A Second Generation of Homeschooling

Sep. 28, 2009

Obedience Versus Legalism - EXCELLENT!

by Simon Schrock

Don was an elder in his evangelical-type church. He saw much
looseness about holiness in his congregation. He loved God and
experienced His grace. His conscience called him to a more careful
obedience to God and to His Word. Don visited a congregation that
practiced some of the New Testament teachings that were missing in
his church. This church took a scriptural, careful position on
remarriage after divorce, the wearing of jewelry, washing one
another's feet and the wearing of the headship veiling by their
sisters.

Don saw the obedience to scriptural teaching, so he raised these
issues with his pastor and asked why they are not obeying these
scriptures. The pastor's response was, "That's legalism! Where is the
grace of God in that?"

Incidents like this could be told hundreds of times over. But is it
legalism? Scriptural commands are wiped out under the label of
legalism or pharisaism.

"It's pretending to be holy without really being holy"
Expressions and words develop certain meanings at given times in
history.

"The religious right" is an expression used today in a derogatory
manner against certain people. During the reformation period,
derogatory terms were hurled at our Anabaptist forefathers. Luther
called the Anabaptists ketzer which means "the perfect ones" or "you
little perfect ones." This was said in a belittling way, making light
of their obedience to scripture. The term legalism is used in a
similar way today. When a believer follows the Word of God, often
those who do not measure up, or are lacking, come up
with some belittling expression like, "Oh, she's legalistic" or "He's
pharisaic." Is obedience to scripture legalism?

Consider Joe (or it could be Sarah). He may be Baptist,
Mennonite, Amish or Catholic. He may be of some old orthodox order.
He grew up going to church, sat through many morning services and
knew he wasn't right with God. He knew there was a heaven and a hell.
His own sinfulness haunted him, especially when he read another
friend's obituary in the newspaper.
So Joe joined a church. He said the right words at baptism. He
attended church and kept most of the rules. He gave to the offering,
didn't steal or commit adultery, and never killed anyone (literally,
that is).

He was an all around good mainstream citizen. When his conscience
doesn't let him rest with peace and assurance . . . he
gives a little more to the offering . . . or attends the evening
service . . . or stiffens his modest dress code . . . or some other
noble disciplinary act!

He has "done" his duty toward God, and he expects God to admit
him to heaven when he dies. . . on the basis of his good works! Is
Joe legalistic?

Legalism: What Does It Mean? Strict, often too strict, and
literal adherence to law. Theology: The doctrine of salvation by good
works.[1] "A keeping of the law, particularly in a formal sense, and
a regarding of obedience as meritorious, having merit, deserving
merit, praise."[2] From these definitions, legalism can be good.
Good Christians ought to be legalistic enough to obey laws. Legalism
can be eternally bad. It is a major cause of missing salvation.
Pharisaic legalism is spiritual poison. However, Webster's
definition, "The doctrine of salvation by good works" fits its most
common usage in religious circles today. What then is obedience? "A
willingness to obey, submission."[3] "Doing that which is commanded
according to scripture, obedience will eventually follow from true
faith."[4]

Was Don a pharisaic legalist for carefully obeying scripture?
Were the Anabaptist ketzer acting like they were the perfect ones,
even
though they said, "the very best you can possibly be-you still need
the grace of God."[5] Was Joe a legalist?

Jesus has the answer: And he spake this parable unto certain
which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and
despised others. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a
Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed
thus with himself God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast
twice in a week, I give tithes of all I possess (Luke 18:9-12).

Here is a legalist. The Luke 18 Pharisee and Joe were legalists!
It's the person who puts confidence in his own self-righteousness. It
could be trusting your ability to keep the right rules or the
church's standard of conduct. It could be comparing yourself with
someone less righteous than you. It could be the scale system telling
yourself, "I'm 51% good and 49% bad. I'll make it to heaven."
Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus to exterminate Christians.
The risen Lord met him on the way. Suddenly, at midday, a light from
heaven shone around him. Saul lay prostrate on the ground as he heard
the Lord say, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Saul
replied, "Who art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest."

Saul, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what wilt thou have
me to do?" God later used this man to instruct the church with
epistles on how to live between Pentecost and Christ's return. He
wrote commands from God that taught: Do not take your brother to law.
Do not be conformed to this world. Owe no man anything but to love
one another. Be modest in your apparel. Was Saul (now called Paul) a
legalist for saying, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" And then
conforming to God's will? Was he a legalist for allowing himself to
be used to write scripture with commands to guide the church through
the centuries until Jesus comes again? Is someone a legalist today by
giving a careful heeding to Paul's writings? Was Don's careful
obedience to scripture displeasing to God?
Did God say, "just trust My grace and don't get too serious about
Paul's writings with commands"? Don't worry about modesty-just blend
into the culture of jewelry and fashion . . .? Does God's Word say
that? No! Walter Beachy contends, "Careful obedience to scripture
that issues out of a regenerate heart is not legalism."[6] Now, back
to legalistic Joe and the Pharisee! Joe is invited to a businessmen's
prayer breakfast. After all, he is a good church man and he must keep
a good front, so-he goes along. At the meeting, he hears this
testimony:

"I went to church regularly I would sit there and plan my work
for the week. I gave to the offering. I sang in the choir-but I was
lost! I was like the Pharisee in Luke 18. I needed Christ. I became
the publican. I yielded my life to Jesus Christ and received His
forgiveness. I now have peace.

This troubled legalistic Joe all week. The next Sunday a visiting
minister preached, "You Must Be Born Again." Joe, like the publican
who said, "God, be merciful to me a sinner," was converted to Christ.
He found peace with God. He experienced God's mercy.
Now he wanted to thank God for His mercy. He wanted to honor God and
show appreciation for his salvation. How can he do it?
He reads the scriptures. From the words of Jesus he learns that, "Ye
are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14)
and "If you Love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

He reads further, "He that bath my commandments and keepeth them,
he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my
Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him" (John 14:21).
Continued study of the scriptures reveals that obedience is the way
to know God: And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his
commandments. He that saith, 'I know him,' and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso
keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby
know we that we are in him (1 John 2:3-5).

Joe also takes serious note of 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8: And to
you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God and that obey
not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ah! To show God I love Him, I obey Him! To find out what pleases
God, I read the scriptures. Does Joe still go to church? Yes, so
much the more as he sees the day of Christ approaching. Does he still
give to the offering? Yes, even more than before, and with joy and
rejoicing. Does he still obey authority? Yes, with a new depth of
appreciation. He is more careful in obedience than ever. Is he
legalistic? No! It's his expression of love for God. It's his
affirmation that his faith is for real. It's not a dead faith. "But
wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? You see
then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only"
(James 2:21, 24).

Doesn't Jesus condemn legalism and pharisaic religion? Yes, he
surely does. But is that the same as Luther's ketze; or Don's
pastor's charge of legalism?

From two scriptures we can see a number of legalistic hypocrisies
that Jesus condemned: And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought
him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when
the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before
dinner. And the Lord said unto him, "Now do ye Pharisees make clean
the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full
of ravening and wickedness.

Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that
which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye
have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe unto you,
Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and
pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done,
and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees!
for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in
the markets. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are
not aware of them" (Luke 11:37-44).

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
saying, 'The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All
therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but
do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind
heavy
burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders;
but they themselves will not move them with one of their
fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make
broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the
synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men,
Rabbi, Rabbi' (Matt. 23:1-7).

Jesus Condemned Selective Obedience "But woe to you, Pharisees!
For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and
yet disregard justice and the love of God: but these are the things
you should have done without neglecting the others" (Luke 11:42,
NAS). "Woe! You pay tithes but omit justice and the love of God. You
obey in part, not in full." He didn't condemn the good they did. It
was what they didn't do.

Selective obedience and pharisaic religion abound in the church
today. Most believers literally observe 1 Corinthians 11:16-34, but
ignore the first half of the chapter. Why? Jesus Condemned Deceptive
Obedience "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that
observe and do, but do not ye after their works: for they say and do
not" (Matt. 23:3).

The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus that was
caught in the act of adultery. Then they asked if the law of Moses
didn't command her to be stoned to death. Jesus stooped down and
wrote in the ground with His finger. He also said to them, "He that
is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John
8:7). Whatever He wrote must have convicted their conscience about
their own immorality. They were ready to bring condemnation on this
woman while they were guilty themselves.
Jesus condemned this deceptive obedience. Jesus Condemned Outside-
Only Obedience "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye make clean the outside of the cup and platter, but within they are
full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee,
cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the
outside of them may be clean also" (Matt. 23:25, 26).

