We sang this old hymn at our Family Devotions yesterday morning. It was written by Priscilla Owens (1829 – 1907). Aren’t they great words?Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
CHORUS:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul,
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.
It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers have told the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.
It will surely hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill our latest breath;
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the veil.
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Some years back I received this prophetic writing from a friend. I would love to share it with you today as I believe this word is needed more than ever:
We sometimes forget that God's Word is for ALL generations and that includes our 21st century. God, who created mankind, designed and planned the way for us to live. And what is His plan? Marriage and family life. Because God planned it, it is the HEALTHIEST AND HAPPIEST way to live. Sadly, we don't always see the evidence of this today, do we?
What's your disposition toward your husband? I was struck by Way's translation of Titus 2:4 which exhorts wives "to be amiable and submissive to their own husbands." To be amiable makes for a happy and loving atmosphere.
1. BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BLESS YOU (Genesis 1:27-28; 9:1, 2, 7; Psalm 128:3-4 and loads of others). There is a whole chapter on these blessing Scriptures in the book, Be Fruitful and Multiply.
The greatest temptation from the enemy of our souls is in our minds. Revelation 12:9 calls him "that old serpent." He mostly attacks us in our minds, or should I say, even torments us. He brings to our minds thoughts of doubt, deception, despondency, rejection, anger, self-pity, and even despair. And yes, worry, worry, worry! If we are not aware of his tactics and do not resist them, they become bigger he wins the victory.
It's amazing that King Hezekiah turned out a godly man. His father, Ahaz, was a very wicked king and even sacrificed his own children to Molech. He was so wicked that when he died, they did not even bury him in the sepulchers of the kings of Israel. But Hezekiah, his son "wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God" (2 Chronicles 29:1, 2 and 31:20, 21).
Alexander Maclaren writes: "Unless religion is communion, it is nothing." True Christianity is a relationship with a person, Jesus Christ. However, this same principle relates to us as families too.
I love the affirmation of the psalmist in Psalm 119:31: "I have STUCK unto thy testimonies." Do you cling to God's Word? Of course, before we can stick to it, we have to know it. We can't stick to something we don't know. In fact, I think this is why many are not glued to God's Word. It's because they are trying to cling to something they are a little hazy about. We have to get the Word into our heart and into our mouths (Isaiah 59:21).
Jeremiah 15:19 reminds us to stand strong and not be lured back to worldly ways, deception, and humanistic thinking: "Let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them." It is very clear in the New Living Translation: "You must influence them; do not let them influence you!"
Isn't it interesting that man seems to think he knows better ways of doing things than God? The teaching system of today is to segregate children into their age groups. Of course, I can understand that this makes it much easier for teachers. However, even the church has taken on the public school method and separates children from babies to teens in all their separate age levels.
Paul wrote to Timothy recalling "Your sincere faith that first LIVED in your grandmother Lois, and then in your mother Eunice" (1 Timothy 1:5 HSCB) No wonder Timothy not only believed God's Word but walked in it. The heritage was passed on. His grandmother and mother not only believed, but their faith affected every part of their lives. It lived in them.
Are you teaching your children to respond correctly when asked a question? Here are a few examples:
An important question. Are our homes stagnant or flowing with joy and life? Psalm 46:4 (JUB) gives a description of the homes of Jerusalem: "There is a river, the streams of which make glad the city of God, the sanctuary of the tents of the most high." The city is filled with gladness because streams are flowing from the homes of the city.
Did you ever hear about the Georgia Guidestones and what has happened to them?
Do you have laws in your house? I do. I have rules to keep my home in order and running efficiently. If I let everyone do whatever they want or however they want, the home soon turns to chaos. At the same time, I hate legality and love to have a spirit of freedom and openness to spontaneity, fun, and laughter. However, when we have an underlying foundation and plan for our home, it's easier for this to happen. Everything is in order, so we are free to do unexpected things.
I’m sure you love God’s promise in Deuteronomy 33:24, 25: “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” But have you read it in context? It’s in the passage of the prophetic blessing upon the tribe of Asher which says: “Let Asher be blessed with children” and then it concludes with “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Isn’t that amazing?
Rachel Carlson wrote this poem for her baby’s dedication: