God's Definition of Spiritual Beauty

When we think of beauty, we think of supermodels and movie stars. Their bodies have the perfect size and features. They exercise all the time to maintain their physique. They wear all kinds of makeup to keep up appearances. They use all kinds of beauty enhancers and implants, outlandish and sometimes immodest clothes. In the world of beauty, there are all kinds of polishing, painting, buffing, and all such things going on. The world has made this the standard of beauty. The world has set the bar very high, too high in my opinion. Most normal people can never attain the level of beauty the world flaunts. Some supermodels can't either, hence the implants, makeup, etc.

Proverbs 31:30 says, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised." This says that seeking worldly beauty is vain. We all know that just because a person is beautiful on the outside doesn't mean they are beautiful on the inside (Matthew 23:27 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness). Our goal should be to seek a beauty which does not fade, but only grows stronger. Our goal should be to seek spiritual beauty.

To begin with, we should fear the Lord (see Proverbs 31:30 again) because fearing the Lord causes us to praise and glorify Him (Psalm 22:23 - Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel). Fear of the Lord is also where we begin to attain true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction). Another one is Psalm 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Fearing God also brings us blessings (Psalm 115:13 -  He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great). It gives us confidence (Proverbs 14:26-27 -  In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death). How do we show our fear of the Lord? Proverbs 8:13 says, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." This theme continues throughout the Bible. Proverbs 22:4 says, "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life."

God's description of beauty includes preaching the gospel. Romans 10:15 - "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Being obedient to God and serving Him is emphasized throughout the Bible. He makes us beautiful with salvation if we are meek (Psalm 149:4 - For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation).
Our holiness is beautiful to God (I Chronicles 16:29 - Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness). 2 Chronicles 20:21 says, "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 29:2 says it too, "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Again in Psalm 96:9 - "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth."

The pattern is that our character defines us as beautiful or ugly. There are a few verses in 2 Peter 1:5-7 to help us refine our character as God sees fit. "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." These are generally called the Christian graces. We can also focus on the fruit of the Spirit. Ephesians 5:9 says, "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." They are listed out in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Philippians 4:8 gives us more to go on with, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

I hope you choose the right kind of makeover!

Bear With Me

One blessing Christians are given comes disguised. We are told to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.) and to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.). Even though these two commands are separate, I think they go together to form a bigger blessing. Some may not see this as a blessing, but oh, it truly is!

Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." When we rejoice with those who rejoice, our spirits are lifted and encouraged. When we share our troubles with our brothers and sisters, we receive their help and emotional support. A joy shared is doubled and a sorrow shared is halved.

Confessing our sins to our Christian family works the same way. Other Christians know what we are struggling with and can pray for us, help us stop doing that sin, help us replace it with good, and sometimes just be there to listen with a loving heart. We are all one in Christ's body. We hurt when another of us hurts. We are happy when another of us is doing well.

The prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). Can you imagine the power of so many prayers for help or so many prayers of gratitude?  I think we underestimate and underutilize the power of prayer! God is bigger than any opponent we have in the world (1 John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.). We access an army for the Lord when we share our burdens and sins with each other.

When someone confides in me with their problems, I realize sometimes my own don't seem so bad in comparison.  It doesn't matter what I'm going through - it could always be worse! When I confide in someone else, I have a huge sense of relief in my soul. I don't have to carry that burden alone! I have help from someone who loves me. Not only do they love me, they are going to encourage me to do right. We know that by doing right, we are cleansed (1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.).

God has planned all along to give us good things. His plan is always right, even if it isn't what man thinks we should do. I heard a quote once, and I think of it often. "Give God control of the day, or Satan will take it." -Charles Hodge

Counting Exercises

God has given us so many blessings! Sadly, we fail to recognize His abundant love for us because we trivialize these blessings. We don't consciously count our blessings anymore.

Have you ever sat and listened to the innocence of a child praying to God? They thank God for everything and everyone. By name. Multiple times. They bring Him everything that troubles their tender little heart.

Somewhere in life, we tend to lose that. We give a general thanks and then start in on our long list of all the many things we want Him to do for us or to give us. We lose sight of the fact that God made everything. Yet we are just giving Him a to-do list! We've lost our reverence and humility!

Try counting your blessings. Truly name them one by one. As we realize how long our list keeps growing, we can better put it into perspective. He made everything, yet He loves us enough to provide for us and give us so many things He didn't have to give.

Recognition of these abundant blessings should elicit a response from us. Certainly, we should be thankful, but it doesn't stop there. God has used others to bless you. Be a blessing to someone else. Pass it on! Don't be a miser with blessings! Allow God to work fully through you.

Somewhere along the way, you'll regain a sense of wonder reminiscent of the child you once were that you thought was gone forever. Your negative feelings toward life can be replaced by joy. This in itself is yet another blessing!

Happy counting!

Kidney Stones and Christians

 

I sometimes get kidney stones. They are nasty little critters that cause me a considerable amount of discomfort and pain. When I get them, my whole entire body reacts. I want to curl up in bed in a little ball and stay there. My whole being is concentrated on doing what I can to feel better and make the pain go away.

It should be the same for the Church family. We are a family, but the Bible also describes the Church as the body. (For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. -Romans 12:3-5)  As the body of Christ, if one of us is hurting in some way, we should all hurt and do all we can to help that one to get better, however we can.

There is no such thing as an unimportant member of the Lord's Church, the body. We are all important to Him and to one another. I don't see my kidneys. I don't even normally think about them when I think about my body. I think about the visible aspects. I don't think about them being important. But let me tell you - when they are sick, they are the only thing I'm focusing on. They are important to me. Just because someone doesn't do a public job in the congregation doesn't mean they are any less important either. Most people probably don't think about the little things that get done while nobody is looking - cleaning the scuff marks off the floor, emptying trash cans from classrooms, filling the communion cups. It all has to get done, and it's all important.

EVERYONE has a vital role in the Lord's body, the Church. Are my kidneys important? Absolutely! My body cannot function without them. Just the same, the body of Christ cannot function without every member working and doing his part.  What happens if we don't think our role is important, so we just don't do it? Well, everyone's job is to go and spread the gospel, not just the preacher. Think of your friends who won't know about Jesus and His salvation if you're too scared to say anything to them. Are you willing to let them go to hell because you are afraid of what they will say to you? 

He Remembers, He Remembers Not

We are known by our deeds, whether good or bad. (Proverbs 20:11 - Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.) I tell this to my children frequently. We are always an example to someone, and we have to choose if we will be a good example or a bad example. Our choices affect how we are remembered by others. i.e. You know Don - he's the one who's always giving peppermints to the little children. Or you know Ann - she's the one who crochets a baby blanket for each baby born in the church. Or you know Saul - he's the one really persecuting Christians. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. How will you be known?

