FAMILY
Nuggets from the Heart of God for Husbands and Wives, and for Parents HUSBANDS, someone else could do what you're doing at your work, in your church, or in that community organization; but you are the only man God is holding responsible to protect and provide for your wife. He's given you that desire down deep inside and has promised to supply all that you need to be all that He's purposed. Just as God protected and provided for Abraham and his heirs (Gen. 15:1), and Jesus protects and provides for His Church, that is your responsibility as the head of your marriage covenant. (Now you understand why Adam is held accountable for what happened in the Garden.) WIVES, similarly, the other things you're doing could be done by someone else, but you are the only woman God is holding responsible to be your husband's helpmate. God has given you the desire to be protected and provided for — even if it is buried under the rubbish of abuse, tradition, lies, rejection, dashed hopes, and society's brainwashing — because God wouldn't design a plan and then fail to give us the capacity to receive its fulfillment. This kind of a marriage relationship is so foreign to what we see today that it almost sounds like an once-upon-a-time-and-happily-ever-after fairy tale, but it is God's plan for every marriage covenant. If we'll get back to the Owner's Manual, we'll get the results He ordained — "no longer two, they become one flesh." In Ephesians 5:21-33 The Message, the Owner's Manual says,
Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. and he . . .
and she . . Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ.
The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to His Church, not by domineering, but by cherishing. So just as the Church submits to Christ as He exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the Church — a love marked by giving, not getting. His words evoke her beauty. Everything He does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor — since they're already "one" in marriage. No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That's how Christ treats us, the Church, since we are part of His body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become "one flesh." This is a huge mystery, and I don't pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the Church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband. FATHERS, your mentor is God Himself— always loves, always does what He says, always is consistent. That's how your children learn to trust and obey you — and, ultimately, God. God's plan for the fathers to teach
the heirs hasn't changed (Gen. 18:19; Psa. 78:1-7; Eph. 6:4); so don't be too busy and seek to delegate your role to others, because He's holding you answerable (1 Sam. 2:22 — 3:13). MOTHERS, it is also our God-ordained responsibility to teach and train our children — Deut. 6:5-9; Psa. 127:3; Prov. 22:6; Isa. 54:13; 61:9; and 3 John 4 are some of my favorites. If, for whatever reason, there is no father in your household, God will supply all your needs and those of your children (Isa. 54:4-6; Psa. 68:5; 146:9). PARENTS, you are the only ones God is holding responsible for your children. If wrong choices have been made by you or by your children, it's never too late. Receive Isa. 49:25 — GOD ALMIGHTY is talking, and save in the original means avenge, defend, deliver, preserve. God made no exceptions, so don't you! Believe it, and God will see to it.
Philippians 1:3-6; 2:13 — Do what you know to do!
Only One Chair at the Top... There's only one chair at the top one king of a kingdom, one CEO of a corporation, and one head of a home. So often, when the husband isn't being the "head," the wife says, "Well, somebody's got to do it! I'll do it until he starts being the 'head,' then I'll step aside." But... there's only one chair at the top. He'll never start being the "head" until she gets out of the chair. That takes trust in God and His faithfulness to make him the "head." The husband's purpose is to be the "head." That's not the wife's purpose. Jesus is not my Lord... until I get off the throne of my life.
Once you are committed . . . Once you are committed . . . sold out . . . jumped off the diving board—to whatever, or whomever, or wherever—you won't turn back, look back, vacillate, waver, fall off the wagon, slip up, get bored, or detour. Commit, entrust, confide, consign, and relegate are all synonyms. Commit expresses the general idea of delivering into another's charge, or the special sense of transferring to a superior power, or to a special place of custody. That's what happens when you cut a blood covenant. Entrust implies committing with trust and confidence. Confide implies entrusting with assurance or reliance. Consign suggests transferring, i.e., to remove from one's own control with formality or finality. Relegate implies a consigning to a particular class or sphere, often with a suggestion of getting rid of. If you're NOT committed, you'll just TRY IT; but you'll be easily distracted; and you'll soon quit, vacillate, and stop. Once a decision, a truth, a dream, or a goal is ALIVE and real in you . . . once it's REVEALED in you—it will be anchored in rock. There is NO possibility of taking it out of you. Stop and think about your life. What truth . . . what person . . . what decision . . . what dream . . . WHAT or WHO is anchored in rock . . . in YOU? WHAT or WHO are you sold out to? WHAT or WHO would you lay your life down for and never hesitate about it? THAT'S what you're COMMITTED to! If you are born again into the New Blood Covenant, that's your relationship with God as your Father and Jesus as your Lord. You've spent time studying and learning about that person (thing, organization). You've weighed all the pros and cons. You've examined the good and the bad. You've counted the cost of what being committed forever to that person (thing, organization) will mean. You don't have an escape hatch in mind—a "Plan B," a prenuptial agreement, a codicil—because that's NOT being committed. Now, apply all of the above to whatever (studying God's Word more, eating to live, regular exercise, more fruitful use of spare time, getting free of a bad habit) or whomever (your God, your wife, your husband, your family) is in your life that you know you need to become COMMITTED to . . . so that you will WIN in that arena. Whatever "bad habit" you've been committed to—you need to get "rock-anchored" IN YOU the truths about what you gut-honest KNOW you should be doing, choosing, or living in its place. If that REVELATION is not rock-anchored in you, you'll just keep on "trying to quit;" and you'll keep on "falling off the wagon"—no matter what the wagon's name is. There's always a way of escape—"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He'll never let you be pushed past your limit; He'll always be there to help you come through it." (The Message Bible). The King James Bible says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make A WAY OF ESCAPE, that ye may be able to bear it." We are responsible to hear it, choose it, and do it. If you always do what you've always done, you're always going to have what you have right now. If you want a change in your status quo, you've got to make a change in your M.O. (Method of Operation)
God said, "My people are destroyed for lack of KNOWLEDGE" not lack of TRYING. What's the solution? Jesus said, [condition] [results]
(1) (2) (3)
"If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
KNOWING is not just head knowledge; but it also includes committing to, acknowledging, covenanting with that truth.
