Education – Page 3 – Dobra Family Ministry

Household Prayer: physical and spiritual rebuilding

“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel… So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:1, 8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.8.8.NKJV

God’s people assembled in the public square. Ezra reads God’s law for the assembly, and the Levites “teach and instruct the people in the will of God… to explain and apply the truth of God in your life.” (Family worship Bible guide)

Brothers, meditating on Nehemiah 8 this week. We are both body and spirit, both physical and spiritual. Nehemiah tells the story of both the physical and spiritual rebuilding. “Rebuilding the walls without returning to the Word of God would be foolish.” (Family worship Bible guide) And likewise, according to James, returning to God’s word without rebuilding the walls may indicate a dead faith. (James 1:22; 2:14-26; Matt. 6:10) I pray for a renewed fear of God and love of His word. I pray that a renewed faith would result in joy as we labor in faithful obedience in the roles God has given us in this world until “the nations of those who are saved shall walk in [the new Jerusalem’s] light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” (Revelation 21:24)

The four God ordained governments working in cooperation. Individuals, households, spiritual (Church) and civil authorities (Nehemiah 8:9,13) cooperated in “ensuring that everyone, both citizens and leaders, understood how the principles of God’s Word applied to every aspect of life and culture.” (The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers)

“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel…
Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law…
Also… the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”” Nehemiah 8:1, 3, 7-10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.8.1-10.NKJV

“Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalms 119:165 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.119.165.NKJV

“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalms 127:1 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.127.1.NKJV

“and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.” I Chronicles 9:13 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ch.9.13.NKJV

For the People Had a Mind to Work | Reformation And Revival “Nehemiah tells us that the Jewish returned exiles finished the wall, even in the face of Sanballat’s mockery, because the people had a mind to work. They didn’t seem to care that Sanballat was over there saying, ‘What do these feeble Jews think they are doing? Will they rebuild out of the heaps of rubbish which are burned?’ And Tobiah added, ‘Even if a fox went up on the wall, he would break it down.'” https://youtu.be/WzcqjrquTmE?si=cFW5QTdM-07ttdD5

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

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: Repentance and Reformation

“Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day…O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”” Daniel 9:3-19 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/dan.9.3-19.NKJV

Brother’s I’ve had to confess and repent before my family this week. They called me out on some attitude issues. Praise God! I also read Daniel’s prayer for his people this week. I pray we would come before God in confession and repentance when we stumble. I pray we would, like Daniel, confess on behalf of our families and pray for reformation in our souls as the heads of our households. “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” Daniel 9:19

Four steps to reformation: Lord’s Day Worship! Give your children a Christian education! Sing! Cultivate Christian fellowship!

Lord’s Day Worship! “Preach, pray, sing, and celebrate the sacraments… with exuberant, expectant faith.”

Give your children a Christian education! “next to Lord’s Day worship, teaching disciples to obey Jesus in everything is the next most important thing we do, and parents (and fathers in particular) are commanded to teach their children all day long, every day about how everything relates to Christ, how the whole Bible applies to all of life. Children are the heritage of the Lord, and they are arrows and weapons in the hands of warriors. Therefore, the training and teaching and thorough enculturation of children in the knowledge and love the Lord is essential.”

Sing! “a singing people is a joyful people, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. And if you’re not careful, you might break out in song in the streets, around your dinner table, or after football games.” “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” Eph 5:19

Cultivate Christian fellowship! “we work, we build, we sing, we marry, we worship, and we feast because we are walking in the light and have fellowship with God and another.”

Excerpts from https://tobyjsumpter.com/how-to-start-a-reformation-in-four-easy-steps/

“when the world went crazy and our tyrants began tyrannizing, the only thing you had to do to win was be open. Have church, don’t mandate masks or vaccines, sing to the Lord, declare His word with authority, and celebrate the sacraments (in person) and face to face. The churches that did this have grown, and in some places they have simply exploded. Some ministers were arrested; some were fined. But everywhere there has been fruit… I believe that when God gives us Reformation, it will mostly consist of a bunch of people doing relatively ordinary things with God’s extraordinary blessing upon them. So this is not rocket science. This is not some kind of deep, esoteric masterplan. This is just simple obedience in faith. But if someone were starting from scratch, and they wanted to know what I think are the top four things they should do in order to work for Reformation and Revival, this is what I would say: …” https://tobyjsumpter.com/how-to-start-a-reformation-in-four-easy-steps/

Homeschool: an exhorting and encouraging message

I found this to be an exhorting and encouraging message from Pastor Sumpter and wanted to share.

