Blog Theme

I have recently joined a new Facebook group; it is about moms who blog about their lives. I look at their blogs and realize I have a lot to learn. I really hope to use this Facebook group as a resource to make my blog look better. So for starters I had to pick a theme, which was the easy part. The theme was being a new mom and expressing my thoughts on what God has been teaching me during this season of life. But the next part was a little harder. How was I to decorate my blog to show my theme? As some of you saw previously, I had a picture by Norman Rockwell; this was because
I thought he was an amazing painter.The picture I had was of a grandma and a little boy praying. This represented to me the importance of family and prayer, which I believe is what God was showing me what He wants me to learn. But I felt like I needed more than just that. That's when zebras popped into my head.
For quite sometime, I have been loving anything zebra. Why you ask? Well a few years ago, my mother mentioned this ladies ministry that was happening in California that she really liked. A friend of hers started this ministry based off of the idea of a herd of zebras. Apparently, a zebra is very vulnerable when it is alone. But when they are in a herd, God made their stripes to blend together to make them look like a larger animal than what they are. This in return frightens their predator, and they are left alone. It is like this with women in the church. We are vulnerable as individuals with our emotions, our fears, our need to control; this is where Satan likes to attack us. 1 Peter 5:8 states,

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour".

We are designed as women to need each other. As Christians we also need those relationships to build each other up, through God's Word and what it says about who He is. Through this Zebra Ministry, women join together once a month focusing on a scripture verse describing one of the attributes of God. They are then challenged to meditate on that scripture and pray over it that month, so that when they return the following month they would share with the other ladies what God taught them. During this time they pick a name out of a hat of person who they are to meet with that month in order to keep each other accountable and to also encourage each other. It is such an awesome ministry! So every time I see a zebra or zebra print it makes me think about the relationships I have with other women and how I can encourage them. http://www.zebraministries.com/

So what does that have to do with me being a mom? When I found out I was having a little girl, I knew exactly what theme I wanted for the nursery, zebras, black, white and pink. One day I want to be able, in detail, to tell my little girl why I picked the zebra theme for her nursery. I have written it in her journal, and even as I change her diaper and she's looking at her hanging zebra, I tell her, "We need to stick together". We do have to stick together. God has put this little girl in my life to teach her about who He is in order to build her up, but also to train her in order for her "to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). It always gets me excited when I am in her room and look at the theme and realize the huge responsibility I have to teach her. I need to teach her that we serve a God who loves us to the point of showing us who we are apart from Him. We fall short of the glory of God because we have all sinned (Romans 3:23); but even in our defiance and pride, He demonstrated His love towards us by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for us even when we don't deserve it (Romans 5:8). All my little one (and each and every one of us) needs to do is accept that she is a sinner apart from God and that it has to do with nothing she can ever do but simply just believe. It is by His grace and love that she can accept His gift of salvation. I just can't wait for the day for the day when I will be able to share that with her because of the zebras.

He is Still in Control

Wow time has gone by fast since I have written on here. I am a mommy now to a 2 month old and every day I look at her I am amazed that she came from me. I love looking at her little everything. Her feet. Her hands. Her ears. All her little parts encompasses this little human. It is hard to believe one day all those little parts will be as big as mine. She also continues to make me see I am not the one in control. Even though, my little one is only 2 months old and fully relies on me, it is so hard to let go and see how God is in control. He has been teaching that to me these past few months.