As normal people, we remember the good, the bad, and the ugly about others we meet. For instance, in our first apartment, about the only thing I remember about our neighbors was a lot of banging and a lot of arguing. I remember another woman who brought over cookies and sat and talked with me when I was sick. And the woman who is constantly whining. And the man who came and mowed my grass without being asked when our mower was broken. And the woman who commits to things yet never follows through.

See, we remember all kinds of things. God remembers the things we do as well. But his divine memory is way different from ours. He doesn't forget anything because He is omniscient. (I John 3:20 - For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. John 21:17b - And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.) That is, until we are forgiven. (Hebrews 8:12 - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.) Some people believe when one is forgiven, his slate is wiped clean, but that is not true according to the Bible. He forgives our sins and remembers them no more, but he doesn't forget the good things we've done. (Hebrews 6:10 - For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.) I like this one-sided memory! Our list of sins is completely empty and clean while our list of good deeds continues to grow longer. That's grace!

Now I'm not suggesting that anyone can be saved by works. That's just not true according to Scripture either. (Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;) Our faith saves us by causing us to do good works. Without these good works, we have a dead faith. Dead faith does nothing. Even the demons believed and trembled. (James 2:17-20 - Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?)

After our sins are washed away through baptism, we are totally forgiven and justified. (Acts 13:39 - And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Titus 3:7 - That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.) Someone (Larry Treadwell) once explained being justified like this: Justified = Just as if I'd never done it. Our faith prods us to do more and more. When we do make a mistake and sin, we are covered by this awesome grace. (Romans 3:23-25 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:9 - Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.) Still, sins 0, good works still rising. Even the least little good deed that probably goes unnoticed here will be remembered by God. There's just not a sin too big to be forgiven by God if we go to Him in faith and obedience!

I don't know about you, but this is a great comfort to me. I am so thankful that because of Christ's blood, I can have all my terrible sins forgiven and forgotten and all my good things remembered for all eternity. How great is God!

On Unity from H. Leo Boles

Brother B. C. Goodpasture wrote down the words of H. Leo Boles on Unity. I finally found the transcript and wanted to share.

http://www.therestorationmovement.com/unity1.htm

Our Zoo Trip

We had a wonderful time at the zoo yesterday! There were hardly any people there even though the weather was absolutely perfect. We got there late, so we thought we wouldn't have time to see everything. So we started with everyone's favorites and moved down the list. We ended up having time to see everything we wanted to because there were so few people there - just one of the perks of homeschooling :) The monkeys were giving high fives to each other and performing - the little hams! Then the penguins would swim over to where we were and were tapping their beaks on the glass right in front of our faces - like they were trying to hug us. The woman at the cafe gave us a huge discount since our children asked for their drinks and said, "please." The children were in a good mood even though Thomas missed his nap. Lilly made up a zoo song. I just can't think of one bad thing. It was the best trip!

We are not bound by the ordinances in the Old Testament, nor the ways of worship, nor the Ten Commandments.

Colossians 2:8-14 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Galatians 3:10-13 - For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Hebrews 8:6-9 - But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 8:13-9:28 - In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.¹Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Vocation Wherewith Ye Are Called

Ephesians 4:1-3 says, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Just curious - is this refering to our everyday life - our job, or is it referring to our calling to be Christians?

Our Joy and Rejoicing

I did a word study on rejoicing in the Bible. I learned three interesting things that I didn't know before. 1-The Lord rejoices over us when we do what is right. 2-It is expected of a Christian to rejoice, even in persecution and in spite of sorrow. 3-Rejoicing is being so full of joy that you just can't hold it in. You HAVE to express it somehow, usually with physical movement and loud noise. Then after I learned this, I had this image in my mind of God jumping up and down hollering, "Yay, Dawn did right! Hooray!"

I don't think we take the time to root ourselves in joy the way the Bible talks about. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Our joy is rooted in the incarnation of Christ. Without that, we have nothing. With this joy, we won't be able to keep it to ourselves. We will have to share the reason for our joy a LOT - all the time. It will cause us to glorify and praise God.  In doing so, we will surrender our will to Christ's. This is counter to our current culture.

On the other hand, if we are full of joy, then we will consequently by free from fear. They can't be in the same place. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)

Food for thought-When is the last time you jumped for joy because you're a Christian?

Baptism is Essential for Salvation

Believe the Bible. It is the infallible word of God. Baptism's importance is clear. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. -Romans 6:3-4

When we read this, we can see baptism isn't just a symbol of an inward faith. It is the one thing that unites us with the salvation of Christ. It is how one is born again. Without it, we are rejecting our admission ticket to heaven, so to speak. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. -John 3:3  The new birth of water and spirit happens at baptism.

The Holy Spirit renews us and transforms our lives through the washing and regeneration. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; -Titus 3:5  Baptism itself is grace in action. God forgives sin and only through Christ's sacrifice. We are physically buried in water, and this unifies us spiritually with Christ's grace. Baptism is essential for salvation precisely because Christ is essential for salvation.

We are baptized to wash away our sins (And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. -Acts 22:16) so we can be added to the Lord's church (For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. -I Corinthians 12:13) which He purchased with His blood. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. -Acts 2:47)

Prayer For Every Day

Father, glorify yourself through me.

Change me to be the wife my husband needs and deserves.

Change me to be the mother my children need and deserve.

In all ways, help me to be the evangelist the lost soul needs.

Keep me focused on you Lord, and on my mission here on earth.

Keep my heart open and willing to learn the truth from your Word.

Bless me, Lord, as only You can.

My prayer is in Christ's name.

Amen

Do You Trust God Enough to Accept His Blessings?

If God offered you a blessing, would you refuse?

I believe God sends us children as blessings. All through the Bible, God chooses to bless people with children. Think of Abraham and Sarah, Hannah, Mary and Joseph.

Why then do people not want God's blessings? Ask someone if they would prefer a larger house or another child. Most people will choose the material stuff. Isn't it sad that people would make this choice? Why would we refuse God's blessing?

But so many people do. How many of us trust God enough to give us the right number of children with the perfect spacing in between?

Questions for Congregations of the Lord's Church

1. Do you believe there are times today when God forgives sin before or apart from baptism?
2. Do you believe some unbaptized believers should be recognized as Christians?
3. Does it violate Scripture to worship God in song with the accompaniment of a piano if it does not create division?
4. Does the Bible limit partaking of the Lord's Supper to the first day of the week?
5. Is it a violation of Scripture for women to lead songs or prayers in public settings where Christian men are present?
6. Do elders have authority to direct the affairs of the local church, or does the Bible limit their influence to moral authority?
7. Is the Bible inerrant and the final authority in deciding all matters of religious faith and practice (the work, manner of worship, organization, terms of admission, name and morals of the church)?
8. Do you consider the "argument from silence" a beneficial method of Biblical interpretation or a flawed and divisive one?
9. Do you support unity and closer fellowship with Christian churches that remain committed to using instrumental music in worship?