If every husband would do this about his wife and their marriage covenant, he'd never look around, never look at porn, never be vulnerable again. If every wife would sell out like this, she'd never complain about him, or his weaknesses, or his habits. (She's really murmuring about herself when she does, because they're one.) If every addict (drugs, alcohol, food*, gambling, TV, work, money, clothes, shoes, entertainment, racing, sports, thrill-seeking, sex, self, things, etc.) would do this, they'd at last be successful in getting free and staying free. *Once the food addict KNOWS and COMMITS to that rock-anchored revelation that they are responsible to EAT TO LIVE (rather than live to eat), then they will be strong and wise to choose only the food and drink which makes them LIVE healthily. They won't be tripped up and side-tracked by every temptation, holiday, craving, or advertisement. The TRUTHS of why the addict should quit have NOT been alive and rock-anchored . . . and they have been vulnerable to vultures who steal the seeds of knowledge away, to drought because their "new roots" aren't deep enough to find water, to rocks and bumps in the road that get them side-tracked and off-course, and to weeds and thorns that choke them and drag them down. (Read Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:3-20; Luke 8:5-15) Remember—good soil does not stay good automatically. There are always vultures flying around, rainless days, rocks kicked your way, and weed seeds in the wind. The enemy roams about seeking whom he may [he has to get your permission] devour. BUT when the TRUTH on the matter is rock-anchored, it sets them FREE!! That TRUTH continues to grow and reinforce them, so that they STAY FREE!! They successfully resist the attempts to go back, look back, or turn back . . . the vultures, drought, rocks, detours, weeds, and thorns are powerless!
If you're committed, you'll find a way. If you're not, you'll find an excuse.
DO WHAT YOU KNOW TO DO.
BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR BODY Read Deut. 28. Verses 3-14 are the BLESSINGS which are conditional on verses 1-2: (1) hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord (2) observe and do all His commandments Verses 16-68 are the CURSES which are conditional on verse 15: (1) B U T if you do NOT hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God (2) if you do NOT observe to do all His commandments and statutes "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, BLESSING and CURSING: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live; that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him; for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers..." Deut. 30:19-20 It's our choice! "My son, attend to My words; incline thine ear unto My sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov.4:20-23) We choose which we want -- the BLESSINGS or the CURSES -- by what we believe in our heart and say with our mouth. (1) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Prov. 18:21) (2) "...for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Mt.12:37) (3) "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith." (Mk.11:22-23) (4) "... for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Mt. 12:34) As God was writing out our inheritance (Deut. 28:4) in the Covenant, one of the many blessings was (and is!):
BLESSED SHALL BE THE FRUIT OF THY BODY "There shall nothing cast their young (miscarriage), nor be barren, in thy land; the number of thy days I will fulfill." (Exo. 23:26) "Thou shalt be blessed above all people; there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle." (Deut. 7:14) How do we know that the blessings are our legal inheritance and the curses no longer have any legal right to us? Galatians 3:13-14: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law (Dt. 28:18), being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham (Dt. 28:4) might come on the Gentiles (that's us!) through Jesus Christ..." REDEEMED in Webster means "freed from captivity by payment of ransom." But in order for these blessings [that are legally ours] to be manifested in our lives, we have to lay claim to them... take hold of them... just as any heir to an inheritance would go and claim his heritage. And, conversely, in order for the curses [that are legally powerless over us] to be not manifested in our lives, we have to refuse to give them place.
So... how do we apply this to our everyday lives? When the fear of problems with your pregnancy or the fear of losing your baby comes knocking at your door, you have a choice whether to let that fear IN or to slam the door in its face! If the UPS man came to your door with a big box addressed to you and asked you to sign for it... and just as you reached for the clipboad and pen, you noticed a big word written on the side of the box -- Contents: SNAKES -would you sign for it? Of course not! You'd say, "No way! Get that out of here!" and you'd slam the door in his face! That's what you have to do with the FEAR of problems with the baby, with the pregnancy, or with you! It's YOUR CHOICE. Ignoring it... that is, not slamming the door... is choosing, too. Life is like a stage, and you're standing in the middle of it behind the podium. To your right are Jesus and the angels, and they're waiting to hear the WORD OF GOD out of your heart and mouth. That's the only thing they respond to. But, to your left are satan and the demons, and they're waiting to see how you'll respond to the thought of fear or the symptom in your body (the fiery darts mentioned in Eph. 6:16). It's your choice! When you hear that fear or feel that symptom, if you hearken to it and say, "Oh, no! What's happening to me? Something's wrong with the baby!" -- you've just signed for that box of snakes, and you've given satan every right to bring it to pass. You believed it in your heart, and you said it with your mouth.
BUT if when you hear that fear or feel that symptom, you believe in your heart and say with your mouth, "No way! I'm freed from captivity to ALL fear regarding this pregnancy and our new baby! The ransom has been paid! You have no legal right to me or our baby! Jesus has redeemed me from the curse! I give you no place! Get out in Jesus' name!" -- you'll quench that fiery dart! Satan has to flee! "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) Not everybody will agree with you. But it's YOUR baby and YOUR body. The choice is YOURS! What happens when you place a magnifying glass over a page in a book and read the words? We say the words get bigger, but they actually don't. They just get bigger in our eyes. That's what will happen in your life if you'll give your undivided attention to God's Word, keeping your ears open to what He says about you and your baby, not letting His Word depart from your eyes or your mouth, keeping His Word in the midst of your heart -- so that His Word is what you think about... not the fear from the snake himself. In Eph. 5:20-33, Paul is teaching regarding the husband and wife relationship, and he says the marriage covenant is a picture of the covenant relationship between Christ and His church. The parallel is continued in 1 Peter 1:23 when we're told we are born again (into His church) by the incorruptible "seed" of the Word of God. Keeping these two pictures in mind, the parable of the sower in Luke 8 makes it plain that even as God does not want miscarriage or abortion in your physical body, He does not want it in the spiritual Body of Christ. The wayside soil (v. 12) did not "conceive" the seed of the Word at all but allowed it to be stolen. The rocky soil (v. 13) pictures a miscarriage, the thorny soil (v. 14) pictures an abortion, and the good soil (v. 15) pictures the full-term birth! If you'll cleave to Him and His Word and (1) not allow any "birds" to steal away the incorruptible seed of His Word, (2) meditate in His Word day and night [that's fanatical, but so is the attack against you], so that you are not offended by the pressure to the contrary, (3) don't allow any distraction to choke or cut off what's growing in your spirit (and womb!), (4) then you'll bring forth... right on time. BLESSED!
