Devotional – Dobra Family Ministry

Prayer Meeting: Select Men Who Fear God

“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” Exodus 18:21 NASB2020

1. Remember HB2827 in IL 2025 legislative session. [Alert HB2827, Truth HB2827]

2. 2026 Midterms – IFI voter guide [IFI Voter Guide]

3. The biblical principle of electing representatives in a constitutional republic

“A constitutional republic is the highest form of republican government and is one in which the representatives elected by the people are not sovereign but are instead subject to a higher sovereign law a written constitution. This form of an elective representative constitutional republic, as described in Ex 18:21 and Deut 1:15-16; 16:18, is what Founding Father John Adams described as “a government of laws and not of men.” …

“Our Founders had an opportunity to establish a democracy in America and deliberately chose not to; the form of government they entrusted to us was a constitutional republic. In fact, Article IV, Section IV of the U.S. Constitution requires that:

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT…

“The Bible…is the most republican book in the world.” 8 — John Adams …

“I have always considered Christianity as the strong ground of republicanism. 9 — Benjamin Rush, Signer Of The Declaration …

“Our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible.” 10 — Noah Webster”

“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” Exodus 18:21 NASB2020

“Obtain for yourselves men who are wise, discerning, and informed from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’” Deuteronomy 1:13 NASB2020

“So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and informed men, and appointed them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes. “Then I ordered your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen and judge righteously between a person and his fellow countryman, or the stranger who is with him.” Deuteronomy 1:15-16 NASB2020

““You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not distort justice, you shall not show partiality; and you shall not accept a bribe, because a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and distorts the words of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:18-20 NASB2020

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: Paul and the Civil Authority

“But Paul said to them, “After beating us in public without due process—men who are Romans—they threw us into prison; and now they are releasing us secretly? No indeed! On the contrary, let them come in person and lead us out.”” Acts 16:37 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/act.16.37.NASB2020

Brothers, meditating on Acts 16:37. Paul understood his civil citizenship in the sphere of civil authority and appealed to it often. I pray “IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten… Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our [Government] and Country… Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid [the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith]…” I pray we fulfill our duty to vote and take dominion over our civil sphere of influence. (The Mayflower Compact, 1620)

I pray we rule well as a member of the community and civil body politic. https://ministry.family.blog/2026/08/28/fish-fry-taking-dominion-and-making-disciples/#civildominion

Household Prayer: Psalm 127 – by faith

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.127.1-2.ESV

Brothers, meditating on Psalm 127. We must build the house (1a), guard the city (1b), and labor for our bread (2). Those duties are ours, but the results are God’s. Let our hearts fear and love God and by faith let our motivation in all of our duties be to glorify Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19, Rom. 5:8) In the battle between David and Goliath, the result was that God won the victory, but by faith David picked up the stones and engaged the Giant.

And how does God equip us in our duties? “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Ps. 127:3) “As arrows are indispensable for a warrior to succeed in battle, so children are invaluable as defenders of their father and mother in time of war or litigation. The more such defenders, the better.” – MACARTHUR. I pray we see our wives and children for what they are, blessings from God. I pray we build our homes, guard our communities, and work to provide for our families rejoicing in the blessings of God!

“God’s sovereignty is seen in 3 realms: 1) building a house, 2) protecting a city, and 3) earning a living. In all 3 instances, the sovereign intention of God is far more crucial to the outcome than man’s efforts. Otherwise, a man’s endeavor is in vain (cf. Ecc 1:2; 12:8)… The same principle of God’s sovereignty applies to raising a family… Children are a blessing from the Lord…As arrows are indispensable for a warrior to succeed in battle, so children are invaluable as defenders of their father and mother in time of war or litigation. The more such defenders, the better.” THE MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.127.1-2.ESV

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.127.3-5.ESV

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.4.19.ESV

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.5.8.ESV

“And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” … Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” … And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” … And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.” 1 Samuel 17:26, 36-37, 45-47, 49 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1sa.17.26.ESV

Household Prayer: 2026 Midterm Elections

“Obtain for yourselves men who are wise, discerning, and informed from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.’” Deuteronomy 1:13 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/deu.1.13.NASB2020

Brothers, midterm elections are coming up. Meditating on Deut. 1:13 and praying for wisdom and discernment. Praying we engage and take dominion for the good of our families, churches, and neighbors and all glory be to God! Duty is ours, results are God’s

I use the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) voters guide along side my Bible and my local sample ballot to decide who to cast my vote for, then have a family meeting with prayer and devotional to review the ballot and why I made the choices I did.

