During the course of a day, we all try to fit in as many activities as we wish to accomplish. Whether the activities are for work purposes or entertainment, we all make sure to do the things that we want to do each day. How many of us, however, include daily bible study in our list of things to do? Bible study is imperative for a healthy spiritual relationship with God, and it is also mandatory in order to achieve the goal of heaven. Here are a few reasons why daily Bible study is so important: 1. God commands us to study the Bible. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). As this verse states, if we study the Bible, we will be better informed about its teachings, and we will also gain God’s approval. We, as Christians, are to be teachers of God’s Word, but we cannot teach what we do not know. We should be able to give an answer from Scripture for any situation we are faced with when dealing with others. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). It is not just the preacher’s job to learn and teach the Bible to others. All Christians have this obligation! 2. Daily study shows God how much we love Him. We should love God so much that we look forward to learning more and more about what He wants us to know about Him and His plans for us. The Bible cannot be learned proficiently without daily reading, so that we can become closer to God, and be better able to teach others about Him. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). We should always put God first in our lives, and daily Bible study helps us be better able to do this. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (I Peter 3:15). If we stop to think about how often we turn on the television, open up a newspaper or secular book, or browse the Internet, then daily Bible study only seems right and the natural thing to do for those who love God and want to keep His commandments. 3. There is no challenge that we face in this life that the Bible does not have an answer for. As a former Mental Health Counselor, I have seen tons and tons of self-help books and videos which proclaim a “cure” for various challenges that a person may face in this life. None of these “remedies” can compare to the peace and comfort that can be gained from reading the Bible each day! Unlike those self-help materials, the Bible was written by God, who created us and who knows everything about us. “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7). “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The Bible has all of the answers to the problems we face in this life, and even if we are not currently facing a major challenge, reading the Bible everyday will help the day go so much better! I know that when I read the Bible daily, I feel better, and I have a better outlook on life! Bible study should be a staple in our daily routine. If we are able to do other things everyday such as watch T.V., read secular material, or surf the Internet, then we should love God enough to want to read His Word every day as well. Just as we make sure that we feed our physical bodies with food each day, we must also be sure to feed ourselves spiritually each day with the Bread of Life. I hope that this article will encourage you to open your Bibles everyday and study the Word of God!
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This article features points #4 and #5 of last week's article. 4. Using social media to vent unrighteous anger or argue with other members of the church. It is common from time to time for a person to get upset at another person for various reasons. As long as a person has “righteous” anger, it is fine to show this anger toward others. “Righteous” anger involves being angry at anything that is done that is Biblically wrong. Showing anger for any other reason is unrighteous anger. For example, you can have righteous anger toward someone who practices homosexuality because they are committing a sin. This form of anger can help a Christian be better motivated to help others who are committing sinful acts. Having righteous anger does not mean that a Christian hates another person. A Christian should hate the sin being committed, but love the person enough to want to try and change them. An example of unrighteous anger could be becoming angry at someone, because the person disagreed with you on an opinionated matter, not a doctrinal matter. As a Christian, we should not act out in anger over this. We should always set an example to others on how to be more like Jesus, Who only showed righteous anger. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). We can show righteous anger toward sinful acts on social media by speaking against sin and teaching others about sin in our posts. Showing unrighteous anger in our posts should not be done. We should show others the importance of focusing on heavenly matters instead of worldly matters. Likewise, if we have a disagreement with another member of the church over a private biblical matter, it would be best to talk to this person privately or in person. Even if you are correct in your defence of the Gospel, going back and forth with another Christian in the public eye can lead members of denominations to believe that the church of Christ has division within itself. We should always protect the church’s reputation so that we may better lead others to Christ. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1). 5. Displaying immodest dress in pictures. You can read what is considered immodest and modest dress according to the Bible in my article entitled “Immodesty and How the Bible Commands Us To Dress,” which was posted on this blog on July 14, 2016. Immodesty is very prevalent in photographs I see on Facebook and other social media sites. Those who dress immodestly disrespect themselves as well as others by showing too much of their bodies. The best way to dress modestly is to make sure that the body is covered from the shoulders to the knees whether you are sitting down or standing up. Immodesty can also apply to wearing too much, such as too much makeup, overly flashy clothing or jewelry, and so forth. However, wearing too little seems to be a bigger issue nowadays rather than wearing too much! This article was intended to show those who use social media the importance of using the Internet as a tool to spread the Gospel rather than things of the world. We should always be careful in everything we say and do in life, and the Internet is no exception. Some people find it easier to say things online that they would not in person because they are not face-to-face with their audience. Their audience, however, hears what is said online, and they will remember what you say and do online for a long, long time. As Christians, we are to be in the world but not of the world, and therefore, we should not “follow the herd” so to speak when choosing what to say and post online. Just because some people may enjoy using social media to vent their unrighteous anger and spread inappropriate material, does not make it right for us to do so. May we ever strive to keep our minds focused on the goal of reaching Heaven! If we do this, then the temporary problems of this world will cease to hold a prominent place in our lives. “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”(I John 2:17). Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so forth are great ways to connect with people, share news about yourself, and most importantly, to spread the Gospel. “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people” (Psalm 96:3). As of July 2016, there were 1.71 billion Facebook users with active accounts worldwide, which shows how social media can make it easier to reach more people in a short amount of time. The main objective of all Christians who have social media accounts should be to show the love of God, however, this is not always the case with everyone. Some who have Facebook and other social media accounts use the internet space given to them to promote sinful acts and ideas, either intentionally or unintentionally. We should always remember that whatever we post online is a reflection to others about who we are and what we stand for. It is good to use social media to spread good news about family, friends, and other events, as well as teaching others about Christ. It is not good, however, to promote sinful acts, which can influence others to do the same. In this article, I will list several examples of posts that a person should not post on social media and the reasons for not doing so. 1. Posts that include cursing or any other inappropriate language. We need to be sure that all of our words are good, and that we show Christ through our speech. “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” (Ephesians 4:29). When either posting our thoughts on certain issues, or sharing an article or saying what we like, we must always be sure that these items do not have any curse words or any inappropriate language or subject matter. We harm our reputation by using foul words and referencing inappropriate subjects online. We should also make sure that the source of shared material does not have foul or inappropriate language in its title or anywhere else in it as well. I’ve seen shared material that was clean, but the source of the shared material which is listed above the post has a bad word or inappropriate message in it. In either case, we should always make sure that EVERYTHING we show online is clean. 2. Posts that reference drugs, including alcohol or any other drugs. When people choose to pursue pleasure by taking drugs or drinking alcohol, which is a drug, this goes directly against the Bible’s teachings. “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (I Corinthians 6:19). This also includes what is termed “social drinking” and tobacco use as well. If we are taught to protect our bodies and abstain from drunkenness, then we should not influence others to do these things. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Even if it is meant to be a joke, showing images of drugs or alcoholic beverages, or talking about using these things is wrong! 3. Inappropriate jokes or making fun of someone else. No one, no matter how famous they are, likes to be ridiculed, especially in public. In this election season, I have seen so many posts that make fun of various political figures. Some stoop so low as to make cruel jokes about their physical features. If you do not agree with a politician’s stance on something, then focus on that rather than make irrelevant jokes about how they look, dress, etc. Also, making fun of others is not right either. We should always treat others, even people we do not know personally, as we would want to be treated ourselves. Jesus was never seen ridiculing anyone while He was here on the earth. We should ever strive to be more like Him. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Also, making rude or “dirty” jokes about something or another person shows others that we have a perverted mind. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (I John 2:16). We should guard ourselves from falling into the trap of causing others or ourselves to commit the sin of lust. Part 2 of this article will be available to read on this blog next week! Here is the second part of last week's article! This article will continue with the next two points of why I chose to be a stay-at-home mother! 3. Because I want to be sure that my children are taught in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” A child is greatly influenced by whoever they spend the most time with. As a mother, I want to be sure that my children are taught in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). That being said, I do not think it would be wise for me to leave my children at a daycare or with a babysitter all day who may or may not have the best influence on them spiritually. By staying home with my children before they are old enough to go to school, I can make sure that they learn the spiritual basics needed so they will be ready to continue their learning about the Word of God once they reach school age and have to leave the house for hours at a time. It is true that children who go to daycares and babysitters can still learn about God through Bible classes and Bible devotionals at home, however, I believe that it is best for mothers to have the most time available to teach their children about God, and more time can be available to do this if a mother stays home with her children. 