Dad's 9 Rules for Living

by Frank Walton

1. Put God first. We exist for His glory and then to enjoy Him forever (Jn 17:3). Prov 9:10
2. Follow Jesus daily. He became as we are, in order to make us like He is (I Jn 2:6) Jn 14:6
3. Study the Bible regularly. Scripture is God's one and only guidebook to eternity (Acts 20:32). Psa 119:105
4. Pray constantly. It keeps us close to heaven's pure air for the soul (Rom 12:12). Heb 4:16
5. Think hopefully. Our life is what our thoughts make it (Prov 17:22). Prov 4:23
6. Improve yourself consistently. With God's help, you can make the best of any situation (Phil 4:13). Phil 3:14
7. Do the right thing always. Character is the sum of all our choices (Prov 27:19). Prov 4:18
8. Treat others lovingly. God put us on earth to help lift others up to heaven (Matt 7:12). Matt 5:16
9. Be a faithful member of Christ's Church. Jesus is counting on you to carry on His work by exercising your talents in His one body (Eph 4:16). Rev 2:10

But Why Can't We...?

I've talked to several people about different aspects of worship that are not practiced in the New Testament church. Tithing, instrumental music in the worship, and keeping the Sabbath or Passover are some which come directly to mind, but it's not limited to these.

When we worship, who are we worshipping? God. HE decides how we worship Him. Jeremiah 10:23 says it is not in man to direct his own steps. Proverbs 14:12 says there is a way that seems right to man, but it leads to death. God tells us how to worship Him in the New Testament, and we would do well to heed those instructions. He told the Israelites exactly how to worship Him, and the consequences were ugly when they didn't pay attention to those instructions. The sons of Aaron offered strange fire to the Lord. They were killed by God (Leviticus 10:1-2). In I Chronicles 13, Uzza thought to keep the precious ark of God from falling. See, touching it had been strictly forbidden. But his intentions were good because he only wanted to keep it from falling. For his good intentions, he was struck dead by God (v. 10).

When these topics are brought up, people usually go immediately to the Old Testament to justify their actions. I have often wondered why that is. The Old Testament is no longer in effect. We are no longer under the Old Law. It was nailed to the Cross with Christ. Colossians 2:8-14 tells us how the laws and ordinances are not against us anymore. Galatians 3:10-13 says the old Law was a curse but that Christ had redeemed us from that curse. Hebrews 8:6-9 tells us how Christ is the mediator of a new covenant. It goes on to say in verse 13 that the fist covenant is now old and vanished away. Hebrews 9, particularly 18, goes on with the same thought saying that the blood of animals dedicated the first testament, but the blood of Jesus dedicates he New Testament.

I'm not saying we should ignore the Old Testament completely. It was written for our learning and understanding (Romans 15:4). But it cannot be used to justify any part of a Christian's worship. A Christian's worship must be in a way that is totally authorized by God in the New Testament. We don't have authority to change anything in regard to worship. We aren't worshipping together for our own entertainment.

I cannot express how sad in my heart I was after talking with a friend recently. During the conversation I realized her definition of a good church was one where she had fun. Folks, that does NOT define what God considers acceptable! If we are only worried about how much we are enjoying ourselves, we are missing the whole point! We are worshipping in vain. No amount of Old Testament scripture is going to authorize anything in our worship, no matter how fun it is or how much we think it is a good idea.

After talking with my friend, I began to pay closer attention to the attitudes people have toward worship. Human ideas are everywhere - the adults can't "enjoy" the worship service unless we pack off the kids to Children's Bible Hour. Instrumental music must be o.k. because it sounds so good! I "felt" really into the service tonight. It's not about what we want or feel or enjoy. It's about what God wants. We have to find it authorized in the New Testament befre we say it's o.k.

God is so much smarter than we can ever imagine! If He would have wanted us to do these things, He would have had no trouble getting it into the New Testament to let us know. Since it's not there, we know it's not o.k. II Timothy 3:16-17 says that's what scripture is for; so we can be perfect in His sight and thoroughly furnished.

Looking at the New Testament examples is the only way we can ever have true unity in Christ. It's the only way we can be sure our worship is acceptable to God. The first century church all spoke the same thing. They were of one mind in all things. Historical evidence shows instrumental music wasn't introduced in worship for several centuries. Even then, it was met with great resistance. It wasn't widely accepted for several more centuries.

The burden of proof rests on those who say it's o.k. to do these things. Show me where the New Testament authorizes it, and I will be happy to change my mind. Until then, this is the well-being of my eternal soul we're talking about. I'm not willing to put it at risk.

Christian Duty

My Bible study this morning brought me to the verses of Luke 17. Jesus had been talking with the apostles about faith. Verses 7-10 talk about our duty as Christians. We've all got this mental list somewhere of what we need to do as a Christian. Some people use this list as a check list thinking it will get them into heaven - wrong! We aren't saved by our works. But that doesn't negate our duty. We still have to do what we're supposed to do. If we love Christ, we will keep His commandments. Even when it's not easy.

When my children do a great job, it's important for them to hear it. They like to be praised, and it encourages them to do more. When I get my kitchen pretty and clean, I enjoy it when my husband notices and compliments me. But in verse 10, we are the servants mentioned. When we get our little list finished, it's tempting to think we will be praised. The things we do are our duty. It's merely our job, nothing more. It's what we were supposed to do anyway. We should obey because that is our duty.

We can't rely on the fact that we are saved by God's grace and use that to ignore our duty. We aren't saved by our works, but we still have to work. We can't rely on praises to do something right. We have to just do it. It's our duty.

Being a Crown

In the Bible, a crown is used to set something apart or as a symbol of honor. A crown is often associated with glory, such as in Proverbs 4:9, Proverbs 16:31, and I Peter 5:4.

Proverbs 12:4 - A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

I'd never thought about me being a crown to my husband. Proverbs 12:4 sure says I can be. But only if I'm virtuous. So I'm flipping over to Proverbs 31 for the virtuous woman directions...

Here are some of the qualities of a virtuous woman found in Proverbs 31:

• Be able to accomplish what I set out to do
• And do it well
• My husband can trust me with his heart
• He can trust me to help him with his work
• Do good for my husband, not evil
• Be a diligent and willing worker
• Provide good quality food for my family
• No laziness or idleness allowed
• Be willing to get up early and stay up late to complete my tasks
• Make quality items to sell
• Help the poor and needy
• Make sure my family has good quality clothes and blankets to keep warm
• I will be known for my strength, honor, wisdom, and faithful advice
• Fear the Lord.

I must admit, some of these are easier than others. Some not so much. I've always looked at Provebs 31 as a woman who does things I could never do, but she sure does fascinate me! So this time when I went through, I tried to put it in goals that seem at least somewhat attainable to me.

Women, what are some things you have done that help you in your quest to become a virtuous woman?

Men, what are the things you look for most when looking for a virtuous woman?

This is something I am praying about and working on every day. Being a crown to my husband sounds like a wonderful honor, and I really want to be one for him!