Jesus condemns appearing outwardly as a non-worldly Christian,
but inwardly having a heart of selfishness and immorality Jesus
condemns an outward show without the joy of the Lord within. I have
noticed that many people who have divorced their partners and married
another become more vocal with their "testimony" for the Lord and are
very involved in the "Lord's work." That's how one woman described
her husband and father of their three children: "He divorced me,
married another woman. Now he goes to church. I'm confused. Living in
adultery and doing good works." Could this be outside-only obedience?
Jesus condemned selective obedience, deceptive obedience and outside-
only obedience.

FALSE WAYS TO OVERCOME LEGALISM

Disregarding Discipline Joe was a legalist! He followed the rules
of the church--but he didn't have spiritual life. Often when
legalists find the news of God's grace, they think their freedom is
in throwing away the rules. That's reaction, not a love
action. "Without conversion, discipline is legalism. Without
discipline, conversion is counterfeit."[7] For the legalistic Joes
that find Christ and His grace, here is a word from Jesus: "These
ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matt.
23:23). Throwing off
discipline is not the answer to legalism.

Lighthearted Holiness A nonchalant, lack-of-concern attitude is
not Christ's answer to pharisaic legalism. The casually
indifferent, nothing-matters-to-God attitude is not the answer. Many
professing Christians live as though obedience doesn't matter and
that God's grace will cover. That does not overcome legalism. It
comes closer to the sin of indifference. Oswald Chambers gives this
reminder: 'You cannot do anything for your salvation, but you must
do something to manifest it. . . you must work out what God has
worked in. If you are still the same miserable crosspatch, set on
your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and
sanctified you."[8] Indifference Toward Authority Bro. Sid may be
approached by a leader in the Church about a matter in his life. He
may reply like this, "I get my orders from God. I'm not bound to a
legalistic authority structure." He reacts, referring to Jesus'
condemnation of the acts of the Pharisees. Sid suggests that his
church leaders are like the Pharisees and that Jesus wrote them off.
Actually, Jesus had a different word for Sids with such
attitudes: "The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All
therefore whatsoever they bid you to observe, that observe and do"
(Matt. 23:1, 2). Indifference toward authority does not overcome
legalism.

OVERCOMING LEGALISM AND ITS APPEARANCE

Be Certain the Spirit Lives in the Form Legalism is an outside
form without the Spirit of God living inside. If you have an outside
form of godliness, but inside the heart is "full of hypocrisy" and
iniquity that denies the Spirit the power to overcome sin, then
repent. Invite the Spirit into the form and stand with the publican
and pray, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13).
Affirm and Testify of Your Hope One reason for being accused of
legalism is being too silent on where your hope really is. Affirm and
testify that you are trusting Jesus Christ who shed His blood, died,
and rose again for your salvation. I'm reminded of Ed Davis, an egg
customer I served years ago. After my knock on the door. Ed opened it
and exclaimed to his wife, "Mamma, there's a saved sinner at the
door."

Don't be bashful to let others know you are a "saved sinner."
Offer a Sacrifice of Praise "The joy of the Lord is your strength"
(Neh. 8:10). People who practice disciplined obedience will be
observed. May you demonstrate a joyful walk with the Lord. Those who
practice a more careful obedience are often called conservative. An
acquaintance once observed, "I didn't know you could be spiritual and
conservative." For him, it was either/or, but it should be both. A
spiritual joyful conservative was unknown to him. "Rejoice in the
Lord alway and, again, I say, 'Rejoice'" (Phil. 4:4).

Practice Obedience as an Act of Love. Obedience is your
opportunity to express your love and commitment to God. It is not a
burden to endure. When God sees loving obedience, He is pleased and
worshiped. That is not legalism. Obedient Joe's life is now a
constant worship of God as he walks through a sinful world. This poem
says it well: I would not work my soul to save For that my Lord has
done But I would work like any slave For love of God's dear Son.[9]
Be Assured--Obedience Is the Key to Knowing Jesus
Jesus said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine" (John 7:17). Insight into the true teachings of Jesus comes
by obedience. "Spiritual darkness comes from something I do not
intend to obey." Faithfulness and obedience in little things is what
makes strong Christians in bigger things.[10] Careful loving
obedience from a born-again heart is not legalism. It's an honor to
God.

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Jan. 18, 2009

The Secret is JUST to Begin!

Posted in Devotions

Deuteronomy 2:24, "Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle."

Begin! What an important word.

Are you dreaming about doing something? Perhaps getting that bedroom cleaned up. Or catching up with the laundry so that your laundry room looks spic and span. Maybe you have some great ideas about homeschooling you are planning to put into operation. Then there's that habit you want to break.

It's easy to dream about it, isn't it? It's a lot harder to do something. But there is a secret to accomplish the thing you dream about doing. It's simple too. All you have to do is begin. That's right. Start. Don't look at the whole job. It will put you off. Just start. It is amazing what happens when you begin. You'll be amazed how that room will soon be cleaned. You will be amazed at what you accomplish.

What about that habit you want to get rid of in your life? Begin tackling it. They say it takes three weeks to establish a new habit. Start today with a positive response to your bad habit. Keep it up for three weeks and you will win the victory.

What about that mountain that looms before you? That problem you feel you cannot face. Take a step to go after it. Everything happens with that first step! In fact, nothing will happen without the first step! God told the children of Israel to begin to possess the land. They faced giants, fenced cities, high walls and gates and bars, but they began... and they possessed. They didn't possess the land all at once. But they began. They took a step of faith. You will have to too. You have to go beyond your normal routine. You have to get out of your comfort zone.

In Exodus 23:29-30 God told His people, "I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased and inherit the land."

The big thing is to begin, then tackle the job, the vision or the problem little by little. Little by little you will finish the task. Little by little you will overcome!

I love the poem, It Can be Done by Edgar Guest. This poem was required learning for our children. Some of the lines say...

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;

At least no one ever has done it!"

But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,

And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.

Once you begin, don't stop until you conquer and win the victory. Oh yes, it may be hard work. You will face battles. God said, "Begin to possess it, and contend in battle." The children of Israel did not win any victories without first having to fight a battle. It's part of possessing and overcoming.

The secret? The final victory starts with the verb begin!

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Lord, please save me from procrastinating. Give me courage to take the first step to obey and do what you want me to do. Thank you, Lord. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

No more dreaming, I'm doing it today!

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Jan. 16, 2009

The Calling of Motherhood: How Mary Embraced the Calling She Received and How You Can Do the Same

Posted in Devotions

We all know how difficult it can be to have the right attitude every single morning as we face the challenges of motherhood that have been set before us. It can even be easy to sometimes question God's wisdom in sending these lives into your earthly care. But when doubt invades, we must search for the truth - HIS truth!

The first verse that comes to mind when questioning my ability to complete the job to which Jesus has called me is Luke 1:38 "I am the Lord's servant....May it be to me as you have said." Mary faithfully accepted her calling and moved forward in faith. We must do the same!

Have you ever thought how amazing it truly is that you have been called to raise your children for Jesus? The Lord has truly called you to a ministry! It’s such an honor that God would choose you to have such great influence over these precious lives. You have a chance to be the potter, working under the Master Potter Himself! You have been chosen to help mold these children. Wow, chosen by the Lord for such a special, unique and high calling - molding the next generation for HIM!

I recently read the first two chapters of a great book called "Spiritual Mothering," by Susan Hunt. It's based on Titus 2 and I'll quote some from that book. The second chapter was on the obedience and faith of Mary. Wow, did it ever open my eyes!

Let's look a little closer at Mary (not that we should hold her any higher than Jesus Himself, but she is a wonderful example of servitude). Mary was intent on glorifying God, no matter what. She responded to a great calling, which would cause heartache, strife, stress and ridicule, with a faith-like attitude. Her willingness to obey God's calling on her life was the driving force behind that child-like trust and faith in her response to the angel ("I am the Lord's servant....May it be to me as you have said."). She had the clarity of purpose. She knew her purpose in life would bring about negative things, but she exercised the "discipline necessary to move beyond disappointments and distractions and to carefully think about the thing that really mattered - God's glory....Mary could adjust to these extremes in her life because she saw them from the vantage point of obeying God's Will, not from the perspective of her expectations or preferences. Her purpose was not her convenience but God's Glory." Wow! What a concept for wives and mothers to grasp and truly understand. Mary's purpose was to glorify God and nothing else. I think that God sends stressful situations to us in order to cause us to look UPWARDLY, instead of INWARDLY. Our reliance should be on God, not on what we are capable of doing.

