Words for Women

Romans 8:31 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?"

This is the month of Thanksgiving and we have soooo much to be thankful for. Most of all, that He is for us!!

We had a motorcycle accident on Oct 23 and we have seen miracle after miracle! Can I share some with you?

Me-only some bruises. I landed in a ditch on my back with my head right beside Tim's but I was upside down from him. The people we were riding with though they saw me thrown from the bike (which makes sense)!

Tim-broke both wrists, but only the radius, so plates were put in (not both bones!). After his wrists were set he had no pain. And after the surgery a few days later, he took pain meds for only 1 1/2 days and then moved to Tylenol.

Tim was life-flighted to Sarasota Memorial. It surprised the staff that they didn't take him to Tampa. There is would have been much harder for us and also Dr. Holden was at Sarasota.

With the wreck, we missed a pole and a barbed wire fence. We laid in the ditch 20-30 minutes waiting for the EMS (as they instructed us not to move if we didn't have to) and there were NO fire ants, which arevery prevalent in Florida!

Our wonderful friend Sheri ( who is a miracle in herself as she did LOTS for us) was not gotten ahold of to come to the accident to get our stuff. So our friends on the motorcycle ride with us called his parents to come. This left Sheri free (and she answered the first time she was called for this) to come get me at Manatee Memorial Emergency to take me to Tim at Sarasota Memorial. It's really hard in a situation like this to be separated and pretty much uniformed about the other person!

Dr. Holden, the surgeon, was one of the best around. He was VERY attentive and even gave us his personal cell number. He made a follow-up appointment with Dr. Kolovich in Bryan, Ohio who is "in network" with our insurance. We didn't know it at the time!

Our good friends, Brian and Carol Keegan, already had airline tickets to fly down and ride back to Ohio with us. We just had planned this on October 20th. So Brian was able to drive our truck and trailer and get us home!

Our phones, iPads and Tim's glasses were all found and none were broken!

Most of all, was the supernatural peace which passes all understanding! People remarked on the peace when they entered the hospital room.

Miracles show us that God is present. We are not alone. No matter what it looks like or how it "feels", God said that He is for us! He is with you in the midst of trouble. There is nothing too big for our God. Trust Him!

WHO TOLD YOU THAT

Genesis 3:11 “Who told you that you were naked?…

Who told you that? Say it with attitude - WHO TOLD YOU THAT?

This is something we need to continually ask ourselves. We have believed lies that the devil told us as though it was something that was true. Who told you that you can’t take anymore? Who told you to worry? Who told you that your child will not serve Jesus? Who told you that? As women, we hear demeaning thoughts all of the time. You are not the lone ranger here. The enemy wants us to think that we are stupid, ugly, worthless…the list could go on and on. My husband had a grandma that was not a nice lady. He grew to pretty much despise her as she did things over and over and over. So I have been told in my mind that I am just like Grandma ________. My husband and kids would be better off without me. (Have you heard that last line spoken to you?)

As I have grown in the Lord, I know that many have “heard” such things. But we choose to ask, “Who told me that?” Surely not God. Not even my family. It is a lie! A bold-faced lie! And the devil wants me to believe it and act on it. On the positive side; If God said it in His Word, we need to boldly proclaim, “God, YOU told me that!” YOU told me that you loved me! YOU told me that the seed of the righteous is blessed! YOU told me that everything I put my hand to would prosper. I don’t see it. I don’t feel it!

But the Word of God says it, so I’m going to believe that it is true. God has said that you are the head and not the tail. God has said that He has made us more than conquerors. God has said that we are His children and He made us equal heirs with Jesus! (I am preaching to myself and it is

making me happy!)

Wow! You have some powerful gifts inside of you put there by the Holy Spirit! Many will be blessed by the fruit that only you can produce. But… Are you choosing to believe the Bible? How about when you don’t “feel” it? You know that it is still true, don’t you?

Ask yourself, “Who told me that?” Only listen to God! Not any person or the enemy. Only listen to God!

