Suggested Readings for the Legacy of Biblical Womanhood group

Marriage is not really about happiness
"If your mindset is that marriage is all about making and keeping you feeling happy, without cost, you are likely to be shocked, horrified, and appalled to learn that it simply is not so. You will be unprepared. You will be undone. You will bolt for the door our culture so obligingly holds open for you."

Sister Show Mercy!
"Spring's sprung, and summer looms. Mercury rises, fashions change. But one thing that won't change, unless I'm happily mistaken: some good Christian sisters will not dress as helpfully as they could."

Pastoral Marriage Counseling: What If?
"...do you think that any marriage could be other than happy, where both husband and wife are constantly seeking God for grace heartily and individually to keep their wedding vows, and to fulfill His word? Where both are focusing on their own obligation before God, from the heart?...What if Christian married people were actually expected to know, remember, and honor their wedding vows?"

The Least-Heard Marriage Truth
"You'd think it'd be the first thing Christian marriage counselors would talk about. Yet, as far as I know, it never even comes up. I certainly never recall reading it in Christian counseling manuals."

Wise words from C.H. Spurgeon about pastor's wives:
Churches do not give a married minister two salaries, one for the husband and the other for the wife; but, in many cases, they look for the services of the wife, whether they pay for them or not.
The Pastor's wife is expected to know everything about the church, and in another sense she is to know nothing of it; and she is equally blamed by some people whether she knows everything or nothing. Her duties consist in being always at home to attend to her husband and her family, and being always out, visiting other people, and doing all sorts of things for the whole church!
Well, of course, that is impossible; she cannot be at everybody's beck and call, and she cannot expect to please everybody. Her husband cannot do that, and I think he is very foolish if he tries to do it; and I am certain that, as the husband cannot please everybody, neither can the wife. There will be sure to be somebody or other who will be displeased, especially if that somebody had herself half hoped to be the minister's wife!
Difficulties arise continually, in the best-regulated churches; and the position of the minister's wife is always a very trying one... '

(Let us remember to not only pray for our pastors, but their wives and families)

Interesting Results of a Popular Google Search

If you google "healing ministry of Jesus" you will be led here: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=unr&q=healing+ministry+of+jesus&btnG=Search

I get the most visits from that google search and they (from all over the world) always pop over and HOPEFULLY listen to my pastors sermon. It is excellent and if you have not had a chance to listen to it... do.

Here is the sermon audio by my pastor "The Healing Ministry of Jesus"

Also read: The TRUTH about Healing written by my pastor.

A Discovery While Doing Botany with my Girls

This is a Japanese Maple in my front bed. It is one of my favorite trees.


As we got closer while we were collecting a variety of leaves to study for Botany, we noticed something unusual.


There was a nest. I told the girls that we needed to be careful not to disturb it or touch it, so I grabbed my iPhone to take pictures.


We couldn't tell if there were any eggs, though we did see a bird fly away as we were picking off a leaf from the tree for our collection.


Even though I couldn't see what I was taking a picture of, sure enough, there were 3 beautiful blue eggs. I started singing "God of Wonders" by Chris Tomlin.

Legacy of Biblical Womanhood Study: Week 2

The following are my notes that I used to begin this session. I cannot duplicate here the amazing discussion that ensued, but it was exciting to witness their enthusiasm for such a thing as submission from a Biblical perspective. My hope is that some of the women that attended the study will share on-line here what they shared at the study. We also had a great discussion on the questions provided in the book, "Biblical Portrait of Womanhood: Discovering and Living Out God's Plan for Our Lives" by Nanci Leigh DeMoss.
I encourage you all to prayerfully and genuinely ask your husband's how you may or may not be measuring up in light of these questions. He will have the greatest insight. God-willing, he will be gentle and honest and God-willing, you will genuinely receive what he has to say with a desire to honor the Lord.

