Tag Archives: Mothers

A Different Mother’s Day??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10

10 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, By Him We Live, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Forgiveness, HOPE, Moms, Mothers, Salvation, Trials, Troubles, Trusting Jesus, Truth

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10 A Different Mother’s Day???

 

I want to share just a brief thought or two today; as most of you know my only daughter was murdered last December, causing this to be a unique Mother’s Day this year.  I simply want to share a few things that have gotten me through this time, and hopefully to encourage other mothers (or anyone) who have unique issues they are dealing with.  The main thing I want to say is the same thing I have said since tragedy struck our lives, ‘God is still God! God is still good! And I still trust HIM!’ I say this only because it is true, and like Paul I can say it because I have confidence in my Lord—the One who saves and keeps me every day!  Without fear, shame or doubt I know I can rely upon HIM!

“Be not thou therefore ashamed

of the testimony of our Lord,

nor of me his prisoner:

but be thou partaker

of the afflictions of the gospel

according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us,

and called us

with an holy calling,

not according to our works,

but according to his own purpose

and grace,

which was given us in Christ Jesus

before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest

by the appearing of our Saviour

Jesus Christ,

who hath abolished death,

and hath brought life

and immortality to light

through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed

a preacher,

and an apostle,

and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:

nevertheless I am not ashamed:

for I know

whom I have believed,

and am persuaded

that he is able

to keep that

which I have committed

unto him

against that day.”   2 Timothy 1:8-12

It is true because “I know whom I have believed”—and HE is my everything!  And while your issues may be different than mine, God knows where you are, and HE will meet you where you are –for HE knows what you feel!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace

to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

One of the things that has helped me, is to remember that while I feel sorrow, grief and pain in my loss, God is working His will, His purposes, and His glory all around me.  And after all HE has done, is doing and will do for me, how can I do less than trust myself to HIS care.  He has never failed me!  Never!  And one of the passages that is my “go to” for encouragement I’ll share with you, because often times we experience the evil of the world, and we must trust to our God to take care of things that are out of our control.  I forgive, not because I necessarily want to, but because I am forgiven, and I can trust to God’s love, care and justice to accomplish righteousness and justice in HIS own time.

“Fret not thyself

because of evildoers,

neither be thou envious

against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD,

and do good;

so shalt thou dwell in the land,

and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;

and he shall give thee

the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;

trust also in him;

and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness

as the light,

and thy judgment

as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD,

and wait patiently for him:

fret not thyself

because of him

who prospereth in his way,

because of the man

who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger,

and forsake wrath:

fret not thyself

in any wise

to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off:

but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth.”   Psalm 37:1-9

I know that God has walked with me on the good days, and on the difficult days.  He has heard my cries, seen my tears, and comforted my uneasy frustrations—and HE WILL meet you where you are, if you will but turn to HIM.  If you will walk through this Psalm and practice the instructions in it!

Trust—Delight—Commit—Rest—Fret Not—Cease from Anger!

While these are simple sounding instructions, they are not easy, especially when we are hurting.  But when we practice them day by day and watch our faithful God act faithfully, we learn to rely on His character—His love—His perfect ways—and know that HE will meet our every need.

And besides all this Jesus is our faithful intercessor!  I have a close circle of friends whom I know I can depend on for earnest, diligent prayer; and while I take great comfort and confidence in these dear ones and their care for me, there is One greater than them or me who is ever praying for me!

