From Whence Cometh My Help

  Tonight mentally I looked around at this world and then down at my children and thought 'What am I going to do??? How am I going to raise my children for the Lord in this world???' Sometimes I look at an article on the front of msn or my yahoo homepage and feel my heart drop. I get my citizenlink emails and facebook posts from pro-life pages I join and I am sad. The battles my children will have to face are greater than I would ever want for them. How am I going to do this????

So tonight I have had 2 recognitions.... 

1. There is only one way to teach your child.
     Pastor was reading from Deuteronomy this morning and he read the verse "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch." So I pulled Avery over to my side and said "See this verse Avery, that's why we don't play witches." (to which she responded "but we can play dinosaurs")
Then I realize something. Duh. That is how we teach our children. Yes then all the verses of teaching them diligently unto thy children came flooding back, and my guilt set in. I must teach my children to follow God's Word and to love the Lord with all their heart first. It's not how am I going to do this, but, walk with God and let my children see how to live. How He has planned for us to live. Hold God's Word up to see where His footsteps have fallen and let them follow mine as I follow God's. It's not tricky, it's God's way.

Now for my other realization...

2.  There is something wrong with my focus.
      In order to set a good example to my kids I have to set a good example of faith. Not with a 'The world is going down fast so hold on tight' attitude. Somewhere along the lines I am missing the point... and that is the real problem.
       My husband just finished a wonderful Sunday School series on the book of Acts. What a great example we have in the apostle Paul. We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses! It is a dark day that we live in, there is no doubt about that. All the things I mentioned at the top of this post are true. I see these articles, posts, watch the news for a total of 10 minutes- It breaks my heart, shakes me up, and quite frankly scares me. The battles are so different in Biblical days that sometimes it is hard to make a comparison. Today we have freedom of speech, freedom of press, and so many many more. Yet we feel so bogged down and so pressed always, as though we are stifled. What is that? What makes us feel so beaten, though on paper we are winning. It's the same spiritual battle. I believe it is a battle against apathy. (One of the devil's favorite tools)
       The New Testament Christians strove to convert people from their way of thinking. Their religion or traditions were put to the test and came up short. What we fight against today is so different.
If you ask someone if they believe there is a God. Some say no some say yes. But, most truly believe it has no bearing on their life one way or another. Apathy is everywhere. It's a battle we fight within ourselves as well. The battle is so different but the enemy is the same and so is the answer. -People need the Lord

When it gets down to it. These movements that are bringing on progress we don't want to see or these positions that need to be altered., they are run and taught by individuals. Those people are simply people who don't know truth just like the people who persecuted Paul and the other apostles. The battle was for their souls and it still is today. The real battle is for their souls. Sometimes we push and pull and win some and lose some but people are getting lost in the middle. We can not expect a lost world to do right. We have to pray for them-hard. We have to get out there and show them the better way. It is a hard-hearted world we live in. People just want to live and let live but we can't let ourselves be defeated Spiritually. They have a need they do not see. We have to keep pressing forward in individual's lives each day. I pray God will help me to remember this. Above all I pray God would keep me looking at Him. As long as I am doing His work He is at the helm and I will be at peace.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

All People are worth the Fight
The Homosexual Need

This article is written by a former lesbian. She is now a pastor's wife. She is a writer and she counsels college students on how to witness to the homosexual crowd at public universities. One of my favorite ministries at Crown College was the University Ministry. I had a real burden for those college students and I believe this is a great tool when confronting lost souls with the gospel and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

A quote from this article:
"It was a shock to realize that my zeal for feminism exemplified the deceptiveness of sin and that I was really persecuting Jesus the whole time.When Jesus claimed me for Himself, I learned that repentance unto life meant turning around—my sexuality, my career, my scholarship, my hopes, and my dreams. In conversion, I lost everything but the dog. My feelings had nothing to do with it. God’s truth superseded all, including my feelings."
 
Very helpful advice:
When debates about gay marriage arise, do know that God created marriage as an ordinance to reflect Christ and the church, not merely as a moral arrangement to curtail promiscuity. Ask your pastor/priest to help you think about the ideas that circle around you in biblical ways.

