Wonderful Jesus!

Tag: children

• Watch Duty

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on March 12, 2021

  Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—NKJV

  

  When I was in the military, in training, I was assigned several different duties that I was responsible for carrying out. Inevitably, I would be assigned watch duty. This required me standing at a gate on the base, for many hours, making sure that only “authorized” people were coming on the base. As each car pulled up to the gate, we checked for military identification and made sure that a military sticker was on the vehicle. Those without the proper credentials who needed or wanted to access the base were asked to pull over while we checked their credentials, or to turn their cars around. I am grateful that I had no incidents involving someone who wanted illegal access!

  The whole purpose for watch duty was to make sure that those wanting access had a need to be on the base, resulting in providing protection for those on the base. Some people enjoyed this duty, while I considered it a mundane waste of time. And yet there was no denying that it was an important duty. Lives were at stake, and we were the first line of defense for keeping them safe. It was important that we were alert during watch to insure that nothing and no one got past us while we were at our post.

  As I read the verse in Ephesians, the phrase, “being watchful” jumped out at me. Immediately following was a reminder of my time on watch duty. When I served watch duty, I served no matter the weather, the time of day or night, or how I felt. Watch duty was expected and necessary. When I think of watchfulness in the word, and its connection to prayer, I know that it requires an even greater sense of urgency and dedication in the life of the believer.

  Typically when we teach on prayer or even think about prayer, we think of fasting and prayer. But scripture lets us know that watching and praying also go hand in hand. The word “watch” means, “being awake or alert”. Naturally and spiritually, being on watch requires alertness as we guard our lives against our enemies.

  Remember in my previous post that I mentioned Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane? Tonight, I return to that scene where Jesus spoke to His disciples:

  Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41 – NKJV

  Jesus mentions an important reasons for watching and praying: that we enter not into temptation. And this particular statement was made to Peter. My husband and I was just having a “what if” conversation about Peter. What would have happened if Peter would have watched and prayed? Would he have still denied Jesus? I don’t think so! What would have happened to Jesus’ prophecy? There would have been no need to warn Peter because He would have known that Peter would have spent that time on watch duty! How many things would we avoid, would be kept away from us if we took watch duty more seriously?

  Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Mark 13:33 – NKJV

  Hear the words of Jesus: watch and pray about the day of His return. Be alert, aware, on guard! Don’t live life as if He isn’t coming back any time soon, for no one knows the day or the hour. He was so insistent that we remain watchful, that He said it three times in this passage alone. Watch! Don’t fall asleep! Wake up so that you are not caught unawares!

  Peter finally got what Jesus was trying to tell him, so maybe that’s the real reason he had to experience it:

  But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 – NKJV

  Prayer is serious business, and it requires watchfulness. Most people pray after something serious happens, but a watchful person prays before a thing happens. That’s the real message in watchfulness and prayer. Everything won’t be stopped at the door, but there is something to knowing the enemy is on the attack and being prepared for that attack. Watch duty keeps us alert to our surroundings and potential dangers. Each of us must be on alert!

  When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said “pray that you are not led into temptation”. Isn’t that something? When you are watchful, you can avoid temptation and even sin! When you are watchful you can avoid or sidestep the attacks of the enemy! Just like in the military. Surely our bases are prepared for being breached, but it is much easier to keep the enemy out, than it is to have to deal with him once he gets access! That’s the power of watch duty! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have Jesus show us all the things that didn’t happen because we were watchful and we prayed? I think so!

  As we were raising our children, we would never allow anyone to speak negative things over them. If someone did, I would just say something like, “I bind that in Jesus Name!” My husband and I were extremely watchful over our girls! If we saw something in our children that we didn’t think would lead to wise and godly choices, we prayed about it before it could come to fruition. One of our daughters was particularly stubborn as a toddler. I was told she would give me a hard time in her teen years. We didn’t wait for her teen years to pray or to deal with her stubbornness , we jumped right on that mess! We knew it wouldn’t be cute at 13, so it wasn’t cute at three!

  One final word. Watchfulness requires honesty and a willingness to respond to what you see. When God showed me something about my children, I wouldn’t get worried, I would just say something like, “Ok, Lord! Show me how to pray!” And then I would pray! Or vice versa, when my husband would see something. We didn’t fall apart, we didn’t accept it as the way it would be, and we certainly didn’t enlighten our children to the future the devil had for them! No way! We canceled his assignments and his attacks in prayer! But we had to stay honest about what we saw and heard, and then get in line with God to change undesired behavior. Were we perfect parents? Not even! But we were and are watchful and prayerful!

  You have been assigned to watch duty! No one can do it better! There will be times when it may even seem mundane, but it is most important! Your watchfulness can make the difference in your life, your family, and even your church. Get started today and still the hand of the enemy! I know you can do it! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Family, Jesus, Prayer | 4 Comments | Tagged attacks, Believer, children, duty, encouragement, Family, garden of Gethsemane, God, Jesus, military, Peter, Prayer, protection, raising godly children, Spiritual warfare, the enemy, watch and pray, watchfulness

• The Great Mystery!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on February 15, 2021

  Ephesians 5:22-23,25 – Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her…NKJV

  Yesterday was Valentine’s Day! At least here in America. A day dedicated to the sweethearts of our lives. A day many couples can pinpoint as the day they became engaged and/or got married! A day filled with candy, flowers, stickers that say, “Be My Valentine”, and candle light dinners. A day filled with love! I trust your day was a happy day!