For some of you, you probably remember my post in December of last year on how God is my ultimate ultrasound and I needed to trust in Him for that. (http://myjourneyinchristinme.blogspot.com/2013/12/trusting-god-of-psalm-139.html) Well He did not stop me there either. At my 30 weeks appointment, I asked the doctor if my baby's head was in the right spot and she said that it was too soon to find out and that her bottom and head were the same size. So at my 34 weeks appointment, I asked the doctor again where she was at. She tried to by squeezing  the areas where my little ones head and bottom was suppose to be. She said that she was not sure but felt like she was head down but I should not count on that. At my 36 weeks appointment, I asked the doctor where she was at and this time he told me that he thinks she was breech and that he was going to do any ultrasound. I was very nervous walking into the ultrasound room and getting onto the table. He prod around and found out indeed she was breech. He began to tell me my options and I had to make a decision that weekend.  I was devastated! At this point, I went to birthing classes, practiced my breathing, did yoga, and listen to hypnobirthing CDs. I expected and was told to look forward to this natural birth that I was anticipating and preparing for and it was not going to happen. Yes I had the choice to do the ECV which I did not feel at peace about and as a first time mom had only a 50/50 chance for her to flip. I tried all the spinningbabies.com exercises and even combined it with hypnobirthing CDs. Nothing seemed to change. But then I had to remind myself who was in control. Who was I to change what God deemed for me? How do I not know it was for my good to do the c section? The following week at my 37 weeks appointment, they did another ultrasound and there she was still where she was the previous week. She looked so uncomfortable in there with her little face squeezed between her feet. It was good to see her though. I told the doctor that I planned do to the c-section. So they set a time exactly at 39 weeks on July 11 for my little one to be born. 

When July 11 came around, I was so nervous but more than ready to have my little one. She was born at 1230 that afternoon 8 lbs exactly and 21 inches long. It blew my husband and I mind that she was that big at 39 weeks. I was born 10 day late at 7 lbs 19in. So I assumed that she was going to be small too. I like to think that if I waited any longer she could have gotten bigger and I was probably going to be late and because I am such a small person, I could have had an emergency c section. So I think God knew what He was doing. She was healthy and beautiful and we love her so much. It was just amazing to see how God worked in and throughout my pregnancy to draw me closer to Him. 

The verses I held onto during this time was 2 Samuel 22:31,

 "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him". 

 

Proverbs 16:3,

 "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established".

 

Psalm 119:37,

"Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things; and revive me in Your way".

My Body is a Tool

As some of you read in my previous blog, I had a C-Section because my little one was breech. At the time, God put a peace in my heart about it. Even to this day, I believe it was the right decision for my baby and I. But as time has gone by, I still don't regret but nor I am excited to have another little one. I want to but after having a C-Section, it does not appeal to me. My thoughts are, "My body is now messed up. It is not fully equipped to have another baby because they tore into me and damaged what was not suppose to be damaged. My body is now weak. I most likely will have another C-Section because no one or rarely does any doctor try to have a VBAC." LIES!! But I still worry. Even now I am looking at support groups or other hospitals that do VBACS. But why? I am not planning any time soon to have another one. What would it do? I know this is wrong and I give it over to God but it is still a struggle.
But I serve a God who knows my heart and needs. He knows me as a person who longs to do His will. He knows me as one who wont give up even when I am not the one in control. But He is still faithful and guides me. About 2 weeks ago, a nice girl at church gave me this book called, Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic. (http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Little-Years-Motherhood-Trenches/dp/1591280818). I strongly suggest it to all moms. There was a chapter in her book that addressed what I was feeling. This is what she said,
                "...our bodies are tools, not treasures...Let it be used. By the time you die, you want to have
                 a very dinged and dinted body. Motherhood uses your body in the way that God designed
                 it to be used...But motherhood is what your stomach was made for-- and any wear and tear
                 that it shows is simply the sign of a well-used tool. We are not to treat our bodies like
                 museum pieces. They were not given to us to preserve, they were given to us to use."
She goes on by saying that loosing weight or walking around in sweatpants all the time are things we might have to work at in order maintain our "tool". Our bodies need to be maintain in what season of life we are living in. It might be just taking care of our kids or it might be the season of being pregnant consecutively.
She ends by saying,
                 "Scars and stretch marks and muffin tops are all part of your kingdom work. One of the 
                  greatest testimonies Christian women can have in our world today is the testimony of
                  joyfully giving your body to another...But the answer to these obstacles is not to run away
                  in fear as the world does, but to meet it with joy and in faith."
My body is a tool to serve God's purpose in my life. He decided for me to have a C-Section. Instead of fearing constant "major surgery", I need to see it as a sacrifice to a little human being that God has given to me to take care of.
Now don't get me wrong. This still does not settle with me well but this is a start for me to mediate on and continuously give over to God in prayer. Because as I said before, He is faithful and I am His tool. Am I going to let go of this and allow the all knowing and all powerful God to do what He pleases with my body for His glory?
Here is a verse to finish off this blog found in Psalm 119:73
"Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments."

