dobrafamilyministry

Household Prayer: Household Sphere the ministry of healthcare, welfare, education

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.5.3-8.LSB

Household Sphere

Brothers, meditating on Ruth and 1 Tim. 5:3-16, according to God, the ministry of healthcare, welfare, and education, is the responsibility of the family! We can see God’s heart of mercy in the kinsman redeemer and care for widows by their families first and foremost (Ruth 2:1,20; 3:1,2,12; 4:9-13; Deut. 25:5-10; 1 Tim. 5:3-16).

I am woefully unprepared! Forgive me Lord. I pray we lead our families as THE primary ministry of healthcare, welfare, and education. Furthermore, a theology can be developed that “Governments that incentivize single parenting and then takes on the role of absentee father, providing income and shelter, are wicked.”

Sphere Sovereignty

Sphere Sovereignty “is the concept that God has created various spheres or institutions by which those spheres rule themselves… The most essential spheres, also referred to as divine institutions, are three: (1) the family, (2) the church, and (3) the state or civil magistrate… What ties all three of these spheres is the image of God impressed upon each individual human… as each human is created according to God’s image, this very point is what endows them with ‘certain unalienable rights’ which are ‘self-evident,’ according to the United States Declaration of Independence. That is, we do not need to prove this to be the case (the concept of individual rights) because we intuitively know it through creation and our own consciences (see Rom. 1:19-20; 2:14-15)… the church is not to encroach upon the family or state sphere beyond what God permits in Scripture, and the family and state are under similar restrictions… God’s law makes it clear that parents are to rule and raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Any man who does not take care of his family is worse than a pagan (1 Tim. 5:8)… Governments that incentivize single parenting and then take on the role of absentee father, providing income and shelter, are wicked. The moment civil government inserts itself in such ways, it has moved beyond the overlap of influence and entered into overreach.” A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

Scripture to Meditate on

“Then she arose with her daughters-in-law and returned from the fields of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that Yahweh had visited His people to give them food… But Ruth said, “Do not press me to forsake you in turning back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may Yahweh do to me, and more, if anything but death separates you and me.”” Ruth 1:6, 16-17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rut.1.6-17.LSB

“Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a mighty man of excellence, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz… Boaz replied to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you forsook your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. May Yahweh fully repay your work, and may your wages be full from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”… Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed of Yahweh who has not forsaken his lovingkindness to the living and to the dead.” Then Naomi said to her, “The man is our relative; he is one of our kinsman redeemers.”” Ruth 2:1, 11-12, 20 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rut.2.1-20.LSB

Kinsman Redeemer – God’s heart of mercy

““If brothers live together and one of them dies and has no son, then the wife of the one who died shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her to himself as wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. And it will be that the firstborn whom she bears shall assume the name of his dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel. But if the man does not desire to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to raise up a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’ Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak to him. And if he stands and says, ‘I do not desire to take her,’ then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the sight of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall answer and say, ‘Thus it is done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’ And in Israel his name shall be called, ‘The house of him whose sandal is removed.’” Deuteronomy 25:5-10 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/deu.25.5-10.LSB

“Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek a state of rest for you, that it may be well with you? And now, is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose young women you were? Behold, he is winnowing barley at the threshing floor tonight… But now it is true I am a kinsman redeemer; however, there is a kinsman redeemer closer than I.” Ruth 3:1-2, 12 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rut.3.1-12.LSB

“So the kinsman redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” … Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have acquired all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon from the hand of Naomi. And also, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the one who had died, on behalf of his inheritance, so that the name of the one who had died will not be cut off from his brothers or from the gate of his birth place; you are witnesses today.” And all the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May Yahweh grant the woman who is coming into your home to be like Rachel and Leah, both of whom built the house of Israel, and so you shall achieve excellence in Ephrathah and shall proclaim your name in Bethlehem. Moreover, may your house be like the house of Perez whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the seed which Yahweh will grant you by this young woman.” So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And Yahweh granted her conception, and she gave birth to a son… The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:6, 9-13, 17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rut.4.6-17.LSB

“Honor widows who are widows indeed, but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God… But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.5.3-8.LSB

THE GOOD NEWS

There is a God that created the heavens and the earth. We humans are created in His image.

We are sinners, we have rebelled against Him, our Creator. Our rebellion has brought “all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice… envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” to the world. Romans 1:29-31 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.29-31.ESV

Therefore we justly deserve our due punishment of death and damnation, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’” Romans 3:10-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.3.10-12.ESV

But good news! God is merciful and loving. Jesus is God the only begotten Son and He took our punishment upon Himself in our place. Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death and securing the hope of our salvation.