* One thing that threw me off. She seems to suggest that Christ was tempted by homosexual feelings, quoting "But was in all points tempted like as we are" Christ was tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life in the wilderness. Under these hang every temptation. I don't believe this verse is saying that Christ was tempted specifically by every sin we encounter in this world. However she may not mean to suggest that. I just wanted to throw that out there. As always eat this fish and spit out the bones.

I hope you will take time to read this. It is most helpful. :)

http://www.intercollegiatereview.com/index.php/2013/05/13/engaging-gay-activists-on-campus-101-2/

Struggles and Victories- God is worth the fight.

    I was looking through my facebook news feeds and letting my mind try to engage in each post. Everyone was standing with a different view of what this world gives. Some welcoming new babies, some fearful of losing loved ones, some excited for upcoming events, and some not having the strength to look past the sorrow of today. 

    I was reading Psalm 39 just a few moments ago. "I was dumb with silence, I help my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand breadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah."
David experienced every season of life that a man can. He was confronted with the giant and challenged to stand for the Lord- he gained the victory. He was betrayed and was forced to hide from the enemy- He wavered. He was driven to action by lust- He failed. He was punished- He bore it.

    I have heard often that we are all surrounded by valleys. We are on top, headed down; or we are in the bottom headed up. Whatever our position we must remember how frail we are. "Congratulations on a beautiful baby"- God give her a heart for you and keep her safe. "I am feeling like junk!" (This may make us laugh but to some people this statement has a lot more punch than we know.) - God remind me victory is right around the corner. "My loved one may pass soon"- God give me strength to bare this, faith to know you are at work, and courage to press on and not become bitter. 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." Eph 3

    I have to remember that all I have in this world will pass away. Things are only mine for a season. The closer I draw to God, the easier this will be to accept. It will even become a comforting thought. This isn't my principle, it is God's. I Tim 6:6 "Godliness with contentment is great gain." You do not have to bear this burden alone. God cares more than we could ever imagine. It is so hard to believe sometimes, but God loves that person so much more than your human heart ever could. The one passing away, the one who won't come to Christ, and the one who is running from his Heavenly father. God is after that soul even more than you. Pray. Pray, Pray, Pray- but be encouraged that there is another praying with you. The great Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.

    We are not always in this season. Remember the verse did say "A time to laugh...A time to dance... A time to love" Just remember who gave you everything you have. Even in good times Satan wants to attack. If we lost our home and our father brought us keys to a brand new mansion. We wouldn't say "Sweet!" jerk the keys out of his hand and jump inside. We would stand in awe, throw our arms around him, maybe cry, and finally find the strength to say "Thank you so much!" He made shed a tear himself, wrap his arms around you and say "You're welcome" That's what God wants to do.

    The children's song says I'm inright, outright, upright, downright happy all the time. I don't know if those words were just thrown in there to emphasize how much happiness they have, but there is a good doctrine in it. Sometimes we're up. Sometimes we are down. But, no matter our position we can be happy all the time.

Our Unborn Children are Worth the Fight!

I hope this speech reminds you of the importance of standing for those
who will never have a chance to stand for themselves!!!
 

What an amazing "Truth"

The Secular Worldview

What is secularism? According to Professor Courtenay Raia- Professor of Philosophy at UCLA Secularism is the dividing of The supernatural from the natural. Making a clear distinction between what can be proven and what is only believed. In their minds this means dividing religious thinking from natural thinking. But this is a religion in itself. It is called Naturalism. Naturalism is a belief that says their is no supernatural sphere and if there is it has absolutely no bearing on our world. 

1. This is the system of beliefs that has infiltrated our schools and government under the name of Science.

I watched a debate with Kirk Cameron and Ron Comfort. They were trying to prove that you can say there is a God without depending on any aspect of faith. While I think it was brave to do this, I don't think it was very wise. Every point of view has some aspect of faith. Even the atheist have to have faith to believe there is no higher power at all. There are thousands of religions in this world. They are willing to go against 80% of the world's population and say you are all deceived- My friend that takes a lot of faith!

