Jesus' Atoning Blood!

"But if we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from ALL SIN"!!! 1 John 1:7 Thank JESUS that HE ALONE covers ALL of our sins when we repent and accept Him as our Savior! Thank you, Lord, for YOUR atoning blood!

We MUST TRUST in JESUS ALONE and His sacrifice on the cross. Putting our trust in something WE can do for our salvation brings a curse on us! See below. Love it!

Jeremiah 17:5-8 "This is what the LORD says: ..."Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”"

Refined, Not Comfortable

My quote of the week (from a previous sermon from our pastor)...

"Comfortable living produces weak character."

Truly, being comfortable seems quite desirable. Just last week, I heard on Dobson the reminder that the Christian's life is full of adversity, not always comfort and prosperity as this world defines it. So, with that in mind, I would rather be refined by my Father and a woman of Godly character than comfortable.

Apply this quote as needed in your life this week!

Foolish Talk

Q. Is it okay for Christian boys to call each other names like "homo" or "retard"?

A. Name-calling terms, such as "retard" or "homo" aren't Biblically permissive to call another person. One is in regards to a sexually perverse lifestyle and the other is making fun of a birth defect.

Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself."

James 3:17-18 - "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

One could argue that these terms are being used figuratively, rather than literally. No matter how LITERAL you are being in such name-calling, it is still not Biblically permissible.

Also, as Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." As parents, we are to be encouraging our children to become disciplined in the ways of Jesus, not in the ways of their peers and other foolish thinkers. Discipline in someone's life does not come naturally, when they come of age. Rather, it is something that is taught to someone and practiced until it becomes a part of who they are.

One more passage to consider is Ephesians 5:4 "...and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."

All that name-calling is foolish talk and is not suitable for those who are to be being trained in how to be a godly young man. I love Ephesians 5! It instructs Believers on how we are to be as children of God. This is a beautiful passage after which to pattern one's life.

Consider your talk momentarily. Does your language represent Christ? Are you teaching your children to become disciplined in their speech?

Easy Way to Teach and Learn The Ten Commandments!

60% of Americans cannot name even five of The Ten Commandments. Are you one of them? Have you always had trouble recalling which commandment was what number? Take THIS test or THIS test to see how well you fair and then watch the video below on how you can better recall each commandment in order!

This is an ingenious way of remembering them using mnemonics, which is a learning technique that aids memory! Sit down with your children and watch this 11 minute video and you'll forever remember each of The Ten Commandments in order! Very cool...

Here are some additional activities to do with your children as they learn The Ten Commandments!

Coloring Page of Moses

A maze

Spelling Lesson on The Ten Commandments

A Lesson in Hebrew on The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments Craft

If your children learn The Ten Commandments, they can send away for a FREE reward manget HERE!

Sharing Your Faith - In a nutshell

Do you want to share your faith, but have no starting point in which to do so? Below is a simple, straightforward approach to sharing the Hope that you have, laid out in 1 concise video.

Wonder why I believe the things I do and speak out in the ways that I do? Are you interested in why I'm so "fanatical" about the things of God? This video sums it all up!

If the video below doesn't play, go HERE!

Good vs. Better

We are all given a choice between wrong and right; between what's good and what's BETTER! Those who base their decisions and "CHOICES" on their feelings, instead of God's Word are in for a big surprise when they stand before their Maker and account for why they rejected His plans for their lives!

Which Road?

We are all given a choice between wrong and right; between what's good and what's BETTER! Those who base their decisions and "CHOICES" on their finite feelings, instead of God's infinite wisdom, found in His Word are in for a big surprise when they stand before their Maker and account for why they rejected His plans for their lives!

Which road will you take? What feels good or what is good?

Milk vs. Meat

VERSUS

In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul states of how he is feeding "Christian infants" with milk, rather than meat. Spiritual milk would be classified as basic biblical truths and spiritual meat would be something more theological or "deeper" in meaning. However, unlike many churches in America today, Paul is very careful to encourage these new believers to GROW in their knowledge, not continuing to consume the milk (basic and simplistic biblical teachings).

1 Cor. 3:10-15 "But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames."

Paul was careful to admonish the Corinthians to build upon their faith (grow in maturity).