Pregnancy/labor is a Spiritual Battlefield

I have not written in awhile because I am in pregnancy land, comsumed with every exciting and scary thought while riding waves of hormones and emotions. But I have seen God work in alot of ways which is the most peaceful feeling in the world.
As a first time mom, I want to be prepare as much as I can be for everything for the next 4 months and 3 weeks, from labor to breastfeeding. So I have been reading and researching on things that I find important. But than my flesh kicks in. I feel so many emotions from so many different ranges, anxiousness, grumpiness/complaining, fear, negative thoughts or not uplifting thoughts, needing to be the one in control or fretting, and impatience are the ones I have felt. I even started to wander to the darn-you-Eve thought. But than it got me thinking. How did that come about? The fall and the curses that fell on man, woman, and Satan. Now this is part my opinion and part biblical but I began to think about how much pride Satan has for that day and the curse that fell upon man and woman. He of course finds pleasure when he sees us fail by feeding on these feelings and tries at every length to put those thoughts in our heads when we are so weak.
So of course in my indignation towards him and all the work he tries to do, I want to have a plan and focus on those certain feelings that I have now and even prepare for labor. The only place we have to go to is the Bible. So here is my first word: Anxiousness

Anxiousness:
I am anxious about:
     the health of the baby
     how labor will happen
     wanting to give birth naturally but wont be able to
For other people, it might be the uncertainities of a high risk pregnancy

Jeremiah 17:5-8
Thus says the Lord:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
⁶ For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear^[a] when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

 

* a man who trusts in man= a shrub in the desert

        no good will be seen by this man

*man who trusts in the Lord= tree planted by waters

        no fear when heat comes or anxious  when the year of drought comes because it will not yield

        fruit

 

Psalm 18:31-36

For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
³⁴ He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

³⁵ You have also given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand has held me up,
Your gentleness has made me great.
³⁶ You enlarged my path under me,
So my feet did not slip.

*Our God is our rock
*Our God arms us with strength
* Our God makes our ways perfect
*Our God gives us the shield of His salvation
*Our God holds us up with His right hand
*Our God's gentleness makes us great
*Our God enlarges our paths so our feet do not slip

Psalm 107:30
Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.

*Our God guides us to our desired haven

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

*I dont have to be anxious because...
     by prayer and supplication my requests can be made known to God
     the peace of God surpasses all understanding
     the peace of God will guard my heart and mind through Christ

More to come

Trusting the God of Psalm 139

Well as probably as most of you know, I am pregnant. Kinda crazy. Just got off birth control and 2nd month got pregnant. Not at all what I expected especially being on it for 5 years. I am not the one in control. It has been interesting and kinda excited to see how God has been showing that to me.

My pregnancy was a 5 year anniversary gift. Kinda cool it happen that way. : ) I confirmed it at a women's clinic here in town and set up an appointment on the 5th of December. That was 3 weeks away but Cyrus and I have not heard anything good from the hospital here in town so I found another place. But this appointment was on the 13th of December. I was kinda annoyed I had to wait longer. I would be 9 weeks at that time. So for 4 weeks, I worked myself, waiting, anticipating this appointment. I was expecting to see my baby and see its heartbeat since everyone else says they had an ultrasound their first appointment. I was expecting the midwife to be excited and engaged. I put my ALL into this for 4 weeks. Life was put on hold, just waiting for this appointment.

Well the big day came and I did not get around for Cyrus to sign some papers for some tests. So that morning I asked him to sign them and he said he did not know any of these tests and needed to look at them. Yeah I know not smart waiting at the last minute. So all morning long I thought about the tests and how maybe I should take them especially the unnecessary ones like seeing if I have HIV. It was a wreck getting to my appointment.

