Saturday, January 31, 2015

Age-Appropriate chores



 Maria Montessori's Photos · Maria Montessori's Page


Maria Montessori  Don't underestimate your child - independence can start early at home!


By JillSavage






Pray with me: 

    Father, may we understand that
our children need responsibility tasks
in order to prepare them for adulthood.

    I 
ask that the information in this 
message today be what helps parents better handle the opportunities they have in teaching their children to submit to authority, starting with theirs.

    I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Prov. 10:31a "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom."

Today’s quote: Dr. Charles F. Stanley - "Let Jesus motivate you to live in purity. He abides within every believer through His indwelling Holy Spirit. That means selfish and sinful thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions have no place in our lives. Be mindful that He is always with you, and let him direct your choices and purify your life." customercare@intouch.org

Some thoughts today: Let's slow down and look at others. We owe it to them to listen. When we look into their eyes as they speak, they'll know we're listening.

- When speaking with our children, we're to show them respect and honor by paying attention to what they have to say, too.

- Sometimes, we may need to explain more than once what we want the child to accomplish. Words of gratitude and praise are important to them when the chore is completed.

Feb. 1st- Sunday evening’s post:  An Adventure In Prayer
Lucy Neeley Adams

3rd- Tuesday's post:  #37 Biblical Examples - Daniel
C. Peter Wagner

5th- Thursday's post:  #38 Biblical Examples - Jeremiah, Luke & Acts   C. Peter Wagner

7th- Saturday's post:  How Wondrous Are You God!
Debbie McEwen

A popular post:   Sexual Immorality 
Tammie Johnson speaks to us: "I would like to speak about a subject that is very touchy. Sexual Immorality.  Oh, our children, our people!

I cry for and hurt for them. I feel so much sadness. Satan has dropped several sexual spirits into the world..."

Start teaching
when they're
young

Jean's blog (save to check in at another time)

Kindle $2.99

     A great gift for someone who 
needs help in their marriage


Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

My book in paperback $7.95

 AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

#36 Seeing Our Cities as they Really Are


C. Peter Wagner continues with this
advice: "As I have mentioned, George 
Otis, Jr., (in #25 Territorial Spirits, and 
will be mentioned again in Peter's 8th  
chapter of his book, Warfare Prayer,
which I will be writing about eventually), 
is working on a fascinating concept, which he calls 'spiritual mapping.'

[The Last of the Giants (Chosen Books) written by George Otis, Jr. and is mentioned in my #25 post].

Among other things, he says we need to strive to see our cities and our nations as they  really are, not as they appear to be.

It is crucial to discern the spiritual forces in the heavenlies that are shaping our visible lives here on earth.

Walter Wink, for example, has been trying to convince social activists that bigger and better reform programs have not nor in all probability ever will change society for the better if the spiritual powers behind social structures are not named, unmasked and engaged.

Frank Peretti, in his best- selling novels, This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness (Crossway Books), personalizes and dramatizes the struggle with the powers more than Salter Wink might be inclined.

Although their approaches differ from each other and mine differs from both, the point is that we are striving to see our world as it really is, not simply as it appears to be. 

One of the most helpful biblical passages is 2 Corinthians 10:3 where Paul says,

    'For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according
     to the flesh.'

Jesus said we are supposed to be in this world, but not of this world (see John 15:19 and John 17:15). This means the real battle is a spiritual battle. In 2 Corinthians, Paul goes on to say:

    'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty 
    in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down 
    arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against
    the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity
    to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4, 5)

The stronghold is the place where the devil and his forces are entrenched. Pulling down strongholds is obviously an offensive warfare action.

God apparently wants us to attack these strongholds much as Jesus invaded Satan's turf in the wilderness for His definitive power encounter.

Charles Kraft makes a helpful distinction between three kinds of spiritual encounters. All are found in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5: truth encounter, allegiance encounter and power encounter.

The truth encounter is 'casting down arguments' and the allegiance encounter is 'bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.'

Warfare prayer needs to be directed against these two kinds of strongholds.

The phrase that most directly addresses the demonic in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5 is, 'every high thing that exalts itself against
the knowledge of God.'

The Greek word for 'high thing' is hypsoma, which according 
to the Dictionary of New Testament Theology is a term relating to 'astrological ideas,' 'cosmic powers,' and 'powers directed against God, seeking to intervene between God and man.'

This points to the need for engaging in strategic-level warfare,
which will push back these powers or territorial spirits that keep God from being glorified.

...social and evangelistic programs will never work as well as they could or should by themselves if Satan's strongholds are not torn down. This is the real battle, and our weapon is prayer. Warfare prayer.

