Are Your Children Obedient and Happy? Part 5-Disorders In Children

Are Your Children Obedient and Happy?
Part 1
Part 2

Part 3
Part 4

Oh mothers! Let us be godly and refuse the worldly perspective that is being offered by the "Experts" that claim to know the answers to our child's problems.

Let me ask you, how can they know? Who are these people that lift themselves up above the parents and claim to know better? They may be highly educated in the worldly philosophies of child psychology and development, but do they live a godly life? Do they hide the word of God in their hearts? Have they raised godly children? Are they experts in His eyes? Are they mixing the ways of the world with the precepts of the Creator, corrupting and confusing?

The sad, sad thing about this is that too many parents have abandoned their jobs as parents and have turned to pleasures and entertainment for themselves. The resulting conditions from that behavior are confused and disobedient children, many with disorders. The parents are incapable of helping them because they have abandoned them in their hearts. Since this has happened, the Community, State and Government have been obliged to step in and "help"... thus we have labels of disorders. Many are true disorders, since the child has been raised in a disorderly way. Thus the "Experts" have risen up and proclaimed to know better than the parents... in some cases they may know better, but not in a godly way.

I am alarmed at the multitude of parents who claim to be true Christians and say they know the Lord. Their children reflect the reality of what the parents truly are, revealed by their child training and lifestyle. Children mirror their parents.

Fathers and mothers who want godliness in their children, must first be godly. A godly example is vital for your children.

Let us remember that God is merciful and just, He is very compassionate to us. If we have failed in raising our children for Him, there is still hope when we seek Him and pray for mercy on our children. If your children are still young and exhibiting disorders, I would like to give you some examples of disorders and possible help for them from Scripture.

Here is an example of a disorder called:

( From: Medline Plus)...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder:

"kids misbehave some times, but behavior disorders go beyond mischief and rebellion. With behavior disorders, your child or teen has a pattern of hostile, aggressive or disruptive behaviors for more than 6 months."

Warning signs can include:

• Harming or threatening themselves, other people or pets
• Damaging or destroying property
• Lying or stealing
• Not doing well in school, skipping school
• Early smoking, drinking or drug use
• Early sexual activity
• Frequent tantrums and arguments
• Consistent hostility towards authority figures

How sad! A disorder that shows human nature unrestrained and untrained! What has happened to these children? An accurate assessment of this "Disorder" is, Leniency-- these children have had a strong will since birth and the parents have not trained nor disciplined them according to God's Word. The parents have shown great leniency to them and allowed them to: misbehave at times, harm others, damage property, lie and steal, not work, eat what they want, watch movies and T.V. that have sex and/or violent scenes, allowed arguments and tantrums, and have been a bad example of respect for authority. It is very clear in God's Word that we reap what we sow... if children are given free range to do what they feel like, it will always lead to sin and sorrow for them and their parents.

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. (Proverbs 29:15)

"Parents, in educating their children, must consider, 1. The benefit of due correction. They must not only tell their children what is good and evil, but they must chide them, and correct them too, if need be, when they either neglect that which is good or do that which is evil. If a reproof will serve without the rod, it is well, but the rod must never be used without a rational and grave reproof; and then, though it may be a present uneasiness both to the father and to the child, yet it will give wisdom. Vexatio dat intellectum - Vexation sharpens the intellect. The child will take warning, and so will get wisdom"-Matthew Henry

"but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame; a child that has the reins thrown upon his neck, is under no restraint of parents, but suffered to take his own way, is left to do his own will and pleasure; he does those things which his parents are ashamed of, one as well as another; though the mother is only mentioned, being generally most fond and indulgent, and most criminal in suffering children to have their own wills and ways; and so has the greater share in the shame that follows on such indulgences."- John Gill

"Left to himself - The condition of one who has been pampered and indulged. The mother who yields weakly is as guilty of abandoning the child she spoils, as if she cast him forth; and for her evil neglect, there shall fall upon her the righteous punishment of shame and ignominy."- Barnes

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)

"Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child.... That is, sin, the greatest of all folly; this is naturally in the heart of man; it is in the heart of a child, it is in him from his infancy; it is bound in his heart, it is rooted and riveted in him, being conceived in sin, and shaped in iniquity; it is what cleaves close to him, and he has a strong affection for and desire after: the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth (Gen_8:21); so that he is not easily brought off of sin, or becomes wise...

but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him; the rod used by parents, for the correction of sin and folly, is a means of making children wise, and of restraining the folly that is bound up in them; and of reclaiming them from those sinful ways, which the folly of their hearts leads them to, and so in some measure of driving it far from them."- John Gill


Another Disorder is:

(From:National Institute of Mental Health)...
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD:


"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety."

Signs & Symptoms:

"People with OCD may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals. They may be obsessed with germs or dirt, and wash their hands over and over. They may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things repeatedly"

How sad! What would make a child behave like that? If the child is exposed to things that are very wicked, such as immoral movies, T.V. , and books, perverted people, music of the world, witch-craft, the occult, and unrestrained play with children involved with such things... it would be of NO surprise that a child would have a disorder like this.

We as parents are responsible before God to be sure our children are not exposed to wicked things. Children have very tender minds, if they are exposed to evil things their minds are not able to bear, they will behave in extreme ways. This is a disorder that has been created by the parents or those in authority over this child.

Mothers, Fear God! ... He will hold us accountable in how we train up our children!