Minimalist Joy

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

I am so very blessed! YOU are so very blessed! I have so much to be thankful for! I have a family. A wonderful husband! I have a warm home. A bed. A relatively healthy body. Food. Water. I get to bathe daily in hot water! I don’t have to go to hell because of what Jesus did on the cross for me. I have a car. I have a computer. A cellphone. The list goes on and on…

It is so easy to think about the things that you don’t have and forget about the many blessings that you have. Sometimes my husband makes me mad and I can focus on his faults (yes, he has some!). Sometimes my body doesn’t want to cooperate with me! Sometimes I look at my neighbor’s house (there is always something bigger and better, right?)! Sometimes I concentrate on what I “can’t” do on the computer or cellphone I have. Sometimes I want food that is different than what I have. Whaa!

I refuse to be a whiner! I refuse to think on the negative! We have so many positives in our lives. Unfortunately, this has to be a determination for me. The grass always looks greener somewhere else, but there is poop in their yards, too, if we get close enough to see it. There are many who would gladly change lives with me. My “bad” is a lot better than their “good”.

On the whole, Americans have so much! And yet they are one of the most depressed people on earth. Nigerians are rated at being #1 at enjoying life. There is something twisted to this. What is wrong?

Stuff doesn’t produce joy! We think it does. We want more…bigger…better… But we lack purpose in this. We spin our wheels at things that don’t really matter. It is time to STOP and survey your life! Rate what is most important. Ask God to break your heart with the things that breaks His heart. Ask Him to give you purpose; to show you what you can do to make a difference in the lives of others. Thank Him for the abundance that you have and ask Him to show you how you can give more. That is where the joy is - in serving - in being thankful!

Right Thinking

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Perspective. Thinking like God thinks. Trusting Him when we only see the “little picture” and He sees the “big picture”. It is like us looking through a straw at a picture and only seeing a tiny bit of the whole thing. We don’t get to enjoy the beauty of the picture for we are only seeing maybe one color or one little area.

As it is with life…sometimes we are only seeing a small glimpse of what God is doing. We have questions, doubts, and fears. But we can trust God! He has our good in mind and is working in our lives to create a beautiful masterpiece! When Jonah was swallowed by the whale and was in the midst of its belly, he could only see whale everywhere he looked. And yet God saw a different picture. He saw Jonah being used by God, and the city of Nineveh repenting and coming to Him! He saw good things coming in Jonah’s life.

God sees good things coming in our lives, too! He is creating an awesome “picture” of His grace and love transforming us into people that look and act like Jesus! I continually need reminded to think rightly, so therefore I think that to remind you never hurts. Right thinking is a choice you have to make for yourself the rest of your life. It takes deliberate, purpose-driven thinking to maximize your joy and not to settle to live a life of mediocrity. The secret to living an exceptional life tomorrow is a matter of thinking strong, joyful thoughts today!

What we receive will be the result of what we believe. We choose to believe the Word of God; not what we see or feel. It is so easy to be moved by these things, but the Word never fails. It can bring the victory we need. Some cruel person may say one weird thing about you and you believe or think the wrong thing about yourself. Like “having a unibrow” or “being fat” or “stupid”. My brother used to call me bubbles, chubs, and fatty to the point that I would scream “I hate you” to him. I didn’t mean it and would cry in sorrow that I said such things. But I would have to say that I have fought battles with “fat” thoughts my whole life!

It doesn’t matter what others think as much as it matters what YOU think! Choose to think rightly about yourself! We have so much to be thankful for. We have food, water, a house, bed to sleep in, clothes to wear, etc. 

Forgive us, Lord, when we grumble or take for granted the many things You awesomely provide. Help us to think rightly. I pray that the women of God would arise and be examples to the world of all that you have done for us. Help us to be fully awake and alive!

I Trust You

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plan that I have for you“, declares the Lord, “plans for welfare

and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

What a powerful verse!

Sometimes we are scared about our tomorrows and our hope is dashed to the rocks, but our God

says good things to us. As we immerse ourselves in His Word and allow Him to speak to us, faith arises in our hearts. We know that we can trust in Him!

I like the story in Mark 4 about Jesus being asleep in the boat during a great storm. He had already spoken that they would go to the other side. The disciples woke Him with great fear and torment and said, “Don’t you care that we are perishing?” He awoke and said, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” So I ask you today? Why are you afraid? Hope in God! He has your back. He promised to never leave or forsake us! (These are questions that I still have to ask myself at times!)

We need to arise with that simple faith of a child. We trust Him to take good care of us. It doesn’t matter what things may look like, or feel like; it matters what He has said to us in His Word!