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.15.3-8.ESV

““Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”” Acts 2:36-38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/act.2.36-38.ESV

We need only repent and believe it. Repent: turn away from our sins, proclaim Jesus is lord and savior, and we will be forgiven our sins and have life ever after! “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” Romans 10:9-11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.10.9-11.ESV

There is hope. Believe in Jesus! ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16.ESV

It doesn’t matter who you’ve been or what you’ve done, God stands with arms wide open, ready to forgive you. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.1.9.ESV

HouseHold Prayer: On Mission

““Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it with a container or puts it under a bed, but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.” Luke 8:16 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/luk.8.16.LSB

Brothers, meditating on Luke chapters 8-11. I pray we walk daily in our mission. I pray we light our lamp every morning for all to see (Luke 8:16), that in our households we “recount what great things God has done for” us, “proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for” us (Luke 8:39). I pray we are ready for the mission to sow the word of God (Luke 9:2,10; 10:1-3; 11:33). Worship, disciple, proclaim, and build. “Whatever you do,” in your household, in church, at work, in your civil duties, “do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23-24; Gen. 2:15).

““Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it with a container or puts it under a bed, but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.” Luke 8:16 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/luk.8.16.LSB

““Return to your house and recount what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/luk.8.39.LSB

“And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick… And when the apostles returned, they recounted to Him all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He slipped away by Himself to a city called Bethsaida.” Luke 9:2, 10 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/luk.9.2-10.LSB

“Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go! Behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” Luke 10:1-3 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/luk.10.1-3.LSB

““No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.” Luke 11:33 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/luk.11.33.LSB

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/col.3.23-24.LSB

“Then Yahweh God took the man and set him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/gen.2.15.LSB

Household Prayer: Prayer and fasting for America 2024-09-16

“Now it happened that when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/neh.1.4.LSB

Brothers, meditating on Nehemiah’s prayer (Neh. 1) as I ponder the state of post-Christian America after a second assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. On receiving bad news about Jerusalem, Nehemiah wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed (Neh. 1:4). Christendom, the economic, political, and social life as inspired by Christian principles, also known as ‘the west’, appears to be dying in America.

I pray we weep, mourn, fast, and pray for our country. My wife and I are doing a 3 day fast and prayer focus. I pray we learn to fear God rightly, grow in our love for God and hatred of evil (lawlessness or sin) as we should (Prov. 8:13, Ps. 5:5, Ps. 45:7, Rom.12:9), and I pray we proclaim the gospel (Mark 16:15-16 , 1 Cor. 15:3-8, Acts 2:36-38), reject apathy and complacency, and stand in Christ’s righteousness against lawlessness (Eph. 5:11,6:10-18).

“Now it happened that when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, “I beseech You, O Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and fearsome God, who keeps the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your slave which I am praying before You today, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your slaves, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned. We have worked in utter destruction against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments which You commanded Your servant Moses. Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been banished were at the ends of the sky, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ They are Your slaves and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your slave and the prayer of Your slaves who delight to fear Your name, and make Your slave successful today and grant him compassion before this man.” Now I was the cupbearer to the king. Nehemiah 1:4-11 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/neh.1.4-11.LSB

““The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the mouth of perverted words, I hate.” Proverbs 8:13 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/pro.8.13.LSB

“The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all workers of iniquity.” Psalm 5:5 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.5.5.LSB

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your companions.” Psalm 45:7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.45.7.LSB

“Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good,” Romans 12:9 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rom.12.9.LSB

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mrk.16.15-16.LSB

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep. After that, He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1co.15.8.LSB

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men, brothers, what should we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”” Acts 2:36-39 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/act.2.36-39.LSB

“And do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them.” Ephesians 5:11 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.5.11.LSB

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. In addition to all, having taken up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, also receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” Ephesians 6:10-18 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.6.10-18.LSB

Household Prayer: Wield the Sword for our Wives

“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.” Colossians 3:18-21 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/col.3.19-21.LSB

Brothers, I was meditating on Colossians 3:18-21 with some brothers this morning. That led me to Eph. 5:26, Matt. 4:4-10, and Eph. 6:17. I pray we wash our wives with the Word, reading it with them, bringing all conversations, concerns, plans, problems and more to the Word to seek God’s will in all things. I pray that by Jesus’ example we wield the Sword of the Spirit well as “it is written.”

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless…” Ephesians 5:25-33 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.5.25-33.LSB

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ” … Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” … Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ””Matthew 4:4, 7, 10 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.4.4-10.LSB

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil… also receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:10-11, 17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.6.10-17.LSB

“No Christian is a spiritual civilian. We are all soldiers on the front lines. Therefore we must live in a state of battle readiness, always alert for our enemy… Christ is our armor, and He is sufficient to overcome a legion of fallen angels.” Family worship Bible guide https://www.heritagebooks.org/categories/rhb-publications/family-worship-bible-guide.html

Household Prayer: capable to defend our families

“Thus the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and causing them to perish; and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.” Esther‬ ‭9‬:‭5‬ ‭LSB‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/est.9.5.LSB

Brothers, I heard a message from Esther, and was meditating on Esther 9:5. I pray we are fit, equipped, trained, and capable if ever called upon to defend our families. I pray it’s never needed, but if it is, I pray we are prepared. I pray our wives and children know they can depend on us for safety and security and give all thanks and glory to God, trusting in Him more than our abilities.

