“NO!” to Corrupt Communication, “YES!” to Grace

June 6, 2015June 6, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” – Paul, in Ephesians 4:29

Paul says you have the say so. YOU “let” no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. If you have to duct tape your lips together, you just say “No!” to corrupt words. “Corrupt” in this instance is translated from the Greek word sapros, meaning:

rotten, putrefied
corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out
of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless

So, what kind of words, then, do we use? Words good for edifying and ministering grace. Let’s begin with “edify”, which comes from the Greek word oikodome, meaning:

(the act of) building, building up
metaph. edifying, edification
1. the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness
a building (i.e. the thing built, edifice)

Now, let’s look into ministering grace. “Minister” is from the Greek word didomi, meaning:

to give
to give something to someone
1. of one’s own accord to give one something, to his advantage
2. to bestow a gift
to grant, give to one asking, let have
to supply, furnish, necessary things
to give over, deliver
1. to reach out, extend, present
2. of a writing
3. to give over to one’s care, entrust, commit
  1. something to be administered
  2. to give or commit to some one something to be religiously observed
to give what is due or obligatory, to pay: wages or reward
to furnish, endue
to give
1. to cause, profuse, give forth from one’s self
2. to give, hand out lots
to appoint to an office
to cause to come forth, i.e. as the sea, death and Hell are said to give up the dead who have been engulfed or received by them
to give one to someone as his own
1. as an object of his saving care
2. to give one to someone, to follow him as a leader and master
3. to give one to someone to care for his interests
4. to give one to someone to whom he already belonged, to return
to grant or permit one
1. to commission

And now for grace. In the Bible, “grace” has different shades of meaning, from different roots, all of them marvelous, powerful, and wonderful. In this verse, “grace” is derived from the Greek word charis, meaning:

grace
1. that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
good will, loving-kindness, favour
1. of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
what is due to grace
the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
the token or proof of grace, benefit
1. a gift of grace
2. benefit, bounty
thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

And now, let’s put ourselves on the receiving end. Do I want to be the recipient of corrupt words–putrid words, words unfit for use, rotten words, death words? I think not. I was not created for this. In God’s very image, I am created for love, for grace, and to minister grace.

Our mates, children, friends, and associates have no need of any corrupt communication which may be trying to “proceed out of our mouths.”

Choose life and say so.

Marriage Makers vs. Marriage Breakers

May 27, 2015May 28, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

OUT WITH THE JUDGMENT, IN WITH THE JOY!

“Take the word ‘should’ out of your vocabulary. Don’t say ‘should’ unless you’re looking in the mirror.” A wise woman once said these words to me, and I took them to heart. Or tried to. No easy feat, this.

I want to talk today about the dangers of “should” and those of “supposed to” as relating to marriage, or indeed, any relationship. I will try to avoid a rant, especially when I begin discussing my least favorite of all “supposed to’s”–“The man is SUPPOSED TO be the spiritual head of the house.” Oooh, I feel my blood pressure rising already, so let’s just back up and talk about “should” dangers.

We each and every one have full plates–plenty, plenty of things to work on in our own selves. But, alas, when a lass begins focusing on all those shortcomings of her mate (friend, sibling, parent, co-worker) her eyesight is adversely affected. She looks right over the running-over pile on her plate. To put it another way, worrying yourself about someone else’s faults will make you blind to your own. You will personify that person admonished in the Bible to get the giant plank out of their own eye instead of worrying about the speck in someone else’s (Matthew 7:3,4). Sounds like looking at someone else’s little faults actually gives our own room to grow.

And if this is not bad enough, when we zero in on another’s faults, their eyes become wide open to our faults! I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t need that.

Should-ing people is, however, a fine and sure way to decrease your popularity, in case you are that rare person who prefers being unpopular, who likes to be thought of as an ill wind or a foul odor. While I’m not overly concerned with popularity in general, I am quite concerned about being popular with my mate. It just makes sense to me.

OK, here we go with a cousin to should: supposed to. The statement, “The man is supposed to be the spiritual head of the household,” has caused misunderstanding, anger, and disappointment in more than one relationship. What in fact, does that mean, anyway? It depends on who you ask. These words, tossed about from preacher to congregation, from husband to wife and from wife to husband, mean something slightly, or radically, different to everyone. Often, however, they aren’t owned words–words taken in by the man and developed by God. Rather, they are thrown words–words accusing of shortcoming, of failure.

Wife and husband rarely see that statement in the same light, but neither do they communicate about their respective perceptions. So, as they become frustrated with each other, and as the children see their dad failing at this obviously all-important mandate, the water of family life circles the drain.

Like “should,” “supposed to” is a boomerang. When you tell someone else what they should do (unless of course, they ask for, respect, and desire your opinion, which they rightly trust will be delivered in love) you become blind to your own duties of love and responsibility, and you focus the eyes of your accused on your own shortcomings.

These behaviors put you in a place of chaos, a place where you step out of touch with God’s voice and plan for yourself, even as you interfere with what He may be trying to say to your victim. That’s right, I said VICTIM.

The bottom line is you are judging, and as promised, you will be judged, you will have a sad and sorry outcome. Just as a wise woman once said, “Take ‘should’ out of your vocabulary.” And as another wise (at least in this instance) woman adds, “Take ‘supposed to’ out at the same time.

Fathers, (and Mothers) Provoke Not Your Children to Wrath

May 20, 2015June 6, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

My motives are pure: I love children. They are of exceedingly great value in my eyes. Therefore, when I see them, as in the grocery store not long ago, screaming at and hitting their mothers, I am more than grieved, shocked, and appalled. I am mystified. Or was.

I drove home sick at my stomach. “I don’t understand, Lord,” I prayed. “Why would a mother put up with this? How does this happen?”

And insight came: She hasn’t done the nurturing, she knows deep inside she has no right to admonish. Ah yes, Ephesians 6:4, KJV–And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

That child was provoked to wrath, in this case I surmise by the mother as well as the father, because of the absence of balance.

I, for one, have always preferred nurturing to admonition. John (my husband) told me long ago, that if I had to err, my children would be better off with a little less nurturing and a little more admonition. My response was that I don’t have to err, not if my nurture and admonition are directed by the very Spirit of God Himself, and that I will nurture my children until their cups runneth over, thank you very much.

I secretly thought I would just leave most of the admonishing to him, and I know I have plenty of sisters who think this way. Not good.

My daughter is acquainted with a young woman who said she wished her mom had married someone else. This is a family where the mom never disciplined, so the dad had to be the bad guy. Not fair, not healthy.

We must all be brave enough to examine our parenting in the light of scripture, and let our child’s behavior be the indicator of where we might be missing it, be it nurture, admonition, or simply complete disregard for the author and finisher of good parenting–that would be our child’s Creator.

Just a Little Spanking for You, Mommy, Should You Choose to Accept it

May 18, 2015May 18, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

For kinder, gentler parenting advice and admonitions, go directly to the end of this post and read about Sally Clarkson’s book, The Mission of Motherhood.

Counting to three. Counting to three loudly. Counting to three with threats (or rather, promises about to be broken). Is there anything sadder, sillier, more tiresome, or less effectual than a counting mommy? I think not.

I ask myself, “Why?” I ponder the questions, “Why can’t they see it doesn’t work?” and “Who is responsible for this parental drivel?”