The Bible is FULL of magnificent promises. The grace that has been extended to us is absolutely amazing! We don’t deserve His tender care and continuous watchful eye, but He gives it to us anyway. All we have to do is to lie back in ease and say “I trust You!” “I trust You to turn this bad situation around!” “I trust You to soften their heart!” “I trust You to provide abundantly for me.” “I trust You to bring about healing in my body even though it looks like things are getting worse.” “Jesus, I trust You!”

He hasn’t brought you this far to allow you to drown in defeat. God is a god of miracles and will part the Red Sea if that is what it takes to deliver you. He is a God that is more than enough for every situation. He has delivered us from the kingdom of the enemy to bring you into a good land… a land that is flowing with milk and honey.

Expect Him to show Himself strong to you today!

His Love

Ephesians 3:14-19 (The Message)

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

We need revelation of this magnificent love that the Father has for us! Even as I write this, I know this is an area that I need to grow in!

God wants us to experience Him and this great love. It is to be more than a head knowledge, but something that we KNOW! Jesus came to earth, bore our sins and sicknesses on the cross, suffered and died for us, and was raised again conquering death, hell, and the grave. He put the enemy under His feet, defeating him so that we could have total victory in our lives.

As this scripture says, we are to live full lives! John 10:10 says that Jesus came to give us abundant lives! He has wonderful things for each of us. All we need to do is believe and receive what He has already provided.

God wants us to feel good about ourselves. He doesn’t want us to feel like we never measure up. The Bible says that there is “no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus”. We don’t measure up in ourselves, but because of the great grace that He poured out upon us, we are accepted, forgiven, adopted, redeemed, chosen... God is pleased with us. That is so hard to fathom. He sees us in Jesus and chooses to lavish His goodness upon us! We don’t deserve this awesome love. We can’t do anything to earn it. Therefore, we can’t do anything to lose it. Wow! “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Did you get that? You can’t do anything to lose God’s love. He knew what He was getting when He got you and wants you! It is not based on our own merit or our own goodness. But it is His goodness!

What does this look like for you? You can go about your every day with your head held high and with lots of joy. You can live secure in His love. If you mess up, there is forgiveness. Even if others disappoint you or are disappointed with you, you can have hope knowing that God loves you and wants to bless you in every way.

You, also, can be a blessing to others as you allow those rivers of His love to splash upon all those that you come in contact with. Since we are loved, we can love.

He causes us to be secure in Him. Because of that security, we can add strength to others. We can build and encourage. That not only inspires others, but it adds fullness to our lives!

Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

His love is beyond measure! Let’s determine to get a greater revelation of this. Let’s ask Him to help us to understand this great love!

He's got His Hold on You

Hebrews 13:5-6 – AMP

…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor 

leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you 

helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] 

6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is 

my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. 

What can man do to me? 

Wow!  I love this! I heard a teaching on this and it was explained that He has a grip on our forearm and He is not letting go.  There are so many times that I become weary and lose my hold on Him and it is great to know that He never lets go of us.  He said He would NEVER leave or forsake us. 

People let us down.  Even the best spouse will let you down.  Why?  Because they are human.  We, also, will let people down.  We try… (Don’t you try?) But we have natural, human, (and sometimes very selfish!) love.  

He has perfect love for you.  He IS love! If you are too young to remember seeing the old “Tarzan” movies with Johnny Weissmuller, you’ll have to use your imagination.   Many times people were falling in quick sand and it was pulling them under.  (There is also a scene of this in the “Princess Bride” which is a little closer to your era…)  This is what I picture when I read this verse.  He is always there to throw you a rope and keep you from going under. 

When you feel like you can’t take any more, you can trust that He has not let go of you.  It may not look or feel good, but that is what faith is… Believing what we can’t detect with our senses. 

Is this hard?  You betcha!  Are there times you feel like giving up?  Been there and done that!  But is He faithful?  Yes, yes, and yes again!  Don’t quit.  There is light at the end of your tunnel! 

I remember a young woman losing her child and wanting to rescue her from the hurt.  She sang the praise song, “O No You Never Let Go” with tears streaming down her face.  Later she gave testimony of how the Lord was with her and blessed her with another child.  She chose to praise Him and to believe in the midst of a terrible storm that the Lord was with her through the wind and rain, hurt and despair.  

