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!

Keep the altar of private prayer burning

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”Leviticus 6:13

With my last post addressing, "All Prayer" I thought it fitting to place this post concerning prayer, by Charles Spurgeon. It blessed me very much, and I pray it will bless you as well:

Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and experimental religion.
Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer availeth much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the Church, the ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbours, your country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world. Let us examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and in the world.
The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of his people glowing towards himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek his grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart’s fire, they are live coals; let us attend sermons, but above all, let us be much alone with Jesus.


C.H. Spurgeon - 1834-1892

Are Your Children Putting On The Whole Armor Of God Daily? Part 7- All Prayer

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thus with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Ephesians 6:18)


Please see: Introduction

Part 1- Girdle of Truth

Part 2- Breastplate of Righteousness

Part 3- Preperation of the Gospel of Peace

Part 4- Shield of Faith

Part 5- Helmet of Salvation

Part 6- Sword of the Spirit


PART 7 - All Prayer

Here we are at the final Part in the Series: Putting on the Whole Armor of God. This is Part 7- All Prayer. I have already addressed the subject of prayer in a previous blog, "Are Your Children Learning to Pray?" But I would like to add just a few more points about this.

Are you praying daily and continually? Are you teaching your children to do so?
We are in a fierce spiritual battle, the spiritual armor is needed! An essential part of the armor is prayer.

Prayer is work! Are we aware of the importance of prayer in the spiritual battle that we are in?

Here is a link from BibleHelp.org that has a great encouragement for prayer:

http://www.biblehelp.org/unsung.htm ---- please take some time to read this, I think it will help and encourage you.

Here is something taken from a section of the link I just posted, it is a wonderful thought that puts a good prospective on the battle we are in concerning prayer:

"Satan understands the power of prayer, and I believe he is fighting fiercely to reduce its impact. An obvious military strategy is to concentrate attacks on the targets, which are the greatest threats. For example, in war, primary targets are radar installations, ammunition depots and weapons factories. Limited military resources are not used on non-strategic targets such as the officers’ dining hall (although many soldiers would probably welcome the relief from military food). It is my conviction that Satan knows the biggest spiritual battles are won or lost because of our prayers. Therefore, why would Satan not try to blind our eyes to the need and urgency of prayer?"
(Section 7: The Incredible Power of Prayer) Copyright © Michael Bronson 1997, 1999, and 2000 BibleHelp.org


In conclusion to this series I would like to say, My Husband and I have been blessed by God in that we have been very sober in raising our two youngest children. We have felt the weight of responsibility before God to seek Him in raising godly children that would have a passion for the Lord Jesus Christ and a desire to serve Him. Putting on the whole armor of God has been a huge part of that training. I have spent a great deal of time on this blog in communicating how we went about training our children to understand the concept of the spiritual battle we are in and the wonderful defense we have against the evil spiritual foe. My youngest daughter, Leah and youngest son, Michael have benefited from this training. They are adults now, and are serving the Lord with all their hearts with great fervor and passion for the Lord Jesus Christ. Even before they were adults, at the ages of 16 and 15 they were involved in Pro-Life/Gospel work with my husband and I. They would not have been able to stand the horrible attacks from the wicked if they had not learned how to put on the armor of God and stand in this evil day. They stand because they are saved people of God through the Lord Jesus Christ and they obey Scripture that says to be equipped with His armor.

God has instructed us to train up our children in the way that they should go. Oh mothers! Do you want children with a passion for God? Train them! Pray for them! Pray with them! Teach them God's Word! Protect them! Let God do the rest!


Let us teach our children to put on the whole armor of God daily!

Are Your Children Putting On the Whole Armor Of God Daily? Part 6-The Sword of The Spirit.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(Ephesians 6:10-17)

Please see:

Introduction

Part 1- Truth

Part 2-The Breastplate of Righteousness

Part 3- The Gospel of Peace

Part 4- The Shield of Faith

Part 5- The Helmet of Salvation



Part 6- Taking up the Sword of The Spirit Which is the Word of God:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)


Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 149:5-9)

The Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit which we are to take up! From the Word of God we learn the great benefits of knowing and learning the Word of God and how to use it as a Spiritual Sword!

Here are a few points that tell us how the Bible is a Spiritual Sword:

We are blessed if we meditate on His Word... He promises that those who meditate on His Word day and night will be prosperous and useful to God!

Blessed is the man that walked not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3)

We have victory over the enemy if we look unto the Lord and His Word and wait on Him:

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. (Micah 7:7-8)

The Lord will fight for us with His Sword:

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. (Deuteronomy 32:39-41

He guides us in the right path as we live this life, as we keep reading His Word:

Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

His Word helps us not to sin:

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalms 119:9)



Have you read Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan? We discovered "Little Pilgrims Progress" when my children were yet small, it has been one of our favorite books to read and learn from.
Pilgrims Progress is written in allegory to teach spiritual lessons. To learn more about Pilgrims Progress and John Bunyan go here..also go here.



