Tina Webb's Blog

Jesus was filled with compassion, which enabled him to love the corrupt, the unlovely, and the hated. Even the Pharisees. Although he did not like their actions, He loved them, wanted them to see the error of their ways that separated them from Him. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He is the ultimate initiator of reconciliation. His forgiveness is amazing.

This video is a discussion between two women who have had to understand how to extend forgiveness in ways that most of us never consider.  Topics like “persecution-complex”, abuse, bitterness, perfectionism, peacemaking, people-pleasing…are a few of the many subtopics that you and I can resonate with, even if the family life they were raised in is totally foreign to us. The fact that they experienced such horror, yet came out as wholehearted lovers of Jesus, willing to use their testimonies to glorify Him, is so inspiring I had to share it with you. The video is called Conversations with Jessie Czebotar #6 On Persecution and Being Courageous

Reality check: Their stories convey that some unbelievers use religion and church-going as a “front” to hide abuses that they are involved in, even abuse to children.  Should we consider these unbelievers “weeds” or “chaff” or imitators of satan who put on “light”? Despite their heart’s corruption, they need prayer. Let’s pray for their salvation.

Scripture contemplation before you listen because as you will hear, these women grew up with parents that put on a “Christian facade”.

Matt 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

2 Cor 11:14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

What does the word deviation mean to you? This article, full of historical research, is also a prophetic word meant to provide clarity: reveal the state of deviation we have lived in, and encourage: boost your spirit and strengthen you for your future.

God fixes what is crooked. We are in a time of realignment with God’s intent for humanity and the world.

Is today really the beginning of a new year?

Did you know that our current calendar, the   Gregorian calendar, was an attempt to fix a miscalculation to the previous Julian calendar? In 1582, the Pope convinced Europe to go with a new calendar that bore his name. because his papal scientist, Aloysus Lilius, found that over a period of time the 11-minute mistake in the Julian calendar would cause the observance date of Easter to shift further from the Spring Equinox. In developing a new calendar for the Pope, Lilius also attempted to fix the Leap year issue, however, science shows that we are still slightly “off” according to the solar year of seasons.

Slightly “off”. Deviated. Disjointed. We are out of alignment from the times and seasons set forth when God created the heavens and the earth and gave specific instructions to the ancient Hebrews. The Hebrews followed seasons like seed time and harvest time that was based on an annual time frame that is foreign to us—but necessary for us to understand.

Many 16th Century Europeans protested moving from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Some felt it was the Catholics way of showing the Protestant movement that they still held the reins to what happened in the world. “Give us our 11 days” was the cry from Pope Gregory’s opposition. Benjamin Franklin, however, is said to have liked the change for September, 1752. “Be not astonished, nor look with scorn, dear reader, at such a deduction of days, nor regret as for the loss of so much time…for those who love their pillow to lie down in Peace on the second of this month and not perhaps awake till the morning of the fourteenth.” Citation

So when did the New Year begin before Pope Gregory and Julius Caesar put their names on the world’s governance of days and times?

Caesar’s calendar happened a long time ago, in 46 BC. He liked January 1 as being New Year’s Day (notice that the names of our months are derivatives of Roman gods. Rome was a polytheistic culture). Centuries later, other countries tied New Year’s Day to what they called “Lady Day” on March 25. This was a Catholic holy day that celebrated the Virgin Mary. Can you believe the English celebrated New Year’s Day on March 25 until 1752!

As we tried to organize time into neat mathematically-based sections (weeks and months) that we could live by, we have deviated from the sense of time that God works by. Understanding God’s timeline gets messy because before the Julian calendar was the Roman calendar. It was not wrong for humanity to have tried to implement a “reckoning” for time so that they could schedule their festivals and plan life movement through seasonal regularity; however, the various attempts–some said to be political–get us to a point where we must ask,

“Does our year reconcile with God’s timeline of divinely  ordained events, and His times and seasons as referenced in the Bible? If not, does it matter?”