Scripture to meditate on:

“A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up… A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬, ‭8‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/ecc.3.3-8.LSB

“Thus the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and causing them to perish; and they did what they pleased to those who hated them.” Esther‬ ‭9‬:‭5‬ ‭LSB‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/est.9.5.LSB

“So Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, and he led out his trained men, born in his house, 318 in number, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/gen.14.14.LSB

“… I had the people stand by families with their swords, spears, and bows. Then I saw their fear. And I arose and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not fear them; remember the Lord who is great and fearsome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” And it happened that from that day on, half of my young men carried on the work while half of them took hold of the spears, the shields, the bows, and the breastplates; and the commanders were behind the whole house of Judah. Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me… So we kept doing the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars came out.” Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭14‬, ‭16‬-‭21‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/neh.4.13-21.LSB

“He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. I have wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.” Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭34‬-‭39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.18.34-39.NKJV

“Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, My fingers for battle; My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.” Psalm‬ ‭144‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.144.1-2.LSB

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/1co.16.14.LSB

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.5.8.LSB

“Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, mighty in deeds, struck down the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day… And David appointed him over his guard.” 1 Chronicles‬ ‭11‬:‭22‬-‭25‬ ‭LSB‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ch.11.22-25.LSB

When the men of a nation turn away from God they also tend to turn away from their responsibility to defend their families, communities, and nation!

It’s a “moral vanity” as Jack Carr has labeled it (https://a.co/bgOdVwy). “They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.” Judges‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭Deborah was mocking the men of Israel after God gave her the victory! “for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Judges 4:9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jdg.4.9.NKJV

“In the 1770s, the Rev. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg pastored two churches in Woodstock, Virginia. One was an English-speaking Episcopal church, the other a German-speaking Lutheran church. He was also a member of the Virginia legislature. In January 1776, he was attending the legislative session in Williamsburg, and war with Great Britain was looming on the horizon: Boston had been blockaded by the British navy; Charlestown burned; Lexington and Concord attacked; public stores of gunpowder seized in Virginia, and the Battle of Bunker Hill fought… He returned home from the state capitol to his churches, and on January 21, 1776, stood in his pulpit and delivered what was to become his farewell sermon… He concluded with these words: In the language of Holy Writ, there was a time for all things [Eccl 3:1-8], a time to preach and a time to pray, but those times have passed away. Then in a loud voice, he pointed to verse 8, declaring: There is a time to fight-and that time has now come! … When he finally shed his clerical robes, he stood before them in the full uniform of a military officer. He descended the pulpit, weapons in hand, and marched to the back of the church, reminding his parishioners that if they did not get involved and protect their liberties, they would have no liberties left to protect. Outside the church, Pastor Muhlenberg ordered drummers to beat for recruits. Some 300 men from his two congregations joined him that day, becoming the Eighth Virginia Regiment.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he assembled his 318 trained men, born in his household, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” Genesis‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

“The right to life is a good example of what legal historians refer to as an objective right: it is objective in the sense that it exists outside ourselves and is unalienable… The right to life imposes obligations: you must do everything in your power to preserve it.”
#SlayingLeviathan https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan/

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
https://ministry.family.blog/america/second-amendment/

American Constitution
AMENDMENT II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Militia: an army composed of citizens… called up in time of emergency. (Webster’s 2010)

There are four places in the American Constitution that affirm the Militia’s prior existence, and no law can alter it. The militia is all able bodied members of a community.

Article I, Section 8, Clauses 15 & 16:

[The Congress shall have Power To…]

Clause 15: [ ] “To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;”

Clause 16: [ ] “To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;”

Article II, Section 2, Clause 1:

“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States…”

AMENDMENT II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

From the Founders… Original Intent

“[T]he said Constitution [should] be never construed … to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms.”
SAMUEL ADAMS, Signer of the Declaration, “Father of the American Revolution” …

“A free people ought … to be armed.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“[N]o man should scruple or hesitate a moment to use arms in defense.”
GEORGE WASHINGTON, US. President, Signer of the Constitution …

“The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them…. This is a principle which secures religious liberty most firmly.”
ZECHARIAH JOHNSTON, Revolutionary Soldier, Virginia Legislator, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution

“I am thus far a Quaker [a pacifist]: I would gladly agree with all the world to lay aside the use of arms and settle matters by negotiation; but unless the whole will, the matter ends, and I take up my musket and thank Heaven He has put it in my power.
THOMAS PAINE, Patriot, Author

Quotes from “The Second Amendment” by David Barton

Household Prayer: John 17:3 philosophy of education

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/jhn.17.3.LSB

Brothers, in our role as fathers we are ultimately responsible for our children’s education (Deut. 6:4-9, Eph. 6:4). So, what is the foundational aim and purpose of education? I pray we develop a philosophy of education from the scriptures (John 17:3). I pray we cast a vision and lead, teach, and provide for our wives for the role they take. I pray we support and provide all that they need to meet the challenge.