(Google image and emphasis added)



#36 Seeing Our Cities as they Really Are
By C. Peter Wagner
(pgs. 63-65) Regal Books



Mark I. Bubeck shares with us from his book  The Satanic Revival  "May the Holy Spirit so open people to the spiritual seeing and hearing of Your Word that they again will cry out in repentance. Thank You, also, that the Holy Spirit exalts righteousness by revealing the righteous things of Your Word. I ask Him to do that with powerful persuasion."  (pg. 222)


Children’s Prayer Team Prays FIVE Days for Friend

by Lift the Cross of Jesus!
"The children in this video formed a prayer team and they pray every day--because they want to.  I'm in tears.  I love to catch these glimpses of children going after God.  If only we adults will stand back and get out of their way, we'd find that they teach us how to pray, how to love, and how to touch the face of God."
Pray with me: 

    Dear God
, please guide my thoughts today
so my words and actions will be what You
want them to be

    I ask this before I get started so my whole
day would meet with your approval.

    Please help me to stop and think before I act so I have no regrets. It's so easy to slip up and I've done it so many times.

    I really want to be the best child of God that I can be. But I need your help so much with everything I say and do. I cannot do it alone.


    On my own, I make messes. With Your loving help, I'll get it right.

    I ask this 
in Jesus' blessed name. Amen.

 (by Debbie McEwen's prayer, Dear God, adjusted by permission)


Today’s Bible verse: Joel 2:21 "Fear not, O land: be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things."

Today’s quote: N. Joan Huth - "Jesus released us from the power of Satan when He died on the cross for all mankind. When we, as Christians, acknowledged this truth and received Him into our lives as our Savior and Lord, we also received His power against the enemy. As we grow in the knowledge of who awe are in Christ, the desire to fight against Satan becomes more of a reality. Yes, God will fight for us; He will answer our prayers, but He also expects us to use His power by the words we speak in the mighty name of Jesus, His Son." Joan's book: Energizing Your Prayer Life

31st- Saturday’s post:  Age-Appropriate Chores for Children
Marie Montessori 

Feb.1st- Sunday evening's post:  An Adventure in Prayer
Lucy Neeley Adams

3rd. Tuesday's post:  #37 Biblical Examples - Daniel
C. Peter Wagner

5th- Thursday's post:  #38 Biblical Examples - Jeremiah & Luke 
C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:   Doubt vs. Faith "Jean Oathout begins our thoughts on doubts 
and faith today, with some questions 
that should get us considering how the 
one tends to take down the other. When 
troubling thoughts come,..."


jean-oathout.blogspot.com  (save to check in at another time)

Kindle $2.99


  A great gift for someone who 
needs help in their marriage

Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

My book in paperback $7.95
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse

 AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!










Tuesday, January 27, 2015

#35 Blinding Three Billion Minds

C. Peter Wagner shares with us:
"As I write, 3 billion individuals
on Planet Earth do not yet know Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior.

And this doesn't even count millions of others who are Christian in name only but not in heart commitment.

My point is that Satan is getting away with a lot. But how does he do it? How does he blind 3 billion or more minds?

Obviously, Satan cannot do it by himself. Satan is not God, nor does he possess any of the attributes of God.

This means among other things that Satan is not omnipresent. He cannot be in all places at all times as God is. Satan can be in only one place at one time.

He may be able to get from one place to another very rapidly, but when he is there, he is still in only one place.

The only way I can imagine that Satan can effectively blind 3 billion minds is to delegate the responsibility. He maintains a hierarchy of demonic forces to carry out his purposes.

Exactly what that hierarchy is we may never know, but we do have some general indications.

Perhaps our clearest hint is found in Ephesians 6:12 where we are told that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against (1) principalities, (2) powers, (3) rules of the darkness of this age, and (4) spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

New Testament scholars cannot find a strict hierarchical order in Ephesians 6:12 since the same Greek terms are used with different meaning and interchangeably in other parts of Scripture.

And other terms such as 'thrones' and  'dominions' are added elsewhere. In other words, these categories are not as clear as generals, colonels, majors and captains would be to us.

What is clear, however, is that the terms do describe certain varieties of supernatural, demonic beings whose assignment is to implement 'the wiles of the devil' (Eph. :11).

These beings, and perhaps many other kinds who are under them and obey their instructions, are in charge of keeping lost people from being saved and for messing up their lives as much as possible while they are on earth."

(Google image and emphasis added)


#35 Blinding Three Billion Minds
By C. Peter Wagner
(pgs. 62, 63) Regal Books



Mark I. Bubeck shares with us from his book The Satanic Revival "What an ugly, sinful wrong it is for me, my family and my fellow believers to treat Your holy Word so lightly when it has been made so available to us. Wash away our guilt, and create within believers' hearts a longing to know and read Your Word." (pg 221)

Pray with me: 

     Father, it is certain that we cannot, in
our own strength and wits defeat what 
the devil plans, but remind us that Jesus did
already defeat him with His sacrifice on
Calvary.

