Education – Page 4 – Dobra Family Ministry

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/

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: 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/

Household Prayer: Rule Well, Bring Order

“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” Genesis 1:28 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.1.28.NKJV

Brothers today I’m praying for order. Many times when I find myself discontent or ineffective in life (work, family, ministry), it is often because I have not ruled myself or my areas of responsibility well and things have gotten out of order (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15). So I am praying that we rule well under the Lordship of Jesus and bring our souls, minds, and life into order. 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!” (Matt. 28:18-20) – Amen

Take dominion, subdue and rule, work and keep. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15) Go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:18-20) These summarize the mission God has given us.

Happy birthday Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Also, “Today — Feb 4th, 1906 — marks the birthday of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the greatest Christians of the modern era. He understood that faith without ACTION is no real faith.” https://ericmetaxas.com/books/bonhoeffer/

“He had theologically redefined the Christian life as something active, not reactive. It had nothing to do with avoiding sin or with merely talking or teaching or believing theological notions or principles or rules or tenets. It had everything to do with living one’s whole life in obedience to God’s call through action. It did not merely require a mind, but a body too. It was God’s call to be fully human, to live as human beings obedient to the one who had made us, which was the fulfillment of our destiny. It was not a cramped, compromised, circumspect life, but a life lived in a kind of wild, joyful, full-throated freedom—that was what it was to obey God.” Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas https://a.co/9b6VdVe

Creation Mandate – Dominion

In “Genesis 2:15, we learn how man is to fulfill his calling: ‘The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.’ … Work. To work is to labor to make things grow… Keep. To keep is to protect and to sustain progress already achieved… God calls us to bear His image in the real world, in this garden that has become corrupted by sin but is being redeemed by the power of God’s grace in Christ. He calls us to do this by being leaders and servants in the ultimate cause of displaying God’s glory and bearing the fruit of God’s love in real relationships… Our calling in life really is this simple (although not therefore easy): We are to devote ourselves to working/building and keeping/protecting everything placed into our charge.” The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men by Richard D. Phillips https://a.co/hPkBUjb

Household Prayer: teach them diligently

“You shall teach them diligently to your children”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/deu.6.4-9.NKJV

Brothers, today I am praying that we would read and teach our families from the word of God daily. I am giving God thanks for the gift of my family integrated small group and the participation of the children as they see their parents, fathers in particular, lead worship, teach, and pray as we wrestle to follow hard after God. I pray for all of us to give witness to the gospel in word and deed and model the faith in our lives daily. (Deut. 6:4-9)

“For centuries in America, the Bible was the primary textbook utilized by students—students who became America’s greatest scientists, teachers, statesmen, ministers, businessmen, and military leaders… Fisher Ames, who helped frame the Bill of Rights in the first federal Congress observed, ‘should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a school book? Its morals are pure; its examples captivating and noble. The reverence for the Sacred Book that is thus early impressed lasts long, and probably, if not impressed in infancy never takes firm hold of the mind.’ … History demonstrates that children are capable of learning much more and at a much earlier age than what we in this generation have been led to think. And if God told us in Deut 6 to educate our children in His Word at an early age, it is because He knew that they would flourish under this early intake of His Word. Let’s obey this Scriptural mandate and begin children and students very early in reading and learning His Word.” The Founders’ Bible, 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers

Playing The Game of School on Warrior Poet Society
http://www.watchwpsn.com/playing-the-game-of-school

The Left may be more… consistent with their catechisms… and they are catechizing Christian children!

““Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 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 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/deu.6.4-9.NKJV

Household Prayer: Boldness to Speak Truth

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”” Acts 4:18-20, 23-30 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/act.4.18-30.NKJV

Brothers today I am praying for boldness of faith. Jesus rules over the nations (Ps. 22:27-28) All authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18) Therefore do not fall into the spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7), do not join in the fearful spirit of the 10 spies, but rather join in the courage of Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14). I pray we have boldness in our faith to stand in the truth and speak truth to the nations, discipling them, baptizing them, and teaching them all God has commanded.