Mary lived out a life of obedience in her calling. She had a servant’s heart. "Servitude makes no sense apart from these [God's] truths, but it makes perfect sense in light of them....Many women today are overwhelmed with the complexity of life. They are floundering because they have no focal point [or have lost it - like I do sometimes]. When their expectations are not realized, their emotional equilibrium erupts....Servitude simplifies life. Servitude is not easy. Obedience is not a one-time decision. But it does bring simplicity to life because it settles the issue of Who is in control.....When a woman is absorbed with God's Glory, she will interpret her life according to His Truth."

God's grace will be with us! "God's grace enables us....When we experience God's grace and make the decision to glorify Him, then our soul [like Mary's] will rejoice in God, REGARDLESS of our circumstances."

Now, I know that I've kind of put Mary on a pedestal. She was by NO MEANS perfect, and I'm certain that had bad days and doubted at times. However, we should seek to imitate the part where her heart was in alignment with God's Will for her life. I think that all women, mothers, teachers, wives can learn from Mary's calling, purpose, servitude and grace! Focusing on God and His calling for our lives really helps us in our daily lives as wives, mothers, caregivers, teachers, etc.!

Blessings and encouragement to you in your great calling!

Lisa

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Dec. 23, 2008

BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU! The Sheep and Their Shepherd

Posted in Devotions

Luke 2: 8-11, "And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were sore afraid. And the angel of the Lord said unto them, Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you are born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

Dear friend, I still have to send to you Part 5, in our series of Home Destroyers. However, it is Christmas week and therefore I thought I would send you a Christmas devotion this time. Instead of writing it myself, I have asked my sister, Kate, to write it for you. Kate and I are both familiar with sheep. Our father, Ivan Bowen, designed the way shearing is done across the world and he was the fastest shearer in the world in his prime. He passed away at nearly 92 years of age this last January. Kate also shepherded a flock of sheep when she lived up in the Caribou of Canada. She has a special love for sheep. May you be blessed by her writing...

I would love to share a couple of thoughts that came to me as I pondered again the Christmas story.

God Chooses the Poor and Despised!

The Palestinian shepherds in Bible days were despised by society. They were not allowed to give testimony in a court of law as they were considered unreliable. Doesn't it astonish you that God chose the despised members of society, those with unreliable testimony, to be witnesses of the most important message of all time? He entrusted them with a message that was foretold by prophets hundreds of years before and would change the course of history. If it was me, I would make sure this message was given to the most influential, reliable men of the nation to ensure it was accurately broadcast world-wide. Yet, how God is this! His ways are greater than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8)

I believe these ancient shepherds were good shepherds. I was a shepherdess in Northern British Columbia, Canada for a time, and as I worked with the flock, I experienced something of the heart of the shepherd. The sheep pulled at my heartstrings. I believe these shepherds would have had tender hearts.

They would also have been tough physically, braving the elements. They were watchmen, always on the lookout for predators, or the enemy that would attack the flock. Remember how David contended with the lion and the bear? In fact, a shepherd never rests until the entire flock is safe in the fold, especially at night. "There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold, but one was out on the hills away, far from the gates of the fold..." This old hymn speaks of the shepherd going out to look for the one astray. I had to do this many times in my shepherding days.

These ancient shepherds were courageous, too, willing to lay down their lives for the sheep. And, ultimately, they were a living illustration of the Great Shepherd of the Sheep. God saw beyond what society perceived these shepherds to be, and saw their tender, courageous hearts.

God Chooses the Sheep!

The other point that hit me is that not only were the shepherds there when the angels appeared, but who else? The sheep! The shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night. As we fast forward two thousand years later, we peer back into this divine hallowed moment in history and see ourselves represented through the sheep. Again, how God is this! He does not make mistakes. What does God liken us to in the Bible? Sheep! It is one of the recurring themes throughout Scripture--the shepherd and his sheep. On looking through one of Promise's (my six year old) Bible story books, this same passage was illustrated with bright lights beaming on the shepherds. But, I was fascinated to see that the illustrator had perceptively drawn the cute little sheep with their heads looking up at this light also!

All we like sheep! They go astray, wandering off unaware of the dangers from under the shepherd's care. They get dirty; they're stubborn, often stupid--although not dumb as is the popular belief. They're vulnerable and need constant attention. In fact, the flock cannot survive without the shepherd. Sound familiar! In spite of this, the sheep are entirely loveable.

Today, as 21^st century sheep of His flock, we are witnesses to and of this amazing proclamation that the savior of the world is born and has come. In the business of this season, let us remind ourselves that we carry this great proclamation wherever we go-in our homes, into the city streets, into the stores, on the road, as we go out and come in. Whatever we are doing, this proclamation is with us. And remember, it is backed by a multitudinous heavenly choir! It is the message of hope in these troubled times.

Truly He is the king, worthy of proclamation!

Kate Marchiniak

Can I add some more thoughts that came to me this morning?

Jesus Wants His Sheep around Him

After the amazing experience of seeing the multitude of angels praising God, the shepherds decided to go to Bethlehem and see the Savior who had been born! Did they go alone? Or did they take their sheep with them? I am sure the sheep went too. The shepherds would not have left the sheep, vulnerable and alone, to be attacked by animals. In the Middle East the sheep always follow the shepherd as he leads them.

Nativity scenes often show one or two sheep, but there would actually have been many sheep around Jesus. Remember, it wasn't only one shepherd, but number of shepherds, each with their own flock.

As the sheep surrounded Him at His birth, Jesus still wants His sheep around Him. He wants them to be close enough to Him in order to hear His voice as He speaks to them.

Shepherds Lead their Sheep

Just as the Bethlehem shepherds led their sheep to Jesus, so as a mother shepherdess, we should also lead our flock to Jesus. This is the big question?

Am I leading my flock to Jesus?

I am going to be asking myself this question over this Christmas time? Am I leading my children to Jesus by His character which they see in me? Am I truly showing them the way? Are there some ideas or better ways that can I implement to lead my lambs to Jesus? I don't want to tell you how to do this. God will show you and me individually. But will you pray this prayer with me?

God is Looking for Father Hearts

God wants mothers and fathers to have shepherd hearts. It is interesting that God chose a carpenter to be the earthly father of His son, Jesus. Like the shepherds, carpenters were not on the highest rung of the career ladder. Joseph was a humble man, but the Bible says he was "righteous." But he must have had a father's heart. God would not have put His son into a family of a man who did not have a father's heart. God was more interested in this quality than what career he had. Now, in our 21^st century, God is still looking for father hearts to father His sheep and lambs. This is more important to God than a high-powered career.

In fact, every aspect of Jesus' birth was bathed in humility--his earthly parents, the place of His birth and his dedication where Joseph and Mary brought turtle doves because they could not afford a lamb. In the birth of Jesus, God revealed to us His true character. Although He is the God of the universe, King of kings and Lord of lords, He is not afraid to come to the lowest place to associate with and meet the needs of His created ones. Read Psalm 68:4-6; 107:41 and 113:4-9.

May this same spirit of humility be upon us at this season.

May God's peace and anointing be upon your home. May you enjoy the presence of the Lord, whether you are celebrating Hannukah or Christmas.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Oh great shepherd of the sheep, please teach me how to be a true shepherd of the little flock you have given me. Help me to lead my flock to you. Help me to show them the way, and please help me to be a true watchmen over them. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I'm a shepherd to my flock and a sheep to my Shepherd.

Many women like to save these devotions. They print them out and keep them in a folder to read over and over again. Some print them out and pin them on the fridge with a magnet to read through the week. If you are printing this devotion and need it to be smaller, highlight and change to a smaller font.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

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Dec. 18, 2008

HOME DESTROYERS Part 5

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Proverbs 14:17 "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly." Read also Ecclesiastes 7.9.

Today is our last devotion in this series of things that have the power to destroy our home.

5. CONTENTION

Proverbs 19:13, "The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping." This is repeated again in Proverbs 27:15. In fact Proverbs 27:16 continues, "He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand."

Proverbs 21:19, "It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman." This is also repeated again in Proverbs 19:9 and 25:24.

