I shared with you last post, the scripture in Titus 2, that we are to teach our children in the things that make them a successful, Christian mother, wife, child, and even husband and father. It is up to us to be those examples, it is up to us to show them how to live a life pleasing to God. How do we do this, how do we know that we are doing it the right way?
First of all, the most important thing you need to do is to make sure that you know, that you know, that you know, that you are a Child of God. Not just that one day at church camp everyone went forward to pray a prayer and you followed along or that you prayed a prayer in fear of going to Hell, because the preacher scared you into it. You need to make sure that you are a true child of God. That you not only prayed a prayer asking Jesus to come into your heart as a child or teenager, but that you have committed your life to Christ. That you know beyond all shadow of doubt, that you are saved, that you know you are a sinner, because we are all sinners, Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." The bible says, "where by one man sinned, sin entered into the world." Scriptures are talking about the sin in the Garden, by Adam. He was told to stay away from the tree of knowledge of Good and Evil, but he was tempted and beguiled by the serpent and his wife, and ate of the fruit that they were forbidden to eat. Therefore, causing all of us to be sinners, by our own fleshly nature.
In Psalms, David said, "in sin did my mother conceive me..." which means that I was born into a sinful, carnal nature, that I didn't have to be taught to be sinful or rebellious, that is just a part of my natural state. The first word we have to teach a child is "NO" because they are always into things. We didn't have to teach them to be little busy bodies, in trouble all the time, that is their nature. We didn't have to train them for the terrible two's that is inherent in their own hearts. Thankfully, when God saw that there was no way to escape the sinful nature, not even by the shed blood of a little lamb in the flock, He knew He would have to find, ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE, and He gave us His only son, Jesus Christ, to be that sacrifice. To be a substitution for our own sins. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His ONLY SON, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not PERISH, but have EVERLASTING LIFE." He also shared with us that Christ came on this earth, the Son of God, part of the trinity, All God, but also all man, the scriptures said that God sent His son, who "knew no sin, to become sin for us." So that we could be saved.
How do we become saved? Romans 10:9 says that If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and Romans 10:13 says for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You see, you must acknowledge that you are a sinner, then you have to call upon the Lord, Jesus Christ, confess your sin, ask God for forgiveness of those sins and ask Christ to be the Lord of your life. Let Him come in and rule and reign in your life. I am not just talking about praying a prayer, Matthew 3:2 says, "Repent Ye..." Repentance is true change, you change your heart, change your mindset, change your lifestyle, change your priorities, and change your tongue. It is a true 180 degree turn around from where you are now. You can't just pray a prayer and go back to what you were doing. It is pray a prayer and change your life.
You see, the bible says in Romans 12:1-2 that "by the Mercies of God, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and perfect will of God." You see, God doesn't just want a prayer, and a simple sorry. How many times do you tell people you are sorry then go right back later and do it again? God wants your heart, life, and service.
Do you realize that Christianity is the ONLY belief system in the world where you do not have to do anything on a daily or regular basis to escape God's wrath in life. God is the only god, who Pursues His children for a REAL RELATIONSHIP. If you do not accept Christ as your Savior, He says you are not His, but once you are a child of God, He chases after you. You don't have to sit and wait for Him to show, God promises, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." You see, when He created man in the garden of Eden, it was to fellowship, to spend time, to walk with him and talk with him. To build a relationship, to spend time day in and day out together. He loves His creation, He loves His children, and He wants more than just a "oops, sorry God" He wants YOU.
There is a way to have this relationship with Him. I hear people say, I prayed a prayer, but in my time of most need, God was no where in sight. You know, when I got to the root of the truth, they had heard a message of hellfire and brimstone, that they were damned for eternity to hell, it scared them, they prayed a prayer to go to Heaven, but no one told them, what that all really meant. That when you pray the prayer, it is just the beginning of it all. You don't just all of a sudden have perfection, have sinlessness and a wonderful happy life, marriage and perfect kids. That isn't how this works. You see, the Bible says, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." We are also told, "study to shew thyself approved, a workman that needth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." In Luke, Christ says, "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word, is truth." You see, you have to build a relationship with God.
