Mother’s Day brings different feelings for different people. There are new mothers, old mothers, those who have lost their mother, and those who desire to become a mother.  My heart goes out to those who struggle with sadness on this day.

As I look at my own children I have so many moments of joy and happiness. It is easy to know how much God loves us when we consider the gift we receive through the life of a child. I also have many struggles. Feelings of doubt, fear, and failure. I do not believe that I am alone. I watch as women second guess their parenting and compare themselves to other mommies as a scale to measure success. We are all different. And those differences should be celebrated. We were given our children as a gift from God and we are to raise them according to the abilities that God has provided us. He knows you and he knew your children before he even formed them. You are literally a ‘match made in Heaven.’

This week we read from Proverbs. In chapter 31, we hear Lemuel speak the words of his mother. We don’t know much about Lemuel other than that he was a king and he was blessed with his mother. We can all learn from her in these verses.

1. She was a teaching momma!
   
2. She was a praying momma!
   
3. She was a correcting momma!

The most important thing you can do is teach your children about God. So often, we lose sight of what is important in life. We become so involved with the world while staying busy raising our children. We feel like we need to take part in everything that comes along, dragging our children behind us. While there isn’t anything wrong with being involved in activities, we must remember that in the end, none of it will matter. What will matter is that we taught our children God’s Words so that they will be ready to answer when God calls them. 

• Deuteronomy 11:19 "Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
  

When raising children, your mission should be constantly covered in prayer.

• Proverbs 2:6 "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding"
  

One thing that we need while raising our children is knowledge. Ask God! He gives is wisdom that no parenting book could ever give.

Correct your children and teach them to decipher right from wrong. Show them how to repent and turn from their sin. We are moving further and further from true repentance. We want to hear things that uplift us and makes us feel superior. This is dangerous as we start to ignore the sins that need confession. We learn to live with our sins and make them part of who we are.

• Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord"

Biblical interpretation is something that should happen on an individual level. We must be continually growing in understanding of God’s Word and how we are to apply that to life. While it is great to learn from others, we must know how to interpret scripture for ourselves.

We cannot blindly accept what others teach as we must take the responsibility to understand the Word for ourselves.

God put everything that we need to know about Him in writing, His inspired Word. Every Christian has the Holy Spirit to help him understand God’s Word. There are also some general principles that can be used in difficult times.

Monday- Approach the Bible in Prayer

We should always ask God to give us the understanding that we need to learn more from His Word. In Psalm 119, David asks God for instruction and guidance. Read through this chapter. God will reward your efforts. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you.

Tuesday- Let Scripture Interpret Scripture

If you find a text that is difficult to understand, look for other scripture to help. Oftentimes, we can reference passages which are clearer to us to help us understand passages which are difficult. If you are reading about a particular topic, it is best to look for other areas of the Bible which discusses that topic. Try this today. Choose a topic and look for several scriptural references that apply. Which were difficult to understand and how did some of the other passages help with understanding?

Wednesday- Read the Bible as a Book That Points to Jesus

All scripture is Christocentric. This means that the nature of the Bible is centered on Christ. We know that the Bible points us to salvation which is found in Jesus. It helps us to understand as we move through scripture, it all points to a coming Savior. Practice this now. Find several places in the Old Testament that you favor. You have probably read them many times before but this time, try reading them with the idea of a coming Savior in mind. It helps us to see God intervening throughout history, constantly pointing to what was to come; His Son.

Thursday- Meditate on the Bible

For some, the word ‘meditate’ holds a negative connotation. The Bible, however, speaks of it often. To meditate on God’s Word is to consider it carefully. This will look different for different people. For some, it is the practice of writing the words down or repeating them in order to better remember them in our hearts. Meditating is simply digesting the words we are reading; a way of hiding them in our hearts. Try this on your own today.

Friday- Approach the Bible in Faith and Obedience

The Bible is given to us as a revelation from God which is to be believed and obeyed. We must not just be hearers of the Word but doers of the Word. We are to have faith that God has our best interest at heart and obey His teachings. Even through times of difficulty, we can trust what God has promised us in His Word. Read Romans 8:28-29 and write out what His promise means to you. Begin practicing faith and obedience in all circumstances.