Preparing Yourself and Your Child, by Amy Joy

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."  Deuteronomy 6:6-9.  

This passage has been a key part of how we are raising our children and live our lives.  I try to take advantage of every opportunity that I can to talk about God, His Word, and His ways.

I was recently feeling badly that I have not been good about teaching my children a second language as I had always wanted to.  My husband is much better about it than I am.  Then, it occurred to me.  I am teaching them the most important language to know.  The language of God's Word.  

For several years, we have been in the habit of reading a passage after dinner, then each child reciting or learning a new scripture, and each child choosing a spiritual song for us to sing.  Over a year ago, I decided to add to that by using our time during lunch to memorize more scriptures. After they have a verse or passage memorized well, we move on to another one.  I am keeping track of what we have memorized so that we can make sure to go back over them from time to time.

 
Recently, my five year old said that we should start doing the Bible more, and he suggested doing it at breakfast, too.  So, that has become our new habit.  We've also started picking a song that relates to each scripture to sing along with it.  They are really enjoying it.  They are the ones to remind me if I haven't started going over the scriptures yet.

There are so many good reasons to memorize scriptures.  When we know God's Word, we are armed with the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17).  It also produces faith (Romans 10:17).  I explain to my children that this will help them in times when they are not able to read the written Word of God.  Only one out of my four children who are learning the scriptures is able to read.

When they're older (God willing) and they're on the job, or raising a family, or perhaps Bibles will be illegal then, they will be able to call to mind passages from God's Word to help them in whatever situation they're in.  I encourage you to equip yourself and your children by hiding His Word in your hearts (Psalm 119:11).

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On an Island, by Edward

     How would you read the Bible if you were on an island by yourself?  What conclusions would you come to if you were not concerned about what this brother or that sister thought?  What conclusions would you come to on a particular passage if you did not know better (i.e. been indoctrinated to read a passage a certain way)?  What conclusions would you come to if you closed the commentary?  

It is good to be alone with just the Bible without the words of men along with it, to hear the words of Christ and simply accept it regardless of consequences.  Obedience does carry consequences.  

Reading the Bible for yourself does have consequences.  You might be labeled as weird, a legalist, a fundamentalist, a heretic, etc. You might even get persecuted, even as far as death.  Go find out what happened to those who disagreed with Martin Luther and John Calvin. It wasn't pretty.  I do not live on an island, but I can read the Word as if do.  Here are a few passages to consider.

Psalm 19:9- The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.

Isaiah 66:2 - "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."

Micah 6:8 - "No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

Mark 10:15 - "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

John 8:31-32- To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Fear the Lord, tremble at His word, be humble, be like a child, and obey what you read.  Understand that you cannot just study your way to truth,  God has made it that we must act on what we read to be set free.  If you won't act on what you read, you should not expect anything.  The willingness to obey is key if you want to know truth.  

Please, read the Bible as if on an island, just you and God.  The Kingdom needs men and women who do so.

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Hospitality, by Edward

1 Peter 4:9 - Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

When I was in Albania, one of the things that I learned from the Albanian people was hospitality.  Before Albania, I had never been outside the US.  I had heard of "southern hospitality," but I can't say that I ever really experienced it even though I grew up in Florida.  

In Albania, when  I would go to visit a brother or someone I was studying the Bible with, I was usually welcomed in and asked what I would like to drink, or some food was set out before me. These were not Christians who were displaying this hospitality towards me, but usually the Christians' parents.  

If I showed up at one brother, Dritan's apartment unannounced, his mother (who happens to be a pretty good cook) would immediately invite me in, set food out, and offer me a drink.  If I refused, she would talk about how skinny I was and that I needed to fatten up a little.  I did have parasites at the time, so I probably was a bit on the skinny side.  Needless to say, I went to Dritan's house when I could, and I was more than content to let her try to fatten me up.  I never felt like a burden there but always welcome.  

Another brother, Roberto, was one of the poorer brothers in the church.  He was about 17-18 years old while I was there and had a fairly large responsibility on his shoulders.  He was the supporter of his mother and a younger sister who lived with them.  His father had died of alcoholism (if I remember correctly) and his brother had died as well.  Another sister was married and lived with her husband.  He and his mother and younger sister lived in a one room apartment about 13' wide and 24' long.  The bathroom was a shared bathroom with other tenants and was located down the hall.  