2 Peter 3:18 says that we should grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. We are encouraged to GROW spiritually.

Hebrews 6:1 says, "Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God."

If a particular church is not actively encouraging and speaking to its fellowship to change and grow; if Christians justify such churches as being the "milk", then when will these believers grow into the maturity of Christ and leave to go to a church that is more "meaty"? At what point does this church move people on to pursue their own spiritual growth? I see no plan for that in the view of most seeker sensitive churches. I see only contentment to stay in that spiritually simplistic atmosphere for entertainment purposes.

I understand that we need to start somewhere as new believers, but the discipleship atmosphere that Jesus modeled with His disciples seems to be a great way to start! Bring them up to a higher level..."as iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17)!

In case anyone is wondering...no, I do not consider myself even close to reaching the pinnacle of spiritual knowledge and maturity. That can never be attained on this earth. Still, I will strive to get as close to it as possible by challenging myself by placing myself around Christians and under a pastor who encourages me to GROW in my salvation!

Below is what Matthew Henry had to share about this chapter of 1 Corinthians 3 and how Paul was chastening them for lacking in spiritual maturity.

Paul blames the Corinthians for their weakness and nonproficiency. Those who are sanctified are so only in part: there is still room for growth and increase both in grace and knowledge. Those who through divine grace are renewed to a spiritual life may yet in many things be defective. The apostle tells them he could not speak to them as unto spiritual men, but as unto carnal men, as to babes in Christ, v. 1. They were so far from forming their maxims and measures upon the ground of divine revelation, and entering into the spirit of the gospel, that is was but too evident they were much under the command of carnal and corrupt affections. They were still mere babes in Christ. They had received some of the first principles of Christianity, but had not grown up to maturity of understanding in them, or of faith and holiness; and yet it is plain, from several passages in this epistle, that the Corinthians were very proud of their wisdom and knowledge. Note, It is but too common for persons of very moderate knowledge and understanding to have a great measure of self-conceit.

The apostle assigns their little proficiency in the knowledge of Christianity as a reason why he had communicated no more of the deep things of it to them. They could not bear such food, they needed to be fed with milk, not with meat, v. 2. Note, It is the duty of a faithful minister of Christ to consult the capacities of his hearers and teach them as they can bear. And yet it is natural for babes to grow up to men; and babes in Christ should endeavour to grow in Stature, and become men in Christ. It is expected that their advances in knowledge should be in proportion to their means and opportunities, and their time of professing religion, that they may be able to bear discourses on the mysteries of our religion, and not always rest in plain things. It was a reproach to the Corinthians that they had so long sat under the ministry of Paul and had made no more improvement in Christian knowledge. Note, Christians are utterly to blame who do not endeavour to grow in grace and knowledge.

Others build wood, hay, and stubble, on this foundation; that is, though they adhere to the foundation, they depart from the mind of Christ in many particulars, substitute their own fancies and inventions in the room of his doctrines and institutions, and build upon the good foundation what will not abide the test when the day of trial shall come, and the fire must make it manifest, as wood, hay, and stubble, will not bear the trial by fire, but must be consumed in it. There is a time coming when a discovery will be made of what men have built on this foundation: Every man's work shall be made manifest, shall be laid open to view, to his own view and that of others. Some may, in the simplicity of their hearts, build wood and stubble on the good foundation, and know not, all the while, what they have been doing; but in the day of the Lord their own conduct shall appear to them in its proper light.

(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

Ear-splitting Rejoicing in Church...is it appropriate?

I have listened to and commented on the numerous, and sometimes heated, discussions about a local church that removed a 12 year old boy with cerebral palsy from a Resurrection Sunday service because he gave an "amen" at an inopportune time. Bottom line...I wasn't there. However, if it happened like the article I read says it happened....how dare they remove someone (especially a handicapped person) from a service because of their vocal worship of their Lord!

During the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus' followers and disciples made many loud and apparently obnoxious "amens". The Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His followers. But how did Jesus answer? "I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out!" If His followers had not rightly and properly celebrated aloud the Messiah's coming, the very rocks would have been given a voice by God.

The Hebrew transliteration of the term used to describe how the rocks would have cried out is: (krad'-zo); to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat). So, had the followers not given Jesus the CORRECT welcome He so deserved, the rocks would have shrieked, calling aloud in praise!