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

"Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go,.... As Abraham trained up his children, and those born in his house, in the way of the Lord, in the paths of justice and judgment; which are the ways in which they should go, and which will be to their profit and advantage; see Gen_14:14; and which is the duty of parents and masters in all ages, and under the present Gospel dispensation, even to bring such who are under their care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Eph_6:4; by praying with them and for them, by bringing them under the means of grace, the ministry of the word, by instructing them in the principles of religion, teaching them their duty to God and man, and setting them good examples of a holy life and conversation; and this is to be done according to their capacity, and as they are able to understand and receive the instructions given them: "according to the mouth of his way", as it may be literally rendered; as soon as he is able to speak or go, even from his infancy; or as children are fed by little bits, or a little at a time, as their mouths can receive it."-John Gill

Prov.22:6 ...even when he is old he will not depart from it.

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

Dear mothers, if you teach your children diligently the way of God and the way he should go... He will not depart from it!


Another disorder is called:

(From: Children's Hospital Boston)...
Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

"The following are the most common symptoms of GAD in children and adolescents. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include":

• many worries about things before they happen
• many worries about friends, school, or activities
• constant thoughts and fears about safety of self and/or safety of parents
• refusing to go to school
• frequent stomach aches, headaches, or other physical complaints
• muscle aches or tension
• sleep disturbance
• excessive worry about sleeping away from home
• clingy behavior with family members
• feeling as though there is a lump in the throat
• fatigue
• lack of concentration
• being easily startled
• irritability
• inability to relax

It is very sad indeed to be a parent of a child that won't trust you. This is learned behavior, that comes from some experience or incident that causes fear and lack of trust. It can also come from parents that are very busy, and do not take time with their children, or they keep the children too busy. Children need quiet times to think and learn, to be still. Too much business in the home can cause this disorder in children. The child that has this disorder has not been taught to trust in God, nor to turn to Him in all things. Not only does a child like this need to be taught to trust the Lord but this child needs to learn the fear of the Lord!

The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. (Proverbs 19:23)

"Pro 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,.... "Godliness", of which the fear of the Lord is a principal part, has "the promise of this life and that to come", 1Ti_4:8, the fear of God is the beginning of a spiritual life; and it leads to eternal life, as Gersom observes, and is connected with it; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; with his lot and portion in this life; with the good things of it he has, being content therewith and "godliness with contentment is great gain", 1Ti_6:6, such a man has enough; he has all things in a spiritual sense; he is full of the blessings of goodness; he is blessed with all spiritual blessings; his mouth is satisfied, and his mind is filled with good things; and so he rests and abides night after night, and day after day; he shall not be visited with evil; nothing shall hurt him; all his afflictions, his worst things, his evil ones: work together for his good; and they shall never separate from the love of God, nor anything that befalls him in this life, Rom_8:28; see Psa_91:10."- John Gill

There are other disorders that I would like to address, and will have to do that in next post.

God bless you dear mothers that are diligently raising your children for Jesus Christ our God!

Are Your Children Obedient and Happy? Part 4-Be Still Before God

Mother's, Be Still Before God, Listen and Learn From Him

Please see Are Your Children Obedient and Happy?
Part 1
Part 2

Part 3

In the last post of this series I have spent a great deal of time addressing the attitude of mothers in obedience to Authority. The godly wife's first priority in obedience is to God and then to her husband.
(For the single mother, her first priority in obedience is to God, then perhaps she can find a pastor or an elder to place herself under... this is a touchy area for many single mothers, but I would encourage them to place themselves under some-kind of authority in the body of Christ. This would be a matter of prayer and seeking God for direction. I do believe it is prudent to do since we as women need strong direction and support in many areas of decisions to be made.)

For the godly mother, her attitude in obedience to God and to her husband is crucial for training the children to be obedient to authority. If you have not read part 3 in this series, please do!

I have been grieved. Our youth in America are being destroyed by the evil mentality of false teaching, being corrupted. Parents are deceived, so many, many have looked to the ideals of man for direction in training their children. Parents themselves have been raised with the ideals of man and know nothing else. What are the ideals of man? Among a few: To raise a child with high self esteem, a drive to achieve a good life with a proud heart and sensitive not to offend others. I'm sure you can add to this list... it could fill this blog!

The ideals of man are opposite of what God desires for us.. (For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. (1 Corinthians 3:19) Man's ideals are about man and what is good for man. God's plan for us is to bring glory to Himself... it's not about us nor our happiness, but there is no true happiness without God!

• The people of God should not be conformed to this world and it's ideals.( And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2)
  
  
• The people of God should reject the advice of the ungodly in training of children since the ungodly are at enmity with God and cannot understand the mind of God, because they do not have the Spirit of God. (Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 Corinthians2:12)
  
• The people of God should look to God in training their children. God's Holy Word has all the answers for us and instructs us in training our children. (I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with my eye. Psalms 32:8)
  
  
• The people of God should take the job of training their children for God very seriously. (Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6)

Oh mothers! Please! we must set priorities straight! We must stop placing friends, activities, television, movies, our own comforts, and many other things in front of raising our children for God! Yes there are social pressures that seem to demand your involvement in activities outside of the home, but are these pressures from God or man? Have we created these pressures by taking too much on and saying, "yes" to too many things when asked to do them?

The best thing for us to do is to be still before God and let Him direct our path. For those who feel that their life is in a mad whirl wind, Be Still before GOD. (Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10)
Dear, dear mothers, if you feel you are too busy to be still before God, and cannot find time with Him... in reading His Word, praying and seeking His face, asking Him-to direct your path, and quietly listening for Him to speak to your heart, then dear heart... You are too busy! This is not good and not of God. Remember that we have an arch enemy that wants to snatch you away from God and as a result deprive your children of rich blessings, since you cannot train them for God. Think and pray, ask God to help you to have the time, and perhaps remove certain activities from your life.

I have so many things to say on this subject. I too must keep my priorities straight!

For now... May our sweet Lord Jesus Christ direct you and help you in training your children for HIM!