UPDATE: As most of you know, we have guys working almost everyday to help us complete our backyard projects. Two of the guys were on a break sitting in their truck. They were having a discussion on their wives. One in particular appears to be having a lot of struggles in his marriage. My husband is on vacation this week and is working hard to get things done in the backyard as well. Jon walked past their truck and one of them asked, "How do you get your wife to listen to you?"
My husband's succinct answer: "She loves Jesus."
They have observed Jon and I interacting and working together on several occasions. We actually have fun together on these projects, though we do have our moments. Perhaps the following study will give you an idea of why it is such a genuine joy to be with and work with my husband most of the time. And ladies, though my husband is a wonderful godly man, it is not because he is perfect. Sometimes I want to ring his neck and he wants to ring mine.
Bottomline: We both love Jesus and my husband is a true example of Christ in handling a spouse, me, that at one time did NOT love the Lord. Just watch our marriage testimony video on the left sidebar. And by the way, it is a true miracle that I am doing this study. I use to be a feminist that did not grow up with a mother. I was very independent and when I walked down that come as you are, easy-believism aisle for fire-insurance, I became a Christian by mouth only with a firm grip on who I thought God was according to me.

Why was I created as a woman?
According to God's Word:

Read Psalm 139:14-18, 23-24

A few examples of women’s ministry and value according to Scripture:

• Psalm 68:11b (vital proclaiming role in evangelism)
• Acts 1:12-14 (after Lord’s ascension, women gathered with apostles and disciples in upper room)
• Acts 5:14 (connected to the life of the church)
• Acts 12:12-13 (John Mark’s mother, Mary, gave her home as a meeting place for saints in Jerusalem)
• Romans 16:1-16 (Paul named 26 people for service to Christ, 8 were honored women)
• Acts 18:24-28 (Aquila AND his wife instruct Apollos more perfectly in the knowledge of the Lord)
• Romans 16:2 (ministry/ service to the saints)
• Galatians 3:28 (In Christ neither male nor female)

Women are equal to men in the image of God, equal spiritually before God, equally important to God. In the church and home, the woman’s divine function brings balance. This discussion is not a matter of equality. It is about our divinely designed roles. That is what is different. And hence the question “why was I created as a woman?” is revealed beautifully in God’s Word because this is where women are set free to be what God designed them to be.

Read Genesis 2:21-23; I Timothy 2:13

The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him; nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected and near his heart to be beloved. –Matthew Henry

Now turn to our main passages: Genesis 2:18; I Corinthians 11:7-12; Genesis 3:20

Helper suitable: (read Genesis 2:18)

“I am on assignment from God to help my husband.”- Elizabeth Elliott

• This divine assignment was created by special grace and is a special provision from God Himself.
• This does not relegate the woman to doormat status.
• This does not make one a slave and the other a tyrant.
• This is not a competition, but companionship.
• It is a team effort that complements or cooperates with the husband as they work towards a common goal: to serve Christ.
• To accomplish this, there must be a willing yielding or submission to God’s design which leads to contentment and true joy.

Which came first? (I Corinthians 11:8-9; Genesis 2:21-23; I Timothy 2:13; Genesis 2:18)

• The man was created before the woman
• The woman was created from the man
• Adam was created first and God gave Him dominion, not slavish domination
• The woman was created from man for man, to be a suitable helper
• God is all-powerful and could have created them simultaneously, but He didn’t.
• Adam named her woman why? Because she came out of the man.
• Man was not created from woman for woman

When sin entered the world it ruined and twisted man's humble, loving headship into hostile domination in some men and lazy indifference in others. Sin twisted woman's intelligent, willing submission into manipulative obsequiousness in some women and brazen insubordination in others. Sin didn't create headship and submission; it ruined them and distorted them and made them ugly and destructive. –John Piper

Biblical Submission: (read I Corinthians 11:7-12)

“Authority can't function without submission, and submission can't function without authority. They are mutually dependent.”- John MacArthur

Remember that Biblical submission is not enslaving. Let’s look at why.