  As I was pondering how to tie together, my topic of biblical imagery and Valentine’s Day, Ephesians 5 came to my mind. In this chapter, we find Paul writing about the responsibilities of a wife to her husband, and a husband to his wife.

  Paul first addresses the topic of submission. Most women, in today’s society, including in the church, want nothing to do with submission. Submission has been fed to women, as if they are without a brain or have the ability to have a thought of their own. Wrong! And so, it is looked at with little or no interest from the viewpoint of a woman. For every point that a biblical scholar, pastor, or teacher can bring out, there are plenty of “liberated” women, who have a response for them about why that is not happening! It’s just the way that it is, and it is often removed from the wedding vows today.

  On the Blue Letter Bible website, I found this explanation of submission. The Greek word for submission is “hypotasso” and it is a military word. Here is what I found:

  This word was a Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.

  When looked at in it’s original meaning, we can get a clearer understanding of what submission is. From this explanation, it shows that the troops were arranged in a way that they were under the command of a leader. If you have served in the armed forces, you have a real understanding of what Paul was writing.

  Throughout Old Testament scripture, we see the children of Israel going to battle against their enemies. As they went forth, someone was always the leader. I think of David with his mighty men. They were all mighty men, but David was their commander. They weren’t weaklings, incapable of a coherent thought, or even figuring out how to fight, but they were under David’s command. As a wise leader, he held their respect.

  I believe in the truth that wives are to submit to their own husbands. Some try to act like women are to submit to every man, they need to get over themselves! Clearly, they didn’t really read the verse! But in submitting to my husband, I have never felt like I was in servitude or less than a person, let alone, less than a woman. I don’t bow to him, but I respect him as the leader of our home, and when decisions have to be made, and we don’t agree, I submit voluntarily to that headship!

  Jesus said that this picture of submission, of a wife to her husband, is the picture of the Church submitting to Him. He is Lord over our lives. He doesn’t force us into servitude that is demeaning, or harsh, but He lovingly leads and guides us to all that He has for us. Under His leadership, He expects us to submit our wills to His will. Not to belittle us, or to insinuate that we can’t think, or make decisions, but because the safest place for every believer is in His will!

  Most of us are not in the military, and some have never served. If you were acquainted with the military, you would understand that true submission demonstrates great strength. It also demonstrates great trust. When you train with people, and your lives, or the success of the mission, depends on everyone doing what they are asked without question, you learn there is safety in submission.

  The problem women have with submitting to a man, is that they feel like the man isn’t worthy of that type of “devotion” or obedience. I say to you, stay single until you find a man worthy of that type of respect and submission. It may seem like you are never going to meet him, or like it’s taking forever, but the wrong man can make your life a living horror story.

  Husbands, Paul didn’t forget you, and neither will I. He encouraged you to love your wife as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her. When He could give nothing greater, He demonstrated His love to us by dying for us! Now, a dead husband is no good to a wife, so we aren’t asking you to die for us. But when a man loves a woman, more than he loves himself, and to the point that no sacrifice is too great a sacrifice, he is demonstrating Christ’s love to his wife. My friends call me spoiled, and I say thank you! If they look at our marriage and see my husband spoiling me, then they are seeing Christ and how He spoils His church! And that’s a great thing!

  I look at young men today, and I am grateful to be an “old married woman”. Truly! All too often, I see men who love themselves so much, it’s impossible to see them loving anyone else. But then I imagine if they loved a woman like that, she would be “rotten”! Unfortunately, I know that I am witnessing, selfishness, more than I am witnessing a pre-cursor to Christ-like love for a woman. Women beware! Men, hold off on that proposal until she becomes more important to you, than you are to yourself! You’ll both be glad that you did!

  Children need to see that their father loves their mother, and their mother, respects their father. Something I know that our daughters have seen through the years. When they grow up with this imagery of Christ and the Church, they understand their role before the Savior as believers, and their role in the home as a wife.

  Weddings are beautiful! The pageantry that we put on to celebrate a bride and the groom pales to other celebrations in life! So will the wedding be when our Groom comes back to make His Church, His Bride! Everything that we have witnessed and experienced prior to that moment will pale in comparison! I anticipate that day! But until it comes, we have a responsibility to continue being His example to the world, to our children, and to younger believers in the faith! The mystery is revealed in us, so make it good! Happy belated Valentine’s Day! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Family, Holiday Celebrations, Jesus, Marriage | 0 Comments | Tagged children, Christ and the Church, husband, love, Marriage, respect, singles, submission, the Bride of Christ, Valentine’s Day, wife

• Waters That Never Fail!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on February 10, 2021

  John 7:38-39 – He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. NKJV

  

  In my last blog, I briefly wrote on the importance of the well. I was unable to cover all the important aspects of the well, spiritually and naturally, but I can always write another blog in the future!