God is faithful -- [Webster] "firm in adherence to promises," and God Himself has promised you... "So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (lsa. 55:11)
Amen!
[ See “P.S.” on the next page ]
P.S. If a woman is expecting a baby and she sees a product that says, "WARNING: this product could be harmful to you if you are pregnant," she immediately rejects it! In the same way, there ought to be WARNINGs put on ads, commercials, TV programs, some sermons, and hanging around some people's necks that say:
WARNING: this information could be harmful to you if you are expecting God to fulfill His Word to you. so that you could immediately reject .........
Actually, that WARNING sign is already written inside of you... It's the Holy Spirit saying to you, "Don't believe or receive a word of this! It's a lie! It may be the facts, but it isn't the truth! It's NOT what God's Word says!!!"
My Special Child
( a lullaby ) Psa. 127:3; Prov. 22:6; 23:24; Gen. 18:19; Isa. 54:13; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Isa. 61:9
You are my special child, my very special child. You are the heritage of God, His gift to me to teach and train you in His Word. You are my special child, my very special child. You are a blessing unto me, a source of joy as I instruct you in the Lord. God planned that I should be the one to teach you how to hear His voice, to teach you how to understand and be a doer of His Word. You are my special child, my very special child. You're a disciple, taught of God, wrapped in His peace, obedient in all your ways. You are my special child, my very special child. As you continue in God's Word, the world will see you're blessed of God all of your days! My special child!
Š 06/12/06. Written down by Carolyn Vardell, 09/24/79. Scribe hereby gives her permission for it to be freely reproduced and used for the glory of God; because Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Mt. 10:8) Amen.
That's What Fathers Are For God, can I talk real plain with You? There's no one else I can tell it to... My dreams are gone. My bubble's fizzed. God, can I tell it like it is? And He said, That's what Fathers are for...
Watching for you at the door... Only My footprints on the shore... That's what Fathers are for.
Even when I've blown it bad, Even when I've made You sad, You stick by me through thick and thin, No matter how big o' mess I'm in! And He said, That's what Fathers are for...
Watching for you at the door... Only My footprints on the shore... That's what Fathers are for.
You love enough to tell me, "No," When my way is not the best way to go. You even step across my road To help me turn and to take my load. And He said, That's what Fathers are for... Watching for you at the door... Only My footprints on the shore... That's what Fathers are for.
So glad I don't have to explain... Your know Your child's in need again. Your arms are holding me so close... You know I need a double-dose! And He said, That's what Fathers are for...
Watching for you at the door... Only My footprints on the shore... That's what Fathers are for.
Š 06/12/06 Written down by Carolyn Vardell 01/25/85. Scribe hereby gives her permission for it to be freely reproduced and used for the glory of God; because Jesus said, "Freely you have received freely give." (Mt. 10:8) Amen.
EMPLOYERS AND -YEES (scriptures also apply to the governing and the governed, and to parents as leaders of their children) A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble; it's vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes. Prov. 10:26 Bad work gets paid with a bad check; good work gets solid pay. Prov. 11:18 The one who stays on the job has food on the table; the witless chase whims and fancies. Prov. 12:11 Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward. Prov. 12:14 The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work. Prov. 12:24 Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table. Prov. 14:23 The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following Prov. 14:28 Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke. Prov. 14:35 Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place. Prov. 16:3 A good leader motivates, doesn't mislead, doesn't exploit. Prov. 16:10 God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is His business. Prov. 16:11 Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds; sound leadership has a moral foundation. Prov. 16:12 Good leaders cultivate honest speech; they love advisors who tell them the truth. Prov. 16:13 An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives; you're smart to stay clear of someone like that. Prov. 16:14 Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives; they're like spring rain and sunshine. Prov. 16:15 Appetite is an incentive to work; hunger makes you work all the harder. Prov. 16:26 We don't expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders. Prov. 17:7 Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism. Prov. 18:9 Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss. Prov. 19:10 Mean-tempered leaders are like mad dogs; the good-natured are like fresh morning dew. Prov. 19:12 Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs—cross them and they bite your head off. Prov. 20:2 Leaders who know their business and care, keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap. For who among us can be trusted to be always diligent and honest? Prov. 20:8-9 After careful scrutiny, a wise leader makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts. Prov. 20:26 Observe people who are good at their work—skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don't take a back seat to anyone. Prov. 22:29 Hire a fool or a drunk, and you shoot yourself in the foot. Prov. 26:10 When good people are promoted, everything is great, but when the bad are in charge, watch out! Prov. 28:12 A leader of good judgment gives stability; an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste. Prov. 29:4 When a leader listens to malicious gossip, all the workers get infected with evil. Prov. 29:12 It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other. Prov. 29:19 Don't blow the whistle on your fellow workers behind their backs; They'll accuse you of being underhanded, and then you'll be the guilty one! Prov. 30:10
Teach your Children . . .
The Lord said,
For I have known, chosen, and acknowledged him as My own so that he may teach and command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous,
so that I may bring to pass what I have promised him !
Genesis 18:19
The father to the children shall make known the truth. Isaiah 38:19
My son...
Attend to My words, consent and submit to My sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For ... they are life to those who find them, healing and health [medicine] to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. Let your eyes look right on with fixed purpuse, and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand... or to the left; remove your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:20-27 Amplified
My son... Lean on, trust, and be confident in the Lord with ALL your heart and mind, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In ALL your ways, know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord, and turn entirely away from evil. It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones. Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency from righteous labors, and with the firstfruits of ALL your income. So shall your storage places be filled with plenty and your vats be overflowing with new wine. Proverbs 3:5-10 Amplified
"Loving-kindness and mercy, truth and faithfulness preserve the king and his throne is upheld by the people's loyalty."
