Who's the Mommy?

by Granny W. 2011


I am once again honored to have a devotional written by my grandmother. Be blessed and encouraged as you read her words of wisdom.

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

Lately, as I observe some fathers or mothers interacting with their children, it seems the above Scripture is rarely applied. Many children are being given the opportunity to make decisions that should be reserved for parents. Frequently children are asked what they would like to do regarding naptime or a trip to the store. Does this scenario sound familiar?
*
“I am going to the store now and you are going to stay home with daddy. Or would you rather go with mommy?”
*
And once they arrive at the store, it might go something like this, “Would you like to ride in the cart or push your own?”
*
Did I mention the child is three?

In this situation, in order to squelch the verbal abuse or screaming of the child, most moms and dads, out of embarrassment, give in to the child’s demands. This behavior is not reserved for the store. When you experience it in public, it is most likely happening in the home as well.

Can you imagine the pressure on a young child when they are asked to make choices regarding what is best for their health and well-being? Their minds are not fully developed to take on that responsibility. Should a child never have the opportunity to make decisions? Of course not! But the decisions should be age appropriate and not of a parental nature. That is why God gave you to your child.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”  Ephesians 6:1-4

Dads and moms are the first authority in a child’s life. How the child is trained to respond to that authority will pave the way for their future response to the authority of the Lord and to those outside the home.

“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” Colossians 3:20

What starts as a refusal to sit in a grocery cart could very well lead to the refusal to follow a law one day. That sounds extreme, but lack of respect for authority starts somewhere. The good news is that respect for authority starts somewhere as well. We are all creatures of habit; if a child is trained to respect the authority of their parents, they will do so even when they are outside of their parent's care and presence. Let respect for authority begin today in your home!

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly father, my prayer for the moms who are reading this devotional today is that You will give them Your wisdom to discern any problem areas they were not aware existed. Amen.

Challenge:
Summer is upon us and the extra burden of school and schedules has been lifted for a few months. Use this time to discover who the parents are in your home. If it is your children, ask your Heavenly father how you can lovingly reverse the situation. Then enjoy the blessings of watching your children go the way they should from childhood to adulthood.

Granny W. 2011

Name Them One by One...

by Jen G. 2011

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world… Philippians 2:14, 15

The words to the hymn “Count Your Blessings” came back to me this week as I was crabbing to my grandmother about all the ‘misfortunes’ of the previous days; a broken dryer, a broken dishwasher, quarrelling amongst my children, chipped paint on the baseboards… It was ugly. Granny, however, kept pointing me back to the Lord and the importance of recognizing His provision in all areas of my life.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

We have been blessed with plenty of sunshine and our parents’ dryer for rainy days. The broken dishwasher has enabled me to teach my children a new skill (hand-washing dishes), as well as provided them with the opportunity to be productive together. The sound of bickering has alerted me to the fact that I have slipped in some in my child training and need to get with the program. Chipped paint….well, I am thankful that I have walls!

In the midst of counting my blessings, I include Granny and the rest of my family who always point me right back to the Lord. Are you that compass for someone or do you join the pity party of a friend or family member? Begin to count your blessings and help others count theirs as well.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

Prayer:
Father, thank You for constant reminders to count my blessings. Everything in my life is an opportunity to give You praise. Help me to be the blessing counter with a friend or relative who is struggling with seeing Your goodness in all things. Amen.

Challenge:
Monitor your blessing counting this week. Are you doing a good job or have you fallen off the gratitude wagon? Look for ways that the Lord could be using circumstances to strengthen your faith and draw you closer to Him. Keeping a Gratitude Journal or a Blessings Book is a helpful way to keep on track.  Be mindful of your conversations with friends; be the encourager who points them to thanksgiving. 
Jen G. 2011