Other versions of the Bible translate this contentious woman as 'crabby, complaining, nagging, quarrelsome, ill-tempered, cross and petulant, scolding and irritable.' The actual Hebrew word is madown which means 'to quarrel, to cause discord or strife.' Not a very nice description, is it?

It's easy to nag. It's easy to pick a quarrel. But it is destructive, so why do we do it?

Does this mean that we cannot tell our husband something that we are concerned about? No. We are workers together in building our family. Share your concern with your husband-- in a spirit of meekness. Ask him how he thinks the situation could be remedied. Men love to give answers.

Once you have shared your concerns, keep quiet. But here's the secret. You don't keep quiet on your knees. Cry out to God and ask Him to deal with your husband. Don't give up praying until you see the answers.

The opposite of contention is harmony and unity. May God help us to work on another habit in our lives. What can you do next time you feel contentious? Say No to your fleshly feelings and by faith speaks harmonious words. You won't feel like it. You'd much rather nag or start a quarrel. But that is your old nature which you are so used to. Instead, remember that the Holy Spirit indwells you. Turn to Him and ask Him to reveal His Spirit of harmony and peace-making through you.

6. ADULTERY

Proverbs 2:18, "To deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words, who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God. For her house leads down to death, and her paths to the dead." Read also Proverbs 7:27.

Adultery not only destroys a marriage and the home but hurts the children. When God talks about the breaking up of the covenant of marriage in Malachi 2:13-16 he uses the words "violence" and "treacherously". In fact, in this short passage he repeats the word "treacherously" three times! God sees the breaking up of the marriage through adultery as treacherous! The Hebrew word is bagad and means 'traitorous, unfaithful, deceitful and also implies pillage.' Read Jeremiah 3:20.

How can it be that adultery is prevalent in the church today? I remember growing up in a little town in New Zealand. If a husband or wife went off with someone else it was the disgust of the town. And that was the attitude of non-Christians! And yet now it is prevalent for Christians to show tolerance for something God calls treacherous!

7. RENDERING EVIL FOR GOOD

Proverbs 17:13, "Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house."

How important it is to show a grateful heart to those who have blessed us in our lives. We can take things for granted so easily, can't we? It is easy to carry on with life and forget the goodness of others. There are times when people will speak evil about those who have blessed them. We have experienced this many times in our lives. But we dare not get bitter. We must keep on blessing them and trust God to work in their lives. And God does not forget. God does His own avenging in His own time and in His own way. We can leave it totally with God.

Romans 12:19-21 says, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves... for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 10:30)

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Oh God, please save me from being cranky and contentious. Please convict me when I become irritable or quarrelsome. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me establish unity in the home. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I'm changing from crabby to happy!

P.S. The following are two books you can read about the Karen people of Burma.

"A Land without Evil" by Benedict Rogers

"Displaced Reflections" by Oddny Gumaer

There are many more, but these happen to be two I have read. Check the Internet.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

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Dec. 18, 2008

HOME DESTROYERS Part 4

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Philippians 2:14-15, "Do all things without murmurings and disputing: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke,in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

We are up to No. 4 today. One more to go in this series.

4. COMPLAINING

Psalm 106:25, "They murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord." Read the story in Numbers chapter 14, especially verses 2 and 27.

Where were the people complaining? In their tents, which were their dwelling places in the wilderness. Where does most complaining happen? In the home. But what does it do? It tears down the home, whether we complain about our circumstances, the work we have to do, or our husband. Not only do the walls of our home hear it, but our children hear it--and God hears it!

The children of Israel murmured and complained against Moses and Aaron, but when God heard it, He said they were complaining against Him. God saysin Numbers 14:27, "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmuring of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me." Stop press! Help! When we murmur and complain about all our problems, God hears it as murmuring against Him.

The ten spies had returned from spying out the land of Canaan. It was a land flowing with milk and honey, but they complained about the fortified cities and the giants they would have to fight. It looked impossible! Even after all the miracles of coming out of Egypt and provision in the wilderness, they did not believe God could help them. They blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. They complained that all their children would be taken as salves.

What happened? God told them, "Get back into the wilderness..." He told them that they would all die in the wilderness and their children who they complained would be taken as slaves would be the ones who would go into this magnificent land. Where do we end up when we complain? In the wilderness.

Wives and mothers,

we take our families into

a wilderness journey

when we complain!

The root of complaining is unbelief. "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" The Israelites cried out in unbelief. (Psalm 78:19). "How could we ever have another baby?" you cry out in unbelief. "We can hardly make ends meet now!" "How can we afford to educate our children?" "How can I put up with this little house any longer? I need more room" And so it goes on.

Here's a good habit to start. Change every sigh into a Hallelujah! Every time you are tempted to complain, turn your heart to the Lord and acknowledge His power and His presence. "Thank you, Lord, I trust you. I know that you are ordering my footsteps. I thank you that you are with me in these circumstances." It will take time to establish this new habit, but keep at it.

It doesn't mean that your circumstances will necessarily change, but you will change. God promises in Isaiah 43:1-3 that when you pass through the waters, that "I will be with you. They will not overflow you." God says that when you go through the fire that "You will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you."

What is our confession? "I'm going through a fiery trial. I don't know how I can make it." Or, "Thank you, Lord, no matter how hot it gets, I will not be burned because you are with me!"

I remember when complaining as a young child that my mother would immediately direct me to think about those who were poor and suffering in the world and didn't have all the blessings that I had. It's not a bad idea. There are millions in the world who live in abject poverty, without running water, adequate food, shelter or any of the basic amenities of life which we are used to. My husband, who has ministered in the slums of India and many third world countries, often says, "Just to live in a tent in America makes you a millionaire!"

I think about the Karen people, the displaced people of Burma who have been fighting a genocidal war against them from the Burmese government for over 50 years. We complain about keeping up with homeschooling. The Karen try to school their children while they live in hiding. We complain when things are not just as we want them when we give birth. Many Karen mothers give birth while running from the enemy. No time for recovery. No time for relaxing with their baby. No gifts. No excited calls from family and friends.

The wife the founder of the "Free Burma Rangers" shares about the love, forgiveness and generosity of the Karen, even in the midst of suffering and hardship. She says, "The gifts they gave were of themselves--their time, energy and love. In my experience in the West it is easier to go to the store and buy a trinket as a gift. For this reason I have chosen to raise my children in this war. The influence of these people is something I have never experienced anywhere else."

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Oh Lord, I find it so easy to complain. Please give me strength to create a new habit of praising instead of protesting, gladdening others instead of grumbling and being content instead of complaining. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

"Not for the lip of praise alone,

Nor e'en the praising heart

I ask, but for a life made up

Of praise in every part!"

Horatius Bonar

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

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Dec. 10, 2008

HOME DESTROYERS Part 3

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Proverbs 14:3, "In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride."

Today we talk about the third tool that can pull down our home.

3. PRIDE

Proverbs 15:25, "The Lord will destroy the house of the proud."

God hates pride. It is always destructive. Yet how easily we succumb to this sin. Sometimes women feel ashamed if their house is poorer than their friends' homes. They want to keep up with the Joneses. They want their children to wear designer clothes. They want them to go to the best schools and best colleges. They want them to have degrees after their names. How are they going to do this?

Maybe they will be lured into the workforce to gain these aspirations. But the root of it all is pride. Instead of bringing blessing, it weakens home life. Children can enjoy a richer life and receive more blessings by having a contented mother in the home than wearing designer clothes and living in a fancier home. Learning to be content is not easy but it is one of the godliest lessons we can teach our children. 1 Timothy 6:6 reminds us that "Godliness with contentment is great gain." Of course, the only way we can teach it is by example.

We definitely don't need all the things we think we need. We can live on a tenth of the stuff we think we need! Nor do our children need all the things they think they want. I am always challenged by the words of Nehemiah, "You gave your good Spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst. Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing." (Nehemiah 9:20-21, Deuteronomy 8:3-4 and 29:5)

What did they have in the wilderness? God faithfully provided food and water and miraculously kept their clothes and shoes from wearing out. But they lived in temporary tents. They had none of the modern conveniences that fill our homes today. They had to TVs. No décor. No running water or instant electricity. And yet God said they lacked nothing.

Proverbs 17:19 says, "He that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction." Matthew Henry comments on this Scripture: "He that exalts his gate, builds a stately house, at least a fine frontispiece, that he may outshine his neighbors, seeks his own destruction."