John 17:3 philosophy of education

“Harvard College, chartered in 1636… set forth what was expected of every student seeking a higher degree at that premier institution: ‘Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3), and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it out of Him (Prov 2:3). Everyone shall so exercise himself in reading the Scripture twice a day that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein.’ … Well into the twentieth century, this remained the practice of state universities-a practice that was simply the continuation of the original John 17:3 philosophy of education that had caused America to become the most successful and prosperous nation in the history of the world.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

Is it the state’s responsibility to educate children and young adults?

“When governments extend themselves beyond this very narrow calling to which God has tasked them [Rom. 13:3-4]… then the church with its prophetic voice must call its own magistrate back from its desire to ever expand its influence. A good example would be the role of a ‘department of education.’ Is it the state’s responsibility to educate children and young adults? According to Romans 13, that does not seem to be included. Therefore, Christians should not be silent on such matters.” “A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023. https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/ emphasis added

A Timely Legislative Exhortation to Homeschoolers Throughout the Midwest and the Nation as a Whole

“If freedoms are lost, they take generations to recover. Why is this important to remember? Our government, any government, has a predisposition to be the fifth thing that never has enough: Sheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.”—Proverb 30:16 (ESV)… Once government cracks the door, its very nature is to seek to widen that crack… I share all of this to remind us that freedom is not free. From various studies, I estimate there are some 30,000 homeschooling households in Illinois. If push ever comes to shove again, we should all, every individual family, take responsibility and respond in mass by descending upon Springfield and by calling our state legislators until it overwhelms their phone system. If you think you are busy as a homeschooler now, wait until you must fill out reports like other states do. If you get frustrated now, wait until a state officer knocks on your front door, questioning your methods or curriculum or why your children are outside playing at 1:00 in the afternoon… America has more than its fair share of complainers, yet in the 2020 presidential election, roughly 81 million eligible voters did not show up at the polling booths. Depending upon how they would have voted, America could look a lot different than it does now. Americans forfeit their right to complain when they forfeit their responsibility to get involved. As homeschoolers, may we never complain in the future when we didn’t take necessary action today. Please know that the ICHE Legislative Task Force and other sister organizations are working on your behalf. Will you be there when needed to do whatever it takes to keep homeschoolers free in Illinois?” https://iche.org/resource/blog/timely-legislative-exhortation-homeschoolers-throughout-midwest-and-nation-whole

Ideologies, Influences, and Agendas of the Public Schools With Alex Newman

“Homeschooling is growing as parents are taking control of their children’s education. Alex Newman joins me today to discuss the importance of homeschooling in light of the dangers of government-controlled education. We’re covering the history of public schools and the ideological agenda behind them. It is imperative that we get as many kids as possible out of the current system, and we’re here to help you do that.” Show Notes: http://heidistjohn.com/blog/podcasts/ideologies-influences-agendas-public-schools-alex-newman – Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gAi4pqZ7J0l68fSs8bGp2?si=vBPX_v-mT7iD0350ZihsIg

Civic Duty Principles https://ministry.family.blog/2024/07/13/civic-duty-principles-2024-07/

Proverbs 1:5 (NASB) 5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

Proverbs 2:3-6 (NASB) 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

““Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our God, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as phylacteries between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/deu.6.4-9.LSB

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.6.4.LSB

Civic Duty Principles 2024-07

“but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.3.15.LSB

Civic Duty Principles

Objective Principles

Objective principles to consider when choosing a party or candidate to vote for.

Cannot support a party or candidate that supports the culture of death (abortion, euthanasia, etc…).

“They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, and it did not come upon My heart.” Jeremiah 7:31 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/jer.7.31.LSB

“So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land, and no propitiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.” Numbers 35:33 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/num.35.33.LSB

Cannot support a party or candidate that is a champion for or affirms the wrath of God as displayed in the LGBTQ+ movement.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness… Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them… For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural… And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper,” Romans 1:18, 24, 26, 28 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rom.1.18-28.LSB

Cannot support a party or candidate that does not honor marriage as God has defined it between one man and one woman.

Before any governments or churches, God ordained the family!

“Haven’t you read,” [Jesus] replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19:4-6 (Jesus quotes from Genesis 1:27 and 2:24) Matthew 19:4-6 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.19.4-6.LSB

The Scriptures start with a marriage, God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Adam and Eve, Genesis 1:28), and they end with a marriage, ”Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”“ (Revelation 19:7 LSB)

Marriage is a reflection of the gospel!