Count the Cost

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Luke 14:28-30
*
The New Year brings with it a desire to start over where we have failed or to turn away from a bad habit. Most of these resolutions or goals deal with weight on our bodies. How about dealing with the weight of debt in our personal lives?
*
We are all aghast at the amount of money our government leaders spend and the huge debt they are accumulating for all of us in this country. Yes, even those of us who are debt free in our personal lives. We need to be very careful in our criticism, however, and honestly evaluate if we are doing the very same thing in our personal life. As Mathew 7:3 points out: And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
*
What are we teaching our children by example? Is it to live within the means that God has provided for us? Or is it, “If you want it, charge it!”? Just as we are responsible for voting for our government leaders, we are also responsible for the message we are giving to our children regarding our finances.
*
I understand most of us cannot save enough to buy a house, but we can save enough for a substantial down payment before we buy. This keeps our mortgage payments within our income. Maybe a good used car will suffice as well as a brand new one with all the bells and whistles. Especially one only driven to church and back by a little old granny like me!
*
If there is a will not to be greedy, God will provide a way for us to have what we need at a price we can afford. This is a blessing I experience every time I shop for something I need. There is such freedom in being debt free and that freedom is priceless!
*
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
*
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that you have taught me, and are still teaching me, that as a believer in Your word You expect my complete obedience. I thank You for the many blessings you send my way each day, even when You show me the plank in my eye. Amen.
*
Challenge:
I challenge you this year to get in on God’s Economy. Obviously the economy of our government has really gone astray. Let God be the Secretary of the Treasury! There maybe some of you whose husbands do not follow God’s financial guidelines. But, there are ways you can follow and put into practice some of God’s principles with the money you have to spend. Be a smart grocery shopper, a thrifty meal planner and cook. Avoid boxed or frozen prepared meals. Ask the Lord to show you how to stretch the dollars He has given you to oversee as manager of your home. Have a happy, debt free, blessed New Year!
*
Granny Witt 2010
*
Remember that you can save $5 off a copy of For Instructions in Righteousness from Doorposts through January 31. Use the coupon code “freshstarts” at checkout. If you take advantage of this offer, please consider leaving a comment and letting us know.

The Link Between Training and Honor

I am happy to share another devotional written by my grandmother. Granny Witt is a wise woman who has a deep and abiding love for the Lord. She is an incredible witness for Christ and example to women of all ages. I pray that you are stirred by her words for you this Monday morning.

*

*

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
*
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
*
*

I believe God’s wisdom in Proverbs and His fifth commandment in Exodus are directly connected in guiding us and teaching our children by our behavior, actions, and example. God is asking us to show honor, love, and respect for others from birth to old age. Recently a situation has developed in a close relative’s family that has caused me to look at these Scriptures from a different perspective and also to recognize the consequences of not following God’s guidance. In this instance, a negative pattern was given throughout the life of the child, and the elderly parent is now reaping what was sown; feelings have been hurt, relationships strained. This sad situation could have been avoided if God's loving guidance was followed.

*

As your children see you forgiving and praying for them and others, patiently telling them one more time the right thing to do, don’t give up or despair at what seems to be repetitive. The future payoff will be tremendous, when they step into your shoes and become parents themselves. Then you as a grandparent will reap the benefits of the honor, love, and respect of your children and their children. This is repetition all can gladly live with. It goes on and on from one generation to the next, praise the Lord!

*

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I am always amazed at how Your Word is as fresh and new and applicable for us today as when it was first written. I thank You, Father, that You have allowed me to be a link in the chain that will bind my children to You forever. Amen.
*
Challenge:

I challenge you to look at your relationships with the following important people through your children’s eyes: your spouse, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, pastor, church family, and anyone in authority over you. Rate yourself as they would on a one to ten positive or negative scale. Ask God to show you ways to improve those areas that fall short of honor, love, and respect.
*
Granny Witt 2009

Freedom, Faith, and Fireworks

This weekend our country celebrated the most patriotic holiday of the year. At least once a year the people turn their attention to the freedoms we have in America that are unequalled anywhere else in the world.

*

We, who are believers in the Lord, need not be worried or downcast during these troubled times. I have taken the liberty to paraphrase 2 Chronicles 7:13 and 14. "If I, who am called by Your name, humble myself, pray, and seek Your face and turn from my wicked ways, then You will hear from heaven, forgive my sin and heal my land." We all have the responsibility to stay on the path of God's righteous ways and He will send peace and revival to America. It is evident that God's healing hand is needed in today's culture. Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose [G]od is the Lord and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance." Psalm 46:1 states that 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," and Psalm 46:10 encourages us to "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the heathen. I will be exalted in the earth." What wonderful promises!