(one in authority) (position of leadership) Prov. 20:28 Amp.
Those under authority empower those in authority. "To those upright judges who rebuke the wicked, it is well; and they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them."
Prov. 24:25 Amp.
Submission is only needed when there is a difference of opinion. Rebellion robs the one in authority of his rightful position and puts the rebel in control. That's why rebellion must be stopped.
REBELLION JOE IS DOING WHAT HE KNOWS IN HIS HEART IS WRONG, MIKE TELLS JOE THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SITUATION. JOE KNOWS IT'S THE TRUTH AND KNOWS THAT HE NEEDS TO CHANGE, BUT HE DOESN'T WANT TO CHANGE. JOE DOESN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE GUILT OF KNOWING HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING BUT REFUSED TO (NOT REALIZING THAT HE WILL EVENTUALLY GET THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS WRONGDOING, REGARDLESS), SO HE DECIDES TO PUSH MIKE (THE TRUTH) AWAY - TRIES TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT, TRIES TO FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH MIKE, OR JUST BLUNTLY SPLITS.
THAT'S REBELLION REFUSES TO DO THE TRUTH , , . AND SEEKS TO GET RID OF It
A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS - 65, BUT I'M GOING 75, AND I DON'T WANT TO SLOW DOWN. DECEPTION'S REASONING:
EVERYBODY ELSE IS GOING OVER 65: IF 1 GO 65, I'LL BE A TRAFFIC HAZARD; ETC.
FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE "IF YOU LISTEN OBEDIENTLY TO THE VOICE OF GOD...AND HEARTILY OBEY...ALL THESE BLESSINGS WILL COME DOWN ON YOU BUT IF YOU DON'T OBEDIENTLY LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF GOD...AND DILIGENTLY KEEP ALL THE GUIDELINES...ALL THESE CURSES WILL COME DOWN HARD ON YOU." (Deut. 28:1, 15 THE MESSAGE) "TO HIM THAT KNOWETH TO DO GOOD, AND DOETH IT NOT, TO HIM IT IS SIN." (JAMES 4:17) "YE REBELLED AGAINST THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD, YOUR GOD, AND YE BELIEVED HIM NOT, NOR HEARKENED TO HIS VOICE. (Deut. 9:23)
Thus says the Lord, "Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded," says the Lord; "and your children shall return from the enemy's land, and there is hope in your future," says the Lord. "Your children shall come again to their own country."
Jeremiah 31:16-17 Amplified
But thus saith the Lord,
This is the most important part of this scripture! Don't set it aside like parsley!
Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away,
that's my kids that's the devil shall be taken away from the mighty
and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered:
that's my kids that's the devil shall be delivered from the terrible
for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee,
Romans 8:31 ! that's the devil he's contended with me because he's contended with my kids
and I will save thy children ! Isaiah 49:25
I, THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.... (Be it unto me according to Thy Word...and blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord...because she judged Him faithful Who had promised. (Lk.1:38,45; Heb.11:11)
Promises for my children.... For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him. Gen.18:19 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, and thou shalt enjoy them, for they shall not go into captivity. (This is the "positive" of Deut 28:41, which is listed among the curses of the law; but because I've been REDEEMED from the curse of the law, the opposite of the curse -- the blessing, the positive -- is mine!) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Deut 30:19 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psa.37:25 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. Psa. 102:28 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children. Psa. 103:17 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Psa. 115:14 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace. Psa. 144:12 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Prov.11:21 {I understand this to mean "even though it may look like my kids made an agreement with the wicked, my kids shall be delivered."} Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion. Isa. 8:18 But when he seeth his children, the work of Mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify My name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. They also that erredl in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured 2 shall learn doctrine. Isa. 29:23-24 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isa. 43:5-7 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring. Isa. 44:3 1 2
erred - vacillated, strayed, wandered murmured - grumbled, rebelled, disobeyed, resisted
But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. Isa. 49:25-26 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isa. 54:13 As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the Lord: My Spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever. Isa. 59:21 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Isa. 60:4 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. Isa. 61:9 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isa. 65:23-24 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. Isa. 66:22 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear Me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them. Jere.32:39 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17 Thus says the Lord, "Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded, " says the Lord; "and your children shall return from the enemy's land, and there is hope in your future," says the Lord. "Your children shall come again to their own country." Jeremiah 31:16-17 Amplified I (the Lord) will hiss for them (your children) and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall increase again as they increased before. Zech. 10:8 Amplified
Promises for me, the parent.... Ah, Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR THEE! Jere. 32:17 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Isa. 12:2
So that I can joyfully say...I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 Jn 4
Thus says the Lord, “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for your work shall be rewarded,” says the Lord; “and your children shall return from the enemy's land, and there is hope in your future,” says the Lord. “Your children shall come again to their own country.”
Jeremiah 31:16-17 Amplified
PROMISES of SECURITY (including parents...believing for their children) Be not afraid of their faces, for I AM with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. ...open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Great peace have they which love Thy Word, and nothing shall offend them or make them stumble. Do NOT fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. You, Lord, will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confidently in You. Because of faith...she received... because she considered God, Who had given her the promise, reliable and trustworthy and true to His Word. Jere.1:8; Psa.81:10; Lk.21:15; Psa.119:165 Amp.; Phil.4:6-7 Amp.; Isa.26:3 Amp.; Heb.11:11 Amp.