  My husband was really excited about the well and brought up the point that in third world countries they are not a thing of the past, but are very important in getting clean water to people, even today. Then we started talking about water, which in turn, reminded me of a point I brought up in the last post about living water. In this blog, I will look at the imagery of water in the Word.

  Water is considered a valuable resource in the world today, just as it was in the ancient world. Any historian can validate this truth by pointing out how the great civilizations of the ancient world always formed near a body of water.

  Even when America was founded with the 13 colonies, they were established on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As more land was needed to handle the increase in population, people had to find ways to bring water inland. Wells, cisterns, canals, and tunnels were a few of the ways that water was harnessed to meet the need.

  Just to connect with Black History month, Benjamin Banneker devised an irrigation system that connected the water of the springs near his farm to bring water to his farm. This irrigation system caused his tobacco farm to flourish even in the times of drought. Banneker, known as an inventor, mathematician, and an activist against slavery, learned, at the age of 15, the importance of water to the life of his farm, his family, and thereby, his livelihood.

  An equally important fact about water was the need for a continual supply of it during wartime. Especially when a city was under siege. Hezekiah, when faced with a siege from Sennacherib, had a tunnel built underground to keep the city of Jerusalem with a continuous water supply. I see a spiritual connection with water already!

  Jesus, at the feast, announced that if anyone believed on Him, as the scriptures said, that out of his belly (heart) would flow rivers of living water. This living water was identified as the Holy Spirit, which had not yet been given. But when He came, He became Living Water to all who received Him.

  Zechariah 14:8 – And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

  Zechariah’s prophecy speaks to a time, when Jerusalem will have living waters flowing in the summer and the winter. The disciples were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended. This Living Water that he saw, was none other, but the Spirit of God! Living waters that are not contingent on the time of year or the season, but on those who believe!

  For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17 – NKJV

  John speaks of Jesus, our Shepherd, leading His people to living fountains of waters. Isn’t that what He said to the woman in Samaria? He promised that He would give living waters to those who asked. And we see here that He leads us to living waters. This kind of reminds me of Psalm 23, where David spoke of the Shepherd, leading us to still waters. Even in a moving body of water, there are places where the waters seem still, safe for sheep.

  Isaiah wrote this about water:

  Isaiah 44:3 – For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  The Holy Spirit takes the dryness of a soul and make it a flourishing land, causing thirst to be satisfied. He not only causes the individual, or a place to flourish, but He also pours His Spirit and His blessings upon our children. I like being blessed, but I absolutely love seeing my children blessed! This Living Water that we receive from Jesus is so vital to our lives as believers. He provides for us, and for our children, and children’s children. Blessings that are natural and spiritual!

  Isaiah 58:11 – And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

  This verse speaks to my heart. The Lord shall guide me continually and satisfy me in a drought. When I feel dry, like God isn’t listening, or responding to me, I just need to drink from the source of Living Water to find strength to continue on my journey. He promises that I will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. When I think of a watered garden, I am reminded of well kept garden with healthy, vibrant plants. That’s what living waters produce in our lives! And a spring of water that never dries up?? The imagery is powerful!

  I’ve ministered when I felt like I was in a dry place. But as I would begin, I would sense His Presence and the words would just flow. Why? I had no choice but to trust that rivers of living water would flow from me. Every time, He would give His people what they needed, in spite of how I felt. Waters not failing!

  There is so much more that I can share about water, but the space and time does not allow me to be as thorough as I would be in an in-depth teaching. However, I believe you get the point!

  Maybe you are feeling dry right now. This pandemic may have taken a toll on your spiritual life as you have had to shelter in place and limit your church attendance. Or maybe you have not been to church this entire year. Well, I have great news for you, you can still be a flourishing garden as you wait to re-enter the sanctuary and enjoy the blessings of koinonia. Sometimes, the devil would like to condemn us to keep us from enjoying Him; but living waters flow in the winter and the summer. Good times and bad times! Hard times and easy times.

  Maybe you feel like you are under attack! That’s ok! You have reservoirs you don’t realize you have. Tap into the vast source of Living Waters and allow Him to keep you satisfied and flourishing during the battle. People who live around water are healthier and able to endure longer than those who are without water. This is encouraging to note, because you will outlast your enemy when you allow the rivers of Living Waters to guide you and refresh you!

  And don’t forget! What He provides for you, He wants to provide through you. Don’t just drink and get full! Look for ways to allow rivers of living water to flow out of your belly into someone’s else dry place! Get refreshed and let’s do this! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in encouragement, Holy Spirit, Jesus | 0 Comments | Tagged Believer, blessings, children, encouragement, God, hard times, Holy Spirit, Jerusalem, Jesus, living waters, pandemic, provision, Sennacherib, Spiritual warfare, water

• I Will Trust in the Lord!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on November 16, 2020

  Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. NKJV

  

  i-will-trust-in-the-lord_.mp3

  Trust comes easy for most children. As they are fed, clothed, and held by their parents and family members they learn to trust them. When I was thinking about the concept of trust, I immediately thought of a parent telling their child to jump into their arms, or a father raising a kid in the air and laughter ringing in the room. Simple, child-like trust is a beautiful thing to watch in action. As children become teenagers, young adults, and later adults, not all of them still trust their parents in the same way they did as kids. Some don’t trust at all!