And when we look at how this very instance of crying out was predicted back in Zechariah we see this..."Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." [Zechariah 9:9] The transliteration for the word "shout" in the above passage actually means "to split the ears with sound", while "rejoice" literally meant "to spin around under the influence of great emotion".

Since Jesus and His Word show us that those who were present at his entry into Jerusalem were supposed to give him that kind of loud, "ear-splitting" exclamations upon His arrival, how should we then imitate in the same way when worshipping Him on a Resurrection Sunday (or any given Sunday), when we recall His gift to us through salvation? I just don't see why anyone could condemn this type of action, when it is so well grounded in Scripture!

Can we display true reverence (deep respect tinged with awe) while also being vocal with our praise and adoration? Apparently we can, because Jesus thought it was not only permissible, but also required.

Psalm 37:23-26 In Light of Family UNplanning...

"The steps of a good man are established
[prepared] by the LORD, and he delights in his way."

Your life, lived within God's Will, is under Divine guidance and control! He does not idly create and send your family a new child! Your ways; your baby's ways are PLANNED by God! Are you taking PLEASURE in the path the the Lord has set before you? Are you complaining about where He has led you in family UNplanning? God has prepared this way for YOU. Rejoice in the way and praise God through all times!

"When he falls [a temporary calamity], he will not be hurled headlong,
because the LORD is the One who holds his hand [God "upholdeths"]."

So spiritually, whatever falls the believer may have through his own weakness and corruption, and Satan's subtlety, the Lord 'having begun a good work' in him, "will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil 1:6). A beautiful type of this is Christ's stretching forth His hand to catch and save Peter from sinking in the waves (Matt 14:31).(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)

Are you fearful of falling or failing while treading that path that God has laid before you? Take heart, God promises to be there to hold your hand. You will not be destroyed! Place your hand in His and TRUST your Creator God!

"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen
the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."

Nor his seed begging bread - i.e., continuously. Temporarily David had in his destitution begged sustenance from the rich Nabal. The very object of the psalm is to counteract the temptation to fretfulness at the temporary wants of the godly. But, alike in the Old and the New Testaments, the godly are exempt from permanent abandonment as to the needs even of this life. He who commands us to pray, Give us this day our daily bread, will not mock His children by withholding that which He Himself has encouraged them to ask, with the implied promise that He will grant it. He does not raise hopes only to disappoint them. They who make heaven their end will not be allowed to want any necessary on the way (Matt 6:33; Ps 84:11; Rom 8:28,32).(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)

Are you afraid of not being able to provide for those little ones that the Lord might (or might not) send you? David says in this psalm that the RIGHTEOUS and their descendants have never been known to beg for food continuously. Now, will you reap what you sow? Yes. So, be careful to be righteous in your actions and God will reward you and provide for your own accordingly. Does this mean that you will have everything that you ever dreamed? No. God will provide for all our NEEDS as He see fit!

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: the neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!" Luke 12:22-24

"All day long he is gracious and lends [he is compassionate], and
his descendants are a blessing."

Be gracious and giving! By living a life of faith and compassion your children will prove to be the BLESSINGS that God has always intended them to be.

Follow in HIS ways; Hold HIS hand and all will be well for you....not perfect, but well!

How to BIBLICALLY work with those in sexual sin...

Our family works with women living in sexual sin (at the abortion mills). We have hosted them in our home (and yes, ate with them), but when they choose to reject Christ and to *continue* to willfully live in sin...that's where we cannot yoke with them. That's where the *bond* MUST be broken, according to Scripture. Sound harsh? Look at the Scriptures below and see where Jesus' compassion alligns with His commands and warnings...

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (NIV): Do not be yoked together [associate; befriend] with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship (associate) can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Matthew 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Acts 13:51-52 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

..... to shake the dust of any city of Israel from off one's clothes or feet was an emblematical action, signifying a renunciation of all further connection with them, and placing them on a level with the cities of the Heathen. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (reprehend severely; rebuke; convict).

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred (hostility) toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy (hostile) of God.

[Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world] How strange it is that people professing Christianity can suppose that with a worldly spirit, worldly companions, and their lives governed by worldly maxims, they can be in the favour of God, or ever get to the kingdom of heaven! When the world gets into the church, the church becomes a painted sepulcher; its spiritual vitality being extinct. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Regarding associations with perpetual sinners who call themselves believers....

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 "I have written you in my letter not to associate (keep company or be intimate) with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat (directly translated that we are to not eat, "not even in a continue negation"). What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel (remove) the wicked man from among you.'

It is vitally important to understand that we are not to judge those who are outside the church (non-professing Christians), but we are to remove those who practice homosexuality from our Church body (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). We cannot "police" the homosexuals (that's not our job), but we can remove them from our presence, as stated in the aforementioned verses.

Psalm 1:1 - Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

Psalm 26:4-7 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.

Proverb 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

This is crucial........

1 Cor. 15:33 "Do not be deceived (led astray): ‘Bad company (companionship) corrupts good character (habits, customs).'"

There is no difficulty in this saying; he who frequents the company of bad or corrupt men will soon be as they are. He may be sound in the faith, and have the life and power of godliness, and at first frequent their company only for the sake of their pleasing conversation, or their literary accomplishments: and he may think his faith proof against their infidelity; but he will soon find, by means of their glozing speeches, his faith weakened; and when once he gets under the empire of doubt, unbelief will soon prevail; his bad company will corrupt his morals. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

When comments have been said to me about how Jesus hung out with and associate with unbelievers and those in sexual sin, I urge them to look at his friendships with them. My friend had an excellent response...

Jesus had dinner with "sinners", but they were not in His circle of "friends". There is a huge difference, IMHO. There is a distinction between interacting with homosexuals (or whichever other "sinner") and "yoking" yourself with them in a friendship that entails regular interaction. We are known by whom we associate with (sad, but true) and we are also influenced by whom we associate with. Do you want your kids hanging out with the kid who smokes and sneaks alcohol from their parents' cabinet? Or do you want your kids hanging out with the kid who - while they aren't perfect (because no one is) - does their best to make good choices? I know which one I want my kids hanging out with. I know that it has become politically correct to be "tolerant" of homosexuals (which is watering down the fact that according to the Bible, it is a sin, an abomination), and I AM "tolerant" of homosexuals (my SIL is a lesbian, and has been in a relationship with the same woman for over 10 years), but I am not going to befriend a homosexual. All of the examples (addiction to porn, lusting, having affairs) are done in secret. It isn't as though people engaging in those things show up at church with a sign around their neck saying "I'm a porn addict". Those examples are red herrings. If a man DID show up at church with a sign that said "I'm addicted to porn", I think that the article Lisa posted [HERE] would apply. But to answer your question about "how do we choose who is moral enough to keep company with", the answer is spelled out very clearly in several places in the Bible. I've already gotten long-winded, so I won't quote the scriptures or even post the references. Don't be deceived into thinking that you have to be "friends with" an immoral person in order to witness to them. You can be friendly, without being "friends". A former pastor of mine used to always say, if you're standing on a chair, it's much easier for someone to pull you off the chair, than it is for you to pull them up on it with you. - Kathy H.

Our family proclaims the truth to those we meet who are living in sexual sin. This can be done while still obeying the Scriptures. We encourage them, in love, to break free from sin (aborting their babies; continuing in sexual sin). We never know when someone will be called into eternity. There is no time to let those that we are supposed to love and care about feel comfortable in their sin. Jesus never made sinners feel comfortable to stay in their sin. He spoke the truth and yoked with those who sought forgiveness and repented from living in sin. When we meet young women at the abortion clinics, we meet their practical needs, present the Gospel, fulfill our promises to them and eventually move on if the Gospel has been rejected. We check in on them now and again and continue to minister to them. BUT...we never yoke together or befriend/hang out with, etc. Quite a difference there...

We *all* sin, but it's what we do to prevent that repetitive sin and Who we've accepted as covering for our sin that makes the difference.

The Word is very clear on this. I cannot debate feelings (we all feel differently about many things...what we prefer to eat, what style home is our favorite, what clothes we prefer to wear, etc.). If you want to show me IN SCRIPTURE where it refutes the Scriptures I listed, I'd love to see it. For me...I take Scripture as it is.