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless… This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:25-27, 32 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/eph.5.25-32.LSB

Learn from the example of Saint Valentine (Valentinus 269 A.D), he defied the Roman Emperor unto death for the gospel and God’s institution of marriage. Marriage is greater than any earthly empire!

Cannot support a party or candidate that is an enemy of Israel.

“For thus says Yahweh of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which have taken you as spoil, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” Zechariah 2:8 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/zec.2.8.LSB

Cannot support a party or candidate that is not a friend to the Church.

“First of all, then, I exhort that petitions and prayers, requests and thanksgivings, be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/1ti.2.1-2.LSB

Lessons from Romans 13:1-7

From “A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants” Timothy L. Decker, Founders Press 2023. https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

Abuse of Romans 13

“Romans 13 has been abused… Romans 13 does not primarily address to what extent or how much a Christian should obey the government but rather how they should not disrupt the current government by private revolution… Paul is not demanding unquestioning obedience to one’s government, even if that government has righteous foundations… Rather, it necessitates an attitude of respect and honor to one’s duly ordained civil magistrates, and it prohibits private revolution against that magistrate… If this is an institute ordained by God, then that institute carries with it a deserved respect and honor. However, if we skip to verse 7, we can see that fear/respect is due to the government when they act honorably and respectably.”

Civil authorities have God ordained duties to fulfill.

“The prescriptive interpretation [of verses 3-4] holds that Paul is teaching what duties a government must fulfill, being tasked by God. If they fail to carry out what God prescribes for them, then there are systems created by God within the institution of human government itself, mainly in the further delegation of power to the lesser magistrate. This would also be used to explain when resistance is required on the part of a citizen.”

Judgement for Government Negligence

“A government not willing to protect its citizens from vandalism, rioting, looting, theft, [illegal migrant invasion], and all sorts of criminal activities, including physical violence, is in severe danger. This danger stems from the fact that they will incur the wrath of God for abdicating their primary role tasked by God himself.”

The Church, Christians and ministers as public figures, has a duty to be the prophetic voice for truth.

“As the pillar and buttress of truth (1 Tim. 3:15), the local church is to have a prophetic voice in various spheres of society, promoting biblical truth… how else can magistrates be held accountable to that message except from the prophetic voice of the church? In this way, Christians, especially ministers ordained to gospel ministry, ought to engage in this governmental sphere prophetically… John the Baptist serves as a prophetic example… Mark 6:17-18.”

Pastoral Negligence – Pulpit Malpractice

“It is difficult to fathom that our local leaders and representatives would practice their authority in legislation and administration righteously when the church remains silent as to how they are to serve their constituents righteously… Acceding to the common evangelical mantra to keep politics out of the pulpit is not an option if one is to preach the whole counsel of God… for the preacher to say nothing would be nothing less than pulpit malpractice.”

“If [a gospel minister] shall speak straight out & boldly, fearless of man, & only fearful lest he should grieve his God, he will stir the kennels of hell, & make all the hounds of Satan howl at his heels.” Charles Spurgeon

When resistance is required.

“If the civil magistrate does not uphold what is prescribed to him in Romans 13:3-4 and the church’s prophetic voice has been ignored, then at that point the Christian finds it his duty to resist those who act dishonorably and out of alignment with the prescriptions of Scripture (esp. Rom. 13:3-4).”

“If error or tyranny exists in the civil magistrate, built within the God-created sphere is a means of correction… God has equipped this sphere with it’s own ability to correct itself through what is often referred to as superior and lesser magistrates. If either the superior magistrate or lower magistrate has erred in the making or enforcing of laws (or lack thereof), correction begins within the sphere of the magistrate. That means the lesser magistrate is to correct the higher magistrate and, if need be, interpose itself between its citizens and their superior magistrate… Matt Trewhella’s fine book The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates [2013] defines the doctrine in this way: ‘When the superior or higher civil authority makes unjust/immoral laws or decrees, the lesser or lower ranking civil authority has both a right and duty to refuse obedience to that superior authority. If necessary, the lesser authorities even have the right and obligation to actively resist the superior authority.’ … The pastors of Magdeburg [1550 AD] … defined the doctrine as follows: ‘Whenever a superior magistrate persecutes his subjects, then, by the law of nature, by divine law, and by the true religion and worship of God, the inferior magistrate ought by God’s mandate to resist him.’ This was similar to [John] Calvin’s [1536 AD] description that the ‘popular [lesser] magistrates have been appointed to curb the tyranny of kings… By the ordinance of God, they are its appointed guardians.’”