On my way to the appointment, I got a call from the midiwfe asking if I was on my way because her other apppointment just left and she thought we would start earlier. I was on my way. So when I got there and I gave all my paperwork and info to the secretary and sat down. I got called in and took my weight and height. Then I talked to the midwife as she looked over my paperwork, inputing it in the computer. The computer was attached to her hip. She just asked me questions based off of what she saw and told me a little about the tests. We then went into the exam room where she warned me over and over that she did not know how to use the older ultrasound machines and not sure what will happen. So I lay down and she checks and prods and probs and cannot find anything at all. She then quits and lets me change. I did not know how to feel. I wanted to cry but did not want to there in the exam room. She comes back and tells me things I already knew and asked if I had any questions. She also said that I could set up another appointment somewhere better to have an ultrasound done. I said yes of course and had one set up with the secretary for the following Monday at 845 in the morning. I was then sent on my way to get my bloodwork done at a different place.

I went to go see Cyrus and told him. He was sad for me. I was feeling somewhat at peace knowing I had another appointment and Cyrus could be there too. That is why it happen, right? I then called my mom but I really was not at peace at all. I was grumpy and felt annoyed with the midwife. Yes it was not her fault but it was still very disappointing.

So that weekend was horrible. I felt disconnected and just sooooo sad. Very sad. Did not sleep very well. I did not want to be angry at the midwife at the hospital but I was not happy. All I could do was just draw near to God but even that was hard. But He still remain faithful and drew near to me. By Sunday, God's real peace started to cover me. I looked at the prices of ultrasounds and knew that I was not going to have the ultrasound done on Monday. But I was ok with that. God made it ok for me. I went to my appointment on Monday, hoping they would have compassion on me but knowing it was not going to happen that way. I was correct. 1700 dollars is not worth it even if the midwife did not know how to use the machine. But I was at peace : )

All during the next week, God made me see that I was putting my trust into a machine instead of Him, the God of Psalm 139. Boy did it make a difference. I was more excited about Christmas and my Christmas present ideas for Cyrus and the actual meaning of Christmas. Last Friday, we decided to just tell everyone on Facebook even though I was only 10 weeks at the time. Yeah, I know I have no idea how the baby is or if the heartbeat is fine. I am just pregnant! I do know that much : ) While everyone else waits for the ultrasound or to hear the heartbeat and being at 12 weeks, I chose not to wait. God is in control. I mean what is even more funny was that my mom told Grandma who has dementia thinking she would forget but instead she called everyone she knew. So besides a few close friends, alot of people already knew. So it has been pointless. But God has been faithful. He is the God who knows my sitting down and my rising up. He knows my thoughts afar off. Even when I am down or hormonally off balanced, He is there. He knows all my days and all the days of my little one. My life and the life of my little one is in His hands.

One more thing before I close, something God has been placing on my heart. He is the ultimate ultrasound. If He wants me to know something, He will let me know. I mean for example, God told Abraham 3 times he was going to have a son. A year before Sarah was to have Isaac, God told her. The cool one of course is Rebekah. Her pregnancy was uncertain because of the strong movement in her womb. So she inquired onto the Lord and He answered and said she will be having twins. Then there is of course Elizabeth when the angel came to John. You are going to have a boy and name him John. The same with Mary and Joseph. You are going to have a boy and your going to name Him Jesus. God had a purpose on why He told these people that they were going to be pregnant. Abraham and Sarah, to show He was a God who kept His covenant, a faithful God. To Rebekah. Because she inquired of the Lord. John and Elizabeth because they kept the law close and their hearts were align to it. They were blessed to be the parents of the one to tell of the coming Messiah. For Mary of course because she was highly favored and had the most important role. to carry Christ. Amazing! God was glorfied in all those situations. So I am watching as He continues to be glorfied in my own life.

For those who pray for me, I still dont know if I want a midwife at home or deliever at the hospital. I again have to wait until I am 14 weeks. But this time my prayer is to trust in HIm and not hoping to hear or see something : )    