Home Schooling We All Need

Many of my friends homeschool. One of the many reasons for homeschooling is to be able to teach your children from the Bible. Whether or not a family chooses to homeschool, there is a form of home schooling that every family needs. We should ALL be training our children and ourselves in spiritual matters. As we all know, it's not the school's responsibility.  Contrary to popular belief, it's not the responsibility of other church members, even their Bible class teacher.  The Bible tells us it's the responsibility of the parents. Deuteronomy 6:5-7, Ephesians 6:4.

Too many people today are spiritually starved. Read from the Bible, pray about it, think about it, memorize it, before it's too late.

Verses on Raising Children

Luke 2:52 - Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, in favor with God, and in favor with man. We should help our children do the same. Romans 12:11-18 - We should model to our children the concepts in these verses. We shouldn't do things slothfully; we should do our best and be fair. We should be hopeful even when life brings trials. We should help others and show hospitality. Don't speak ill of our enemies, but pray for them and do good to them. Share with others - be happy for the great fortune of others, and cry with those whose hearts are breaking. Don't show favorites based on status. Don't try to get revenge. Live in peace. These are ways we can live Deuteronomy 6:7 as training being something we do all the time. Remember, your children see you, and they are listening...

What Do You Think About?

Can you quote pieces of movies? Can you sing along with the radio on practically every song?  How does your movie knowledge compare with your knowledge of Scripture?  How often do you quote from God's Word? How often do you sing hymns or spiritual songs?  Are your friends mainly Christians, or are they people of the world?

The things we allow into our life are the things we dwell on.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. -Philippians 4:8  What knids of thoughts are you having when you watch a movie, listen to the radio, or even read a book?  I'm not saying they are all bad, but lots of them have at least some questionable content.  These are the things on which we are allowing ourselves to meditate.  It only stands to reason that if we are meditating on questionable things, then we aren't meditating on the things we should.  What do you tend to talk about with your friends?  Matthew12:34 - ...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  This is a good indiation of what our hearts are thinking.

Is it wrong to watch a movie or television, listen to the radio, read a book, or whatever else you do for entertainment?  No, it doesn't have to be.  We are to diligently guard our heart against the wiles of Satan.  Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Satan has blatantly satuurated our entertainment, and if we're not careful, it is no longer wholesome.  It is no longer wholesome if we have to rationalize it in any way.  "Just ignore the _____."  You can fill in the blank with profanity, violence, sex, nudity, bad attitudes, immodest clothing, disrespect, etc.  All Satan needs is a single foothold, and that's what these are.

We are to take captive every thought we have and make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10:4 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  We can't do that if we are filling our hearts with worldly ideas.  We will reap what we sow.  Galatians 6:7-8 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  What will you reap?

Announcing...

Thomas Donovan Segerson!  He was born April 1 at 3:31 p.m.  He was a whopping 6 lbs. 15.8 oz. ( I say that sarcastically) and 19 3/4 inches long.  He has brown hair, dark blue eyes, and already has a darker tan than me (from his daddy's side).

At first, his name didn't seem to really fit, and I was thinking of going back to my previous choice of Joseph.  But now he seems to be growing into it or we seem to be getting used to it.  He's nursing very well, and the Lord has blessed me with a very good milk supply.

Sorry it's taken so long to post even this much.  The birth did not go the way I expected or wanted, and it's taking me a while to deal with it.  I remember everything before we went to the hospital very well, and the same for the pushing part, but almost nothing in between except for terror, sadness, and tears.  So when I can, I will write the birth story based on Dh's notes.

Funerals

I'm always so saddened to go to funerals, extra especially the ones for loved ones.  This week, I attended the funeral of a brother in Christ.  He will be so missed by his family and friends! 

I am looking forward to being reunited with Christians who have passed on in paradise.  But even more than that, I am looking forward to heaven, where there will be no more pain, death, or mourning.

Wanted: Preacher

While looking for a preacher for a congregation, so many people won't even consider a man unless he has a college degree from a Christian University.  They feel a preacher must be adequately trained in preaching God's word.  What ever happened to the way it was done in the first century church?  It wasn't just "preachers" who were told to go into all the world and preach (Mark 16:15).  It wasn't just "preachers"  who were told to visit the sick and those in prison (Matthew 25:33-46) or to take care of the widows and orphans (James 1:27).  Those are jobs that were only given to specific people, and it wasn't preachers.  Get this: Those jobs were given to Christians.  Do you want to know something else?  All Christians are also told to teach Christ to others too.  We're all to get out there and do these things.  Even if we've never been "trained".  There was no religious training even available for centuries after the church began.  Because God's strength is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9).  And even though we may think God's methods are too simplistic for modern times, the most simplistic of God's ways is way better than the most sophisticated method any person can come up with.  His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), but they certainly are better!

And where did the bragging come from?  "Our preacher graduated from _____ University.  You know all the best preachers come out of there!"  "Really, well ours was trained at _____School of Preaching.  They specialize in preachers who are sound."  This is so frustrating for me to hear because nowhere in the Bible does it even hint that a Christian must be educated at all before sharing the gospel.  I don't think it's bad for someone to go to a Christian University or such for training, but I certainly don't think it should be part of a congregation's qualifications!  Furthermore, it doesn't make someone any better of a Christian to go to one of these schools.  And I went to a Christian University!  I chose the one I attended because it had a reputation for being a strong, sound-in-the-faith school.  "Good preachers come from there."  And while all of these assertions were true, it's also true that just because a student got their degree from there didn't mean they were sound.  There was mandatory chapel every day and mandatory Bible classes for every student, regardless of major.  These can be good things.  But what was taught in these Bible classes that made them so special?  Bible, yes.  And the opinions of approved textbooks, commentaries, and professors.  Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that textbooks, commentaries, or professors are bad.  My point is that the Bible is completely equipped to give us all the training we need as Christians.  While commentaries and the such can be helpful, we need to remember they're not inspired or infallible because they're man-made.  So are Christian schools.  While they can be very beneficial, we need to keep in mind that it is still a man-made institution, run by men, and subject to all kinds of things.

Apparently (according to modern tradition), a good sermon follows a very precise formula:

• It should consist of no more than 4 points (and that's pushing it) that all support the main point.
• You should be able to put an outline of it on the bulletin.
• It should fit within a specific time slot, never going over into lunch.
• It should be pleasing to the ears of the audience and make them feel good.
• It should generate enough energy to bring in more people.
• The person delivering it must wear the proper suit and tie.

Would the apostle Paul have qualified?!  Seriously, none of these things qualifies a good sermon, or is even in the Bible!  The gospel being preached is a good sermon.  You only need the Bible for that.  No fancy degree required.  Although you may need a degree to fulfill the public speaking role some congregations prefer.  There are some churches out there where you can attend for at least a month and never need to open your Bible.  But the preaching is "good" because it fills a non-biblical set of requirements.

Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate what is important and put our priorities in order.   Are we putting our faith in things from above or in the traditions of men?

Things That Are Right

So many times, things go wrong, and that's all we seem to focus on.  There isn't ever an end to the bad news.  Today, I want to tell you about things that are not bad - these are things that are just right.

I enjoy my children and being around them and watching them learn and grow.  This morning, I snuck in on them, and they were all snuggled up together fast asleep, holding hands.  They have this love for one another, and I hope they never lose that. 

I am so grateful that I have a husband who loves us and wants to take care of us and will go the extra mile for us.  He wants to do special things for us, and he often does the little things that mean the most.  He works to make sure we have a comfortable home.  O.k. I better quit talking about him or he's going to not let me blog anymore.

I have been blessed with the relationship that I have with my in-laws, which I often forget are in-laws unless someone points it out :)  Before we got married, I had heard so many horror stories about in-laws that I was frankly scared.  But I have always felt absolutely loved and cherished by all of my husband's family.  Every time I hear of someone getting married, I always pray they have a good relationship with their in-laws like I do.

I get to be a stay-at-home wife, mother, homeschooler, whatever you want to call it.  I wouldn't trade it for the world!

When we had a roof put on our house this past summer, it is under warranty.  Yay!

We had just enough snow to be fun, but not enough that any damage was done.  The anorexic snowman in the yard might disagree...  But he can get his own blog!

My ob says the bun in my oven is healthy and happy.  God is forming this little babe with love and care and attention.  Only 3 more weeks to go until they think it's safe to have this little one.  7 weeks until they predict it will be.  ? longer until God says this baby will come.  It's all in God's hands, and we aren't going to rush anything.  God knows better than any person when it's time.

My children pray every day for all kinds of things.  They pray for things adults would never think of and delight in doing this, just as they should.  And my oldest likes to prove what people say in the Bible.  If you tell him something's right or wrong, you better be prepared to tell him a book, chapter, and verse.  We're working on tact.

When I do go into labor, my daughter says she's going to brush my hair, and my son says he's going to paint my toenails :)  I'm going to thank God for every contraction and do some very hard work.

We're all sick, and my husband just called to tell us he's taking us to supper tonight so we don't have to stand up and cook.  I had to sneak this one down here so he wouldn't realize I'm still talking about him :)  My family eats together.  We're not all rushed to the 4 corners of the earth trying to do a million things at once.  We just sit down and eat together.  And enjoy each other.  And when we eat out, we still do it all together.  And enjoy each other. 

My cats are good mousers.  And they leave me presents every once in a while.  See how much they love me!  They like to snuggle me too.  Except the youngest one.  He still likes to play the "kill the eels wiggling under the covers" game.  And they all like to help me crochet.  I don't think I know what it would be like to crochet without them attacking the yarn and making everyone laugh.

2 words - wooly kisses.  That's when you get one of those little tickly kisses that make that funny sound that makes your skin feel like it's got wool, and you can't help but laugh.  And giving them makes your lips itch.  I'm laughing just thinking about them :D 

What are some good things that happen to you that you see are just little blessing from God that get unnoticed by most folks?  Things God does specifically for you.

Agape Love

In the Bible, there are several kinds of love.  I once heard a description of agape love that really stuck with me.  Agape love is deciding to give of ourselves for the good of the other person and expecting nothing in return.

This is definitely something that is missing in lots of marriages today.  This is one of the things the Love Dare is all about.  Putting this kind of love into practice has put many Christian counselors into business!  But this is also missing in friendships and how we treat other Christians.  It's not one of those character traits we can choose to ignore.

It's a decision, not an emotion.  You don't have warm fuzzy feelings about your enemy, but we're told to love them.  Matthew 5:43-44, 46 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you... For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  Just like we're told to love our neighbors.  Sometimes our neighbors aren't the nicest people. Matthew 19:19b - Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  Romans 13:10 - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

This is the love we should have for all Christians. John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  I Peter 2:17 - Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

We should be willing to go the distance.  John 15:12-13, 17 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends... These things I command you, that ye love one another.  We will get out of our comfort zone and help one another out and serve one another. Galatians 5:13 - For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  1 John 3:16-18 - Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

This is how a husband is supposed to love his wife.  You can read the whole chapter, but the verses specifically on this are Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself... Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.  Colossians 3:19 - Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Agape  love is how God loves us and how we are to love Him.  These verses sum it up better than I can.  1 John 4:7-12, 16-21 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us... And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, perhaps we should focus more on developing agape love in our lives rather than on the chocolate and roses aspect of it all.

Giving

We all know about giving to the Lord.  It can be done in lots of ways.  Some are the money that we give to the Lord's church, we can give our time, of our things.  Jesus even gave His life (Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28).  No matter the method we are using to give, "...God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)  God wants the sacrifices and offerings we make to be free will offerings.  When we are grudging, it ruins it.  Without the love in our attitude, our giving is meaningless (1 Corinthians 13).

It's the same thing with our children.  They have chores and tasks they are expected to complete.  But we want them to do it with a good attitude and willingly.  If they grumble and complain, it's ruined.  The grumbling and complaining removes the beauty of their sacrifice.

In Matthew 10 Jesus sent out the 12 apostles.  He was giving them their instructions.  The last part of verse 8 applies to us as well "...freely ye have received, freely give."  God has given to us bountifully!  Think of all the things we have that we take for granted every day.  Some things we never even think about until they're gone.  Even our friendships are a gift from God.  It's God's good pleasure to give to us extravagantly (Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.).  He's sure not giving grudgingly!  O.k. I'm getting off the topic.

Luke 6:30 talks of giving to all who ask (Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.).  But then it goes on to say in verse 32 (For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.) that you're doing this because you love them.  It's not something you do grudgingly.  It's not something you go and brag about ot your friends.  See the reward listed in verse 38 (Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.).  God's not after a sacrifice we check off our list, or he would have accepted the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.

This is just my thought here, but I've often thought this might be why God doesn't tell us to tithe in the New Testament.  I'm not saying tithing is wrong.  It can be a very good idea.  But we're not bound to tithe as the Old Law bound tithing.  See 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 again.  We are to think about it in our heart.  Give from our heart, not from a list and not so we can complain, but cheerfully.  We are to give.  There's no doubt about it.  God just wants us to watch our attitudes and give with a glad heart and willingly.  It's the difference between getting someone a gift because you kow it's expected and getting a gift for someone because you love them and really want to find the right gift and are excited to give it.

Imagine this:  A little girl has been playing outside on a warm and sunny morning.  She runs inside all breathless and excited.  Her cheeks are positively pink with pleasure.  "Look, look!  I got them just for you!"  At this proclomation, she lets her skirt tail down and proudly displays her treasure - a whole big bunch of dandelions.  Then she proceeds to empty her pockets too.  Those dandelions are the most beautiful boquet a mother or grandmother could hope for!  Every one was picked with love and excitement and joy.  The kitchen is so much brighter now, and the table is full of cups that have been transformed into vases.  There is no way you can see them and NOT smile!

