Home Destroyers Part IV

Hey Everyone,

I get these devotions from Above Rubies and I find them very helpful and Biblical. I hope it really encourages you to think about your complaining and how much we really do need to start being more Thankful towards where the Lord has us in life~

Angie Abbott

HOME DESTROYERS

Part 4

Philippians 2:14-15, "Do all things without murmurings and disputing: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke,in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

We are up to No. 4 today. One more to go in this series.

4. COMPLAINING

Psalm 106:25, "They murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord." Read the story in Numbers chapter 14, especially verses 2 and 27.

Where were the people complaining? In their tents, which were their dwelling places in the wilderness. Where does most complaining happen? In the home. But what does it do? It tears down the home, whether we complain about our circumstances, the work we have to do, or our husband. Not only do the walls of our home hear it, but our children hear it--and God hears it!

The children of Israel murmured and complained against Moses and Aaron, but when God heard it, He said they were complaining against Him. God says in Numbers 14:27, "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmuring of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me." Stop press! Help! When we murmur and complain about all our problems, God hears it as murmuring against Him.

The ten spies had returned from spying out the land of Canaan. It was a land flowing with milk and honey, but they complained about the fortified cities and the giants they would have to fight. It looked impossible! Even after all the miracles of coming out of Egypt and provision in the wilderness, they did not believe God could help them. They blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. They complained that all their children would be taken as salves.

What happened? God told them, "Get back into the wilderness..." He told them that they would all die in the wilderness and their children who they complained would be taken as slaves would be the ones who would go into this magnificent land. Where do we end up when we complain? In the wilderness.

Wives and mothers,

we take our families into

a wilderness journey

when we complain!

The root of complaining is unbelief. "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" The Israelites cried out in unbelief. (Psalm 78:19). "How could we ever have another baby?" you cry out in unbelief. "We can hardly make ends meet now!" "How can we afford to educate our children?" "How can I put up with this little house any longer? I need more room" And so it goes on.

Here's a good habit to start. Change every sigh into a Hallelujah! Every time you are tempted to complain, turn your heart to the Lord and acknowledge His power and His presence. "Thank you, Lord, I trust you. I know that you are ordering my footsteps. I thank you that you are with me in these circumstances." It will take time to establish this new habit, but keep at it.

It doesn't mean that your circumstances will necessarily change, but you will change. God promises in Isaiah 43:1-3 that when you pass through the waters, that "I will be with you. They will not overflow you." God says that when you go through the fire that "You will not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you."

What is our confession? "I'm going through a fiery trial. I don't know how I can make it." Or, "Thank you, Lord, no matter how hot it gets, I will not be burned because you are with me!"

I remember when complaining as a young child that my mother would immediately direct me to think about those who were poor and suffering in the world and didn't have all the blessings that I had. It's not a bad idea. There are millions in the world who live in abject poverty, without running water, adequate food, shelter or any of the basic amenities of life which we are used to. My husband, who has ministered in the slums of India and many third world countries, often says, "Just to live in a tent in America makes you a millionaire!"

I think about the Karen people, the displaced people of Burma who have been fighting a genocidal war against them from the Burmese government for over 50 years. We complain about keeping up with homeschooling. The Karen try to school their children while they live in hiding. We complain when things are not just as we want them when we give birth. Many Karen mothers give birth while running from the enemy. No time for recovery. No time for relaxing with their baby. No gifts. No excited calls from family and friends.

The wife the founder of the "Free Burma Rangers" shares about the love, forgiveness and generosity of the Karen, even in the midst of suffering and hardship. She says, "The gifts they gave were of themselves--their time, energy and love. In my experience in the West it is easier to go to the store and buy a trinket as a gift. For this reason I have chosen to raise my children in this war. The influence of these people is something I have never experienced anywhere else."

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Oh Lord, I find it so easy to complain. Please give me strength to create a new habit of praising instead of protesting, gladdening others instead of grumbling and being content instead of complaining. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

"Not for the lip of praise alone,

Nor e'en the praising heart

I ask, but for a life made up

Of praise in every part!"

Horatius Bonar

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PO Box 681687, Franklin, TN 37068-1687, U.S.A.

Justification and Regeneration

Regeneration and Justification
by Charles Leiter

Description: What does the Bible mean when it says that Christians have "died to sin"?
How is it possible for a just God to "justify the ungodly" without becoming "unjust" Himself?
What is regeneration?
What is justification?
Why do all men desperately need to be justified?
If I have died to sin, why am I still affected by it?
As a Christian, am I the "new man" or the "old man"--or both?
What does the Bible mean when it says that Christians have "died to the law"?
Are Christians still slaves to sin?

The answers to these and many other questions become clear once we gain a biblical understanding of justification and regeneration. These two great miracles lie at the very heart of the gospel, yet even among genuine Christians they are surrounded by confusion and ignorance. This book attempts to set forth in clear biblical light the nature and characteristics of justification and regeneration that God may be glorified and His children brought to know more fully the liberty that is theirs in Christ.