Two big points that stuck out to me:

1 Men must lead. “Christian education is to be ultimately overseen by men/fathers.”
2 We need community. “many responsible households knit tightly together in covenant communities – little platoons, as Edmund Burke called them… Christians need to think of the project of Christian education as something that needs to be done in community. We need community because we need encouragement. We are tempted to get tired, discouraged, and lose perspective. We need community because we need accountability… We need community because it is not good for man to be alone, because two are better than one, because we are a body in Christ, because there is something particularly fruitful and potent about wise divisions of labor… the more Christian education is done in community (strong coops and classical Christian schools) the more it is like a military force, training brigades of soldiers, full of highly competent individual soldiers who have also been prepared to work together, concentrating forces, building institutions, businesses, and cities.” I would add, as Pastor Toby probably assumes is obvious, for the glory of God and the advancement of His gospel kingdom.

If your local church has the explicit or implicit attitude that your Christian education or homeschool/coop is not a ministry of the church, I pray God gives you wisdom.

A Pastoral Word About Homeschooling by Toby Sumpter

In this episode of Having Two Legs, Pastor Toby addresses Fathers, Mothers, and the Pros and Cons of Homeschooling.

Video: https://youtu.be/OGfIis-XDno?si=kbbCNuvdSXjev4os

Blog post here:https://tobyjsumpter.com/a-pastoral-word-about-homeschooling/

Homeschool: A Vision for 2023-2024 School Year

Why we homeschool

To seek first God’s kingdom in our children’s education. To obey God’s command in the education of our children and to disciple and prepare them for the mission God has planned for them.

To seek first God’s kingdom in our children’s education

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Our children are God’s.

God created us, not the state or politics. God made humans before the establishment of nation states and politics. God made humans in His image.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”” Genesis‬ ‭1:1‬,26‬ ‭

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.

“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew‬ ‭22:17, 19-21‬

To obey God’s commands for our children’s education

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Has not the LORD made [the husband and wife] one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. . .” Malachi 2:15-16

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

No longer walk as unbelievers do. Eph. 4:17
Put off your unbelieving way of life. Eph. 4:22
Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Eph. 4:23
Raise your children in the instruction and discipline of the Lord. Eph. 6:4
Our children bear the image of God. Gen. 1:27
Render to God the things that are God’s. Matt. 22:21
Let the children come to Jesus and do not hinder them. Matt. 19:14
Teach God’s instructions to your children all day long. Deut. 6:7
Do not be deceived by the sons of disobedience. Eph. 5:6
Walk as children of light. Eph. 5:8 (https://ministry.family.blog/2019/11/10/education-vindicate-the-honor-of-god/)

To disciple and prepare for the mission God has given each of us

To know God and make Him known. To reform the church and reenchant the world with the truth and grace of the Gospel.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Enchant (latin: encantio): to speak meaning into.

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

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15

To build a Godly Household

Household: (hebrew: bayit) Family, Clan, Estate, Dynasty, Amory, Strong Fortress.

Economy: (latin from greek Oikonomia, Oikos = Household, Nemein = manage) Household management.

A household is the model of the faith. Wives and husbands (Eph. 5:22,25), children and parents (Eph. 6:1-4), and bondservants and masters (extended household members) (Eph. 6:5, 9). How a household is managed is a primary qualification for church leadership (Matt. 24:45; 1 Tim. 5:8; 1 Tim. 3:4-5)

Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. Genesis 7:1

“For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” Genesis 18:19

But [Jesus], knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.” Matthew 11:17

To leave a Godly legacy!

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)

Family/household : ministry of health, education, and welfare.
Church : ministry of grace and peace.
Civil : ministry of justice.
Self-Government makes the other three possible.

These summarize the mission God has given us. 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: A shining light of good works

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.16.NKJV

Brothers, praying that our households, homeschool communities, and local assemblies of the Church are set apart as lights in the darkness (Matt. 5:16), illuminating God’s truth and grace. Lord I pray that our salvation produces the fruit of good works (Eph. 2:10, James 2:20), and May our good works shine a light (Matt. 5:16) that adorns “the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” (Titus 2:7, 10)

The pilgrims, according to William Bradford, “sought a better country for a more fruitful life, body and soul, but most importantly, to protect their children from corruption… they swore ‘in the Presence of God’ to form a ‘civil Body Politick’ for the ‘Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith.’”

