In Bible times God had a tabernacle and later a temple where He deigned to dwell in the midst of His people. Today, we have no temple, but God is a dwelling God and He still loves to dwell in our homes.One of the most beautiful things we can do as a mother and homemaker is to make our homes a dwelling place for the living God. I love the Scripture in Hebrews 9:1 (JBP) where it tells us about God’s sanctuary “a holy place in this world for the eternal God.”
This morning I read Psalm 84:1-3 (NLT): “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Heavens Armies . . . Even the sparrow fins a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!”
This is such a beautiful word to us mothers. How often we feel overwhelmed and wish we had more time to read God’s word and spend time in His presence. But how do we do this with little babies and toddlers and even older ones all vying for our attention. It seems impossible.
But dear mothers, we need to think of our homes as God’s sanctuary and each room as an altar of the Lord. Instead of thinking we have no time to spend with God to realize that we are living in His presence. As you dedicate your home to Him to be His sanctuary, you are living in His presence. Even in the midst of bedlam and all the needs of your little children, remember that you are making a nest for your children in the presence of the Lord.
Just as the sallow built her nest in the temple of God, you are making nest where you can lay your young ones in His presence. As you nurse your baby on your rocking chair, think of it as an altar as you pray for this child and dedicate him or her to God.
When you sit at your table with your children realize it is an altar where you feed your children body, soul, and spirit. As your husband reads God’s word at the end of the meal you too will find sustenance as the Scriptures are read.
You can make every room in your home an altar. I remember one time when my children were little and I longed, like the psalmist, to be in the courts of the Lord. How could I get away alone? Of course, it’s impossible when you have little children.
I remember taking my four under four into the bedroom and closing the door. I kneeled by my bed and began to pour out my soul to the Lord. As I entered into His courts, I began to feel His presence with me.
Suddenly there was a knock on my door. A guy who was boarding at our place was home and began shouting, “Please calm down those children, I can’t sleep!” I was so enjoying the Lord’s presence I wasn’t even aware of all the noise the children were making!
This psalm continues: Vs 4 – 6: “What joy for those who can live I your house, always singing your praises. What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD . . . When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.”
Make your home a dwelling place for God where your children can grow up near the altars of the Lord.
Blessings to you today,
Nancy Campbell
Painting: Polina Luchanova, Russia
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I have been thinking of the blessedness of motherhood. Yes, along with the blessedness is hard work and heartache. However, I believe that the devil robs mothers of the joys and glory of motherhood. Because God ordained motherhood and created us for this high purpose, the devil hates it. He hates what God mandates. He feeds us with lies to think we are wasting our lives when in fact, we are fulfilling the very perfect will of God. When we embrace motherhood, we are on God’s side.
I wonder if we really understand the power of God’s words that He releases into the universe. He spoke, and the worlds came into being. All it took was for God to open His mouth and speak.
Only two: male or female; feminine or masculine. Completely embrace who God created you to be. You bring glory to God when you live to the full who God created you to be. There’s no need to be confused.
Motherhood is the most powerful, far-reaching, influential career in the nation! Babies and children cannot survive without mothers. Families cannot survive without mothers. Nations will fail without mothers. It’s time for mothers to come back to the home.
Mother, God has chosen you and you are the BEST mom for your children.
The devil loves to break up marriages and he begins by putting negative and deceiving thoughts in your mind. You don’t have to listen to them. Resist them in the name of Jesus. Think of the good things about your husband. Thank the Lord for them. Tell your husband the good things you are thinking about him. When you focus on the positive, everything will become positive. When you focus on the negative everything becomes destructive.
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” A contented spirit brings a peaceful and happy atmosphere to the home.
There is a better way to live than on this lower plane of grumbling and self pity which only hurts you and everyone else around you.
Dear mother, you have the most important and influential career in the nation as you determine the destiny of this next generation—and generations to come. Embrace your calling and do it well.
I am continuing my ABOVE posts for a few days. How important it is to give ROOM in our hearts and minds for the needs of others. God is always looking for hearts that are open and waiting for God speak to them about whom He wants them to bless and minister to. If we are totally taken up with thinking about ourselves, there is no room for anyone else!
As we go into this New Year I would like to encourage you to live above all the troublesome and even petty things that tend to bring you down to live under your problems instead of above them. God says that you are seated with Him in heavenly places. The virtuous and courageous woman of Proverbs 31 is ABOVE rubies, not below. She lives ABOVE her circumstances as she keeps her eyes upon the LORD. Can I encourage you to move into this way of life?
Dear ladies,