“But this man,

because he continueth ever,

hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Wherefore he is able also

to save them to the uttermost

that come unto God by him,

seeing he ever liveth

to make intercession for them.”  Hebrews 7:24-25

Oh, you have no way to know the comfort, strength and assurance that I take from this truth!  You can trust HIM!  And I’ll have to say that my love and appreciation for Him has increased above measure, not diminished, through these recent months.  You see, we all make choices!  We can choose to allow the enemy to distract, depress and discourage us to the point of dejection—or we can stand fast in the truth that we have a Savior who not only prays for us now, but HE also gave HIS life’s blood for me!  And I can only tell you that going through my daughter’s blood soaked clothing (when we got them back from the police) not only brought the reality of her death ‘up close and personal’ but even more importantly planted a truth in my heart that I pray I will never forget;  Her life was stolen from her by evil, but Jesus Christ my Lord shed HIS blood for me—willingly, lovingly, purposely—for without it you and I would have no hope of salvation and eternal life with God!!!  That truth is ever cemented in my heart and mind and without being gory, I praise God that I see John 3:16 in a new light!  May I never forget!

“For God so loved the world,

that he gave

his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”   John 3:16

GOD gave HIS SON for me!  For you!  Won’t you trust in the blood that Jesus shed for your salvation, deliverance, and redemption—that you might have “everlasting life”!  And if you already know Him, and are facing difficult circumstances, sorrow, grief, pain, confusion, turmoil or any other problem, won’t you “fix your eyes” on Jesus right now.  Rehearse Psalm 37, and these other verses and let God apply the soothing “Balm of Gilead” to your heart and soul!  Resist the devil and REST in the ONE who cares for YOU!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care

upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast

in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.”  1 Peter 5:6-9

In closing I pray that you will find comfort, hope and encouragement in God’s Word tonight.

“The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”   John 10:10-11

He gave HIS BLOOD for me!  For YOU!  Amen and Amen!!!

God’s Woman??? Bible Ballistics: BBs #650

08 Friday May 2020

Posted by in Abundant Life In Jesus, Godly Women, Mothers, Virtuous Women

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #650      God’s Woman???

 

As we approach Mother’s Day here in the United States, celebrations will be a bit different in the present crises, I would like to share scriptures about women who loved, served and trusted God.  Obviously, it can’t be an exhaustive list, due to time and space, but I hope to encourage and challenge us to be more of what God desires us to be!  (Not just what we ‘say’ and ‘do’—for scripture has taught me that if we will take care of the “being” in right relationship with our Lord, HE will lead us in the right “doing” and “saying”)!

“Who can find a virtuous woman?

for her price is far above rubies…

… 30 Favour is deceitful,    

and beauty is vain:

but a woman that feareth the LORD,

she shall be praised.”  Proverbs 31:10 & 30

Virtue: moral excellence; goodness; righteousness… 2…conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness….

God calls us to be women of moral excellence!  That includes our behavior, attitudes, language, attire, and our influence!  Our world needs women of virtue, integrity, and godliness.

“And Deborah,

a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth,

she judged Israel at that time.

5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah

between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim:

and the children of Israel

came up to her for judgment…

… 5:1 Then sang Deborah and Barak

the son of Abinoam

on that day, saying,

2 Praise ye the LORD

for the avenging of Israel,

when the people willingly

offered themselves.

3 Hear, O ye kings;

give ear, O ye princes;

I, even I,

will sing unto the LORD;

I will sing praise

to the LORD God of Israel.” Portions of Judges 4:1-5:3

Deborah was a judge of the nation, and a prophetess—one who walked with God and shared wisdom, and direction from God, and she helped lead Israel to a great victory over their oppressors.  Who are we leading?  Are we leading them to victory with Jesus—or down the devil’s sordid path?  It’s your choice; but remember there is a consequence to our choices, and not just for ourselves, but also for those who are following our steps!  I know it’s a hard question, but are we leading our loved ones to Jesus or to hell?  The answer is of eternal import.

And another mother that we have seen in scripture is one of my favorites, Hannah.  Hannah was childless, and constantly provoked by her adversary, but instead of bitterness, she channeled her sorrow into prayer!  I truly believe there is little greater than a praying mother!  Are we busy praying or are we still using manipulation to accomplish our will?

“So Hannah rose up after they had eaten

in Shiloh,

and after they had drunk.

Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post

of the temple of the LORD.

10 And she was in bitterness of soul,

and prayed unto the LORD,

and wept sore.