It’s often told of the persecution of the reformation time period that led the pilgrims across the ocean. But what is overlooked is the concern they had for the spiritual development and protection of their children from the degenerate corruption of the culture. This motivated them to be set apart as a shining example of “the ‘Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith.’”

“Do it for the kids”

“What was intolerable—“of all sorrows most heavy to be borne”—was that some of the children of Bradford’s group had been influenced by the “great licentiousness of the youth in that country, and the manifold temptations of the place” been “drawn away by evil examples into extravagant and dangerous courses, getting the reins off their necks and departing from their parents… to the great grief of their parents and dishonour of God. So that they saw their posterity would be in danger to degenerate and be corrupted.” … They sought a better country for a more fruitful life, body and soul, but most importantly, to protect their children from corruption… There they swore “in the Presence of God” to form a “civil Body Politick” for the “Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith.” The Pilgrim exodus was both evangelical and political, and not born from a martyrdom complex but from zeal to build anew and, most of all, to acquire space to exercise their preferred way of life. The security and longevity of their children were paramount… Though the proclamation of the Gospel would, of course, not be neglected, the Pilgrim emigration was effectively flight from a blue state to red territory. Would-be modern pilgrims needn’t feel ashamed of their decidedly natural and sensible impulses to safeguard their families and way of life by seeking out greener pastures.” ‘The Pilgrim Option, or On the Blue State Exodus’ by Timon Cline, American Reformer https://americanreformer.org/2023/07/do-it-for-the-kids/

William Bradford’s (1590-1657) ‘Of Plymouth Plantation’ https://books.google.com/books/about/Bradford_s_History_of_Plimoth_Plantation.html?id=1SwSAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&gboemv=1&ovdme=1#v=onepage&q&f=false

Household Prayer: Approach education as if doing it for the Lord God Almighty!

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men” Colossians 3:23 (NASB)

Brothers, for family worship this week we considered Colossians 3:23 as it applies to school (parents and students). Approach your education as if doing it for the Lord God Almighty! Praying for good attitudes and joyful hearts in the labor this year. Praying that our labors would bless and glorify God until “the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.” (Ps 72:19)

“The Bible tells us that no matter the assignment before us, we should undertake it as though we are doing it on behalf of the Lord Himself-that we are to use our utmost skill and put all of our heart and mind into that task. Because God wants the best effort from us in every area… Our Founding Fathers understood the broad scope of these passages and thus applied their message not just to so-called “spiritual areas,” but also to endeavors in politics, education, law, entertainment, employment, and… even dictionaries! The story of Founding Father Noah Webster’s creation of his famous dictionary is an excellent illustration of how they infused the “do the absolute best I can, and do it for God!” mentality throughout every conceivable undertaking… Webster was so committed to doing everything for the Lord, including even his massive dictionary, that in the preface to that famous work, he openly dedicated it to God: To that great and benevolent Being, Who during the preparation of this work has sustained a feeble constitution [body] amidst obstacles and toils, disappointments, infirmities and depression; Who has borne me and my manuscripts in safety across the Atlantic and given me strength and resolution to bring the work to a close, I would present the tribute of my most grateful acknowledgments. And if the talent which He has entrusted to my care has not been put to the most profitable use in His service, I hope it has not been “kept laid up in a napkin” [Luke 19:20] and that any misapplication of it may be graciously forgiven… He also announced: I present this to my fellow citizens not with frigid indifference but with my ardent wishes for their improvement and happiness and… the moral and religious elevation of character, and the glory, of my country. A dictionary dedicated to the “moral and religious elevation” of citizens’ character and that of the country? It is unlikely that many today would approach the making of a dictionary with the commitment that it was a spiritual undertaking, but Webster did.” The Founders’ Bible, NASB 1995, Copyright 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers

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

Loadout – Genesis 14:14 – Project Appleseed 2023

‘loadout’

1. the equipment carried into battle by a soldier. 2. any set of equipment carried while engaged in a task, expedition, etc.

STANDING ORDERS ROGERS RANGERS
1. Don’t forget nothing.
2. Have your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute’s warning…
MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS 1759 – RANGER HANDBOOK SH 21-76 UNITED STATES ARMY https://www.atu.edu/rotc/docs/3_21-76_Ranger_HB.pdf

Genesis 14:14

“Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.” Genesis 14:14-16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.14.14-16.NKJV

Abram provided for his household:
1 equipment (loadout)
2 training
3 defense and protection

“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.” I Timothy 5:8 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.5.8.NKJV

Project Appleseed https://appleseedinfo.org

Our training this weekend (Project Appleseed https://appleseedinfo.org) includes:
1 planning and preparing equipment (loadout)
2 rifleman training
3 and we will be better equipped to provide for the defense and protection of our households

And Abram was blessed by Melchizedek king of Salem, priest of God Most High.