  When we first come to the Lord, we may start off with childlike trust in the Savior. He has saved us, forgiven us, and given us a new lease on life, but one day we wake up and we don’t feel quite the same way. What happened? We allowed the circumstances of our lives to eat away at that trust!

  In both the natural and the spiritual realm, things happen to challenge our trust. One day kids wake up, and their parents aren’t as perfect as they first believed. I well remember a situation with our oldest daughter when she was about five. She was taking piano and voice lessons with our minister of music, who is a close personal friend. She was learning a song, and my friend told her to ask me to play it for her so that she would be more comfortable with it at her next lesson. When my daughter told me this, I got out my tape player to let her hear the song. She said, “No mommy! She wants you to play it on the piano!” I said to her, “No! She wants me to play it on the tape player!” She was insistent that I was to play it on the piano. When she discovered I couldn’t “play” the piano, she was so disappointed. She said, “You can’t do anything!” If you think she was devastated, I want you to know I wasn’t too thrilled either! Of course, she has forgiven me for not knowing how to play the piano, and will not have to worry about her daughter saying the same thing to her!

  Although my example is mild, and meant to be humorous, we know that many children, teens and young adults experience a variety of times when parents don’t live up to their expectations. Some children have overinflated expectations of their parents, which causes disappointments, as my daughter had; and some just expect their parents to be good, honest, loving parents. Unfortunately, that’s a tall order for some parents!

  When we come to God, we expect to see the mighty miracles, hear the thunder roll, see our every trouble removed because we are now Christians. We don’t want heartache, failure, or disappointment now that we are saved, and yet, we sometimes see more of that, then we see of the other. Trust is waning because expectations are not being met!

  In Proverbs, Solomon didn’t write, “When things are going according to your expectations, trust in the Lord!” No! He simply wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart!” The Hebrew word for trust is bâṭach, pronounced “baw-takh'” and it is a primitive root word which means: to hie for refuge. I was going to overlook this definition and go straight to the part that means, “to trust, be confident or sure:—be bold”. But let’s not! In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition for hie is, “to go quickly; hasten”. When we put this all together, Solomon is saying that when we trust in the Lord, we go quickly, we hasten to Him for refuge! Isn’t that interesting? I think so!

  Isn’t this the picture of a child who dearly loves his or her parent? When something comes up in a child’s life, they quickly run to their parent knowing that it’s going to be better when mom or dad gets involved! This is how we are to be with the Father! Instead of falling apart and becoming discouraged, we are to hasten to Him for refuge knowing that it’s going to be better because of Him!

  Now let’s look at the rest of the meaning of trust! Trust implies a confident assurance in God that allows us to be bold before trials, tribulations, and persecutions; knowing that God has us in the midst of it all! It’s easy to see why Solomon instructed us to trust “with all of our heart,” because in this way, we leave no place for doubt, confusion, or fear to set in! Have I always trusted like this? That would be a negative! But I will to trust in Him more and more! Meaning I set my will to trust God as I grow in my ability to receive His love for me!

  Isaiah wrote in chapter 12 of his book that it was his will to trust God!

  Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. (Verse 2)

  Isaiah purposed that he would trust in God, and he would not be afraid because God was his strength and his song! That’s what our trust in the Lord needs to look like! We should train ourselves to say, I will trust, I will not be afraid!

  Anyone who has heard of Job understand that he went through a difficult time in life. Some say it lasted less than a year, but it was still a painful time. Here’s what Job said during his trial,

  Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him…Job 13:15

  Again, it was Job’s will to trust God! He wasn’t happy with his situation. He didn’t feel like he was getting a fair shake for one who had lived righteous before the Lord. But putting all of that aside, he said that it didn’t matter if he died, he would die trusting the Lord!

  David had this to say about trust:

  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us! Psalm 62:8

  There is that reference to “refuge” in relationship to trust! When we trust Him, in spite of what is going on around us, He is a refuge for us against those things that try to destroy our trust in Him!

  Scripture tells us in Psalm 125:1,

  They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abide forever.

  When we trust the Lord, we will not only be bold, as the definition tells us, but we will not be moved by what we see! We will only be moved by what we believe, or what we are trusting God to do!

  Anyone can trust during the good times. It’s how most children learn to trust their parents, because things are good! It’s during the difficult times, the hard times, the challenging times that we must say, “I will trust in the Lord”!! Solomon knew the life his dad lived trusting God! He also knew the blessings, the well-being that came with trusting the Lord. But most assuredly he knew what it was like to “not” trust in the Lord with his whole heart!