We know how Satan's pride wrought havoc and destruction in God's heavenly home. When we read about this in Isaiah 14:12-15 we notice that this pride not only caused Satan to be cast out of heaven but he became the one to "weaken the nations." Pride does not build up a home. It weakens a home. It tears it down.

May God help us to remember that each time we put on a proud look, speak prideful words and hold on to our stubbornness, we tear down our home a little more. Eventually we will destroy relationships altogether.

Proverbs 16:18-19 says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." Through divorce, many wives and husbands divide the spoil of their homes as their home folds up. The marriage is destroyed and consequently the children's lives are negatively affected--all because of pride! Too proud to say sorry. Too proud to ask for forgiveness. Too proud to take the humble attitude. Too proud to change.

Pride is a bitter pill.

Pride is all about self! Humility is all about serving. Are we building up our home or tearing it down?

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

P.S. There are more Scriptures for you to check out below!

PRAYER:

"Oh God, please show me the hideousness of pride in my life. Save me from tearing down my home because of my stubbornness and pride. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I've decided to take the humble road,

It's the "blessing way" for my abode.

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

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Dec. 10, 2008

HOME DESTROYERS Part 2b

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Proverbs 13:18, "Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honored."

We continue talking today about the home destroyer of foolishness.

We pull it down by not preparing for the future. As you read through Proverbs 31 again you will notice that the virtuous woman did not live just for the day, but prepared her home and household for whatever lay ahead.

Proverbs 31:27 says, "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the read of idleness." The words "looks well" are translated from the Hebrew word tsaphah. It has two meanings--

a) To watch. It is the same word that is used for a watchman who watches to protect the city, e.g. Ezekiel 33:7. The wise woman is a watchwoman. She guards her home and her children's lives. She does not leave her post. She guards over what they see, hear and read. She watches over her home to keep everything in order. She does not let things get out of control.

b) To lean forward, to peer into the distance. The wise woman does not think only about today, but about the future. She has food and necessities prepared in case of emergency. She has made strategies with her family so that they know what to do in a crisis. She is ready for whatever may happen.

Proverbs 31:18 says that "her lamp goes not out by night." No, don't feel guilty. she is not working all night! Back in Bible days, they did not have electricity. Therefore, they kept a lamp burning, ready for any emergency. The dogs may bark at some intrusion or the baby wakes. They need to have the lamp ready to investigate or to minister to the needs of the baby or children. It could be catastrophic for a family to run out of oil for the lamp. The wise woman always made sure she had enough oil to keep the lamp burning continually.

Jesus told a story about this in Matthew 25:1-13. The wise virgins took not only their lamps but extra oil with them. The foolish didn't think of anything but the moment, and of course they ran out of oil! And they missed the coming of the bridegroom! What did Jesus call these women? Yes, we know. Foolish!

We pull it down by being stubborn. Proverbs 1:7 says, "Fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:22) The foolish woman thinks she knows it all and she does not like to be corrected. The wise woman knows that she constantly needs correction from the Lord. Even from her husband and others in order to keep learning and walking in the ways of the Lord. I don't always like it when my husband corrects me but I know it keeps me on the right track. I want to receive correction and wisdom from others because I don't want to stay the same. I still have so much changing and learning to do. I want to have a soft heart to hear what God tells me.

The Scriptures tell us over and over again that it is the wise who will receive instruction and correction. The word that is used continually is "hear". Hear instruction. Hear counsel. Listen to rebuke. The word "hear" is shama in the Hebrew. It means "to hear with attention or obedience, to give undivided listening attention." This should be our attitude toward correction and advice, rather than being reactionary. I notice that the word heart is a t added to hear. To have a heart that is soft and pliable, we have to have to hear what God wants to say to us, not only through His Word, but through others.

Much of what we do and think is conditioned by our deceived humanistic society. It is so much part of everything around us that we think it is normal. But the world's normal does not always match the Word of God. We must continually seek God and His Word for His truth. We must constantly check to seek if we are lining up with His plan for motherhood and family life.

I have had to change and repent about so many things over the years and I know that God has still so much to teach me. We must always be open to God's truth. Read the beautiful family Psalms (Psalm 127 and 128) every week. They keep you in line with God's heart rather than the humanistic thinking of this world.

Sometimes we have to humble our ears to hear counsel. Proverbs 22:17 says, "Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge."

We need to take notice of Proverbs 8:33, "Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not." Also Proverbs 15:32, "He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding."

You can read more Scriptures about receiving instruction below.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Lord, please give me a hearing heart that is open to correction. I know that as I am open to correction, my children will be more open to correction too. Thank you, Lord. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I'm a watchman in my home,

I will not vacate my post!

I'm open to wise correction

And filled with the Holy Ghost!

If you know others who would be blessed by these devotions, you are welcome to forward them or let them know they can subscribe by sending a blank email to subscribers-on@aboverubies.org

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Dec. 10, 2008

HOME DESTROYERS Part 2a

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Jeremiah 4:22 RSV, "For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are stupid children, they have no understanding."

Today we continue talking about things that destroy the home.

2. FOOLISHNESS

Proverbs 14:1, "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands."

What does it mean to be foolish? Simply, it means to do it my way rather than God's way. God's way, although different to my way always ends in blessing. My way, although it may look good, always ends in destruction.

If we are not building our home, we are pulling it down. How do we pull it down?

We pull it down by vacating the home. God wants the mother in the home--nurturing, nourishing and training her children. We can't do everything successfully. We either build up a business (usually someone else's business) or we build up our home. God has given us a full time job to tend our little flock. God gives a warning to the mother shepherdess when He says in Zechariah 11:17, "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock!" Notice that this Scripture has an exclamation mark!

We pull it down by our words. Negative words. Critical words. Reactive words. Spiteful words. Angry words. And on it goes.

We build our home with words or

we destroy our home with words!

When God allowed Satan to get at his servant Job, he smote him with terrible boils from the top of his head to the sole of his feet Job was in agony and pain. Instead of encouraging him, Job's wife said, "Do you still hold on to your integrity? Curse God, and die." Job replied, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" (Job 2:9-10)

Do you speak as one of the foolish women, or one of the wise?

Sometimes it may not be negative words. It may be wasteful words. Proverbs 15:2 says, "The mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." Often we speak unnecessary words when we should keep out mouths shut. I am always challenged by Proverbs 10:19, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." The more we blab on about anything and everything, the more opportunity there is to sin with our mouth. The NLT makes it clearer, "Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!"

We pull it down by spending frivolously and unwisely. The foolish woman buys according to her whims and what takes her fancy. She buys groceries without thought for nutrition or without reading the ingredients. She fills her cupboards with devitalized packaged foods instead of cooking from scratch. She purchases unnecessary "things" to fill her home which could be used for wiser needs.

Proverbs 21:20 says, "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man (or woman) spendeth it up." The foolish woman spends more than her husband can afford. The wise woman lives frugally within her means. I often have to remind my new adopted daughters that we don't have to eat what we want whenever we want. We must learn to live thriftily rather than extravagantly.

We pull it down by wasting. Many women not only waste time but waste products. They throw out everything. It is not wise to be a hoarder and clutter up your home, but there are many things that can be re-used to save re-spending.

Many mothers allow their children to pick at their food and leave it on their plate without teaching them to eat what is in front of them. Good food is thrown in the trash. This is wasteful.

May God deliver us from being in the "foolish women category" that pulls down their home.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Father, please touch my lips with coals from off the altar. I don't want to speak negative words. Fill my mouth with encouraging and life-giving words that will build up my husband and my children. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

Building up my home with uplifting words,

To do anything else is utterly absurd!

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Dec. 10, 2008

HOME DESTROYERS Part 1

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1 Timothy 6:8, "Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

Reading through Proverbs recently I noticed that it mentions five things that destroy the home. I prefer not to write about negative things, but, on the other hand, we can't wipe any of God's Word under the mat. And God's negatives always turn to positives. When we read His warning signs which mean, ROAD BLOCK, WRONG WAY-GO BACK or DEAD END we know that it is not the road to take, even though it looks beautiful and such an easy road. We must swerve back on the road God has planned for us from the beginning of time. God has never changed his plans. His ways are still the only ones that work effectively. Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

Let's look at some of these WRONG WAY signs.

1. GREEDINESS

Proverbs 15:27, "He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house."

No wonder one of the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house... thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife... nor any thing that is thy neighbor's." (Exodus 20: 17) When we see friends with things that we don't have it is easy to hanker after them too. Most people like to be like everyone else and have everything that their associates have.