“The basic principle of Christian resistance is to overcome evil with good. This means good laws, good wars, good magistrates, good criminal penalties, but also good worship, good families, good business, good suffering, and good death. Duty is the right good at the right time.” Toby Sumpter https://x.com/tjsumpter/status/1819754040777191912?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

Romans 13:1-7

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists that authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of that authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain, for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of that wrath, but also because of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:1-7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/rom.13.1-7.LSB

For Further Reading or Viewing:

Really good conversation about A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants. We need to pray for our church leaders to re-learn these old and very costly won theologies. https://youtu.be/0cxGEjKbJn0?si=GDDORCCMkN6a7Yq_

A Revolutionary Reading of Romans 13: A Biblical Case for Lawful Subjection to the Civil Magistrate and Dutiful Resistance to Tyrants https://press.founders.org/shop/a-revolutionary-reading-of-romans-13/

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates: A Proper Resistance to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civil Government by Matthew J. Trewhella https://a.co/aVQzfiR

“The Magdeburg Confession: 13th of April 1550 AD by Pastors of Magdeburg” https://a.co/5X7W9us

Slaying Leviathan: Limited Government and Resistance in the Christian Tradition https://canonpress.com/products/slaying-leviathan

By What Standard? God’s World…God’s Rules https://press.founders.org/shop/by-what-standard-gods-world-gods-rules/

The Essential Church https://watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.aa4a63f3-44a5-499c-8846-06d00c6d0c56&territory=US&ref_=share_ios_movie&r=web more here: https://essentialchurchmovie.com/

Household Prayer: Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God https://ministry.family.blog/2024/02/15/household-prayer-resistance-to-tyrants-is-obedience-to-god/

Just War / Just Cause Theory https://ministry.family.blog/2020/01/29/just-war-just-cause-theory/

Household Prayer: A Culture Building Strategy

““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/mat.5.14-16.LSB

Brothers, today I’m thinking about strategy. Are we being pushed and pulled by life, or do we have a strategy to lead our families through life. As the worldly culture around us becomes wicked and hostile, I pray we rely on God’s word to develop a strategy. I pray we are actively building a Godly culture. I pray it starts in our homes and extends into our churches and communities. I pray that we leave an inheritance of Godly culture for our children’s children (Jeremiah 29:5-7, Matthew 5:14-16).

A Puritan Strategy: “A Model of Christian Charity”

Let’s learn from Puritan John Winthrop in their covenant “A Model of Christian Charity” that was the foundation of one of the American Colonies that would become the United States of America.

“In 1630, the Puritans [came to America], with their leader John Winthrop setting forth the terms of their covenant in “A Model of Christian Charity,” which he wrote while sailing across the Atlantic on the ship Arabella. It explained:

Herein are four things to be propounded: first, the persons; secondly, the work; thirdly, the end; fourthly, the means…’” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

First: The Persons

First, for the persons. We are a company professing ourselves fellow members of Christ…

We are each heads of households, church members, and community members and are called to lead, serve, and influence each of those spheres God has placed us in.

Second: The Work

Secondly, for the work… [It is] to seek out a place of cohabitation and consortship [fellowship] under a due form of government, both civil and ecclesiastical…

What is important when the church (we believers) is a despised minority, when the culture around us is increasingly wicked and hostile?

A culture in which we can cultivate Christian households, churches, and communities that are flourishing, faith centered, and independent communities shining a light to the world!

Unwavering worship and affection to Yahweh, community and hospitality among believers, independence from the hostile systems, and holding firm, confident, hopeful, and joyful to the convictions of the faith.

It may be tempting to feel defeated and retreat, but even in exile God’s people are called to be hopeful and joyful as they seek fruitfulness, expansion, and dominion by building houses, planting gardens, getting married, and having children (Jer. 29:5-7).

If we find ourselves longing for the ideal culture of yesterday, then we need to be building the culture we long for among ourselves.

Third: The End

Thirdly, the end is to improve our lives to do more service to the Lord, the comfort and increase of the body of Christ (whereof we are members), that ourselves and posterity may be the better preserved from the common corruptions of this evil world to serve the Lord, and work out our salvation under the power and purity of His holy ordinances.

The type of culture and community worth loving and fighting for! A culture and community like a city on a hill whose light shines before men, pointing to Jesus! (Matt. 5:14-16, John 8:12)

The Spartan’s were far from God, but there is “nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9-10), so when an unbelieving people have a good idea or philosophy it can often be found to originate, knowingly or unknowingly, from the wisdom of God. Such as, “[The Spartans] loved what they were fighting for… They weren’t fueled by hatred for what they were fighting, but rather fueled by love of what they were fighting for–their culture, their family, their homeland [Neh. 4:13-23]. This is why some would say that the opposite of fear is love.” Warrior Poet Profile | The Spartan Warriors https://warriorpoetsupplyco.com/blog/warrior-poet-profile-the-spartan-warriors/

“that I had men stand in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I had the people stand by families with their swords, spears, and bows. Then I saw their fear. And I arose and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not fear them; remember the Lord who is great and fearsome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:13-14 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/neh.4.13-14.LSB

Fourth: The Means

Fourthly, for the means… We must love brotherly without dissimulation [Rom 12:9], we must love one another with a pure heart fervently [1 Pet 1:22]. We must bear one another’s burdens [Gal 6:2]. We must not look only on our own things but also on the things of our brethren [Phil 2:4]… We are entered into covenant with Him for this work-we have taken out a commission. The Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles… but if we shall neglect the observation of these articles… the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us, be revenged of such a [sinful] people, and make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant. Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck and to provide for our posterity is to follow the counsel of Micah to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God [Mic 6:8]… For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill [Matt 5:14]. The eyes of all people are upon us so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world [Deut 28:37]…’

“arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God.”