If He did it before, He’ll do it again!  He’s there for you!!!

The Golden Rule

Luke 6:31 

Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 

Short and sweet but very powerful!  Oh, that we would ponder this verse and do it continually! 

It’s so easy to see the speck in someone else’s eye and ignore the plank that is in our own eye.  We are not going to be held accountable for how others may act or have treated you.  BUT you will be held accountable for what YOU do! 

This is very easy for me to relate to with my husband.  Neither of us like it when the other one doesn’t answer a question or doesn’t even grunt or nod to acknowledge a statement.  We find it very rude.  And, yet, we both do it! I would like it if Tim never “ignores” me again!  But, what is more important is that I don’t do it again!  This is something God wants me to strive for. 

The Bible says love is patient and kind.  Are you patient and kind?  Would you like to hear a heavy sigh when you ask someone to do something?  Then don’t do it.  Would you like to have someone roll their eyes at you as if you were stupid?  Then don’t do it. 

Let’s out-serve one another. Want to?  I love being complimented, so I need to give lots!  I love to be blessed with gifts, so let’s give to others even if it only costs $1-$5.  I love to be encouraged with words, so let’s encourage others. Think about things you can do for your mate.  How about your kids?  How about your co-workers?  

As we strive to be a blessing to others, I believe we will be blessed in return. A few verses after this one says, “Give and it will be given unto you.” Maybe the “giver” won’t be the one you give to, but the Lord will see to it that sooner or later that it returns to you. 

Let’s talk about the grocery clerk who runs the cash register.  It is not her fault that they didn’t have your sale item, or that you are in a hurry because you left yourself very little margin.  Be kind.  

I recently heard, “Christians can be the meanest people on earth.”  Yuk!  I don’t want that said about me.  How about you?  I don’t want my kids to say, “She talked the talk, but didn’t walk the walk”. Our actions speak louder than our words! 

I remember being prompted by the Lord to call a bank teller up to apologize for my actions.  Talk about humbling!  But, if it made her response to His love and grace more appealing, so be it!  We don’t get to see the “why”.  Maybe the Lord was just teaching me.  

I’d like to say that I am perfect in this, but that would be a lie! (Thank God for His grace and forgiveness!)  So, want to strive to put this in practice with me? 

Forgiveness Starts with You

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." 

Seven times is a lot.  To forgive seventy times seven is to forgive infinitely. 

We just experienced hurt and stabbing for the umpteenth time from the same people.  I said to myself, “that is the last time I will be stabbed.” But who am I kidding?  We have no choice other than to forgive.  Ugh! (We do have a choice to not get walked on and to not give certain people the ability to “stab” us again.  You may be in such a situation.  Sometimes you just have to stay away from certain people.) 

But this is not the case most of the time.  When we truly forgive we knowingly give people the opportunity to get us again.  This is when we need to remember what Jesus has done for us. 

Did He have to forgive us?  No.  He is love and chooses to pour His grace and mercy upon us.  He said that no one could take His life from Him, but He gave it willingly. 

The Bible says that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”!  In other words we didn’t do anything to deserve His love.  We didn’t even experience remorse until after He died for us.  He just chose to forgive us! Sometimes people are not sorry for their wrongdoings to you.  They feel no remorse, but are justified in their own minds for acting like jerks (do Christians act like jerks?). But, we are not going to be held accountable for how others’ act.  We are, though, going to give account for our actions, thoughts, and attitudes.  I want to be squeaky clean, but I need His help to want to forgive. 

So, I pray!  I ask God to help me to want to forgive.  I pray blessings for my “enemies”.  I ask that they experience God’s love (when part of me wants them to experience God’s judgment!).  So even though I have yucky feelings, I choose to pray and speak blessings. 

Is this easy?  No.  And I’m sure that everyone will experience this opportunity over and over and over.  

OK, God! We get it! 

As you can see, I need a Savior and I need Him every day!

God is Love

I Corinthians 13:4-7 (New Living Translation)

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 

This is who God is!  The Bible says that God is love. This is used as to how we are to act as Christians, but it also describes how He acts toward us.  God is patient and kind.  Let me say that again…GOD IS PATIENT AND KIND!  Wow!  That alone speaks volumes to the many lies that we have heard.  Many of us have seen God as a giant ogre who is waiting to drop the gavel and pronounce judgment on us.  But that is very contrary to what the Bible says.  

