MamaArcher's Blog

On The Box: Closing the Deal: An Unbiblical Component of Modern Evangelism.

Surfing through facebook this morning I came across a quote that really made me stop and think!  I just love when that happens!  It was also very convicting!  Being of the Reformed faith one thing that is very important is Soli Deo Gloria meaning glory to God alone.  Basically, it means that everything is done for the glory of God ALONE.  We focus a lot on making sure our motives are pure, we pray for the Lord to create new hearts within us, all for His glory and His glory alone.

So it really gave me reason to pause when I read this quote this morning. The friend who posted it didn’t leave the author’s name but here is the quote.

-God can be most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.

WOW!

Where do we find our satisfaction. I mean honestly, truly, where do we find it?  More often than not it is not in the Lord.  We, of course, find some satisfaction in the Lord but how often do we seek satisfaction else where?  In our work?  In our parenting? In our spouse? In our accomplishments? In the things we own? In how we live? In _________.

But read that quote again…..

-God can be most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.

We must find our FULL satisfaction in the Lord!!  And why?  Because that brings the most glory to God!!  Remember it is ALL about the Lord!!

As Mother’s Day approaches the focus always seems to be on what to get mom. Although it is nice to get gifts if that is the focus it can bring bitterness. What if you don’t get breakfast in bed? What if you don’t get those beautiful flowers or that awesome massage you desperately need? Will your day seem not as bright?

Let me encourage you this Mother’s Day to remember that the ultimate gift is actually BEING a mother! What greater gift than the fact that the Lord saw fit to bless you with your children! If this is your focus this Mother’s Day you will not be disappointed! You will see your blessings overflowing!

Keep your focus this Mother’s Day. You are honored by the simple fact that you ARE a mother. Any other gift is just icing on the cake.

Happy Mother’s Day!

1. Ask God to protect your children with His loving care, so that no evil can reach them and lead them into temptation. Pray that they will be safe from harm (Psalm 33:20).

2.Pray that your children would use Godly wisdom. Ask God to give each child a discernment about people, as well as knowing the difference between right and wrong in the actions of their friends.(Proverbs 18:24; Deuteronomy 13:6,8).

3.Pray that your children would stay pure in their thoughts and deeds, striving for God’s way of holiness for their lives (Psalm 24:4-5;Ephesians 1:4)

4.Pray that your children will accept responsibility quickly and with humility when they fall into sin. (Matthew 5: 23-24).

5. Pray that your children will be alert and thinking clearly as they study their schoolwork and in their extra curricular activities. Ask God to help them to be motivated to do the best they are capable of doing (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

6. Pray that your children will have an appetite to live the spiritual truths they have learned at home. Pray also that they will set goals and a purpose for their lives in accordance with God’s design for them. (Deuteronomy 5:29).

7. Ask God to help your children live their lives for Him, and that He will use them as a testimony and witness for His glory. Pray that they will grow to full spiritual maturity (Psalms 78:1-8, 103:17-18; Isaiah 54:13; Ephesians 3:20-21).

Some days are better than others.  Some days I think I may actually be in the running for at least a good homeschool mom.  Some days I think I am the last person on earth who should even be attempting to homeschool!  There are days (quite a few lately) that I feel so poorly physically that not much gets attempted, let alone accomplished!  There are other days that are so busy I cannot even see straight by nightfall. I wonder if in the midst of all this craziness if I am even in the ballpark with where the Lord has called me minister(within my home).

I often begin to doubt myself and feel a failure.  What on earth could I EVER offer to the Lord???  I was feeling this way today when I picked up my Bible and sat down to read.  I had not read the book of Micah in quite some time so I decided to read that today. Here is what stuck out to me.

Micah 6:6a   “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high?”

Oh Lord!  This is me today!!!  What can I offer you????  I have nothing!!

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
(Micah 6:8 ESV)

Oh, how that comforted my heart!  Even on those days when I seemingly have nothing to offer, when my failings abound, I can still accomplish that which the Lord requires!  I may not have finished all of our school lessons but did I act justly today?  I may not have cleaned the entire house and had dinner on the table on time but did I love and show kindness?  And what better way than a crazy, seemingly failure of a day for the Lord to teach me to walk with humility?  Those are the most important things!  If I can just keep those things in the forefront of my mind no matter what my day is like I will honor the Lord!

So be encouraged when your days do not goes as you would like.  Be encouraged when you feel like you are failing.  Keep honoring the Lord amidst that and you will have fulfilled what the Lord requires and that will bring you peace!

I have heard the argument often that to use scripted prayers is to use canned prayers with no life.  Some people feel that for one to have a vibrant, life- filled, personal relationship with the Lord that prayer must always be spontaneous and of our own crafting.  While it is true that we are to pour our own hearts out to the Lord and to have a personal relationship with the Lord; I would propose that it isn’t a bad thing to use some so called “canned prayers”.  We do not have to throw out the prayers of others that have been recorded for us.  Would you say the Lord’s Prayer is a canned prayer?  Would you say that to pray the Lord’s Prayer is to be lifeless or meaningless?  You may say that is different because the Lord’s Prayer is scripture. There is truth in that.  I have, however, heard people say it is wrong to pray it with any consistency because it becomes a “canned prayer” void of meaning.  When did repetition mean death?  When did repetition lose its value?  If repetition has lead to meaninglessness then I would suggest it is because the individual’s heart was not in it and allowed it!

Just as the prayer beads in the previous post, the prayers of others can be of an amazing value!  We have some books of prayers around our house but my favorite is most definitely the Valley of Vision!   Sometimes I do not always know what to pray, sometimes I do not always “feel” like praying and it becomes more difficult, sometimes there are things that I just don’t think to pray!  Using the prayer of another, more articulate, and probably with a deeper relationship with the Lord, can be such an encouragement!  It can call to mind things that I neglect, things that I should be praying for, they often contain a focus that I so often lack.  God can use those prayers to stretch and grow me!

I would submit to the neighsayers that if the prayers of others offer no value that maybe it is not the prayers that are canned but possibly your own opinions or even heart.  To look down one’s nose at the growth of others and not see a benefit or value is arrogance.  I am NOT saying that you must use the prayers of others in your own walk, not at all.  I am simply saying that we should not discourage one another and invalidate, diminish, or judge another’s faith on whether or not they use a prayer book!

If the prayers of the Puritans stir your heart, if the prayers of the heroes of the faith bring about conviction, if you find yourself inspired and longing for the kind of intimacy with God that the authors of written prayers obviously had, by all means use them!

One who is alive in Christ will pray those prayers with life!!!  One who is stagnant will pray with stagnation.  Once again we are back to the heart.  It is not the prayers. It is the heart that approaches and prays those prayers.