"I have read this book many times before its going to press. I have greatly benefited from its teaching and heartily recommend its contents. May the Spirit of God illuminate your heart and mind that you may not only understand the Scriptures explained herein, but that they might become a reality in your life."
--Paul David Washer, Director of HeartCry Missionary Society

Carman "America Again"

This video is so true! We do need God in America Again. Listen to the statistics in this song. I am sure the statistics have gone up greatly now! As this was made probably mid 1990's.

In Memory of Jim "Jimer-net" Jones

This is a photo video made by Donna Hebert in Memory of JIM JONES who went to be with Jesus on Thursday November 13, 2008. He was a faithful evangelist who reached the lost as you will see in this video!

Setting Captives Free

Are you an overweight, lazy, glutton, who desires to be set free from these sins? Because that is what they are: sins against God. If so take the Lord's Table Course @

Setting Captives Free

Here is my testimony!

At the beginning of this course for a second time I came with right motives. First, for the glory of God. Secondly, to truly repent of my laziness and my gluttony. Lastly, because I wanted to honor God with the body that He has given to me. As I think upon these things I can see how each of them has reminded me to keep going when temptations come. I would always remind myself that I need to exercise, because it brings glory to God and that I am repenting (turning away from my old lifestyle), even though exercising was what I didnt want to do. I still struggle with this sometimes, but am learning to have a more joyous attitude about it. I like being able to go for walk and even see jogging as something to conquer, instead of dreading! When it comes to food, I have greatly noticed that my portions are half of what they used to be. Ive also realized that I am not hypoglycemic and the reason I used to think I was was because I would eat too often. I know only eat a snack in between lunch and dinner when there is going to be 5 hours or more between that meal. I only get shakey a little now. I used to get shakey between breakfast and lunch, but I was eating too much for breakfast and my blood sugar would crash because of it. Now that I am eating 3 smaller meals a day and 1 snack, and sometimes a dessert, I see that food is meant to nourish my body, not my soul. I think the major thing this course has taught was to put Christ first. Since Ive started this course Ive started to get up early in the morning and reading my Bible, before I even get ready for work! This has been good. Ive even been praying more the last few days than I ever have before. I feel that my 3 motives were fulfilled in this course. I can look forward to the future and see how the foundations I learned in this course will always remind me to put Christ first. The things Ive learned in this course also apply to other areas of my life and I just love that! Its been good. Ive learned so much and am thankful that I have finished this course and have lost some weight!I hope to continue to lose even more for Gods glory

Is Your Devotion Like that of the Old Paths?

Leonard Ravenhill The Judgement Seat of Christ

Reformed SHEology

Reformed Sheology
Biblical Womanhood in Living Color

This website for women is for those women who are reformed in their theology! This website has tons of articles for women to read!

http://www.reformedsheology.com/

Here is an example article from the website:

Do you think I'm fat??
By Jennifer

Perhaps one of the most awful questions a woman can ask a man is "Do you think I'm fat?" Equally as unpleasant for a man to hear are its cousins, "Do you think I need to lose some weight?"; "Does my butt look big in this?" as well as the self-evaluative, "I feel so fat today," and "I'm ugly," which, in spite of their declarative nature still beg for a response. Finally, there is the completely ruthless, "Do you think she's prettier than me?"

Ladies, is it not true that there is one and only one reason why we do this to men? See if your assessment lines up with mine . . .

Essentially, in evaluating my own heart and observing the actions of others, I believe the motive behind asking men questions such as these will always fall into into one of two categories:

1) I am insecure and need reassurance from a man, any man, that I am attractive;
2) I know I'm attractive and I want to force every man in my path to acknowledge it.

I am confident that these are the only two reasons in a woman's heart why she would ever ask a man questions of this nature. And although they appear to be opposites, the irony is, both stem from pride. This is true for me. Is it true for you? Let's look at Option 1.

I AM INSECURE
Insecurity is generally a fear that people will not like us for some reason and ultimately reject us. Insecurity is the need to be accepted by others and to gain their approval. When we are feeling ugly, fat, or undesirable in any way, we will often seek the approval of men by asking them to reassure us that we are gorgeous. Option 1, in my opinion, is the most common reason why women ask such questions of men and accounts for 99% of these types of discussions. Truth be told, the real motive here is a need to find completeness in something other than God. When we are not completely satisfied in who we are in Christ, we start to look to others to give us that validation. This might be obvious. But what is not so obvious is that when we are insecure, the number one priority on our list is self. Fear stops us from being real with another person. It causes us to withdraw and oftentimes demands that others go through unrealistic lengths to comfort us.

I AM FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS
Although not as common as Option 1, Option 2 is still a very active catalyst for these types of questions. You look good, and you know it. You see that man looking at you, and you know what he's thinking but you want to hear him say it. What better way to drag a compliment out of him than to ask a ridiculous question that you know is obviously not true?

When I was in high school, I knew a girl who was the master of this technique. She had great legs and she knew it. When the weather started warming up, she'd put on a pair of short shorts and strut in front of all the guys. Then she'd take her long hair out of its ponytail, shrug her shoulders in despair and exclaim, "I'm so ugly!" We'd all watch in amazement as the boys would nearly trip over their own feet, careful not to drool on her as they approached her with their heartfelt words of consolation.