2. This secular view stands on a system of thought called Empirical Epistemology. (This is important because from thought and understanding come morals) This term means 'to rely on knowledge'. The problem on basing truth on only what can be proven is that we are excluding observation. You can look around at each human being in this world and see that they are searching for some reason for their existence. Raia explained Religion as something to depend on when we can't explain what happened. "Oh, it must have been God" (She shrugged in sarcasm). Do you think that all the people in this world are searching only for an excuse for the unknown. I don't think they would waist their time and energy. No. They are trying to fill a void that is present in their thinking and conscience. These observation of human behavior cannot be overlooked simply because we cannot see physical proof.

3. This belief has been embedded in almost all of our government run programs under the claim of "Separation of Church and State". Don't be fooled by this. This is a religion just as much as Deism or Polytheism. They believe it is all up to us- the making of rules and standards. When you have man setting the rule then you slowly begin down a slippery slope. II Tim 2:16 "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."
4. Many of their beliefs are hard to counter because they are literally based on nothing. This is important to remember when you are trying to take a stand. It is hard to fight someone who's thinking is so far stretched it is not even really making sense anymore but that is the point you come to when you rely on your own thinking. (Keep this in mind to avoid a lot of discouragement)
5. When I would watch debates I would get frustrated because the Christians kept going back to Evolution and never seemed to move on to other topics- it seemed like they were afraid of it. But after watching this secular Professor I understood a lot more about how evolution is truly the crux of this thinking. Evolution has been molded to make sense to many people, so they accept it. When you believe that we are all just here by chance, we are no different than the animals, and we have no real purpose- then you have every right to do whatever you see fit. There is no basis for correction and no rules can apply. Example: It looks like the stages of 'evolution' when a child is inside the womb so there is really no telling when it is really alive. So who's to say you can't just get rid of it if you feel like it. The fact that we have lost the reserve of sexual activity for marriage has led to too many grotesque sins to count, and it will only get worse.
In Conclusion: The devil is too wise to say- "Everybody rebel against God!" No. He tempted Eve the same way he tempts our thinking today. "Ye shall be as gods!" Our thinking is just this! We are our own masters so there is no right and wrong. Kirk Cameron did an interview about homosexuality recently. (Like I have to tell you which one! lol) The host said "If my son wanted to be a homosexual I would tell my Son great for you." and Kirk Cameron made an interesting observation. He said "But see even right there you are using a scale of morals to tell me that it is ok." He was fighting a battle from a set of morals he had developed and his argument after that was "Most of Americans consider this ok" That is exactly what I am talking about. This is a perfect illustration of how the secular mind works today.
* Why should we not trust in our own thinking to guide us in our own way of life? The Bible says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways sayeth the Lord for as the Heaven's are higher than the Earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." There will come a day when all man will recognize the presence of an Almighty Being... A God of love and mercy. A God who sent His Son to give us the opportunity to stand in His presence and be accepted by Him. The only difference is that when man can finally see the proof that there is an Almighty God it will be too late.
The Bible says faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. The faith that shines in all mankind is there for a reason. It is proof that there is something more. That there is something to believe in and that is why so many 'believe'.
* In the days of Columbus it was clearly understood that the Earth was flat. It couldn't be proven otherwise so who was to say that is was round? There was no sign of a curve in the distance, why should they question what everyone accepted to be truth?... Because it wasn't. There was a time when people believed everything revolved around the Earth. What do they say now? "Our bad!" Unfortunately, the day they say "Oh there is a God!" will be one day too late.
      A powerful man once said "If you tell a lie long enough, loud enough, and often enough, people will eventually start to believe it" This man turned a country around, and changed the thinking of thousands with a single message. His name- Adolf Hitler.
      Can we allow our beliefs to be swayed because this world demands physical evidence. No! These people turn a blind eye to anything that may shake their standards such as obvious faults in their evolutionary theory and the emptiness all men are trying to fill. One day every knee shall bow of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earth and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Verses on Knowledge

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of the world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 

1 Corinthians 2:2;5 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified... That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."  

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit. after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the God-head bodily.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmissings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth..."

1 Timothy 6:20 "Avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called."

Proverbs 2:1-5;11 "My son, if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord. and find knowledge of God... Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:"

Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction"

* I know I lack good structure in this paper but please forgive me- I do have a 2 year old ;)

The Biblical Worldview

What has made it seem logical to people to kill an innocent unborn child, to kill a person when they feel they are no longer useful to society, and to allow children's innocence to be broken by exposing them to sexual practices at younger and younger ages? How has our thinking taken us here? Well, we must understand that every position stems from the main view a single person holds of this world.