In the next post I plan to write about: " So Called, Disorders of Children"

Trials Of Affliction ...C.H. Spurgeon - 1834-1892

"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." --Acts 14:22

God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when he chose his people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, he included chastisements amongst the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy. So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: he has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the "Father of the faithful." Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction. It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honour are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God's children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have his presence and sympathy to cheer them, his grace to support them, and his example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach "the kingdom", it will more than make amends for the "much tribulation" through which they passed to enter it.

C.H. Spurgeon - 1834-1892

Are Your Children Obedient and Happy? Part 3-Attitude of Mother

What Kind of Attitude In Obedience To God Do We Have?
Please see part 1- Introduction

In the last post on this series: "Are Your Children Obedient and Happy? Part 2-Divine Order)" I talked about Divine Order. God clearly shows us through His divine order how we should set our priorities.

As a godly women, wife and mother, our priorities in obedience are first to God, and then to our own husbands. I would like to talk more about attitude in obedience. This is something we will always need to examine in our hearts, and perhaps always struggle with, but with God's help we will improve as we learn to trust Him.

Our attitude in obedience to God is important. God resists the proud. If our attitude toward obedience to God is wrong, it is always, always, because of pride in our hearts. "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:6-7)


We might say, "I want to obey God in everything, I want to serve Him with all my heart." That is good, but when the test of this comes, do you truly follow and obey? Our God tells wives to submit to their own husbands, this is the divine order, How well are we obeying God in this?


What if your husband tells you not to buy processed sweets and candy? You love sweets and candy, and so do your children, what can you do?
I had this happen, it was difficult to say the least. I struggled when I was at the grocery store as we passed the candy counters. Before, I use to pick up a candy bar or some chocolate and eat what I wanted and shared it, but now if I did this I would be.... gulp... disobeying God! Yes, since we have a divine order, God says,"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands." To buy that candy would mean disobeying my husband's wishes, and above that disobeying God!
If I said in my heart, "How ridiculous, he just wants to control me in everything, I don't have to listen to him in something so silly." What would I be doing? Would I be acting like a "daughter of Eve?" .... Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes,....

Would it be pride? Yes! Why? Read the rest of the account in Genesis 6.... and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, ...

Eve wanted to be wise like God, she did what she felt like doing.
What about taking the candy off the the counter, buying it and eating it, despite my husbands wishes, how is this pride?
Doing so would be a direct disobedience to God, It is pride that makes me callous and non-thinking. I take the candy, I eat the candy.... I think I know better than God.
Maybe I'm not thinking in my heart, "I know better." but I have an attitude of willfulness, it is my attitude that spurs my rebellion. It is the attitude of the heart that our God is seeing.
This is rebellion, I am deceived... what is more frightening is that the next time I have an opportunity to obey, it will be harder to do so. The more we disobey God and ignore His promptings, the harder our hearts become and spiritually deaf we become.


Well, I am speaking out of experience here. Yes, after a struggle and a determination that I was going to obey my husband in this, I gave in and ate that candy. I was rebellious and my children knew it. Several things happened from a seemingly small thing; my children had less respect for authority, and I became very sick. I knew that the sickness was directly connected with my disobedience and it humbled me to a huge degree. The Lord taught me through that experience that obedience to Him in the seemingly smallest matters is very important to Him. I did confess my sin to God, to my husband and to my children. This experience caused me to feel sober about obeying my husband in the smallest matters. Undesirable consequences are the results of disobedience. My relationship with God depends on my obedience to Him... it is extremely important.

(And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.) (Hebrews 12:5-8)


(Those who are the true followers of God know that I am not talking about "Legalism" here. I am talking to those who are already saved through faith in Jesus Christ our God. Those who have been washed with His blood and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Those who are saved from the wrath of God that was on them because of their sin. Those who know that Jesus took God's punishment and wrath on himself for their sin on the cross and shed his blood and died. Those who believe on Him in their hearts and have repented of their sins. Who have been saved and have become a new creature in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We are freed from the bondage of sin and given liberty not to sin! Praise God!!!)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)

We have lessons to learn! We have so MUCH to learn! Are we teachable?

Mothers, your attitude will rub off onto your children. If you are obeying your husband but resent him while you are doing it, your children will see through you and they will feel the same about authority.

There are times when we want to have a good attitude, but find that a wrong attitude suddenly appears when we are not expecting it. If this happens we need to stop and ask ourselves, "Why?"
Examine your heart before God. Ask God to reveal to you why you are irritable, or angry. Ask Him to reveal the pride of your heart, (Yes, pride is always, always, behind a bad attitude! ). Be teachable, if God will show you areas of wrong attitudes of your heart... repent of them and ask Him to help you have His perspective in your thinking. We need to ask Him for a humble and quiet spirit.:

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." (James 4:8-10)

Dear Mothers, we have been given a very serious and eternal job in raising our children for God. This is not a time to play or be, "flippant". Oh take this task before you seriously, a responsibly before God, it is He to whom you will have to answer. Be serious about your own relationship with Jesus Christ. Seek Him with all your heart, and let Him mold and shape you for His glory.

To conclude my story about sweets and processed sugars.. I learned of other healthy alternatives for sugar... and it started our family onto much healthier eating! Praise God!

To be continued... in part 4

Are Your Children Learning About Purity Before Marriage?

http://www.tobeonevideo.com/

When we raise our children, teaching them to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to serve Him. When we see the work of God in their lives to bring them to belief in Him, and repentance of sin... all with the heart. ( &10) When we see godliness and love for God in our children, wanting to be holy and separated from the lust and sin of the world. It is cause for us to rejoice greatly and praise God, lifting up hands of thanksgiving to Him for answering prayer and doing such a great work in hearts of the ones that are so very dear to us. When they have grown and they start wondering if God would have them marry, we long for God to guide in this step of life so vital for all eternity, and pray earnestly about it with fear and trembling.