Hell. Hell holds the reason, the source, the blindness, and the responsibility. Worst of all, the outcome is Hell–the Hell on earth of frustrated and angry parents living with bratty kids, and frustrated and angry kids living with witless parenting.

And books from Hell, written I surmise by: men, or women who have nannies, or perhaps women who have never had a child, and yet, unbelievably, think they have the tiniest clue what they’re talking about.

What are the clues for me, the reader, that such authors have no clue? A listing of some of the most glaring offenders begins with “The Fairness Doctrine,” reminding me that yes, there is something more tiresome than counting. It’s grown-ups (well, in age at least) whining, “It’s not fair,” and teaching their children that fairness is their birthright, that everything and everyone should bend over backward to make sure they get their “fair” share.

Perversely, Fairness advocates, having taught their children greed, and disrespect, will insist they share and even give away favorite treasures to the neighbor’s even greedier get, or a whiny sibling. The child with the strongest will and weakest mother will win (and lose) in such encounters.

Fairness Doctrine devotees are also often proponents of “reasoning” with their little geniuses, and vehemently opposed to spanking. I can hear it now, echoed by more than one lily-livered mommy, “Spanking is violence,” she says with pious horror and superiority. “We don’t hit,” she adds in that valley girl affectation which makes real women squirm. And yet, these children are often violent–screaming at and hitting their parents and siblings, without the slightest beginnings of the self-discipline necessary for life. I submit to you where there is no natural order (that would be parents, rather than children, in charge) the most tyrannical and least qualified will rule. Yes, there are households where two-year-olds reign. Could anything be more ridiculous?

Yes. We progress! There is yet a further level of ridiculousness in today’s anti-logic parenting mantras. They don’t spank, but they whine, wheedle, gripe, groan, endlessly and mindlessly repeat themselves, raise their voices, scream, and even cry. “You made Mommy cry,” she blubbers. PA-THET-IC! Very probably she isn’t smart enough to spank. Indeed, if she thinks spanking is violence, if that is what it is when she does it, perhaps she’s at least right in this one thing–she should not spank.

“Boys will be boys,” she smirks. And criminals will be criminals, Mommy Idiotica. Anything, it seems, is preferable to training your son that the world wasn’t expressly created for his amusement and debasement.

“Safety first!” she mimes to justify keeping her listless, pasty-faced children indoors just because it’s nippy outside, as though it is actually good parenting (or even doable) to protect kids from any and all possibility of physical harm, even as she parks them in front of the TV at every opportunity, paying little or no attention to the mind-numbing and soul-bending messages bombarding their malleable psyches.

“Oh, kids are tough,” she explains as though she actually believes this lie, and also believes she possesses the wisdom of the ages. Kids are humans, and therefore complex and beautifully fragile and sensitive beings, affected for good or bad by every single moment of their lives, and even more so, by every thought, word and deed of their parents.

These are a few of my (non) favorite things, and I have the credentials to talk about them–I have successfully raised world-changing (as opposed to weak, whiny, selfish, indecisive, crowd-following, world-destroying) children, and I have loved (almost) every minute of it.

P.S. Villages are nice addendums, perhaps, but they cannot make up for ignorant, lazy, and irresponsible parenting. Effective parenting is very hard work, so just accept that and get on with it. Prepare yourself for the long, long, long haul of teaching, re-teaching, training, praying, searching, paying attention, reading that same book over and over and over, praying, reading the Words of Jesus, and did I mention praying? You don’t get overs on this, so live in the now–you have NOTHING more important to do than getting to know your child’s heart. Know that this parent/child training is ongoing and rigorous, and will stretch and grow you like nothing else on earth. Know also that the rewards are beyond compare and comprehension. They are, as my daughter Hannah used to finish each night as we said her prayers, “peace and love and joy!”

P.P.S. Should I write a book, entitled perhaps, “No One Loves a Brat, Be She Mother or Child”??? Speaking of books, the very best book on parenting I’ve ever read was by a woman raising world-changing children: Sally Clarkson, bringer of great light via her masterpiece, The Mission of Motherhood.

Home Comforts

May 16, 2015May 16, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ 2 Comments

Whether or not you homeschool, your children are watching and learning your attitude about homemaking. If you’re like most moms, things get a bit messy at times, especially in our minds! We need a bit of decluttering, a little refurbishing, direction, and refreshment. I give you the beyond-anything book, Home Comforts.

Home Comforts, by Cheryl Mendelson, is one of my two favorite books on making home a haven (the other is Alexandra Stoddard’s Creating a Beautiful Home). Cheryl (she is a friend even though we’ve never met) has done her homework. A former attorney, she’s very diligent and disciplined, and has the intelligence required to make a good job of homemaking.

As this book is over 800 pages long, and covers anything and everything you can think of, I can’t begin to do it justice here. But as an example here’s a quote from the chapter on home cooking: “Good meals at home satisfy emotional hunger as real as hunger in the belly, and nothing else does so in the same way.”

Cheryl goes on to discuss how and why not to use cookbooks–I am vindicated! I believe a recipe is only someone else’s creation, certainly nothing written in stone. Of course, if Julia Child wrote it I will pay attention. But someone telling me to make pumpkin cake without salt, or that you don’t need all those walnuts in your oatmeal raisin cookies? I don’t think so.

As usual, I am loving the sound of my own horn tooting, and it’s time to get back to the marvelous book at hand. Home Comforts covers anything and everything you might ever want to know about homemaking. You will be sorry when you’ve turned the last page, and if you’re like me, determined to read it again.

And to share it with others, especially family.

Do you want to excel at the high and highly rewarding calling of homemaking? This book, so aptly named, will inspire and gladden your heart, and perhaps best of all, it will convince you that what you do at home truly matters.

It’s “Raising Mannerly Children,” Not, “Ignoring Aggravating Miniature Terrorists”

May 12, 2015May 12, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Note: This picture was taken Mother’s Day, 2015, but I am pairing it with an article written in 2010, as I consider it worth repeating.

The Importance of RAISING MANNERLY CHILDREN cannot be overemphasized. Manners are, in essence, simply the thoughtful consideration of the needs and wants of others.

The Golden Rule is so named because if you learn it, all else of value follows.

And if you don’t . . .

A life of misery–for you, your child, your child’s spouse and children and coworkers, neighbors–is what’s in store if you don’t teach your children manners.

Or, let’s look at it another way: Teach your children to think of others and they will naturally have manners.

This is an ongoing task (see the article’s end for how to begin with ease and quick results), but the rewards are commensurate with the effort.

Seth, (a 10-year-old), has an excess of energy, and sometimes tears through the house like a dervish. Recently he raced past the girls and me, who were having a pleasant conversation, yelling and brushing against us.

It was time for conscious parenting. Time to heed that little voice in my head that said, “Stop what you’re doing, stop having a nice chat with your girls, and deal with this.” So I stopped.

IT’S MY JOB.

Not fun, but necessary. I will not be the mother of a hellion, who thinks the conversations and happiness of others beneath his time and consideration.

Yes, we all know someone like this. An adult. Not a pretty picture.

Remember: If you don’t care enough to teach your child to be kind and considerate, who will?

But how? Where to begin? An excellent place to start is with Munro Leaf’s books, those loved and still remembered by my kids–Manners Can Be Fun, How to Behave and Why, and How to Speak Politely and Why.