How can this negatively affect the home?

a) By becoming despondent and full of self-pity because we can't afford what we want. This takes away our joy of living and being "content with such things as we have." (Hebrews 3:5-6)

b) As we crave a better house and more things to put in the house we start to plan how we can get these things. Ideas take shape. That's it! I could do what everyone else is doing who has more things. I could go out and get a job! Yes, that's the answer. But is it? To go out and get a job you have to leave the home behind. You have to vacate the very place where God wants you to be--in the heart of the home. (Psalm 1228:3) You have to put your children in daycare or leave them with someone else. God didn't give your children to you to give them to someone else to look after! He gives the responsibility to you. You are the only one who can truly nurture and nourish your baby and children.

c) The home becomes a show piece of material riches rather than filling it with the true riches of children. When you get your eyes on material riches, children become a nuisance.

May God save us from a greedy spirit.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

Prayer:

"Father, I pray that you will take every spirit of greediness from me. Give me a contented spirit. Help me to enjoy the riches you have given me - my precious children and the (little) house you have provided for me. I thank you for the blessing of food and clothing. Amen"

Affirmation:

Content in my home, that's for me,

With coveting gone, I'm now free!

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Nov. 24, 2008

At The Well (Titus 2 Study) - Giving Thanks During Difficult Times

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Laurie over at Women Taking a Stand is hosting At the Well today. Below are the discussion questions she has created. Join me today At The Well!

#1- How do you give thanks during difficult times?

Personally, I reflect on all God has done for me! This is sure to bring about a happy countenance and to bring praise to God. Quoting Scripture is also a great way to improve your outlook on your circumstances. 1Chronicles 16:34 “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” How can one be dismayed after reading that?! Our temporal lives might hold trials, but the price for our eternal life has already been paid!

#2 - Share with your readers a testimony of how God brought you thru a difficult time.

Well, right now we are in the midst of a trial. My husband, Mark, is a financial planner (stock broker) and, as you all know, the market is not doing so well right now. Since his income is based solely on commission, this has drastically reduced our income and we’ve been dipping into savings for a while now. Now, we could choose to panic, complain, worry and gripe, but instead our faith is growing. We are trusting solely on Jesus to get us through and we are grateful that we have savings that we can live off of for a while. Look at this passage of Scripture. It rings so true!

Mattthew 6:25-27 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

God will bring us through!

#3 - What is the most memorable Thanksgiving you have experienced?

They are all so memorable! Our family traditions have grown so much over the years. We have kept time-honored family traditions and added a few of our own, as well. This is a sweet time of year and we always look forward to praising God for His faithfulness and provision!

Go forth and sing praises to God for all He has done for you!

Lisa Metzger

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Oct. 22, 2008

Refined, Not Comfortable

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My quote of the week (from Sunday's sermon)...

"Comfortable living produces weak character."

Truly, being comfortable seems quite desirable.

Just last week, I heard on Dobson the reminder

that the Christian's life is full of adversity, not

always comfort and prosperity as this world defines it.

So, with that in mind, I would rather be refined by my Father

and a woman of Godly character than comfortable.

Apply this quote as needed in your life this week!

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Oct. 17, 2008

All The Days of My Life - Your Home is God's Temple!

Posted in Devotions

Psalm 27:4, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."

David longed for the "House of the Lord." It was his favorite place to be. But David could not be in the house of the Lord continually, as much as he longed to. He was king of a nation. He had battles to fight; administration to attend to. But dear mother, we have the opportunity to live David's longing. Let me explain.

The house of the Lord is no longer one temple as it was in David's day. It is not even a church building where we attend on Sundays or Saturdays today. The house of the Lord speaks of His presence. God wants your home to be His house where His presence dwells; a place where you abide in Him and He abides in you. The house of the Lord is abiding fellowship with Christ. The house of the Lord is your kitchen where you prepare the meals; the house of the Lord is your dining table where you feed your family and make every meal a love affair; the house of the Lord is any room in the home where you are working or interacting with your children.

In your home you can behold the beauty of the Lord. As you abide in Him and look to Him, He will impart His grace to you in your time of need. He will show you that He is the God who is Enough for every challenge and every situation. He is with you, in your home, and will never leave you or forsake you. No, not even when everything seems overwhelming and you feel like tearing your hair out! You are still in the house of the Lord at this moment. Instead of despairing about the situation, stop for a moment and realize that God is with you. He has promised that He will not fail you. Thank Him that He is with you. Thank Him that He cannot fail you.

In your home you can inquire in His temple. David had to go God's temple to inquire of the Lord. He faced battles, enemies and challenges; He needed God's discernment, wisdom and strength. You also long for God's wisdom. You are desperate to know what to do. You cannot go on without His strength. Praise the Lord, you don't have to get into your car and rush off to a church building. You are in the house of the Lord right now. You can inquire in His temple right now. He will give you His wisdom. He has promised, remember.

All you have to do is abide--that literally means to live in His presence. It means to acknowledge that Christ is living within you and that you are in Him. You are inseparable. You are one. He is your life source. You can't live without Him (well, I can't anyway!). Your own strength wains; you need His. Your wisdom is human; you need His divine wisdom. Your love runs out the door; you need His agape love. You are depressed and down in the dumps; His joy does not depend on how you feel. You feel your life is worthless; you can only bear fruit to bless your family and touch other lives as you abide.

John 15:4-5 says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me can do nothing." There it is. The secret to living in the house of the Lord all the days of your life.

How I love those words... "all the days of my life." It doesn't matter what my day is like, God is with me. It doesn't matter whether I think God has left me; He is bigger than my thoughts. My thoughts deceive but God doesn't change.

See your home in a new light. It is the house of the Lord. You can live in it all the days of your life.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Thank you, Lord, for showing me that my home is the house of the Lord. Help me to enjoy my home in a new way. Thank you that I don't have to visit the house of the Lord. I live in it! Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am not a visitor but a dweller in the house of the Lord.

SCRIPTURES REFERRED TO IN THIS DEVOTION:

Look up Isaiah 41: 10, 13; Hebrews 13:5-6; James 1:5-8.

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Sep. 29, 2008

At The Well (Titus 2 Study) - Spiritual Dryness

Posted in Devotions

Our host today At the Well - In Pursuit of Titus 2 is Heather. Here is her post on the topic of Spiritual Dryness. Let's take a look at today's discussion questions!

* Have you noticed a pattern of when you find yourself spiritually dry? *

Yes. I find that it happens when I become stressed out or overcommitted! That's why I try my best (and, yes, I HAVE improved…ha) to say no to things that are not required of me by God and my husband (my "earthly head").

* What do you do to move quickly through that season of dryness? *

If I feel like the task I've been asked to commit to is admirable and might just be God's Will for me to take on, I do not say 'no' right away. Instead I explain to the person that I need to pray about it (no matter how small) and talk to my husband about it. I take anything that I feel might be overindulgent to my husband and ask him for his opinion on whether or not I should take the offer, accept the task or make the commitment. Wow, has this done WONDERS for me! Mark sees that my heart is in the right place...wanting to help out and serve others....but most of the time I tend to over-commit my time which should be reserved for God, my husband, my kids (this includes homeschooling) or my houseKEEPING. By taking even the smallest things to God and Mark help save me from a lot of stress and spiritual dryness.

It is also important that I keep nibbling on spiritual matters throughout the day. This doesn't necessarily mean that I need to be ALONE or QUIET to do this, either. It means that I can bring God and his Word into my daily tasks by reciting verses, singing songs, or even talking about God to my children. Leading little ones in devotions or explaining God's purpose for them through life is a GREAT way to sharpen your spiritual skills and to keep in the Word daily - er, hourly.

Thanks, Heather, for the great topic! And, ladies, let's KEEP OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT and learn to say NO! It's okay to say no for the sake of your family and your spiritual health!

~ Lisa Metzger

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Aug. 7, 2008

Be a Free People! Grace is not given so that we might neglect obedience

Posted in Devotions

"But we also have to be wise not to abuse our freedom earned by Messiah's atonement for our sins: being free means being free from sin, not being free to sin. Sin itself is the enslaver and the bondage we're to avoid; we're free to follow and glorify Messiah."

Sam Nadler

Just because we have been given free will does not mean that we can abuse that freedom. God gave us a choice, but just as with Adam and Eve, He is not pleased when we use our free will to sin or to choose the easy way out.

Yes, His "burden is light," but He also desires us to make hard decisions in order to grow spiritually. It's through the refining fire that He molds us to be who He wants us to be!

