prayer – Page 7 – 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: Hear our cry, April 19, 1775 Tribute

“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle—” Psalms 144:1 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.144.1.NKJV

Brothers, I pray “that God, who is a God of righteousness and salvation, still appear for us… And may we be prepared, by a general repentance and thorough reformation, for His gracious and powerful interposition in our behalf; and then may we see the displays of His power and glory for our salvation. Which God of His infinite mercy grant, for His mercy’s sake in Christ Jesus. AMEN” 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

“A SERMON, Preached at Lexington, April 19, 1776… TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A Brief NARRATIVE of the principal Transactions of that Day.
BY JONAS CLARK, A.M. Pastor of the Church in Lexington (1730–1805)… The Fate of Blood-Thirsty Oppressors, and GOD’s Tender Care of His Distressed People. Joel 3:19, 20 & 21” THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON: A Sermon & Eyewitness Narrative by Jonas Clark https://a.co/8UXPYxD

““Egypt shall become a desolation and Edom a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the people of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations. I will avenge their blood, blood I have not avenged, for the Lord dwells in Zion.” Joel 3:19-21 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jol.3.19-21.ESV

“The LORD is a GOD that loveth righteousness and hateth inequity, in whatever shape or character it appears. Injustice, oppression and violence (much less the shedding of innocent blood) shall not pass unnoticed by the just Governor of the world. Sooner or later, a just recompence will be made upon such workers of iniquity.” https://a.co/fzbDwNC

“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.” https://a.co/iEjRXJf

“From this remarkable day will an important era begin for both America and Britain. And from the nineteenth of April, 1775, we may venture to predict, will be dated in future history THE LIBERTY or SLAVERY of the AMERICAN WORLD, according as a sovereign God shall see fit to smile or frown upon the interesting cause in which we are engaged.” https://a.co/9HniuVb

“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.22.30.ESV

Pray!

“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. How God uses all things for His glory is something we will wait until heaven to fully appreciate, but that should not keep us from praying for it now.” (A Call to Prayer – A Great Example From Hezekiah , https://illinoisfamily.org/faith/a-call-to-prayer-a-great-example-from-hezekiah-2/ )

Subdue, Rule, Work, and Keep!

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).

Never Again!

“For 70 years, the slogan “Never again” has been the post-Holocaust rallying cry of Jews everywhere. It is a solemn vow that millions of Jews will never again be disarmed and defenselessly marched into camps for systematic liquidation because we can resist with the same powerful firearms we might face in the hands of totalitarian government… Disarming law-abiding citizens and concentrating firearms in government hands is fundamentally wrong and disastrous.” Dov Marhoffer, Quoted in https://ministry.family.blog/2023/03/03/illinois-gun-control-2nd-amendment-never-again/

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

Household Prayer: Faith, Work, Duty

“And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:6, 13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.4.6-14.NKJV

Brothers, sorry for the break the last couple weeks. Today I am praying through Nehemiah 4. As we labor (Neh. 4:6, I Thess. 4:11-12) there may come opposition, even violent opposition, to God’s people and plans, but by faith in and fear of the Lord we need not fear God’s enemies. Trust in the Lord, be prudent and wise in our duties to provide and protect (Neh. 4:13), continue in the work of the Lord we are called to (Eph. 2:10, Matt. 28:18-20), and rejoice! For Christ has risen, He has risen indeed! “He is not here, but is risen!” Lk. 24:6

“So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work… Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”” Nehemiah 4:6, 13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/neh.4.6-14.NKJV

“that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” I Thessalonians 4:11-12 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/1th.4.11-12.NKJV

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.2.10.NKJV

“Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ “ Luke 24:5-7 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.24.5-7.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

“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

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: Sowing and Cultivating Christian Culture

““You are the salt of the earth… “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-14 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.13-14.NKJV

Brothers I’m praying about sowing and cultivating distinctly Christian culture in our homes, churches, and communities. Flowing from our love and worship of God, from the redemptive power of the gospel in our lives, and the joyful labor of subduing, ruling, working, and keeping as husbands and fathers. (Gen 1:26-28, 2:15) I pray, Oh LORD, that by faith our sowing would cast a bright light of Your glory in the world. (Matt. 7:20)

Any idea that consistent Christianity must undermine or diminish concern for the tasks of civilization should be dismissed once and for all.”—J.I. Packer and Thomas Howard, “Christianity: The True Humanism”

Matthew 5:13-14 (NASB)
[13] “You are the salt of the earth…
[14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden

“Our Christian faith is to affect all areas of our life in obvious, overt ways (Mt. 5:13–16)… culture is the concrete expression of a society’s religious and philosophical commitments; it flows out of the heart—as it were—of the society which produces it (Prov. 4:23).” Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Bruce Hegeman

Proverbs 4:23 (NASB)
[23] Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

“If I knew the world was going to end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.” —Martin Luther

A Biblical theology of culture

“man’s “cultural mandate”—the call to rule, fill, and transform the earth—was established before the Fall and exists independently of man’s need for redemption… we may properly call culture (along with the other “pre-redemptive” institutions of marriage and worship) normative for mankind…

culture is, at its foundation, about building and not about conflict. Doing culture from a positive, earth-transformational perspective will help us build a more comprehensive, radical, holistic culture in line with the principles of Scripture, and it will provide us with less opportunity to compromise with the anti-biblical values and beliefs embedded in the pagan, unbelieving cultures we might encounter. …

The human race was called to fill, rule, work, and keep the earth before the Fall—before sin and evil had ever entered the hearts, thoughts, and actions of men and women. Man’s culturative activities must therefore be seen as a normative, good, and holy calling received from a loving and holy God. Marriage, work, the development of the earth’s resources, and a careful stewardship of nature must all be seen as intrinsic to who we are. It is clear from the rest of Scripture that our culturative calling was never rescinded after the Fall (e.g., Gen. 4; 9: 1–2)…

As the Word of God, Scripture is over culture and offers an infallible, perfect standard by which all cultures are to be judged and evaluated.”
Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture by David Bruce Hegeman https://a.co/7jpUp3f

““To affirm and bask in the goodness of the world, to praise God for the wonders of creation, to practice responsible stewardship of this small planet, and to honor its Maker by using its resources wisely for the welfare of the race and the enriching of human life are all integral aspects of the work that Christians are called to do. Any idea that consistent Christianity must undermine or diminish concern for the tasks of civilization should be dismissed once and for all.”
J.I. Packer and Thomas Howard, “Christianity: The True Humanism” quoted in “Plowing in Hope: Towards a Biblical Theology of Culture” by David Bruce Hegeman https://a.co/bq8q9J8

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: Marriage

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 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 1:27-28 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.1.28.NKJV

Brothers, today I am praying for our marriages. God ordained marriage (Gen. 1:27-28). His creation started with a marriage (Gen. 2:18, 21-25) and its redemption is a model of marriage (Eph. 5:22-33) and culminates in a marriage (Rev. 19:6-16). The first attack of Satan was to divide the husband and wife (Gen. 3:1-3, 5-20). And today in America the State has pretended to take authority over marriage from God. We need to pray for our marriages, our spouses, and for the building up and encouraging of one another for the good of our marriages in our CC community and churches. I pray for courage and joy as God’s ordained marriages come under attack (Matt. 19:4-9, 13-15, Jude 1:4, 7). I pray we disciple our children, by instruction and witness, what marriage is and where it comes from to have no doubt, and may God bless our marriages and our children’s marriages and may they “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; [and] have dominion” for God’s glory! Amen!

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 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 1:27-28 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.1.28.NKJV

“And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” Genesis 2:18, 21-25 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.2.18-25.NKJV

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said…?” … Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”” Genesis 3:1-3, 5-20 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.3.1-20.NKJV

“And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate… And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”” Matthew 19:4-9 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.19.4-9.NKJV

“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” Matthew 19:13-15 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.19.14.NKJV

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:22-33 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.5.25-33.NKJV

“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ… as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Jude 1:4, 7 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jud.1.4-7.NKJV

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality… Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” Revelation 2:14, 16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.2.14-16.NKJV

Doctrine of Balaam, Numbers 22-24. “Balaam was a gifted and eloquent prophet. Balac was the king of Moab. Balac feared the Israelites, who were about to cross the Jordon River into the promised land… Three times, he tried to curse Israel, but God restrained him. When Balaam concluded that he could not curse them, he proposed to corrupt them. He suggested that the Moabite girls should seduce the men of Israel by inviting them to participate in their idolatrous and immoral feasts… The church that is popular with the world today is not the spiritually strong church; rather, it is the church that mixes with the world and which welcomes the unconverted worldling into its fold.” https://www.choctawnation.com/biskinik/doctrine-of-balaam/

““I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts… And I will give to each one of you according to your works. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—” Revelation 2:19-23, 26 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.2.26.NKJV

“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ”
And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Revelation 19:6-16 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.19.6-16.NKJV

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/jud.1.24-25.NKJV

Building Up The Next Generation https://youtu.be/DiAWsF69LKc?t=2353