Once you become a child of God the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your heart, but until you learn how to let the Holy Spirit take control of your life, come in and totally consume you, in your heart, mind, and soul, then you will still want to and will walk the way you have known. You do not have the knowledge or will to change on your own, God has sent the Holy Spirit to help you change. You will find that as you grow in grace and the knowledge of God through prayer, scripture and daily renewing your mind and setting yourself apart from the world as a holy instrument for God's service, that you will begin to see the real fruit of your obedience and growth in God. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." When you let the Lord God touch your heart and life, and you begin to build that one on one relationship with God, praying, talking to Him, listening to His words of life through scripture, your faith becomes stronger, you begin to lean on God for everything and you begin to see His mighty hand in all you say and do. You will feel His blessings fall on your life, sometimes in little ways, but also in big ways too.
Does this mean your life will be perfect? OH, NO Way! Does it mean you will have a happy, go lucky life, where you never have a bad day and never have to question why? NOPE. Does it mean that Satan will leave you alone and you will never have a test or trial. Wow, not at all. This means, that when these tests and trials, when bad days and your strength and faith is wavering, you will have God to call on. You will have a comforter and a rock to hold on to when the storm is tossing you about. It is so you won't feel alone, because your heavenly father is right there when you call, holding you, telling you to hold on tight, you will get through it all together. We go through trials to build our character and to build our relationship with God. It is when you first, seek Him and His kingdom in those trials, in the suffering, in the times of lack, that God will take care of you, come through for you, and add all your needs to your life and CARRY you through. (Matthew 6:33)
Please know that life is never perfect, whether you are a Christian or not, but when you have God on your side, you are able to endure more, you are able to see the other side, you know that there will come an enormous testimony and blessing to share with others. You know that you can show your children and your spouse, that "with God all things are possible." Won't you do it today? Will you call on Him, ask God to be the Lord of your life? If you have never called on the Lord, please say these words below and call on God to be His Child forever.
Prayer:
Dear God, I know I am a sinner, I know that without you I can do nothing. Thank you for sending your son the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Savior, our provider of eternal life. I ask you Lord to forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and be my Lord, my God. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that you would allow your Holy Spirit to come in and consume my life, teach me all things, that I may be a Child of God, Holy, sanctified, set apart for your use. Help me to be the mom or dad that you need me to be, that I can point my children toward Heaven, that they will learn about you and also accept you as Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord for all things you have done, are doing, and will do in my life starting today, right here, right now.
In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Please, if you have prayed this prayer, email me, message me and let me know, so that I can pray for you, send you a special gift for a new child of God, that will help you grow in Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to be your partner in this new step in your life, to help you find strength to stand up each day in this decision you have made.
Suggested Scripture Reading for New Christians: the Gospel of John and Romans.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
All Eyes Are On You...
I wanted to share something with you today that God has put on my heart today. I want you to understand that this comes from Him, this entire blog is Holy Spirit inspired, I don't write from my own mind, but from the Mind of Christ, what He has given me to share with you as mothers, parents, young and mature women in the Lord.
Titus 2:1-8 states: "But speak though the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach young women to be sober, to love their children at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a patter of good works: in doctrine, showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."
Okay, so what does all this mean? Well, that is what this whole thing is about. That is why I started this entire blog, why we started our ministry, why we started Titus 2 Project. This is so important, that God wrote sections and books, and books on this subject. How we are to raise our children. The bible says in Proverbs "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." You see, you are your children's teacher. You are their example, you are the only way to God they know. It is up to you to show them the way to God, the true way, not just take them to church and hope for the best. It is important that your children see you live what you teach. I have heard this said, "Children see a sermon better than they can hear one." In other words, "do as I say, not as I do" does not work with a child. EVER!!!
You cannot tell them not to smoke and do drugs, then smoke and do drugs while they are watching you. My step-daughter spanked her child for a curse word that came out of her mouth one day, I looked at her and said, YOU think you can honestly spank her or punish her for saying a word that comes out of your mouth, ever other word?" NO, that isn't right, it isn't fair to the child, especially when they are young, impressionable and not to an age of understanding the difference of what you do and what they are allowed to do. We tell our daughters, "no you can't wear that, it is too revealing, too short, too grown up for you," then when they turn around, you have on something shorter, more revealing, and way to inappropriate for a mother to wear.
