By Rene Shute
Thank God! The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5).
As moms, we are acutely aware that the enemy of the souls of our children “walketh about seeking whom he may devour;” seeking to steal the lambs from the fold. But we are NOT ignorant of Satan’s devices, so we keep the weapons of our warfare in constant use. With our sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, we go to war praying THE WORD over our children; and speaking those precious promises as reality in their lives at that very moment. We are indeed calling those things which be not, as though they were.
Moms, pray such promises as:
“The Lord shall give His angels charge over (name your children), to keep them in all their way . . . a hedge of protection is built about them to keep them from harm . . . the Lord will never leave them nor forsake them . . . He is their ever present help in time of trouble . . . He will calm the troubled waters of their souls. The Lord is leading them in the path of righteousness . . . they are following, in Jesus Name! His blood covers them . . . His banner over them is love . . . His word is a light on their pathway, a lamp unto their feet. They shall run the race of life and not be weary . . . they shall mount up with wings as eagles, rising victoriously above the evil spirits that would hinder their spiritual and emotional stability. I know in whom I believe and am persuaded that He is able to keep (name children) whom I am committing into His hands today.” My children walk in safety and victory… IN THE ALMIGHTY NAME OF JESUS! Amen.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
A Mom's Prayer
By Jo Ann Hutsell
Psalms 116:1-2
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live (KJV).
We live in hard times, but sometimes the hardest thing to do is just pray.
When our first son was born, I used to rock him in a squeaky old rocker. Long after he had gone to sleep, I would still be holding him, rocking and singing. I would sometimes pray into the night for the tiny life I held in my arms. Our friends and family told me I would be sorry, but I don’t regret one moment of lost sleep. He is now over six feet tall and far too big to fit in my arms! Yet I still hold him in my heart and sometimes pray far into the night for him and his brother.
Intercession is something we can’t take lightly; we must pray without ceasing.
If there is one thing this life has taught me, it is that I can’t wait until the midst of a crisis to begin praying. I don’t always know how to pray for my children and grandchildren. At those times, I just have to do like the disciples did and ask Jesus to teach me to pray as I ought. I didn’t make all of the right decisions and choices when my boys were growing into men, but my choice to pray for them was always right.
Psalms 116:1-2
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live (KJV).
We live in hard times, but sometimes the hardest thing to do is just pray.
When our first son was born, I used to rock him in a squeaky old rocker. Long after he had gone to sleep, I would still be holding him, rocking and singing. I would sometimes pray into the night for the tiny life I held in my arms. Our friends and family told me I would be sorry, but I don’t regret one moment of lost sleep. He is now over six feet tall and far too big to fit in my arms! Yet I still hold him in my heart and sometimes pray far into the night for him and his brother.
Intercession is something we can’t take lightly; we must pray without ceasing.
If there is one thing this life has taught me, it is that I can’t wait until the midst of a crisis to begin praying. I don’t always know how to pray for my children and grandchildren. At those times, I just have to do like the disciples did and ask Jesus to teach me to pray as I ought. I didn’t make all of the right decisions and choices when my boys were growing into men, but my choice to pray for them was always right.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Commended for Devotion, Part Two
By Peggy Allen
Luke 10:38-42
38. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Two Sisters/Two Personalities
Mary and Martha are representative of two kinds of personalities or mindsets. Gary Chapman has come up with a popular way of knowing how to say I love you in a way that the recipient can best receive the message. It is called the Five Love Languages. These languages are listed as “Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch.” The idea is to show love to others in the way that most pleases the recipient. Those who have not learned otherwise, however, will most likely give love in the way that most pleases themselves.
Mary’s personality was totally different from her sister’s. Although she was not one to avoid work and service, her disposition led her to show love to others by giving quality time. Jesus had come into her home and he would only be there for a short time. He had important things to say and she didn’t want to miss a word. Because she loved Jesus so much, eating was the last thing on her mind. She probably realized that Martha’s love language was serving, so she turned that over to her.
Blessed to Love
While it is apparent that Mary’s love language is giving and receiving quality time, her love language could also include “words of affirmation.” She not only enjoyed the encouraging words Jesus spoke, but without a doubt she communicated her love to Jesus through her words, as well. But then, we are reminded of yet another dimension of Mary’s capacity to show love. John 12:1-3 tells about an incident that took place six days before the Passover, just prior to Jesus’ death. Jesus had been invited for a supper and, as usual, Martha served. But Mary took “a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.” Two new love languages seem to be surfacing here—physical touch and the giving of gifts.
How many truly important things are missed in life because we are so focused on responsibilities rather than relationships. While Jesus was thankful for Martha’s love language gift, Mary’s devotion revealed a desire to know Him in a deeper way, for which He commended her. Knowing Jesus more deeply can only come by spending time in His presence. Service is important, but sitting at His feet is necessary.
