Don't Shrink Back from Godly Motherhood

Okay ladies, it is a few days after Mother’s Day.  The flowers are wilting, the chocolate is gone and you’ve finally cleaned up the mess the kids made in the kitchen when they fixed you “breakfast.”  Reality has set back in and motherhood is a tough, constant, unappreciated, battle and you wonder if it’s worth it (It is!).    Here are a few thoughts to encourage you in pressing on as godly mothers…

1. Remember you are a means of grace.  You are a vehicle through which God delivers the grace of saving faith to your children (see 2 Timothy 1:5).  The question is:  Are you delivering?   Have you let up because the job is tiring, the customers are difficult and you are running out of gas?   God did not choose you for an easy job.   God chose you because He designed you with merciful love and a passion to nurture your children.   Consider this: If you don’t deliver how will your children find true faith in Christ?

2. You are important despite what the world says.  One day is not enough to give moms all of the honor they deserve.  No wise person would argue this, but our world is not overflowing with wisdom.  In this world the priceless things of God are greatly undervalued and even despised.   God’s own Son continues to be dismissed as unnecessary.   Don’t be surprised that women who devote themselves to godly motherhood are mocked, their contribution to society considered minuscule.  Seek your greatest praise from the One you truly work for and do your work of motherhood “with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

3. Be a spiritual mom.  Your first duty is to the children God has given to you.  But as a Christian woman, you also have a responsibility to the lost children God brings into your sphere of influence.  Nobody is watching out for these children except God.  And God’s plan is to put YOU in their lives.  The first disciples rejected this assignment and Jesus rebuked them for it (Mark 10:13-16).  It seems there are many Christian women today willing to ignore their call and condemn young souls to judgment.  Will you be a spiritual mom who accepts this responsibility?  Will you do the work required to be a means of saving grace to the children of your church and your community?  “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)

Serving Jesus,

Pastor Tim

A Few Late Thoughts on the Death of Osama bin Laden

His death is not reason to celebrate.  Some have pointed out, and I agree, the godly do not celebrate at the death of the wicked, even of their enemies (see Job 31:29 and Proverbs 24:16-18).  Death was never a part of God’s plan but entered the world on account of our sin.  When we celebrate the death of another we go beyond forgetting we also deserve death and boast in our own righteousness.  Bin Laden was taken down by an earthly government, but we will all stand before the righteous judge of heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10).   God who desires that all be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), rejoices at the death of none, even the most wicked.

Justice done is reason to celebrate.   By “justice” I do not mean bin Laden’s death, but that a man who was responsible for the innocent deaths of many, a man of great violence has been stopped.  When government does its righteous job, there can be peace and tranquility (1Timothy 2:1-2).  When the wicked are allowed to run free their numbers increase (Ecclesiastes 8:11) but when justice prevails life as God intended will be enjoyed (Deuteronomy 16:20).

Be wary of celebrating Peace.  Those who think this is the beginning of the end of terrorism, that by human might there is hope for peace in the world, are sorely mislead.  The Old Testament prophets Jeremiah (6:14; 8:11; 14:13), Ezekiel (13:10) and Micah (3:5) all warned of false prophets who proclaimed “peace.”   They said all was well when things were not well.  Even if terrorism was to be removed from the face of the earth, other evils would take its place.  The problem lies with humanity and the fact that none are righteous (Romans 3:9-18).  In fact, Paul says plainly, “the way of peace they do not know.” (Rom 3:17).

The best reason to celebrate.  There is only one place peace can be found for those who want it and humbly seek it.  In John 14:27 Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV).  When you have the peace Jesus gives, there is reason to celebrate in all circumstances.