She cooked over what looked like a make-shift electric burner.  She would place it on the floor when cooking and put it away when not in use.  Her health was not great but she was always very, very giving when I came by.  One day, I showed up unannounced (they did not have a phone) to visit Roberto. She sent him down to the store to buy something to drink to have something to set before me.  This hospitality cost them wages that they needed.  The dinner she invited me over to one time did as well.  All of this, without Christ in their lives.  I am grateful for the lessons I learned from the Albanian people.

     When I practice hospitality, it is a wonderful opportunity to show Christ to those in my house.  I do it with a purpose- for the Kingdom.  Whether they are Christians or not, I want those in my house to feel welcomed and loved.   It is a good time to minister.  You never know what impact you might have on one's life while they sit in your house.  I love having people over.  It can be work, but it is such a joy.  

I encourage you to offer hospitality to friends and strangers alike.  It's a great way to get closer to a brother that you are already close to and to be encouraged by one another's faith.  It's a great way to get to know a brother better that you do not know well and who may need encouragement.  It's a great way to share the gospel with a friend or a stranger as they see the love of Christ practiced in your home.

Let me offer some practical advise.  When someone is in your home, let them be your center of attention.   Everything else should come second.  Offer them something to eat or drink not long after they get situated,  even if they're not there for dinner.  Don't be in a rush to get them out if it starts getting a little late.  Finally, think about how you would want to be treated while visiting a friend or stranger.

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Only in RI, by Edward

If you live in Rhode Island, this makes perfectly good sense to you.  On occasion I will be adding a cartoon that I have made. This may be bad news to you if you don't like my sense of humor, sorry. 

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Building Your Home, by Amy Joy

I want "the righteous life that God desires," (James 1:20) for myself, my family, and the rest of the world. I want a good marriage. I want my children to have a wonderful life and experience as they are growing up, one that helps them to understand God, and by understanding Him, to naturally love him.  

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." ‭Proverbs 24:3-4

For a married woman, this is the most important thing, besides her own relationship with God, that she has in life to do. It takes wisdom and thought, as well as careful building to have a good home. It doesn't just happen by hoping for it. If she's not careful, and she follows the patterns of the world and society around us, she will end up tearing her house down.

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands, the foolish one tears hers down."  Proverbs 14:1

 

One way that a house will be torn down is if it's divided.  Jesus stated in Matthew 12:25b, "every city or house divided against itself will not stand." Wives need to be united with their husbands. 

It's not wise for her to bring up every little thing that bothers her. Often, it will lead to futile a argument where both parties feel hurt.  Proverbs 17:14. "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." 

Instead, she can decide to overlook the offense. My husband taught me this one;) ‭‭Proverbs 19:11 "A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense." Jesus did this, leaving us an example. "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 

What if her husband is making a decision that she doesn't agree or feel comfortable with? Women are told to have a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:6) "like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." Do you remember that Abraham let the king take Sarah to be his husband?  If she could call him Master, we can pray and quietly put our trust in God.

Below is more advice from Jesus. Yes, He was talking about our enemies, but if she is feeling hurt it can certainly be a good attitude for a wife to have in her relationships with her husband.

Luke 6:27-31.  "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.  If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  Do to others as you would have them do to you." 

We are given the insight, that not forgiving is one of Satan's schemes. ‭2 Corinthians 2:10-11 Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." 

"Love covers over a multitude of sin." 1 Peter 4:8 What a wonderful truth this is. How beautiful that even if we have been hurt by each other, if we truly forgive one another deeply, from the heart we can continue on in love.

We need to think about what we do and how we react to make sure that we are building and not tearing down.  We have to stop and think, "If I do this, will I be building or tearing down our house?"

You can check out our other works! If you like them, you can help us out by sharing our links on your social media accounts and asking your contacts to do the same! Thank you!

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A Snare, by Edward

The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.  Proverbs 29:25

Boy, that says it!  During my time as a Christian I don't know if there is another lesson that has had such a huge impact on how I walk with God.  It's a simple lesson really, but one that took some time to learn.  The lesson is this, if I fear man I cannot follow God.  I cannot simply obey what I see in scripture if I am always worried about what the brother next to me thinks or what everyone else in the church may be doing.  

When I speak of the fear of man, that would include those outside the church, but I think more so includes those within the church.  It was the religious leaders who killed Jesus and persecuted the church afterward.   Most of the pressure I have experienced to go against my convictions has come from those within the church, even leaders.  It is from these experiences that I came to learn that if I fear them I am a goner. 

You obey who you fear. You are the slave to whom you fear.  If I don't obey what God says because of a brother, guess whose slave I am.  Not God's.  I want to be God's slave.  He is gentle and kind, even when I ere. His ways bring joy and peace, and the fear of Him lets me sleep at night.  

