Dobra Family Ministry

Household Prayer: Students of Scripture Build your House

“By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/pro.24.3-4.NASB2020

Be a Student of the Scriptures: find wisdom, understanding, and knowledge

Brothers, meditating on Proverbs 24:3-4, the need to be students of the Scriptures. To build our house, family, and dynasty we need wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, and it all comes from faith and the Scriptures. I pray we go first and always to the Scriptures. I pray that we set the example of being students of the Scriptures for our wives and children.

Note: “House can refer to a physical structure (Pr 14:1), a family (see Jos 24:15), or even a dynasty (see 2Sa 7:11, 12; 1Ki 11:38; 1Ch 17:10).”

Building your home, household, and family requires:

Wisdom

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/pro.9.10.NASB2020

Note: James “1:5 wisdom. James’ Jewish audience recognized this as the understanding and practical skill that were necessary to live life to God’s glory. It was not a wisdom of philosophical speculation, but the wisdom contained in the pure and peaceable absolutes of God’s will revealed in His Word (cf. James 3:13, 17) and lived out. Only such divine wisdom enables believers to be joyous and submissive in the trials of life. ask of God. This command is a necessary part of the believer’s prayer life (cf. Job 28:12-23; Pr 3:5-7; 1Th 5:17). God intends that trials will drive believers to greater dependency on Him, by showing them their own inadequacy. As with all His riches (Eph 1:7; 2:7; 3:8; Php 4:19), God has wisdom in abundance (Ro 11:33) available for those who seek it. See notes on Pr 2:1-8.”

Understanding

“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/pro.2.6.NASB2020

Note: Prov. “2:6 His mouth. The words of His mouth are contained in Scripture. It is there that God speaks (cf. Heb 1:1, 2; 2Pe 1:20, 21). Wisdom comes only by revelation.”

“¶You are righteous, Lord, And Your judgments are right. You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And great faithfulness. My zeal has consumed me, Because my enemies have forgotten Your words. Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it. I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your Law is truth. Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.” Psalm 119:137-144 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.119.137-144.NASB2020

Knowledge

“¶The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/pro.1.7.NASB2020

““The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride, arrogance, the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.” Proverbs 8:13 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/pro.8.13.NASB2020

Note: “Wisdom hates what God hates (cf. Prov. 6:16-19; Ps 5:5). The highest virtue is humility (submission to God), and thus wisdom hates pride and self-exaltation above all.”

If you want wisdom, understanding, and knowledge you have to be a student of scripture!

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: house building

“The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/pro.14.1.NASB2020

Brothers, meditating on Prov. 14:1, what can we do to love, disciple, equip and encourage our wives to help them build up our households? I can’t remember the last time I asked my wife if she needed anything. I pray we take time to take an inventory of how we are doing in this regard, ask our wives, and put our faith into practice. As head of our households (Eph. 5:23), I pray for the wisdom to build our households (Prov.24:3).

“By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/pro.24.3-4.NASB2020

“For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
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. So husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are parts of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:23-33 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/eph.5.23-33.NASB2020

Household Prayer: Our fathers have told us

“God, we have heard with our ears, Our fathers have told us The work that You did in their days, In the days of old.” Psalm 44:1 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.44.1.NASB2020

“I advise no one to place his child [in a school] where the Scriptures do not reign paramount.” – Martin Luther

Brothers, another school year is about to begin! Meditating on Psalm 44 and 78, and the importance of fathers passing the Scriptures on to the next generation. “our fathers have told us…” I pray we take the time and initiative to pass on the faith! I pray God grants us opportunities to relate educational lessons into the Christian worldview of our creator.