INTERCESSION When faith rises in intercession for someone... so that I "hear" a sound of abundance of rain, then from my spirit I speak of things that are not as though they were... where the unseen is actually more real than the seen... Rom.4:17-21
[remembering that God said Dan.9:3, 10:12; Ezek.22:30-31]
Father, You are glorified in them. Keep them through Your own name, that they might have Your joy fulfilled in them Because of Your Word given to them, they are not of the world. Keep them from evil. Sanctify them and thoroughly set them apart through Your truth — Your Word is truth. As You sent Jesus and in the same glory, You send them into the world to preach the Good News, to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and set the captives free! Reveal to them that You love them the same way You love Jesus, and that Jesus made the way for them to dwell in Your presence now... and forever. John 17:9-26 You are praying for them and mediating the New Covenant for them... that their faith fail not... that they are quick to repent and turn around when they grieve You... and that they strengthen others by their own walk in You and in Your faithfulness to them. Luke 22:32 Father, I praise You for continuing to send laborers into their lives — bold, loving, listening-to-You, full-ofthe-Word laborers...and that You make them that same kind of laborer to others. Matt 9:37-38 I thank You always on their behalf for Your unlimited favor that You continue to give to them by Jesus, the Anointed One... that in everything they are enriched by Him... in all utterance and in all knowledge. 1Cor.1 :4-5 I believe You that they do what is honest, avoiding the very appearance of evil.
2 Cor.13:7
I praise You for revealing to them that they are now reconciled to You... and that they stand in Your presence, face to face... that You see them forgiven and clean through the blood of Jesus... so that they do not receive Your unlimited favor in vain. 2 Cor.5:20, 6:1 I praise You that You give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation (of insight into mysteries and secrets) in the deep and intimate knowledge of Yourself, by having the eyes of their heart flooded with light, so that they can KNOW and UNDERSTAND (1) the HOPE to which You have called them (2) and how rich is YOUR glorious INHERITANCE IN THEM, Your saints, Your setapart ones. And so that they can KNOW and UNDERSTAND (3) what is the immeasurable, unlimited, and surpassing greatness of Your POWER IN AND FOR THEM who believe as demonstrated in the working of Your mighty strength which You exerted in Christ [also a man, who was believing] when You (a) RAISED Him from the dead (b) and SEATED Him at Your Own right hand in the heavenly places far above ALL rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name... (c) and PUT ALL THINGS UNDER His feet
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(d) and APPOINTED Him Head of the Church. I believe You, Father, that You cause them to personally know and understand that even as You did these things for Jesus, You've done these for them — delivered them from that which had them bound, and lifted them all the way up to total victory. You cause them to know and understand that Your love for them caused You to make them ALIVE with the life of Jesus Christ... that Your mercy and unlimited favor have delivered them from the judgment their depravity deserved; and that You have made them partaker's in salvation (wholeness), and have raised them up and seated them in Your presence. You've done this for them to demonstrate to them the immeasurable, limitless, and surpassing riches of Your unlimited favor in kindness and goodness toward them in the Anointed Jesus. For it is by Your unlimited favor they are delivered from judgment and made partakers of salvation through their faith — not because of anything they've done to try to deserve it — it's Your gift to them. They are Your handiwork, recreated (high-born) in Jesus to do those good works (exploits!) which You planned beforehand for them to do... taking the paths which You prepared ahead of time that they should walk, living the good life which You pre-arranged and made ready for them to live. I praise You that they are NO LONGER separated and living apart from You, excluded, utterly estranged, and outlawed with no share in the covenant promises... without knowledge of Your Word, without hope, without God. But NOW, they, who were once so far away, have been brought near BY THE BLOOD of Jesus. You are their peace — peace at last with You and with themselves. They now have access to You, can stand in Your presence, have fellowship with other believers, are consecrated and set apart for Yourself, and belong to Your Own household. They are built on Jesus, anchored in the Rock, rooted and grounded in the Word, filled, taught, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling Your plan for them in Your Kingdom! Eph.1:6--2:22 Out of the rich treasury of Your manifested presence, Father, I believe You to strengthen and reinforce their inner man with mighty power by the Holy Spirit Himself indwelling their innermost being and personality. Through their faith, may Christ, the Anointed One, actually dwell, settle down, abide, and make His permanent home in their hearts! May they be rooted deep in Your love and founded securely on Your love... so that they have the power and are strong to apprehend and grasp the experience of that love — its breadth, length, height, and depth... (1) so that they really come to KNOW — practically and through their own experience — the love of Jesus the Anointed One, which far surpasses mere knowledge without experience, (2) that they may be FILLED through all their being unto all the fullness of God to the point of being wholly filled and flooded with God Himself! Now — to You Who, by the action of Your power at work within them, are able to carry out Your purpose in them and to do superabundantly, far over and above ALL I dare ask or think — infinitely beyond my highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams — to You be all the glory in the Church (of which they are now a part) and in the Anointed Jesus forever! So be it! Eph.3:16-21 Father, I praise You that they are imitators of You — they copy You and follow Your example — thinking like You think, saying what You say, doing what You do; and they walk in love for others unselfishly, even as the Anointed One did when He laid down His life for the world. I rejoice that immorality, impurity, greediness, filthiness, coarse jesting, and covetousness are no longer named among them, nor do they associate with those who partake in those things. For once they were in darkness, but now they are light in the Lord, and they walk as children of light, leading the lives of those native-born to the Light. The effect of the Light (the Spirit in them) consists in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. They are learning what is pleasing to you, Lord, and their lives are constant proof of what is most acceptable to You.
