The Effect of a Godly Mommy Upon an Entire Nation

  "And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the LORD, and also with men."

1 Samuel 2:26

If Samuel gained favor in the sight of “men” as well as God, that means that he lived such a Godly life—even for one so young—that people took notice. It would only stand to reason that these “men” or other people with whom Samuel and his Godly lifestyle gained favor with knew Samuel's “background” story—his ‘history’, as it were. How he had come to live there, and to “minister” unto Eli the priest and to those that came to worship, and ultimately, minister unto the Lord. This means that

A.)   They would know of Hannah’s answered prayer for a son (see 1 Samuel 1: 5b and 6b) which means that God would have been glorified again and again through each retelling of Hannah’s past suffering. And

B.)   They would have known all about her FAITHFULNESS to the God who answered her prayers for a son!

So, not only was Samuel a Godly testimony, but his mother was one as well, through the way she had been obedient to God and raised her son!!! (Because of and by the child she had raised/trained!!!)

Being a wife and “stay at home mom” is not a sacrifice (although it includes them, definitely!) It is a high calling!!! Even though Hannah was simply being obedient and on fire for God in an unobtrusive, not ‘out there’ way, she had a great impact on the entire nation of Israel because of the son she raised and dedicated to the Lord! She was an example through the Godly children she sent out of the home She Stayed IN!

There are so many lies out there aimed at young women concerning this—mostly that staying home as a wife, mommy, daughter, whatever!, is a stifling, boring, drudgery and waste of a woman’s (God given) amazing abilities and brilliance. Nothing could be farther from the truth! As young women, we can have the greatest impact in our homes and through the sphere of the home! J Hannah had no idea what an impact she would have on an entire nation simply by being a Godly mommy!!!

Who knows what impact you may have there as well!?

Abiding In Love {Loving Others}

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

John 15:10-12

In verse 10, Jesus wants us to A.) Abide in Him (verse 7) and B.) Continue (keep going) in His love. Then He tells us how to Abide-in-Him and Continue-in-His-Love! “If we keep His commandments, we shall ABIDE in His LOVE!!!” ‘Just as He (has) kept His Father’s commandments and abide in His love’ as our Ultimate Example!!! BUT! What are His commandments? What is His commandment? Jesus includes the answer to that as well as we shall see in verse 12! But I am getting ahead of myself! J

Another principle we can draw from verse 10 as well, is that Jesus isn’t asking us to do anything that A.) He hasn’t already done (Hebrews 5:14) or B.) that is impossible! Difficult, surely; but doable by God’s grace and through the power of His Holy Spirit! ♥

In verse 11, Jesus tells us that He has told us all these things (according to a Bible commentary I read, “these things” refers to chapter 14, as well as us being fruitful in, by, through, and for Him) because He knows that living for him, abiding in Him, His Words abiding in us, and our being obedient and in constant communion with Him, brings (fullness of) JOY to the Believer’s life! Our lives!!! JJJJ

Then, finally, in verse 12, Jesus gives us His commandment He desires us to obey in verse 10; the commandment that the keeping of brings ability to ‘abide in Him’ and enables us to ‘continue in His love’. The commandment is that we…

Love one another (or, applied personally, love others) as Christ has loved (& continues to love) you and I!!!

That’s a pretty BIG love!!!

But, by the grace and power of God, it is not an impossible one!

Another Comforter

{Image obtained through Google Images}

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:16  

~~ANOTHER Comforter~~ implying that, in Him, there already had been and was One! But, because He would soon be crucified, rise again, and ascend into Heaven; because He was leaving them {His disciples} He was supplying the need (Phil 4:19) of His own (John 13:1-- which totally applies to you, by the way! You're one of 'His own' and He desperately loves you!) by not leaving them comfortless (John 14:18). Instead, Jesus was supplying them with another Source of Comfort in the presence of His Holy Spirit!

Your struggles, as insignificant as they may seem to others-- or, perhaps you even think they are insignificant to God! :-( -- those struggles ARE important to God!~~ YOU are important to God! You are His child! His Daughter!

He "tellest your wanderings"~(Psalms 56:8a)

He stores EVERY TEAR you shed (even the 'secret' ones) in a bottle~ (Psalms 56:8b)

{Anyone envision a shelf of multiple bottles there? lol}

He is intimately acquainted with:

 every thought you have (Psalms 139:2) (Psalms 139:23-24) (Jeremiah 17:10) (1 Samuel 16:7)

Every struggle you face (Psalms 34:17-19)

Every trial you go through! (1 Peter 1:7) (1 Peter 4:12)

He knows! (Job 23:10)

He cares! (1 Peter 5:7)

He knows how you feel. (Hebrews 2:17-18)

He has been there (believe it or not! J) (Hebrews 4:15)

 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Like Jesus’ own sister may have physically done in the loving and everlasting arms of her Big Brother, you can, as His daughter, rest in the arms of your Father♥♥

Take time to do this today! If you haven’t, SHUT THIS COMPUTER OFF and grab your Bible, and go spend some quiet time with Jesus!

You won’t regret it! J