Recently our family watched a video called "To Be One" . It is about three different couples who share their story of how God brought them together for marriage. The video is about keeping pure, accountable, and respectful of authority during courtship. These couples were brought to a place of great blessings and surprise as God worked to bring them to the place of marriage.

Our family was blessed by this video. We rarely watch videos this one is very special and helpful. I would recommend it to godly families that are looking to God for direction for their young people.

Watch the trailer for this video here:

"This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.":

Giving thanks always for all things unto God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she respect her husband.

(Ephesians 5:20-33)

The Influence On Childen From Parents Example.

"Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little, unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life. Your children will never believe you are earnest, and really wish them to obey you, as long as your own actions contradict your counsel. Archbishop Tillotson made a wise remark when he said, "To give children good instruction, and a bad example, is but beckoning to them with the head to show them the way to heaven, while we take them by the hand and lead them to hell."

We little know the force and power of example. No one of us can live to himself in this world; we are always influencing those around us, in one way or another, either for good or for evil, either for God or for sin.--- They see our ways, they mark our conduct, they observe our behavior, and what they see us practice, that they may fairly suppose we think right. And never, I believe, does example tell so powerfully as it does in the case of parents and children.

Fathers and mothers, do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear. No school will make such deep marks on the character as home. The best of schoolmasters will not imprint on their minds as much as they will pick up at your fireside. Imitation is a far stronger principle with children than memory. What they see has a much stronger effect on their minds than what they are told.

Take care, then, what you do before a child. It is a true proverb, "Who sins before a child, sins double." (OR What parents allow in moderation, children will do in excess. (added from "preachers at home") ) Strive rather to be a living epistle of Christ, such as your families can read, and that plainly too. Be an example of reverence for the Word of God, reverence in prayer, reverence for means of grace, reverence for the Lord's day.----Be an example in words, in temper, in diligence, in temperance, in faith, in charity, in kindness, in humility. Think not your children will practice what they do not see you do. You are their model picture, and they will copy what you are. Your reasoning and your lecturing, your wise commands, and your good advice; all this they may not understand, but they can understand your life.

Children are very quick observers; very quick in seeing through some kinds of hypocrisy, very quick in finding out what you really think and feel, very quick in adopting all your ways and opinions. You will often find as the father, so is the son.

Remember the word that the conqueror Ceasar always used to his soldiers in a battle. He did not say "Go forward," but "Come." So it must be with you in training your children. They will seldom learn habits which they see you despise, or walk in paths in which you do not walk yourself. He that preaches to his children what he does not practice, is working a work that never goes forward. It is like the fabled web of Penelope of old, who wove all day, and unwove all night. Even so, the parent who tries to train without setting a good example is building with one hand, and pulling down with the other."

"The Duties Of Parents" by J.C. Ryle (XIV pages 31 and 32.)

Having Been Away For Awhile

Having been away for awhile due to illness I have missed posting here for a couple of months.
During my time of convalescence, the Lord spoke to me about weakness and faith in Him. His strength is made perfect in weakness: "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) I have found in greater depth that God is so very faithful. Those who are His are kept by His power... we cannot keep ourselves, we are far too weak. We cannot make ourselves strong, but He will be our strength if we come to Him in faith and rely on Him. To resign ourselves to His perfect will, to submit ourselves in obedience to Him, to rest and lean on Him is a wonderful and peaceful place to be!
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Dear Mothers, are you resting in Him? Do you know the peace that passes all understanding?

Our children need to see us falling on our knees in prayer, or just speaking out prayer, imploring our God for help and thanking Him for every trial. They need to see the peace of God in their mothers, assured by Him that He is in control. This will make a very worthy and wonderful impact on them. The life we live before them is an example to them... how should they act or live in times of trial? Go to man? Or Go to God?
Oh let us be true and holy women of God... no compromise, no pretending... just true children of the living God, obeying His Word, doing what He says, and let them know Jesus Christ is your strength. We are needy and helpless without Jesus Christ our Lord.

May our sweet Savior bless you today as you raise your children for Him.

I hope to post more soon... Let us keep praising God always!

Are Your Children Obedient and Happy? Part 2- Divine Order

Have you seen an Obedient, Happy Child?
See part 1-Introduction

This is part 2 of : "Are Your Children Obedient and Happy?"

Mother's, it is worth our while to take a good look into our own hearts to see if we have the right attitude about our obedience to God. God has made a "Divine order" for us to follow.

Really, it is very simply laid out for us, so that we are without excuse.

Here is the Divine order:

Fear, Love, Serve and Obey God First:

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command you this day for your good?"(Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart:
(Deuteronomy 6:5-6)


Husbands Are The Head Of The Wife:

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)

"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; " (Ephesians 5:23-25)

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
(Colossians 3:19)


Wives Are To Submit Themselves To Their Own Husband:

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
(1 Corinthians 11:3)

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
(Ephesians 5:22)

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fitting in the Lord.
(Colossians 3:18)

Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conduct of the wives;
(1 Peter 3:1)


Children Are To Obey Their Parents:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
(Colossians 3:20)


God has given us a Divine Order to follow, Are we following?

Adam and Eve were given a divine order to follow:

Man Was Given Dominion Over The Earth:

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth...(Genesis 1:27-30)

God Forbid Them To Eat Of The Tree Of The Knowledge Of Good And Evil:

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.
(Genesis 2:16-17)


Dear Mothers! Who first ate of this tree? Who gave the fruit to her husband? The wife, Eve!