IFI voter guide https://illinoisfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IFI-VG-General-2026-16-pages-web-C.pdf

IFI local guides https://illinoisfamily.org/politics/2026-general-election-local-voter-guides/

2026 Peoria County sample ballot https://www.peoriaelections.gov/201/Sample-Ballots#docaccess-408ca6ce2c0354f318c6f77d2fad9075

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.33.12.NASB2020

Why application of God’s word in all areas of life for dominion taking and disciple making? Because Jesus’ “brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:21 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/luk.8.21.NASB2020

And “… blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.”” Luke 11:28 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/luk.11.28.NASB2020

Household Prayer: Constitution Day and Civil Dominion

“Unless the LORD builds a house, They who build it labor in vain; Unless the LORD guards a city, The watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.127.1.NASB2020

Brothers, America’s Founders signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787. Deliberations were saved from failing by a motion given on June 28, 1787 by Benjamin Franklin in which he quoted Psalm 127:1, “Unless the LORD builds a house, They who build it labor in vain”, and requested that “henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of heaven, and it’s blessings on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more of the clergy of the city be requested to officiate in that service.” This historical scene is depicted in the movie “A Great Awakening”. (1)

I pray for our civil leaders today, as Rev. William Rogers did a few days later, July 4, 1787, before the gathered assembly, “… will it please Thee, O Thou Eternal I AM, to favor them from day to day with Thy immediate presence; be Thou their wisdom and their strength! Enable them to devise such measures as may prove happily instrumental for healing all divisions and promoting the good of the great whole… that the United States of America may furnish the world with one example of a free and permanent government…” (2) I pray for your favor as we take dominion over our civil affairs for justice and the love of our neighbors, children, and grand children, and I pray we do it all to your glory Lord! In Jesus Christ’s name I pray – Amen.

“Unless the LORD builds a house, They who build it labor in vain; Unless the LORD guards a city, The watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.127.1.NASB2020

The Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787, Benjamin Franklin told the others:

In this situation of this assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. . . And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel . . . and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages. I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business. (3)

References:

1 A Great Awakening https://www.agreatawakening.com

2 100 Bible Verses that Made America: Defining moments that shaped our enduring foundation of faith, by Robert J. Morgan

3 https://wallbuilders.com/resource/on-this-day-in-history-june-28-1787/

Household Prayer: Skilled Men

“And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship… And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, so that they may make everything that I have commanded you:” Exodus 31:3, 6 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/exo.31.3-6.NASB2020

Hey brothers, summer meditation on Exodus 31. Our focus may be off homeschooling and maybe that’s a good time to sharpen our vocation to be skilled men in whatever we do so we do it to the glory of God. Praying we press into our vocations with opportunities to increase provision (1 Chronicles 4:10, 1 Timothy 5:8), witness to God’s truth and gospel (Mark 16:15, Psalm 15:1-3), and give thanks and glory to God (Psalm 26:7, Ephesians 6:7-8).

Skilled men

“Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all craftsmanship; to create designs for working in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work. He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver, of a designer, and of an embroiderer, in violet, purple, and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.” Exodus 35:30-35 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/exo.35.35.NASB2020

Skilled women

“And all the skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun, in violet, purple, and scarlet material, and in fine linen.” Exodus 35:25 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/exo.35.25.NASB2020

“Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would greatly bless me and extend my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm so that it would not hurt me!” And God brought about what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:10 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1ch.4.10.NASB2020

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1ti.5.8.NASB2020

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/mrk.16.15.NASB2020

“Lord, who may reside in Your tent? Who may settle on Your holy hill? One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor do evil to his neighbor, Nor bring shame on his friend;” Psalm 15:1-3 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.15.1-3.NASB2020

“That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders.” Psalm 26:7 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.26.7.NASB2020

“With goodwill render service, as to the Lord, and not to people, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free.” Ephesians 6:7-8 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/eph.6.7-8.NASB2020

Household Prayer: false philosophies

“When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should a people not consult their God? Should they consult the dead in behalf of the living? 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 8:19-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/isa.8.19-20.NASB2020