You think that no one cares what you wear, how you look, or what you do on your "own time" but believe it or not, you have all eyes on you all the time. What you wear, how you look, what you show off, your children are watching. Whether it is right in the middle of everything or from afar off. Children see their mother as perfect, wonderful, loving and as their example of what they are going to be later in life. No matter what you tell them to do, how you tell them you want them to live, or how to dress, they are going to strive for the rest of their lives to emulate you. They will be setting up the rest of their world with you as their example.
God wants you to be their example, He wants you to be their teacher, their mentor. He wants you to teach them how to be proper young ladies and gentlemen. He wants parents to be the living example of Christ to others, and to their children. He wants them to see how we should live modestly, how we should live in submission to one another, and that we should care what we look like, dress like, how we treat others, and how to be a person that stands out in the crowd, not because their clothes and makeup is so distracting, but because YOU can't help but let the Light of God shine in you and through you no matter where you go, no matter what you do.
When we begin to live like the world, and dress like the world, our children see a worldly outlook, instead of Godly. When we fail to teach our children, yes, there are women wearing some pretty revealing things in magazines, that people think a size 0 is perfect size, but that in God's eyes, He sees beauty and perfection in His Child no matter what size or shape they are. We are to be teaching our children to measure themselves by God's standards, not by magazines, not by Americas Next Top Model, but by the word of God, and everything that comes out of your mouth as their mother, their mentor, and their guide. We need to be training our children, we need to be a real example to them, and show them the love of God, with or without fashion. "Man looks on the outside, God looks at the heart."
Titus 2:1-8 states: "But speak though the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach young women to be sober, to love their children at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a patter of good works: in doctrine, showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."
Okay, so what does all this mean? Well, that is what this whole thing is about. That is why I started this entire blog, why we started our ministry, why we started Titus 2 Project. This is so important, that God wrote sections and books, and books on this subject. How we are to raise our children. The bible says in Proverbs "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." You see, you are your children's teacher. You are their example, you are the only way to God they know. It is up to you to show them the way to God, the true way, not just take them to church and hope for the best. It is important that your children see you live what you teach. I have heard this said, "Children see a sermon better than they can hear one." In other words, "do as I say, not as I do" does not work with a child. EVER!!!
You cannot tell them not to smoke and do drugs, then smoke and do drugs while they are watching you. My step-daughter spanked her child for a curse word that came out of her mouth one day, I looked at her and said, YOU think you can honestly spank her or punish her for saying a word that comes out of your mouth, ever other word?" NO, that isn't right, it isn't fair to the child, especially when they are young, impressionable and not to an age of understanding the difference of what you do and what they are allowed to do. We tell our daughters, "no you can't wear that, it is too revealing, too short, too grown up for you," then when they turn around, you have on something shorter, more revealing, and way to inappropriate for a mother to wear.
You think that no one cares what you wear, how you look, or what you do on your "own time" but believe it or not, you have all eyes on you all the time. What you wear, how you look, what you show off, your children are watching. Whether it is right in the middle of everything or from afar off. Children see their mother as perfect, wonderful, loving and as their example of what they are going to be later in life. No matter what you tell them to do, how you tell them you want them to live, or how to dress, they are going to strive for the rest of their lives to emulate you. They will be setting up the rest of their world with you as their example.
God wants you to be their example, He wants you to be their teacher, their mentor. He wants you to teach them how to be proper young ladies and gentlemen. He wants parents to be the living example of Christ to others, and to their children. He wants them to see how we should live modestly, how we should live in submission to one another, and that we should care what we look like, dress like, how we treat others, and how to be a person that stands out in the crowd, not because their clothes and makeup is so distracting, but because YOU can't help but let the Light of God shine in you and through you no matter where you go, no matter what you do.
When we begin to live like the world, and dress like the world, our children see a worldly outlook, instead of Godly. When we fail to teach our children, yes, there are women wearing some pretty revealing things in magazines, that people think a size 0 is perfect size, but that in God's eyes, He sees beauty and perfection in His Child no matter what size or shape they are. We are to be teaching our children to measure themselves by God's standards, not by magazines, not by Americas Next Top Model, but by the word of God, and everything that comes out of your mouth as their mother, their mentor, and their guide. We need to be training our children, we need to be a real example to them, and show them the love of God, with or without fashion. "Man looks on the outside, God looks at the heart."
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