The Man in the Moon: the Reality of where we are at

Recently, I have watched Glenn Beck's presentation based off of this book he found in this professor's library called, "The Man in the Moon". There is no way to access it unless people taped it and put it on youtube. But on the Blaze channel, which Cyrus and I subscribe too, Beck wanted to bring back his presentation for one night. It is this presentation with performers, music, old school technology (kinda reminded me of Camfel with the screens), and Glenn Beck as the narrator and the moon. The presentation is very creative and was performed live at a place I am not sure where. It starts at the beginning with God creating the earth and the moon's relationship with Earth which he calls "Blue". The moon liked Blue alot and was reminded by the light (sun) that he was to reflect only it. Well than man were created who the moon called "beasts" who he did not like at first but grew to like and would watch them. They liked to be in couples and had many little beasts. They built things and always wanted more. But than it got worse where they started to do bad things and want more and more. The moon got excited and "caused the flood" : / ( I did not say this was correct) and felt bad. He was than reminded by the light that his role was only to be a reflection on the light. He could not look at Blue for the longest time for he was ashamed but when he did, he saw something. It was Noah's ark. It goes on to the Tower of Babel where the beasts now instead of more they wanted bigger. Then that got destoryed too. The beasts were not looking towards the moon (because liked I said he relfects the sun which means being able to do good : / ). But then they started to look again and paintings and science came about. That all brought about the piligrims going to America where the presentation showed them going to church and because they held onto the right ideas, you than see the British ships leaving. But of course that does not last long either because the Civil War breaks out. It shows slaves and also soliders fighting the Civil War. But than someone who has it right again (Abraham Lincoln) changes it for us. Then it goes on and introduce our era of innovation where the light blub was made which is based off of the idea of who we are as Americans. We, as a nation, were made to be free to do anything, to explore, to make, to make better for ourselves. That is our country. But of course that does not last long either because of World War 2 happens and the presentation and the book ends with the moon getting excited again because of the Atomic Bomb. Glenn Beck continues on telling the audience that if he could continue on writing this book he would have the moon fall into a deep slumber. The moon would wake up when all of a sudden he felt one jumping and dancing on his face. It was when we landed on the moon where JFK's speech was shown to make the point that America always is growing and abounding. The presentation ended with the moon telling us that throughout the many many years he has seen man rise up and fall back down. It is the point that when man fails it is because they are not "looking up to the light" or not seeing the potential they have to be better. He ends with the idea of we are the author of our story and what are we going to do. http://www.glennbeck.com/onenightonly/

When I walked into this, I knew it was going to be Glenn Beck's message that I would always disagree with but it left me with 3 thoughts.
1) It makes me so sad to see so many people deceived by his false message and how there needs to be more people having the same drive and passion but motivated by God and His word. It makes me sad for Glenn Beck's soul's eternity. Please pray with me as I think about sharing Jesus with him.

2) We are not the author of our own lives. It directed me straight to Psalm 139:16
  "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them."
God is the Author of our lives! We were created for our Creator's glory and when we fall away from that thought, that is when things go bad. Instead of writing our own story, we need to go to our Author of our lives and allow Him to direct us. That is the reason why the moon saw everything continously go wrong. If I had to rewrite that story, mention the Fall, Israel's relationship with God and leading to God's ultimate plan, Jesus coming and dying on the cross. Then mention God's role in the founding of our country and then mention FDR and 1962 Emerson vs Vitale. Our cry to God should be the last 2 verses in Psalm 139
^"23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
²⁴ And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting."

3) This morning I was really thinking about the reality of our country and how it is all really happening. I keep on hearing about people loosing their healthcare and how much it is going to cost. Even CNN is angry about Obamacare! I want to be prepared! I want to be use by God!

I was reading Psalm 90 and 91. Chapter 90 was about how we are frail as humans compare to the power, sovernighty, and holiness of God.
3 You turn man to destruction,
And say, “Return, O children of men.”
⁴ For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
⁵ You carry them away like a flood;
They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
⁶ In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.
Nothing gets past God not even our sin. As we continue to labor through life, it is God who gives us gladness and works through us.
¹⁵ Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
The years in which we have seen evil.
¹⁶ Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
¹⁷ And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.

It humbled me but even better I read on to Chapter 91. It was EXACTLY what God was pressing on my heart.

Obamacare is scary- it robs us of the freedom our country was founded on BUT v2, "I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Our government has abused their powers and have become what John Adams predicted what would happen when it comes to men's evilness BUT v 3-11, "Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.⁴ He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
⁸ Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
¹⁰ No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
¹¹ For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways."
 