This does not come easy for me.  I have to remind myself often of what the Bible says.  It is easy for me to receive guilt and condemnation… But that is NOT God! 

When we screw up…He is patient and kind.  When we ignore His presence… He is patient and kind.  When we deserve punishment…He is patient and kind!  He gave us mercy when we could be French fries. 

This translation says “love is not irritable…”.  Another translation says love is not irritable or touchy. So God doesn’t get mad easily.  It takes a lot to get him angry.  (We need more of Him and less of us in our lives!)  Sometimes I feel like I have ticked Him off and He doesn’t want to hear from me.  That is a lie!  Have you heard it too?  It’s a ploy of the enemy to separate us from the One who loves us most!  We don’t have to walk on eggshells.  I read in the Psalms David whining but he ends up praising.  God is big enough to take our whining, but praising can change the situation!  So, it’s much more productive. 

And the last part of this verse…love never gives up!  He doesn’t give up on us, our spouses, our kids, our neighbors, our government, our co-workers, our church, etc. Our prayers can avail much!  They can make a real difference because we are asking God to be involved in our loved ones lives.  

He will, you know? 

I’m expecting revival to hit Defiance, Ohio…the whole United States. Watching the movie “Woodlawn” showed how God moved in the 70’s and many were saved from all walks of life.  Two whole football teams were saved.  He did it before and He’ll do it again!  

Why?  Because He loves us!

Fight!

Nehemiah 4:14
 When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and 

the rest of the people:  "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and 

awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your 

houses." 

1.  “Don’t be afraid…” Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against 

us?”  And Psalm 91 talks of divine protection.  It is a passage I go to often.  (Actually I 

memorized this psalm and recommend it highly!)  He said that He would never leave or 

forsake us.  The Message Bible talks about Him having a firm grip on you.  Sometimes 

we may feel like we are going under, but He won’t let us drown.  We don’t have to be 

afraid.  We can trust Him! 

2. “Remember the Lord…”  Is there anything too difficult for Him?  He can do the 

impossible in our lives.  He calms the storm and watches over the sparrow.  He cares 

about the big things and the littlest details of your life.  His promises are for each of us.  

He is more faithful than any human and wants to see you through. 

3.  “Fight…” Notice it says “for” and not “with”.  God has given us authority.  Let’s 

not just sit down and watch the enemy create havoc in our homes!  Let’s be determined 

to fight! 

FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY AND OTHERS:  People are worth fighting for!  Your 

family is worth fighting for!  Most of us will not be fighting literal battles but there is a 

fight just the same.  The world tries to steal the abundant life and wonderful 

relationships that God has provided.  Don't stand back and watch and allow this to 

happen!  Your faith can make a difference!  Tell the devil that he can't have your spouse 

(or whomever)!  

YOUR family is worth fighting for!  Your spouse needs to know that you are 

standing with him.  Your children need to know that mom prays diligently for them and 

is willing to fight spiritual battles for them. This creates security! 

What a huge responsibility you have.  Your life matters!  If we rise up and act on 

the Word of God we become powerful beings.  After all…we have a powerful God living 

on the inside of us! 

Do you “feel” weak and wimpy? I totally understand!  It’s not about how we feel.  

It’s about who we are.  You are a force to be reckoned with and the devil knows it!  Do 

you?

Insecurities

Matthew 16:18 (NASB)

I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 

This passage is very powerful.   Jesus asked who people thought He was and then He asked Peter, “who do you think I am?”  Then He told him who he was!!!  It is soooo important that you KNOW who you are in Christ.  This changed Peter from a reed shaken by the wind to a rock who cannot be moved.  This can change you from insecure to secure! 

Insecurity comes in many different forms and in many different packages.  We think of the beautiful people as not being insecure.  After all, don’t they have everything?  That is very much a lie!  Also, we see the ones that appear very strong and stand-offish as being secure.  That, too, is a lie.  Many women deal with huge insecurities.  Did I say “many”?  You may think that you are the “Lone Ranger” but you are not.  That’s what the devil wants you to think. 

But the woman who knows who she is in Christ can be strong in the power of His might.  She can be beautiful because the joy of the Lord is on her face.  She can be confident because she knows that she is in the Father’s hands.  She can be steadfast because she knows that she is standing on solid ground, not sinking sand. 