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They take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead, their lives are so in contrast to the darkness as to expose, reprove, and convict those in the darkness. They look carefully how they walk. They live purposefully, worthily, and accurately as the wise... making the very most of the time and buying up each opportunity, because the days are evil. They are no longer vague, thoughtless, and foolish, but now have understanding and firmly grasp what Your will is. They are now drunk, filled, and stimulated with the Holy Spirit... speaking Your Word, worshipping You, and always giving thanks to You for Your love toward them. Eph.5:1-20 Thank You for making them STRONG IN YOU, empowered by their union with You, drawing strength from You — that strength which Your boundless power provides. At salvation they put on — and they keep on Your whole armor so that they are able to successfully stand up against ALL the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For they do not wrestle against physical opponents, but rather against evil spirits of darkness. Therefore, they have put on Your complete armor so that they are able to resist and firmly stand their ground. They tighten the belt of truth around their loins; put on the breastplate of integrity, moral rectitude, and right-standing with You; having shod their feet in preparation to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, promptness, and readiness produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace; lifting up over all the covering shield of saving faith upon which they quench ALL the flaming missiles of the wicked one; and taking the helmet of salvation (wholeness) and the sword the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God; praying at ALL times, on every occasion, and in every season in the Spirit with ALL manner of prayer; keeping alert and watching with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of ALL Your consecrated people. Eph.6:10-20 I thank You, Father, upon every remembrance of them. In every prayer of mine, I always make my entreaty and petition for them with joy. I thank You for their fellowship in advancing the Gospel from the first day they "heard" it until now. I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that You Who began the good work in them will continue it until the return of Jesus — developing that good work, perfecting it, and bringing it to full completion in them! I pray that their love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight — that is, that their love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment; so that they may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value — recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences; and that they may be untainted, pure, unerring, and blameless that — with hearts sincere, certain, and unsullied — they may approach the day of Christ, not stumbling nor causing others to stumble. May they abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, to the honor and praise of You, Father — that Your glory may be both manifested and recognized in them! Phil.1:3-6,9-11 I believe that they cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete their own salvation with reverence, awe, and self-distrust, that is, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, and shrinking from whatever might offend You and discredit the name of the Anointed One. Not in their own strength, for it is You, Father, Who is all the while effectually at work in them — energizing and creating in them the power and desire both to will and to work for Your good pleasure, satisfaction, and delight. Phi1.2:12-16 I believe that they (like Paul) say, "Not that I have now attained this ideal or am already made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of, grasp, and make my own that for which Christ Jesus, the Anointed One, has laid hold of me and made me His Own. I do not consider that I have captured and made it my own yet; but one thing I do and it is my one aspiration — forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the supreme and heavenly prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling me upward. I hold true to what I have already attained, and I walk and order my life by that. I want my brethren to
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be able to follow my example and observe and live after the pattern I have set." That's what they say! Phil.3:12-13,16-17 You are teaching them to not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving to continue to make their wants known to You. And Your peace, which transcends all understanding, garrisons and mounts guard over their hearts and minds in Jesus the Anointed One. Their minds are being renewed so that whatever is true, worthy of reverence and is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind, winsome, and gracious — if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, they think on, weigh, and take account of these things, choosing to fix their minds on them. Phil.4:6-8 For this reason, I cease not to pray and make special request for them, asking that they may be filled with the full, deep, and clear knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom, in understanding, and in discernment of spiritual things; that they may walk, live, and conduct themselves in a manner worthy of You, Lord, fully pleasing to You and desiring to please You in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in the knowledge of You, Father, with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition. I pray that they may be invigorated and strengthened with all power, according to the might of Your glory, to exercise every kind of endurance and patience (constancy) with joy...giving thanks to You, Father, Who has qualified and made them fit to share the portion, which is the inheritance of the saints in the Light. You, Father, have delivered them and drawn them to Yourself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and have transferred them into the Kingdom of the Son of Your love, in Whom they have their redemption through His blood, which means the forgiveness of sins and wholeness in every way. Col. l :9-14 Although they at one time were estranged and alienated from You and of hostile attitude of mind in their wicked activities—yet now, You have reconciled them through Jesus' death, in order to present them in Your presence as holy, faultless, and irreproachable—provided they continue to stay in the faith, well-grounded, settled, and steadfast...not shifting or moving away from the Gospel they have heard. Co1.1:21-23 My prayer is that their hearts may be braced, comforted, cheered, and encouraged as they are knit together with other believers in love; and that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with, and may know more definitely, accurately, and thoroughly, the mystery of You and the Anointed One... for in Him are all the treasures of wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment. I pray this in order that no one may mislead and delude them by plausible, persuasive, and attractive arguments and beguiling speech. I am delighted at the sight of their standing shoulder to shoulder in such orderly array and the firmness, solid front, and steadfastness of their faith in Christ — that leaning of their entire human personality on You in absolute trust and confidence in Your power, wisdom, and goodness. As they have therefore received the Anointed One, Jesus the Lord, I pray that they walk, regulate their lives, and conduct themselves in union and conformity to Him... having the roots of their being firmly and deeply planted in Him, fixed and founded in Him, being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as they were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. I pray that no one carries them off as spoil or makes them themselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism, and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (man's ideas of the material world, rather than the spiritual), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe, and disregarding the teachings of Christ, the Anointed One.
