A New Beginning

                                                                                                   

What are your thoughts as the New Year approaches? When you think of “new” what images comes to mind?

 Here is what comes to my mind- different, firsthand, fresh, original and innovative. As you approach 2014, think of how you can make it different from 2013.  How can it be innovative, original or fresh?

Here are a few thoughts: Let us embrace 2014 as an opportunity for not only a fresh start, but a fresh start on a new page. However in order for us to take advantage of this opportunity, we will need to let go of some old ways of thinking, old habits, negative ways of speaking and believe it or not some "old" friends and companions.

Let me remind you of a popular scripture verse we often quote: Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

 Reading this verse brings me to another thing we need to leave behind in 2013 our "old perception" and see things in an entirely different way.

So instead of seeing obstacles in 2014 see stepping stones.  When challenges come our way in 2014 thing of how much they will build your endurance and make you more resilient. Perceive God as your source and not your resource; see Him as having all the answers to your questions and not just a mere onlooker. 

   

In His Service,

Vilma

 

Christmas Carols

A Week in Review

 

I hope you had a good and safe week. While some of us basked in the sunshine, some of us, had to contend with snow, ice, sleet, rain, children off from school and childcare woes.   I was completely caught off guard on Sunday and what a journey that was getting home from church!.  However you were able to make it through the week, Hallelujah. He sure did for us what He promised in Psalm 91:11-12

He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.  In their hand  they shall bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone.  

Amidst all that took place in America, the world paused this week to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela who passed away after a long illness. It was great to see the unity of nations as many world leaders came together to recognize the great contribution Nelson Mandela made not only for the people of South Africa but to the world.  These heads of state may have each have very different agendas, but were able to put that aside to honor a great person.

 

Why not try to do something similar this week, put aside any differences that you may have with your children, spouse or significant other and get together and have some meaningful conversation.

Have a great weekend and stay warm.

In His Service,

Vilma

 

Todays Healthy Tip  "Aim for 800 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D a day from a D3 pill. It's often hard to get enough from sunlight in winter-and mounting evidence shows D is not only important for bones, but may also help prevent cancer and heart disease." -Harvard University professor JoAnn E. Manson, M.D.

In everything give thanks

I hope your week was blessed and you considered yourself as highly favored by God. This is not just cliche but it is a reality when we think of all the seen and unseen dangers that we escaped, because of God's grace and Mercy.

 Did you realize that Thanksgiving is less than a week away? Yes it is. I know that most of us will be spending time with family, eating and drinking and having a good time.  As is the tradition for many we will share something for which we are thankful. This custom did not start with your family, but in the bible we are told by God to give thanks. As a matter of fact He tells us that we should give thanks in everything with prayer and supplication (Phil. 4:6)

  This is certainly not an easy thing to do when we face hard times and encounter some difficult situations. How do you give thanks for the bad things? As we ask this question I cannot help but thinking that we give thanks, because everything works together for our good- Roman 8:28.

In case you were planning to boycott "giving thanks" remember that this is something that God desires of us to do at all times.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

In His Service,

Vilma

You are known by your conduct

This week has gone by so quickly I hope it was a very productive one for you.

What impact did you have at your job, within your family or your neighborhood this week? Don't get too frustrated if you cannot think of what that was.

As much as we would like to think of ourselves as being quiet and unassuming, we really do not go through life un-noticed. We are always making an impact, leaving an impression. The question is what kind of an impact or impression are we making? Many times we are not aware of the many lives we touch on a daily basis.   

 This reminds me of Proverbs 20:11-Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

 As I think about this verse I am keenly aware of my conduct or things I do around my family, my co-workers and my neighbors. I realize that someone is watching and patterning my every move. Our children take note of how we raise them, how we deal with crisis, how we speak to them, how well we listen, how we speak to their fathers, how we treat our neighbors and what we say about others when they are not around.

My encouragement to us his weekend it is to be mindful of how we make ourselves known to others.

  

  In His Service,

 Vilma

Praying for our Children's Salvation

I hope that you and your family are in good health. After all that is what God wants for us to be in good health and to prosper as our soul prospers (3John: 2). The question then becomes how healthy do you want to be? Well this is something that together we can perhaps work at achieving.