Do not fall into a spirit of fear, but work in God’s power, brothers! “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Do not join the 10 fearful spies, but join in the courage of Joshua and Caleb, brothers! “If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”” Numbers 14:8-9

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

For Jesus rules over the nations! “Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalms 2:8-12

“So, while the heathen rage, what is the Church meant to do?
Clearly, all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. We can decry the encroaching darkness all we want. We can even believe that the hostile climate to Christianity is evidence that the End Times are near. But, as it so well expressed in 2 Kin 7:3, in the midst of a community that is under siege, “Why do we sit here until we die?” … Those with a pro-God worldview must become reengaged in society. They must not only vocally and politically reassert their support and approval for the public religious liberties expressions that Americans have enjoyed and cherished for four centuries, but they must also denounce those who attack and seek to abolish those liberties and expressions. If we do not, we will continue to lose them by default-by silence and inactivity. Remember that even though God told His people that He had given them the Promised Land, they still had to keep fighting the giants. In fact, the lesson of the children of Israel clearly demonstrates that if you don’t like fighting, get used to living in the wilderness; but if you want to enjoy the richness of what God has promised, learn to battle hostile forces. We must stand up and do all we can to preserve the national treasures that God has placed into our hands.” The Founders’ Bible, 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers

“So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” …

And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”” Acts 4:18-20, 23-30 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/act.4.18-30.NKJV

Household Prayer: Multi-Generational Treasures in Heaven

“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 6:20-21 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.6.20-21.NKJV

Brothers today I’m praying for multi-generational glory to God, faithfulness, and impact from our simple parenting labors of discipleship and education this year. A doll house started by my grandfather for my mother, passed on to my brother’s daughters, and now passing on to my daughter. It’s a multi-generational joy, and how much more the treasures in heaven passed on and multiplied! So I pray that this year we have joy in the small daily labors that will have multi-generational impact of treasures in heaven! Be faithful in the small things, brothers. Happy new year!

Building a multi-generational corporate family network of faith

Pray for it! “First, you can’t do it apart from God. Psalm 127:1: “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it” The corporate family is a gift that vou receive from God.” 1

“Start where you are. Get right with God. Confess your sins. Love your neighbors (family neighbors first), Be thankful for what you have.”

“Second, be patient. The [multi-generational family] vision is a long game. You can’t build a corporate family overnight. It is a long, slow process. Start small and be faithful there. Start praying about it now. In order to build, you need a strong foundation. The family can only be built well when it is built on the gospel. Anything else is quicksand. Love what God has given you right now and be faithful there.”

“Third, think about how you can set up your children and grandchildren for this kind of network… If you are the first Christian in your family, then you are the pioneer. You get the great opportunity to dig up the ground and lay the cement. Do it wisely, Being the first at the work in your family is an incredible gift. Don’t squander it.”

Trust God. “This is all God’s plan. God is in the business of redeeming and building families. So follow Him.”

“Build a Postmil Family” by Jesse Sumpter, Fight Laugh Feast issue 3.4 Winter 2022

Household Prayer: Disciple our Children

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.22.6.NKJV

Brothers, today I pray we pass the faith on to our children. I pray for the wisdom to disciple and train our children, not just make them converts (Ps. 22:6). I pray I make training them in love, joy, obedience, and the holy conduct of new life a priority in the short time we have, teaching them all God has commanded (Matt. 28:18-20). I pray our children would be born again to a new life to be obedient, holy, and conducting their lives in the reverential fear of the Lord (I Peter 1:3, 13-19). I pray I do not in any way limit the power and influence of the Gospel as I disciple my children!

I have a lot of notes and a lot of article quotes on discipleship in this post. Discipleship is top of mind with a 17 year old and dwindling direct discipleship time, so these are not for criticism or condemnation, but for my edification, and I hope they can help others as well. May revival start in our homes!

