Characteristics of the Eagle

Mothers are you getting weary with the tide of events, and the trials of life as it relates to your children? Could it be a result of the choices they made, or due to an absent father, or abusive relatives or friends?  Here is some encouragement to you from the word of God, Isa. 41:10.  “Fear thou not, for I Am with you, be not dismayed, for I Am your God, I will help you, strengthen you, I will uphold you, with the right hand of My righteousness” It is possible that those you expected to be there for you at the hour of trouble never showed up, however let me remind you that there is One who sticks closer than a brother, His name is Jesus, and there is none like Him. He will always be there for you, when no one else will.  

Before the year gets further let us pause and reflect on our lives as mothers, as we partner with God in ensuring that His purposes for our children come into manifestation.  First as admonished, mostly in the Pauline Epistles, we need to be transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus, more so in our motherhood.  What is this Likeness?  God used  simple and familiar things in His illustrations to describe to us His nature such as: the Vine so that we perceive ourselves as branches, as the Husband so that we look at ourselves as the bride, as a mother so that we see ourselves as His children at His eternal breast.  But one of the most intriguing illustrations is that of the Eagle, (Exo. 19:4).  What can we learn from the Eagle?

Let us take a look at some mysteries that characterize the Eagle`s life.
His Nature:
The eagle is a unique creature and so are we, we are created in that divine image of the Father, regenerated in His Son, no wonder the world cannot understand us, a special people. So the next time inferiority knocks on your door, remember how unique and unpredictable you are.  You need to think of your children as being unique, and should always remind them of this fact- they are not just different, they are unique.
His Habitation:
The eagle, especially the Bald eagle, likes habitats near the open waters, partly because that is where it gets its food, and also because of the serenity that accompanies that atmosphere.  Our motherhood will succeed as we intentionally make our habitat where we also can get food - in the word of God (Col. 3:16).  The eagle also searches for old-growth and mature stands coniferous or hardwood trees for perching, roosting and nesting.  Motherhood is a challenging responsibility; you cannot afford to keep company that does not foster godliness, search for people, and divine friends who encourage God ward gravitation.  The eagle is extremely sensitive to human activity, and stays away from human disturbance, as a mother you must choose fellows who fit in one ship with you, people who are God minded about their children in their character, speech and prayers. The eagles congregate in certain locations during winter, as we mother our children, seasons come when we wonder what is happening to our children, we cry and groan, because they sometimes do things we are not proud of, in such times, go to your own people with whom you will raise one voice unto the Father on their behalf (Acts 4:23).
Welcome to M-PUSH!!  That is what we do here, and it works.
His Battles:
The eagle when faced with a challenge by an enemy, picks the predator on its spicules, soars high, on thermal convention currents where no other bird survives except the eagle, and without fighting, the enemy dies a natural death.  Most of us have lost some battles with/for our children by the words we release from our mouths. The eagle perches on trees with good visibility, open structures and proximity to prey.  Mothers, position yourself in the heights of prayer and worship, where you see the enemy before he spots you and your children. Some of those battles with teachers and doctors reports, will be won faster on your knees than mere talk, (2Chro. 20:17).
His Rearing:
 The eagle builds its nest, large and thick enough to protect the eaglets; one of the strategic aspects of this nest is that it is made with thorns facing outward, those thorns remain like that so long as they are young. When they get to a stage of learning how to fly, the mother turns the direction of the thorns to face inside, the eaglets get disturbed and jumps out, only to find that it is open space, and down they go, this stretches their wings, but before they land on the ground the mother eagle pounces and they land on her wings, she takes them up again and this she does repeatedly until they learn how to soar on their own and she releases them. As mothers, we have to be sensitive to know when our children have attained the age of learning how to fly, let them learn how to clean up, cook, take responsibility not as a duty only but as part of life. Let them know the place of hygiene in godliness; it is for the good of their future. Just like the eaglets, it may not be soothing to them but later in life they will thank you for doing so, and more so, you want to hear God say to you, “well done, good and faithful servant” Amen

