Working at home Part 2

I just want to say that before you are quick to respond to why you have chosen to work outside of the home that I realize that there are unusual and challenging circumstances that give some women no other choice than to work outside of the home, in other words they work outside of the home not in order to pursue selfish ambitions but out of necessity. Matter of fact many of them I have spoke with over the years would have much preferred to be full-time homemakers but for one reason or another they were not afforded that choice.

I challenge you as I was challenged years ago to ask yourself these questions? Are my reasons for considering this opportunity selfish or God honoring? Will this opportunity enhance and enrich the lives of my family? And will this endeavor hinder my role as the caretaker of my home. I hope this will help us to always keep in the forefront of our minds that our primary obligation is to our homes. Remember GOD created us for this purpose and has equipped us with the skills we need to be managers of our homes. GOD will supply the time, energy and ability we need to glorify Him in this area. This is a GOD ordained, honoring, assignment that He has given to us. Embrace it as a source of great fulfillment and JOY!

Working at Home Part 1

`For more than thirty years now the "women's movement" has fed us the lie that we would be happier and more fullfilled if we left our homes and children and went out to work. Feminism has failed to deliver as advertised. Divorce has skyrocketed over the years as women have left the home. Well, this is not the "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father knows best" years we are in , this is the twentieth century and things are different. Are they really?, or have our standards of living changed? Do we live within our means to be supported by one income? I believe this mindset of "You really ought to go out and make something of your life" has cost our nation and family grave consequences. We would expect women who are unaware of the truth of the gospel to be confused and misguided about their identity and calling. But I believe it grieves the Lords heart at how many christian wives and mothers have joined the women of our culture in this mass exodus from their homes. I am not at all pointing fingers I am just asking us to re-evaluate our reasons for working outside of the home. Read Titus 2 and pray that God would enable each of us to approach His Word with a humble heart and listen as He speaks to us regarding His mandate to work at home. May we take seriously the role of training and nurturing our children in the Lord. I believe with all my heart that this is the beginning of reclaiming our Nation for Christ!
Lord.

Peace in the Home part 2

"Let the wife see that she respects her husband" Eph 5:33. The definition of the Greek word for "respect " is to be in awe of,to revere,or to treat as someone special." Is this how we act towards our husbands? Do we respect them with our words,tone of voice, countenance, and body language? Ouch! I know I always haven't. One thing that really helped me was to begin to focus on His positive character traits worthy of respect. When we esteem our husbands, amazing results will follow which in turn gives our children a visual picture of how to revere and respect our Heavenly Father. Even if you don't feel He has done anything worthy of your respect just remember respect is a decision we make to obey Gods word. Again ,peace in our home begins within the marriage relationship. We must rely on the Holy Spirits help not our own strength.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Phil 4:13

Peace in the Home 1

Do you feel like your home is a peaceful place? Well after observing my own mother for many years I realized that the peace in our home came from her submissive heart towards my father.
I Peter 3:1 says" Wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives when they see your respectful and pure conduct. " To me this is where it all starts. In order to teach and train our children to submit to Gods leadership in their lives they must first see it in us.
If you are having trouble in this area just blame Eve! One of the consequences of the Fall for women God tells us in Genesis 3:16 is that their "desire shall be for their husbands" Desire actually has a negitive connotation. It means to manipulate, control or have mastery over. Because of sin we now want our own way and tend to resist our husbands authority. When we do so what kind of picture are we portraying to our children and how they will view Gods authority in their own life. Believe you me , I have been far from perfect in this area ,but the exciting part is that when we take "I" out of the picture, by Gods grace we can conquer this opposition in our own hearts. A submissive wife is far from being the weak-willed woman our culture portrays. It is in turn a model of inner strength. In other words it takes no effort at all to usurp authority and demand our own way. Leading and trainning our children to be submissive to authority begins in our marriage relationship. A thriving marriage is a testimony to your persistent efforts to resist sin and follow your husbands leadership.

The Power of Prayer

As wives and mothers we have the awesome privilege of praying for our family. "The prayer of a righteous man is POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE" James 5:16
Are we making the time to pray for each child and there specific needs. No one knows our family members the way we do ,so who better to pray for them than us? As my children were born there were 3 things I consistently prayed for each of them. 1. That they would have a place in Gods kingdom.(Come to know Him at an early age). 2.That they would be a credit to His kingdom. (Exemplify Godly character) and 3. Promote His kingdom. ( Be mightily used for drawing men unto Him ). It is so exciting to watch these prayers come into fruition. I truly believe with all my heart that our prayers play a major role in the molding of their lives! Charles Spurgeon once said: "No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me" Lord, Help us to be consistent and faithful to pray for our husbands and children daily.

Speaking at Mops

What a privilege and blessing it was to recently speak to the MOPS group at our church. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity to share my "mothers heart". I am always humbled when the Lord can use me to encourage other mothers. I talked about not allowing the world to cloud our priorities of .1. Our relationship with the Lord (daily quiet time) 2. Our relationship with our husband( planning time together) 3. Our children (teaching ,discipline and fun) It is so important that we "purpose" in our hearts to make time for these relationships first and then everything else will fall in place. There are so many good things but Lord help me to do the WISE thing. Have a purpose filled day, commit all your plans unto the Lord before your feet hit the ground and God will order your steps.

The Lord is so Good!

How excited to be doing what has been on my heart for so long! Thank you Lord for enabling me to do what has been on my heart for some time now. For such a time is this! I cant even wrap my arms around His goodness. He always has our best in mind. Why do we try to settle for second best? As mothers we have the greatest job in the world, why to we try to find fulfilment in so many other things? One of my life verses is: Phil 4:11 "Not that I speak in reguard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am , to be content" Lord, Help me to be at peace and content just where I am!