Fun, funny, great illustrations, and effective: Munro Leaf.

Done! by Don Aslett

May 5, 2015May 19, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Done! by Don Aslett is excellent. Usually, with non-fiction I scan the table of contents for something worthwhile, take much of even the choicest subjects, then scan and glean. Gleaning is the art of checking the author’s views against real wisdom (God’s opinion) and against personal experience, and seeing if there is anything worthwhile leftover.

In Done! I have found a treasure, start to finish–no need for gleaning. Rather, there is a need to buy the book (giving my current overdue copy back to the library), read it again, and make it required reading for my kids, beginning with Chapter 8–The Magic of Early.

Don Aslett turns a lot of conventional “wisdom” on its head in this book, speaking from a wealth of experience and success in all areas of his life. Done! is fun, entertaining, easy to read, and inspiring. What more could you ask?

Healing Scriptures Personalized for Confessing

May 4, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Compliments of my husband, John, here are numerous scriptures on healing, many of them personalized for you to read about yourself, or to insert the name of someone you’re praying for. See the note at the end for my thoughts on essential oils (including frankincense and myrrh) and healing.

Exodus 15:26 I diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord my God and do what is right in His sight, and I listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, and He puts none of the diseases upon me which He brought upon the Egyptians, for He is the Lord Who heals me.

2 Kings 20:5 . . . . . Thus says the Lord, the God of David my forefather: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you.

2 Chronicles 7:14 . . . . . I am called by the name of God. I humble myself, I pray, I seek, I crave and require of necessity God’s face, and turn from my wicked ways; God hears from heaven, forgives my sin, and heals my land.

Psalm 6:2 Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am weak, faint and withered away; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.

Psalm 30:2 O Lord my God, I cried to You and You healed me.

Psalm 41:1-3 I am blessed, happy, fortunate, and to be envied for I consider the weak and the poor; the Lord has delivered me in the time of evil and trouble. 2The Lord protects me and keeps me alive; I am called blessed in the land; and He does not deliver me to the will of my enemies. 3The Lord sustains, refreshes, and strengthens me on my bed of languishing; all my bed You, O Lord turn, change, and transform in my illness.

Psalm 103:1-3 Bless affectionately, and gratefully praise the Lord, O my soul; and all that is deepest within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless affectionately, and gratefully praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not one of all His benefits—3 He forgives every one of all my iniquities, He heals each one of all my diseases, 4 He redeems my life from the pit and corruption, He beautifies, dignifies, and crowns me with loving-kindness and tender mercy; 5 He satisfies my mouth, and my necessity and desire at my personal age and situation, with good so that my youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s – strong, overcoming, soaring!

Psalm 107:20 He sends forth His word and heals me and rescues me from the pit and destruction.

Psalm 119:33-50 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I keep it to the end steadfastly. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law; yes, I observe it with my whole heart. 3 5Make me go in the path of Your commandments, for in them do I delight. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness, robbery, sensuality, or unworthy riches. 37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, idols and idolatry; and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways. 38 Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear and dread, for Your ordinances are good. 40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your righteousness give me renewed life. 41 Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord, even Your salvation according to Your promise; 42 I have an answer for those who taunt and reproach me, for I lean on, rely on, and trust in Your word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I hope in Your ordinances. 44 I keep Your law continually, forever and ever, hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it. 45 And I walk at liberty and at ease, for I have sought and inquired for and desperately required Your precepts. 46 I speak of Your testimonies also before kings and am not put to shame.

47 For I delight myself in Your commandments, which I love. 48 My hands also I lift up in fervent supplication to Your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on Your statutes. 49 Remember fervently the word and promise to Your servant, in which You have caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me {and} given me life.

Psalm 147:3 He heals my broken heart and binds up my wounds, curing my pains and my sorrows.

Proverbs 3:1-8 I forget not God’s law or teaching, but let my heart keep His commandments; 2 For length of days and years of a life worth living, and tranquility inward and outward and continuing through old age till death, these they add to me. 3 I do not let mercy and kindness, (shutting out all hatred and selfishness), and truth, (shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood) forsake me; I bind them about my neck, and write them upon the tablet of my heart. 4 So I find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight or judgment of God and man. 5 I lean on, trust in, and am confident in the Lord with all my heart and mind and do not rely on my own insight or understanding. 6 In all my ways I know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He directs and makes straight and plain my paths. 7 I am not wise in my own eyes; I reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn entirely away from evil. 8 It is health to my nerves, and sinews, and marrow, and moistening to my bones.

Proverbs 4:20-27 I am a son of God. I attend to His words; consent and submit to His sayings. 21 I do not let them not depart from my sight; I keep them in the center of my heart. 22 For they are life to me who has found them, and healing and health to all my flesh. 23 I keep and guard my heart with all vigilance, and above all I guard, for out of my heart flow the springs of life. 24 I put away from me false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk I put far from me. 25 I make my eyes look right on with fixed purpose, and my gaze is straight before me. 26 I consider well the path of my feet, and let all my ways be established and ordered aright. 27 I turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; I remove my foot from evil.

Proverbs 12:18 There are those who speak rashly, like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. I do not speak rashly. I seek wisdom. My tongue brings healing.

Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falls into evil, but a faithful ambassador brings healing. I am a faithful ambassador. I bring healing.

Proverbs 14:30 A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones. I envy no man. I am jealous of no man. I am not wrathful. I have a calm and undisturbed mind and heart, and they are life and health to my body.

Proverbs 15:4 A gentle tongue with its healing power is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit. I have a gentle tongue, and its healing power is a tree of life for me.

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body. My words are pleasant as a honeycomb. They are sweet to my mind and healing to my body.

Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. My heart is happy and it is good medicine for me. My mind is cheerful and works healing for me. It is moisture to my bones.

Proverbs 18:9 . . . . he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits suicide. I use all my endeavors to heal myself.

Isaiah 53:5 Jesus was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for me was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him I am healed and made whole.

Isaiah 58:8 My light breaks forth like the morning, and my healing, my restoration and the power of a new life, spring forth speedily; my righteousness, my rightness, my justice, and my right relationship with God go before me, conducting me to peace and prosperity, and the glory of the Lord is my rear guard.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me (Jesus), because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the physical and spiritual captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,

Jeremiah 3:22 Return, O faithless son, says the Lord, and I will heal your faithlessness. And I answer “Behold, I come to You, for You are the Lord my God.”

Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O Lord, and I am healed; save me, and I am be saved, for You are my praise.

Malachi 4:2 But unto me who reveres and worshipfully fears the name of God shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and I go forth and gambol like a calf released from the stall and leap for joy.

Matthew 4:23 And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news, the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people.

Matthew 4:24 So the report of Him spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all who were sick, those afflicted with various diseases and torments, those under the power of demons, and epileptics, and paralyzed people, and He healed them.

Matthew 8:13 Then to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.”

Matthew 8:16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick.

Matthew 9:21 For she kept saying to herself, If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to health.

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned around and, seeing her, He said, “Take courage, daughter! Your faith has made you well.” And at once the woman was restored to health.

Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed (by healing) and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up and the poor have good news (the Gospel) preached to them.

Mark 1:42 And at once the leprosy completely left him and he was made clean by being healed.

