multiplying miracles {day 22}

Today I read in Luke 8 of the man of the Gadarenes that was possessed of many devils and whom God healed. 

 After Jesus cast the demons into the swine feeding nearby and the animals died in a lake, the people talked about it. There was likely a frenzy of wondering what just happened?! 

But when the people found out that Jesus had made this maniac to be sane, they were afraid... of Jesus.

I am sure they were not pleased that Jesus had killed their pigs [I am assuming they were part of someone’s lively-hood]. It is not normal for animals to wildly run down a ravine and into a lake.

But it was not until they saw a crazy man sitting sanely that the Bible says they were afraid. It is a fairly normal occurrence for a man to sit, clothed, speaking calming to other people. And yet, this is what made them afraid.

And the city asked Jesus to leave.

One of their own was made whole, sane; and they were afraid of the Healer.

The Bible records that He came back later and was received gladly.

What made the difference?

Jesus told the man: shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. [v 39]

The man told the people of the city his first-hand account of Jesus power. He told them Jesus was God... or at least, the man realized Jesus was God, and that influenced his story. And then, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. [v 40]

And after this was when Jarius’ daughter was raised from the dead. It seems to be a man from the same town.

All this... led me to realize, yet again, that when the name of Jesus is elevated to GOD in our conversation... when we actively think of Him as God, thus changing our manner of life... people believe {maybe not all, but it is noticed!}, hearts are changed, and miracles continue! How marvelous. 

{Esther} the lady "come for such a time as this"

Darlene [author of The Good Wife's Guide (my review)] from Time-Warp-Wife is beginning a 3 week series on the book of Esther today. 

I am excited! Esther is my oldest girl's middle name because she is my absolute favorite lady in the Bible. such courage and wisdom. 

    So, read Esther 1 and click over to Darlene's blog for some insightful thoughts and questions. I am looking forward to reading through this book and her blog posts this month [on my favorite book... during the month of my birthday! what an awesome gift.]

I pray this is a BLESSED Monday for you all!

{teaching} with evidence

When children see evidence of God's importance in Daddy's and Mommy's lives  and are trained to also be involved, it becomes a part of their lives. 

There is a marked difference in the attitudes of children towards authority between those who are taught that God is Important and those who are left to figure things out on their own [Proverbs 28:26; 29:15]. 

Children must be continually exposed to God and His Word and His Love and commands in order for them to become a part of their lives. 

If God is important to us as parents it will be evident to our children when they are in Sunday School every week and when we read the Bible [even just a verse and explain it] with them each day and when we pray for the difficulties we face and when we praise Him for all things. It will be evident when we participate in the ministries of our church or go out of our way to be helpful to those in need.

Children with parents who are passionate about "being green" learn how to recycle and repurpose, because their parents DO it. Those whose parents are avid about "organic food" will learn about the nutritional value of different foods and the negative effects of pesticides and processing, etc because their parents are DOing something. Those who are fervent in their quest of an organized home & life teach their children the importance of everything having its own home and putting it there by always having them put things away as well as DOing it themselves.

In the same manner, parents who are are dedicated lovers of God WILL teach their children who God is. We will prove that He is our Creator and that He is to be revered and praised and worshiped and served with our whole life. with our actions.

{teaching} God is [& link-up]

Before our children can know to ask us about salvation we must teach them about God.

All men are born with the knowledge of God written in their heart [Proverbs 14:1, Romans 2:14-16].

But this does not mean our children will automatically know God.

Man is born a sinner. Even as a babe, we are all sinners. If you have children, you cannot dispute this fact. A child left to himself brings shame on his mother [Proverbs 29:15].

Since the same heart that knows God also contains sin, the knowledge of God must be cultivated to become knowing God. People do not know who He is without being taught. Yes, if a lost man seeks for God, God will not hide himself [Jeremiah 29:13].

But we must teach our children who God is.

And we must teach our children to KNOW God. and the earlier the better. 

In the first hours and days of each of our children's lives they each had several people telling them them "Jesus loves you" often ... through words, song and even action. These people included us as parents. our parents. and church members who visited. My children are greatly blessed.

Of course, my babies had no idea what we were saying; but as they grow and learn from Bible stories and Sunday school and family devotions that Jesus is God and God made us and loves us and wants to be our Heavenly Father, a sense of God is All-Important is instilled in their hearts. And this is fundamental to their ability to realize their need of a Savior at an early age.

When children are taught this, it is fact in their hearts [Proverbs 22:6]. And if the knowledge that Jesus loves them and He is ALL-Important becomes as integrated into their being as the fact that Daddy and Mommy loves them, the root of faith takes hold. 

even while still a baby.