Let me ask you this... was Eve willful? What does God's Word say? :

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
(Genesis 3:6)

Eve listened to the temptation of the serpent (satan). Here she followed her fleshly desires:

"The steps of the transgression, not steps upward, but downward towards the pit - steps that take hold on hell.":

Matthew Henry gives an excellent commentary of this passage:

1. "She saw. She should have turned away her eyes from beholding vanity; but she enters into temptation, by looking with pleasure on the forbidden fruit. ..... Let the fear of God be always to us for a covering of the eyes."

2. She took. It was her own act and deed. The devil did not take it, and put it into her mouth, whether she would or no; but she herself took it. Satan may tempt, but he cannot force; may persuade us to cast ourselves down, but he cannot cast us down, Mat_4:6. Eve's taking was stealing, like Achan's taking the accursed thing, taking that to which she had no right. Surely she took it with a trembling hand.

3. She did eat. Perhaps she did not intend, when she looked, to take, nor, when she took, to eat; but this was the result. Note, The way of sin is downhill; a man cannot stop himself when he will. The beginning o it is as the breaking forth of water, to which it is hard to say, “Hitherto thou shalt come and no further.” Therefore it is our wisdom to suppress the first emotions of sin, and to leave it off before it be meddled with.

4. She gave also to her husband with her. It is probable that he was not with her when she was tempted (surely, if he had, he would have interposed to prevent the sin), but came to her when she had eaten, and was prevailed upon by her to eat likewise; for it is easier to learn that which is bad than to teach that which is good. She gave it to him, persuading him with the same arguments that the serpent had used with her, adding this to all the rest, that she herself had eaten of it, and found it so far from being deadly that it was extremely pleasant and grateful. Stolen waters are sweet. She gave it to him, under colour of kindness - she would not eat these delicious morsels alone; but really it was the greatest unkindness she could do him. Or perhaps she gave it to him that, if it should prove hurtful, he might share with her in the misery, which indeed looks strangely unkind, and yet may, without difficulty, be supposed to enter into the heart of one that had eaten forbidden fruit. Note, Those that have themselves done ill are commonly willing to draw in others to do the same. As was the devil, so was Eve, no sooner a sinner than a tempter.

5. He did eat, overcome by his wife's importunity. It is needless to ask, “What would have been the consequence if Eve only had transgressed?” The wisdom of God, we are sure, would have decided the difficulty, according to equity; but, alas! the case was not so; Adam also did eat. “And what great harm if he did?” say the corrupt and carnal reasonings of a vain mind. What harm! Why, this act involved disbelief of God's word, together with confidence in the devil's, discontent with his present state, pride in his own merits, and ambition of the honour which comes not from God, envy at God's perfections, and indulgence of the appetites of the body. In neglecting the tree of life of which he was allowed to eat, and eating of the tree of knowledge which was forbidden, he plainly showed a contempt of the favours God had bestowed on him, and a preference given to those God did not see fit for him. He would be both his own carver and his own master, would have what he pleased and do what he pleased: his sin was, in one word, disobedience (Rom_5:19), disobedience to a plain, easy, and express command, which probably he knew to be a command of trial. He sinned against great knowledge, against many mercies, against light and love, the clearest light and the dearest love that ever sinner sinned against. He had no corrupt nature within him to betray him; but had a freedom of will, not enslaved, and was in his full strength, not weakened or impaired. He turned aside quickly. Some think he fell the very day on which he was made; but I see not how to reconcile this with God's pronouncing all very good in the close of the day. Others suppose he fell on the sabbath day: the better day the worse deed. However, it is certain that he kept his integrity but a very little while: being in honour, he continued not. But the greatest aggravation of his sin was that he involved all his posterity in sin and ruin by it. God having told him that his race should replenish the earth, surely he could not but know that he stood as a public person, and that his disobedience would be fatal to all his seed; and, if so, it was certainly both the greatest treachery and the greatest cruelty that ever was. The human nature being lodged entirely in our first parents, henceforward it could not but be transmitted from them under an attainder of guilt, a stain of dishonor, and an hereditary disease of sin and corruption. And can we say, then, that Adam's sin had but little harm in it?

Here we read from Matthew Henry's commentary how dreadful and wicked taking the fruit and disobeying God was!

But so often in life there may be sins that we do that we might turn our own eyes from or will not face. However, the consequences of those sins might be greater than we can imagine. How do those sins effect our children?

You may wonder what all this has to do with having an obedient and happy child:

Having a truly obedient and happy child must begin in the heart of the parents. I am an older women teaching younger women how to love their husbands and children... so I am addressing the mothers in my writings and encouraging them to examine their own hearts. Please do not point to your husband and say, "Well what about him?" Please point to yourself and say, "What about me?" For the Bible clearly states: "Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands." (Proverbs 14:1)
The enemy of our souls does not want us to realize how much our obedience to God, or disobedience to God will effect our children for their entire lives.

Mothers, please begin now and examine your own hearts to see if you are in the faith and know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you do, then now examine your own hearts and ask God to reveal any sin that you might not want to admit to, or that you are turning your eyes away from. Get your heart right with your Savior!


To be continued in part 3- Attitude of Mother

Are Your Children Obedient And Happy? Part 1- Introduction

A beautiful sight to behold is an obedient and happy child. Have you seen one?


Better still is to have your own child obedient and happy and let me say, they are a delight to be around!

Things that I would like to write on this subject are so vast that it will take several parts to cover. So.... this is Part One on: "Are Your Children Obedient and Happy?"


There is a reason the title of this post puts obedient before happy, for without obedience, there is no happiness.

Why is it very important that children obey their parents?


The most obvious answer to this question is that God commands it! Here are just a few verses to remind us of this fact:


"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)


"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known." (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

We as mothers aught to look very carefully at these Scriptures and consider that obedience to God is extremely important, there are consequences to both sides of obedience.