I believe using my writing is what God wants me to do but how I dont. I want to be prepared for the worst SOOOOOO v 14-16, " 'Because he (I) has set his (my) love upon Me (God), therefore I (God)will deliver him (me);
I (God) will set him (me) on high, because he (I) has known My (God's) name.
¹⁵ He (I) shall call upon Me (God), and I (God) will answer him (me);
I (God) will be with him (me) in trouble;
I (God) will deliver him (me) and honor him (me).
¹⁶ With long life I (God) will satisfy him (me),
And show him (me) My (God's) salvation.' "

THANK YOU LORD!

Our American Heritage- week 4

This is my last week of lesson plans for teaching young kids about our American Heritage. I really challenge you to truly pray if this is something God wants you to do. I myself have been (honestly should be praying more about it) thinking about doing it in Sunday School at my church. But if we want to be more serious about what is going on in our nation spiritually, this got to be something you should check out. BUT PRAY FIRST.

Scenario 4- read and discuss by showing how God’s word can be use to help them that situation- allow 5 to 10 minutes

Your older brother or sister shows you something on youtube that you know that your mom and dad would not approve of. What do you do? What do you think God would want you to do? 

1 John 2:15-17, Eph 6:1-3, Phil 4:8 or if you found any verses yourself

Also, if you have other scenarios besides mine, USE THEM. These are only what I came up with : )

Bill of Rights- challenge them to say all 10- maybe give a prize who can say them all or the most- 5 min

          Lesson: What can I do?

The goal for this lesson: finish the story of Peter and John and how God’s word can help them make their schools and our world a better place.

                   Verse: Acts 4:4-31 and 2 Tim 3:14-17

The Lesson (remember this is only a brief outline for you to add or take away and allow God to lead you)

Review last week’s lesson and continue on to see how Peter and John responded to their situation.

Read Acts 4:4-31 and see what God shows you as a teacher based off of what you want to share with the kids for this lesson.

My thoughts: The next morning, Peter and John gets out of jail and go before the teachers of the temple. One bad thing happened and 3 good things happened. The bad thing was that the elders, rulers and scribes told Peter and John that they no longer could speak the name of Jesus anymore. Now the 3 good things to happen were:

1)  The 1^st verse of the lesson said that “many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand ”(Acts 4:4). YAY!!!

2)  The temple teachers heard the Gospel. YAY!!!!

3)  And the best part yet is that Peter and John went back to their companions and seek council, encouragement, and to pray.

More on #3. When they went back, they acknowledged who God is, quoted scripture, acknowledged God was in control, and prayed to God. They acknowledge God as creator of heaven, the earth, and the sea and was in it all. The scripture they quote was Psalm 2:1-2 that stated “‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
²⁶ The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

What’s cool about this scripture was that David said this in the past, which was a prophecy of what was going on for them right now. They took it even one step further and stated that God ordained for the Jews, Pilate, and Herod to kill Jesus. And to end this time of encouragement and seeking council, they ended with prayer for God to see these threats and to grant them boldness. AMEN!

This is what is happening today. People are telling us we cannot talk about God in public or pray in public or have God’s word in school. They are raging against the Lord Jesus Christ, being lovers of themselves, and deceiving people to not follow Christ.  Peter and John could have felt rejected and hurt and stopped talking about Jesus. But because they know God by what He has showed to them by His words and being empowered by the Holy Spirit, they prayed for boldness. Paul also gave Timothy instructions on how to deal with those types of people.

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and see what God shows you as a teacher based off of what you want to share with the kids for this lesson.

My thoughts: The Bible is our solution. Paul tells Timothy to continue on learning what he has been taught, and from his childhood, to remember the scriptures he was taught. Just because you are a kid does not mean that God’s word cannot change your life too (1 Timothy 4:12). God’s word, just like Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” Doctrine= God’s rules, reproof= to rebuke, correction= to remove errors, instruction in righteousness= to teach one good things. We can use God’s word for everyday use and especially in order to stand up for God. His word is living and powerful and pierces our souls and minds (Hebrews 4:12). God’s word is the key to make you do anything. You can be the one, through God’s power in you, who makes a difference. We need to approach God and ask for boldness. Yes, it is scary to stand up for what you believe in when everyone is not, but it only takes one person to read God’s word and trust in. How do you not know that there are others who want to do the same thing but are afraid? You can start something in your schools to make a difference; but it only comes from God and His word.

Close with a personal challenge from you and a Gospel invitation.