I was getting caught up on my computer work a few nights ago and I kept stumbling on pictures, posts, etc., etc. of things that I KNEW would displease the Lord Jesus!  With a sigh from the depths of my soul………I read on.  Many seem to think life is just about one big party!

People that I have looked up to for years, begin to lower their standards.  Lady’s blouses slip quite a bit lower, girls put on pants (a male’s gender of clothing) shorts get higher and higher on the leg, lady’s cut their hair short and men grow theirs long.  The dress standard among most people has dropped so low, I don’t know how it could drop any lower??……………Unless the entire world turns into a “nudist colony”.  In New York City, they are already using “body paint” rather than clothing.  To find something good on the TV (although we do not have one) gets harder and harder to find and movies are filled with filth!  Double, Triple, Sighhhhh………..

Then, we as Christians sit back and say, “Isn’t it a shame where this world has gone!!” Sadly though, many times we are close behind the world and its sin!  I understand that certain things change with the culture and things that were deemed a NO, NO – a hundred years ago, are okay now.  If those changes do not include sin, then sure, we are bound to adapt to our culture.  However, when it defies what the Lord has put in place as our guide and boundary, I can’t help but wonder that we are quickly becoming a world similar to that of the days of Noah.  The difference is, is that if we are Christians, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling in us!!  What an advantage!!  Yet, we so readily ignore Him and His promptings (including me).

I guess I’m tired.  I’m tired of being (many times) the very rare minority that takes a stand.  Of course, we are NO better than anyone else……..just rather willing to be conservative in our standards.  Our children have seen what is out there in the way of “mate material”, and it makes them wonder, “Mama, will we find that godly mate that I am looking for?” (YES, God is able when we trust in Him – so put your worries to rest).

I am truly thankful for how young people have a desire to serve the Lord and many times head off to Bible college.  Maybe even some of our children will do that.  However, what worries me, is they think THAT is what makes them spiritual.  Yielding to CHRIST, is what makes us spiritual, and if Bible College is in that equation to learn more about the Word of God (and not to flirt with the opposite gender and have an independent, expensive social life), then great!

I surrendered my life to the Lord at 12 yrs. old for full-time service to Him.  However, for the next 27 years of my life, I grew up, got married, and I had baby after baby.  I folded (millions – at least it seemed so) of clothes, ironed, wiped dirty hands and faces, mopped floors, washed dishes, went into intense labor – baby after baby, read stories, did devotions and taught my children of God’s ways……….only to rise and do it all over again the next day.

Was I out front……..getting noticed??  NOOOO……..I was home throwing up from another pregnancy that made me sick, or changing a smelly diaper that made me sick, or dancing with pain as my swelled varicose veins throbbed from being on them for too long!  Yes………I chose to let God bless us with all these children (a step of faith and surrender that most Christians will NEVER take).  BUT – I am raising up an army for Christ and I feel HONORED that God has blessed us with twelve thus far!!!  These are things that you will never learn at Bible college.  To have grit determination in the face of many acts of service towards (sometimes it seems) a thankless job.  The fruit of my labor is just now starting to be seen and I thank God for that!!

He promises that………Ga 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

You can believe it………from this article alone, I will face much criticism.  But, it just shows people’s hearts are calloused towards sin and they have put up a protective wall around the areas they don’t want conviction or change in.

Normally I tread softly and speak sweetly and show love and grace (all good things……smile) but the ones that defend sin, are certainly never shy to boldly and without love and grace “DEFEND THEIR POSITION!”  I guess once in awhile, you just need that righteous anger that Jesus had when he overturned the tables!  What about God’s righteous indignation mentioned in the Bible.  Ps 106:40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.  Be angry (at sin) but sin not.  Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not:

Remember, there is a time for everything under the sun………as stated in Ecclesiastes.  Ec 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.  Where has our hatred gone for sin??  The common argument is that we are ALL sinners, so how can we be so judgemental??  YES, I SURE AM A WRETCH myself!! – But this should not diminish (or give me excuse) to overlook the filth of sin.

So, the more I sat at my computer, the more “fired up” I got!!  “Children!!” I called them all up to me.  Once they had all gathered around me, I said………

“Look at this picture!” as I flung my hand towards the computer.  It was then that I began my “Mama preaching session”.  (YES – women are to be silent in the church) but not with our children!  This is our GOLDEN opportunity to instill core character and a HATRED for sin in our children!! So, I began……………

“Boys, NEVER cheat on your wife – IT”S SIN – from the pits of hell!! Girls, never lower your dress standard – raise the bar HIGH!! Boys, keep your hair cut short, ( 1Co 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?) and girls keep it long (1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.) “

“DON’T do drugs, smoke, drink, swear, view pornography!!  Stay away from gambling, and from ever stealing!!”

“LIVE RIGHTEOUS – UNTIL THE STARS FALL!!  Remember, Pr 15:3 ¶ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”!!!!!!  and much more!…….

My children looked at me with wide eyes and I could see the passion for doing right……..creep onto their own precious faces & eyes.  When I finish with talks like that, they always begin to start talking rapidly and we have a blessed family discussion on sin and the DARK, DEATHLY places it will take you!!  Praise God for the light of God’s Word!!  “Ps 119:105 ¶  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Moms out there, DON’T be afraid to raise your voice in PASSION for what you believe in!!  Once your children are grown and gone, your chance at intense training is over!  YES…….a balance of love and discipline is crucial, but don’t forget how crucial the training is!!  “Proverbs 29:15 ………….a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.  Pr 22:6 ¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

I remember as a little girl, Jack Hyles preaching and telling us that his Mama used to TRAMPLE on “mock” cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol, pornography, etc. and EXCLAIM to her children “NEVER do these things!!!!  They will RUIN your life!”  (That’s the best I remember the story), but how it impressed upon me!

Where have the Moms with back-bone gone?  Yes, we need to have self-control and patience, but let us not confuse that with thinking we need to have a tolerance of sin!!……..especially when it comes to training the treasures that God has entrusted to us!!

I do NOT boast myself of tomorrow, for I know not what a day may bring forth.  However, I am thrilled to say that up-to-date, we have obedient, pleasant, joyful children (and that includes a 17,16,15,14, and 13 year olds!).  ALL praise to Jesus and His ways!!

That success thus far is ALL due to following the Lord and HIS principles!!  God really has designed a simple plan.  YES,  we love our children to death, but we are NOT afraid to have them corrected by others or by us when they do wrong.  So many parents cringe at any type of correction of wrong doing that “their precious babies” are accused of.  Why is it, that when it comes to our children, we defend their poor choices or character??  Don’t be afraid to call sin what it is – including with your own darling children.  They WILL thank you for it someday.

But then, don’t forget to praise their good character and be their cheer-leader and encourager!!  Again, have that balance!

Was my voice raised to a “yelling” level!  You bet is was!!  In JESUS NAME – I will fight against the wiles of the devil!!  For he is a ROARING LION – seeking whom he may devour!!

WARN and SHOUT to your children ****CAUTION**** and ****BEWARE****!!!  Put on the whole armour of  God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil!!  It’s SO important!

Moms, be a loving Mama – sweet, kind, loving, good housekeeper and godly wife (among other things) BUT – don’t be afraid call sin what it is – EVIL!

Remember…………Mt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

I love you all!                  Passionate for Righteousness,  Jill R.