 

For this week I would like to once again focus on us praying for any unsaved family members especially our children. As I have mentioned before, this is something we must do continuously. Just as we make every effort to provide for them and to make sure that they receive a good education, we also need to make sure that they have the opportunity to know who Jesus is and what He has done for them. I am not suggesting a sermon, but find a way to introduce Him in your everyday conversation.  Jesus taught his disciples and others by using parables depicting things they were familiar with. Let us learn from this, we can use nature such as the weather, the trees, the birds, or even a butterfly. You can do it.

 Our children's success and education is only useful while on earth, lets prepare them for the long haul.

 

In His Service,

 

Vilma

Turning back the hands of time

This year has been going by so quickly. Can you imagine that it is already November! I am not sure where it went, but in case you had a project you planned to start for 2013, you had better get going because soon the year will be over.

 Well one positive thing this weekend you will be able to get an extra hour sleep as we turn our clocks back one hour this Saturday night.

 

 As I think about turning the clocks back, I cannot help but think about some situations and things that have happened in our lives that we wish we could turn the clock back and do it differently. Some wrong decisions or choices we made, or some hasty As I think about turning the clocks back, I cannot help but think about some situations and things that have happened in our lives that we wish we could turn the clock back and do it differently. Some wrong decisions or choices we made, or some hasty words that we may have said, oh if only we could go back, we would have done it differently. This is why it is so important to think carefully about the things we do or say so we have little or no regrets in the future. We wish sometimes we could even go back to happier days, times, and relationships, but we will just have to rely on the memories instead.

 

 I am so glad that God never wants to turn time back or even go back on His promises to us. They are forever-they are ours to grab a hold of. That's good news!

 

 

 In His Service,

 

Vilma

You are Special to God

How was your week? How are the children? I trust all is well with the family and you are looking forward to a great weekend together- physically and spiritually. I find it such a privilege and honor every weekend writing to you. I want you to know that I do find you all very special.

 

As a matter of fact I am not the only one who finds you special but so does God. Here is what He says about you.

In Psalm 139:14 - God says," You are fearfully and wonderfully made." In Psalm 17:8, we are reminded that "we are the apple of His eye." In Deuteronomy 7:6, God is saying that you are "His treasured possession." In Isaiah 43:1-5 He says "He has redeemed us, named us, will be with us through our rivers and our fires. When He looks at us He sees precious, He cannot help saying how much He has loved us and reminds us that we should not worry because He will bring our children from wherever they are.

 

Every time I read these verses I have no doubt in my mind of how very special a person I am. The faults others and myself see in me and are quick to point out God calls unique.

  

  In His Service,

 

Vilma

Did you know God reveals Secrets to us?

 I pray you had a productive week, at least more productive than our government is at the moment :).

 As we pause from all that is going on around us let us continue to encourage ourselves with the promises that God has for us and for our children. 

 This week let us look at Deut. 29:29 - The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the Words of this Law.

 Did you realize God has secrets? Yes He does, however, He does reveal some of these secrets to us. God does not reveal these secrets just because He wants to impress us but because He has something very important He wants us to know. These secrets are not just for us but they are tran-generational and they last for ever. The other thing we need to understand is that these secrets are meant for us to live a better life.

There are times when we miss what God is saying to us because we have not developed a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. We fail to spend quiet time with God and most times when we go to Him we keep talking rather than listening. So why don't we try listening more and talking less. There is no better time than starting this weekend.

 In His Service,

 Vilma

 

God will contend with those who contend with you

This has certainly been an interesting week to say the least. I pray you have not allowed what is happening to make you question the presence of God. Just remember when your heart gets overwhelmed simple ask Him to lead you to that Rock that is higher than you are where you can find shelter.

 I trust that you will stay empowered by continuing to learn the promises that God has promised both you and your children in His word. A Christian who is armed with God's promises is a dangerous one to the enemy.  

Let us look at Isaiah 49: 25b- for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.

The word contend also means to resist, oppose, struggle , and put up with.

 I don't know about you but I am ecstatic, knowing that God has promised to struggle with those who struggle with me and save my children.

When we spend our time and effort in struggling with our enemy we get distracted and don't even realize that the enemy has taken our children. Keep declaring these words over your children this weekend.

Lord I thank you for your promise that You will rise up to defend me against those that come at me and that you will save my children.

 In His Service,

Vilma

Let's remember His Benefits

Let me share with you some wonderful benefits that can be found in Psalm 103:2-5. I am encouraging you to make this your prayer focus for your children over this weekend.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgive all your sins and heal all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's (NIV).