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For in Him, the whole fullness of the Godhead continues to dwell in bodily form, giving complete expression of the divine nature...and they are now in Him, made full and have come to fullness of life, for in Christ they, too, are filled with the Godhead — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — and reach full spiritual stature. And He is the Head of all rule and authority. In Him they have been spiritually circumcised by Christ's stripping off the body of the flesh — the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts. When they were buried with Him in baptism, they were also raised with Him to a new life through their faith in the working of You, Father, as displayed when You raised Jesus up from the dead. And they, who were dead in trespasses (their sensuality and sinful carnal nature), You have brought to life together with Jesus, having freely forgiven them all their transgressions; having canceled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note with its legal decrees and demands (which was in force and stood against them). This note with its regulations, decrees, and demands, You set aside and cleared completely out of their way by nailing it to Jesus' cross. You, Father, have disarmed the principalities and powers ranged against them and made a bold display and public example of those powers, in triumphing over them in Jesus and in His cross. I pray they will let no one defraud them by acting as an umpire and declaring them unworthy and disqualifying them for the prize by not holding fast to Jesus. Co1.2:2-19 Because they have been raised with Christ from the "dead" to a new life, I pray they aim at and seek the rich eternal treasures that are above, and that they set their minds and keep them set on what is above — the higher things, not on things that are on the earth. For, as far as the world is concerned, they have died; and their new, real life is hid with Christ in You. When Christ reappears, then they also will appear with Him in the splendor of His glory. I believe they have now put away and rid themselves completely of all those things in which they once walked and to which they were once addicted; and they have clothed themselves with the new spiritual life, which is ever in the process of being renewed and remoulded into fuller and more perfect knowledge upon knowledge, after the image and likeness of You Who created and re-created them. I believe they clothe themselves — as Your own picked representatives, Your chosen ones who are purified, holy, and well-beloved by You Yourself, Father — by putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted mercy, kind feeling, humility, gentle ways, patience, and good temper. They are gentle and forbear with others, readily pardoning others, even as You, Lord, have freely forgiven them. Above all these, they put on Your love. They let the peace of Jesus rule and act as umpire continually in their hearts — letting that peace decide and settle with finality all questions that arise in their minds. They are thankful, appreciative, and give praise to You, Father, always. I believe the Word has its home in their hearts and minds, and it dwells in them in all its richness, as they teach, admonish, and train others in all insight, intelligence, and wisdom in spiritual things — including singing and making melody to You with Your grace in their hearts. And whatever they do — no matter what it is — in word or deed, they do everything in the name of their Lord Jesus, and in dependence upon His Person. Whatever they do, they work at it heartily as something done for You and not for men. Co1.3:1-4,8-10,12-17,23 I believe they are earnest, unwearied, and steadfast in their prayer life, being both alert and intent in their praying with thanksgiving. They behave themselves wisely — living prudently and with discretion — in their relations with those of the outside world. At all times their speech is gracious, pleasant, winsome, and seasoned with salt, so that theyare never at a loss to know how they ought to answer anyone who puts a question to them. Co1.4:2,5-6 Father, I continue to thank You for them and for their work energized by faith and their service motivated by love, and for their unwavering hope of Jesus' return. They are Your beloved, Father, and I recognize and know that You have selected and chosen them; for the Gospel preached to them was not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit. They have set
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themselves to become imitators of the Lord in spite of persecution, and have become a pattern for other believers who trust in, adhere to, and rely on Jesus; and everywhere the report goes forth of their faith. 1 Thess..1 :2.-8 I praise You, Father, that they are being personally exhorted, stimulated, encouraged, and charged to live lives worthy of You, Who has called them into Your Own kingdom. I especially thank You that when they received the message, they welcomed it—not as the word of mere men but as what it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in them, exercising its superhuman power in them who adhere to, trust in, and rely on it. Father, I believe You to guide their steps, and make them to increase, excel, and overflow in love for each other and for all people, so that You may strengthen, confirm, and establish their hearts faultlessly pure and unblameable in holiness in Your sight at the coming of Jesus. 1 Thess.2:11-13; 3:11-13 I believe You for the working of Your Word in them so that they walk so as to please You, attaining yet greater perfection in living this life. For this is Your will that they should be consecrated, separated, and set apart for pure and holy living, that they abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, that each of them should know how to possess, control, and manage his own body in purity, separated from things profane, and in consecration and honor – not used in the passion of lust like the heathen who are ignorant of You, the true God, and have no knowledge of Your will. 1 Thess.4:1-5 I intercede for them – that they get to know the leaders You've placed over them in Your kingdom, recognizing, acknowledging, appreciating, and respecting them for who they are. They hold them in very high esteem. They are at peace among themselves. They admonish those who are out of line (loafers, disorderly, and unruly); they encourage the timid and fainthearted; they help and give their support to the weak and are very patient with everybody, always keeping their temper. They do not repay evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody. They are happy in their faith and rejoice and are glad-hearted always. They are unceasing in prayer praying perseveringly. They are thankful for Your faithfulness to them always. They do not quench Your Holy Spirit. They do not despise inspired instruction, exhortation, or warning; but they test and prove all that they hear by what Your Word says, so that they recognize what is good, and to that they hold fast. They abstain from, shrink from, and keep aloof from all evil in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.. Father, I believe You, the God of peace Himself, to sanctify them through and through – that is, separate them from profane things, make them pure and wholly consecrated to You – so that their spirit, soul, and body be preserved sound, complete, and found blameless at the coming of Jesus. Faithful and utterly trustworthy are You Who is calling them to Yourself, and You will also fulfill Your call on them by hallowing and keeping them. 1 Thess.5:12 24
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I give thanks, Father, that their faith is growing exceedingly, and their love toward others is increasing and abounding. I pray for them that You, Father, may count them worthy of their calling and Your every gracious purpose of goodness; and with power You may complete in every particular their work of faith, so that the name of Jesus be glorified through and in them. 2 Thess.1:3, 11-12 I give thanks that You chose them from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. I pray that they hold fast to the Word they've been taught; and that You, Father, will comfort and encourage their hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word, making them steadfast and keeping them from swerving. You are faithful, and I believe You to strengthen them, set them on a firm foundation, and guard them from the evil one.
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I pray that they do not become weary or lose heart in doing right, but they continue in well-doing without weakening. I believe You, Lord of Peace, that You grant them Your peace at all times, in all ways, under all circumstances and conditions. 2 Thess.2:13, 15-17; 3:3, 13, 16 I pray no one will despise or think less of them because of their youth, but they will be examples for other believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. They devote themselves to teaching and exhorting others, not neglecting the gifts of the Spirit that are in them, throwing themselves wholly into their ministry so that their progress is evident to everybody. 1 Tim.4:12-15 I pray that they flee from everything that's not pleasing to You, Father. They aim at and pursue righteousness — that is, right-standing with You and true goodness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentle-heartedness. They fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of the eternal life to which they were summoned and confessed the good confession of faith before many witnesses. I pray that they keep all Your precepts unsullied, flawless, and irreproachable. 1 Tim.6:11-14 I pray that they stir up, rekindle the embers, fan the flame, and keep burning the inner fire from You that is in them; for they have not been given the spirit of fear, but rather the spirit of love, power, and a disciplined mind. I believe they are not ashamed to testify to and for You, Lord. You have delivered, saved, and called them with a holy calling — not because of anything they did, but to further Your purpose and grace. 2 Tim.1:6-9 I pray they hold fast to what they've heard. They guard and keep the Truth which has been entrusted to them. They study the Word for themselves and rightly divide the Word of Truth. They realize every scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for instruction, for reproof, for conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness; so that they, as children of God, may be complete and proficient, well-fitted, and thoroughly equipped for every good work. I pray they herald and preach the Word, keeping their sense of urgency — whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether it be welcome or unwelcome — they preach the Word. 2 Tim.1:13-14; 2:15; 3:16-17; 4:2 I pray that grace and peace be multiplied to them in the full, personal, precise, and correct knowledge of You and of Jesus our Lord. For Your divine power has bestowed upon them all things that are requisite and suited to life and godliness through the full, personal knowledge of You Who called them by and to Your own glory and excellence. By means of these, You have bestowed on them Your precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them they may escape by flight from the moral decay, rottenness, and corruption that is in the world because of lust and greed and may become sharers and partakers of Your divine nature. 2 Peter 1:2-4 AMEN Then the Word of the Lord said unto me, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of hosts. For who are you, O great mountain of human obstacles? Before the power of the Word of God and believing intercession, you shall become a plain — a mere mole hill! And my Lord and I shall bring forth the finishing gable stone of this new "temple" with loud shoutings, crying, "Grace*! Grace to it!" Zech.4:6-7 God's ability and power "So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it ...........BUT thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children .... and blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord
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because she judged Him faithful Who had promised ... for with God nothing shall be impossible ... be it unto me according to Thy Word…and this is the confidence that I have in Him, that, if I ask any thing according to His Will (Word, Blood Covenant), He heareth me: and if I know that He hears me, whatsoever I ask, I know that I have the petitions that I desired of Him." (Isa. 55:11-13; 49:24-25; Luke 1:45; Heb. 11:11; Luke 1:37,38b; 1 John 5:14-15)
I ALREADY KNOW THE END RESULT!