"But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. "(Jeremiah 7:23)

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)

God has commanded children to obey their parents. This is a COMMAND!


Oh godly mothers let us think about this very soberly!
We won't allow our children to do anything that is physically harmful to them, like put their fingers in a electrical plug, or run into the street, or play with a sharp object, get near the oven, etc.. Yet what if they delay to come when called, or talk back, scream for something they want, won't eat the food set before them, grumble and whine when they don't like something, etc...? How harmful is that for them? God warns the children to honor and obey their parents SO:

"That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

"A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God"

"Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people."

His warning continues: "And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God".....

So, how harmful is it to our dear children if they are not taught to obey their parents? According to God's Word it is very, very bad and harmful for them. Do we believe what God says? If so, let us act like it!

God commands parents to teach their children to obey and gives warning to us!

from the Geneva Bible :
The rodde (rod) and correction giue wisdome (give wisdom): but a childe (child) set a libertie,(liberty) maketh his mother ashamed. (Proverbs 29:15)

King James Bible:
"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." (Proverbs 29:15)

"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell". (Proverbs 23:13-14)

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him".
(Proverbs 22:15)

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
(Proverbs 22:6)

Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.
(Ecclesiastes 4:13)

We must take the instruction from God in raising children very seriously! If we should go our own way, do our own thing in raising our children and ignore these warnings, there will be a life time of eternal consequences, not only for our children and grandchildren but also for us. We do reap what we sow and as a garden that is not "tended to" becomes dominated with weeds, so children not "tended to" becomes dominated with sin and evil. This mother knows the bitter anguish and sorrow that is hers as a consequence from this. "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." (Proverbs 29:15) Though now I do praise Him for saving me and teaching me truth, I still have sorrow for the past sins I committed against my older children before I was saved. (Yet God is faithful and answering prayer for them. We are clay in the Potters hands)


I have heard many mothers complain that they love their child too much to spank them. They try their own methods of discipline which often leaves a child extremely frustrated and angry. God has given us clear instruction to use a rod... spank! A rod is a rod... not a club, but a thin piece of wood or something that will not cause physical injury. A spank with a rod should "smart" and sting. The child should know that he has been spanked by the aftermath stinging sensation on his bottom! But I plan to get more into this in one of the post on this series.



Mothers, getting back to the idea of loving your child too much to spank them, or correct them, I have a few things to say. Is that true love? I have heard mothers say, "I want my child to like me." So they coddle the child and try to reason with them as if they are adults, Is that true love? What kind of love do we love our children with? There are many types of love, how are we loving our children? A godly mother who wants to obey God and discipline her children according to His Word needs to ask God to give her Agape love for her children. Agape love is God's love. Agape love:

" entails the decision to proactively seek someone's well-being. Since it is not a knee jerk reaction nor just a responsive feeling to how I've been treated, agape is capable of acting in a hostile environment where there are no warm fuzzy feelings. For example, Jesus' teaching that we should agape our enemies is intended to show the boundless nature of the Christian commitment toward seeking another's well-being. Luke 6:35 The New Testament is full of examples and teachings illustrating the nature of agape as well as teaching designed to train the disciple's heart to be shaped by agape. A few examples illustrating the active nature of agape include: • Knowing that sinful man would kill His Son, but also knowing that without Jesus we were doomed, God loved (agape) us by sending his Son. John 3:16 • Those who love (agape) Jesus will do what Jesus taught. John 14:15,23 • If a person has material resources and the love (agape) of God within him, his heart will take care of his brother who is in need. 1 John 3:17 • Just as Christ through love (agape) acted on behalf of the church, so too the Christian husband is to be motivated by love (agape) to act on behalf of his wife. Ephesians 5:25-29"
taken from: http://www.sjchurchofchrist.org/agape.shtml

"A Short Handbook on Love"


I do not think we can comprehend the depths of God's love! The true people of God have the Spirit of God and He gives us the fruits of His Spirit which includes love, that is, His love. We must love our children with His love...and then we can discipline them with godly wisdom.

Facets of His love are deep and have no limit!

Take a look at this cut ruby, the depth and beauty is just amazing! Looking at this we have a visual of depth reflecting the underlying symmetry of the crystal structure. The deep symmetry of God's love is way beyond our understanding! We need to love our children with this perspective.. a deep and precious facet of God's love is discipline.

"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." (Hebrews 12:5-8)

To be continued... part 2 of: "Are Your Children Obedient and Happy?"

Mothers, Are We Preachers At Home?

Be A Preacher At Home Dear godly Mothers, Our Children Will Benefit Greatly!

Yesterday, June 30, 2009, I was with my 21 year old daughter, sitting in the parked car while we waited for my son to finish his piano lesson. We had decided to wait at the park and read the Bible out-loud to each other since we are learning the power of the spoken Word of God.
While sitting we observed 3 boys who had just arrived at the park, they must have been about 13, 12 and 11 years of age. It was a wet and soggy day so the park was empty, except for the boys. Leah was reading to me and I watched those boys as they balanced and ran on a large fountain rim, then pulled out some picnic tables and jumped on them. As I watched I heard a "still small voice" say, "go talk to them about me".. I mused.. "ummm what, ummm really?" "Go talk to them about me, it will effect them for their entire lives." I looked at Leah and told her that God the Lord just told me to go give those boys the gospel, "so let's pray"... I felt ashamed for being so slow to obey, and got out of the car, with Bible in hand walked over to them.