Don't skip the Savior's refining fire, taking the easy ways out in life, and miss out on experiencing TRUE FREEDOM in Jesus!

Lisa Metzger

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Jun. 24, 2008

Storing Up Treasure

Posted in Devotions

1 Timothy 6:19, "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

The above Scripture encourages us to lay up in store for the time to come. In the context, it is actually speaking to those who have riches in this world, exhorting them to be rich in good works and generous to the needy. But I do believe this message is for all of us. I think it is one of the greatest exhortations we can have, don't you?

Every moment of our lives we should be "laying up in store" for the eternal kingdom. We cannot take any material possessions out of this world. It is all vanity. 1 Timothy 6:7 says, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." We will only take what we lay up in heaven.

We need to remind ourselves again of Matthew 6:19-21, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will you heart be also."

I have always been challenged by the statement,

"Life is a dressing room for eternity."

Everything we do and say, either builds for this world, or for the eternal world.

I think we will have a lot of surprises in heaven. I remember reading about a man of God who had a vision of the eternal realm. He said that he saw that the people who were closest to the throne of God were mothers and intercessors. Our liberal society does not have time for these ministries. Even the Christian world does not always affirm them. They don't receive the limelight. But they are powerful in God's eyes.

Dear mother, I want to remind you that as you sacrificially pour out your life for your children, as you mother and nurture them in the ways of God, as you pour out your heart in prayer for them--you are laying up treasure for eternity! Your mothering is never wasted. It builds for eternity. You are preparing your children for the heavenly realm. And you lay up heavenly treasure for yourself as you do it.

You may feel inferior because you think you are wasting your education as you lay down your career for motherhood. You may feel sorry for yourself because you are not making money like your neighbor who is choosing her career over motherhood. You may feel insecure because you don't feel that you are accomplishing great things in your home.

Don't listen to these deceptions and negatives. As you mother your children in your home, you are in the perfect will of God. You are building for eternity. You are laying up store for the time to come.

You are building a big mansion for yourself up there! This is certainly not a waste of time!

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Lord, please help me to put value on the eternal things, on the things that you put value on. Help me to remember each day that motherhood is building for eternity."

AFFIRMATION:

I have given up hoarding for this world: I am hoarding up treasure for the heavenly kingdom.

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Jun. 5, 2008

Face the Challenge! Go Forth and Face Your Personal Challenges as Jesus Did!

Posted in Devotions

John 18:4, "Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?"

Jesus knew what He had to face. He had just come from the Garden of Gethsemane where he sweat drops of blood in agony of facing the cruel cross and taking upon himself the sins of the world. He prayed that his Father would take "this cup" away from him. But knowing all he would face, he went forth. He went forth to face the agony. He didn't hold back.

This is a challenge to me. We will never have to face what Jesus faced. But what do we do about the problems we have to face each day? Do we cringe from them? Do we turn a blind eye so we don't even have to face them? Or do we go into depression and self-pity?

Perhaps you find it hard to get up out of bed and even face going out to the kitchen each morning. Do you have a hard time facing dishes, the big pile of laundry, or that room that is in such a mess? Can I encourage you to get up and "go forth", even as Jesus did. Tackle your task little by little. Don't think you have to do the whole overwhelming task all at once. Make a start, and keep going until you finish.

Perhaps you are facing a huge challenge in your life--a mountain that looks impossible in front of you. Mountains look impossible to us, but they are nothing to God. Go forth in His name and His power. I think of a chorus that we used to sing as young people.

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?

Got any mountains you can't tunnel through?

God specializes in things thought impossible;

And He can do what no other can do.

It wasn't until recently that I found out that the source of this chorus came from the Panama Canal builders who faced a nearly impossible task and where well over 25,000 people died in the building of it.

You may be facing a raging battle in your life. It seems too much for you. It is bigger than what you can handle. Don't look at the bigness. God is with you. He will handle it for you. Read the instructions God give to the Israelites when they faced battles and armies who were far bigger than them. In Deuteronomy 20:1-9 He tells them not to be afraid because He will be with them. "There must be no faint hearts among you, no flinching, no yielding, no trembling ..." Of course you can't win this battle on your own, but God will fight for you. Trust Him. Go into the battle, not in your own strength, but trusting totally in God.

The name of God is a noun, but God is also a verb. Jesus said in John 5:17, "My Father worketh, and I work." God, who lives in you by His Holy Spirit, wants to work in you to do His will. Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Will you allow Him to work in you? Will you allow Him to "go forth" in you? He will face your problems with you. He will go with you. He will help you.

Perhaps you are facing a cross. Can I encourage you to embrace your cross and go forth! Go forth by faith! Go forth, knowing that Jesus lives in you. He has faced more than you will ever face and He lives in you. He wants to live His in life in you. He is in you to help you. You can go forth in His name.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Father, I thank you that you are with me. I pray that you will work in me and help me to go forth to do the tasks that you have given me to do. Help me to trust in you as I face my problems. Amen.

AFFIRMATION:

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.

P.S. The above words are an excerpt from the hymn which the five missionaries sang before entering the Ecuadorian jungle to bring the Gospel to the Auca Indians over 50 years ago. Their names were Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Jim Elliott, Roger Yoderian, and Peter Fleming. After reaching the Aucas, the Indians murdered them on the Curaray River. (January 1956) The hymn comes from the Scripture in 2 Chronicles 14:11 where Asa faced an Ethiopian army of one miillion men. He cried out to God, "Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee."

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May. 28, 2008

Hidden Jewels

Posted in Devotions

Malachi 3:17, "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels." Every saint is a jewel of God. I am convicted by God to look at people (and also my children) in this light. Often we cannot see the jewel as it hides behind the rough exterior. All we see is unsightly hard rock, but God wants us to look beyond what we see on the surface. We sometimes hear the phrase, "He's a rough diamond." This means that the person is pretty rough on the outside but inside they have a heart of gold. We need to be reminded that there is a diamond, or perhaps a sapphire, an emerald, an opal, a ruby or an amethyst in each person. The jewel in every person is different. Each jewel will reveal different colors and lights of God's character. But we cannot see the beauty shining from the jewel until it has been cut and polished. And what a painful process this is. Much cutting has to be done o reveal the many-faceted hues and beauty of the gem. The cutting goes on and on. And when it is finished, the polishing starts. It hurts. I know God has to do so much more cutting and polishing with me. May we let Him do His work and cut away all the roughness and hardness. May we also have patience with all God's saints, even those who are still rough and uncut. May God give us patience with our children. God has given us the task of being a lapidary (a cutter and polisher of gems). It is the lapidary's art to reveal the gem. Sometimes we may feel it is a hopeless job. But we must never give up hope. There is a jewel in every child of God. There is a precious jewel in every one of our children that waits to be revealed. We must see it by faith. We must pray it into being. May God give us vision, patience and understanding as we fulfill this great task. It does not happen over night. It is painstaking and time-consuming. There will come a day when God will make all His jewels into a crown. I am thinking of the hymn we used to sing as children... When He cometh, when He cometh To make up His jewels, All His jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own. Like the stars of the morning, His brightness adorning, They shall shine in their beauty, Bright gems for His crown God promises that there will be a day when Israel will sparkle like the jewels of a crown in their land. Although this literally talks about Israel, I believe that God wants His redeemed people to also shine in this world like glittering jewels in a crown. It's time for all the roughness, hardness, mediocrity, worldliness, selfishness and indifference to be cut away and for God's glory to be revealed in the land. Isaiah 62:3, "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." Zechariah 9:16, "They shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land." The New Living Translation says, "They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How wonderful and beautiful they will be!" Philippians 2:15, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom ye shine as lights in the world." Nancy Campbell

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May. 23, 2008

Associating with Homosexuals Regularly - Is it Biblical?

Posted in Devotions

If you believe that associating with homosexuals is just the same as associating with any other type of sinner, I am urging you to consider these verses and warnings about associating with the sexually immoral! The Bible is very clear on this. I have concluded that God would have us to present the truth to an unbeliever and try to persuade them, but if we remain in their presence after the Gospel has been rejected, we are taking the chance of being brought down by them and/or becoming desensitized toward that sin.