Let your giving be like this.  This pure, uncomplicated, worry-free giving.  It will be hard not to do it with a hop and a skip in your step.  But maybe you shouldn't stifle the urge...

Low Iron?

Both children and my husband have all had strep throat this week.  So far, the Lord has spared me, and I'm so grateful!  When we found out my daughter had strep, we also found out she's a little low on iron.  Now there are all kinds of non-fun ways to raise your iron levels.  But here's a fun way:

Molasses Cookies

3/4 c. real butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. blackstrap molasses (the blackstrap molasses is where the iron comes from)
2 c. wheat flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. sea salt
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground cloves
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 c. sugar

In a mixing bowl, mix butter, 1 c. sugar, and egg till smooth.  Stir in molasses.  It helps if you grease your measuring cup for the molasses first.  In another bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients except the sugar.

Preheat oven to 375.  Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and roll them in the rest of the sugar in a bowl.  Put on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, only until the tops crack.  Cool on wire racks.

Store tightly covered with a slice of bread to keep them nice and soft.

Except the Lord Build the House

This was written by my friend Lisa Sipper.  I feel she did a superb job of putting this into words.

On Anastasia Island in Florida, there is a little fort which can be toured by taking a ferry across the Matanzas Inlet. In the 1740s, Fort Matanzas was the watchtower for what was known as the “backdoor” of St. Augustine for enemy forces borne by ship, looking to infiltrate the city by surprise. This small, temporary residence was manned by seven soldiers at a time. Their duties were to watch for invading troops, warn the city, and resist the enemy’s invasion by canon fire and musket fire. Within the fort was room for the soldiers to keep their provisions and ammunition, while working in shifts to ensure the safety of the inhabitants within the city of St. Augustine.

Fort Matanzas is not a very imposing fort. It isn’t pretty, and is situated in the middle of nowhere. What soldier would have wanted to be assigned for any length of time in this secluded structure, as opposed to the grand, well-defended Castillo de San Marco in the heart of St. Augustine? Yet, the soldiers who were watchmen for the city knew that standing guard in that tiny fort off the Matanzas Inlet was a serious undertaking. If the job was neglected, St. Augustine would be under surprise attack and the lives of men, women, and children would be lost.

The Bible speaks of the watchman and his role throughout the Old Testament. The word “watchman” is also translated “keeper” in some passages, such as II Kings 11:5, speaking of the “keepers of the watch of the king’s house,” and Esther 2:3, when it talks of Hegai, the “keeper of the women.” The Hebrew word is shawmar. It means to guard, hedge about, and protect. It also includes taking heed to oneself, being aware of the surroundings, and looking about carefully and circumspectly. Being a watchman or keeper requires full attention and alertness. A watchman is responsible for the lives of those for whom he watches.

In Psalm 127, this idea is given in a spiritual sense: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

For Christians who are part of the heavenly city, the Church, these are encouraging words. The watchmen of God do not need to worry or be troubled, for God will provide rest and give His soldiers comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Yet, the remaining verses in the Psalm seem unrelated to the first two verses: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

This brings a greater meaning to the passage and presents what is at the heart of the Church, the Christian home. Just as the Church is the spiritual city of God, so each Christian family is a bastion built to withstand the forces of a spiritual enemy. Just like the Church, the builder of the Christian family is God. Without God as the designer and maker of the fortress of the home, it is vulnerable and only waits to be infiltrated. The duty of each individual family member is to submit to the Designer’s guidance found in His commands and examples in the Bible. God has designed roles for each family member to see to the needs of that spiritual city. If those roles are neglected, the city will not be able to withstand attack, as God, the master builder, designed it to handle.

Psalm 127 also gives ways to prepare for any spiritual attack. One is to be watchful, guarding the inhabitants of the city from spiritual assault. This requires watching for things that might be introduced into the hearts and minds of the family members which are not conducive to a moral, godly standard of living.

As mentioned earlier, the heart and mind shouldn’t be hampered by sorrow or sleeplessness, brought on by worry, when faced with the threat of the fiery darts of the wicked one. Trusting in God’s protection is so vital. It is also lack of faith which prompts the worry; and many times it causes rash, detrimental decisions to be made, keeping the family from trusting in God to see them through.

Another part of preparing for an attack is the training and instruction of the children. Have you ever considered your child as a weapon? What kind of blow is a misdirected arrow going to have in comparison with the arrow that is handled by the God-directed marksman? The marksman prepares and guides the arrow for shooting. We are aiming our children toward the mark of obedience to God. This task requires teaching righteous living and the consequences that come from disobedience. Children must be taught self-discipline in order to follow God’s laws. A child who won’t obey parental authority is going to have greater difficulty being obedient to God. Parents are held accountable for the training that goes on in the home!

Brief detour here: There is an undermining philosophy among families today that incorporating spanking into a child’s training does not teach a child the importance of making the right choices. While there are children with serious disabilities that the above philosophy may apply to, there are overwhelming numbers of families who make excuses, disobeying God’s words of wisdom. Spanking is not enjoyable. It is not an outlet for anger. It is a means to succinctly apply the understanding that there are consequences for bad actions. (Proverbs 23:13-14)

Lastly, Psalm 127 presents the children of the Christian home as speaking to the enemies at the gate without being ashamed. The word for “ashamed” (Hebrew word, boosh) means to become pale with confusion, to be confounded. This implies the children are given instruction within the city on how to speak with the enemy. Children of the Christian home are to be taught what the enemy will tell them and how to respond. When the time comes for them to combat the weapons thrown at them, they will not bow the head and hesitate about how to address what is wrong. They will confront it boldly with knowledge of the power that the builder of their city possesses.

Your Christian home is like Fort Matanzas. It is a small fortress guarding the Church from the backdoor attacks. You have been designated as the watchman! It is your duty and your defense is crucial. Don’t let your guard down; that is the way the city of God gets infiltrated. Don’t neglect your role! Don’t devalue it by the standards the world shoots at you. God has chosen your family to this task. He will protect and provide everything, everything you need, but you must defend His cause by building up your Christian home in obedience to Him!

Being Beautiful

My dh asked me last night if there was anything special I wanted for my birthday.  I thought about it for a long time, and I don't think I ever came up with anything I could tell him.  Being pregnant and, well, rather whale-shaped, I have decided if I could have anything I wanted for my birthday, I would like to feel absolutely, stunningly beautiful.  Don't get me wrong - he tells me I'm pretty and all that sweet stuff.  I just want to be able to look in the mirror and feel pretty.  Or leave my house and not feel like a cow just getting in and out of the car.  And it's not that I dislike being pregnant or want it over with.  There are beautiful pregnant women out there.  Just not me.

So after feeling sorry for myself for a while, I figured I'd better pull myself together and consult the manual.  What does the Bible have to say about being beautiful and attractive?