Guest Blogger

Jennifer Ikonne

Praying God Promises For our Children

In previous posts, I have talked about the need for us as mothers to know the promises of God for our children, so that when we pray for our children we are not praying for things that God did not promise them.  If we look up the word promise it means an assurance that one will act as specified.  The New Unger’s Bible dictionary defines promise as a solemn assertion, by which one pledges his veracity that he will perform, or cause to be performed, that which he mentions.
In other words, what God has promised He swears/pledge that He will perform it. Numbers 19: 21 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Having given this reminder let us look at one of His promises in Ps. 37:23-26:
 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in His Way.  24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.  25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.  26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”  (KJV)
Let us pray that out Children will have their steps ordered by the Lord and that they will delight in His way.  Take comfort in knowing that if they fall or stray from what they know, be certain that the Lord will hold them up so that they will not completely be cast down.  David in verse 25-26 adds to our assurance in saying that throughout his life He never saw a righteous person forsaken or this children begging for food.  He continued to remind us that God is ever merciful and because of that our seed is blessed.  Be comforted.

In His Service,

Vilma

Praying Scriptures Over our Children

For this post, I would like us to look at Ephesians 3: 14-21.  This is a prayer that Paul prayed for the Ephesians.  However, as we look at this passage, we can also prayer these words for our children.  This is relevant whether our children are babies, toddlers, teenagers or adults, whether they are well behaved or not, and whether they are meeting our expectations or not.

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.

These are very powerful words to pray and I trust that you will insert your child or children’s name in all the relevant areas in these scriptures. 

Please take a special note of verse 20- Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.      

Paul is saying that this is according to his power that is at work in us.  The power that is used in this passage is referring to Dunamis power.  This power to accomplish these things through Christ is at work within.  It is not our ability, but God’s.  All these things that Paul was praying for–being rooted and established in love, the ability to grasp the love of Christ belong to us as children of God, but we have to believe that this is so.  When we truly believe someone has given us something, we stretch out our hands to receive, don’t we? 

What other way to end this passage (V 21) but to give glory to this awesome God.

What are some of your expectations for your children when you pray this prayer?  Let me hear from you.

In His Service,

Vilma

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Child Rearing in the Year 2012

Happy New Year to all our mothers in the blog world, and a warm welcome to our new mothers.  As we start the new year I would like to share some thoughts about child rearing in the year 2012.

Child rearing in this day and age can be very challenging. Most people would agree that raising children in any era has it’s own set of challenges.  I am sure that some mothers would readily agree that when we were growing up our mothers did not have it half as challenging as mothers do these days. What then is the cause of this and what has changed?

Unlike those days gone by, mothers today are faced with a unique set of challenges that seem to make it so much more difficult to raise their children. A major source of these challenges manifest in the form of technology. This includes: computers, texting, tweeting, facebook, video games, and of course television.  Yes, challenges have changed...but the methods have not.

Putting it in perspective:

As mothers, it is imperative that we are empowered with the right knowledge base from which we carry out the important ministry of child rearing.  God has not only entrusted this very vital ministry to us, but has provided the resources for us to be successful at it. For example, it is important for us to remember that our children are made up of body, soul and spirit.

Body is where the senses dwell; soul is where self dwells; spirit is where God dwells

The soul is made up of three parts: emotion, intellect and will. Children, created by God, disobey your command because their "soul-life" activates their personality [that is, their mind, their will and their emotions]. Knowing this help us use wisdom to deal with the issue of disobedience.

Likewise, it is important for us as mothers to be familiar with the fact that our children go through developmental stages, and that these stages are accompanied by certain behaviors. Erik Erikson, the famous developmental child psychologist, has done an excellent job outlining and explaining these stages.  This is important for us as mothers to know because it helps us to understand that, for example, the 2 year old that is hitting and taking other children’s toys should not be labeled a “bad boy” because he is going through the stage where these behaviors occur or are expected. If we are not aware of these stages and corresponding tasks and behavior; when we observe certain behaviors in our children we end up blaming demons, the devil and others.

Child rearing at times not only tests our faith in God, but it also puts our witness on display. It is imperative that we have faith in God in spite of how that child behaves. We have to trust that God will do what He says he will do. We cannot focus on the behavior; we have to focus on the word of God. Your faith will sustain you in the challenging times. Jeremiah 17:7-8 says: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.” 