So here is how we can give thanks: Lord I Thank you that my children will want to give you praise (bless) every time. I thank you that they will not forget all your many benefits (rewards, dealings of ones hands). Thank you for forgiving all their sins, and healing all their diseases. I am grateful that you purchased them from the pit and have crowned them with your Love and compassion. I thank you for satisfying their desire with good things and for renewing their youth as the Eagles.

Isn’t it amazing how much God has done for us and for our children? I don’t know about you but this gives me such confidence that everything I need or they need has been taken care of, their sins/salvation, their health, their wealth and their future.
Regardless of what things may look like just keep praying and stay focused. They WILL eventually recognize these benefits.

In His Service,

Vilma

 

Bullying in schools

How was your week? I hope it was a productive one.

Can you remember when you were in elementary and high school? Was there a big problem with bullying or being teased? This trend seem to have escalated to a new high all over the country. From time to time I have read or heard in the news where various children and adolescents have committed suicide to escape being teased or bullied in school. Some children get depressed or anxious and are unable to learn in school. On the other hand there are those children who keep it to themselves not wanting to tell their parents or teachers for fear of the bullying getting even worse. Bullying is just as common on the internet (cyber bullying) as it is in schools.

 Together we must take a stand against bullying. A good place to start is at home if you have young children or grandchildren in school. Let them know that bullying or being bullied is unacceptable. Let us teach them that we are all precious in God's sight regardless of race, or physical features. Make sure you are aware of what your children are doing on the internet (face book and twitter) and set clear expectations if rules are broken. Do not be caught saying "I wish I had"

Dr. Daniela White, a board certified Psychiatrist and founder of the Midtown Psychiatric Center in Houston Texas explains, "When it comes to a Bully, the act of victimizing someone else is seen as a way to gain power over the other person. It comes from a lack of having alternative means by which to behave appropriately. There need to be consequences for bullies, but these are also children who need help."

 Signs your child may be Bullied:

* Child appears sad, moody, angry, anxious, and these moods last with no known cause.

* Waiting to get home to use the bathroom

* Ravenous when at home (bullies often use extortion or outright steal lunch or lunch money)

* Sudden and significant drop in grades

* Blaming self for problems - 'not good enough'

* Frequent visits to the school nurse

* Child mysteriously 'losing' possessions when they are actually being taken by the bully

If you observe any of these in your child- discuss with their teacher or a school administrator.

 In His Service,

 

Vilma

A Sacrifice of Praise

Let’s give praises to God who blesses us daily with good things.  I know we may not feel blessed on days when things seem to go crazy and we feel overwhelmed.  However always know that things could always be worse. The bible tells us that God inhabits or dwells in our praises. David in Psalm 150:1 says ”Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord” If you are reading this you have breath and hence you are included in the “everything that hath breath”

For the remainder of the weekend let us practice offering up to God our praise and thanksgiving, for some it may be a “sacrifice” that is ok – Paul understands that and hence this is why he so eloquently exhorts us in Hebrews 13:10-15 to offer a “sacrifice of praise”.  Some words that are similar to the word “sacrifice” are expense, cost, loss, ransom, or victim- it shows that a sacrifice is never easy. My interpretation is that when we offer a sacrifice of praise we are able to praise God without looking at what we are going through. I can tell you for sure that this is not easy; however this offering of the fruit of our lips will bring us out of our sickness, depression, despair, mourning or our confusion.

 Praise works miracle just ask the children of Israel what happened when they marched around the walls of Jericho shouting praises to God, or Paul and Silas when they were in prison and were singing praises to God, I won’t even try to talk about David except to say I would run out of space.

Let’s just command our soul, mind, and heart to do what we were created for “TO PRAISE THE LORD”

In His Service,

Vilma

Leaving a Legacy behind

 

I trust you had a great week and I wish for you an equally great weekend.

 

Have you ever wished that you never had to work so hard? Or you had inherited some legacy from a grandparent, great aunt or uncle that would make things a bit easier for you and your children? Well do you have to be rich to leave a legacy for someone?

 

Most times when we hear about a legacy we think of material things- money, properties, jewelry etc. However there is much more to a legacy than material things. If the truth be told every person on earth will leave a legacy behind, the more important thing is what kind of legacy do we want to leave?