Authority-Submission Model according to Scripture: (1 Corinthians 11:3 and Ephesians 5:23)

• Human Level: Man is the head of woman
• Human-Divine Level: Christ is the head of the church
• Totally Divine Level: The Father is the Head of the Son

How is this Authority-Submission Model based on love?

• The Father loves the Son (John 5:19-20; John 3:35)
• The Son loves the Father (Luke 22:42; Ephesians 5:1)
• Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25-26)
• The church loves Christ (Ephesians 5:24)
• The husband loves the wife (Ephesians 5:25-33)
• The wife loves the husband (Titus 2:4; Ephesians 5:33)

Only Christ's word is absolute. No wife should follow a husband into sin. You can't do that in reverence to Christ. Submission does not mean surrendering your brain. It does not mean no input on decisions or no influence on her husband. Submission does not come from ignorance or incompetence. It comes from what is fitting and appropriate (Col. 3:18) in God's created order.- John Piper

Conclusion:

• We all labor together, men and women, mutually and ultimately for HIS glory
• We were created to reflect the image of His glory. (Genesis 1:26-28; Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14; 3:10-21; 5:17-6:4)
• All that you do as a woman created by God for His glory will either help or hinder this cause.
• Everything in your flesh cringes at the very thought of submission because our flesh tendency is to bring glory to ourselves. However, God will not share His glory for good reason. He alone is worthy. (Rev. 5; Isa 42:8; Isa 6:1-3)
• Men and women have different assignments with different functions, which has nothing to do with inferiority or inequality.

We often get so busy in our day that we miss out on the blessings of ministry right before us. We have our lists, our agenda, and then the Lord throws in a ministry opportunity. Sometimes we have to set aside our busyness for those divine assignments.

The morning of this study I was in a rush to get home from taking the twins to school so that I could prepare for the women to come over for this study. I wanted to provide drinks and snacks, even though this was an after-lunch meeting. I don't usually stop in at the Braum's mini grocery store, but with my agenda of what I wanted to accomplish set before me, I had put myself in a bit of a time crunch. So, I stopped in to Braum's thinking I would get right out.
Problem was, God had a different plan. He had some divine appointments lined up. Not only did I run into a mother of a Providence student and had a sweet conversation with her, but the elderly man at the register had a testimony that I needed to hear. I initially found my mind racing through my check-list and thinking 'I really don't have time for this.' But, the Lord in His goodness, changed my heart, my agenda and helped me realize that all of those things I thought had to get done were not important. What was important was, by His grace, willingly submitting to God's divine appointment and receiving an amazing blessing from this man's testimony
Our conversation began as he asked how many children I had. He had been listening to the conversation with my Providence friend as we spoke of our children as blessings from God. He found that unusual in today's society and was greatly encouraged to hear us speak this way of our children. He shared that it always breaks his heart when people do not realize this.
"They just don't get it," he said with a sad, soft-spoken voice.
When I told him I had six, his eyes lit up:"WOW! You are truly blessed!"
He asked the ages of my children... 6, 7, 7, 8, 14 and 15. When I said 14 and 15, his eyes looked to the side and went a little dim as though he was recalling a memory. Then he spoke of his son who died at age 14 from a heart condition as he was awaiting a transplant. He told me that he and his wife lovingly never gave their son false hope about his condition. In their honest approach, they never gave up hope, but they also rested in God's sovereign will. He shared that his son asked "Why me?" and his tearful response was "Why not you?" as he recalled the sacrifice of God's only Son.
This man's son died prepared for eternity.
The store seemed empty, except for him and me. He asked if he could help me out with my bags. Even though I could have done it myself, I told him that it would be a great honor to hear more of his testimony. We spoke of Scripture, God's purposes, perfect provisions in trials and afflictions. I walked slowly with him, not wanting the conversation to end. It was worshipful and I am so thankful beyond words for that unexpected divine appointment.