Mark 3:10 For He had healed so many that all who had distressing bodily diseases kept falling upon Him and pressing upon Him in order that they might touch Him.

Mark 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in into peace and be continually healed and freed from your distressing bodily disease.”

Mark 6:56 And wherever He came into villages or cities or the country, they would lay the sick in the marketplaces and beg Him that they might touch even the fringe of His outer garment, and as many as touched Him were restored to health.

Mark 10:52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has healed you.” And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road.

Luke 5:15 But so much the more the news spread abroad concerning Him, and great crowds kept coming together to hear Him and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.

Luke 6:18 Even those who were disturbed and troubled with unclean spirits, and they were being healed also.

Luke 6:19 And all the multitude were seeking to touch Him, for healing power was all the while going forth from Him and curing them all saving them from severe illnesses or calamities.

Luke 7:21 In that very hour Jesus was healing many people of sicknesses and distressing bodily plagues and evil spirits, and to many who were blind He gave a free, gracious, joy-giving gift of sight.

Luke 8:46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me; for I perceived that healing power has gone forth from Me.”

Luke 9:2 And He sent them out to announce {and} preach the kingdom of God and to bring healing.

Luke 17:19 And He said to him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health.”

Luke 18:42 And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight! Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your faith in God) has healed you.”

Acts 14:8-10 Now at Lystra a man sat who found it impossible to use his feet, for he was a cripple from birth and had never walked. 9 He was listening to Paul as he talked, and Paul, gazing intently at him and observing that he had faith to be healed, 10 Shouted at him, saying, “Stand erect on your feet!” And he leaped up and walked.

Acts 28:8 And it happened that the father of Publius was sick in bed with recurring attacks of fever and dysentery; and Paul went to see him, and after praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.

James 5:15-16 And the prayer that is of faith will save me if I am sick, and the Lord will restore me; and if I have committed sins, I will be forgiven. I will confess my faults, my slips, my false steps, my offenses, and my sins, and pray also for others, that I may be healed and restored to a spiritual tone of mind and heart. I am the righteousness of God, and my earnest, heartfelt, continued prayer makes tremendous power available, and is dynamic in its working.

1 Peter 2:24 Jesus personally bore my sins in His own body, on the tree as on an altar, and offered Himself on it, that I might die and cease to exist to sin, and live to righteousness. By His wounds I am healed.

Deuteronomy 5:16 I honor my father and my mother, as the Lord my God commands me, that my days may be prolonged and that it may go well with me in the land which the Lord my God gives me.

Deuteronomy 5:29 I have a mind and heart in me always reverently to fear God and keep all His commandments, that it might go well with me and with my children forever!

Deuteronomy 5:33 I walk in all the ways which the Lord my God has commanded me, that I live and that it goes well with me and that I live long in the land which I shall possess.

Deuteronomy 6:18 And I do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it goes well with me and that I go in and possess the good land which the Lord swore to give to my fathers,

Deuteronomy 12:28 I am watchful, and obey all these words which You command me O Lord, that it goes well with me and with my children after me forever, when I do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord my God.

Psalm 46:1 GOD is my Refuge and Strength, mighty and impenetrable to temptation, a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Psalm 112:5 It is well with the me, as I deal generously and lend, and I conduct my affairs with justice.

Psalm 119:65 You have dealt well with me, your servant, O Lord, according to Your promise.

Psalm 119:140 Your word is very pure (tried and well refined); therefore I, your servant, love it.

Psalm 128:2 For I eat the fruit of the labor of my hands; happy, blessed, fortunate, and enviable shall I be, and it is well with me.

Proverbs 4:26 I consider well the path of my feet, and let all my ways be established and ordered aright.

Proverbs 5:15 I drink waters out of my own cistern of a pure marriage relationship, and fresh running waters out of my own well.

Proverbs 10:11 My mouth, the mouth of the uncompromisingly righteous man, is a well of life . . . .

Ecclesiastes 8:12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and his days seemingly are prolonged in his wickedness, yet surely I know that it is well with me who reverently fears God, who reveres and worships Him, realizing His continual presence.

Isaiah 3:10 To me, who has been made righteous, it is well with me, for I eat the fruit of my deeds.

Jeremiah 7:23 But this thing O Lord, did You command me; I listen to and obey Your voice, and You are my God and I am Yours; and I walk in the whole way that You command me, that it is well with me.

Psalm 86:12-13 I confess and praise You, O Lord my God, with my whole united heart; and I glorify Your name forevermore. 13 For great is Your mercy and loving-kindness toward me; and You have delivered me from the depths of Sheol, from the exceeding depths of affliction.

Psalm 91:1-16 I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and I remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, Whose power no foe can withstand. 2 I say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust! 3 For He delivers me from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He covers me with His pinions, and under His wings I trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. 5 I am afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it is not near me. 8 Only a spectator am I, inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High, as I witness the reward of the wicked. 9 Because I have made the Lord my refuge, and the Most High my dwelling place, 10 No evil befall me, nor any plague or calamity come near my tent. 11 For He gives His angels especial charge over me to accompany and defend and preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service. 12 They bear me up on their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone. 13 I tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent I trample underfoot. 14 “Because you have set your love upon Me, the Lord, therefore will I deliver you; I will set you on high, because you know and understand My name, and have a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—you trust and rely on Me, knowing I will never forsake you, no, never. 15 You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble, I will deliver you and honor you. 16 With long life will I satisfy you and show you My salvation.”

Exodus 23:24-26 I do not bow down to false gods or serve them or do after their works; but I utterly overthrow them and break down their pillars and images. 25 I serve the Lord my God; He blesses my bread and my water, and He takes sickness from my midst. 26 I do not lose my young by miscarriage nor am I barren in my land; The Lord fulfills the number of my days.

Deuteronomy 7:9-15 I know, recognize, and understand therefore, that the Lord my God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant, (and steadfast love and mercy with me who loves Him and keeps His commandments), to a thousand generations, 10 And repays those who hate Him to their face, by destroying them; He is not be slack to him who hates Him, but requites him to his face. 11 I keep and do the instruction, laws, and precepts which He commands me. 12 I hearken to these precepts and keep and do them, and the Lord my God keeps with me the covenant and the steadfast love which He swore to my fathers. 13 And He loves me, blesses me, and multiplies me; He also blesses the fruit of my body and the fruit of my land, my grain, my new wine, and my oil, the increase of my cattle and the young of my flock in the land which He swore to my fathers to give me. 14 I am blessed above all peoples; there is not male nor female barren near me, or among my cattle. 15 And the Lord takes away from me all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt does He put upon me, but lays them upon all who hate me.

Psalm 34:17-20 When I who am righteous, having been made the righteousness of God, cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers me out of all my distress and troubles. 18 The Lord is close to me when I am broken of heart, and saves me when I am crushed with sorrow for sin when I am humbly and thoroughly penitent. 19 Many evils and afflictions confront me, who is consistently righteous, but the Lord delivers me out of them all. 20 He keeps all my bones; not one of them is broken.

James 4:7 I am subject to God. I resist the devil, stand firm against him, and he must flee from me.

