There is something different about these children from children of most other christian families.
I'd like to expound on this a bit for the joy and excitement I have seeing this family!
The parents love the Lord Jesus Christ and have committed themselves to Him. It is obvious that they obey God in His Word. Here are a few verses that I can testify they follow:
1. Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain utterances: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2Ti 2:15-16)
2. In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is an opponent may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. (Tit 2:7-8)
3. And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph 6:4)
4. Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them upon the door posts of your house, and upon your gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. (Deu 11:18-21)
There are many other Scriptures I could place here... They take their walk in the Lord Jesus soberly and seriously.
What does God think of a family that obey Him?
God is well pleased with such a family, showing favor with rich blessings and grace upon them.
Great peace have they who love your law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for your salvation, and done your commandments. My soul has kept your testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. I have kept your precepts and your testimonies: for all my ways are before you. [Tau] Let my cry come near before you, O LORD: give me understanding according to your word. Let my supplication come before you: deliver me according to your word. My lips shall utter praise, when you have taught me your statutes. My tongue shall speak of your word: for all your commandments are righteousness. Let your hand help me; for I have chosen your precepts. I have longed for your salvation, O LORD; and your law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise you; and let your judgments help me. (Psa 119:165-175)
What does the world think of a family that actually obey God?
The natural man does not understand such a family....
A family that does not watch movies, avoids TV., does not leave their children to play alone with other children, separates themselves from worldly activity. A family that does not entertain their children with worldly games and videos.
Since therefore Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life will suffice us to have done the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in licentiousness, lusts, excess of wine, reveling, carousing, and abominable idolatries: In which they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of dissipation, speaking evil of you:(1Pe 4:1-4)
The parents in this family are nurturing their children with the things of the Lord. Jesus Christ is the exciting subject of each hour. Jesus is exalted and honored and the children are very excited about Bible stories and songs. The children dance and jump to the praises of Jesus Christ. They have not been corrupted with worldly excitement and pleasure but are learning the rich and true treasures of God. And they see the fulfillment and peace He gives to those who love Him.
Mothers, this is a beautiful picture. Every time I see this family my heart rejoices! The children honor Jesus Christ and have a heart for evangelism. Yes, at very early ages, (even at around one year old) they are loving the Lord Jesus and have respect for their parents. Let me tell you, they are a delight to be around!
A Christian mother has a great responsibility before God to raise her children for Him. This is no game dear mothers, it is a very serious and difficult yet rewarding job.
The mother of the family I am talking about has given up her own fleshly desires. She is seeking the Lord Jesus for direction and help which He is abundantly pouring out upon her. This mother is careful to honor her husband and submit herself to him, being an example of obedience to God that her children can see. This mother feels the weight of the responsibility to raise her children for Him and dedicates her hours and days to this task. She is a wise women and builds her home on the solid Rock of Jesus Christ.(Every wise woman builds her house: but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.Pro 14:1)
This mother prays for her children and teaches them to pray for others and needs that arise. She is praying for her husband, financial needs, spiritual protection and help, everything that comes up in daily living and finding God to be very faithful. This mother rises up in the morning praying that she might have wisdom to train her children for Jesus, and prays for their salvation.
I love to talk to this godly mother. I love to hear how God shows her fun and interesting ways to teach her precious children the things of God in every day experiences. While sitting at the table eating, playing together, reading, taking walks or drives, what ever the case may be, God shows her something she can say to them about Him. Praise God for this! Her children are being so blessed by their Mother as she invests her time into their learning and growing for the glory of God!
It grieves me to hear mothers say they would like to be ministering to others outside the home someway. Your children are your ministry right now... Be faithful and maybe in a few years ahead God will be able to use you because you were faithful to the task HE has given you NOW!
Pray for wisdom dear mothers, God is able to provide it and He will if you seek Him with your whole heart. Love your children, invest your time and days in training them for Him!
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I do realize there are some mothers who feel they need to go off to work for financial reasons and can't be home, or single mothers who would love to be home. I am going to say something to you that might seem impossible... but with God all things are possible.. Pray that God will show you a way to stay home and raise your children for Him. It's that important and our God is that powerful.
I am talking to women who truly belong to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Do not limit God in your thoughts. Here is what God has told older women to say to you who are younger:
"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Tit 2:4-5)
Did you notice He said,"keepers at home"? "AT" is exactly what is said here. This is not a popular message in our culture these days. The reason it is not popular is because satan has deceived many women into thinking they can be independent of any control from men. These feminist women criticize, ridicule, degrade and scorn any women that willing submits herself to her husband. This lie from satan is the same lie that he gave Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the very opposite of what God commanded women: "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." (Gen 3:16)
The feminist spirit is prevalent in our world and it is a rebellious spirit against our God. Please pray and seek the Lord to reveal any feminist spirit that might be in you and repent of it. Ask God to change your attitude and give you His perspective and wisdom. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God: "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1Pe 5:6-8)
To the single mothers I make a plea to you to understand that God is able to provide for you too if you will trust in Him. This message may seem ridiculous to some but God is very able to take care of you and provide. Read this story of a widow with two sons, our God can provide and will if you but ask Him:
"Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest." (2Ki 4:1-7)
Happy are you, O Israel: who is like unto you, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and who is the sword of your excellency! and your enemies shall submit unto you; and you shall tread upon their high places.
(Deu 33:29)