Jesus said in Matthew 9:37-38,
"The harvest truly is plenteous, * but the labourers are few ; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest." *
puny...in extent, degree, number, duration, value
LABORERS — Matthew 9:36-38 BUT when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest. According to Strong's, here are the original meanings for these words: BUT when He saw the multitudes (a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, riot) He was moved with compassion (pity, have the bowels yearn) on them, because they fainted (relaxed), and were scattered (flung, dispersed, thrown) abroad, as sheep having no shepherd [that is, without their protector and provider, their guide,
their hero, their role-model, their caretaker*].
Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest (reaping, crop) truly is plenteous, but the labourers (toilers; figuratively — teachers, workers, workmen) are few (puny (in extent, degree, number, duration, or value)); Pray (petition, beg (as binding oneself), i.e., petition, beseech, pray to, make request) ye therefore the Lord of the harvest (reaping, crop) that He will send forth (eject, thrust, bring forth, cast forth, drive, put forth, send forth) labourers (teachers, toilers, workmen) into His harvest (reaping, crop).
Ananias was called to be a laborer for Saul of Tarsus, the Christian-killer. God told Ananias the name of the street (Straight Street), the name on the mailbox (Judas), the needy person's name (Saul, of Tarsus), what he was doing (for, behold, he prayeth), and that Saul already knew the laborer's name (Ananias) and how he would minister to Saul. All those details drove away the fear that was attacking Ananias; and he went, and God watched over His Word to perform it! Countless newborn-Christians in the known world at that time and twothirds of the New Testament were the result! (Acts 9:1-22, especially verses 10-18) Other non-puny laborers in the Bible: Whale to Jonah, Jonah to Nineveh, Jewish maid to Naiman (via Naiman's wife), donkey to Balaam, pigs to prodigal son, Andrew to Simon Peter, Simon Peter to Cornelius, Philip to person-in-need in Azotus, Elijah, Elisha, John Baptist to Israel . . . * not from Strong's, but from meditating on what a shepherd is to the sheep
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 17:17, The Message Bible
L O V E
IFTS
UT,
ERILY,
VERYTIME
Love Never Fails
1 Corinthians 13
Love never fails — God is love. I'm born of God, born of His Word, and born of His love divine. I'm constant and kind. I seek not my own — Forgiving, forgetting each wrong, Rejoicing when truth and right prevail. I look for the best in ev'ryone. Love never fails — God is love. I'm born of God, born of His Word, and born of His love divine.
© 06/12/06. Written down by Carolyn Vardell, 08/24/76. Scribe hereby gives her permission for it to be freely reproduced and used for the glory of God; because Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Mt. 10:8) Amen.
Learn to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another... just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.
Whatever you would have others do to you, do just the same to them.
Eph.4:32 Weymouth; Mt.7:12 Moffatt
The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts! Proverbs 17:14, The Message Bible
When you forgive, you in no way change the past . . . but you sure do change the future!
BROWNIES... with a difference Many parents are working hard to explain to their children and teens why some video games, music, movies, books, and magazines are not acceptable material for them to see or to hear. One parent came up with an original idea that was hard to refute. He listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to see a PG13 movie: it had their favorite actor everyone else was seeing it even church members said it was great it was only rated PG13 because of the suggestions of sex
-- they never really showed
anything the language was pretty good -- they only used the Lord's name in vain 3 times the video effects were fabulous the plot was action-packed well, yes, there was one scene when a building and a bunch of people got blown up, but the violence was just all the normal stuff -- it really wasn't very bad Even with all these explanations for the rating, the father would not give in. He did not give them a satisfying explanation for saying "no." He just said, "No, and no means no." It was a little bit later than same evening when this same father asked the kids if they'd like some of the brownies he'd prepared. He explained that he'd taken the family's favorite recipe and added something new. They asked what it was, and he calmly replied, "That special ingredient was a little dog poop." He said, "Now, it's only a little bit, and all the ingredients are gourmet quality." He said, "I've taken great care to bake them at the precise temperature for the exact time." He was sure the brownies would be superb. Even with all his explanations of the perfect attributes of these brownies, the teens would not taste -- not even one bite! This father acted surprised -- "Well, there's only one little element that would have caused them to act so stubbornly." He assured them that they would hardly notice it -- if at all, but they all held firm and would not even try the brownies. He then explained that the movie they wanted to see was just like the brownies. Sin enters our minds and our homes by deceiving us into believing that just a little bit of evil won't matter... but with the brownies, just a little bit makes all the difference between a great brownie and a totally unacceptable product. -- anonymous
WILL THIS MATTER IN ETERNITY? excellent sign to put over your television screen