A woman who knows who she is in Christ, does not stand in her own abilities and strengths.  We all know that we can and will fail.  But Jesus in us is powerful!  The gates of Hell cannot shake us.  But we can shake the gates of Hell!  We can make Satan sorry that we are involved in a situation for the outcome is not going to be good for him. 

Do I battle with insecurities?  Yes.  But then I remember who I am and who holds my hand.  I am very weak.  BUT He is very strong!  And He promises to see us through anything that comes our way! 

Be secure in that!!!

Jesus is the Same

Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 

          He is the same Jesus that we read about in the Bible.  He healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed the storm, fed the 5000, etc.  (But most of all, He provided redemption for us!!!) 

          When I was newly born-again (yes, over 40 years ago!) we were astounded by the unbelieving believers.  The “expectancy” level was very low.  Jesus save and healed...once in a while.  So the Jesus that we read about in the Bible was a different Jesus than the Church was experiencing. 

          There was a mighty awakening among believers.  Over the years that “expectancy” level of many has grown cold and again we need an awakening to the things of God. 

Did He say it?  Will He not do it?  

          My friend wanted to pray for her grandson for healing…and he remarked, “Why?  Jesus doesn’t heal.”  She proceeded to tell him that He does!  He is the same Jesus today as He was yesterday.  And the Bible says that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father.  So, if the Bible says that you are the “head and not the tail, above and not beneath”.  If the Bible says that “everything you put your hand to will prosper", we should believe it!  

Psalm 91 says that “no evil shall befall you nor any sickness come near your dwelling”.  

          Wow!  Let’s take that promise and speak it boldly over our family! We have to determine not to be cold and indifferent to the things of God!  If the Bible says it’s true, let’s believe it!  Let’s expect signs, and wonders, and miracles. 

          I’d have to say that I don’t understand some of the things that I have seen.  But one thing I KNOW:  The Bible is true!  If He did it for one, than He can do it for you.  Let’s determine to believe that over the things that we see.  The Bible says we walk by faith and not by sight.

          Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

   I love this verse!  I encourage you to memorize it!  And speak it often.

       

Train up a Child

Prov. 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from 

it. 

This little scripture holds much responsibility for you as parents.

He has given you a precious gift, but it is your job to train them in the ways of the 

Lord. 

YOU are the parent! Many kids try to run the household.  We had one with 

that personality! At a very early age we had many battles of will. And I would 

have to say that it would have been a whole lot easier at the time to just back off 

and let her have her way. BUT in the long-run this is not good! 

Tim would come home from work on 2nd shift and find me on the floor crying 

because I could not get our little one to bed. She was happily playing! With his help 

and many (did I say many??) spankings, we won! There was a time Tim had to call 

in to work and tell them he’d be late because he had to see a battle won without 

quitting! Oh, it was very hard. 

So, there are many of us who understand that this road is not easy. But it is 

worth the fight. We will stand before God and give an account for the training of 

our children. 

Yes, we advocate spanking (which I understand is NOT a popular concept 

today! It actually wasn’t with many then either…). The Bible talks about spanking 

many times. So much in the book of Proverbs that I drew little stick people by them 

for quick encouragement. The Bible works! God’s ways don’t always LOOK like 

they are working. So don’t let go. You can’t find any references in the Bible to 

time-out or scolding- although we used both of these too. When the children were 

older we used “work detail” as discipline! 

I truly believe your method of training is important. You can belittle a child 

with your words that they will remember for years. We want them to KNOW that 

they are loved and that they are precious! 

But, my word of encouragement to you today is to hold fast! Train them in 

every way!  Help them to memorize scripture. Train them not to let their minds run 

wild but to take thoughts captive. Train them how to work. (We had an elderly 

lady speak that to us when our children were quite young. Kids need to learn to 

work!  Such is life!)  Train them in respect and knowledge. Wow! The list can go on 

and on.

(Can I assure you here that there is no such thing as a perfect parent? Don’t let the 

enemy beat you up on this.) 

There is also promise at the end of this verse. He promises that they will not 

depart. Don’t let go of this! Even when it looks like they are departing, a praying 

momma is invaluable! And know that God loves your kids even more than you love 

your kids!  Isn’t that great to know?  

And He never gives up on us!