God Bless Mothers!

John 14:25-27

The Message

“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

John 14:26

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

Along with our prayers and supplications, we praise and thank our glorious heavenly Father God, the creator of all. May we, the Lord's redeemed, be established in our expressions of devotion, dedication, and confidence in knowing that our God is and always will be in control. We must never forget what Jesus, God's only begotten Son, accomplished by atoning for all our sins through the payment of His sacrificed life. Jesus I will never forget what you have done for me and will always pray that what you have done for me will be done for others, that all will accept Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior, repent of past, present, and future sins, and be saved. We don't know how long God will continue to extend His invitation to the world for redemption, but we should be living epistles of His grace and mercy, willingly sharing with others that Jesus is the answer to any problem. As the world is drawn further away from God by a plethora of distractions, I pray that God, our heavenly Father, will continue to bless His anointed vessels with wisdom and understanding in the knowledge of how to uplift Jesus before others so that He may draw all to believe in the saving grace and love God has for all. So be it, in Jesus' name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSnzYnOe6kI

What amazes me about God's ways is how, if we just stand still long enough, He will always bring revelation. Today, during prayer, I began to sing because God is always working for me, even when I don't believe Him, even when I don't receive Him. It is a wonderful blessing to know that we have an advocate who is seated at God's right hand and makes constant intercession on our behalf. Thank you, Jesus.

Yesterday, I saw a post from a family member announcing a Mother's Day celebration event, and I thought about how close Mother's Day must be. That thought appears to have carried over into today because I am reminded of King David's mother, Nitzevet, who mediated on the highly formulating role mothers have had in the lives of their children. Even though we honor mothers everywhere with a special day, which, as someone pointed out to me, we do not do for fathers, mothers are so deserving for their parenting skills.

I am certain that David received spiritual guidance and understanding from his mother. Having previously expressed my concern about this verse –

Psalm 51:5

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful].

Psalm 51:5

King James Version

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

A quick review.

And, having returned to God for clarification several times, I believe David was asking a question rather than making a statement. My mother conceived me in sin. Then David said in Psalms 69:8 –

Psalms 69:8 TPT

Even my own brothers, those of my family, act as though they don’t want anything to do with me.

Psalm 69:8

King James Version

I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

What caused David to feel this way? It was obvious that his mother Netzevet and his father Jessie were married, and that she had given birth to other children. I submit to you that David had heard everything said about his mother being an adulteress and him being an illegitimate child, despite Jessie's refusal to let his sons stone Netzevet their mother because of this belief.

So, Netzevet, who was kept apart from the family, raised David to understand that no matter what he heard, God was his protector and would keep him safe. Even when he was assigned to tend to the sheep, his brothers hoped he would be killed by a wild animal such as a bear or lion. It reminds me of how Joseph's brothers wanted to kill him but were instead led to sell him into slavery. Because of his mother's teaching, David trusted God to be his deliverer and did not fear being away from home, attacked by a beast, or confronted by a giant. Because of his mother, David exhibited these God-trusting characteristics that governed his entire life.

When God sent Samuel to anoint the next king residing in Jessie's compound, Samuel was concerned because all of those he thought would be the next king were not God's chosen. The prophet then summoned for David, who returning home early from shepherding, told his mother that the prophet Samuel had summoned him, and he cleaned himself up and presented himself to the prophet. I can only imagine the unspeakable joy Netzevet felt as she raced behind David to stand outside the meeting place and hear that David was being anointed as the next king.

David's only Father figure was the God his mother had taught him to believe in. Netzevet, like many other mothers who had done an excellent job of duo parenting, was now seeing the fruits of her labor.

I decided to write about Dr. Charles Stanley's death and reflect on some of the difficulties he faced that I was aware of. Andy, his son, is going his own way in serving God. His wife's separation, followed by her divorce and death. I was certain these were burdens he and the Lord bore, and in my research, I came across this page, and after reading the attached excerpt, I decided I was being led to write what I had been intentionally given –

https://www.cnn.com/2012/11/17/us/andy-stanley/index.html

The Rev. Louie Giglio, one of Andy’s best friends growing up, still remembers some of the lessons Andy’s mother taught at summer Bible camp.

“All of Andy’s wisdom doesn’t come from his dad,” says Giglio, now senior pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta and a founder of the Passion Movement, a popular outreach effort for young evangelicals. “She was incredibly insightful.”

In advance of any formal Mother's Day accolades and recognitions, I thank God for all of you who are mothers and even fathers who teach your children to believe in our always faithful, loving, caring, and all-powerful Father God. There have been times when we have been astounded by what comes prophetically from the mouths of infants, only to wonder what happened as children grew older. I pray that we will have faith that the seeds we plant will bear fruit.

Philippians 1:6-7

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. It is right and appropriate for me to have this confidence and feel this way about you all, because you have me in your heart and I hold you in my heart as partakers and sharers, one and all with me, of grace (God’s unmerited favor and spiritual blessing). [This is true] both when I am shut up in prison and when I am out in the defense and confirmation of the good news (the Gospel).

Philippians 1:6 TPT

I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I pray that God will shower you and your loved ones with protection, healing, grace, mercy, loving-kindness, unspeakable joy, favor, steadiness, willingness, confidence, peace, trust, goodness, and all the desires of your heart. Let us continue to pray that everyone will come to know Jesus in the forgiveness of their sins, accept Christ as their personal Savior, repent, and be saved. May you see God's hand in everything you set out to do. In Jesus' mighty name, pray for it.

You are extremely loved and appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa0quYA9pNU