There is a spiritual and physical aspect. Like King David’s message to Solomon in 1 Chronicles 22:19, “David urges Solomon, ‘set your heart and your mind to seek the Lord your God’ and to ‘arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God.’ David’s message still hits home today, urging us to dedicate ourselves to seeking God and advancing His kingdom.” John G. “Jay” Johnston, D.Min, National Prayer Director and Chaplain, Family Research Council Prayer Post, June 25, 2024

Leading ourselves in seeking God. (Mark 12:29-30, Matt. 6:33)

Leading our households as an independent governing sphere under God (Mark 10:6-9, Jeremiah 29:5-7, Eph. 5:1-6:9, 1 Timothy 3:4-5).

Leading our families into the household of households, the local church, to worship Yahweh (Acts 10:2, Heb. 10:25, Acts 2:42).

Leading our households in intentional community fellowship and hospitality (1 Peter 2:9-10,4:9, Romans 12:10,13).

Leading with firm confidence and joy in the convictions of the faith (Matt. 5:14-16, Eph. 5:1-21, 1 Peter 1:13-16).

By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), get to work subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20) for “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10) Rule yourself well, rule your household well, and bring God’s truth and grace into every sphere of life that you enter into until every nation proclaims “Jesus is Lord!” – Amen

“Our Forefathers forged a covenant; our Founders laid the foundation. Christ has ever been the True Cornerstone, for it is from Him that our freedom flows. Those who have followed have built upon those values, many wisely, some foolishly, but thankfully a glorious nation emerged. Its people have climbed that mountain and lit a beacon of freedom that has shone brightly for lo these many generations. For ourselves, and for posterity, with all the eyes of the world upon us, let us not stumble now. We cannot, must not, and will not let that light go out.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers https://thefoundersbible.com/

Household Prayer: Give thanks, repent, reprove, rejoice

“¶Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him… ¶Your land is desolate; Your cities are burned with fire; Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence; It is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.” Isaiah 1:4, 7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/isa.1.4-7.LSB

Brothers, couple prayer thoughts as I start Isaiah in my reading. First, a nation under God’s judgment will face many woes and food scarcity is one of them (Is. 1:4, 7; 5:5-7). Second, His people need to be repentant, faithful, and bold in the truth (Is. 1:16-17). I pray we have faith, repent of sin, rejoice in our salvation, and praise God and declare His great works to others (Is. 12:2-4).

Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name!

““Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not dread; For Yah—Yahweh Himself—is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” Therefore you will joyously draw water From the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.”” Isaiah 12:2-4 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/isa.12.2-4.LSB

Reprove the ruthless…

With love, correct and disapprove of the merciless, cruel, and hard-hearted. Reenchant the world with God’s truth.

“¶“Wash yourselves, purify yourselves; Remove the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Execute justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/isa.1.17.LSB

A land under judgement

““So now let Me tell you what I am going to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will break down its wall, and it will become trampled ground. “I will lay it waste; It will not be pruned or hoed, But briars and thorns will come up. I will also command the clouds to rain no rain on it.” ¶For the vineyard of Yahweh of hosts is the house of Israel And the men of Judah His delightful plant. Thus He hoped for justice, but behold, bloodshed; For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.” Isaiah 5:5-7 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/isa.5.5-7.LSB

Food scarcity and supporting local producers

I’m watching The Tavern on Warrior Poet Society with Rick Green interviewing Texas Slim about The Beef Initiative. The Beef Initiative – The Tavern EP35 on Warrior Poet Society http://www.watchwpsn.com/videos/the-beef-initiative-the-tavern-ep35 (Subscription required)

The Beef Initiative https://beefinitiative.com

Rick Green of Patriot Academy https://www.patriotacademy.com/

Household Prayer: Gardening https://ministry.family.blog/2023/03/07/household-prayer-gardening/

FARMLAND LOST IS FARMLAND LOST FOREVER https://americanpolicy.org/2023/07/10/farmland-lost-is-farmland-lost-forever/

Power shortages, start planning

“Mike Shelby here, and here’s what’s on my radar… I just posted Power Shortages: 2025-2032 to YouTube because this is critical information for Americans to understand… Start planning for the panic buying, food and fuel rationing, supply chain disruption, blocked financial transactions, and other society-stopping conditions now. You have to reduce your dependency on fragile and failing systems if you want to navigate future gray zone conditions.” https://youtu.be/Qu91WpzBHmQ?si=GbFIgUy3UBQJm-lE

Trust in God and not dread!