I am not saying that we should isolate ourselves from the world. If we are spiritually mature *AND* trained appropriately in how to minister to people with particular sins (this would not children, who are still being trained according to Deuteronomy 6) we should mix with unbelievers in the world to minister to them and help them. But we should not be living or working with the same unbelievers for a long time if they refuse to listen or believe. It is good to mix with unbelievers to love and convert them. If you can convert them, then you can happily yoke together. We should revisit some people even if they don't believe at first, as conversion can take time.

Jesus did the right thing by loving and mixing with sinners and tax collectors for the purpose of converting them. But he did not yoke, work and live with the same people if they did not believe. Jesus and the Apostles moved on if people did not believe, and met other people, trying to convert them. **The fact of the matter is that Jesus did not CONTINUE to spend time with sinners (tax collectors, prostitutes, etc.) if they refused the TRUTH presented to them.**

The following passages refer to the sending forth of Jesus' disciples to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Obviously, Jesus was teaching his disciples that if some people will not listen to the message, their time could be better spent going to someone who will listen. **The Greek/Hebrew direct translation in parenthesis in order to better understand the words literally. **

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (NIV): Do not be yoked together [associate; befriend] with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship (associate) can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Matthew 10:14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Acts 13:51-52 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

..... to shake the dust of any city of Israel from off one's clothes or feet was an emblematical action, signifying a renunciation of all further connection with them, and placing them on a level with the cities of the Heathen. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them (reprehend severely; rebuke; convict).

James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred (hostility) toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy (hostile) of God.

[Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world] How strange it is that people professing Christianity can suppose that with a worldly spirit, worldly companions, and their lives governed by worldly maxims, they can be in the favour of God, or ever get to the kingdom of heaven! When the world gets into the church, the church becomes a painted sepulcher; its spiritual vitality being extinct. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Regarding associations with perpetual sinners who call themselves believers....

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 "I have written you in my letter not to associate (keep company or be intimate) with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat (directly translated that we are to not eat, "not even in a continue negation"). What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel (remove) the wicked man from among you.'

It is vitally important to understand that we are not to judge those who are outside the church (non-professing Christians), but we are to remove those who practice homosexuality from our Church body (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). We cannot "police" the homosexuals (that's not our job), but we can remove them from our presence, as stated in the aforementioned verses.

Psalm 1:1 - Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

Psalm 26:4-7 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.

Proverb 29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

This is crucial........

1 Cor. 15:33 "Do not be deceived (led astray): ‘Bad company (companionship) corrupts good character (habits, customs).'"

There is no difficulty in this saying; he who frequents the company of bad or corrupt men will soon be as they are. He may be sound in the faith, and have the life and power of godliness, and at first frequent their company only for the sake of their pleasing conversation, or their literary accomplishments: and he may think his faith proof against their infidelity; but he will soon find, by means of their glozing speeches, his faith weakened; and when once he gets under the empire of doubt, unbelief will soon prevail; his bad company will corrupt his morals. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

May we strive to please Jesus in all we do!

Lisa Metzger

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May. 23, 2008

Wear the Right Clothes ~ A New Wardrobe!

Posted in Devotions

Ephesians 2:22-24, "Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which was corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness."

When you were born again by the Spirit of God, you received a new wardrobe. It is a very expensive wardrobe, paid for by the precious blood of Christ. You have so many beautiful garments hanging in this wardrobe. You have lovely dresses of love, joy, peace, longsuffering gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). You have delightful garments of tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance and forgiveness. (Colossians 3:12-17).

The strange thing is that although we have this expensive wardrobe, we don't always bother to wear the clothes. We are so used to our old shabby clothes of the flesh. We feel more comfortable in them. They feel familiar, so we stick with them instead of trying out our new wardrobe. To put on a beautiful dress of gentleness or patience can seem foreign because we are not used to wearing them.

But they belong to you! They are yours! Imagine if your husband purchased a very special and pricey dress for you. You couldn't believe how posh it was. But you never wore it. You thought it was too good for you. How would your husband feel when he paid so much for it and wanted to be proud of you wearing it?

I wonder how God feels when He gives us this glorious wardrobe, purchased at an enormous price, and we never wear the garments? He gives them to us but He doesn't put them on us. He tells us to PUT THEM ON. "Put on the new man ..." I love the J. B. Phillip's translation which says, "Fling off the dirty clothes of the old way of living ... And put on the clean fresh clothes of the new life ..."

Make sure you put on a new garment each morning. Have you had a lousy night with the baby waking all night? Are you going through a fiery ordeal? Put on the garment of praise. (Isaiah 61:1-3). Let me tell you a secret. You won't feel like putting it on. You'd much rather put on your dirty old dress of grumbling and complaining. But do it by faith. Don't worry about your feelings. Put on your praise garment. Start praising and thanking the Lord. As you do it by faith, you will actually wear it.

You can change garments as you need them throughout the day. Are the children getting on your nerves? You feel your anger rising. Quick! Change into your garment of long-suffering or patience. Put it on by faith. Thank the Lord for His patience which is in you because He lives in you.

Are you starting to shout and yell because everything is getting on top of you? Put on the garment of gentleness. Thank the Lord for His gentle spirit which lives in you. This is the new man. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He lives in you now.

All these beautiful garments belong to you. They are yours. All you have to do is put them on by faith!

Strip of your old shabby garments. Wear your new ones each day. Live in them. Let Christ live His beautiful life through you.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Thank, you Lord, for all the beautiful garments that you have given to me. I am sick of my old rags. They look so ugly to everyone. Help me to put on your beautiful new garments which reveal your beautiful life in me. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I may have little in my literal wardrobe, but I have access to the most glorious garments in my spiritual wardrobe. Praise God.

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*Metzger Family 2009 Newsletter* *Metzger Family Videos*

Mark and Lisa (with Ellie yet to be born)

I Contribute to:

Our Homeschool Tools

Bible & Missions

• The Picture Bible - A Family Classic! (Bible)
• Christian Heroes: Then & Now (Missions)
• Trailblazer Books (Missions)
• God's Little Princess Devotional Bible (Young Girls' Quiet Time)
• God's Mighty Warrior Devotional Bible (Young Boys' Quiet Time)
• Secret Keeper Devos (Annalise's Devotional)
• Family Worship - Devotions Led by Mark at Night
The Three R's

• ABeka math (K5-5th)
• ABeka English (K5-5th)
• ABeka phonics & reading (K5-6th)
• Systematic Mathematics DVD's (grades 6-12)
• Writing Strands (5th-12th)
• FREE Phonics Worksheets
• FREE Spelling (1st-7th)! BigIQBee
Science

**
Our family loves "Living Science", where science is experienced or read about in "living books". I find that the children retain so much more from this course of study. Visuals through experiments are important, too!

**
• YouTube Unit Studies (all ages)
• Steve Spangler FREE Science Videos! (all ages)
• Magic School Bus Books (all ages)
• Let's Read and Find Out Books (all ages)
• God's Design Science (Elementary)
• Real Science 4 Kids (middle/high school)
**Combining the teaching of science and history saves time in large families, is easier for teacher prep and the kids still learn a LOT!**
Social Studies

• Beautiful Feet Early American History (all ages)
• The Mystery of History I (all ages)
• ABeka My America (K5)
• Top Secret Adventures (Geography)
• Map Skills Grade 3
• Painless American Government (middle/high school)
**Combining the teaching of science and history saves time in large families, is easier for teacher prep and the kids still learn a LOT!**
Foreign Language

• Latin's Not So Tough (Ages 8 & up)
• The Homeschool Hut, Mint Hill, NC
Computer Science

• Free Typing Program (Age 6 - once all keys learned, on to Mavis Beacon)
• Mavis Beacon (After keys are learned on free typing program)
• Computer Activities Throughout the Year (9th grade)
**Children 6 and older should be able to do this COMPLETELY on their own with no help from you, aside from showing them proper hand positioning. Try covering their hands with a towel if they look at their keyboard too often.**
Electives

• Family & Consumer Sciences (high school, but start training in elementary)
• Logic - The Critical Thinking Company (all ages)
• DVD Homeschooling (for use with ALL our schooling)
• All-In-One Curriculum for The Pilgrim's Progress
• Vocabulary from Classical Roots
Preschool

• Everything for Early Learning
• Rod & Staff Preschool
• Leap Frog
• Games, Games, Games!!
**All of our children 7 & older learn to teach by teaching the little ones preschool. See my post HERE for more info.**
Manipulatives

• Geometry in a Box
• Base 10 Blocks
• Linking Cubes
• Geo Boards
• Pattern Blocks
• Geo Mags - THE BEST!
• Games, Games, Games!!
Games