The famous woman of Proverbs 31 teaches us that seeking physical beauty is vain in verse 30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.  Instead, we are to fear the Lord.

Beauty can be only skin deep.  Matthew 23:27 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.  We can't be hypocrites and be truly beautiful.  God knows how we really are, even if we manage to fool everyone else.  We can't fool God.

Romans 10:15 says the feet of those who bring the Gospel of peace to others are beautiful.  It won't make my swelling ankles go away, but it will make them beautiful in God's eyes.

Psalm 149: 4 - For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.  This verse goes even further and states that we become beautiful through salvation.  We are all sinners and in need of salvation to be beautiful to God.  We are to worship God in the beauty of holiness.  (Psalm 29:2 - Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.)  We're told to be holy many times (I Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.), but now we find it makes us beautiful too.

There are other verses along the same vein all throughout the Bible, but the message is clear.  Seeking after physical beauty is a waste of time.  I guess some people are blessed with it and others are not.  What I should be spending my time on is making myself spiritually beautiful and sharing that with as many as I can.

So what am I going to tell my dh I want for my birthday?  I really have no idea.  Do you?

Testing the Spirits

I Thessalonians 5:21-22 - Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
II Corinthians13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
I John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

In all these verses, the word underlined comes from the same Greek word (which I have no idea how to pronounce or spell - I'll leave that to Greek scholars).  But it's talking about looking at things and being able to know if they are good or bad, right or wrong.  Sometimes it's translated "prove", "try", "qualify", or "allow".  But often it's translated as "test".  And we really must look at every single thing we believe and test it to see if what we believe is right. 

Our word "test" comes from the Latin word testum.  It was an earthenware pot or vessel.  Later, it came to refer to a vessel or jar used in refining, to separate pure gold and silver from any impurities.  Does that remind you of Zechariah 13:9 (And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.)?  What about Malachi 3:3 (And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.)?  We are to test like this - to identify and remove anything that is impure.

Logically, this means there has to be a standard as to what is right or wrong, pure or impure.  It's not up to what each person thinks is right or wrong.  There has to be a standard, and that standard is the Bible.  Cooks use measuring cups and spoons to cook.  Builders use plumb lines when they build.  Teachers have answer keys.  Tailors have patterns.  Religion is where some people draw the line and say it's o.k. to believe whatever you want.  That is just not true!  God's word is TRUTH (John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.).  It is absolute truth.  It has to be.  If God's word is not absolute truth, then there is no truth at all.

If we are going to test our beliefs and ideas against the standard, then we must know the standard.  If you don't know what is right, how will you know what is wrong?  You can't test your beliefs if you don't know the standard.  Get in the Bible and read it.  Read it every day.  If you don't have a quiet time for Bible reading, or if you have small children at home, it makes it more challenging to find a good time to do this.  But it will be more than worth your effort!  Just pick up your Bible and read 5 pages a day.  That's not very much to read.  I've even known some who read the Bible in the bathroom since that's the only place they can get away from their children.  Try one page every time you go.  Some people have family members take turns reading it before supper to the rest of the family.  I like to get up earlier than my children and use that quiet time.  It doesn't matter when you do it or where.  But you should read your Bible!  After all, there will be a test...

Fond Childhood Memory

As my husband and children are playing out in our whole 3 inches of ice and sleet, I took advantage of the momentary quiet and started another load of laundry.  As soon as I started the drier, I remembered something nice from my childhood I'd forgotten.

When it was cold outside and we would go out to play, Mama would always start the drier.  The vent led into the back yard, and when my sister and I got cold, we would go stand under the vent to get warm.  We would stand under it and let it blow our hair everywhere.  Sometimes we would pull our coats out and let it puff them out.  That drier vent just made it all funner :)

Hope if you are outside in the winter weather you are enjoying yourself.  Be careful and don't forget to come in eventually and get warm!

Children's Church/Children's Bible Hour

Many churches now cater to many groups of people and do things they think might bring in more people.  One of the things I have seen in more and more churches is having a separate place for children to go during the worship assembly.  This is a place where the children are sometimes entertained or sometimes given a Bible lesson on their level.  There are many arguments for having Children's Church or Children's Bible Hour or whatever it's being called.  We should always look to the Bible to see what it says about something before we accept it as something good.

The Bible states on many occasions that all the people are to come together in one place for worship.  Not part of the people (Nehemiah 8:4-6, I Corinthians 11:20, I Corinthians 11:33-34, I Corinthians 14:23, I Corinthians 14:26, Hebrews 10:25).  We are supposed to assemble together, not in separated groups.  God demands we come together.

I have heard it said that all moms need a break, and sending children to Bible Hour will give mom a break so she can hear the sermon and pay attention better.  They sound like noble goals on the surface.  It is the parent's responsibility to teach children to worship God, be quiet and respectful during worship service, and show proper awe and respect for God.  If children can be taught to behave in Bible classes, then they can certainly be taught to behave in the worship assembly.

Shouldn't the children be able to benefit from having a lesson on their level?  Of course!  That is exactly why there are Bible classes.  But Bible classes are not part of the worship assembly where we are all to gather together.

What about the children of visitors?  They don't know how to behave.  No, not yet.  Any child can be taught.  Children learn by being in the worship service.  Sending them away to Children's Church deprives them of what they should be learning.  Parents should be bringing their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).  Not being in the worship assembly keeps children from learning and developing the discipline to sit still, to concentrate, and to have a longer attention span.  Worship services teach children what worship is.  Children learn by teaching, observation, and experience.  The worship services are a place where children learn what true, good, sound preaching is all about.

They also learn that worship is NOT entertainment.  If we train them in Children's Bible Hour that they can expect to be entertained during worship, why are we surprised when they don't do things decently and in order as adults (I Corinthians 14:40)?

The adults that are teaching the children are in no better shape.  They are often nothing better than glorified baby sitters, and they are being forced to forsake the assembly (Hebrews 10:25).

There is no right way to do a wrong thing.

Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Miracles in the Bible are called miracles, signs, and wonders, mighty deeds, and (certain) works. Miracles in the Bible are described by events which cannot be reproduced by nature and that are outside normal experiences (supernatural). A Biblical miracle is something astonishing, incredible, extraordinary, or unusual like the birth of a baby or barely missing an accident. And I’m not talking about the times where God works within the normal parameters of everyday life to work His will.

The examples of miracles in the Bible show the purpose for those miracles was to prove who God is – THE God, omnipotent, etc. These miracles were done by those proclaiming God’s word as proof that they were speaking the truth. Exodus 4:30, Mark 16:15-20, John 2:22-23John 3;2, John 14:10-11, Acts 4:29-32, Acts 8:5-12, Acts 13:7-12, Acts 14:2-3, Acts 15:12, Romans 15:18-19, I Corinthians 2:4-5, I Thessalonians 1:5-6, Hebrews 2:1-4. The miracles were performed so the words of the person doing the miracles would be believed by the audience.

