Jesus Christ was our supreme sacrifice. He became the sacrificial Lamb, slain upon the altar for our sins. His ultimate sacrifice gives us forgiveness of sins, victory over sin in our daily life, sweet fellowship with Him, and eternal life. Romans 12:1 beseeches us that our logical and reasonable response should be to yield our lives to Him as a living sacrifice. What does this mean?
Jesus laid down His life to be our sacrifice. We have to lay down our lives to be a living sacrifice. We face this principle every day as wives and mothers. Constantly we choose whether we will demand our own way, decide to do that which pleases us, or lay down our life for our husband, our children, and for others. Every day we sacrifice our own selfish desires.
Sometimes this is a battle. We need to be constantly reminded of Psalm 118:27: “Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.” We willingly lay our life upon the altar as we feel the moving of the Holy Spirit as we read God’s Word or in a worship service. But then we get back to the challenges of daily life and mothering--and off the altar we jump!
We need His cords to bind us. What are these cords? God says in Hosea 11:4: “I drew them with cords of compassion, with bands of love.” He says again in Jeremiah 31:3 “Yes, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
Because Christ now dwells in our hearts (if we have been born again), we no longer live to ourselves, “but unto him which died and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14). This lifestyle of dying daily to our own selfish desires does not ruin our lives. Instead, it releases us into the joyful life of serving and sacrifice that is the life of Christ (Mark 8:35).
I read about a mission board that had an ox for its seal. On one side of the ox was an altar, on the other side a plough. Their motto was “Ready for either.” There are millions of Christians being martyred for their faith today (more than at any other time). They are literally dying upon the altar. Others (like you and me) become a living sacrifice and take up the plough of the daily grind of life. Not doing it grudgingly, but with joy and exhilaration.
May God save us from being jumping jacks--jumping off the altar as soon as anything becomes too difficult, looms bigger than we can imagine, or does not work out the way we planned. Instead may it become our lifestyle to be bound with joy to the altar, the least that we can do in response to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us.
Love from Nancy Campbell
We know how important it is to hide God’s Word in our heart, don’t we? We understand how imperative it is to make sure our children hide God’s Word in their hearts. I’m sure you have taught your children Psalm 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I night not sin against thee.” I agree with the old saying: “Sin will keep you from God’s Word, or God’s Word will keep you from sin.”
“I beg your pardon. Are you talking to me?” I hear you say. “That’s not me. I’m for ever failing and getting angry with the children.” Yes, I understand. The Bible says: “There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:3 and Romans 3:10). True!
The original wedding vows state: "I take you . . . TO HAVE AND TO HOLD from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part." The words “to hold” are strong and powerful. What do they mean? What do they mean to you? I’ll share a few thoughts, but I’d love to hear from you too.
How do we stay strong in faith? How do we stand fast against the ungodly influence of others around us? God has the answer for us of course. The way to do it is to continually confess your faith. We are born again into the family of God by believing and CONFESSING that Jesus is our Lord (Romans 10:9,10). But we don’t stop there. We keep on believing and CONFESSING every day of our lives (Colossians 2:7).
Do you really believe what God says? Do I? God’s words are eternal. He doesn’t give us a different set of plans for each generation, but His plans work for all generations. Yes, even in 2016! In fact, no generation is exempt from God’s plans and purposes. Every generation is without excuse.
It’s so important to have a right spirit, isn’t it? Our spirit is who we really are. Our body is only the house of our spirit. The attitude of our spirit determines how we live our lives, tearing us down or lifting us up. It determines the atmosphere we create in our home.
Your home doesn’t suddenly become a home of tranquility and joy. Your home doesn’t suddenly become orderly. Your husband and children are not assured of your love and affirmation without your telling them. Nothing in life just happens. You have to make it happen.
There are those who would spurn the vocation of 
A while back I asked our readers to share the little things they do to show their husbands they love them. The following are the replies I received. Each one of us are different personalities and therefore we show our love in different ways. You may not do all the things written in this list, but take time to read it through. You are sure to find some new ideas. Never be content with a boring marriage. Always be thinking of new and exciting ways to 
Do you think you married the wrong person?
1. DIVINELY
How much to do you believe in the power of God’s Word? I read this morning in Psalm 19:7-11 that His Word restores the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, gives us warning, and “in keeping of them there is great reward.”
Jeremiah 10:7 asks: “Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? Indeed it is your due!” What comfort to know that our God is King of the nations. No matter how much the nations rant and rave and turn away from God, God will have the last say. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision” (Psalm 2:4).
What was the first thing God did after He created man? I'll give you a little moment to think about it?
Are you desperate to establish some order in your home? Here are a few thoughts for you:
Do you wrestle against the devil and his evil works, or comply with his ways? Ephesians 6:12 reminds us to wrestle against the rulers of the darkness of this world. We have evil and deception all around us. What are we doing about it? Are we acquiesce or fighting? To wrestle means to fight hard to win.
God speaks to us individually, but did you know that He also wants to speak to us as families? God is vitally interested in our individual lives, but He also sees us collectively as families. This is the way He planned for us to live, as families. Jeremiah 2:4: "Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the FAMILIES of the house of Israel."
I love the description of David from Psalm 78:71-72: “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: from following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.”
Who is your marriage all about? Is it all about you? Many couples live together, but are not bound together or even enjoy life together. They start off with great love, enjoyment, and enthusiasm but often their relationship grows boring and cold.