“… for most parents, a child behind in math is an emergency. A child who is biblically illiterate? No emergency; they’ll get it some day… Let’s begin with, ‘What does the Lord require?’ – not ‘What does the state require?’ … God’s covenant children need a serious Bible education.” Ed Lang, “Remember the Yeshiva! true biblical literacy for our covenant children” Fight Laugh Feast issue 6.1 spring 2025

“I am much afraid that the universities will prove to be the great gates of hell, unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, and engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not unceasingly occupied with the Word of God must be corrupt.” – Martin Luther

“Education without religion, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” – C.S. Lewis

“Listen, my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth… Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But we will tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His power and His wondrous works that He has done.” Psalm 78:1, 3-4 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.78.1-4.NASB2020

Take dominion. Make disciples. 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

Household Prayer: Summer Discipleship

To the Law and to the testimony! …” Isaiah 8:20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/isa.8.20.NASB2020

Brothers, another school year over for us. How did that happen so fast? I pray we continue to teach our families about our great God through the summer (Eph. 6:4). Also, I pray we older men encourage and disciple younger men “teaching them all God has commanded” (Matt. 28:19-20). I pray we relate all of life’s experiences back to the word of God and share it with others (Isaiah 8:20). I also pray we don’t heap guilt upon ourselves, especially when we don’t get the desired results. Duty is ours, but results are God’s. Trust Him. (Rom. 8:1)

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/eph.6.4.NASB2020

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:19-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/mat.28.20.NASB2020

“To the Law and to the testimony! If they do not speak in accordance with this word, it is because they have no dawn.” Isaiah 8:20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/isa.8.20.NASB2020

“The sphere of the family is perhaps the most important sphere of the three, anthropologically speaking. It was created before the fall, and thus it is a necessary component for humans to thrive in their creation mandate as well as to encourage proper roles in the other two spheres of church and state… the sphere of the family is the foundation upon which God has chosen to flourish human societies. It is the sphere in which the image God has borne upon humans will reproduce and thrive. Show me a collapsing society, and I will show you a crumbling institution of the family.” … the purpose of the magistrate is to restrain the wickedness and violent disposition of depraved humanity (cf. Rom 13:3–4and 1 Pet 2:13–14)… God says to Noah in Genesis 9:6, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed.” … If a human man sheds the blood of another, then by mankind in the sphere of the magistrate is evil to be restrained and the murderer to be punished… Capital punishment carried out by the civil magistrate is to restrain the earth from being filled with violence as before the flood as well as to punish any evil-doer who might kill what God has especially marked with His image.” The Creation of the 3 Spheres of Family, Church, and State The Creation of the 3 Spheres of Family, Church, and State – Founders Ministries

Prayer Meeting: Prophetic Voice of Truth HB2827

Sing Psalm 144

https://youtu.be/XmCOpPFg1OY?si=9ttNsQ8P56MYF_Z7

being the prophetic voice against HB2827 (1 Tim. 3:15, Mark 6:17-18)

“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.” 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/

Has the Church even spoken out prophetically?

“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

2) if it passes:

a) remaining, resisting and obeying God rather than men and facing the legal and social persecution (Acts 5:29)

“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)…

“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…

“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

If you and your church have not been speaking out and discipling on this issue, then confess and repent!

It does not “take a village” to raise a child! It takes one man and one woman committed to each other and to God’s purpose and plan for their marriage. In other words – a natural family. God has provided and families need support communities of extended family and church groups. These support communities and civil governments, i.e. “villages,” should support the natural family’s role in raising their children, but should not subvert the parents God given rights. Unfortunately two current philosophies endorse the “village” subversion of parental rights and duties in our culture today: communism and humanism.

The communists see all lives as economic property of the state, and therefore, for example, “‘The worker-mother must learn not to differentiate between yours and mine; she must remember that there are only our children, the children of Russia’s communist workers.’” (“The Natural Family: Bulwark of Liberty” by Carlson and Mero, page 36)

Humanists (Atheistic or Secularist) see the family as a man made system that can be altered by those in power to their own needs, and therefore, “The day care center, . . . not the disintegrating home, represented the new human order. In the former, small children could be rescued from the shallow views of their parents, and reprogrammed for life in an androgynous, cooperative socialist order.” (“The Natural Family: Bulwark of Liberty” by Carlson and Mero, page 48)

b) relocation with a great commission strategy like the pilgrims to America (Jeremiah 29:5-7, Matthew 5:14-16)

3) if it fails: plan to worship and give thanks (Gen. 14:14-16, 18-20, 1 Sam. 11:11,13b, 15)

Pray

That Christ’s church would not be silent but speak a prophetic voice of God’s truth to civil authority that has rejected its God ordained responsibility and has taken for itself authority that God has not given.