{If you have a blog, please join in! Just link to a blog post URL in which you have talked about a child-training tip or Bible teaching idea for children!}

linked up:oursimplecountrylife/hearts-4-home

some {simple} questions

1. What does it mean to be saved?

2. How does Jesus come into our hearts?

3. Why does a person need to be saved?

4. How old does a person need to be to be saved?

5. How does being saved take your sins away?

one prayer is for them to always be able to hold each others hands...

6. Can a person be saved without asking Jesus to come into their heart?

Have you ever wondered any of these questions when thinking of and praying for your children? Have your children ever asked you something along these lines?

Teaching children spiritual truths is a daunting challenge. It causes my very being to go weak with the awesomeness of the responsibility. that God gave to ME and MY HUSBAND [and YOU and YOUR HUSBAND].

this one reminds me that one day they will not have my hand...

and I need to be sure they know how to hold His!

The next few weeks Tips for Training Children will take on a spiritual note. We will start at the beginning [and see God] and then look at these questions in the light of the Word of God. If we cannot answer or teach our children from the Bible, the foundation of their faith will not be true and accurate and will one day crumble.

until Thursday...

what a wonderful story!

Jesus left Heaven's glory....

to read the full Christmas story:

fleeing to Egypt. to be called Out of Egypt! {advent}

Matthew 2:13-15

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.  When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

[The Lord could have had them flee to any number of different regions or countries. but He chose Egypt. a picture of the world. Jesus was sent into the world, and the called OUT of the world. an example for so He calls us too.]

rejoicing! with treasures {advent}

Matthew 2:9-12

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

[Hearing from the religious leaders about where they should go, following a star from a far away land, they REJOICED. and obeyed God.]

in Bethlehem of Judaea: for this it is written!

Matthew 2:4-8

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,  and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

[The priests and scribes of Israel KNEW about the prophesies for the Birth of the Messiah. yet men from afar were more interested in there fulfillment and the coming of The King.]

wise men's tiding are troubling {advent}

Matthew 2:1-3

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,  saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

[Herod was troubled because he was a wicked ruler. How do you think the leaders of different countries would react if Jesus were born today? the people were troubled also. How would we react?]

telling & pondering {advent}

Luke 2:17-19

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

[I must purpose THIS DAY to TELL of the great tidings! Do you think Mary pondered these things later also? when Jesus was being scorned. remembering how He was so honored at His birth contrasted with how rejected He was in His death. As a mother, I cannot even begin to contemplate how she must have felt during Jesus' entire life. as a child. His ministry. death. Have you ever wondered?]

let US go, too! {advent}

Luke 2:15,16

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

[Let us go and find Jesus! for we have an even greater witness than Angels! the Written, Living Word...]

the Angel's greetings & praise {advent}

Luke 2:10-14

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

[the Greatest Message ever spoken!]

the shepherds are afraid {advent}

Luke 2:8,9 

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

[I am fairly certain I would be equally: sore afraid! What would you do?]

the Child comes! {advent}

Luke 2:4-7

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

[so much prophecy is represented in these few verses! and the most wonderous being: God was born. for you. for me.]

obeying & being sent to Bethlehem

Matthew 1:24-25 

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:1-3

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

[Not much is often said about Joseph, but he was obviously a man who feared and trusted the Lord: he married an unwed-mother simply because a vision told him to. in a day when he could have had her stoned for 'cheating' on him]

a prophecy fulfilled {advent}

Matthew 1:22-23

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

[God told them this would happen. and still most people did not believe. And when Jesus began His ministry: ...Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. {John 1:46} Do WE believe the prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled could, indeed, be wrought today?]

a child of the Holy Ghost {advent}

Matthew 1:18-21

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

[As a young woman {possibly an older teenager}, would you have been fearful to tell your intended, parents, siblings, that an angel told you that you would have a baby before knowing a man... and that you were expecting and truly had never been with a man?]

returning. to His rightful place! {advent}

ascend into Heaven 

Thou hast ascended on high... Psalm 68:18;

fulfilled: Acts 1:9

would sit down at the right hand of God 

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Psalm 110:1

fulfilled: Hebrews 1:3

This list from the past few days is by NO means every prophecy Jesus has fulfilled or will fulfill, but it is an BEAUTIFUL start to Advent. 

to bring us into the reading of the Christmas story.

beginning tomorrow!

life after death! promised by God. {advent}

would rise from the dead!

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Psalm 16:10

fulfilled: Mark 16:6; Acts 2:31