God bless you richly! 

In his service,

Paula Watson

MPUSH Team Member

Don't forget to visit our new website: www.mpush.org 

Our Children Also Get a Fresh Start

January 9, 2012

How is the New Year going so far?  I imagine those of us with younger children or grandchildren are busy getting them ready for school, college or university, making sure that they have the tools they need to function and get those expected good grades.  For those leaving home for the very first time, you may also be worried not knowing what to expect.  Worrying was one of the things you should have left behind in 2011- oops!!

Well lets thing of them as either starting a new phase in life or as you have had they are also getting a fresh start.  Try not to hold those things they did in 2011 to color our expectations of them for 2012.  I do believe however, that this is not an easy thing to do especially if the grades were bad and they got involved in things that made your hair curl.  I know we want to read them the riot act, but let us try a different strategy.  Yes we will acknowledge our disappointment or gratefulness for last school year but make sure you also point out that they have the ability to be successful or to continue to do well.  Here are some verses that you may want to read for them and pack for them to take back to school.

Philippians 4: 13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  

I John 4:4-Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Psalm 139: 14 -I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.

Mathew 28:20- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world.

Psalms 91:11-12 -For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

In his service,

Vilma,

Please visit my  website www.mpush.org or follow me on Twitter mpush810.

A Fresh Start

  Let me wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. As we start this New Year, think of it as an opportunity for a fresh start, a new beginning, a new season, a chance to get it right.
Whatever was done in 2011 we cannot undo.  So try not to get stuck in 2011, instead let us move forward.  Here is what I believe God is saying to us.
Isaiah 43: 18-20: Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.  The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
Let us not over -look the unique opportunities that God has for you- Remember He is doing a new thing.
Father I thank you for a fresh start, a new beginning, for me as a mother as well as for my children.  I look forward to you making a way in the wilderness places of my life and having rivers in the deserts that I may encounter.  Help me accept your will in our lives, In Jesus name.  Amen.

In His Service,

Vilma

2011 - The Year in Review

In 5 days, the year 2011 will be over and a new year2012 will be ushered in.   So for today’s post I would like to leave you with some thoughts to ponder as you reflect on the year 2011.  For some of us as we reflect on this year we have different emotions- joy, and happiness, and for some sadness and despair.  Some cannot wait to say goodbye and others are clinging to it, embracing every last minute. Regardless of your emotion let us pause to thank God for His goodness and Mercy knowing that regardless of what we went through He was with us all te way as well as understanding that things could have been worse.

Most of us had plans, for what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do them.  Others had no plans and just rolled with the punches.  In whatever category you found yourself- Did you achieve the goals you had for 2011, your personal goals, as well as your family goals?  For some, our goal was to spend more time with the children and grandchildren.  For some it may have been to have more family prayer time, for others it may have been more family bible study, to get married, to get that promotion on the job, a new car or a new house.  Were you at least close?  If the answer is no, think about the reasons why you were not able to achieve them?  If you answered yes, think about what you did to accomplish your goals and see what you can repeat for 2012.

Here is some food for thought as you make your plans for 2012: What or who did you align yourself with in 2011 that was a hindrance to your progress and success, which you must leave behind and not drag into 2012?  Were your plans similar to the plans that God had for you?  Did you do what you promised God that you would have done for Him in 2011?

God has a purpose for you as a mother; do you know what this purpose is?  Have you wondered how many destinies may be wrapped up in your obedience to what God is asking of you?  Jeremiah 29:11 says: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. So why not ask Him for 2012?

 It is better to be unsuccessful doing what God has planned for you to do, than being successful at what He did not ask you to do.
For 2012: It is my prayer that as mothers we will operate in the will of God and according to the word of God.  It is my hope that we will not do what is popular but instead will do what is righteous.  It is my hope that we will love not just our children more, but our neighbor’s children and the nation’s children.  It is my hope that we will remain steadfast, and will not give up easily, that we will exemplify the fruit of the spirit in our homes and everywhere we go.  It is my hope that any broken relationships with our children in 2011 will be mended for 2012 and that your children will rise up and call you blessed.

In His Service,

Vilma