Brothers, a lot of public and national attention is being given to false Christians. From Is. 8:19, wizards, mediums and the spiritists, charlatans, those claiming to be Christians but leading people astray into foolish philosophies of the world (Col. 2:8-10). From political candidates claiming abortion is biblical and using the Virgin Mary as an example – in a church! – 🤷‍♂️. Or “influencers” claiming Christian’s have to be socialists (guess we don’t need the last 5 commandments) 🤷‍♂️. All the devils work to discredit the true faith. “For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” Matt. 24:24

“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. I pray for God to enchant our eyes, minds, and hearts with His word and give us feet swift to go and share the truth! (Eph. 6:15) I pray we lead our families in the truth, to know the one true God, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

Sola Fide: by faith alone.
Sola Scriptura: by Scripture alone.
Solus Christus: through Christ alone. Sola Gratia: by grace alone.
Soli Deo Gloria: glory be to God alone!

“When they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should a people not consult their God? Should they consult the dead in behalf of the living? 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 8:19-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/isa.8.19-20.NASB2020

“See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over every ruler and authority;” Colossians 2:8-10 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/col.2.8-10.NASB2020

““You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male slave, or his female slave, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”” Exodus 20:13-17 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/exo.20.13-17.NASB2020

“For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/mat.24.24.NASB2020

“and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace;” Ephesians 6:15 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/eph.6.15.NASB2020

“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. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1ti.2.1-6.NASB2020

Household Prayer: Psalm 78 and Saint Patrick

“Listen to the word of the Lord, you sons of Israel, Because the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, For there is no faithfulness, nor loyalty, Nor knowledge of God in the land… My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:1-6

Brothers, meditating on Psalm 78. God says ““Listen, my people, to my instruction…” and to Fathers, “We will not conceal them from their children, But we will tell the generation to come … Which He commanded our fathers That they were to teach them to their children, So that the generation to come would know, the children yet to be born, That they would arise and tell them to their children, So that they would put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But comply with His commandments.” (Psalm 78:1-7) Wow! We need to be scholars of God’s word and teach our wives and children and communities God’s revealed word.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

A convicting Saint Patrick song. https://youtu.be/VOa-8_r2HSo?si=jevEirhbm1WE_4R

Household Prayer: Saint Patrick’s example – proclaim the excellencies of God https://ministry.family.blog/2024/03/15/household-prayer-saint-patricks-example-proclaim-the-excellencies-of-god/

Scripture to meditate on

“Listen to the word of the Lord, you sons of Israel, Because the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, For there is no faithfulness, nor loyalty, Nor knowledge of God in the land… My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:1-6 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/hos.4.6.NASB2020

“Listen, my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will tell riddles of old, 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. ¶For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they were to teach them to their children, So that the generation to come would know, the children yet to be born, That they would arise and tell them to their children, So that they would put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But comply with His commandments,” Psalm 78:1-7 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.78.1-7.NASB2020

“When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/mrk.6.34.NASB2020

“Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” Genesis 1:26-28 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.1.26-28.NASB2020

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate [work or produce] it and tend [keep or protect] it.” Genesis 2:15 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/gen.2.15.NASB2020

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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 28:18-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/mat.28.18-20.NASB2020

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/eph.2.10.NASB2020

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.” Psalm 51:12-13 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.51.12-13.NASB2020

Household Prayer: courage in the face of wickedness

“There certainly is a reward for the righteous; There certainly is a God who judges on the earth!”” Psalm 58:6, 10-11 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.58.6.NASB2020

Brothers, was meditating on the increasing public shows of Islamic conquest in America. Most recently traffic blocked in NY for Muslim prayer and reciting Surah Muhammad 47:4 “So, when you meet (in fight) those who disbelieve, strike at their necks till you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (and take them as captives)…” How do we lead our families in these days?

My meditation this morning was this 1) praying to God for protection from the wicked that would do us harm, prayed Psalm 58, “God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, Lord…”

2) praying we would be bold to tell that and they would hear that they are destined for hell and turn to Jesus for salvation, prayed over Acts 3-4, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away… that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,… whom God raised from the dead… there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

3) knowing the growing threat of violence praying we prepare and train, Nehemiah 4, “But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night…”

4) prayed that we not have a spirit of fear but of courage, “‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God…’” Isaiah 41:10. I pray we walk in this faith and encourage and disciple age appropriately.