Fathers bring your children up in the training and admonition of the Lord! (eph. 6:4)

Fathers must disciple their children. When fathers disciple in all of life for all of life, it isn’t just instruction from a hired hand, it is a way of life, a way of being, and the children see the glory of God in it!

I pray I do not in any way limit the power and influence of the Gospel as I disciple my children!

“A relationship with Christ cannot be reduced to the moment of initial salvation any more than a marriage can be reduced to the vow exchange at the wedding. By replacing our gospel-centrism with Christocentrism we give due weight to the ongoing covenant relationship of Christ to his elect people, and the nature of their regular worship as covenant renewal. To know Christ is not only to receive justification and adoption from him, but it is also a daily renewal consummating in resurrected glory.” https://founders.org/2019/03/18/be-christ-centered-not-just-gospel-centered/

“Christian buzzwords rapidly depreciate in meaning as soon as they are inducted into the religious vernacular. This is especially true of one more popular term: gospel-centered… Certainly we must be gospel-centered… the gospel does deserve our foremost attention and affection, period. The difficulty is that whenever we, as limited humans, reduce biblical theology down to a single theme or emphasis, we inevitably deemphasize some other important component of divine revelation… Rather than settling for what’s popularly dubbed “gospel-centrality”, consider three reasons why Christ-centeredness provides a firmer foundation. 1. Gospel-centrism can abstract salvation from the Savior; Christocentrism delivers Christ and his benefits together… 2. Gospel-centrism can neglect the graciousness of the law; Christocentrism elevates Christ as both Savior and Lord, Redeemer and Lawgiver… 3. Gospel-centrism can devolve into a focus on conversion only; Christocentrism involves the whole of the Christian life.” Be Christ-Centered, Not Just Gospel-Centered https://founders.org/2019/03/18/be-christ-centered-not-just-gospel-centered/

“Although the problems we now face are multicausal and multifaceted, who can deny that fundamentally they stem from a failure of discipleship? … This reflects the skewed way that the gospel is preached in the West: when you reduce the gospel to justification, you naturally see sanctification—being trained in righteousness—as legalism. When you reduce the gospel to justification, you naturally see political work as “of this world.” But the gospel is about salvation through the kingship of Christ—and so Christian life is about discipleship and dominion. It is about being fitted to represent God and act on his behalf, and training others to do the same—even the nations themselves…” https://notes.itsgoodtobeaman.com/frank-talk-about-the-instrumental-role-of-boomers-in-our-civilizational-collapse/

We are commanded to disciple all the nations. “The Great Commission is a directive for the church to train the nations in the word of God, which is why Paul describes the gospel as being “unto obedience of faith among all the nations” in his summary of it in Romans 1:5; 16:26.” https://notes.itsgoodtobeaman.com/frank-talk-about-the-instrumental-role-of-boomers-in-our-civilizational-collapse/

“Our time dislikes strong men – even though I think we’re waking up to the fact that we could use a few. Our time dislikes men with convictions, who speak up, who confront society, who disturb the status quo, men who know what they believe and why they believe it and are not intimidated about saying it. Such men today are branded as troublemakers. They’re branded as controversial. —John MacArthur” https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2250/stop-criticizing#:~:text=Our%20time%20dislikes,branded%20as%20controversial

“Our forefathers who founded this nation stood on the foundation of Christian thinking and Christian living… Those foundations have been intentionally destroyed by purveyors of wickedness. And the people of God have stood idly by as it happened… The church of Jesus Christ has been commissioned by our Head to make disciples of all nations. The way that we do that is by teaching and preaching the Word of Christ—all of it, including both law and gospel. It is time that God’s people humble ourselves in the face of the undeniable reality that we have not fulfilled this commission very well in the last few generations of these United States. May God grant us the grace to repent, to seek His favor and the power of His Spirit, and to give ourselves wholeheartedly to proclaim the lordship of our Christ throughout this nation once again.” https://founders.org/2022/11/18/a-requiem-for-my-nation/

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… Therefore… as obedient children… you also be holy in all your conduct… conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:3, 13-19 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1pe.1.3-19.NKJV

“Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,” Romans 1:5 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.1.5.NKJV

“but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— Romans 16:26 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.16.26.NKJV

Household Prayer: Joyful Labor for a Thousand Generations

[24] The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it…
[26] and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it;
Revelation 21:24,26 (NASB)

Brothers I’m praying we experience joy as we labor in love. I’ve been meditating on the things of glory and honor in the nations that will be brought into the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:26). What joy we have in our salvation. Joy that we didn’t have to earn it by works of the law. Joy that we are now free to work for/in the glory and honor of our Savior to fulfill our purpose and mission. Jesus warns the church, ““I know your WORKS” (Rev. 3:2,15) We do not know the hour of Jesus’ return and should continue working in joy and the power of the gospel for the good and future propagation of the gospel and discipleship of nations in this world for a thousand generations!

Whatever you do, “do all to the glory of God.” (I Cor. 10:31) Whatever our calling and vocation, building or supporting schools, healthcare clinics, farms, and businesses, whatever, our purpose is for the love of our neighbor and the discipleship of the nations. These good works, when motivated by love of God and neighbor, are good things. These things educate, disciple, employ, and care for neighbors, loving them as Christ commanded and can be used to point people to the gospel. The things of glory and honor in the nations will be brought into the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:26). Rejoice in your labor brothers!

5 Important Christian Political Acts

Thread:
The most important political act Christians do is gather on the Lord’s Day to worship God according to His Word. If you gather for a rock concert, comedy hour, or pep rally, you’re part of the problem. There are no quick fixes in politics, and Jesus is not your quick hit.

The second most important political act Christians do is get married, keep covenant with their spouse till they die, and raise a troop of children who love their parents’ God, hate the devil & all his works, and are sharp & dangerous to all unbelief with their joy & creativity.

The third most important political act Christians do is build Christian schools & colleges. These are not worldly institutions with pinches of Bible. These are covenantal boot camps training our kids in the Lordship of Jesus over all things. Classical Protestantism built the West

The fourth most important political act Christians do is start businesses & services producing real goods long term for all, especially the family of God. Those who don’t start their own join others & work for Kingdom minded entrepreneurs, building generational wealth & wisdom.

The fifth most important political act Christians do is participate in the political process, starting locally and then more broadly as opportunities and gifts align. The last 2 years have woken many up to just how rotten our system has gotten; it will take generations to reform.

None of this will work if we are not saturated in all of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation applied to all of life. Secular neutrality is a myth: Christ or nothing, Christ or chaos, Christ or tyranny. And that means the forgiveness of His bloody cross at the center of it all.

Originally tweeted by Toby Sumpter (@TJSumpter) on November 9, 2022.

HouseHold Prayer: ‘vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics’ Updated!

“in your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice. May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts.” Psalms 45:4 HCSB https://bible.com/bible/72/psa.45.4.HCSB

Brothers, today I am praying for midterm elections. I’m praying for triumph in the cause of truth (Ps. 45:4). I pray, for the love of our neighbors, that God’s truth about life, sex, marriage, gender, economics, localism (subsidiarity), and so much more would triumph. Praying our elders and pastors would be unashamed to teach God’s truth on the issues and that they would fear the Lord more than man.

“For a Christian, voting is not a right, it is a duty! So make sure and vote this election! As Charles Finney declared: ‘[T]he time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them.’ [Lectures on Revivals of Religion, 1858]” WallBuilders Take a Stand – Vote! https://wallbuilders.com/

Know where the candidates stand on the issues. Visit ChristianVoterGuide.com for information, guides, and more!

https://christianvoterguide.com

The IFI (Illinois Family Institute) 2022 Primary Election Voter Guide You will not find this information anywhere else! The online version is updated often.

https://illinoisfamily.org/ifi_news/ifi-voter-guide-resources-for-primary-election-2022/

