slipping, just run to the Lord. Spend that time with Him and you will find those attitudes, cares, worries will fade and things will go back into right perspective.
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass." (Psalms 37:4, 5 NKJV)