Sometimes she did not have to beg for the compliment. Sometimes a man would come right out and say, "Wow, you look great today." But just because she wanted to hear those words again, she'd say, "No, you're wrong! I'm hideous!" Or something equally nonsensical. The poor man would then fall right into her trap, insisting that she was the most gorgeous creature he'd ever seen.

DEPRAVITY IN ACTION
Obviously, both reasons for making these comments are examples of depravity in action. Although insecurity is the more common of the two, let me encourage you not to go down that path with your husband. When a woman is feeling pretty low, she normally asks this question because she wants consolation that she is loved. The problem is, it never works. (Men, if you're reading this, pay close attention:) The reason it never works is because a woman who is feeling insecure has already made up her mind that she is unattractive. Ladies, isn't it true that no matter what he says, we will be inconsolable?

Ladies, isn't it true that no matter what he says, we will be inconsolable? If the man says, "Yes, you're fat," we will burst into tears and feel even worse. If he answers, "No, I don't think so," we have either forced him into a position where he feels he needs to lie, or we have enouraged him to give an honest assessment, only to accuse him of lying as we run to another room, slamming the door behind us.

How we should respond instead. Men have an overwhelming desire to fix problems. They don't like seeing women upset. So when we appeal to a man to make us feel better and then ask him the one question for which he has no satisfactory answer, he is going to be left feeling exasperated and frustrated that he couldn't help.

So what should we do? First, when we are tempted to go to men for comfort, we should stop and seek comfort from God. We should focus on the fact that our fickle feelings are not reality. Our feelings do not dictate the truth of whether or not our husbands find us attractive.

Secondly, when we need comfort and words of affirmation from our husbands, we should simply say so. We should simply be honest and tell our husbands, "I am feeling low today," (or unattractive, or fat, etc). We should openly ask our husbands for the comfort we need, but resist the temptation to ask him what he thinks of our weight. The question is a trap for him, but also for us. An answer in the affirmative will only confirm our suspicions that we are ugly; an answer in the negative will leave us wondering if he is lying to spare our feelings.

Finally, when we are unhappy with our appearance, we should take an honest assessment of the situation and see what can be done to change it. The change does not have to be drastic. Maybe we can exercise more. Perhaps we can give up drinking soda or having that late night snack. Physical exercise and healthy eating is an excellent way to discipline the flesh and bring it under the authority of Christ. And remember, while God is faithful to complete the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6), our physical imperfections can often be the very limitations we need to help keep us humble.

Cletus Take the Reel

This is a funny video by Tim Hawkins a Christian Comedian. He did a parody of the song Jesus Take the Wheel, by Carrie Underwood. This is so funny! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Shocking Youth Sermon by Paul Washer

The Heart of the Gospel

The Heart of the Gospel by CH Spurgeon

If you haven't guessed it, I LOVE SPURGEON'S Sermons. I learn so much from them! I will always post the ones that I really like! I hope you enjoy this one and take time to read it.

Spurgeon makes many great points about the Gospel. I'll share some of my favorite ones at a Later DATE!

Spurgeons Defense of Calvinism

After reading this I can say that I indeed am a Calvinist. If I take any glory away from God for my salvation, by saying that I chose God...I can be labeled with the rest of the heretics out there!

A Defense of Calvinism
http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm

Wedding Pictures

To look at our wonderful Wedding Day and all the events around wedding visit

Faeradalae Photos








Picture taken while on honeymoon in Williamsburg, Va

Pressin On Ministries

I became apart of Pressin' On Ministries in 2006. My good friends Jeff and Donna Hebert introduced me to a sermon called Hell's Best Kept Secret in late 2005. I actually had been listening to it about 1 a year at college, but did not realize the importance of it until Donna told me to go and watch it, instead of just listening to it. After watching Hell's Best Kept Secret by Ray Comfort, I realized that I truly lacked compassion for the lost. At the University of Southern Maine I lived 4 years as a false convert. People knew that I was a "Christian" by the way I lived, but never did I tell the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. I couldn't tell them, because I was not saved myself. Not only did I listen to Hell's Best Kept Secret, but I listened to True and False Conversions. It was this sermon that made me repent of my sins, put my faith in the Savior, and start sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dieing world.

My husband Derek heard of Way of the Master from a friend shortly after he got saved. When met at USM for the first time it was to pass out tracts to the same college students that I never witnessed to while living on campus all four years. .

We both agree that Way of the Master, of the many ways out there to Evangelize, is the best way! It hits people consciences and makes them realize their need for a Savior. To find out more about what we do visit Pressin' ON Ministries website @

Created to Be His Help Meet

Come join our book study on Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl @

http://proverbs31women.freeforums.org/index.php

As a new wife, this book has taught me a great deal about how to be a Godly Wife! It has taught me about how to reverence my husband and the ultimate reason for doing so: The Glory of God! God has given us women husband's to be in submission to for HIS OWN GLORY. When we are submissive and reverent to our husbands we are bringing glory to God. So if you need encouragement, need to know how to be a Godly wife, or just want some interaction with other women, come join our book study!