11 And she vowed a vow, and said,

O LORD of hosts,

if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction

of thine handmaid,

and remember me,

and not forget thine handmaid,

but wilt give unto thine handmaid

a man child,

then I will give him unto the LORD

all the days of his life,

and there shall no razor

come upon his head…

… 14 And Eli said unto her,

How long wilt thou be drunken?

put away thy wine from thee.

15 And Hannah answered and said,

No, my lord,

I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit:

I have drunk neither wine

nor strong drink,

but have poured out my soul

before the LORD.”   1 Samuel 1:9-15

Are we choosing like Hannah, to pour out our souls to HIM in our sorrow and trials, or are we settling for the comfort of temporal things like liquor, pills, or any other things that we pursue instead of God?  And when God answered her prayers, she honored her vow, and praised God!  What about you and me, what have we thanked God for lately?  What promises have we made and failed to keep?  Food for thought!  Here is Hannah’s response.

“20 Wherefore it came to pass,

when the time was come about

after Hannah had conceived,

that she bare a son,

and called his name Samuel,

saying, Because I have asked

him of the LORD…

… 27 For this child I prayed;

and the LORD hath given me my petition

which I asked of him:

28 Therefore also

I have lent him to the LORD;

as long as he liveth

he shall be lent to the LORD.

And he worshipped the LORD there.”   Portions of 1 Samuel 1 :20-27

I know this is a bit long for my weekday BBs, but there is one other picture of godly womanhood–not only faith but also of good deeds (as my former pastor would say “good, good deeds”—in contrast to good deeds done for the wrong reason)!

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple

named Tabitha,

which by interpretation is called Dorcas:

this woman was full of good works

and almsdeeds

which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days,

that she was sick, and died:

whom when they had washed,

they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa,

and the disciples had heard that Peter was there,

they sent unto him two men,

desiring him that he would not delay

to come to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them.

When he was come,

they brought him into the upper chamber:

and all the widows stood by him weeping,

and shewing the coats and garments

which Dorcas made,

while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all forth,

and kneeled down,

and prayed;

and turning him to the body said,

Tabitha, arise.

And she opened her eyes:

and when she saw Peter,

she sat up.”   Acts 9:36-40

WOW!  What a testimony! So, I’ll close with a few words of encouragement for accomplishing a godly life—simple, but not necessarily easy; yet doable, if we will but draw near to God!  For when we do, He will draw near to us and use us for HIS glory, our good and the work of ministry to others!

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”  Proverbs 31:26

And if I might take a moment of liberty to paraphrase a portion of Psalm 1 for our meditation as women:

“Blessed is the [woman]

that walketh [NOT] in the counsel

of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way

of sinners,

nor sitteth

in the seat of the scornful.

2 But [her] delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in [God’s] law

doth [she] meditate day and night.”                                           Blanche’s paraphrase of Psalm 1:1-2

Amen and Amen!

Teaching Or Learning??? Bible Ballistics BBs #555

10 Friday May 2019

Posted by in Moms, Teachers

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Teaching Or Learning is A Repost of Bible Ballistics: “BBs” #58  Moms-Teachers?????

As this is the Friday before Mother’s Day, I thought I’d take a little spin on the Proverbs 31 passage that we usually hear about on Mother’s Day. I’d like us to look at the beginning of the chapter rather than the end, which describes godly wives and mothers.

Proverbs 31:1-5, “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”

These words, usually credited to Solomon, are the words that he heard from his mother. What did she tell him?

The strength and courage of the soul should not be given to women or the things of the world that have robbed many a young man (and older men too, for that matter), particularly alcohol. Why women and alcohol? Because either or both can cause one to ‘forget the law, and pervert judgment’.

We see the contrast to the benefit of embracing wisdom.

Proverbs 2:10-11, “When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:”.

So? Do you remember what your mother taught you about God and His word.

So??????  Mom may have taught you right, but the learning is in your court. Deut. 30:19-20a,

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:”

What will you choose?