"Hi there! Hey have you got ten minutes to talk about something?" The oldest boy, who had pierced rings on either side of his lower lip asked,"What about?", (I answer)......."The Bible." He jerked back as if hit, "No! I don't believe in God."........ "Don't believe in God? How can this be? just look at the grass and trees, nature and all He has created, How can you not believe in Him?" The youngest boy wanting to please the older chimed in that he didn't believe either. Eric, who must be about 12 yrs. took the gospel tract that the others refused and stood still with interest in what I had to say, so I began to show him scriptures in the Bible. Genesis and John is where God lead me and explained about creation and how God made man from the dust of the earth, also about sin and what Jesus did for us on the cross. Eric admitted his sin and I asked him what he has done about that sin, since God cannot have sin in heaven nor can He look upon sin. I pointed him to Jesus on the cross and His sacrifice, taking our sin upon himself, becoming sin for us and about his need to believe in Jesus and repent of his sin. I told him that Jesus Christ is God and that He arose from the dead and is alive forever more. During the whole time I was talking to Eric the other two boys tried all they could to interrupt me. They kept pulling on Eric and trying to get him to leave saying, "Why listen to her, you have better things to do with your time." I asked them, "Why do you hate God? Why don't you want to listen to the Bible, are you afraid to hear God's Word?" They were both very nervous when I read the Bible to Eric, the youngest ran over to me, grabbed my Bible and tried to pull it out of my hands, but God had given me a good grip on it and he couldn't, I said, "Young sir, this is my Bible." I asked him what he would do with it? he answered, "I'd burn it." The older boy took the tract away from Eric and pretended to rip it apart. I gave Eric another tract and told him to put it in his pocket right away or they would take that too, and he listened to me. The two boys took up pine cones and threw them at me trying to stop me from talking. I encouraged him to read the tract and look up the scriptures from it in his Bible and pray for God to show him the truth. Eric thanked me for talking to him, and I left. (Please pray for this child and the other boys.)

Mothers! With great earnestness, teach your children the Word of God! Eric was different than the other two boys... why? I don't know the answer, but here is a clue, he told me he had a Bible at home and had heard something about God, he knew a little bit about what I told him. The other two boys made me think of two demons running around trying to keep Eric from learning about God, (Leah, who was watching, praying, and reading the Bible out-loud in the car) told me that they looked like two demons to her.

This whole affair sobers* me so much! We as mothers must be keepers at home and preachers at home... love Jesus Christ the Lord, learn about Him, draw close to Him, obey, reverence, fear and honor Him, He is God, Creator of heaven and earth! *As we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. We will be more like Jesus, He will lead us in the way we should go! *Our children will benefit as we seek God, they will learn to do the same as we set the example in our words and living till our very lives are "preachers at home". Let us be sober! The lives of our children are at stake.. Who will they be like?

*Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:8-10)

*Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. (James 4:8)

*and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.
(Deuteronomy 6:7-9)

Are Your Children Thankful For Their Food?

Are Your Children Thankful?

Are Your Children Thankful For Their Food?

How important is it for our children to eat their food without grumbling or complaining?

Should I force my child to eat food I know is good for him?

These are questions mother's with young children face daily. Oh mothers, God has the answers for us!

It is very important for children to understand that grumbling and complaining about food is wrong and against *God Himself ! Our children should learn this concept while they are very young. The example we set for our children is the most powerful way we can teach them.

Are we showing a thankful attitude for food we are about to eat? We must be very careful to do so! If we teach our children that all our food comes from God, talk about how He created each thing, where the food came from, how it grew, etc... than we can impress them with the Sovereignty of God, the Creator of all. By explaining the divine and wonderful way of nature and how He designed the food to grow, we can instill into young minds the wonder and greatness of our God.

For an example, when peeling an orange I would say, "Oh look children how God made such a pretty color and preserved this orange in a neat little package, without it the orange would shrivel up to a dry ball. Look at those individual slices God made for us, and it's very juicy so He put a nice skin around each piece. Oh it tastes so sweet and good, it's full of vitamins that are good for you too. Isn't our God so kind and thoughtful to do that for us? Oh and God made the orange you are about to eat just for you alone! Let's thank Him, shall we?" This brings the reality of God into young minds, they see, feel and taste something they understand is from God, and they can thank Him with understanding. Lessons like this can be repeated, children love repetition and learn best through repetition.

During a meal is a great time to talk about how kind God is. Mothers, we have a grave responsibility before a Holy God to train our dear children to appreciate what He gives us. We must show gratitude to Him for all the food we have. If we complain about food, so will our children, example is incredibly important here. Be sober about this job, and also find joy as blessings are poured down from heaven as we obey God in training our children for Him. Mothers rule in the kitchen, so-to-speak, we build the home as we submit to God and our husband, much of our attitude about food is reflected from us to our family.

Once we have impressed our children in a positive way about food and the Creator of it all, we can take the next step of expecting our children to eat what is set before them. If a child from the time they begin to eat table food is expected to eat what is given him, then there is no conflict at the dinner table. Mothers, please pray for God to give you wisdom how to teach them this... some will not let their small child eat until the next meal, others will refuse them treats until they eat it. There are creative ways to get the message across to them. Each child is so different and what works for one might not work for another. God will show you how and what to do for your own small child. The point is, do teach them, it's good training. There is no need to force a child to eat what is good for them, if they are given only food that is good for them, that is what they will eat.

Grumbling should never be tolerated at the dinner table. For older children that have not learned this, it's time to start teaching them now! Don't wait! If we have failed in this area and confess this to God, He will forgive. Go forward in this battle of attitude about food, and ask God to guide you to teach your children to be thankful.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain....And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (1 Timothy 6:6-8)


*"And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us? And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD. And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings. And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God." ...(Exodus 16:2-12)

We as mothers need to understand how food affects our children. It's easy to give food that tastes good to our children and expect them to eat it, but what are the ingredients in that food?