Luke 10:38-42
38. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Two Sisters/Two Personalities
Mary and Martha are representative of two kinds of personalities or mindsets. Gary Chapman has come up with a popular way of knowing how to say I love you in a way that the recipient can best receive the message. It is called the Five Love Languages. These languages are listed as “Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch.” The idea is to show love to others in the way that most pleases the recipient. Those who have not learned otherwise, however, will most likely give love in the way that most pleases themselves.
Mary’s personality was totally different from her sister’s. Although she was not one to avoid work and service, her disposition led her to show love to others by giving quality time. Jesus had come into her home and he would only be there for a short time. He had important things to say and she didn’t want to miss a word. Because she loved Jesus so much, eating was the last thing on her mind. She probably realized that Martha’s love language was serving, so she turned that over to her.
Blessed to Love
While it is apparent that Mary’s love language is giving and receiving quality time, her love language could also include “words of affirmation.” She not only enjoyed the encouraging words Jesus spoke, but without a doubt she communicated her love to Jesus through her words, as well. But then, we are reminded of yet another dimension of Mary’s capacity to show love. John 12:1-3 tells about an incident that took place six days before the Passover, just prior to Jesus’ death. Jesus had been invited for a supper and, as usual, Martha served. But Mary took “a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.” Two new love languages seem to be surfacing here—physical touch and the giving of gifts.
How many truly important things are missed in life because we are so focused on responsibilities rather than relationships. While Jesus was thankful for Martha’s love language gift, Mary’s devotion revealed a desire to know Him in a deeper way, for which He commended her. Knowing Jesus more deeply can only come by spending time in His presence. Service is important, but sitting at His feet is necessary.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Commended for Devotion, Part One
By Peggy Allen
Luke 10:38-42
38. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Two Sisters/Two Personalities
Mary and Martha are representative of two kinds of personalities or mindsets. Gary Chapman has come up with a popular way of knowing how to say I love you in a way that the recipient can best receive the message. It is called the Five Love Languages. These languages are listed as “Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch.” The idea is to show love to others in the way that most pleases the recipient. Those who have not learned otherwise, however, will most likely give love in the way that most pleases themselves.
Martha is without a doubt the kind of person who would be more responsive to acts of service, because that is what she is noted for giving to others. When Jesus came to her house, the way she showed love for Jesus was by cooking a fine meal and serving Him. There is nothing wrong with serving people. The gospel enjoins us to do so, in fact.
In the first incident, where Martha served and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, Martha’s love language seemed to be wearing thin. “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40, NKJV). Martha’s attitude speaks volumes to us who are called to be servants. We, like Martha, often become irritated when we feel like no one else is sharing the load. But doesn’t that attitude sort of take away from our love offering? Jesus’ answer to Martha wasn’t what she expected or wanted: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (verses 41, 42, NKJV).
Martha’s job was important; people have to eat, and it was especially important to feed an honored guest! She probably would not have felt imposed upon if Mary had not been having such a good time. Why should she have to do all the work when everyone else is enjoying fellowship with the Lord? Do you detect a little bit of jealousy? Do you think Jesus’ response to Martha’s love offering would have been different if she had not complained about it?
How many truly important things are missed in life because we are so focused on responsibilities rather than relationships. While Jesus was thankful for Martha’s love language gift, Mary’s devotion revealed a desire to know Him in a deeper way, for which He commended her. Knowing Jesus more deeply can only come by spending time in His presence. Service is important, but sitting at His feet is necessary.
Luke 10:38-42
38. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Two Sisters/Two Personalities
Mary and Martha are representative of two kinds of personalities or mindsets. Gary Chapman has come up with a popular way of knowing how to say I love you in a way that the recipient can best receive the message. It is called the Five Love Languages. These languages are listed as “Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch.” The idea is to show love to others in the way that most pleases the recipient. Those who have not learned otherwise, however, will most likely give love in the way that most pleases themselves.
Martha is without a doubt the kind of person who would be more responsive to acts of service, because that is what she is noted for giving to others. When Jesus came to her house, the way she showed love for Jesus was by cooking a fine meal and serving Him. There is nothing wrong with serving people. The gospel enjoins us to do so, in fact.
In the first incident, where Martha served and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, Martha’s love language seemed to be wearing thin. “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40, NKJV). Martha’s attitude speaks volumes to us who are called to be servants. We, like Martha, often become irritated when we feel like no one else is sharing the load. But doesn’t that attitude sort of take away from our love offering? Jesus’ answer to Martha wasn’t what she expected or wanted: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (verses 41, 42, NKJV).
Martha’s job was important; people have to eat, and it was especially important to feed an honored guest! She probably would not have felt imposed upon if Mary had not been having such a good time. Why should she have to do all the work when everyone else is enjoying fellowship with the Lord? Do you detect a little bit of jealousy? Do you think Jesus’ response to Martha’s love offering would have been different if she had not complained about it?
How many truly important things are missed in life because we are so focused on responsibilities rather than relationships. While Jesus was thankful for Martha’s love language gift, Mary’s devotion revealed a desire to know Him in a deeper way, for which He commended her. Knowing Jesus more deeply can only come by spending time in His presence. Service is important, but sitting at His feet is necessary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)