Motherhood

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.”⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣― Elisabeth Elliot

Though this quote could describe any task the Lord has given to us—this is a tip of the hat to this encouraging and convicting Elisabeth Elliot quote on motherhood. What a beautiful privilege the role of mothering tiny blessings is.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

While the world sees children as a burden, a hindrance to freedom and fulfillment of dreams, the ruin of their plans, inconveniences to be rid of...we know from Scripture that this job is actually a gift.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

⁣“I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that, to any child, there can be one who will have such influence over the heart as the mother who has so tenderly cared for her offspring...Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother. Certainly I have not the powers of speech with which to set forth my valuation of the choice blessing which the Lord bestowed on me in making me the son of one who prayed for me, and prayed with me.”

-C.H. Spurgeon

“The Five Solas are five Latin phrases that represent the core positions held by those who adhere to the Protestant Reformation that happened in the 16th century. They are more commonly recognized within the Reformed (Calvinist) perspective. They are Sola Scriptura, Sola Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Sola Deo Gloria.

1. Sola Scriptura--Scripture alone: This does not mean that tradition or councils are not considered. It means that the Scriptures alone are the final and the highest authority. Everything that the Scriptures address are to be used as the final word on that topic. All things that we learn from other sources must be compared to Scripture, and if they do not match Scripture or if they contradict Scripture, then we are not to affirm them. The Bible says not to exceed what is written, (1 Corinthians 4:6).
2. Sola Christus--Christ alone: This position means that Christ Jesus is the only means of salvation (John 14:6), the only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), and that Jesus is the only human revelation of God. In other words, God has revealed himself in the person of Jesus, and no other person who's ever lived is God in flesh as Jesus is, (John 1:1, 14).
3. Sola Gratia--Grace alone: This means that we are saved from our sins and damnation by the unmerited grace of God alone without any of our works. Grace is the completely unmerited, undeserved favor of God that he bestows upon us. The grace of God is completely motivated out of his own character and is his kind intention and merciful action upon various individuals. Thus, we are saved from his righteous judgment by his unmerited and under earned favor, and there is nothing that we can or have done that can move God to be gracious to us.
4. Sola Fide--Faith alone: This means that we are saved from our sins by faith alone in Christ Alone and not by faith and anything we do whether it be baptism, church membership, good works, sincerity, or anything. God is the proper object of faith. When we have faith in the work of Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, we are justified (Romans 5:1).
5. Soli Deo Gloria--the Glory of God alone: This means that God alone is the one who is to receive all the glory. He alone is the author and finisher of our salvation and works all good things through our lives. He has revealed himself in the person of Jesus in great humility and love died on the cross, bearing our sin (1 Peter 2:24). So that we might enjoy his presence forever. We are to live for him and glorify him (Isaiah 43:7)."

—Matt Slick

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“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:9-10

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul

Whenever a believing friend loses a baby, the first thought that comes to mind is how that baby, no matter how long he or she was carried in her womb, was loved. In a world where babies and children are not cherished by their mothers/parents, what a beautiful thought—that their baby was loved and wanted every moment of his or her life. This is a testament to the value, sanctity and love of life Scripture instilled in their hearts that brings awe and thankfulness for those godly parents.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:13-16