  We are living in some challenging times in this world. We have political unrest all over the world, a world-wide pandemic, world-wide economic woes, and world-wide attacks on the church! If there has ever been a time when we need to “will” to trust the Lord, this is that time. Stop fretting over what you have no control over today, and hasten to the Lord for refuge! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Jesus, Proverbs 3:5-6, Refuge, trust in God | 4 Comments | Tagged body of Christ, children, David, economic crisis, encouragemnt, hard times, I will trust, Job, pandemic, Solomon, trust in God

• His Name is Everlasting Father!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on September 29, 2020

  Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” NKJV

  

  Jesus loves the little children
  All the children of the world
  Red, brown, yellow
  Black and white
  They are precious in His sight
  Jesus loves the little children
  Of the world!

  his-name-is-everlasting-father_-1.mp3

  I learned this song in Sunday School, or Vacation Bible School, as a child! If you were brought up in a Christian environment, or, are raising your children in one, you probably have learned it, also! As children we are taught of the God who loves us, and as adults, we tend to forget how very much we are loved by Him. A father’s love has the power to bring security and peace of mind, while the lack thereof can bring dysfunction, insecurities and a host of other negative things. There is one Father, who will always be available to His children, Jesus! His name is Everlasting Father!

  Jesus told us that when we pray, we are to refer to God as our Father. On many occasions He called God, His Father! Now, we will look for the qualities of a Father in our Savior, understanding that He is the Everlasting Father! Pretty much, this verse in Isaiah 9:6 is saying that the Child born to us, would be God! Every aspect of God that we love and saw demonstrated in the Old Testament, has been made available to us through Jesus!

  In Ephesians 1, Paul wrote that we were predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus to Himself. As we believe on Jesus, because He is God, He is also our Father! In Hebrews 2, the writer stated that the captain of our salvation (Jesus) is bringing many sons to glory! Who has sons? A Father!

  My husband is an amazing dad! As I’ve watched him with our daughters, in their formative years, and even now, I can say that I envy them and their relationship. My father died early in my life, and even before he died, he had too many kids, and too many responsibilities to be much more than a provider. But my husband is such a great dad, that I have even heard my girls reference their relationship with God, to their relationship with their dad. It’s the picture God intended for them to have.

  One important quality in a dad, to me, is being present. My husband was a pilot in the Navy. When he left the Navy he could’ve been a commercial pilot, as many of his friends had become. However, he chose to forego that career because he wanted to be with his family. He didn’t want to miss out on anything in their life. Jesus said to us that He would never leave us, nor would He forsake us. He promised to be with us til the ends of the world. That’s staying power! That’s being present! Not just as we are growing, but until the world ends! No other father can make that statement, but Jesus does!

  My girls like to talk with their dad. They talk about politics, their jobs, and anything else that they want to, with him. He’s always listened to them. They know from years of experience that he is there for them. Jesus bids us to come and talk to Him. He said that if we are burdened, or carrying a load, to bring it to Him because He will give us rest! Day or night, we can go to Jesus! He is never too busy, or too tired; and any conversation we are willing to have with Him, He will have with us. He’s our Everlasting Father!

  Another quality of a good father, is that he is wise. My husband invests, and because of that, he has counseled our daughters to be investors. Their first job saw them investing, and when they have questions about investments, they talk to their dad. When they have major decisions to make, or even minor ones, they want to know what he thinks. Jesus is filled with wisdom. He tells us how to conduct our lives. He talks to us about our relationships with others. He gives us insight into what bad choices will do for our lives. He talks to us about our future, reminding us that our past doesn’t have to define us. He gets to the heart of the matter in a conversation, and tells us what we need to hear, and not what we want to hear. Just like a father! Why? Because His name is Everlasting Father!

  He is a great provider, that husband of mine. He wanted our girls to go to college without loans, or worry of how it would be financed. Each of them left undergrad debt free. We made the sacrifices for them so that they would have a healthier financial start in life. They had their own car in college so that they could come home whenever they wanted to. They even had their own room, when they asked for it, so that they would not have to worry about anything but school. They all had a part time job, and they respected and appreciated the sacrifices, but as their dad, he really wanted to do this for them.

  Jesus is the same way. Even better. He is a great provider. He said that we are not to worry about what we would eat, or drink, or even wear; because our Father knows that we have need of all of these things. He just encouraged us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and He promised that these things shall be added to us. In other words, material things were a simple addition to life, when our focus was on being with Him and working in His kingdom. Every great father, welcomes His children into the family business!

  Fathers can be great role models. Our children are a reflection of both of us. However, they are daddy’s girls to the max. I would even say that a lot of the love and attention that I get from him, they expect. Their daddy, to them is the measuring rod of any man looking for their attention. Jesus is an amazing example of all that is good and wholesome, and holy, and loving. We know what a Christian looks like, because we see what Jesus’ life was like. We live daily to let our lives be a reflection of Him. His example is so powerful in nature, that even people who don’t know Him try to imitate Him!

  Originally, when I started this blog, I was thinking on a different plane. But recently, I had a conversation with someone who remarked on how spoiled I am; and she asked me if my husband had spoiled our daughters like he has spoiled me? As I thought of their relationship, I knew the way this blog should be written!