“when God’s enemies shout that we mustn’t be political, as though this constitutes some trump card that can be used against those who claim to be Christians, we are obliged to hear in these cynical cries the voice of the devil, who similarly tried to keep Wilberforce from doing God’s will through politics and who has tried to keep God’s people from doing good at many times in history.” Eric Metaxas pg. 96 Letter to the American Church

“When Bonhoeffer said that God means the Church to be the conscience of the state, he made it clear that the Church must exist apart from the state and must be free to criticize the state if necessary. When the Church shrinks from this duty – to God and to its fellow citizens – it is not behaving as God’s Church. And when that happens, the state and everyone in it will sufffer.” Eric Metaxas pg. 102 Letter to the American Church

“Bonhoeffer eventually became so disgusted with the simplistic Lutheran idea that Christians should not be political that in ‘The Cost of Discipleship’, he wrote: ‘It is high time we broke with our theologically based restraint towards the state’s actions – which, after all, is only fear.’ Bonhoeffer’s disgust… was of course mainly that it was bad theology.” Eric Metaxas pg. 102,107 Letter to the American Church

FRC: Pray Vote Stand Pledge

“The future of America is in the hands of Christian men and women who will commit to PRAY, VOTE, and STAND for biblical principles to guide our nation. As a follower of Christ led by the Spirit of God and anchored in the Word of God, I commit to advocate and advance biblical truth in my home, workplace, school, church, community, and nation.”

Will you commit to PRAY, VOTE, and STAND for America this November? https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=CHECKOUT&dmy=B67634D9-C2D6-F7F3-10C158D6793709B3&srcItem=PT22I01&fromItem=FN22J01&x=0

Midterm Elections Will Determine the Nation’s Path
Read: Proverbs 14:34; Daniel 2:20-21; Proverbs 21:1; Deuteronomy 1:13
“Pray for Christians to pray, vote, and stand as the midterm elections approach. Pray for Bible-believing, Bible-teaching churches to boldly address our cultural moment, equipping believers to think–and act–biblically on issues like life, marriage, family, economy, and education.” (FRC Prayer Post, 10/25/2022)

https://washingtonstand.com/news/midterm-elections-will-determine-the-nations-path

The Founders’ Bible, 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers

Household Prayer: vocation

Brothers, I read Ps. 144 in my morning reading, and the historical note for Ps. 144:1 in The Founders Bible is about talents and giftings (including the soldier). With a 16 yo planning college visits it has me praying about vocation. I pray we help our children identify and nurture their gifts and talents and disciple them to use them for God’s glory.

“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me… May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace; may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!” Psalm 144:1-2, 12-14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.144.1-14.ESV

“Beyond the gifts of the Holy Spirit that many of us would be familiar with (1 Cor 12:4-11), the Bible teaches that God bestows various talents and giftings upon individuals, including that of musician (1 Sam 16:18,23; 1 Chr 23:5; 25:7), artisan (1 Kin 5:8-9), hunter (Gen 25:27), jeweler (Ex 35:33), engraver (Ex 35:35), sage (1 Kin 4:29-34), athlete (Judg 13-16), songwriter (Ex 15, the Psalms), civil ruler (Gen 41:41-42; Neh 5:14; Dan 2:48), and orator (Acts 18:26). One gift that is rarely acknowledged today, but is a gift that God specifically affirms in Ps 144:1 is being a skilled soldier: “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.” That, too, is a direct and sovereign gifting of God. Military subjects and issues are talked about repeatedly throughout both the Old and the New Testaments; even John the Baptist gave specific instructions for soldiers and officers as he was baptizing (Luke 3:12-16). And included throughout the Biblical Hall of Fame in Heb 11 are numerous military figures, held up to us as examples for our emulation… There are many other examples, but military-oriented sermons were a regular part of American church practice for centuries for the simple reason that the Bible recognizes this as an important God-ordained vocation. Christians today should regain the perspective that just as God gives special skills to individuals, He makes clear in Ps 144:1 that He also specifically gifts certain individuals to be effective soldiers.” The Founders’ Bible, 2012, Shiloh Road Publishers; Notes on Psalm 144:1; https://thefoundersbible.com