Romans 4:19 Abraham did not weaken in faith when he considered the utter impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s deadened womb. 20 No unbelief or distrust made him waver or doubtingly question concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, 21 Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. 22 That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness, or right standing with God. 23 But the words credited to him were written not for his sake alone, 24 But they were written for my sake too. Righteousness, (standing acceptable to God) is granted and credited to me also, who believes in, trusts in, adheres to, and relies on God, Who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 Who was betrayed and put to death because of my misdeeds and was raised from the dead to secure my justification, and my acquittal, making my account balance and absolving me from all guilt before God.

Romans 8:2 & 11 For the law of the Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus, the law of my new being, has freed me from the law of sin and of death. 11 The Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in me, and He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life my mortal, short-lived, perishable body through His Spirit Who dwells in me.

Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus, replying, said to them, “Have faith in God [constantly]. Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

I always and continually put my faith and trust in God. His Word is true, and He is faithful to His Word. When I pray, I believe I receive; I am confident in the fact that it has already been taken care of on my behalf. Thank You, Lord!

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 The Lord has called heaven and earth to witness this day against me that He has set before me life and death, the blessings and the curses. O Lord I choose life, that I and my descendants may live 20 and may love the Lord our God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is my life and the length of my days, that I may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to give to my fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

1 Kings 8:56-57 Blessed be the Lord, Who has given rest to me, according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all His good promise which He promised through Moses His servant. 57 The Lord my God is with me as He was with my fathers; He does not leave me nor forsake me.

Psalm 107: 17, 19-21 When I am foolish, and made ill because of the way of my transgressions and am afflicted because of my iniquities . . . . . 19 Then I cry to the Lord in my trouble, and He delivers me out of my distresses. 20 He sends forth His word and heals me and rescues me from the pit and destruction. 21 Oh, I praise and confess to the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to me!

Psalm 118:14-17 The Lord is my Strength and Song; and He has become my Salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tent and private dwelling of me, who am uncompromisingly righteous: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and} achieves strength! 16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly and achieves strength! 17 I do not die but live, and I declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 I fear not, for there is nothing to fear, for you are with me, O God; I do not look around me in terror and am not dismayed, for You are my God. You strengthen and harden me to difficulties, yes, You help me; yes, You hold me up and retain me with Your victorious right hand of rightness and justice.

Jeremiah 30:16-17 Therefore all who devour me are devoured; and all my adversaries, every one of them, go into captivity. And they who despoil me become a spoil, and all who prey upon me the Lord gives for a prey. 17 For He restores health to me, and He heals my wounds, says the Lord . . . . .

2 Corinthians 4:18 I do not consider or look to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless {and} everlasting.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though I walk and live in the flesh, I do not carry on my warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4 For the weapons of my warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds; 5 I refute arguments, and theories, and reasonings, and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God; and I lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ the Messiah

Galatians 3:13-14, 26-29 Jesus Christ purchased my freedom , redeeming me from the curse and doom of the Law and its condemnation by Himself becoming a curse for me, for it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (is crucified); 14 To the end that through my receiving Christ Jesus the blessing promised to Abraham has come upon me, so that I through faith receive the realization of the promise of the Holy Spirit. . . . 26 For in Christ Jesus I am a son of God through faith. 27 I have been baptized into Christ and into a spiritual union and communion with Christ the Anointed One, the Messiah, and I have put on (clothed myself with) Christ. 28 There is now no distinction, neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for I am one with Christ Jesus. 29 I belong to Christ, and I am in Him Who is Abraham’s Seed; so then am I Abraham’s offspring and spiritual heir, according to the promise.

Ephesians 6:10-18 I am strong in the Lord and empowered through my union with Him; I draw my strength from Him, that strength which His boundless might provides. 11 I put on God’s whole armor, the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies, that I may successfully stand up against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For I do not wrestle with flesh and blood, contending only with physical opponents, but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the master spirits, who are the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore I put on God’s complete armor, that I may be able to resist and stand my ground on the evil day of danger, and, having done all the crisis demands, stand firmly in my place. 14 I will stand therefore, and hold my ground, having tightened the belt of truth around my loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity, moral rectitude, and right standing with God, 15 And having shod my feet in preparation to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness, produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace.

16 I lift up over all the covering shield of saving faith, upon which I can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one. 17 I take the helmet of salvation, and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. 18 I pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end I will keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints, God’s consecrated people.

Philippians 4:6-9 I do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, I continue to make my wants known to God. And God’s peace is mine, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding garrisons and mounts guard over my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.

For the rest, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, I will think on, and weigh, and take account of these things, and fix my mind on them. I practice what I have learned, and received, and heard, and seen in Christ and His disciples; I model my way of living on it, and the God of peace, of untroubled, undisturbed well-being, is with me.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give me a spirit of timidity, of cowardice, of craven, cringing, fawning fear, but He has given me a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Hebrews 10:21-23 And since I have such a great and wonderful and noble Priest, Who rules over the house of God, 22 I come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) heart in unqualified assurance, and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having my heart sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and my body cleansed with pure water. 23 I seize, and hold fast, and retain without wavering, the hope I cherish and confess, and my acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable, sure and faithful to His word.

1 John 3:21-22 My conscience, and my heart do not accuse me; they do not make me feel guilty and condemn me, for I have confidence, complete assurance, and boldness before God, 22 and I receive from Him whatever I ask because I watchfully obey His orders, observe His suggestions and injunctions, and follow His plan for me, and habitually practice what is pleasing to Him.

1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which I have in Him: I am sure that if I ask anything or make any request according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to me, and hears me. 15 And since I positively know that He listens to me in whatever I ask, I also know with settled and absolute knowledge that I have granted to me, as my present possessions, the requests I make of Him.

3 John 1:2 God wishes above all things that I prosper in every way and that my body may keep well, even as my soul keeps well and prospers.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I know that my body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within me, Whom I have received as a Gift from God. I am not my own, 20 I was bought with a price, purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own. So then, I honor God and bring glory to Him in my body.

James 1:2-6 I Consider it wholly joyful whenever I am enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort, or fall into various temptations. 3 I understand, and am assured, that the trial and proving of my faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 I let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that I am a person who is perfectly and fully developed, with no defects, lacking in nothing. 5 If I am deficient in wisdom, I ask of the giving God, Who gives to me liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it is given to me. 6 I ask in faith, with no wavering, no hesitating, no doubting.

Note: I am a true believer in God’s gift of plants for medicine (see Ezekiel 47:12). This of course includes herbs, but I have found essential oils to be herbs on steroids. If you’d like to know more about essential oils (like what’s so big about frankincense and myrrh and what is holy anointing oil?), please e-mail me: homefrontshow@yahoo.com, or leave a comment.

Is it Cocoa or is it Hot Chocolate? No, it’s Pudding!

April 27, 2015April 27, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ Leave a comment

Actually, it’s none of the three if it’s a store bought mix. After you follow and hopefully tweak, my recipe for hot chocolate (which I’ll show you how to turn to pudding), you’ll never use a mix again.

You begin with 1/2 to 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa in a sauce pan (amount depends on how dark you like it). Hershey’s is fine, but I prefer bulk cocoa from Sprouts. Stir in about half as much sugar (if 1/2 cup of cocoa, then 1/4 cup of sugar). I use organic evaporated cane juice and/or organic coconut sugar. Next add about 1 scant teaspoon of sea salt (or a little less if you’re using regular salt) and stir all together.

