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STIR UP THE POT

When we talk to people and realize they are in deception and believing a lie, what do we do? When someone is doing something that is not right, what do we do? I guess that if we are to be honest we would have to confess that we prefer to say or do nothing. We don't want to interfere in their lives. We don't want to be thought of someone who is condemning or legal, so we keep quiet.

But, is that what we are meant to do? Proverbs 28:4 says, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law CONTEND WITH THEM." What does this word "contend" mean? The Hebrew word is "garah" and means "to meddle, to stir up." In other words, it means to get involved.

Is it loving to leave someone in deception? Often they are ignorantly in deception. Is it loving to not seek to rescue someone who is going in the wrong direction? (Read Jude 1:23).

How can we change society if we stay silent? As God's people, we are meant to be invading society with God's truth. We are mean to be leading the way. We are meant to be shining God's light into the darkness, not hiding our light (Matthew 5:13-16).

Of course, I don't believe we should be judging and condemning in our response. A great way to challenge people's thinking is to ask them questions. Ask them why they think this way. Get to the bottom of their worldview. The whole of society, Christian and non-Christians, are constantly bombarded with a secular and humanistic worldview. It is time we invaded society with a biblical worldview.

Don't hide your light. Drop seeds of truth wherever you go; when you meet women at the supermarket, when you talk to them at church, and when you talk to people who are going in a wrong direction. And don't forget to smile at them when you talk to them.

Love from Nancy
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MY RESPONSE

Have friends or family been talking about you? Have they said things that hurt you deeply? What is your response? Are you harboring hurt, unforgiveness, or even bitterness?

Or, perhaps you are full of fear as you face a current crisis. Once again, what is your response? Are you turning your heart to God?

David experienced these very things you may be experiencing. In fact, his enemies wanted to kill him!

What was his response? "But, I trusted in thee, O Lord, I said, THOU ART MY GOD" (Psalm 31:13-14). Can I encourage you, dear mother, to take your eyes off your circumstances, stop dwelling on them, and instead look to God. He is bigger than anything you are facing. He is in control of your life. You can trust Him.

Change your confession. Confess out loud, "Oh God, I do trust you. I thank you that you are my God." All throughout this day, confess out loud, "YOU ARE MY GOD."

Your situation may not change, but you will be amazed at the change in the attitude of your heart.

Love from Nancy
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CHOOSE THE BLESSING

Another thing the Bible says is "good" is the blessing of unity. Psalm 133:1 says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Notice this Scripture has an exclamation mark!

David wrote this psalm after the terrible heartache he experienced with the rebellion of his son, Absalom. After this heartbreak he acknowledged and longed for the blessing of unity which is "good" and "pleasant" which also means "delightful and sweet." The precious ointment that was poured out upon Aaron was a sweet perfume and the fragrance filled the sanctuary.

It's not always easy to have unity, is it? Because we are not perfect, we can easily become agitated, offended, upset, or even angry with one another. But, will we hang on to these feelings and stay in discord? Or, will we humble our hearts, swallow our pride, forgive, and love in spite of everything?

We are a family of strongly opinionated ideas. We don't all agree with each other. Not even Colin and I agree all the time. But, as my husband says, "We are not commanded to agree with one another, but we are commanded to love one another." And so we learn to love one another and have unity even when we don't agree. That's not always easy, but it's exciting and victorious living! And it brings the blessing. The sweet perfume fills the home.

David likens this unity to the ointment poured upon the head of Aaron. It starts at the top. It starts with you, Mom and Dad. When you live in harmony, with a tenderhearted spirit to one another, the blessing runs down to the very bottom of the garments. The blessing comes down on every child in the family.

Choose unity.

Love from Nancy
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GOOD THINGS DON'T ALWAYS FEEL GOOD

Not all good things feel good. There are some good things that we would rather not experience, and yet they are for our good. Psalm 119:71 says, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted: that I might learn thy statues."

There are times when God allows us to go through affliction and difficult times. These experiences cause us to run to God and to His Word. When we cast ourselves upon Him, He leads us from our own way to learn His way. Without these times of humbling and chastening, we would stay in our same old rut. If we want to climb higher and become more and more conformed to the image of Christ, we will embrace the afflictions that lead us closer to Him.

I am always amazed at Paul's testimony when he confesses, "We glory in tribulations," but he says this because he understands that tribulation leads him to patience (Hebrews 5:3-5). Read also 1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:12-14 and Hebrews 12:11.

It is usually the difficult experiences of life that teach us more of God's ways than the sunny times, isn't it? The important thing is: will we learn from our tough times, or will become bitter and complaining?

I have always loved the following words...

'Tis better far to let Him choose the way that we should take;
If only we leave our life with Him, He will guide without mistake;
We, in our blindness, would never choose a pathway dark or rough,
And so we should never find in Him the GOD WHO IS ENOUGH!
In disappointment, trouble, or pain, we turn to the Changeless One,
And prove how faithful, loving and true is God's beloved Son.

Love from Nancy
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TRAINING CHILDREN TO WORK

I am now on a roll about things the Bible says are "good" things to do.

Lamentations 3:27 says, "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth."

Many modern parents think children should be spared from doing too much work and taking on too much responsibility while they are young. Many Children's Protection Services workers think it is abuse if children are expected to do dishes and other chores around the home. This is a humanistic way of thinking and the antipathy of preparing children for life.

Of course, I believe children should enjoy being children and have lots of opportunity for play, but they should also be taught responsibility. As they get older, they should be given more and more responsibility.

It is sad to see young people today (older teens and young twenties) who don't know how to get "stuck in" and work hard and don't know how to take on responsibility. They are not prepared to for life, because to be successful in life you have to be experienced in how to work hard, complete a task efficiently, and take initiative. This only happens with training. The "yoke" was put on the oxen when they went to work.

Of course, there are also many wonderful young people who have a wonderful testimony in this area.

You are training your children now for success or failure. Don't get taken up with the humanistic mindset of our society.

Love from Nancy



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