We pray God would defeat IL house bill 2827.

We pray, if it is passed, that those that choose or must remain would obey God rather than men. That God would give them wisdom on when and how to refuse to submit His image bearers to Caesar in peaceful disobedience. We pray they will not fall away into apathy and compliance with the godless. We pray for perseverance in persecution.

We pray for those that flee that they go in full trust in the Lord and obedience to the creation mandate and great commission.

If the bill is defeated, we pray God’s people would gather in thanksgiving for God’s victory and worship Him.

Sing Psalm 24

https://youtu.be/990Q_yPIKeM?si=Ra_PR0IBpv16uwl-

Household Prayer: set apart from detestable practices

“… keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/jas.1.27.NASB2020

Brothers, I’m meditating on Deut. 20:17-18, “so that they will not teach you to do all the same detestable practices of theirs” and James 1:27, “… keep oneself unstained by the world.” There is a tension between becoming accommodating and affirming of sin or stern and legalistic like the Pharisees. But there is good reason not to turn our children over to the pagan and detestable government schools, to keep them away from that influence. Be encouraged and stand strong. I pray we walk in the tension by faith and support and encourage our wives in their role.

“Education without religion, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” – C.S. Lewis

If God commands that all the wicked people of the promise land be utterly destroyed “so that they will not teach you to do all the same detestable practices of theirs which they have done for their gods, by which you would sin against the Lord your God.” (Deut. 20:17-18), then why would a Christian send their children to be discipled by pagans in the government schools?

“Instead, you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, just as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that they will not teach you to do all the same detestable practices of theirs which they have done for their gods, by which you would sin against the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 20:17-18 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/deu.20.17-18.NASB2020

Easter bonus. It’s likely the Levites would have been singing Psalm 24 the Sunday Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem and the Sunday of His resurrection. Sing Psalm 24 and be encouraged today https://youtu.be/990Q_yPIKeM?si=DoLGsIRyvgeQ2Jbf

The return of the Ark to Israel, described in 1 Samuel 6, is generally placed in the early 11th century BC around 1050–1000 BC, before Jesus’ triumphant arrival. 1 AD to 2025 AD = 2024 years. Total = 1050 + 2024 = 3074 years since King David wrote Psalm 24 to celebrate the return of the ark of the covenant!

Household Prayer: John Knox and Acts 5:29

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/act.5.29.NASB2020

“Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.” John Knox

Brothers, started a new book on the life of John Knox, and it has me reflecting on Acts 5:29. I pray we put our love for God above all worldly comforts. I pray we don’t love our comfort and ease so much that we just submit to tyranny and lawlessness. I pray we don’t fall for the false teaching of unqualified submission to wicked authorities. “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 “Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.” John Knox

Oppose the Illinois Homeschool Registration Act “If HB 2827 became state law, parents’ educational choice to teach their children according to their children’s needs and their families’ worldviews would become dramatically limited.” https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/Campaigns/121259/Respond

“Resist Tyrants, Obey God: Lessons Learned from the Life and Times of John Knox” by Jacob Tanner https://press.founders.org/shop/resist-tyrants-obey-god/

“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

“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.” “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/

“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.” “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/

“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.” “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/

“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

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/

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

Household Prayer: Saint Valentine defiance of tyrants and obedience to God still relevant today

“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 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 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1ti.2.1-2.NASB2020

Brothers, thinking about Saint Valentine. A pastor martyred for his faith because he obeyed God and defied the state when Emperor Claudius II tried to encroach outside of the God ordained role for civil authority and tried to become authoritarian over the sphere of marriage and family. The battle is still raging today with IL HB2827 – Homeschool Authoritarianism bill. Sounds like our voices are being heard, but keep praying (1 Tim. 2:1-2) and keep respectfully and peacefully calling and writing your representatives. IFI, ICHE, and HSLDA are great organizations to join and follow. I pray, like Pastor Valentine, that we trust in God and in His plan and not in “a king to judge us like all the nations.” (1 Sam. 8)