This section taken from Part 2 of Pilgrims Progress gives a wonderful allegory for using the Sword of the Spirit :




Valiant-For-Truth


Then they went on; and just at the place where LITTLE-FAITH formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all bloody. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "What art thou?" The man made answer, saying, "I am one whose name is VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH. I am a pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now as I was in my way, there three men did beset me, and propounded unto me these three things:


1. Whether I would become one of them?

2. Or go back from whence I came?

3. Or die upon the place? To the first I answered, I had been a true man a long season; and therefore it could not be expected that I now should cast in my lot with thieves.

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:"
~ Proverbs 1:10-14 ~

Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told them that the place from whence I came, had I not found incommodity there, I had not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third; and I told them my life cost more dear far, than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at your peril be it if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, WILD-HEAD, INCONSIDERATE, and PRAGMATIC, drew upon me; and I also drew upon them.


"So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valour; and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just now gone. I suppose they might, as the saying is, hear your horse dash; and so they betook them to flight."


Great-heart. But here were great odds, three against one!


Valiant. "'Tis true; but little and more are nothing to him that has the truth on his side. 'Though a host should encamp against me,' said one, 'my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident,' etc.

"Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident."
~ Psalms 27:3 ~


Besides," said he, "I have read in some records, that one man has fought an army; and how many did Samson slay with the jawbone of an ass?"


Great-heart. Then said the guide, "Why did you not cry out, that some might have come in for your succour."


Valiant. So I did, to my King,--who I knew could hear, and afford invisible help; and that was sufficient for me.


Great-heart. Then said GREAT-HEART to Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Thou hast worthily behaved thyself: let me see thy sword." So he showed it him.


When he had taken it in his hand, and looked thereon awhile, he said, "Ah, it is a right Jerusalem blade!"


Valiant. It is so, Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wield it, and skill to use it, and he may venture upon an angel with it. He need not fear its holding, if he can but tell how to lay on. Its edges will never blunt. It will cut flesh, and bones, and soul, and spirit, and all.


"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
~ Ephesians 6:12-17 ~


"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
~ Hebrews 4:12 ~


Great-heart. But you fought a great while, I wonder you were not weary.


Valiant. I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand;

"He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil."
~ 2 Samuel 23:10 ~


and when they were joined together, as if a sword grew out of my arm, and when the blood ran through my fingers, then I fought with most courage.


Great-heart. Thou hast done well; thou hast resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Thou shall abide by us: come in, and go out with us; for we are thy companions.




Valiant for truth used the Sword which represents the Word Of God.... this has been written as an allegory for our spiritual life, for us to apply to the battles in life. When the flesh, the devil, or the World tempts us to sin, we should call to mind the Word of God, which truly is a sharp sword to defeat the enemy of our souls!

After my children and I put on the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, we took up the Sword of the Spirit and I prayed something like this, "Dear Lord Jesus, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Please help me to meditate on your word, let it be in my thoughts day and night, and work as a two edged sword to fight against the enemy of my soul. Help me think on you all the day long." then my children would pray and take up the Sword..

Taking up the sword of the Spirit has helped to equip us for this evil day. My youngest children understand the importance of learning and reading God's Word. Now that they are adults they continue to read and meditate on the Word of God, it shows in their daily lives and our families discussions are predominantly on the Word of God, our favorite Book of all.


For more on the Sword of the Spirit, please go to this post: Are Your Children Filled With God's Holy Word? Let us teach our children to fill their minds with the Word of God!



Here is the commentary from Albert Barns about the Sword of the Spirit:



And the sword - The sword was an essential part of the armor of an ancient soldier. His other weapons were the bow, the spear, or the battle-axe. But, without a sword, no soldier would have regarded himself as well armed. The ancient sword was short, and usually two-edged, and resembled very much a dagger.

Of the Spirit - Which the Holy Spirit furnishes; the truth which he has revealed. Which is the word of God - What God has spoken - his truth and promises; see the notes on Heb_4:12. It was with this weapon that the Saviour met the tempter in the wilderness; Matt. 4. It is only by this that Satan can now be met. Error and falsehood will not put back temptation; nor can we hope for victory, unless we are armed with truth. Learn, hence:
(1) That we should study the Bible, that we may understand what the truth is.
(2) we should have texts of Scripture at command, as the Saviour did, to meet the various forms of temptation.
(3) we should not depend on our own reason, or rely on our own wisdom.
A single text of Scripture is better to meet a temptation, than all the philosophy which the world contains. The tempter can reason, and reason plausibly too. But he cannot resist a direct and positive command of the Almighty. Had Eve adhered simply to the Word of God, and urged his command, without attempting to “reason” about it, sire would have been safe.
The Saviour Mat_4:4, Mat_4:7,Mat_4:10, met the tempter with the Word of God, and he was foiled. So we shah be safe if we adhere to the simple declarations of the Bible, and oppose a temptation by a positive command of God. But, the moment we leave that, and begin to parley with sin, that moment we are gone. It is as if a man should throw away his sword, and use his naked hands only in meeting an adversary. Hence,
(4) we may seethe importance of training up the young in the accurate study of the Bible. There is nothing which will furnish a better security to them in future life, when temptation comes upon them, than to have a pertinent text of Scripture at command. Temptation often assails us so suddenly that it checks all “reasoning;” but a text of Scripture will suffice to drive the tempter from us.



Let us teach our children to put on the Whole Armor of God Daily!

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:16)