Thursday, November 5, 2009

Heart Attitude


According to the Bible, our speech is an accurate barometer of our heart attitude!

Our speech exposes our true character as much as it does our individual personality. It reveals who we are, what we think, what we really desire, and what we believe. We are known by such things as the kind of jokes we tell, what we like to talk about, what we say when we are angry, what we complain about, or what topics inspire our most animated conversations. God warns us " By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Mat 12:37)
What a marvel that our own words are able to conemn us as hypocrites or justify (validate) us as true followers of Christ.

Read Luke 6:45

What is your speech like?

May we take heed to the scriptures and ask the Lord to identify an area we are failing at so that we can be more effective for Christ.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Forgiving Others Brings Joy



Practicing Biblical forgiveness is foundational to a peaceful marriage, home, and church life. The act of openly asking for forgiveness and graciously forgiving has the following effect.
*Keeps us humble and unselfish
*Promotes intimacy among family members
*Provides the right atmosphere for developing tolerance and understanding between family members.
*Promotes a loving, safe haven for growth and acceptance.
*Provides divine healing which is available in no other context
Mat 6:14-15

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Who is the leader in your home?

Respecting a husband's need and responsibility to lead is a way to demonstrate love and obedience to God (Eph 5:22, Colossians 3:18, 1 Peter 3:7)
A woman's refusal to submit to her husband's leadership stems from her desire to please
herself rather than to please the Lord. Only as a woman commits herself to living to please the Lord will she be able to submit to a imperfect leadership of her husband and encourage him to become all he can be in Christ. Both love and submission are based on the love of God for us. Women need to understand that God rewards a woman who honors her husband's right to lead, whether her husband deserves the honor or not.

My Thoughts
This has not been an easy area in my life, but I am learning to be as I grow in the Lord. I think the neatest thing is when we see our husbands lead. A lot of the time I know I hindered my walk with the Lord by not submitting to my husband. The truth be told.......he feared my disapproval and thus held back from leading our home. Let me ask you friend......are you critical when your husband says "No" on an issue or something you want? Do you pout or get upset because he disagrees with you? Do you ask his opinion, or do you just go ahead and do what you feel is right? The lesson I am learning is that when I go against my husbands wishes, or try to manipulate a situation....ummm I reap the consequences of doing so. However when I encourage my husband to lead by submitting to the God given authority, the blessing are endless! I have never been disappointed when I have let my husband lead.....NEVER! God is so gracious and loving. He has the perfect plan, the one that brings true happiness.....we must just believe it and OBEY it!!!

Friday, October 30, 2009

When Dreams Become Demands



Demands are anything we believe we must have in order to be happy and fulfilled. To say we prefer a good husband or wife is healthy. God prefers that too. However, we don't have to have an ideal spouse to be happy and we don't have to have an ideal spouse to enjoy a happy marriage. Couples who enjoy a lifetime marriage of joyful companionship do so in spite of
faults and failures. They are people who choose to overlook faults rather then find them.
The BIBLE tells us...........
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love (prov 17:9)
Hatred stirreth up strife; but love covereth all sins (prov 10:12)
Dear sister, may we realize how precious our marriage is and stop bickering and tearing our husbands apart. Do we realize what we have?
Today:
List 5 things you love about your husband, and then write him a note today telling him what you love about him.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Selfishness~ Marriage

Marriage
Problems arise when the eyeball does not wish to function as part of the body but wants to operate independent of the body. A married woman who is bent on pursuing her own interests and autonomy apart from her husbands either does not understand or willfully refuses to cooperate with God's design for her life.
Question
How are you specifically helping your husband achieve his goals?
Today's Challenge
List 5 ways you believe you can be a help to your husband.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Monday, Moday....

Well, today is the beginning of a new week!
Kids are very much into a routine for school. The only thing is we have been getting up later then I would like. The fibromyalgia has been rearing it's ugly head, but,....if I get my rest I do pretty well most of the day PTL!!
This week we are reading scripture about JOY and how we obtain JOY in our life. Love the verses we looked at today:

Nehemiah 8:10b
Psalm 16:11
John 15:11
John 13:17
Proverbs 15:13
Proverbs 16:20
Phil 4:4
James 1:1-3
1 Pet 3:14
We receive JOY by OBEDIENCE to God right? I encourage you to look up these great verses and share with your children this week! It was a blessing to read God's Word today together :)

I had to say goodbye to a wonderful e-mail group this week, I just have to much on my plate with the homeschool year starting. Blake is doing so well, and is reading chapter books. I really like using the 'Rod and Staff' curriculum because it is VERY Bible based :)

Austen is coming along on his school work, he really enjoys History! We have a field trip coming up at the end of this month, so both kids are really looking forward to that. Austen has been attending a writing class on Friday's with Mrs. Thompson. His writing is getting better :)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Revival Week 2009




Longview Bible Baptist Church

Monday Evening
Main Text
2 Corinthians 7:8-12

"The difference between godly and worldly sorrow"

Being sorry.....Is it worldly?