     With this knowledge, may we come against what we see is the 
evil one's scheme to keep others around us from finding Jesus 
as their personal Savior!

    In Christ's name I pray. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 92:12 "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon."

Today’s quote: Bob Gass Ministries - "We dare not fool ourselves into thinking we can 'make things happen' without prayer. If a church isn't a praying church, it doesn't matter how well the pastor preaches or the choir sings, or how nice the building is. For it to succeed, Jesus said, 'My house shall be a house of prayer' " (Lk 19:46 NAS).

Some thoughts today: Cultivate an intimate relationship with God. Talk directly to Him. Cry out to Him and bring your heart to the right place. (Ps. 62:8) "pour out your heart before him."

- Get alone and tell God what's going on. He already knows, but wants you to get honest with Him about your need...

- We go through faith testing to see how we'll respond. Will we receive correction, advice, and a different way of doing things?

29th- Thursday’s post:  #36 Seeing Our Cities as they Really Are
C. Peter Wagner

31st- Saturday's post:  Age-appropriate Chores for Children
Maria Montessori 

Feb.1st- Sunday evening's post:  An Adventure in Prayer
Lucy Neeley Adams

3rd- Tuesday's post:  #37 Biblical Examples - Daniel
C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:   Christian Benefits Jean Oathout continues her  thought of what's in it for you as a Christian.The following is a partial listing of the benefits:

1)  The LORD loves us for who we are now, but once we've admitted we're a sinner, received the free gift of salvation offered us through Christ, and have been filled with His Spirit, GOD will give us complete, exclusive, all-sufficient LOVE for the rest of our lives. 

(see John 14:27)



Kindle $2.99

     A great gift for someone who 
needs help in their marriage

Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

My book in paperback $7.95

 AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

We All Have A Part

Jean Oathout shares with us some 
thoughts about why we should go to 
church.

Do we understand our own need of God, and the importance of letting our children be taught what His Word has to say?

God wants us to come to Him in the child-like faith of a child. 

It seems evident that the small ones need to experience hearing His Word early on in life. The older they become, it may be more difficult for them to hear God's Voice, due to the distractions they'll have around them.

Is our desire for God such that we don't allow any excuse to keep us from going, other that illness? Hint: Preparing everyone's clothing the night before is a big help.

What about asking Him for His grace to make it through Sunday mornings with a pleasant attitude? 

You know, the evil one doesn't want us to hear God's Words of exhortation and inspiration, so of course he tries to discourage us from attending the local church by any means possible.

Once we are there, are we willing to become a part of what is going on? Will we commit our lives to service there? Do we notice various ways we can take part in what God's doing?

Becoming a member is a large commitment, but necessary to belong officially to that particular church, which is part of the Body of Christ.

If we want to see our churches thrive, we must take part; become members, volunteer for a ministry or two, be faithful in our financial support, and pray daily for its leaders and programs.

This will make our churches stronger and less apt to close, like so many have. Will YOU take part in what God's doing in your neighborhood? I do hope so!

Pray with me:


    Father, enable each of us to reconsider
our commitment to You, and find a Bible-
believing church somewhere near us.

    We come with open hands and hearts today
desiring Your best for us in our walk with You.

    Open my own eyes to ways I can be of service in church, and let me become a person of dedication to do my very best there.

    May my life show to others that You are #1 in my heart and life, and may I learn to walk in obedience to Your Spirit's directions.

    I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse:
 Ps. 37:39 "But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble."

Some quoted thoughts today:  T
he Voice of the Martyrs-
10 Ways to Pray for our persecuted church family:

1. Pray that persecuted believers will sense 
    God's presence. (Heb. 13:5).

2. Pray that they will feel connected to the greater
    Body of Christ (Cor. 12:20, 26).

3. Pray that they will experience God's comfort when their
    family members are killed, injured or imprisoned for their
    witness (2 Cor. 1:3-5).

4. Pray that they will have more opportunities to share the
    gospel (Col. 4:3).

5. Pray for their boldness to make Christ known (Phil. 1:14).

6. Pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors 
    (Matt.5:44).

7. Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by
    authorities or others who wish to silence them. (Acts 9:25).