Illinois Family Institute https://illinoisfamily.org/education/illinois-homeschooling-freedoms-at-risk/

ICHE https://iche.org/node/7541

HSLDA https://hslda.org/legal/illinois/news

Saint Valentine, or Valentinus, has an important story to share with us today! https://ministry.family.blog/2023/02/11/saint-valentine/

Household Prayer: Marriage, Households, and the battle of the cosmos https://ministry.family.blog/2022/02/09/household-prayer-marriage-households-and-the-battle-of-the-cosmos/

Household Prayer: the mission of marriage is greater than the Roman Empire https://ministry.family.blog/2024/02/28/household-prayer-the-mission-of-marriage-is-greater-than-the-roman-empire/

“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

“and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us like all the nations.”” 1 Samuel 8:5 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1sa.8.5.NASB2020

“And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them… And he said, “This will be the practice of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and put them in his chariots for himself and among his horsemen, and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to gather in his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will also take your daughters and use them as perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. And he will take a tenth of your seed and your vineyards and give it to his high officials and his servants. He will also take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and use them for his work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. Then you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day.”” 1 Samuel 8:7, 11-18 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1sa.8.7-18.NASB2020

Call to Action! Illinois Legislative Alert HB2827

“As for the builders, each wore his sword strapped to his waist as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me… At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, assemble to us there. Our God will fight for us.”” Nehemiah 4:18, 20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/neh.4.18-20.NASB2020

Call to action! Nehemiah 4:18, 20

“Representative Terra Costa Howard (D – Downers Gove) has introduced HB2827… the clear motivation is to drastically change the way homeschooling is governed in Illinois, and to remove the parents as the primary gatekeepers of their children’s education… a comprehensive set of rules, procedures, and qualifications for anyone considering homeschooling. It is written in such a way that it becomes a Pandora’s Box, opening the door for future legislative infringements on our freedoms beyond our present comprehension.” https://iche.org

Pray! “First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, 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 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1ti.2.1-2.NASB2020

Act! “Have every voting adult in your home call your state representative and state senator at the Capitol and/or district office. Respectfully, but firmly, ask them to oppose HB2827. Hopefully, the line will be busy, so keep on calling. (Your senator may not yet be aware of this bill as it was just filed, but you can inform him.) If possible, a face-to-face meeting is even more impactful.”

“Suggested script:

Representative ____________, I respectfully urge you to strongly oppose HB2827, ironically called the Homeschool Act. Homeschooling works as is evidenced by our academic and social success. This proposed bill infringes on our rights and adds undue burdens on homeschool parents who are already working hard to see their children succeed in life. As the old adage says, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Thank you for protecting our rights in the past and continue to do so into the future.” Find your representative https://www.votervoice.net/ILFI/Address

Illinois Family Institute – learn more here: https://illinoisfamily.org/education/illinois-homeschooling-freedoms-at-risk/

“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

Reminder, your children belong to God. Money, in Matthew 22 a denarius (Matt. 22:21), has the states “likeness.” Therefore, we pay our taxes to the state. Our money is political (not to be confused with labor!).

But our children and we ourselves have God’s “likeness” (Gen. 1:26), therefore we belong to God. We are pre-political. https://ministry.family.blog/2021/08/01/tyranny-politics-and-the-pre-political/

Household Prayer: What am I withholding from God?

“… I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”” Genesis 22:12 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.22.12.NASB2020

Brothers, today I’m meditating on Gen. 22:12 and asking, What am I withholding from God? I pray, like Martin Luther, that we “fear, love, and trust God more than anything else.” I pray we let go of all idols and affections that compete with our love of God.

Do not make idols (Exodus 20:4) There is only one true God and we should not make other things more important, like statues, money, traditions, or success. According to Martin Luther, “We must fear, love, and trust God more than anything else.”

“He said, “Do not reach out your hand against the boy, and do not do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”” Genesis 22:12 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.22.12.NASB2020