Mothering

 ~ Not All Are Mothers, But All Should Mother! ~

Introduction  ~  Mother’s Day in the U.S.A. is a time to honor all the women in our lives.  While all women do not have children, all women have a role to play in the mothering of the young with whom they have ongoing contact. 

Roles  ~  All women are to love children.  This takes many forms including teaching, encouraging, and correcting.  These are vital roles which all adults have yet God has enabled women with special abilities in these areas. 

Scripture  ~  “The virgin’s name was Mary.  And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among [among, not above] women!” (Luke 1:27b-28).

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

“Who can find a virtuous wife?  For her worth is far above rubies…  her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.’  Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:10, 28-31).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Myth, 96

 ~ God Doesn’t Care About My Physical Body ~

Myth  ~  This myth can be stated in a variety of ways but the underlying belief is that the spiritual realm is all that matters and God doesn’t really care about my physical condition.

Kernal of Truth ~  “Exercise yourself toward godliness.  For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:7b-8).  You only need a cursory glance at this passage to realize it is a comparative statement.  

Truth  ~  God considers us stewards of all He has given us including our physical bodies.  Therefore, gluttony and any other avoidable factors that damage our physical bodies is an afront to Him.

Scripture  ~  “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them.  Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.  And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power” (1 Corinthians 6:12-14).

The Apostle Paul continues in this passage, “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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The Changing Christian

 ~ Do You Have Any Change? ~

Chapters 3 of the book of Colossians provides some very practical advice for Christian living—and it’s all based upon our inner life.

Changing Thinking (about heaven and your future)  ~  “Since you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory …” (Colossians 3:1-4). 

Changing Direction (destroy your old nature)  ~  “… Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.  But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, …” (Colossians 3:5-9).  

Changing Character (put on Christ’s nature) ~  “… and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him …” (Colossians 3:10-14).

Changing Spirit (live for God)  ~  “… And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:15-17).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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