  Did I forget to mention love! Any great dad has an uncanny ability to make each of his children feel loved and special. My husband certainly fills that role in our daughters lives. Did I mention that I am jealous? Only slightly, because the rest of me is thrilled beyond measure to see him love on our daughters. Oh how He loves you and me, this Everlasting Father of ours! His love sent Him to the cross! His love for us got Him up! His loves for us, sent us a Comforter! His love for us know no bounds! It is an unending love, that says nothing can change His love for us! What a wonderful Father He is!

  Let me just say this for those who need to hear it. My husband isn’t perfect, our girls aren’t perfect, our life isn’t perfect! But we have trusted Jesus, the Everlasting Father, to lead and guide our family. He is the Head of our household and we acknowledge that with no problem. Everything I have mentioned, Jesus is that and more! His Fatherhood is forever, and we can always count on it; for us, for our children, for our children’s children. I rejoice today in my loving, Everlasting Father, Jesus the Christ! What about you? Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in fathers, His Name, Jesus | 2 Comments | Tagged children, Dating, Everlasting Father, Heavenly Father, Jesus, love, Parenting, provision, relationships, Salvation, wisdom

• Happy Are the People!

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on July 2, 2020

  Psalm 144:15 – “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” NKJV

  

  happy-are-the-people_.mp3

  Happy people are blessed people, and blessed people are happy people! I woke up with this passage of scripture on my heart and just thought I would share it!

  We are happy when our children are doing well! David wrote the following about children:

  • That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth! In today’s vernacular this means, that our sons are doing well. They are physically healthy, they are growing into fine young men. They are morally upright and are demonstrating a sense of responsibility.
  • That our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style. No figure heads for our daughters. But still applicable in the sense that we want daughters of grace and inner beauty. Young women who are confident, vibrant, and of course, morally upright and responsible.

  We are happy when we have money in the bank, the bills are paid, and we can enjoy life and giving:

  • That our barns may be full, supplying all kinds of produce.
  • That our sheep may bring forth thousands in our fields. Increase in our labors. Much fruit in our jobs!
  • That our oxen may be well laden;
  • That there be no breaking in our going out- I left all of these together because they speak of prosperity. Yes, prosperity. Our finances, our business, our homes, our possessions, growing, flourishing, and overflowing to the point of being a blessing to others. That they are protected from the thief and from waste.

  We are happy when we feel safe and secure where we live:

  • That there be no outcry in our streets. We are living in such a way, that there are no protests in the streets over injustice, lack, or unfair treatment. We can go back and forth in the city without fear of being hurt, harmed, or in danger!

  How can this be? David was praying that this would be the state of the people whose God is the Lord! When we are in the kingdom of God, we should expect that every area of our lives will be touched by His goodness, filled with His blessings! Our family, our livelihood, our cities! Nothing missing, nothing lacking! That’s actually what blessings are all about! And when we are blessed by God like this, aren’t we happy?

  Somebody is saying, just one area Lord, and I’ll be happy! That may be true, but trust Him to move in all areas; expand your heart to receive more from God! He’s not having an economic crisis, and He’s not rationing out blessings!

  I just thought I’d share what I woke up to! I pray blessings over your family, your home, your livelihood, your city, your country! As David did! So the next time someone say to you, “Be blessed,” think of all these ways in which David, and I prayed for you to be blessed! Because happy is the people whose God is the Lord! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in blessings, God’s Blessings | 1 Comment | Tagged Attitude, blessings, children, David, goodness, material blessings, provision, psalm

• Boaz’s Mom!

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on May 10, 2020

  Matthew 1:5- “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse” NKJV

  

  Rahab is an interesting woman to me. She is often referred to, in scripture, and therefore by us, as Rahab the harlot. Today, I would like to take a look at Rahab, the ex-harlot, the mother of Boaz.

  In the second chapter of the book of Joshua, two spies are sent out to “look over” the land. In doing so, they end up at Rahab’s establishment. In my Logos commentary it is mentioned that Rahab’s place could have been more like a hostel or tavern, than a brothel, where visitors could have respite from their travels. I can’t prove that, but I am going to go with that! We know they did not stop for sinful reasons, but to check out what was going on in Jericho.

  Of course Rahab would be interested in these strangers in her place. They could have had a conversation, God could have given her a dream, or she could have just saw an opportunity and grabbed it. We don’t know for sure! But we do know that she hid the men in her home, lied to the king’s men about their whereabouts, and made plans with them to spare her life and the lives of her family members, as she had spared theirs.

  Rahab and her family were rescued and became a part of the Israelites, not as slaves, but as honored members of the Israelites, at least Rahab did. We know this because she later married Salmon, a leader of the Israelites and gave birth to Boaz. This is her summary that we all know, but now I want to talk about her as a mother.

  Salmon saw qualities in Rahab that surpassed his knowledge of her past. Although she may have been a harlot, by the time she was rescued, this was not the life she would continue with. Let’s look at some of her qualities:

  1. She was a woman of faith-Every action of hers involving the spies shows that she had already transferred her allegiance from what she was taught to what she believed! She heard about what the Lord had done for the Israelites and in essence laid her trust in Him when she assisted them. Great moms truly believe that they are to diligently teach their children about the Lord, and I believe that both Rahab and Salmon had many opportunities to share with Boaz the wonderful experiences they had in God.