~Worldly sorrow focuses on what it's going to cost you
~Worldly sorrow is selfish
~Known as Jail House Repentance
~Worldly sorrow is self centered....(wants out of consequences of sin)
Biblical Example: King Saul 1 Sam 15:30

Being sorry......Is it godly sorrow?

~Godly sorrow turns from the sin
~ Godly sorrow changes direction
~ Godly sorrow changes actions
~ Godly sorrow has fruits of repentance
~ Godly sorrow accepts consequences and the person realizes he has coming what he deserves.
~ Godly sorrow has a broken and contrite spirit.

Biblical Example: King David
King David was called a man after God's own heart and yet he sinned as we do. The difference though is King David's RESPONSE to his sin.

Verses given: Mat 5:5, Ps 34:14, Ps 51:17, Is 57:15, Is 66:2

Great message, spoke to my heart! I am ever so thankful that God showed us through this last trial and that we did the right thing with the sin that was involved, God blesses when you REPENT and do the right thing, getting right with others involved and confessing your sin before God, changing your direction, having accountability, accepting consequences....ect.
Can't wait for tonight's message

Friday, September 11, 2009

Homeschooling Price



(****This devotion spoke to my heart today, how true it is, may the Lord speak to us and help us stay focused, not on the worldy aspects, and our own selfishness, BUT on our calling as a homeschhol mom)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me”
(Galatians 2:20a).

I’m feeling selfish today. I look at the schoolwork waiting to be corrected and this week’s lesson plans still waiting to be finished, and I want to escape somewhere. My life seems like it’s not my own, and I resent the fact that I can’t do what I want, when I want. Homeschooling requires me to be so disciplined, and I’m starting to feel trapped. I want to take a break from housework, diapers, schedules, and endless questions, but I’m the one in charge. I feel like a huge burden is on my back.

Does the above scenario describe you today? Do you wish you could experience the wonderful benefits of homeschooling and escape the responsibilities? Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way. If you want your children to achieve academic, as well as spiritual success, you have to give yourself 100% and commit to homeschooling. Like the man who calculated the cost in building a tower or the king who assessed his army before he went to war (Luke 14:27-33), following the Lord’s call to homeschool your children requires giving your all. Yes, God knows when you need to rest and will show you how to catch your breath, but He also asks His disciples to carry their cross. So who will you follow today, yourself or the Lord? “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23b).

Lord, forgive my attitude and help me refocus on the call You gave to homeschool. Teach me again that Your will and Your way is better than any life I can conceive. I love You and thank You for my family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

AOP, homeschool devotions
You can help save a homeschool! Learn how today by visiting aophomeschooling.com!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Making My Home Sing....Meme




Well....finally I think I will join in to this meme, I really enjoy being able to share and also learning from others as well :)

This will be our first week of school after summer break, the kids are both anxious about the new year, wondering what it will bring. I have to be quite honest, I am really nervous about it, because I will be teaching Blake along with Austen all week. Austen tends to like things very quiet and orderly, where as Blake is at the age where he needs to move around and have activity while he is learning. This can make it tough, and Austen gets a bit irritated, so I try and separate them as much as I can.

I think though in order to make my home sing, we must begin each day in prayer, with positive attitudes! You know what ladies, we SET THE TONE in our homes.
Proverbs 31:26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness

If we are dragging out of bed, unorganized and frazzled, not giving our cares to the Lord and asking his help to get us through, we can make a big mess.
Proverbs 27:15
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

May we remember to wake up in the morning and start our day in prayer and ask God to lead and guide us to teach our children.
Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak. Mat 26:41

Friday, September 4, 2009

What Is Your Calling?





Titus 2:3-5
The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Lets Look at these portions of scripture and see what our role is as a women
It amazes me just how far we have came today AWAY from the God given calling we have!
May we look at God's Word here with a willingness to DO what he calls us to do.
Before I became a Christian I had no clue what I was suppose to be as a wife. I had it all wrong. But I am thankful there was a godly woman in my church would took the time to teach me, thus fulfilling Titus 2. This study has been a great reminder......I pray it will be for you also!


1.Behavior as becometh holiness~ befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God
2.Not false accusers~prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely; A calumniator, false accuser, slanderer,
3.Not given to much wine~
4.Teachers of good things~teaching that which is good, a teacher of goodness
5.Teaching young women to be
a. To Be Sober~
1) restore one to his senses

2) to moderate, control, curb, disciple

3) to hold one to his duty

4) to admonish, to exhort earnestly

b. To love their husbands~loving her husband
c. To love their children~loving one's offspring or children
d. To be discreet~
1) of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses
2) curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate
e. To be chaste~
1) exciting reverence, venerable, sacred
2) pure
a) pure from carnality, chaste, modest
b) pure from every fault, immaculate
c) clean
f. To be keepers at home~
1) caring for the house, working at home
a) the (watch or) keeper of the house
b) keeping at home and taking care of household affairs
c) a domestic
g. To be good~
1) of good constitution or nature
2) useful, salutary
3) good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy
4) excellent, distinguished
5) upright, honourable
h. To be obediant to their own husbands~
1) to arrange under, to subordinate
2) to subject, put in subjection
3) to subject one's self, obey
4) to submit to one's control
5) to yield to one's admonition or advice
6) to obey, be subject

Monday, August 31, 2009

Be Careful.....