I told the women at the study this story. There were many tears. The reality is, I have missed too many of these divine appointments because 'I was too busy' and unwilling to submit to God's design for my day.
So yes, Biblical submission is modeled for us in the trinity. And it branches out into all areas of our lives as we look to Christ as the perfect example. Our most important divine assignment is our husbands. Remember, the Elizabeth Elliott quote I shared: “I am on assignment from God to help my husband.”- Elizabeth Elliott
And as I have shared in this Braum's story, submission also includes willingly laying aside our agenda for those sweet divine appointments.

Here is the Legacy of Biblical Womanhood Study Schedule
Please memorize, if you haven't already, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The next study will be answering, according to Scripture, the question: "What makes a beautiful woman" (pgs 10-12 in the booklet)

The World's Perspective of Women

If this is the world's perspective, in what category are you in your marriage?

If you are a Christian single female, do you take on the world's perspective as illustrated here?

Should there be such a striking difference in how the world views a single woman of God verses a happily married woman of God?

Prayer for the Women: Legacy of Biblical Womanhood

Teach us, dear Lord, to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to toil for your glory, without complaint; to labor and not ask for any reward; to long for and seek after Your will. Help us to pray from the depths of our heart and not just with our mouths. Cause us to be ready in season and out... ready to do Your will; to proclaim Your Truth according to Your Word; embracing our high and holy calling as women according to Your design.

Press on in HIS truth and HIS love for HIS glory,
Lisa Nunley

Suggested Assignments to Prepare for Lesson 2 of the 'Legacy of Biblical Womanhood' Study

Lesson 2: Meet April 28, 2009 at 12:30
Pgs 8-10 of "Biblical Portrait of Womanhood: Discovering and Living Out God's Plan for Our Lives" by Nanci Leigh DeMoss

1. Do your regular morning Bible reading. Be deliberate and diligent no matter how you feel. Make sure you read How is the Word of God to be Read? "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years."-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

2. Pray for the women in the study. Pray purposefully and fervently. Though we are a part of a quiet revolution, this is a battle. The richness of God's Word ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

3. Please memorize, if you haven't already, Proverbs 14:1
"Zeal without knowledge is like a mettled horse without eyes, or like a sword in a madman's hand; and there is no knowledge where there is not the Word: for if they reject the Word of the Lord, and act not by that, 'What wisdom is in them?' saith the prophet" (Jer 8:9; Isa 8:20). -John Bunyan

4. Go through each Scripture listed under "Why was I created as a woman?" Consider digging deeper than just reading them. What I like to do is also read the Scriptures listed in the margin of my Bible that go along with the Scripture(s) I am studying. For example, when I look up Genesis 2:18, the Scripture in the margin leads me to I Corinthians 11:8, 9. When I look up I Corinthians 11:7-9, the Scriptures in the margin includes Genesis 1:26-27, 5:1, 9:6, Genesis 2:18, 21-23. And when I look up Genesis 3:20, the margin leads me to 2 Corinthians 11:3 and I Timothy 2:13 (with a note that the name Eve means life or living.) I have found this to be so enjoyable as it helps me consider each Scripture according to the whole counsel of God as well as protecting me from taking the Scriptures out of context.

5. Evaluate your attitude, words and actions according to part 2 starting on page 21.

6. Go through the list of questions after each Scripture given for "Why was I created as a woman?"
You do not have to share your answers. What you can do is pray that the Lord will help you honestly evaluate what changes in your life need to be made so that you can be a Biblical Woman for His glory.

7. Maintain a notebook that includes what we are studying and prayer requests.

Study Schedule

First meeting summary

Legacy of Biblical Womanhood: Week 1

We kicked off this meeting with a luncheon and introduction to what we will be studying. About 15 women came to this first meeting and I was greatly encouraged by each one of them and their hearts to join this quiet revolution.
This revolution involves women that long to pattern their lives after God's Word as we encourage one another Biblically and pray for one another fervently to pursue the purpose for which we were created. We have about 5 women following along with us as a cyber-study across the globe. Below are words shared with the women at the study.