 

Pause for a moment and look at your life. What you are seeing now is your legacy? How does it look? Is it something that you would want from someone else? In Proverbs 13:22a- A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children- my understanding is that whatever I leave behind will also be passed down to my grandchildren. This makes me sit up and take note and make sure that my legacy will be worthwhile for my children and grandchildren. It would appear that the decline of this great country in the future will be partly due to our failure to raise our children according to the word of God so they in turn will be able to pass those values to their own children.

 

As I have heard before there is a difference between your reputation and your legacy. Your reputation is who you are supposed to be, your legacy is who you are. You can make a reputation in a short time but it takes a lifetime to build a legacy.

 

Today I caution you to consider, every decision you make and think how it may affect your children and grandchildren before you actually make them. Your children are watching your every move even when you tell them to "do as you say not as you do". Let us try to pattern apostle Paul, (2 Tim. 4:6-7) he recounted his legacy by saying he had - 1. "fought the good fight" 2. "Finished the race"   3. "Kept the Faith".

 

What about you? How is your fight? Are you still in the race or did you quit? Is your faith still strong or are you wavering?

 

In His Service,

 

Vilma

 

 

We pray for our children because: We cannot do it without Divine Intervention

 We cannot “wing” parenting. Most mothers really do want to be good mothers but fail to utilize the right resources to help them do so. Some mothers who can afford to will buy the latest books available on ” successful parenting” others will have chat sessions with other mothers to hear how they do it, but in the end will come up short.  I have come to realize that parenting is not even about your support systems. I have seen children being messed up who come from 2-parent families, rich families, poor families, black families, white families, Hispanic and Asian families; well-educated families and un-educated families.

 

 I realize that In order to do this job of parenting right, we need the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is crystal clear that we cannot be successful mothers/parents without divine intervention.  I found out that the best manual on child-rearing so far is the Bible- Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Do children from Christian families mess up? Yes they do, but the bible tells us that they will “not depart from it” Prov. 22:6. Jeremiah 24:7 also tells us that God will give them a heart to know Him and “they shall return.” That is what God has promised.

There is nothing wrong with reading a book about parenting but we must be careful to make sure that the contents line up with what the word of God is saying. Being a mother requires considerable effort. It requires many hours of knee time, studying the word of God, and obedience to the word. It takes unconditional love, patience, kindness, compassion, gentleness and longsuffering. The best we can do is to keep our children before the Lord daily, and teach them biblical information that will help them make right choices in life. God through the Holy Spirit is the only one that can bring the revelation that will eventually result in character transformation. This is what Isaiah 54:13 is talking about-“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

"Luck” does not factor into child rearing, it’s all about the blessings, Grace and Mercy of God and your obedience to His word.  

Have a great Weekend!

In His Service,

 Vilma

Scripture declaration for our children

I trust you are doing well. Perhaps with your feet up and relaxing.  How are your children doing? For those of you with younger children I imagine you are busy with back-to-school shopping seeing the summer holiday is almost over and it’s that time to return to school.  Whatever you do, make that budget and stick to it. You are empowered.

For this week let me share with you some powerful declaration that I read from an article titled “Intercessors for a righteous nation” by Ann Kramer founder and president. In writing to her intercessors, Ann mentioned that as they prayed for the nation, one of their first priorities must be our children.  I thought this was right on target and echoed my passion of praying scriptures for our children.  Here is a sample of these declarations.

Father, I declare that my offspring possesses the nations.  They are as mighty arrows in the hand of a warrior, to launch into the nations to bring in the Kingdom, and to launch into the camp of the enemy to bring great deliverance and victory for Your people.  (Isaiah 54:3; Psalm 127:4). Thank You, Father, that the only work which You require of me as a parent is to believe in Your Son, Jesus.   Therefore, I claim Your promise that MY WORK SHALL BE REWARDED.  By faith I declare that my children are returning from the enemy's land.  There is HOPE in my future. My children are coming again to their own country.  (John 6:28-29; Jeremiah 31:16-17).

Have a great weekend.

In His Service,

Vilma

Mom-you are blessed and Highly favored

 How are you doing today? What great thing did God do for you and your family this week? Is it something that you would like to share? If you are willing to share it, I would love to hear it.