Stir in any workable (depends on what’s on hand) combination of milk, cream, half-n-half, evaporated milk, or even powdered milk. I recommend about 4 cups of whole milk, one cup of half-n-half, and a half cup of heavy whipping cream. You can double this without any complaints by using water to stretch the recipe, even half whole milk and half water makes a delicious outcome. You can also hold the whipping cream and have it on top (recipe following near the end of the post).

As the cocoa tends to adhere to itself, and be a bit mix-resistant, I find the pictured potato masher works well to solve this problem.

On medium heat, heat to steaming, stirring frequently, then taste test for sweetness and chocolatey-ness. I like mine a little bitter, but still at this point I add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of honey. Note: you can make this with white sugar (not as healthy) or sweeten entirely with honey. Just take it slowly with honey, as it’s easy to get too much.

Tip: butter or oil in your measuring cup will cause the honey to slide right out, or you can just eyeball it and pour it right out of the honey jug.

Now it’s time to add your choice of either vanilla (homemade is best-see the net for ideas/recipes) or almond flavoring.

Now taste test again. If it seems to be lacking, you might try coffee, orange flavoring, nutmeg, cinnamon, or some combination thereof. For coffee flavoring you can simply stir in a little Taster’s Choice instant, or, as I show in the picture, put some regular ground (I use about a tablespoon) in a tea ball and let it steep a bit. This is really delicious!

Note: A fine mesh tea strainer for your coffee infusion gives a better result than does the pictured tea ball, as it eliminates most of the coffee dregs.

AND NOW AND YAY FOR PUDDING!

Per my kids’ request, I turned the above into pudding by simply:

Adding butter and peanut butter and coconut and walnuts: a tablespoon of butter, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1/2 cup of organic unsweetened flake coconut, chopped walnuts on top upon serving;

Then . . . thicken by simply sprinkling organic whole wheat flour over the top and stirring it in. Since I don’t measure and got a bit too much, I added more milk. How much flour did I use? About 4 tablespoons I think.

However, start slowly as your flour, especially if it’s white flour, will thicken differently than did mine. Also, if you’re using cornstarch, just follow the directions on the box which will tell you the ratios between corn starch and flour.

I have stopped using cornstarch for two reasons: first, I was out of it and found out by accident that I liked the taste of whole wheat flour, and that it didn’t tend to lump as does cornstarch at times; second, I am leery of corn products which don’t staunchly proclaim their non-GMO status.

So, back to your pudding. Stir almost constantly to avoid sticking and scorching–a very disappointing outcome–and let it boil and bubble a bit to cook your thickener.

Now for taste testing, at which time other humans will miraculously appear: If it doesn’t really thrill the taster(s), try more vanilla or almond flavoring. Or perhaps orange (I like this VERY much, my family not so much). Or maybe any combination. You can take a bit out for yourself and be your own guinea pig before flavoring the entire batch.

Also, if you have stick-tending cookware, just create a makeshift double boiler by tucking your pan into a larger pan, with water in the bottom pan.

Now for some really good news: Eat this pudding in beautiful bowls with perhaps an English Digestive or some ripe strawberries and you’ve got a meal. No kidding.

I have also used the leftover pudding or hot chocolate (make sure you keep a bit back) to wake up the child of the day. What is the child of the day? That’s for another post.

One last thought: Leave the cocoa out entirely, for a lovely orange vanilla pudding, or, and this is one of my very favorites, use crushed pineapple and vanilla for your flavorings, and put toasted pecans on top. Oh my!

The bottom line is that pudding is lovely and brilliant and you should go make some.

AND NOW FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM!!!

Put your bowl and mixing beaters in the freezer and your heavy whipping cream in the back of the fridge (where it’s coldest) for at least 15 minutes.

Add a tablespoon or two of sweetener (your choice) and a bit of salt to your whipping cream (and flavoring if that sounds good to you–vanilla almost always works) and just mix away until peaks form. They don’t have to be stiff as there is reportedly such a thing as whipping the cream too long and causing it to begin softening.

If you like, you can forget the pudding or hot chocolate and can make whipped cream all by itself for dessert. Simply serve it with a bit of nutmeg on top, and perhaps a pecan, or some berries, or all by its own marvelous self. People will love it! Everyone wants all the whipped cream they can get.

Homemade whipped cream is also, in my opinion, much better with cake or brownies, than is vanilla ice cream. I know most people disagree, but you can tuck that thought away and try it some time.

We make domino, card, and board games enticing, and being snowed in during late May palatable, simply by adding hot chocolate or pudding to the evening.

Would a skinny hot chocolate packet or a pudding mix do the same thing? Not even close.

Blessed Pregnancy Scriptures!

April 25, 2015May 19, 2015 ~ Bev Parker ~ 5 Comments

Scriptures for a Healthy Pregnancy and Birth, compliments of John Parker

Why Speak, Decree, and Declare God’s Word?

Because speaking the Word brings God’s power and authority to bear on a physical problem!

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power, making it active, operative, energizing, and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (the soul) and the immortal spirit, and of joints and marrow, of the deepest parts of our nature. . . . . .

Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void without producing any effect, (useless), but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, and for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action).

Scripture begins with God speaking words in Genesis (the very beginning of the story). God speaks, and creation, as we know it, comes into being. God’s powerful speaking continues through the Old Testament. Then, we encounter Jesus in the New Testament. He displays for us the same powerful use of words.

What gives us the right to speak God’s Word over our personal situation?

Galatians 3:29 And if you belong to Christ (are in Him Who is Abraham’s Seed), then you are Abraham’s offspring and spiritual heirs according to promise.

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself thus testifies together with our own spirit, assuring us that we are children of God. 17 And if we are His children, then we are His heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him; . . . . . .

Over and over again, the Bible makes it clear that once you believe, you must confess, or speak, the thing that you believe. Speaking God’s Word over your situation sends reverberations throughout the Heavens and the spiritual realm, sort of like radar waves. The Word goes out, then comes back, having accomplished that for which it was intended. Speaking/Decreeing/Declaring also activates your faith and sets it in motion, and that brings manifestation from the spiritual to the physical, as well as strengthening your spirit.

The scriptures below have been modified in a few cases, and personalized in most cases, to make them feel more intimate and relevant for you. This is not blasphemous in any way, it’s just personalizing God’s Word to you so that you can Decree it over yourself and your child.

How do we speak God’s Word over our personal situation?

Deuteronomy 30:19 I (God) call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your children (descendants) may live.

These blessings and the curses are spiritual laws, and one or the other of these two spiritual laws will be activated by whatever you say. There is no third choice.

The first words you speak over any situation usually determine the outcome of that situation, so take care that you speak life (blessing), i.e. in the case of a bad report.

With that in mind;

The Word must be spoken out loud, with boldness and confidence.

The Word must be spoken from the heart; it should never just be recited like some formula that will make God do what you want him to do.

The Word you speak must be believed with all your might and all your faith.

You must never forget that these are God’s words you are speaking, that they are ALIVE, (for God is His Word), and that they will accomplish that which they are sent to do.

These scriptures will be helpful to meditate on as part of the wonderful, exhilarating, exhausting, fantastic, joyful miracle of bringing a child into the world!

Print them out, or write them on note cards to focus on as part of your daily devotions. Bring them along to the place where you will be delivering – nothing will help you more than clinging to the truth of God’s Word! May it bring peace of mind, encouragement, and strength to you!