The Christian life is very much like climbing a hill of ice. You cannot slide up, nay,
you have to cut every step with an ice axe; only with incessant labour in cutting and
chipping can you make any progress; you need a guide to help you, and you are not
safe unless you are fastened to the guide, for you may slip into a crevasse. Nobody
ever slides up, but if great care be not taken they will slide down, slide back, or in
other words backslide. This is very easily done. If you want to know how to backslide,
the answer is leave off going forward and you will slide backward, cease going
upward and you will go downward of necessity, for stand still you never can.

Spurgeon

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Daily Focus Devotional





In the Limelight



Did you imagine your role as a homeschooling mother to be quiet and obscure? Did you
picture yourself being behind the scenes and working as a support person only? Nothing could be further from the truth! Every time someone asks, "Where do your children go to school?" you are immediately thrust into the spotlight and find yourself facing an endless barrage of questions.



Many great women of the Bible also faced the same challenge. They had to stand up or speak up for the cause God had placed in their lives. Abigail was led by God to save her family by going ahead of her husband's foolishness and providing a meal for King David and his men. Ruth braved danger in gleaning the wheat from Boaz's field in order to save Naomi and herself. Rahab believed in the God of Israel and put out a scarlet rope to save her family from Joshua and his army. Deborah the prophetess went to battle because Barak didn't have faith to fight without her.

Take courage and know that the God of the universe is with you. Just as He went before Israel as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, He will go before you and give you the words to say when you are confronted. Matthew 10:19b-20 says, "Take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you and be not ashamed of the wonderful opportunity God has given you to homeschool your children.

Lord, make me courageous today and not afraid. Give me the words to say to represent You to a lost and dying world. Lead me today so I can guide the children You have given me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Judgement





Romans 14:13


Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way.

Life Changing Moments.......




It is not a question of God allowing or not allowing things to happen. It is part of living. Some things we do to ourselves, other things we do to each other. Our Father knows about every bird which falls to the ground, but He does not always prevent it from falling. What are we to learn from this? That our response to what happens is more important than what happens. Here is a mystery: one man’s experience drives him to curse God, while another man’s identical experience drives him to bless God. Your response to what happens is more important than what happens. –Chip Brogden


God is allowing a HUGE life changing trial in my life, but as we take steps by faith I can see God's hand. There has never been a time I have felt closer to my God then NOW! Ever so thankful for his GRACE!!!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Blog Hop 09'



Hello There,
I saw The Blog Hop and thought wow, I have to be a part of that....do I have much spare time.....No......Oh I mean...YES, always time to fit in a quick post right? I am a challenged blogger, that is right. If you visit me you will find that, I am not the best at it( I know NO Grammar can you tell? )....but The Lord works through us right? Here at my blog you will
hopefully feel relaxed and want to sit back and read a bit about how the Lord is working in my life!

'His Grace Is Sufficient For Thee'

I am a child of God, saved in 1998 :) I am married to my perfect husband, well not perfect but who am I to talk.....I am by far the chiefest of sinners. One thing I love about God is he can take the most lost, hardened, messed up person and completely change them for HIS glory!!! I can say that from experience as God has worked in my heart...continues to everyday, as I allow Him too!

I also have 2 sweet boys....(yes, boys can be sweet and boys at the same time!)lol.
Austen is my caring, and handsome 13 year old and Blake my happy, smiley pants boy....is 6!

There are many special people in my life that I am ever so grateful for! The Lord has truly blessed me. I especially am thankful for my Pastor, His Family and my beloved brothers and sisters at church!

I have struggled with pain a good part of my adult life, I don't say that to complain but to tell you this.... it has made me rely on the Lord more then ever before. I see God's grace !! I have learned (learning) not to take my Salvation lightly.......It is a GIFT! I was diagnosed with FMS Fibromyalgia and CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome about 5 months ago now. I am so thankful God gave me a name for my pain. I am learning to be thankful, and to rely on God to see me through. It has made me stronger, and certainly gave me a compassion for others in pain that I never had before!!

I think the 1 things you can count on here at my blog is ...To Be Encouraged!! Ya you may get your toes stepped on and may even have different opinions...that's OK to.
I do however pray that the Lord uses me to be an encouragement to you, and to let you know you are never alone on this journey! The Lord talks about the aged women teaching the younger women.....that is my goal to please my Lord and for Him to use my experiences,and even mistakes to help others!

Please feel free to comment any time and HAPPY Blog Hopping!!

Ps ...I LOVE to make KJV scripture Tags, they are FREE please feel free to snag any here or over at www.branmadetags.blogspot.com

Brandie