Elizabeth Elliott puts it this way:
"[Biblical Womanhood] is a gift, a Divine gift, to be accepted with both hands, and to thank God for. Because remember, it was His idea."

In otherwords, this is not an oppressive, door-mat study where heaps of rules will be conjured up for you to follow. We will not be telling you how long your skirts must be or how low you can wear your blouse. What we will do is study the Scriptures with the goal to neither add to or take away from God's Holy Word. In doing this, the Holy Spirit will be able to do the work of convicting and encouraging you in your role as a woman, including what is appropriate in word, deed and action. It will be a study that is exciting because it will promote God's truly fulfilling design for us as women whose lives are poured out for others for God's glory.

"Biblical manhood and womanhood is a deeply satisfying gift of grace from a loving God... it is not onerous or oppressive. It does not promote pride or self-exaltation. It conforms to who we are by God's good design. Therefore it is fulfilling in the deepest sense of the word."-Piper

Our focus will be inward adornment and the freedom of being a woman of God. Not the bondage rooted in the feminist movement based on the world's view.
On that note, no one involved in this study will ever be asked the following questions:

"How does this verse in Scripture make you feel?"
"What do you think this verse means to you?"
or "What is your opinion of this Bible verse?"

Why? Because God's Word I can trust. My feelings, I cannot. God's Word does not change. My feelings change constantly... and if I base what I believe on how a Scripture makes me feel or what it means to me or my opinion, than I will become a cherry picker and be easily tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. We have enough opinions flouting around out there.

"Isn't it amazing that almost everyone has an opinion to offer about the Bible, and yet so few have studied it?" -R. C. Sproul

This study is about the application of Biblical Theology as revealed in God's knowable, unchanging, applicable Word of Truth and NOT who I imagine God is from some sentimental, me-centered perspective that is based on relative roller-coaster ride of self-sustained religion truth... and if it ain't Biblical, it ain't theological.

"We should not interpret Scripture in the light of our experiences, but we should examine our experiences in the light of the teaching of Scripture."-Martyn Lloyd-Jones

This study will not fall into the feel-good, relative truth, me-centered trap. I will never provide 7 ways to be a better wife or whatever. There will be no Scripture manipulation and no gimmicks. We are going to get out of the way and let God's Word do its work because it is powerful enough and truly sufficient. Charles Spurgeon was once asked, "How do you defend the Bible?" "Very easy" he responded. "The same way I defend a lion. I simply let it out of its cage." -Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."-2 Timothy 3:16-17

God's Truth is THE truth and has nothing to do with how I feel or my best life now according to ME. We have become so focused on ourselves that the Gospel message has become muddied or lost. With that in mind and according to God's Word, the only focus that will be on ourselves is in asking questions like: "How is my life measuring up to God's standard?" and "What needs to change in my life so that I can be a Biblical Woman?"
The focus will begin with the log in your own eye which brings me to part two in the book we are using, "Biblical Portrait of Womanhood: Discovering and Living Out God's Plan for Our Lives" by Nanci Leigh DeMoss. Part two (pg. 21) of this booklet will not be specifically studied, but will be an evaluation tool woven throughout the study. It asks the questions:

1. "Do my Attitudes build up or tear down?"

2. "Do my Words build up or tear down?"

3. "Do my Actions build up or tear down?"

"It is time for women of Biblical faith to reclaim our territory. We know the Designer. We have His instruction manual. If we don't display the Divine design of His female creation, no one will. But if we do, it will be a profound testimony to a watching, needy world." -Susan Hunt

Here is the Legacy of Biblical Womanhood Study Schedule
Please memorize, if you haven't already, Proverbs 14:1
The next study will be answering, according to Scripture, the question: "Why was I created as a woman?" (pgs 8-10 in the booklet)

And remember... you were not created to be a drip! (Proverbs 19:13b)...Even when your husband is driving.