Our health has allot to do with what we eat. Our children are very affected by the wrong kinds of foods. We need to be careful to give them foods which will cause an appetite for what is natural and good for them. Our tastes buds can be "trained" to like or dislike certain kinds of foods. Train up a child in the way he should go in his good food habits as well! "Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it."(Proverbs 22:6)


I hope you will take some time to look at these sites that explain why High Fructose Corn Syrup is something we should AVOID in our diets. It might surprise you to learn about the mercury in it, and how obesity began in the U.S. after the food industry began to use it.

http://www.highfructosecornsyrup.org/2009/02/sweetening-of-american-children-turns.html

http://www.safbaby.com/foods-targeted-for-our-kids-contain-high-fructose-corn-syrup-and-mercury

http://parentingsolved.typepad.com/parenting_solved/2008/11/is-high-fructose-corn-syrup-unhealthy-for-children.html

http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/highfructose.html

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/111801/sugar_is_the_new_heroin/



Please take some time to learn about Hydrogenated oils and how they effect the body:

http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/PartiallyHydrogenatedOils.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/012427.html

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-WHOLE-story-of-partially-hydrogenated-oils---manufacture--reason-for-inclusion-in-foods--effects-on-body--and




We as Mothers are responsible to God for what we feed our families. We must live soberly and carefully, with foods that will be healthy for them. The diet we feed our children will have consequences, good or bad, for their entire lives.

Are Your Children Learning To Live A Holy and Sanctified Life?

Are Your Children Learning To Live A Holy and Sanctified Life?

And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
(Leviticus 20:26)

The Lord Jesus Christ is everything to me in every way, in this life and the life which is to come. I delight to do His will! ( I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalms 40:8) Obedience and submission to God is not a legalistic thing when it is done out of pure fear and adoration of God . The prompting of His Spirit, the moving of God in the heart helps us and makes us want to obey Him. Our children will see the example of love and obedience to God and want to follow. We have liberty in Christ Jesus, liberty not to sin! "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)

I will never forget a conversation I had with a professing believer as we were watching our children at play, I said, "Oh I want my children to be godly!" She replied, "I want my children to go to heaven." Oh dear mother please beware! "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."(Titus 1:15-16) Of course we want our children to go to heaven and it is a work of God that can save them. A holy and sanctified life in our Lord Jesus Christ is what He wants for His own, our children need to be taught what a holy life unto the Lord is.

With great zeal I wanted my young children to live a holy and sanctified life unto our Lord Jesus Christ, and I wondered, what does a holy life look like? There was a great deal of worldliness in the people of the church we were going to at the time, I was newly saved and wondered if there was something wrong with me, since the worldliness bothered me so much. We were home schooling our children and were involved in a "Christian" home school group but again, worldliness there too. One day a new family came to visit the group but only came once. If the only reason for that family visiting was for me to see what godliness looked like, then God fulfilled His purpose. The children in this family glowed and showed the light of the Lord Jesus Christ in their faces and talk, right then I knew, we were missing holiness in our family. (Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17) That day I began to pray, "I want what that family has, please show us what we are missing." God was gracious to us and began a work in our lives that brought forth what I had prayed for.


I had so longed to be with other Christians, to be part of the fellowship at the church we were going to at the time. We were involved in the Awana program and worked in Vacation Bible School or anything that included fellowship. The only problem was, every time we left the activity, I felt heavy and sad inside, it didn't feel like we really belonged there but I thought there was something wrong in my own heart. One day my Husband's truck broke down for good and we were down to one vehicle, which meant no extra activity for us outside the home! My world was crashing in! We lived in the country and 30 minutes away from Church, all we could do was to go to church on Sunday, so now what? Oh how good God is !!!! Here is where many wonderful lessons of holy living began for us.


I found myself home and secluded with my 3 and 4 year old children, but this precious time in our lives was necessary for learning the secret of priority in obedience to God. Instead of looking for others to supply my need for fellowship, I learned to look to the Lord Jesus Christ and found that He is my comforter and dearest friend, He told me to be still, (Be still, and know that I am God...Psalms 46:10) As I grew in fellowship with Jesus, through prayer and reading His Word, He spoke to my heart that my children needed Him as well.


The first and most important thing God showed us was, we were listening to music that was not honoring to Him. Because it was called "Christian" music on a Christian radio station, I thought it was alright. However, we learned that this music is very seducing and deceptive, it causes emotions to rise internally which makes us more in tune with our physical bodies. I wanted to teach my children the difference between the holy things and the profane things, but the beat that is used behind the nice words actually harmed my children which manifested through their attitudes. When we stopped listening to this (addictive) music, my children were far more peaceful! My now grown daughter Leah, wrote an important post on the subject of music, to see it go to: "Music, God's Call To Holiness". Leaving the music that we loved took submission and obedience to God, but He blessed us richly.

After the music issue was resolved I had greater spiritual freedom to teach my children. We learned about prayer; see: Are Your Children Learning To Pray? It is very possible to teach your very young children to sit quietly while you pray, and listen to you. Just yesterday we were praying at a friends home with her 2 and 4 year old children, they were sitting and listening for almost 2 hours of our praying and were happy and sweet during the whole time. This is good training, Mothers.

God taught us to put on the Armor Of God, see: Are Your Children Putting On the Whole Armor Of God Daily?

We taught our children the Word of God, see: Are Your Children Filled With God's Holy Word?
Parents, teach your very young children to memorize the word of God!

It took Time, Work and Commitment, see: Are Your Children a Delight To Be Around?



Oh let us live a holy and sanctified life unto the Lord Jesus Christ! Our children will then learn what it means to be holy unto God!

And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
(Leviticus 20:26)


Let us teach our children godliness!