4. Because I love my job! When I was in college, I heard a lot of negative comments about women who chose to have children and stay at home with them. A comment I often heard was that a stay at home mother was making a “career” out of having children. This idea has been fueled by the liberal Feminist Movement which encourages women to only focus on themselves and put their children last. Children in today’s society are considered more of burdens than blessings, but I choose to consider my children blessings. Therefore, I want to spend as much time as I can with them, and I want to have every opportunity possible to teach them in the way of the Lord! That is why I love what I do! I also loved having a career as a Mental Health Counselor, but I love my role as a stay at home mother so much more! I also want to have as many children as God wants me to have! As was stated before, I think it is sad that today’s society views children as a burden, which is why some women either choose to not have children, or choose to limit the number of children they have due to a desire for material possessions or for some other selfish desire. The Bible speaks of children as greater than any material possession we could have. “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” (I Timothy 2:15). Of course, this does not apply to couples who want to have children but physically cannot do so. I pray that couples facing this challenge are able to have the children they so dearly want! I know God will bless me in the way He sees fit, and if it is His desire for me to have more children besides those I already have, then I will accept them happily. Having a house full of children means so much more to me than having a house full of any material possession money can buy! “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:4-5). I hope this article was able to give some insight about my choice to be a stay-at-home mother. I am glad that there are still mothers out there who choose to stay home with their little ones before they are old enough to trot off to kindergarten and beyond! Time passes so fast, and if, Lord Willing, I live long enough to see my children grow up, I know I will never regret the time I chose to spend at home with them rather than work a secular job away from them. I know that there are some husbands who want their wives to work so that they can keep their luxuries, and that their wives do not want to work outside the house. I pray that these husbands will have a change of heart and allow their wives to be able to share precious time with their children. Children are only children for a short time, and I hope this article will help those who are expecting or want to have a baby think more about how important it is for mothers to be available at all times to their little babies, and to take the responsibility of raising their own children seriously rather than placing that role upon someone else. I think if more mothers viewed their job of taking care of their little ones as important as their secular job, then they would be sure to not miss an hour of being with their little ones and watching them grow! My children are definitely blessings in my life! I am so thankful unto God for allowing my husband and I to become stewards to two of His greatest gifts! Psalm 127:3 states, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” I know that I have quoted that verse in several of my articles, but I truly feel as if my husband and I have been given a great reward with the birth of our children! Before I ever became expecting, I knew that I wanted to stay at home with my children during their first few years before they attended school. When my daughter was born in 2014, I chose to leave a career in Mental Health Counseling to stay home with her. In 2015, we were blessed with our son, and I still am enjoying staying home with both of my children. Here are some reasons why I felt it necessary to be a stay at home mother. 1. Because it is what God wants. It is the role of women to be keepers of the home while their husbands work outside of the home. “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:4-5).” “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (I Timothy 5:8). Being “keepers at home” involves not only maintenance of the actual home being lived in, but also taking care of those that live in the home. It is the responsibility of the mother to care for her children while her husband provides for his family financially. A mother who puts her responsibility of taking care of her under school aged children onto someone else while she goes and does another job to obtain luxuries is the same as a man who refuses to financially support his family and instead expects others to take care of him and his family. At no time should any woman allow a job outside of the home to cause her to neglect her duties as keeper of the home. 2. Because I never want to miss any of my children’s “firsts.” Over the years that I have worked outside of the home, I remember hearing many coworkers who were mothers of small children complain and even cry about missing their baby’s first word, first steps, and other milestones that they chose to miss in order to keep a secular job. I remember some mothers saying that their baby was getting more attached to the babysitter than them! I also remember hearing mothers who have said that they wish they could stay home with their children but they like their luxuries too much! When a mother chooses to put making money in front of spending valuable time with their children, it is only natural that she is going to miss some of the most important parts of that child’s life. It’s like my mother always told me, “A baby is only little for a short time, but there will always be jobs out there when the child gets bigger.” I am thankful that my mother chose to wait to get a job after I started school. My parents did not make much money, but she still felt that I was more important than having an extra income. As a result, she was there for all of my “firsts,” and I am thankful unto God that I can say the same for my children. My children are gifts from God, and I do not want to miss all of this valuable time I have with them that I will never have again. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” No material possession in this world can replace seeing my smiling babies every morning, and seeing them get bigger day by day! I am also very thankful to my husband for accepting his responsibility as head of the house by working every day to provide for us! Luxury items such as phones, television, internet, computers, and so forth are not worth having someone else raise your children 8 or 9 hours a day. Obviously, many of us are blessed with luxuries, but never should we allow them to come before our children. Children are a blessing, and they should be treated as more important than making extra money in order to have material possessions that are not needed in order to survive. I hope you have enjoyed Part I of "Why I Chose To Be A Stay-At-Home Mother." Part 2 of this article will be available to read next week! |