I was blessed to have been raised in a Christian home and taught in a Christian school. Outside people may view this as a clear brainwashing of a child and the outcome to be 'Conservative Biblical thinking'. I have to admit that I was taught God's Word my whole life and have never questioned the creation of the world nor the present Being of God. However, these truths were never shoved into my logic or forced into my being, but, simply laid out for me as truth. In the same way that Atheism and Evolution are laid out as truth for the average person today.
I accepted that there is a God and that Jesus Christ is His Son. I understood that I was a sinner. I understood that Hell was the punishment for my sin and that the only way to be able to stand in the presence of God- Who is holy and cannot be in the presence of sin- is to ask Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sin and take me to Heaven through Him. Jesus said "I am the Way the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." Jn 14:6 I couldn't not do anything on my own, that is why Christ died for me. It is a very simple truth and I know God had me learn this at a young age for a reason. I was saved at the age of 6. Without the Holy Spirit in my heart guiding me as I read God's Word, I would never have the sight to see God's way in this world.
Throughout my teen years I grew in learning- not only in school but also in church. My parents would take me to Bible Conference meetings and our church held many revivals. I also went to Christian camp every year and was taught many wonderful things out of God's Word. One thing I cherish more as I watch this world is that I was also taught standards. Oh the importance of Standards! They seemed frivolous at the time but how safe they have kept me through the years and how much they have given me! God blesses obedience! (Sorry that was a little off subject) Each thing I was taught, made a lot of sense when held in perspective with God's Word. But, did it really make sense when you held it up to scientist, historians, and philosophers? It was a very intimating thought!
After my Senior year of high school, I packed up for an adventure I had been waiting for for a very long time- Bible College. I chose a Bible College not to far away and one where the pastor seemed wise and Godly. I attended Crown College in Powell Tennessee.I was so excited to be able to be surrounded with people who truly wanted to serve the Lord, and only because they wanted it for themselves. As soon as I went into the first class I knew I was going to love it!
One of my first classes was on the history of civilization. It was so interesting to see the world unfold and watch how Biblical history fit perfectly into place with the history we read in modern textbooks. We studied World Geography and did a historical study on many places. Hearing each review of the people there and the culture- these people were naturally as they would be according to how they were in Bible times. We took a class on Israel's history and saw how the prophesies in the Old Testament are coming to pass today and are playing out just as the Bible teaches.
Then we got into studying specific books of the Bible. One of the greatest being Genesis. The creation of this world versus the evolution taught today. We did a thorough study of Evolution and Creation teachings also the many evidences 'presented' for both. (I recommend Kent Hovind's evolution versus Creation series for a intriguing look into both.)
I took a class on the religions of the world. It informed me of the many religions I had never heard of as well as many that I  didn't thoroughly understand. It was a real eye opener.
There were many small times I can remember having what we now call an 'aha' moment. The point where something just clicked. Studying Paul on his many missionary journeys. He stopped at Mars Hill, the message he preached came to full light when compared with the historical state of the people (which we had covered in a different class) I always left so excited to get more into my history book and more into God's Word to continue to make all the connections that were sliding so easily into place. 
At Crown so many of the classes that we took simply showed the facts that you would encounter at any secular university, but with the assumption that the Bible is true. There was no brainwashing... just the facts we see in the world today fitting perfectly in pattern with what the Bible says happened.
I thought I was just putting blind faith in the Bible and what it said about salvation, but as I grew and embraced the opportunities God gave, my faith grew stronger and stronger. I realized I don't have to defend my faith in pride. God defends his truth by his creation, history, and science. I no longer feel I am on the defense. God's Word is established in my heart. Anyone can look around and see God's truth in this world if they wanted to. But it takes you dropping your pride and opening your eyes. The Bible says "If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.."
Today I can look around and I know the outside views. I am not blind to secularism (This is another aspect we covered in college). I fully understand the 'proofs' that they believe they hold according to their logic. But when I look at this battle what I really see is angry men shouting at Christians as they frantically try to glue pieces of tangible evidences together. And I see a Holy God shaking His head in pity as he watches His creation try to do away with His name. Proverbs 26:12 "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him." 
(Next I will post about the secular worldview)