8. Pray that they will rejoice in suffering (Acts 5:41).

9. Pray that they will be refreshed through God's Word and
    grow in their faith (Eph. 6:17).

10. Pray that they will be strengthened through the prayers
      of fellow believers (Jude 20-25).

(Taken from the Voice of the Martyrs www.persecution.com)


27th- Tuesday's post:  #35 Blinding Three Billion Minds
C. Peter Wagner

29th- Thursday's post:  #36 Seeing Our Cities as they Really Are
C. Peter Wagner

31st- Saturday's post:  Age-Appropriate Chores for Children
Maria Montessori 

Feb.1st- Sunday evening's post:  An Adventure in Prayer
Lucy Neeley Adams

A popular post: What's the Good of Prayer?


Quoted from Oswald Chambers' Devotions for MORNING and EVENING  August 28/11
Lord, teach us to pray". (Luke 11:1)
It is not part of the life of a natural man to pray. We hear it said that 'a man will suffer in his life if he does not pray’; I question it...

Jean's blog (save to check in other times)
Samples of Jean's crafts
http://twitter.com/jeanoathout
http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
Kindle $2.99



A great gift for someone!

Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

My book in paperback $7.95
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse

AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

Saturday, January 24, 2015

I Am Resolved


                             
    
I Am Resolved 
by James H. Cagle

I greet in a moment an open threshold,
The very birthing of an unblemished year;
Unfurrowed by any heartache and sorrow,
Undiminished by any wrong or a single bitter tear.

It’s a golden span of time I’m allotted
A priceless gift I’ll use a little of each day;
Through which I will sow the seeds that I choose,
In my words and actions along my way.

But e’er I pass through this open threshold
And a nonreturnable moment has ebbed away,
I firmly close and latch the door to my past,
And bathe in the hope of a brand new day.

I’ve closed the year from which I’ve emerged;
For its record is sealed and cannot be changed.
So my past won’t keep me from looking ahead;
As I make a difference and work for change.

I am therefore resolved henceforth to sow
The much needed seeds of hope, faith and cheer
And should some shadow fall ‘cross my path,
I will continue on through pain or tears.

For I am resolved, that beginning today
That, regardless of what each day may send,
I will seek after knowledge and wisdom and grace
And strew them by faith against prevailing winds.

And when this year too has slipped into my past
And every opportunity it gave me is gone,
Will my words and deeds that are forever recorded
Make me rejoice when this account I must own?

The year has begun and speeds hastily to its end,
And so very soon I will see it spent and gone,
So I too must be up and busy about my task,
Amidst so many others on a path that I walk alone.

This new year is untouched by mistakes or regret,
It’s fresh and unblemished by rebellion and sin.
God’s hand is outstretched to faithfully guide me through,
On this new journey that, today, I begin.





The Handwriting on the Wall

A weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had 
done.

"While
 I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!
It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again."

She let out a moan and furrowed her brow,
"Where is your little brother right now?"
She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.

She called his full name as she entered his room.
He trembled with fear – he knew that meant doom!
For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper, and how she had saved.

Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
She condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded, the madder she got,
Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!

She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, "I love Mommy," surrounded by a heart.

Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,
With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A reminder to her, and indeed to all,
Take time to read the handwriting on the wall.

As seen on GodVine 8/16/13


The following link is very important for all marriages. I do hope you'll take the time to check out Jill's first post, and sign up to get the others.

No More Perfect Marriages–A 10 Day Blog Series

By JillSavage on Jan 19, 2015 05:25 am


Pray with me:

   Father,  I am resolved beginning today, regardless of what each day may send, I will seek after knowledge and wisdom and grace.

   Thank You that Your Hand is stretched out 
to faithfully guide me through whatever this new year may bring into my life.

   Help me too, to read "hand writings" on the wall as I proceed through each day, where others have made comments or 
gestures to bless me unawares.

   I ask for Your help in Jesus' name. Amen.
   
Today’s Bible verse: Is. 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."

Today’s quote: 
Les and Leslie Parrott - "If you are looking for fairness, don’t look for it in marriage. Soul mates survive on forgiveness, not fairness.” 

25th- Sunday evening’s post:  We All Have a Part

Jean Oathout

27th- Tuesday's post:  #35 Blinding Three Billion Minds
C. Peter Wagner

22nd- Thursday's post:  #36 Seeing Our Cities as they Really Are
C. Peter Wagner

31st- Saturday's post:  Age-Appropriate Chores for Children
Maria Montessori

A popular post:  Judgmental Opinions Jean Oathout shares with us an important lesson she is learning. 

"I found out that my personal opinion isn't worth much to others, when it is given in a judgmental attitude.

What I've accepted over the years to be my own "standard" isn't necessarily what God expects others to have. He doesn't expect me to try to "fix" others..." 



Samples of Jean's crafts
http://twitter.com/jeanoathout
http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
Kindle $2.99



  A great gift for someone, especially 

if they need help!

Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women

My book in paperback $7.95
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse

AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!

                                                                     ~