  It is so amazing when you think of how blessed we are to be chosen by God to be a mother. He could have chosen so many other people but he chose you and gave you this awesome task of motherhood. Any mother knows how difficult things can get at times raising children, but it is also true how much of a blessing children can be. This is one of the reasons that keep me going at times when I want to quit. This fact keeps me P.U.S.H-ing even when it seems like I am pushing against a brick wall. What about you?

 The bible has many verses that serve as a guide to correctly raising and teaching our children. The bible also tells us not to merely listen to the word of God, but to also do what it says (James 1:22).

  Here is a verse from Genesis that I would like you to read and meditate on this weekend.  "For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” Genesis 18:19.

Do you realize that this is what God is also saying to you? Have a great weekend

 In His Service,

Vilma

What concerns you also concerns God

It is such a pleasure to write to you again today. I do hope you had another great week and you are looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Were you able to memorize any of the promises of God for you and your family this week? Well if not let's shoot to start doing so this weekend.

  

 Do you have a child or children that you are concerned about. Perhaps they may have a chronic illness, or have been diagnosed with a type of cancer, or learning disability; maybe they are being bullied at school or themselves bullying other children. It could be that they are rebellious and challenge everything you tell them, perhaps you are concerned that they seem to have no friends or too many friends. Whatever the issue, if it is concerning to you then it is important. We talked last week that every promise that God has for you and your children are sealed with a yes and an amen. Is there a promise that would address our concerns about our children?

  

 Here is one that I do believe fits very well and it comes from Psalm 138:8. This scripture makes it very clear that the Lord will perfect that which concerns you.  The word perfect here means to mature or bring to completion . God will not leave you to flounder. What concerns you concerns Him as well. Phil 1:6 reassures us that if He has started any work with us He will see it through. All that you need to do is to tell God about your concern. Open your heart to Him, you can confide in Him, He will never repeat what you have told Him. You mean too much to Him. God will keep His promise you only need to believe it.

  

 In His Service,

 

 Vilma

Activating God's Promises

I trust this was a great and productive week for you and I wish for you and your children an empowering weekend.

  

For this week I would like to focus our attention on activating the promises of God for us and our children. The bible is filled with promises for us and our children. I have not personally counted them but according to one source they are in excess of 3000. I am not going to get hung up on how many they are but can confidently say that they are numerous. It must ne noted that most of these promises do not have the actual word "promise" mentioned but uses other words which has the same meaning.

One of the first thing that we need to understand is that all of these promises are secured in Christ by an Amen- 2 Cor. 1:20 The only thing between these promises and there activation is us. We can start the activation process by simple believing that all these promises are indeed true. The next thing we need to do is to become familiar with what these promises are. It is senseless trying to access, what you don't know exist. We do this not just by what we hear people say but we can go through the bible for ourselves and find these promises. Identify at least one of these promises to meditate on daily and read what the requirements are to achieve it and follow them. Believe me when I say they will not be anything that you are not equipped to do. God does not wire us for failure but success.

  

  Let us practice Psalm 112:1-2    Blessed is the man that fear (reverence) the lord, and delight in obeying His commands.

 

So what does these verses say that I should do to be blessed? Reverence God and be happy in obeying Him.  Not only will I be blessed but it continues to say that my children will be successful everywhere they go and a whole generation will be blessed. All this from my having a reverential fear for God and an obedient heart. Go ahead get a jump start.

 

 In His Service,

 

 Vilma

Cast Your Care Upon Him

I trust you had a great fourth of July, some good food, fun and relaxation. and you were able to perhaps enjoy at least some of the fireworks.

For this week I would like to leave you with these words of exhortation which comes from I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Did you realize that Jesus cares as deeply for you as he did for his own  mother.  Unlike when left the care of His mother to John as He hung on the cross, He has taken on the responsibility to care for us personally. Jesus is aware of how concerned mothers are over their children, He understands our heart beat. After all He saw how concerned His own mother was when at the age of 12 years old their first trip out of town He was missing.

Jesus is also equally concerned about your children. Can you remember when He rebuked the disciples and told them to let the little children come to Him? What did He do?  He took them in His arms and blessed them.

Go ahead give Him your concerns and worries. Take your children to Him as He asks, He only wants to bless them and you as well.

 If you can please tune in to the Webinar tomorrow see info below.

