A Mother's Heart

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you...

                                  When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God...

We’ve all heard this song at Christmas time. I used to sing along and occasionally wonder if Mary did indeed know, but then go about my business. Around Christmas of 2013, the words came alive to me. That was the year I was pregnant with my first baby. We always wonder what our children will be like, look like, and do as they get older.  Will they be a soul winner, preacher, teacher, etc.? I’m sure Mary had these thoughts, too! 

Daily, I pray over my babies numerous times and I pray, dear God, not only do I want my babies to be good people, I want them to have a heart for you, to have a love for others like you. While praying, this song sometimes enters my mind. And I think, I know my babies are going to do great things. I don’t know what they are, but I can’t wait to see it, and I’m expecting it. Can you imagine Jesus as a baby and child? Was he a perfect, obedient child? Or was he at times a tad ornery or not always nice to his siblings? Did he get into trouble? I mean, did Mary put Jesus in time out? Did she ever say, “You do not want to make me stop this donkey!!” It is funny to think about! 

As mothers, we know our babies (no matter how old they are, they are always our babies) are going to do great things. We have hopes and dreams for them. It is our responsibility to shape and mold them from the home front to have love and faith. It is our burden and blessing to teach them to love God with all their hearts and to serve Him with all their being. To make sure they mind their manners, play nice, show respect, have fun, are healthy, are not psychopaths, or murderers, and to keep them alive. It is a daily burden I know I carry for my children. Children are a blessing. Psalms 127:3 (NLT) “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”. I applaud the mothers who carry this burden and I believe God will honor our prayers and tears. 

I encourage mothers to keep praying and carrying a burden for your children all their days, even when they fall away from God. And this includes ladies who encounter children’s lives. This includes Sunday School teachers, relatives, members of church. If you are a female and children are in your life, you have an impact on their lives and should carry a burden for their spiritual well-being. Not everyone who wants to is able to have their own earthly children, and my heart aches for you and I pray the Lord gives you peace. But you still play a piece in others’ lives in the time you share with them. When you teach the lesson in kids’ classes or you speak to a child in passing, do you ever wonder what this child will be when they grow up? Do you ever think can I say or teach them something that is going to light a spark in their heart to be a missionary and reach hundreds, maybe thousands, for the Lord one day? Will they one day teach Bible Studies to reach all their school friends? What wonders and miracles will this child see with God working through them? 

I pray as a mother that we all have a mother’s heart and love for the children around us. Let us remember the powerful love of a mother, so powerful that God uses it as a metaphor for His love for us. “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” – Isaiah 66:13 (NIV) 

-Written By Rindy Spann

Taking Advantage

Taking Advantage

2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

I think all of us have had people take advantage of us at one time or another.  Sometimes we let others take advantage.  We believe people we know and love wouldn’t possibly hurt us in anyway.

Many times, we have been deceived by people we think have our best interest at heart, but we find out they were only thinking of themselves.

I am sure banks have heard many stories of why someone hasn’t paid back the money on a loan.

Christ has given so much to us, not just a loan, but for keeps.  His Love, Grace, Salvation, and eternal life with Him.  In return, He only asks to be obeyed and for us to serve Him.  Sometimes we use GOD as a bank.  We go to Him asking for healing, counseling, love, or a shoulder to cry on, and He gives it.  Then Satan comes along and whispers to us, “You are fine now.  You can do things on your own.”  The scriptures tell us how the devil deceived the children of GOD.  Eve, for one, took advantage of GOD and His goodness.  She had been warned of the consequences of disobedience.  How many times have we disregarded God's warnings about sinning, but we buy into the world’s view of GOD?  He is an ATM Machine.  Go to Him, get what we want, and there will be more when we need it.  After all, we have the card and the knowledge to just help ourselves.  Do we ever think of what it took to be free to ask GOD for help?  He gave HIS life and HIS blood to have what we need when we need it.  Taking advantage of someone else to serve ourselves is a one-sided relationship.  When Satan comes to you and tells you you don’t need GOD and he can give you what you need, tell him he doesn’t have your password to rob you of all GOD has available for you.  That password is Love, and satan doesn’t have any idea what the word means.  Don’t be deceived, trust in GOD and know He only has good things for you and would never take advantage of you.  You have His word on it.  It is even in writing – written in blood!

Written By: Linda Tatman

In Everything Give Jesus Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Recently while traveling in Florida, my husband and I visited our brothers and sisters in the Lord. All of them suffered losses from Hurricane Michael. Their common theme was, “I thank the Lord. It could have been worse.” Some homes were devastated and are going to be torn down, starting over. Many of them lost their treasured memories, clothes, furniture, appliances. But none of them suffered a loved one’s lost life! The death toll in the pan handle of Florida did not accurately make the news which reported approximately 28 dead. In fact, body bags totaling over 400 were filled. The landscape will not be the same for many years. Where there were once areas of forest, there is now barrenness.

So many did not have food for several days. There was no way to cook anything if there had been. The recovery efforts started as soon as the roads were cleared for them to move in.  One of our friends, Jean, was so busy helping others when in fact she was in need herself. God blessed her in a miraculous way with finances coming her way. She was handpicked by the Lord to receive a special blessing because of her selflessness. She and her husband, Larry, wept as they told us of God’s blessings to them. Their home needs a new roof. They lost their heating and air conditioning. He lost the roof from his work shed. Their trees are gone. Yet, they continually thank the Lord.

Then we heard a testimony from Vince. He and his wife lived in an older home which was completely destroyed. They had purchased a small RV, quite old in fact. It was behind their home and was untouched, making it livable for them! Vince was crying thankful tears as he shared his story.

Betty thanked the Lord that she “only” got 10” of water in her home. She had to have her carpets removed and the walls torn out. She lost furniture also.

There were other stories told to us of how they thanked the Lord for “sparing” them. In front of almost every home there were high piles of debris representing their lost possessions.

Another lady we ran into for lunch was living in a motel. Her home is uninhabitable. We paid for her lunch and she brought the change back saying, “You have refreshed me during this dark time. I want to bless others.”

I remember when Tami was diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease, cancer of the lymph nodes. Hodgkins was the best cancer to have according to her oncologist. We thanked God for it!

No matter what we are yet to face or have already faced, we are to give thanks in everything. Jesus does all things well!

“In everything, give Him thanks, give Him thanks. In everything give God the thanks. In the good times, praise His name. In the bad times, we can do the same. In everything give the King of Kings all the thanks.”

- Written By: Jeannie Collins