Associating with Homosexuals Regularly - Is it Biblical?

Reposted from 2008

If you believe that associating with homosexuals is just the same as associating with any other type of sinner, I am urging you to consider these verses and warnings about associating with the sexually immoral! The Bible is very clear on this. I have concluded that God would have us to present the truth to an unbeliever and try to persuade them, but if we remain in their presence after the Gospel has been rejected, we are taking the chance of being brought down by them and/or becoming desensitized toward that sin.

I am certainly not saying that we should isolate ourselves from the world. If we are spiritually mature *AND* trained appropriately in how to minister to people with particular sins we should mix with unbelievers in the world to minister to them and help them. But we should not be living or working with the same unbelievers for an extended period of time, if they refuse to repent and believe. It is good to mix with unbelievers to love and convert them (our family does this regularly). If you can share Jesus with them, then you can happily yoke together. We should revisit some people even if they don't believe at first, as conversion can take time.

Jesus did the right thing by loving and mixing with sinners and tax collectors for the purpose of converting them. But he did not yoke, work and live with the same people if they did not believe. Jesus and the Apostles moved on if people did not believe, and met other people, trying to convert them. **The fact of the matter is that Jesus did not CONTINUE to spend time with sinners (tax collectors, prostitutes, etc.) if they refused the TRUTH presented to them.**

The following passages refer to the sending forth of Jesus' disciples to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Obviously, Jesus was teaching his disciples that if some people will not listen to the message, their time could be better spent going to someone who will listen. **The Greek/Hebrew direct translation in parenthesis in order to better understand the words literally. **

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (NIV): Do not be yoked together [associate; befriend] with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship (associate) can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Matthew 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Acts 13:51-52 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

..... to shake the dust of any city of Israel from off one's clothes or feet was an emblematical action, signifying a renunciation of all further connection with them, and placing them on a level with the cities of the Heathen. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (reprehend severely; rebuke; convict).

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred (hostility) toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy (hostile) of God.

[Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world] How strange it is that people professing Christianity can suppose that with a worldly spirit, worldly companions, and their lives governed by worldly maxims, they can be in the favour of God, or ever get to the kingdom of heaven! When the world gets into the church, the church becomes a painted sepulcher; its spiritual vitality being extinct. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Regarding associations with perpetual sinners who call themselves believers....

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 "I have written you in my letter not to associate (keep company or be intimate) with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat (directly translated that we are to not eat, "not even in a continue negation"). What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel (remove) the wicked man from among you.'

It is vitally important to understand that we are not to judge those who are outside the church (non-professing Christians), but we are to remove those who practice homosexuality from our Church body (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). We cannot "police" the homosexuals (that's not our job), but we can remove them from our presence, as stated in the aforementioned verses.

Psalm 1:1 - Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

Psalm 26:4-7 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.

Proverb 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

This is crucial........

1 Cor. 15:33 "Do not be deceived (led astray): ‘Bad company (companionship) corrupts good character (habits, customs).'"

There is no difficulty in this saying; he who frequents the company of bad or corrupt men will soon be as they are. He may be sound in the faith, and have the life and power of godliness, and at first frequent their company only for the sake of their pleasing conversation, or their literary accomplishments: and he may think his faith proof against their infidelity; but he will soon find, by means of their glozing speeches, his faith weakened; and when once he gets under the empire of doubt, unbelief will soon prevail; his bad company will corrupt his morals. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Now before everyone jumps in to say how wrong I am....please do not attempt to debate without Scriptural references that refute the verses I listed above. Sola Scriptura! May we strive to please Jesus in all we do!

Guarding Family Meal Time and Nightly Worship

The Family Meal Table is a wonderful book by Nancy Campbell that will give you a vision for your family meal table far beyond what you have ever dreamed. Filled with Scriptural inspiration and creative ideas for your family mealtimes, there are 35 chapters filled with scriptural inspiration and creative ideas for your family mealtimes and hospitality.

Our family really guards our evening meal times and family worship from other activities that our family might encounter. Night time is family time and/or time for hospitality (our guests even get to join in on our family worship). Kids grow up too quickly, and before we know it we've traded that time for things we deemed more important then, but really weren't as important as we thought.

The beauty of family worship is that it really encourages the dad (if a Christian, obviously) to stand up and be the spiritual leader within his home. It pushes him to spiritual growth and really teaches the kids about what's most important in a dad's life, as well as their own. It doesn't have to be planned or fancy. Ours is basically the reading of Scripture and a devotional. Mark explains it so that they all understand and will answer questions that they have. He has them memorize some Scriptures and recite them (a few of the kids recite each night, or we'd go on forever!) and then we sing a few songs. It probably takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes. Easy...and SO worth it!!!!!

The Full Armor!

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:1

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

God's Timing

God knows the exact, most precise and most effective method, trial, blessing, people, and happenstance (right down to the detailed degree) that we need at the most accurate time in our lives. He providentially orchestrates every little thing for our good, and our growth, with the motive of His glory in it all.

Time for Christians to Shred Their Bibles

Don't read into this any more than what it says, please (I know some would love to put words in my mouth). That being said, this is so true...we are becomming sheepish slaves of government; we are lambs being willingly led away to our own slaughter! Read the exerpt and then click the link to read the conclusion!



Many of us grew up in Sunday School and church. We have heard the great Bible stories over and over. We heard about the story of how Moses’ mother defied Pharaoh and hid her little baby boy in bulrushes. We heard the story of how Moses killed the Egyptian taskmaster defending a Hebrew slave and later became the great deliverer of God’s people. We heard the story of young David going out alone against the Philistines’ greatest warrior, Goliath. We heard the story of how Saul’s servants refused to carry out the king’s order to murder the priest Ahimelech. We know well the story of Daniel who defied his government’s order to refrain from praying. The names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are very familiar to us. We heard our teachers and preachers extol their courage in defying the government’s order to bow to the image of their emperor. We remember that John the Baptist went to prison (and was eventually beheaded), not for preaching the Gospel, but for criticizing the king for his immoral behavior. We certainly recall the story of Simon Peter who bluntly told his civil magistrates, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” We know that the Apostle Paul wrote many of his epistles from inside government prisons. We certainly recall that before John penned the Revelation, he had been banished to an island-prison by his civil authorities.

I challenge Christians to objectively look at the great stories of Bible heroes (in both testaments) and observe how many times they are noted for either being martyred for defying a civil authority, or, perhaps, for being delivered from death for defying a civil authority. The stories of defiance to civil government (in one form or another) comprise a great percentage of all the stories contained in the Bible–perhaps even a majority of them.

So, how has it happened that a majority of today’s Christians, it seems, have become such sheepish slaves of government? How has it happened that, for the most part, the concept of courage in the face of government oppression has been totally lost to the average Christian, pastor, and church? For all intents and purposes, it is time for many Christians to shred their Bibles, because the lessons and principles of God’s Word have absolutely no influence over their attitudes and conduct. The Rest HERE....

Should I leave out "difficult" words in the Bible when reading it to my children?

Q. How do you handle reading aloud such words in the Bible as "homosexual", "harlot" and such as that? Do you omit them or do you explain to all your children what those words mean?

A. We attend a family integrated church, where the pastor preaches the Word of God to all ages. No parts of the Bible are omitted and we follow the same principles at home, during family worship. Remember, the “Book of the Law” (the copy of the Scriptures at that time) was read to ALL the people....old, young, children, and even nursing infants. I don’t see how we can seek to imitate the Bible and leave out anything. However, there is a delicate way of handling this....we do not explain the direct meaning of these terms UNLESS we are asked for those meanings. Depending upon what ages are present, we explain on their age level of understanding. The word harlot could mean a person who kisses men who are not her husband or someone who sells s-x for money.....it all depends on the age and understanding of the one asking AND who else is present. We would bring the subject up again, if not brought up sooner, as the child ages and gains more understanding of sin.

It is also good to remember that Joshua read the ENTIRE Book of the Law to the Israelites...young and old. That should be an example of how we should lead our children!

"There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel with the women and the little ones and the strangers who were living among them. " Joshua 8:35

“Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments, and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart and whose spirit was not faithful to God.” (Psalm 78:1-8, emphasis added).