A wife was making fried eggs for her husband for breakfast. Suddenly her husband burst into the kitchen.

"Careful... Careful!!! Put in some more butter! You're cooking too many at once. Too many! Turn them! Turn them now! We need more butter. Where are we going to get more butter? They're going to stick! Careful... Careful!!! I said be careful! You never listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. Use the salt! The salt!"

The wife stared at him and asked, "What is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"

The husband calmly replied, "I wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving with you in the car."

The Peipons, The Duggars and The Ukraine Medical Outreach

I will write more on this incredible visit later, but for now, consider reading these three posts by Marianna Peipon. I am fixing to have several women in my home to start our Biblical Womanhood study, so I must go for now. Enjoy!!! Each post is complete with lots of fun pictures...

Post One: The Peipons arrive

Post Two: Presenting their ministry throughout the day in our home

Post Three: Details on some of the families and helpers

Post Four: Three blogger- Ukrainiac, Practicing Theology and Deo Volente, together at the Tulsa airport before the Peipons depart

Legacy of Biblical Womanhood Study Schedule for "Biblical Portrait of Womanhood"

A quiet revolution of women willing to pattern their lives after God's Word will be gathering in my home twice a month beginning tomorrow. This group of women will be studying Biblical Womanhood as we pursue fulfilling the purpose for which we were created.

We will begin our study using a little booklet called:
"Biblical Portrait of Womanhood: Discovering and Living Out God's Plan for our Lives" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

April 14, 2009 Introduction and Self-Evaluation (pg.22)
Luncheon to precede this study.
Note: We will begin at noon today. Please bring a finger food to share.

April 28, 2009 Why was I created as a woman? (pg.8)

May 12, 2009 What makes a beautiful woman? (pg.10)

May 26, 2009 How does a woman of God conduct herself? (pg.12)

June 9, 2009 What is God’s plan for me as a wife? (pg.13)

Study on your own: How does God want to use me in others’ lives? (pg.16)

o Please bring your book and a notebook each meeting.
o Some of the teenagers will be available to look after children.
o We will begin at 12:30 unless we are beginning a new study, which means we will begin at noon and kick off the new study with a luncheon.
o In the summer months, kids can swim (please remember modesty).
o There will be structure to each meeting, with flexibility.
o Each meeting will include prayer focused on study,teaching and discussion on questions for each topic, prayer needs.

We will begin our study in "Disciplines of a Godly Woman" by Barbara Hughes on June 23rd!
I will provide a study schedule soon.

The Often Misapplied Words of Christ: "It is Finished"

IT IS FINISHED: "How terribly have these blessed words of Christ been misunderstood, misappropriated and misapplied! ...The "finished work of Christ" avails you nothing if your heart has never been broken through an agonizing consciousness of your sinfulness." -A.W. Pink

Read the rest here: http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Miscellaneous/it_is_finished.htm

Is the cross a witness to MY infinite worth?

"It horribly skews the meaning of the cross when contemporary prophets of self-esteem say that the cross is a witness to my infinite worth... The biblical perspective is that the cross is a witness to the infinite worth of God's glory, and a witness to the immensity of the sin of my pride."-John Piper

Enough said.

Jon and I on Wretchedradio.com with Todd Friel

Go here: Wretched Daily Update Archives

Looking forward to homeschooling my girls with:

Curriculum:
1. Beautiful Feet
Teaching Early American History primary Through Literature with journaling

2. Pearables
Home Economics, Hope Chest, Character Building Kingdom Stories/ The Narrow Way

3. Math-U-See
I also found free on-line games to drill the girls on time, counting money, etc. HERE

4. Apologia Elementary Botany
I just got the book and it is very impressive!!! It also encourages keeping a journal of Latin and Latin root words, etc. introduced throughout this excellent curriculum; because not only does English have Latin roots, but so much science is Latin based and for very good reason. These books will go over why.