Job 22:22-30 I receive the law and instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in my heart. 23 I return to the Almighty and submit and humble myself before Him, I will be built up; because I put away unrighteousness far from my tents, 24 I lay gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brook considering them of little worth, 25 I make the Almighty my gold and the Lord my precious silver treasure, 26 Then I will have delight in the Almighty, and I will lift up my face to God. 27 I will make my prayer to Him, and He will hear me, and I will pay my vows. 28; I shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for me and the light of God’s favor shall shine upon my ways. 29 When they make me low, I will say, there is a lifting up; and since I am a humble person, God lifts up and saves me. 30 He will even deliver the one for whom I intercede who is not innocent; yes, the one for whom I intercede will be delivered through the cleanness of my hands.

Philippians 4:6-7 I am not anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, I present my requests to You my God. And Your peace, which transcends all my understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:16 For it was in You Lord that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through You, by Your service and intervention, and in and for You. So it is with my unborn child, who is created perfectly, in Your image, by You.

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things I hope for, being the proof of things I do not see and the conviction of their reality, my faith perceives as real fact what is not revealed to my senses. I have faith that my baby is healthy, strong, perfectly formed, and flawless in every way.

Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives unyielding and impenetrable strength to me, for I am one of His people; the Lord blesses me with peace. I receive His peace about my baby.

Psalm 55:22 I cast all my burdens on the Lord, releasing the weight of them, and He sustains me; He will never allow me to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail), for I am the consistently righteous.

Psalm 91:1-16 I dwell in the secret place of the Most High; I shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, Whose power no foe can withstand. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust! 3 For then He will deliver me from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 Then He will cover me with His pinions, and under His wings shall I trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. 5 I shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come near me or my baby or our family. 8 Only a spectator shall I be, I will be inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High as I witness the reward of the wicked. 9 Because I have made the Lord my refuge, and the Most High my dwelling place, 10 There shall no evil befall me or my unborn child, nor any plague or calamity come near my home. 11 For He gives His angels especial charge over me and my baby, to accompany and defend and preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service. 12 They shall bear me up on their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone. 13 I shall tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent shall I trample underfoot. 14 Because I have set my love upon Him, therefore will He deliver me; He will set me on high, because I know and understand His name, and I have a personal knowledge of His mercy, love, and kindness – I trust and rely on Him, knowing He will never forsake me, no, never. 15 I call upon the Lord, and He answers me; He is with me in trouble, He delivers me and honors me. 16 With long life He satisfies me, and He shows me His salvation.

Isaiah 26:3 You will guard me and my baby and keep us both in perfect and constant peace and health, for my mind, both its inclination and its character, is stayed on You, because I commit myself to You, I lean on You, and I hope confidently in You. 4 I trust in You Lord, I commit myself to You, lean on You, and hope confidently in You forever; for the Lord my God is an everlasting Rock, the Rock of Ages.

John 14:27 Your peace You leave with me; Your own peace You give and bequeath to me. Not as the world gives do You give to me. I will not let my heart be troubled, neither will I let it be afraid, for you are with me and my child. I will not allow myself to be agitated or disturbed; and I will not permit myself to be fearful, intimidated, cowardly, or unsettled by any doctor or nurse or midwife or medical report.

Faith and fear cannot dwell in the same place. So let Him in to push fear out!

Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. For all things originate with Him and come from Him; my unborn child comes from Him – all things live through Him; my unborn child lives through Him – all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him. To God be glory forever! Amen (so be it).

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect, free, large, full gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all that gives light, in the shining of Whom there can be no variation, rising, or setting or shadow cast by His turning as in an eclipse. My baby is good, my baby is perfect, because this child comes from the Father of all light.

Psalms 139:12-17 Even the darkness hides nothing from You Lord, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You. 13 For You did form the inward parts of my baby; You knit my child together in my womb. 14 I confess and praise You, for You are fearful and wonderful, and for the awful wonder of the birth of my child! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. 15 The frame of this little one was not hidden from You when it was being formed in secret; perfectly, intricately and curiously wrought as if embroidered with various colors in the depths of the earth, a region of darkness and mystery. 16 Your eyes saw the unformed substance of my unborn child, and in Your book all the days of its life were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Jeremiah 1:5 Before You formed this child in my womb You knew and approved of it as Your chosen instrument, and before its birth You have separated and set this child apart, consecrating it;

Isaiah 66:9 The Lord will not bring me to the moment of birth without causing me to bring forth a healthy and perfect child. My God, Who causes to bring forth will not shut my womb.

It is God’s will for you to conceive and give birth to a healthy wonderful child. Read and confess these scriptures until faith drops into your heart. You will know when it does, just like one knows when they are pregnant. The Bible says that everything is like a seed, everything after its own kind.

Psalm 113:9 He gives me a family, making me a happy mother. Praise the LORD!

John 10:10 Lord Jesus, You came that I and my baby might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly.

Genesis 1:28 God You have blessed me, and commanded me that I be fruitful and multiply. I claim and receive by my faith Your promise that Your Word will not return to You without accomplishing that for which You sent it.

Exodus 15:2 Lord You are my Strength and my Song, and You are my Salvation; You are my God, and I praise You, my father’s God, and I exalt You.

Deuteronomy 7:13-14 God loves me, He blesses me, and He multiplies me; He blesses the fruit of my body and the fruit of my land, my grain, my new wine, and my oil, the increase of my cattle and the young of my flock in the land which He swore to my fathers to give me. 14 I am blessed above all people; for I will never be barren . . . . . .

Deuteronomy 28:1-4, 6, 11 I listen diligently to the voice of the Lord my God, being watchful to do all His commandments which He commands me, and the Lord my God has set my high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon my and overtake me, for I heed the voice of the Lord my God. 3 Blessed shall I be in the city and blessed shall I be in the field. 4 Blessed shall be the fruit of my body . . . . . 6 Blessed shall I be when I come in and blessed shall I be when I go out. I fully obey the Lord my God and carefully keep all his commands that He gives me, and the LORD my God will set me high above all the nations of the world. I will experience all these blessings for I obey the LORD my God: 11 And the Lord shall make me have a surplus of prosperity, through the fruit of my body, which is my unborn child . . . . .

2 Samuel 22:32.33 32 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except my God? 33 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Lord, You make the way of our baby’s delivery perfect. You cause my body to be strong and work perfectly in order to glorify yourself in the delivery of our child.

Psalm 18:6 . . . . . When it seems like I am closed in, I call upon the Lord and cry to my God; He hears my voice out of His temple (His heavenly dwelling place), and my cry comes before Him, into His very ears. Lord, I call to you for any help I need during my pregnancy and my labor and my delivery, no matter the situation. I call on You and you hear my call.

Psalm 46:1-3 GOD is our Refuge and Strength, mighty and impenetrable to temptation, a very present and well-proved help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, 3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah, (pause, and calmly think of that! Thank you for being with us during labor and delivery. We will not fear.

Psalm 84:11-12 For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord bestows present grace and favor and future glory (honor, splendor, and heavenly bliss)! No good thing will He withhold from me, for I walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) am I, for I trust in You, leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, and that without fear or misgiving! I believe and receive by my faith in You a healthy pregnancy, an easy birth, and a healthy, perfect, flawless baby.