Ear Trainers - Part 2

Part 1 HERE

"Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"
(Galatians 3:2,5)

Have you ever thought of the words, "the hearing of faith?" Before we
have faith, we must hear first. Faith is not an airy fairy thing that is
based on nothing! It is only true faith if it is based on the Word of God.
Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God."

This is why it is so important for mothers to be ear trainers. We must
train our children to hear and obey us so they can hear and obey the
Word of God. We must train our children not just to hear words, but to
get into the habit of listening with their heart and inner ears.

Not only do we train them to have obedient and prompt ears, but we
train them how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks
through the hearing of the Word of God. Timothy came to faith by
listening to the Scriptures as a child. 2 Timothy 3:15 says, "From a
child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee
wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." We don't
wait until our children are older to read them the Word of God. We
start from when they are babies. The little babe nursing at the breast
can hear the God's words at Family Devotions every evening and
morning. The little toddler rocking on his mother's or father's knee at
Family Devotions is being prepared for salvation as he listens to
living words of God.

In his book, How to Have a Family Altar by Norman V. Williams
states, "Babies have ears to hear with! They have hearts to believe with!
The Holy Spirit who holds the reins of that child's mind and heart is
mightily present to bless when you give the Word of God! ...It is your
duty to exhort your child daily with the blessed Word of God. If you
do that, you will be amazed to see what the Holy Spirit will do in that
little heart! ... This is the family altar-bringing our children to Christ in
His Word that He might touch them!"

Paul also speaks to Timothy about being "nourished up in the words of
faith" (2 Timothy 4:6). We will nourish our children in the words of
faith as we teach them how to listen. The more they hear (listening
beyond words to the voice of the Holy Spirit illuminating the Word),
the more they will walk in faith. We don't want our children to know
"the letter of the law" but the anointing of the Spirit of God upon the
Word, because "the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life"
(2 Corinthians 3:6).*

Jesus reprimanded the people for having "dull ears"
(Matthew 13:15-16). The writer of Hebrews could not reveal the
"strong meat" to his readers because they were "dull of hearing."
(Hebrews 5:11-14) May God save us from having dull ears. May
He save us from raising children who have dull ears.

"The hearing of faith" also shows us how important it is to encourage
one another with the words of God. This is why we should not forsake
"the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but
exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day
approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).When we confess the truths of the
Word of God to one another's ears we build one another up. That'sThe more
we come together and affirm the truth to one another, the more we
increase each other's faith. why we need one another.

Hebrews 12:25 says, "See that you do not refuse him who speaks. For
if they did not escape who refused him who spoke on earth, much
more shall we not escape if we turn away from him who speaks from
heaven."

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Dear Father, please help me to nourish my children up in the Word
of God by reading it to them daily. Help me to teach them how to
listen to me so they will know how to hear words from heaven. In
Jesus' name, Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am teaching my children how to hear the One who speaks from
heaven!

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and
keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them
out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the
week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller,
highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you
are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe
by sending a blank email to wlmailhtml:%7B552712D4-9F57-4472-926F-30CA275CA659%7Dmid://00001001/!x-usc:mailto:subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

Overcoming Sinful Pulls of the Flesh

"Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Galatians 5:24

As we can see from the above verse, we most certainly have the power to rid our lives of those nagging fleshly desires. Maybe your fleshly desires include procrastination, being easily angered by your husband or children, or not being consistant in disciplining and training your children. Whatever your downfall remember that since we have been crucified with Jesus, by way of our salvation, and that salvation is what enables us to conquer our flesh. However, to succeed in doing this, we must be purposeful in defeating what our natural man is calling us to do. Take every thought captive and make it obedient unto Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). When every thought is taken captive and called to obedience, then your actions will follow. You can defeat your natural man's sinful desires! Be purposeful and surrender your own selfish rights and desires, in order to bring Glory to God and acheive His purpose for you in life!

Christmas In Poverty

Philippians 2:6-8, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedience unto death, even the death of the cross."

What is Christmas today? Christmas trees, decorations, lights, tinsel, parties, Santa Claus, and an over abundance of food. Total antipathy to the very first Christmas!

The first Christmas was celebrated in poverty. Today, if a couple were so poor that they had to have their baby in a dirty animal stable, the Social Services would take their baby away from them. But 2000 years down the line, it seems that the humility of Christmas has been forgotten.