  2. She was influential-She had a place of business, the king’s men trusted her word, and she was able to convince the spies that she could be trusted. She also convinced her family that leaving Jericho and placing their trust in the Lord and His people was a good thing. She continued exercising her influence over her son. This was evident by the fact that he later married Ruth, a Moabite woman, not a Jewish woman, whose commitment to God and family caught his eye.

  3. She was a caring woman-She could’ve just made plans for herself, but she didn’t. She saved her father’s household. This was instilled in her son, because it was Ruth’s care for Naomi that got Boaz’s attention.

  4. She was courageous-Lying to the spies and being caught was a possibility, and yet, she did what she had to do to save herself and her family. Again, it is obvious that Boaz had a great deal of respect for his mother’s courage because Ruth’s courage captured his attention.

  She was also a hard working woman, a no-nonsense kind of woman, and she appealed to Salmon. When he saw her, he didn’t see a harlot, but a woman of faith, of courage, of genuine concern for others, adaptable, and one who had the favor of God on her life. He saw the mother of his children. And today, I salute this mother, Boaz’s mother, as someone we can model our lives after.

  Just like Rahab, mothers today have a huge influence on their children. Our children will gravitate to our faith if it is a deep, abiding faith in the Lord. They will embrace our God and look for a mate who also embraces Him. When they see our love, our care for others, they too will become adults who care for others, demonstrating it to their family, friends, and even strangers. When they see our courage in the midst of the storms of life, they too learn to take courage and to not fear because it was modeled before them.

  We do much, as mothers, for our families, for our children. Some times we may feel it’s no big deal, and other times we may feel overwhelmed and not appreciated; but what we do is so important! It really is! Rahab didn’t start out with the best background for being a mother, but with the help of God she turned out to not only being a great mom, but being in the lineage of King David and King Jesus! She didn’t allow her past to dictate her future or her kids future. She trusted God and did the best she could and she was loved and honored for it.

  I hope this encourage you today. I hope you see how valuable you are to your children, to your family. And more importantly, in light of today, I hope they see it! Have a wonderful day with Jesus and your family and continue to be the best mom you can be for His glory! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Mother’s Day | 4 Comments | Tagged Boaz, children, Family, Mother’s Day, Rahab, Ruth, Salmon

• Raising Godly Children Is Possible!

  Posted at 9:33 pm by wonderfuljesus8, on May 11, 2019

  Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

  When I woke up this morning, it was with great joy in my heart! Our youngest daughter graduates from college today! And not only that, but tomorrow is Mother’s Day and all of our girls are home to celebrate it with me. My cup overflows!!

  As I laid in bed thinking about the goodness of God, I knew that I was supposed to blog this morning on raising godly children. I’ve actually thought about writing a book about it, but for the moment, I’ll just share a snapshot of praise!

  There is great truth in raising children in the way that they should go! Early in our courtship we made some very real commitments to our children and they hadn’t even been conceived yet. We agreed with each other before God that we would both be involved in their spiritual journey in life and their academic life. We agreed that they would never see us fight or hear us belittle one another. We agreed to spend time with them and to enjoy each stage of life. And we agreed to discipline them in love.

  Of course, I can’t write about all of that today, but I want to share about the two most important aspects of raising our children. The first challenge was to raise godly children in an ungodly society. I can truly say, we were successful because we didn’t trust our knowledge or experiences, but we relied heavily on the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

  We have always attended church as a family. We attended Sunday worship services and Wednesday night bible studies all of their lives. We introduced Jesus to them at an early age and then walked our faith out before them. They each accepted His Lordship as their own and throughout their college days were faithful in their walk with Him. Amazingly, we didn’t have to call and encourage them to go to church, but I believe it was because they had been taught the value of worship. When problems came in our lives, they saw us pray about it and trust God; and so when they had issues growing up, we encouraged them to pray and trust God. I used to tell them when they misbehaved that the devil was using them, but they would get the spanking. It curbed a lot of nonsense!

  The other area we were consistent in was academics. Raising godly children in an ungodly education system is a challenge for every godly parent. But we did it! We agreed to support our children academically. My husband was strong in math and science and would help with those areas and I was strong in literacy and help with that. Throughout their time in school we kept with that commitment. If my kids would ask me to help them with math, even if I understood it, I would refer them to their dad. And he always helped them! When they graduated from high school they were strong in both areas. Of course they had leanings toward one or the other, but they were prepared for college.

  When they had homework growing up, they were never allowed to stay home from church to complete it. Never! And they were never allowed to bring it to church! They had to learn to prioritize life just as we did. And more importantly, they had to learn that service time was God’s time and it would not be compromised. They weren’t always happy with that, but they learned to do homework early on Wednesday, and don’t leave anything until Sunday because they would have a price to pay. Not me! A perfect place to add, we didn’t do their work, we only assisted. And they had more projects than you can imagine! But they made it!! Glory!!!