Some say that those who speak in tongues are very spiritual. Where is the evidence of this? I Corinthians 14:6-19 emphasizes that those who did speak in tongues were not spiritually superior to others. I Corinthians 12:7-30. Some say the gift of miraculous healing is because God does not want us to suffer because we are His children. If this is the case, then what about all the first-century Christians who suffered horribly? The Christian is not spared from the same diseases, death, or tragedy to which everyone else is subjected. In fact, we are told to expect all this (I Corinthians 10:13, II Timothy 3:12, I Peter 4:12-17).

Now to this, some will say that a person won’t be healed if they don’t have enough faith. Some people were commended for their faith in the presence of a miracle (Mark 5:34). But what about dead people who were revived (John 11:44)? Their faith couldn’t have been an issue. The same can be said for people who were possessed by demons (Luke 9:42, 11:14). And for others, they just didn’t KNOW (John 9:11-12, 17, 25, 35-36, John 5:13). Sometimes the faith of the companions was cited (Mark 2:5). Paul surely had faith, but his faith did not remove his “thorn in the flesh”, his “messenger of Satan” (II Corinthians 12:7-10). Timothy had stomach problems that were not miraculously healed (I Timothy 5:23). Trophimus, a fellow worker with Paul, had to be left due to his sickness (II Timothy 4:20). Epaphroditus is an example of one who was sick “nigh unto death” (Philippians 2:27-30), yet he was not miraculously healed.

In Matthew 13:58, even though unbelief was predominant, Jesus did a few miracles there. Their continued unbelief made further miracles unnecessary. He was just practicing what he had preached in Mark 6:11 and Matthew 7:6.

Once God finished revealing all the information He wished to reveal (what we call the New Testament), the need for miraculous proof became non-existent. We can study the Bible diligently and see the miracles that were performed and know that the words spoken in the Bible are truth. We have all we need in the Bible (II Peter 1:3). To claim that we still need miracles today is to say the Bible isn’t all-sufficient (I Corinthians 1:22, II Timothy 3:16-17).

I Corinthians 12-14 was written to the church in Corinth because the spiritual gifts (speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy) were being misused. The spiritual gifts are defined in chapter 12, and it goes on to explain how miraculous gifts should function harmoniously when used correctly. Chapter 13 goes on to tell how these gifts won’t be around forever, particularly verses 8-13. 13:10 talks about when “that which is perfect” comes. Paul was contrasting quantities, incomplete and partial miraculous gifts with something that would be total and complete. This is what we have – the fully revealed Word of God. The spiritual gifts were compared to childish things in 13:11, whereas the full truth that we have today (John 16:13). We no longer have partial access to God’s Word.

The same point was made to the church at Ephesus. The gifts given by Christ (Ephesians 4:8) were to have a specific duration (4:13). Many verses in the New Testament indicate that there is ONE faith (Acts 6:7, Acts 13:8, Acts 14:22, Acts 16:5, Galatians 1:23, Jude 3). Not a whole bunch of little groups believing different things. Unity between these divisions is impossible; because the unity being called for in the New Testament is a unity of truth, not an agreement to disagree. The faith being referred to is the completed body of information that sums up Christianity – the Bible (Ephesians 4:5). Miracles lasted until “the faith” was completely revealed.

Speaking in tongues as referred to in I Corinthians 14 refers to people speaking in languages that were unknown to the person doing the speaking (I Corinthians 14:2, 4, 13-14, 19, 27). It was the ability to speak in a foreign language without having prior knowledge of the language. The people speaking were being heard in the native language of the listeners (Acts 2:9-11). All tongue-speaking was done in known human languages, not incoherent gibberish (I Corinthians 14:9-11). The “tongues of angels” as referred to in I Corinthians 13:1 is often brought up in reference to speaking in tongues that are not understood by human ears. The meaning of angel is a messenger – one who communicates a spoken message. They were God’s messengers to humans. They are always represented in the Bible as communicating in human language, and they have the ability to speak all human languages. There would be no spiritual benefit for people to talk in a different “angelic” language.

Speaking in tongues was to be a sign to unbelievers rather than believers (I Corinthians 14:22). It was to be used to confirm to them the Word of God. What people practice today is not done under those terms. In fact, when a person attends a worship service today and is skeptical of the validity of tongue-speaking, it is said that tongue-speaking cannot occur because of unbelief present. This is in direct opposition to what was taught to the Corinthians. There is also every indication that the speakers of tongues in the New Testament could control themselves. They were not overcome, babble, or flail about. They did it one at a time, not interrupting one another, and were to remain silent if no interpreter was present (I Corinthians 14:27-28, 32).

Today, those who can speak in tongues or perform any other miraculous action is said to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, or Spirit-filled. But in the Bible, just because a person could do these things did not mean he had been baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to tell to whom John the Baptist is referring when he refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:11. But in Luke 24:49, Jesus is clearly talking to his apostles. If this verse is referring to all Christians, then likewise, all Christians would have to be personally guided “into all the truth” (John 16:13) and would have no need of the Bible (John 14:26). Acts 1:4-8 talks about how it would be soon and that it would enable them to witness to the world what they had experienced by being with Jesus. This passage quotes what John the Baptist had said previously in Matthew 3, so it’s obviously talking about the same thing. This was confined to the apostles.

Acts 2 details that it was the apostles who spoke in tongues and taught the people. The 12 apostles were the ones who were baptized by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:7, 2:14, 2:37, 2:43, 5:12) in Acts 2. They were all Jews. Then in Acts 10, the Gentiles received this gift in the household of Cornelius. This is prophesied in Joel 2:28. Joel 2:28-29 are further fulfilled by the apostles spreading the gifts of the Holy Spirit by laying on of their hands (Acts 8:17-21, 9:10, 10:3, 10, 16:9, 21:9). Philip received his ability to perform miracles in this way (Acts 6:5-6). Paul laid his hands on the Christians in Ephesus (Acts 19:6). Timothy received his in the same way (II Timothy 1:6). There is never an example of anyone with these gifts spreading their gifts further. The only examples given of spreading these gifts are from the laying on the apostles’ hands.

The baptism of I Corinthians 12:13 refers to the baptism that adds one into the body of Christ because it says “baptized into one body…” It doesn’t say they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. They were the beneficiaries of the Spirit’s guidance or assistance. They were baptized by the Spirit, not with the Spirit.

For us today, there is “…one baptism…” (Ephesians 4:5). Water baptism is confirmed in John 3:5, Acts 18:8, Ephesians 5:26, and Titus 3:5. There are no apostles left to lay hands on anyone today. Holy Spirit baptism was unique to the apostles and the first Gentile converts and doesn’t exist today. There is no need for miraculous gifts today because we have God’s complete written Word. Divine healing, speaking in tongues, miracles, and prophecy simply do not exist today.