Psalm 119:165 -173 I have great peace for I love Your law; nothing shall offend me or make me stumble. 166 I am hope and wait eagerly for Your salvation, O Lord, and I do Your commandments. 167 I keep Your testimonies, hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them; I love them exceedingly! 168 I observe Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are fully known before You. 169 Let my cry and supplication come near before You, O Lord; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension) according to Your word of assurance and promise. 170 Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word! 171 My lips shall pour forth praise with thanksgiving and renewed trust when You teach me Your statutes. 172 My tongue shall sing praise for the fulfillment of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous. 173 Let Your hand be ready to help me in my pregnancy and the birth of my child, for I have chosen Your precepts.

Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of our youth. 5 Happy, blessed, and fortunate are we, for our quiver will be filled with them!

Psalm 128:3 As a wife I shall be like a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of our home; our children shall be like olive plants round about our table.

Proverbs 14:30 A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body . . . . , my mind and my heart are calm and not disturbed; they are life and health to my body and to body of the child I carry within me.

Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and selected young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; 31 But I wait for the Lord, and I, who expect, look for, and hope in Him shall change and renew my strength and power; I shall lift my wings and mount up close to God, as eagles mount up to the sun; I shall run and not be weary, I shall walk and not faint or become tired. Lord, You will renew my strength during delivery. My strength will not wear out because it is from You and my hope is in You.

Fight fear with all you have. Remember, the presence of fear does not mean danger, it just indicates the presence of fear. We are the ones, (with the help of the devil), who make the connection to danger.

Isaiah 41:10 I fear not. There is nothing to fear, for You are with me; I will not look around me in terror and be dismayed, for You are my God. You will strengthen and harden me to difficulties and to childbirth, yes, You will help me; yes, You will hold me up and retain me with Your victorious right hand of rightness and justice.

Isaiah 43:2 When I pass through the waters, You will be with me, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm me. When I walk through the fire, I will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon me. Lord, thank you for not leaving me alone. Thank you for being with our baby as it passes through the waters in my womb.

Isaiah 51:12 You, even You, are He who comforts me. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for always being my comfort. You always bring the comfort I need.

Isaiah 54:13 And all my children shall be disciples, taught by the Lord and obedient to His will, and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of my children.

Romans 4:19-21 He (Abraham) did not weaken in faith when he considered the utter impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s deadened womb. 20 No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, 21 Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. Lord I give you praise and glory. I grow strong, and empowered by faith. I am fully satisfied and assured that You are able and mighty to keep Your word and to do what You have promised; that this child will be healthy and strong, and that this will be a blessed and healthy pregnancy and birth.

Philippians 4:13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me, I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. Lord, I confess I can do this through You. It is You who gives me strength.

Hebrews 11:11 Because of faith also Sarah herself received physical power to conceive, carry to term, and bear a child, even when she was long past the age for it, because she considered God Who had given her the promise to be reliable and trustworthy and true to His word. God you are reliable. You are trustworthy. I have faith in you that my child is perfect in every way. I have faith that this pregnancy is healthy and that I will carry this child till You say it is time for its birth. I have faith that this will be a natural birth.

God’s promise is for a healthy full-term pregnancy and delivery. Believe Him for it. Stand your ground in faith.

Psalms 22:9-10 You are He Who will take this child from my womb; You will be the hope and the trust of my baby when it is on its mothers breast. 10 This child will be upon You from its very birth; from its mother’s womb You will be the God of my child. 11 You will be not far from me and my baby when trouble is near and there is none to help.

Jesus loves infants and children!

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, it will save me; nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear me. Lord I believe that you hear me. I ask you in Jesus’ name for a healthy baby, and an easy natural birth. I believe I receive these in Jesus’ name, and give You the glory and honor for it.

Isaiah 40:10-11 Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. 11 He feeds His flock like a shepherd; I belong to His flock. He gathers me in His arm as a lamb, He carries me in His bosom and gently leads me and my baby.

Psalm 71:6 Lord I lean on you for Your help have during birth; It is You Who will pull my child from my womb, and You will be its benefactor from that day. I praise you continually.

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which I have in You: I am sure that if I ask anything, or make any request according to Your will (in agreement with Your own plan), You listen to and hear me. 15 And since I positively know that You listen to me in whatever I ask, I also know with settled and absolute knowledge that I have granted to me (as my present possession) the requests I make of You. Lord I pray to You for a healthy and perfect baby. I pray for a full-term, natural birth. I pray for an easy delivery. I believe I receive these requests with all my heart.

Philippians 1:6 I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who formed this child in me will continue that work right up to the time I give birth, developing my baby and perfecting it, and bringing it to full completion in me.

Psalm 90:17 The beauty, and delightfulness, and favor of the Lord my God is upon me; to confirm and establish the work of my hands and my womb – yes, the work of my womb, confirm and establish it.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me, which is my unborn child; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands.2

Thessalonians 3:3 The Lord is faithful, and He strengthens me and my baby and sets us on a firm foundation and guard us from the evil one.

Psalm 37:23 -24 My steps are directed and established by the Lord, for He delights in my way and He busies Himself with my every step. 24 Though I fall, I shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps my hand in support and upholds me.

1 Samuel 1:27 For this child I pray, for its health and perfection in every way, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and makes me to walk, not to stand still in terror, but to walk and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility! I receive Your strength Lord for this pregnancy and birth.

Psalm 63:1-8 O GOD, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs for and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is. 2 I have looked upon You in the sanctuary to see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips praise You. 4 I bless You while I live; I lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My whole being is satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth praises You with joyful lips 6 I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. 7 For You are my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I rejoice. 8 My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me and my unborn baby.

Matthew 18:1-5 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.

Mark 10:13-16 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Luke 18:15-16 . . . . . Jesus said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

According to God’s Word, our seed is blessed, and our womb is fruitful.

Exodus 23:25 ,26 I serve the Lord my God; He blesses my bread and water, and He takes sickness from my being. 26 I will never, ever, lose my young by miscarriage, or be barren in the land; He will fulfill the number of my days and the number of days of my children.

Psalm 112:1-2 Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Blessed, happy, fortunate, and to be envied am I, for I fear, revere, and worship the Lord, and I delight greatly in His commandments. 2 My offspring shall be mighty upon earth; I am the generation of the upright, my children shall be blessed.

Genesis 49:25 You are the God of my father, Who will help me, You are the Almighty, Who blesses me with blessings of the heavens above, blessings lying in the deep beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.

Luke 1:42 Blessed, favored of God, above all other women am I! And blessed, favored of God, is the Fruit of my womb!

God is still in the MIRACLE BUSINESS and God still desires GODLY OFFSPRING from His couples. This area of your life is supremely important to God!

Malachi 2:14-15 . . . . . The Lord was witness to the covenant made at our marriage between us; we deal honestly and reliably with each other; we are faithful to each other. We are each the lifetime companion of the other, and we are each the mate of the other under our covenant made by our marriage vows. 15 God has made us one flesh. The One has made us, and He preserves our spirit alive. And why did God make us two one? Because He seeks godly offspring from our union. By this we know our child will be born healthy, and strong, and perfect, and that this pregnancy will be flawless, and the birth of our child will be easy and quick. Amen

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