5. Free Spanish
Soon, I will start them in Great Commission Languages: Spanish

6. Little House on the Prairie Unit Study
This will be our primary summer activity along with Botany

7. All sorts of free on-line learning games HERE, as well as free on-line geography games HERE which will also help us study geography with a purpose- from the perspective of missions and prayer


Just for fun:
1. Free Funbrain Word Roots

2. Word Roots by Critical Thinking
(I did this with my boys when I homeschooled them full time and they LOVED it)


I also just ordered:
1. Princess & the Kiss: A Story of God's Gift of Purity

2. Along with Life Lessons from the 'Princess and the Kiss' (Revive Our Hearts)

3. A Little Girl After God's Own Heart: Learning God's Ways in My Early Days


Other activities the girls will do:
1. Sewing, knitting and cooking with grandma
2. Gymnastics

Generational Curse: Is this belief Biblical?

The idea of 'generational curses'
boils down to sin, but is it Biblical?

Remember to be more Berean than the Bereans.

Many today believe that the sin they are caught up in is because of the sin of their parents or grandparents. They may even believe that they are physically ill because of this generational curse. I know this firsthand because whenever I have an MS exacerbation, I have well-meaning friends tell me to get my family tree out and prayerfully go through the generations to see if this is a sin I am cursed with from even the 3rd and 4th generations. They believe that placing my faith in Christ is not enough to set me free.

This belief system is based on Exodus 20:5b and 34:7.

What do these Scriptures teach?

They teach how horrible it is to God when we worship something other than Him; that He must be first in our lives as Christians; that He cannot come second or third after your children, your husband, your activities, etc.

Look what God says in both Exodus 20, verses 5 & 6:

"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments"

When verses 5 and 6 are read together, they show the greatness of God! When verse 5 is read by itself without considering the next verse or the whole council of God, what happens?

Together, these verses show that God will punish the generations of people WHO HATE HIM, but that He will bless the people who love Him. In context, God is not talking about generational curses, but rather idolatry and unfaithfulness to Him.

Out of context, an entire belief system is concocted in which individuals can "inherit" misfortune, and a tendency to specific types of moral weaknesses and sins, from their ancestors. ...Some view this as a demon to whom is given power to harass the descendants. ...Under this theory, therefore, some people are "predestined" to be prone to commit certain kinds of sins, or to have certain moral weaknesses. The solution offered is to have a deliverance ministry "discern" what generational curses may be involved in the life of the individual seeking help. The individual then renounces the curses specifically. For those who believe the cause is an actual demon, the deliverance ministry will attempt to "cast it out."

Consider the following:

"As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?"

Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him." -John 9:1-3

The belief in generational curses denies the sufficiency of Christ for the atonement of sin, as well as denying the Covenant of Grace.

We can see through the writings of Paul that this was also a problem for a few of the early churches. Paul wrote much about the sufficiency of Christ in 2Corinthians, Galatians, and Colossians.

When Christ came to fulfill the Old Covenant of Works, and to bring in the New Covenant of Grace, believers were still credited righteousness because of their faith and not by their works (Ephesians 2:8-9). The author of the book of Hebrews tells us that this was the same way that Israel was granted righteousness as well. In chapter 11, the faith chapter, we see example after example of this. It is by faith, not by works.

This presents a problem for those who would believe in generational curses. Generational curses are based on works. God’s covenant is based not on works, but on grace alone through faith alone. Read through the Old Testament and you will see Christ spoken of by the prophets. In the New Testament you will see God's plan fulfilled in His Son Jesus.

Is it Finished?

According to Paul in II Corinthians 5:17-21 we are a new creation, and the old is gone. Colossians 2 says that we are already complete in Christ. In Galatians 3, Paul tells us to remember the freedom we have in Christ. Is Jesus not enough to take away sin? When He said "It is finished!" Was it?