 

Sat. July 6th -4pm-2nd MPUSH Webinar:

To Register: http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=E956D68783463C

To attend meeting: http://www.anymeeting.com/mpush1

Phone# 213-465-4340 Access Code:501 1552

 

 

 In His Service,

 

Vilma

 

Speak to those dry Bones

Here we are at the last weekend in the sixth month of 2013. Were there some resolutions that you had at the start of the year? Well you better get going before you know it 2014 will be here.  If you have young children, before you blink they will have grown up and off to college, so hang in there and do the best you can while enjoying every moment of it.

  I hope by now you are convinced that you are full of God's power and greatness. and as such you are able to confront the impossible situations in your life.  Victory has already been given to us, we only need to know how to appropriate it.  Ezekiel faced a valley of dry bones- (impossible situation) when God asked him the question can these bones live? It was not that God did not know the answer but He was challenging Ezekiel's faith.  God then told Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones, again God was confirming the fact that the words from our mouth are powerful. (Ezekiel 37:1-14).

Like He did to Ezekiel God is challenging us about some dry areas in our lives that we have given up on because life seems impossible. Think about what these areas are and speak to God about them and listen carefully to what He tells you to do. Exercise your Faith and speak to these situations and tell them exactly what God tells you to say, then watch the life return to them.  Remember that it is not about you, but more about who is within you.  It is not about knowing what He says but more about obeying what He says.

 
 In His Service,

 

 Vilma

You are God's Masterpiece

I hope you had a great week and looking forward to a wonderful weekend and overall a fantastic summer.  Most of us will probably be spending our weekends gardening, barbequing, attending barbeques or trying to stay cool at the park or at the beach.  After all you are allowed to have some R&R I won’t hold it against you, and I doubt your children or significant other will do so either.

 

At the beginning of the year God gave me a theme for the year, “Harnessing the greatness within.”  This greatness was not only to be harnessed in your children, but within you as well.  It would be near impossible for you to work with something in someone else if you can’t do so for yourself.  

There is so much more to you than you see in the mirror.  You are truly God’s masterpiece.  Here are 4 beautiful verses of scripture that confirms this fact that I would love for you to meditate on this week.

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Psalm 139:13-16, NLT)

In His Service,

Vilma

Consistency in Praying is Key

Last week I mentioned a heat wave and today I am seeing torrential rains with possibility of flood in low lying areas.  Ok Lord I am not complaining, just sharing.  So next week let me guess, sunshine?

It is that time again to encourage you about praying for your children.  I may sound like a broken record, but that is the focus of MPUSH.  Not only is consistency a key factor in our praying but it is good to pray offensively, and not always praying on the defensive.  Satan never takes a break, neither should you.  The minute you sit back to relax, that is the moment he sneaks in to create havoc.  Remember that you can bring every concern, dream, and desire about your child to God in fervent, persistent prayer.

 For today let us pray that our children will not wander away from the protective hedge that God has placed around them.  Pray that Satan will not reach them to lead them into temptation and that they will be kept safe from harm- 2 Thessalonians 3:3; and

 Psalm 33:20-

If you have older children pray that they will not be unequally yoked in intimate relationships, especially marriage see what the scripture says in 2 Corinthians 6: 14 .

 Have a great weekend!

 

In His Service,

 

Vilma

His Providential care

I am not sure what the weather is like where you are, but there is a heat wave where I am and it is still Spring. If you are experiencing similar weather, please stay cool, and drink plenty of water, this ensures you stay hydrated. Younger children and the elder are more prone to dehydration so pay special attention to them and please do not forget your pets.

 Whenever I think of the heat I also think of water, shelter and coolness and the scripture that comes to mind is Psalm 23:2-3. 

  It is such reassurance to know that Jesus makes us lie down in green pastures. If it was a choice most of us would choose to wander off on our own and in the end starve instead of taking advantage of His provision. The fact that He leads us beside still waters reminds me that I need to remain calm and cool by these waters and enjoy being refreshed.

 Understanding that He does restore my soul makes me want to run to Him on a regular basis so that He can take care of all the nicks and cracks that my soul may sometimes suffer and get that strength that I need.  If I continue to follow Him down the path of righteousness I can be assured that He will help me avoid those potholes along the way, because He is familiar with the path. 

I hope you will take some time this weekend to share this great Psalm with your children as a reminder of God's providential care.

 In His Service,

Vilma