“But, despite all these apparent strengths, the foundations for [Christian] Byzantine security had over time shown evidence of innumerable hidden weaknesses. Most significantly, the long-lived stability of the imperial order had encouraged a lax estimation of the importance of military preparedness. When the first few ragged Islamic armies began to venture out of the Arabian desert, their shrewd commanders quickly saw and exploited those weaknesses.” The Last Crusader: The Untold Story of Christopher Columbus by George Grant https://a.co/6rpxm4P

“Take Jesus’s talk of swords. He tells his disciples that “he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.” They respond, “Lord, behold, here are two swords,” to which Christ concludes, “It is enough” (Luke 22: 36, 38 KJV). Whereas most modern-day Christians allegorize this verse into meaninglessness, for most premodern and especially medieval Christians, its meaning was clear: Christians are to fight two sorts of evils with two sorts of swords—a spiritual sword against spiritual enemies, and a physical sword against physical enemies. Taken together, these two swords were, and are, “enough.”” The Two Swords of Christ: Five Centuries of War between Islam and the Warrior Monks of Christendom by Raymond Ibrahim https://a.co/0hijsvZt

“¶God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, Lord… The righteous will rejoice when he sees vengeance; He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. And people will say, “There certainly is a reward for the righteous; There certainly is a God who judges on the earth!”” Psalm 58:6, 10-11 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/psa.58.6.NASB2020

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,” Acts 3:19-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/act.3.19-20.NASB2020

“let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead… there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”” Acts 4:10, 12 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/act.4.10.NASB2020

“But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night… then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears, and bows. When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:9, 13-14 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/neh.4.9.NASB2020

“‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Isaiah 41:10 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/isa.41.10.NASB2020

Household Prayer: church riots, law, justice, and salvation

“… through the Law comes knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/rom.3.19-20.NASB2020

Brothers, quick thought this week after the church riot stunt last Sunday and the continued increase in violent rhetoric and actions by the leftist red/green axis (marxist/islamist/anarchists), reflecting on the “three uses of the law” theological concept. A framework “recovered and clarified by the Protestant Reformers.” I’m praising God that the civil magistrate rightly applied the second or civil use of the law, restraining evil (Rom. 13:4). I’m praying that the first use of the law, exposing human sinfulness, will cause a guilt in the criminals that leads to repentance and belief in Jesus unto their salvation (Rom. 3:20).

“The Law for the Lawless: How to Restore Order in the Home, the Church, and the Nation” by David Mitzenmacher https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-for-the-lawless/

I did my required 3 hour conceal carry renewal class Monday night. I pray we include self defense and security training in our household plans. (Gen. 14:14, Neh. 4, Ps. 144:1-2, 1 Cor. 16:13-14, 1 Tim. 5:8)

Why, if we are “just” waiting on God, would Abram’s household train? Because God calls us to step onto the battle field in faith and engage in the battle in faith while we wait for Him!

Are we training or have we fallen into the moral vanity of this age? “Many don’t feel a responsibility to be prepared to protect their spouses and children when that primal task can be outsourced…A moral vanity has trumped the obligation to protect their lives and the lives of those they love…” In the Blood: A Thriller (Terminal List Book 5) by Jack Carr https://a.co/bgOdVwy

“for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.” Romans 13:4 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/rom.13.4.NASB2020

“Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:19-20 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/rom.3.19-20.NASB2020

“And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was counted with wrongdoers’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”” Luke 22:36-38 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/luk.22.36-38.NASB2020

THE MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE note: Luke “22:36 But now. When Christ sent them out before, He had sovereignly arranged for their needs to be met. Henceforth they were to use normal means to provide for their own support and protection. The money bag, knapsack, and sword were figurative expressions for such means (the sword being emblematic of protection [defensively], not aggression).”

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. All that you do must be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NASB2020 https://bible.com/bible/2692/1co.16.13-14.NASB2020

Trust in God, Duty is ours, Results are His

Household Prayer: capable to defend our families https://ministry.family.blog/2024/08/15/household-prayer-capable-to-defend-our-families/

Household Prayer: And blessed be God Most High https://ministry.family.blog/2025/01/17/household-prayer-and-blessed-be-god-most-high/