  What am I saying? We were purposeful in raising our children. We knew that we wanted them to have a strong relationship with God and to be well-educated individuals. We didn’t believe that we had to sacrifice one to get the other. So that is how we raised them.

  Looking back on them and our lives, we are pleased with who they are in Christ and professionally. We weren’t perfect parents. Just ask them! But we obeyed the Word in training them in the way they should go. We taught them to love God and have a love for His Word. We taught them the value of church attendance and service to the Lord. And we taught them the importance of education and choosing wisely a career. The stories I could tell!!

  I will share, just this one. Our middle daughter plays the piano and sings. As a matter of fact they all can sing, and the oldest two really learned to play. But when it came time to go to college, she decided that she should delay college and pursue a musical career. Well, we were not in agreement with that, although we supported them in a lot of things. Since she was graduating a year early from high school we told her she could stay in high school and continue to sing and play at church or she was going to college; but there would be no time off. She went to college!

  I have so much I can say about raising children. I’m a parent and an educator. I have a lot of opinions!! Lol! But the best advice I can give to those who are still parenting, is to trust your children to God and teach your children to trust Him as well. Then as you train them up in the way they should go, they will not depart!

  Wishing all graduates of 2019 much success in their future endeavors! And a very happy Mother’s Day to those who get up every day meeting the challenges of motherhood with grace and love! God bless you! Wonderful Jesus!!

  Posted in children, Family, Mother’s Day, Victorious Living | 4 Comments | Tagged children, Family, Mother’s Day

• IT’S INSTINCTIVE!

  Posted at 3:55 am by wonderfuljesus8, on August 24, 2018

  Matthew 13:3 – “Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying:…”

  One evening as I was praying for my great niece, age 3, who was being rushed to the hospital, I heard in my spirit, “Teach the young mothers how to fight for their children.” I knew that God was giving me an assignment but I didn’t know when I would get to fulfill it or how.

  When we had the all night prayer, mentioned in my previous post, that was the assignment that I was given, by my assistant pastor, who also leads our women’s ministry. So needless to say, I was excited to share what I believed was a word from God. 

  On the morning of the all night prayer, as I was meditating about the message,  I heard the Holy Spirit remind me that Jesus spoke in parables. I agreed! Then He told me to consider the mama bear and how she protects her cubs. 

  I YouTubed a mama bear protecting her young. In the video the mama bear and her cubs were at the river drinking water and foraging for food. On the video another bear ( a hungry male bear fresh out of hibernation) came on the scene, noticed one of the cubs alone, and headed for it. Out of nowhere the mama bear rushed the other bear. After a few minutes of the mama bear’s attack, the male bear left and the mama bear and cubs continued what they were doing. A few minutes later, the thin male bear returned, but this time his focus was the mama bear. Instead of waiting for the attack, the mama bear raced across the water and attacked again, but was more aggressive in the attack. The other bear finally gave up, left, and according to the commentator, it didn’t return.

  When I finished watching that video, I knew what the Lord was telling me to share. 

  It’s a mother’s instinct to protect her young. Whether that mother is an animal or a human, by the nature of motherhood, mother’s protect first!!

  God talked to me about how this works instinctively in everything but the spiritual realm. As mothers, we should instinctively know that when the enemy (the devil) attacks our children it’s time to fight. Whether they are attacked spiritually, physically, or emotionally, our position is to instinctively be in a position of attack on the enemy.

  I shared an example about how the devil attack our youngest child with breathing issues around the age of six. We were coming home from church when she said she couldn’t breathe. I told her, yes you can! She replied she couldn’t and her breathing seemed labored. When we got to the house, I laid her on the couch in our living room and my husband and I prayed. She continued to labor with her breathing. We continued to pray.

  Finally he left, and I continued to pray. I told the devil he wasn’t  going to give my child asthma. I was not going to the hospital. And she was not dying so take his hands off.  And so forth and so on!  I prayed until her breathing evened out and she fell asleep. Glory to God!!!!

  I’ve had several times as a mother to fight for our daughters. When the devil attacks our daughters, my attitude is, “This means war!”

  When he tried to bring that labored breathing back on her, I get at him again. No, devil! I don’t think so! I told you to take your hands off of my baby!!… and anything else that came to mind!

  One day she had an issue that needed medical attention and the doctors noted that she had had tests to check for asthma, but for some reason it was never diagnosed. I guess not!! God is a good God!!

  I know that I was given that assignment because I fight first and ask questions later. We have seen God heal our children or intervene on their behalf more times than we can count. Why? Because we will fight for them. 

  As I said to the women that night: This is not a braggadocios statement, this is how we live life in our home. We don’t take what the devil sends our way because he decided that was what he was going do. We take God at His word and we fight for what God has promised us. 

  Do we win every battle? Not yet!! But we win many more than we lose because when God is for you, who can be against you? I cannot go into everything that I shared that night, but I will say this: I challenged the women of God to let the fight for their children become instinctive as they confront the enemy  and tell him to take his hands off of their children. And I encourage you to do the same! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in children, Faith, Sickness, Spiritual warfare, testimony, Victorious Living | 0 Comments | Tagged children, Parenting, Spiritual warfare

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