This is not about antinomianism. This is about grace... by grace alone, through faith alone.

And this is about what was accomplished on the cross. How can we truly put our trust in Christ alone if when He said "It is finished"... it wasn't enough. If we cannot put our trust in what was written throughout Scripture, nullified by a couple of Scriptures taken out of context, than what we believe in is based on lies.

According to the whole council of God, generational curses cannot be biblical. It is a man-centered, works-righteousness, out of context belief system that gives people a way to justify their sin and it denies God's true character and what Jesus fully accomplished on the cross. Indeed...

"It IS Finished!"

And to God alone be all the glory.

Consider reading So... is it true? Fathers control their children's every choice? by Dan Phillips

The New Testament teaches that believers in Christ have been saved from the penalty of sin [justification- positionally sanctified], are being saved from the power of sin [practical progressive sanctification], and will ultimately be saved from the very presence of sin [glorification]

What now are your thoughts on generational blessing?

My thoughts are When it comes to our salvation it doesn't matter what our parents or grandparents did for the Lord. We can't coast into heaven on the coat tails of our Christian ancestors' ... just like we cannot be cursed by their sins. We are all individually held accountable before God.

Please read the following:

Why Legacy? Part 1: THE PAST (Learning a Legacy = Abiding)

Why Legacy? Part 2: THE PRESENT (Living a Legacy= Applying)

Why Legacy? Part 3: THE FUTURE (Leaving a Legacy = Entrusting)

"Let your families be trained in the fear of God and be yourselves "holiness unto the Lord"; so shall you stand like a rock amid the surging waves of error and ungodliness which rage around us."-Spurgeon

My Recent Run-ins with the Local Police

1. When one of my twin sons, with the encouragement of the other, stole his older brothers cell phone in the wee hours of the morning and called 911 several times: The twins told them about our dog that was missing for almost 2 1/2 years that finally came home. Apparently 911 also now knows all the names of our family members, where everyone goes to school and what my husband does for a living. 911 told them to only call in an emergency. Upon the twins 4th call, they said they would send an officer to our home to talk to their parents. Thankfully they waited to come over at 6:30am instead of 4am, etc. The officer was too gracious. I wanted him to get the handcuffs out, he instead gave them stickers. I wanted him to give the twins a hard time. Instead he kept saying it was okay and no biggie. Even though the officer was extremely nice (too nice), I disagree. Not funny at the time.
2. When I witnessed a wreck yesterday at noon at a busy intersection that happened right before my eyes, right in front of my car: One car had a green light, the other did not. *SLAM* One of the cars rolled several times and landed on its side... driver's side. One of those situations you see coming and can't do ANYTHING to stop it from happening. I had to give a statement to the police who were all extremely nice and professional. What gets me was the lack of help from all of the on-lookers. I was the only one that jumped out of my van and hopped over to try and help initially (I was walking with my cane from the MS). I gave dirty looks to some men just sitting in their cars and they finally got out to help. Aah!
3. When I was stuck on a dirt road: I go the back way to get my twins to school. I love the back way even though it consists of dirt roads, pot-holes, and cows. It is much more peaceful. I dropped the twins off and headed back home. On this one particular bumpy dirt road, there were ducks sitting in the middle of the road so I stopped to wait for them. They started moving rather slowly, but I was enjoying the view and not in a hurry. Coming the other directions was a police officer. He turned his siren on a bit and the ducks moved faster. He waved at me with a friendly smile. It was sweet and I imagine the few cars lined up behind me were thankful, because it was likely they were in more of a hurry than I was.

All of this made me realize how thankful I am for police officers. Their job can be very stressful and dangerous at times. Other times, I imagine it is quite rewarding. I am sure they have some pretty funny, ridiculous and scary stories to share. Consider praying for them and their families on a regular basis.

Tears of a Cop

C.O.P.S. Ministry