“¶Arise, O Yahweh; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to Yahweh; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.” Psalm 3:7-8 LSB https://bible.com/bible/3345/psa.3.7-8.LSB

Household Prayer: Graduation and Commencement

“For [you] are His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10) And because you are God’s workmanship you know you were created with purpose for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)

Brothers, Praise God! We have graduated our first! All by God’s grace, all for His glory. This school season has come to a close, mostly, for us. Praying for you all. I’ll try and host a prayer meeting as soon as the graduation parties slow down. Blessings this beautiful Lords day!

Classical Conversations homeschool community at Bethany class of 2024 Graduation

1 The moment: Commencement

Welcome Classical Conversations homeschool community at Bethany class of 2024.

If I had no time constraints I would encourage you all night, not to give you another lecture, although I’m sure it would feel like it, but because I love you all and am so proud and encouraged by the men and women you have become.

This is your commencement. What has been has come to an end, and you are commencing upon a new beginning.

Up to this point your parents have protected, nurtured, educated and shaped you. Preparing you to hit the target.

You are a gift of the LORD to your parents. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, Psalm 127 says.

An arrow is an instrument of purpose, and so are each one of you.

Your parents have been preparing you physically, spiritually, and through your education for the purpose God has prepared for you, “For [you] are His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10)

Now, like arrows from a bow, you are being loosed to commence upon the good works God has prepared for each one of you.

And because you are God’s workmanship you know you were created with purpose for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)

2 Knowing the times: the war of ideas (1 chronicles 12:32 know the times, son’s of Issachar)

You are commencing on this pilgrimage at a time when our culture has turned away from God.

We live in a postmodern, post- christian culture that has rejected the concept of truth.

Truth is now whatever each individual decides it is, reality has no meaning, each individual’s feelings define reality, and there is no standard for morality.

Without the controlling spirit of truth, all morality is becoming relative and subjective, therefore law becomes arbitrary, which leads to chaos and destruction.

Today our culture professes to be wise, but “they became fools…”

So God has given them “over to an unfit mind…” (Romans 1:21-25, 28-32)

Yes, the sins of the culture today are the same as yesterday, the same as in the garden of Eden, the same as in Sodom, and the same as in Rome during the Apostle Paul’s day.

However, do not walk like many do.

Many people choose apathy and complacency.

Many others choose hopelessness and despair.

But… they have forgotten there is some good news here…

”… God, being rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…“ Ephesians 2:4-10

And that is Good news!

Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Because of the reality of Jesus’ resurrection we can know that sin has no hold over us.

3 How then shall we live?

How then shall you commence?

The eight of you have been prepared for this. You Know God, and now it’s your turn to make Him known.

Jesus is victorious and will return to judge the living and the dead! And you should live like it.

What this world needs is God’s truth and the hope of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. Let your words and life point a lost world to Him.

Life is an amazing mission from God. Many people live only for the pleasures of this temporary world, My prayer for you graduates as you are loosed into to world is that you will live for eternal glory in Jesus Christ.

Walk in the good works which God has prepared for you to walk in.

How about we commence with a little latin word study?

Words have power and I know you all love latin. The word enchant comes from the latin word encantio, which means “to speak meaning into,”

Like Adam naming the animals in the garden for instance.

Or God speaking the creation into existence!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-5,9-10,14

Jesus is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us!

If God’s people are not reenchanting this fallen world with God’s truth and grace, then it is being disenchanted with the lies of Satan!

Use your words to proclaim the excellencies of God (1 Peter 2:9). To share His truth and the good news of His salvation to all creation in everything you do (Mark 16:15, Romans 10:14-15).

The word muse comes from the latin musus, which is thinking, to think deeply. “to become absorbed in thought especially… to think about something carefully and thoroughly”

To amuse is the opposite, it is unthinking. “to divert the attention… so as to deceive”

Once you commence there are many unthinking distractions to amuse you away from your purpose.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You were created with purpose.

Be full of joy, full of fellowship, but resist the temptation to be amused into complacency.

Do what’s right, not what’s cool.

Do what builds up and produces, not what tears down and consumes.

Find ways to produce, contribute, and serve your household, church, and community.

If you know God’s word, you know His will for you. Love God and love your neighbor.

I see in every one of you the capacity to share truth, hope, and love in the world.

By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…), commence subduing and ruling, working and keeping, being fruitful and multiplying – in marriage – (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15), and making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20).

What ever path you take and what ever you do, do it “as for the Lord rather than for men” (Colossians 3:23).

Reenchant this world with God’s truth and grace speaking into every sphere of life (Psalm 102:15, Philippians 2:10-11) – Amen and God’s speed.