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.” Genesis 14:18-20 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.14.18-20.NKJV

Motivation

Love

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.13.NKJV

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬, ‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/1jn.4.7-11.NKJV

Justice

“Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 82:3-4 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.82.3-4.NKJV

Fear God, Make disciples, Protect your family!

“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/

“Religion and liberty must flourish or fall together in America. We pray that both may be perpetual.” Pastor William Smith, Christ Church Philadelphia, 1775
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable, and that the unjust attempts to destroy the one, may in the issue tend to the support and establishment of both.” John Witherspoon, 1776
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

“And if our religion is given up, all the liberty we boast of will soon be gone.” Samuel Langdon, 1788
Bringing Back the Black Robed Regiment, Dan Fisher, 2015

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: Spiritual Battle and Fervent Prayer

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.5.16.NKJV

End of Homeschool Year 2022-23

Brothers, the end of another homeschool year. While I take a break from the weekly prayers until the next Classical Conversations homeschool season starts, I pray we continue to pray over our families and lead our households in the faith, for “… The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

Two reminders:
National day of prayer May 4th. There are events in Peoria, Pekin, and East Peoria.
CC Dad’s Prayer Meetings – Saturday May 6th and/or 27th, 9-10am

I encourage a fast from Friday evening, breaking the fast Saturday evening before the Lord’s day.

Spiritual Battle

1. confession and repentance (James 5:16a)
2. prayer and fasting (James 5:16b; Mark 9:29)
3. get to work (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 2:10)

Repent:

“God may justly afflict and correct His people by the hand of oppressors and permit their most important rights to be violated, their substance destroyed, their habitations to be laid waste, or even the innocent blood of their brethren to be wantonly shed in their land, yet still He is their God in the midst of them and will readily appear for their help when they return from their evil ways, acknowledge His hand and implore His mercy and assistance.” from JONAS CLARK, A.M. Pastor of the Church in Lexington (1730–1805) and his sermon “The Fate of Blood-Thirsty Oppressors, and GOD’s Tender Care of His Distressed People” Joel 3:19, 20 & 21 https://a.co/iEjRXJf

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.5.16.NKJV

Pray and Fast:

“Christian, unfurl these “letters” before our great God as you get on your knees in prayer. Above all, we seek not our own good or peace, but the advancement of God’s purposes.” (A Call to Prayer – A Great Example From Hezekiah (See 2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36-37), https://illinoisfamily.org/faith/a-call-to-prayer-a-great-example-from-hezekiah-2/ )

Mark 9:17-29 “So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”” 9:29 https://bible.com/bible/114/mrk.9.29.NKJV

Get to Work:

Then, 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 NKJV

Household Prayer: Earth Day, Worship the Creator, Destroy Arguments

““You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.””
Revelation 4:11 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.4.11.NKJV

Brothers, today I am praying, as the pagans celebrate earth day, that we teach our children about God’s creation, God’s Gospel, and Godly creation care. May God use our children as arrows to cast “down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (II Cor. 10:4-5). You have promised, Lord, that the earth and harvest will be sustained (Gen. 8:22). We celebrate and worship you, God our Creator and Deliverer, not the creation. You are worthy, O Lord! (Rev. 4:11).

God created the heavens and earth!

Genesis 1,2

““You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created.””
Revelation 4:11 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.4.11.NKJV

God created our earth and its climate and promised to sustain it.

““While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.”” Genesis 8:22 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.8.22.NKJV

By the Lord all creation is sustained.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty…
You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever…
He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows its going down…
Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening.
O Lord, how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions…
You hide Your face, they are troubled;
You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; May the Lord rejoice in His works.”
Psalms 104:1, 5, 19, 23-24, 29-31 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.104.1-31.NKJV

Worship the Creator, not the creation.

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created.
He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths;
Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Psalms 148:1-13 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.148.1-13.NKJV

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein… Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah” Psalms 24:1, 7-10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.24.1-10.NKJV

Beware godless agendas, climate change and green agenda.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.4-5.NKJV

“From guano to global warning, the green agenda is a Marxist assault on humankind driven by scare tactics clothed in junk science. It is a godless agenda that disregards your needs, lifestyle, dreams, desires, and feelings. It seeks control of your property, both physical and intellectual… The ultimate answer to authentic environmental concerns is not more laws, bigger fines, or more government control. The answer is the good news of Jesus Christ. As people turn to Him for salvation they become transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and walk in a way that pleases Him. That, in turn, determines how they treat His creation.” (1)

The Gospel applied to creation care.