The fear of man is an oppressive slavery that drives guilt, despair and shame into the innermost places, because in my conscience I know that when I fear man I have sinned against Him who loves me.  The sooner you unload the fear of man  from your shoulders the freer and happier you will be because then you will be able to simply abide with God unfettered by man's opinions. Here are a couple passages to consider.

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."  Matthew 10:28

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me."  Matthew 10:37

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My Role as a Woman, by Amy Joy

     What I am most excited to share with other women about, is what I have been learning about my role as a woman.  When I became a Christian, I was nineteen.  I was single, had just moved out on my own, and was working as a hairdresser.  When I learned about God's plan of salvation, one thing that really struck my heart was, "What about all the people who don't know?!!!"  I have felt a burden to help save the world since then.

     When I became a mother a little over seven years ago, I found it a challenge to try to schedule Bible studies with the women I would meet and want to share the gospel with.  People would tell me, "Your child is your ministry now."  I thought it was a "cop-out".  I didn't want to be "let off the hook" of helping to save the world.  After all, I know that when Jesus told His disciples to "go make disciples of all nations..." in Matthew 28:19-20,  it applies to me, as well. 

 

     A couple of years ago, or so, I was really praying that God would help me to understand His will for me as a Christian woman.  Later that evening, my husband asked if he could share a scripture with me that he had just read.  

     He read from 1 Timothy 5:9-15 with the instructions for widows.  Looking at the list of things that an older widow should have been doing throughout her life to be put on "the list" has helped me so much.  The first thing on the list is that she should have been faithful to her husband.  Second that she should be well known for her good deeds.  What really struck me, encouraged and relieved me so much is the first example of a good deed mentioned is, "bringing up children".  I never knew that that would be considered a good deed!  It gave me so much relief and encouragement because taking care of my kids seems to take up almost all of my time !  

     The second thing on the list of good deeds is offering hospitality.  That is something that being at home with the children I can do and enjoy I doing.       

     Reading about what the younger widows were counseled to do also has given me direction.  They were told to marry, have children, to manage their homes, and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.   So, along with raising my children I am to manage my home.
  

     I also looked to Titus 2:3-5 to learn what I should be doing.  The older women are told to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands.  

     The first thing on this list is to love my husband and children.  I have come to realize that God's will for me at this point in my life is to love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and in doing so, to love my husband and children, and to manage my home.  

     I am so grateful to have this understanding of my role.  Now that I know this is what God wants for me, I am taking my role very seriously and doing it with all my heart.  I am loving it and enjoying it. I no longer feel as if I'm not doing enough to save the world. 

    

      I do try to do whatever I can in the time that I have to try to help others, whether it be making a meal for someone who needs help, or asking a stranger when I'm out shopping if he or she is interested in doing a Bible study or going to church.  

     However, I see in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 that we are to make it our ambition to lead quiet lives so that our daily lives will win the respect of outsiders.  This is all relatively new thinking to me, but encouraging, that by my quiet life inside my small home with my family, I can actually make a difference and help save the world!

You can check out our other works! If you like them, you can help us out by sharing our links on your social media accounts and asking your contacts to do the same! Thank you!

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God bless you!

   

Not a Burden, by Edward

     One of the things that I have devoted a good bit of thought to over the past couple of years is that the Lord is not asking of me more than I am able to do.  In other words, He's not asking too much.  In 1 John 5:3 it says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome."  

As I have thought about this, this question comes up- what has He commanded that is so unreasonable that I should shirk it or explain it away so as not to obey?  When He speaks of not lusting after a woman, turning the other cheek, loving your neighbor, dressing modestly, putting off coarse language, putting off lying and stealing, forgiving one another, sharing the gospel with a stranger or whatever else there may be, is He being unreasonable?  Is He putting something on me that is a burden?  Is He asking too much?  

On the contrary, He is seeking my good. He is seeking to create in me a pure heart, to be loving, to learn courage.  He is seeking my freedom because when I do the things that I should not, that is when I feel burdened.  It is sin that is burdensome, not the commandment.  I have never felt burdened after speaking to a stranger, or forgiving my brother a wrong, or confessing my own sins; I feel free.  He came to set the captives free and to destroy the works of the devil in our lives (1 John 3:8).  What a good God we have!  Consider Psalm 19:7-11 and ask yourself, "Are His commandments a burden?" 

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
         The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
         The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
         The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
         Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
         In keeping them there is great reward.

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God bless you!