*

Many have put their faith in their possessions, themselves, government or wealth, and now see those things toppling away. Psalm 37:34 reminds us to "Wait on the Lord and keep His way and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land." Dependence on yourself and things brings defeat. Dependence on the Lord brings victory! There is a close connection between our freedom and our faith. They are definitely intertwined.

*

It is always fun to feast on hot dogs and burgers and top it off with the thrill of watching the night sky light up with fireworks. But this is only an ANNUAL event. Let us take God's word seriously and pray for our own hearts, our country, and its leaders DAILY. Remember that our spiritual freedom as well as our physical freedom come only from the God of the universe.

*

"Will Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"

Psalm 85:6

*

"Surely His salvation is nigh them that fear Him; that glory may dwell in our land."

Psalm 85:9

*

"Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase."

Psalm 85:12

*

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for my freedom. I want You to be my focus - not riches, a job, my home - only You. Please guide our country back to You. Bring revival in our capital and let it filter down to all of the states. America can only be great when she is living in Your Light. Amen.

*

Challenge:

This week keep in mind that all freedom and peace comes from the Lord, not your husband's job or the amount of money you have in the bank. When things get scary and uncertain praise God that He is the One who holds our lives and eternity in the palm of His hand.

*

Granny Witt 2009

Dig It Up!

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31, 32

*

*

When the season of spring first bursts forth in all of its beauty, we have to pull up the weeds (especially the dandelions) by their roots lest they spread and spoil the whole lawn and completely cover the grass. So also do the roots of bitterness in our hearts spoil our souls, unless we pull them up, deal with them, and dispose of them. What better time than this beginning of spring to bring forgiveness into our hearts and reap the rewards of peace and love in our hearts.

*

In the past, I have experienced roots of bitterness towards a woman in our church who sowed much discord among the members because our pastor would not include her new agenda into our doctrine. She then left our church and started a new group, taking quite a few people with her. She also continued to contact other members to join them. Since we lived in a small town, I would see her quite often in the stores. I would purposely avoid her, even if it meant going back to my car and going elsewhere to shop for groceries, etc. One day I was buying apples at a local orchard and she came up behind me and gave me a hug, acting as though she was my best friend. She then left as quickly as she appeared. I was dumbfounded. I had not even said a word and was shocked that she didn't seem to have a clue about all the trouble she had caused our pastor and the church.

*

Here I was, suffering from the bitterness in my spirit and she wasn't even effected by what she had done. Then a scripture came to my mind. As Jesus hung on the cross this is what He prayed. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:24 The last thing Jesus tasted on the cross was the cup of bitterness. John 19:29,30 says, "Now a vessel full of vinegar was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with vinegar, put it on a reed of hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." If Jesus died for our sin of bitterness, can't we just let it go?

*

In Matthew 5:44 Jesus taught: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them who hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you." And on the cross, Jesus practiced what He preached. He died with a forgiving heart, not a heart of bitterness.

*

I now pray for this woman and when I see her I don't go the other way. I can't develop a relationship with her because she is still being deceived, but I can ask God to show her His truth. When we harbor bitterness in our hearts we are not pleasing God. At the first sign of bitterness or the emergence of any critical spirit I pray Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." A bitter heart needs to be taken to the cross and left there.

*

Prayer:

Dear Lord, You have given us the antidote for every sin. May we, in the strength and power of Your Holy Spirit, replace hate with love and bitterness with forgiveness, praying for those who have hurt us. In the precious name of Jesus, who died for those very sins, Amen.

*

Challenge:

Search your heart for any bitterness. Read over Luke 23:24 and John 19, meditating on Jesus' heart of forgiveness in the face of the severest betrayal and pain. Take on His spirit of forgiveness each day.

*

'Granny' Witt 2009

Granny is my grandmother and the great grandmother of my children. She is an incredible woman full of wisdom and I am honored to share her writings with you.