Jesus rules over the nations (Ps. 22:27-28), and all things are being reconciled to Him (Colossians 1:20). By faith (Heb. 11:1-3,4,5…) Take dominion, subdue and rule, work and keep. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15) Go and make disciples of all nations. (Matt. 28:18-20)

“God seldom answers a man leaning on a shovel and praying for a hole. Pray. And then get to work. Follow the pattern of Nehemiah. Pray fervently, and act more fervently still” Eric Conn

“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares.” George Washington https://seedsforgenerations.com/presidents-day-sale/

“Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard.” Leviticus 25:3-4 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/lev.25.3-4.NKJV

“‘So you shall observe My statutes and keep My judgments, and perform them; and you will dwell in the land in safety. Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill, and dwell there in safety.” Leviticus 25:18-19 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/lev.25.18-19.NKJV

“‘If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.” Leviticus 26:3-5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/lev.26.3-5.NKJV

1 Brian Sussman, “The Godless Roots of the Green Agenda”, Fight Laugh Feast, Issue 4.1, Spring 2023 https://flfnetwork.com/product-category/subscription/

Household Prayer: Gardening

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.2.15.NKJV

Brothers, today I am praying for gardens, big or small, and our local farmers. I am praying for God’s provision of our daily bread. Christ’s Church proclaims His truth about creation and our role in it. The battle for the Lord’s creation includes the global food supply not just gender, sexuality, and marriage. Lord establish the work of our hands! Lord bless our gardens and bless our local gardeners, farmers, and food producers. And I pray we pass along a proper theology of creation and creation care to our children.

“Mankind’s call to work the ground is crucial to human self-understanding and self-purpose.”
Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Bruce Hegeman

“Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to it’s liberty and interests by the most lasting bands.”
Thomas Jefferson https://seedsforgenerations.com/presidents-day-sale/

The battle for the Lord’s creation includes the global food supply

“Coming to America: even higher food prices and chronic meat and dairy shortages if we don’t fight to keep the woke climate cult from using government to decimate our livestock. ‘Heartbreaking message from a Dutch farmer: “Tonight was the last time we milked our cows. After 90 years, this is it for the organic dairy sector. We aren’t allowed to continue because we were labelled a ‘peak polluter’. We fought for 3 years.” Our government destroys lives.’”
U.S. Representative Thomas Massie , KY https://twitter.com/repthomasmassie/status/1633093829489205248?s=46&t=Ag2lESY3ntUopWo1gN17hw

What do we do?

“God seldom answers a man leaning on a shovel and praying for a hole. Pray. And then get to work. Follow the pattern of Nehemiah. Pray fervently, and act more fervently still”
Eric Conn

What do we do? Pray! -and- We must, by all means, support local farmers and livestock producers! It may cost a little more than Walmart or Amazon, but consider:
* it is an investment in your neighbor, showing your love toward them
* it is an investment in your liberty and the liberty of your children and their children!
* It is an investment in your health. Knowing where your food comes from and how it is produced

“You should go into every business relationship with a brother looking to give something additional, rather than to get something additional. Don’t expect discounts because you are a brother. Try, when possible, to give something additional because he’s a brother… This spirit of grace and generosity does not take Mammon out of your hands, but it most certainly takes you out of Mammon’s hands.” Gashmu Saith It: How to build Christian communities that save the world, by Douglas Wilson https://canonpress.com/products/gashmu-saith-it/

“The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.” Proverbs 11:25 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.11.25.NKJV

Start a garden. Every home have a garden. Like the “victory gardens” of old. Start a farm or livestock herd if you can. Gardener, “those professionals who work the soil but do not as a general rule rely on heavy machinery.”, is # 5 of the top 20 durable trades. https://a.co/ek9jv5Q

“Victory gardens were vegetable gardens planted during the world wars in order to ensure an adequate food supply for civilians and troops. Government agencies, private foundations, businesses, schools, and seed companies all worked together to provide land, instruction, and seeds for individuals and communities to grow food.” https://gardens.si.edu/gardens/victory-garden/

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.2.15.NKJV

“Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters.. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” Jeremiah 29:5-7 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jer.29.5-7.NKJV

“I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman’s cares.” George Washington https://seedsforgenerations.com/presidents-day-sale/