I think it would be good to remind ourselves of the true reality of Christmas, don't you?

1. The humility of Mary.

Mary was a humble maiden with a humble lineage. She was not a royal princess. She was not a High Priest's daughter. She was not rich. Mary herself confesses in her song, "He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.... He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree..." (Luke 1:48-49) But God chose this unknown virgin to bring forth His precious Son. He chose her because she was a willing vessel. Often those who have everything materially, are not willing vessels.

for riches and material possessions. He is looking for women with obedient hearts-- mothers who will welcome to their hearts the children whom God has planned to send them. He is looking for those who have the same spirit Mary had when she said, "Be it unto me according to thy Word." (Luke 1:38) She was totally surrendered to the will of the Lord. In the face of poverty, ridicule, rejection and estrangement, she embraced this child who would be the Savior of the world.

I will never forget going to the famous art gallery in London and seeing a painting of Mary. It was such an anointed picture. The artist had captured the look of total submission and abandonment to the will of God upon her face. It was amazing. I looked and looked at it for hours. The caption was the very words, "Be it unto me according to thy Word."

2. The humility of Joseph.

Joseph was a humble carpenter from a humble village. Do you remember that Nathanael said of Jesus, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46) Jesus was spurned by his fellow residents of Nazareth who asked, "Is not this the carpenter's son?" (Matthew 13:55)

3. The humility of His birthplace.

Jesus was born in a stable, most probably a cave, with the dirt, the smells and messes of the animals all around. He was then laid in a stone feeding trough, fit only for the animals. Jesus was born to be King, but God didn't provide a palace for His Son in which to be born. He didn't provide a doctor, nurses and hospital. There was no cradle, beautifully draped with lace and frills. Only straw! Was there even that? No Christmas card paints the true reality of the scene.

If this was the beginning of the Son of God, why do we, the sons and daughters of God, expect that we should have all the niceties of life? Of course, if God blesses us with them, we will receive them with joy, but should we expect them? Everything surrounding the birth of Jesus was humble. It is interesting that in the body of Christ we have the "Faith movement" and the "Discipleship movement" and so on. But has anyone ever heard of the "Humility movement"? We don't take to this aspect so well, do we? And yet this is how God planned for His beloved Son to be born. And this is how he lived all through His life. Shouldn't humility also be the hallmark of our Christian experience?

I think that God revealed His heart in the place He chose for His son to be born-the lowliest and humbles place possible. God loves the poor. He promises to raise up the poor. He watches over them. Even in the birth of His son, He related to the poorest of the poor.

It is also amazing to think that God chose to bring forth His beloved Son through the process of birth. He could have sent him down from Heaven on a chariot of fire! He could have sent a legion of angels to escort Him from the majesty of heaven. But no! He chose for His Son to be conceived and nurtured in a womb, to be born of a woman, the way that God planned for all human life to come into this world.

Surely this raises birth to a high estate. What a privilege to give birth and give life to children, the very same way that Jesus came into the world? How blessed we are as women.

4. The humility of Jesus' dedication.

After the days of a mother's purification, the parents took the baby to the temple to be dedicated. They had to bring a lamb to be sacrificed for the dedication. However, if they could not afford a lamb, they brought two turtle doves or young pigeons. (Leviticus 12:6-8) The account in Luke 2:23-24 tells us that Joseph and Mary brought doves or pigeons. They belonged to the poor class. They couldn't afford to bring a lamb. And yet God chose from the poorer class to bring forth the King of kings and Lord of lords.

We don't have to own our own home and have all the modern conveniences before we are ready to have a baby. All we have to have is willing and welcome hearts. God will always provide for the children He sends. The poor who have children are richer than the wealthy who reject children.

May God pour out His Spirit upon you at this very special season as you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah together as a family. May God keep all our hearts focused on the humility of His birth, rather than tinsel and toys.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for leaving the glory of heaven to come to this earth. Thank you for humbling yourself to become a little baby. Thank you for being humiliated for me. Thank you that you came to die, and to die for my sin. How can I ever thank you adequately? But with all my being I worship and love you. Amen."

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org