In the Bible, a new day began in the evening. (Gen 1, Leviticus 23:32) It was the natural light from the Sun that dictated when a new day began, not the hand of a clock.

The feasts of the Hebrews were holy unto Yahweh. They had to occur according to the days and seasons that He initiated. These feasts foreshadowed an event to come or memorialized an event that God wanted remembered, like the Passover. The non-canonical book of Jubilees has this passage:

But if they do neglect and do not observe them according to His commandment, then they will disturb all their seasons, and the years will be dislodged from this (order), [and they will disturb the seasons and the years will be dislodged] and they will neglect their ordinances. (6:33)

Disturb? Dislodge?

According to the Hebrews, this was a warning that God gave to Moses.  God’s dictation of time meant that each “year” would have 364 days! This is according to Enoch, a man mentioned in the book of Genesis who was taken to heaven before he experienced an earthly death.

Trivia question: What was the shortest year in human existence?   1751 was only 282 days.“It was decided that Wednesday 2nd September 1752 would be followed by Thursday 14th September 1752.”
Citation God wants to realign us with His timeline!

Our destinies involve being aware of God’s appointed times for divine events and how the enemy is trying to create his own timeline of events.

“The book of Enoch tells us that the year begins when we find equal parts day and equal parts night. Equal parts day and equal parts night is the day of the Equinox…Spring Equinox is a time each year when both day and night have equal amounts of time. This takes place on one day each year to start the Spring time, and according to the Most Highs time the year.” Citation

Did the implementation of new calendar systems “disturb” and “dislodge” what God set in motion? Are we living in a deviated timeline?

The answer is yes.

If God’s appointed time for days and months created years of 364 days, with each new year beginning at the Spring Equinox, then we are actually a little further along in time than we think…

How do we reconcile decades of living in years of 365 ¼ days to God’s outlook of 364-day years for His times and purposes in the earth? Did the thief, who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) use men of influence to steal our ability to be aware and in synch of God’s times and seasons? This doesn’t mean that the Pope’s and Caesar’s decisions were intentionally evil, although history records their distaste for Hebrew culture and thought. Pope Gregory tried to fix the timeline, recognizing the significance of the Spring Equinox. Remember, the Catholic church celebrated “Lady Day” on March 25 for a long time.

The Bible prophecies that times and seasons would change, and this was not a good thing (Daniel 7:25).

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Laws would also change, being made to ignore the original intent of Yahweh, (the Hebrew word for Most High God versus the lesser gods of Deut. 10;17—the elohim—created entities we call angels).  The Council of Nicea incorporated holy day changes which some Christians say tie pagan festivals to Biblical events. Easter is an example, the word being a derivative of the name Ishtar, the Greek goddess of fertility. (Sidenote: Rather than assume Ishtar is a  mythological character that goes by other names in different cultures, Biblical readers should consider her characterization as likely being one of the fallen elohim, which Eph 6:12 also mentions, who were worshipped as gods.)

Deviation to Destiny – Does the “exact” time matter?

We are affected by the deviation of God’s intent for time-reckoning. This means we are less able to recognize the hand of God in our current timeline. While our current time-management system (the Gregorian calendar) does not affect God’s timeline of the second coming of Jesus Christ , it does affect our ability to understand the times and seasons like the sons of Issachar (1 Chron 12:32) and come into agreement with what God has purposed for us to do while we are here.

Eschatology scares some of us and causes others of us to shake our heads in cynicism. Biblical scholars interpret end times different, so what are we to do? Does it really matter in the scheme of living our daily lives and fulfilling the Great Commission?

Does this deviation affect our destiny?

The Lord woke me this morning with these words: ‘Times and Seasons – Deviation to Destiny’. I’d been up praying in the new year like so many Christians do as a practice, unable to fall asleep until after the neighbor finished exhausting his firecracker stash. I believe ‘deviation to destiny’ is a prophetic word from the Lord, a call to attention which will bring about individual calls to action.

We are in a time where deviations are rampant. Traveling off of God’s intent for when a new year would begin is one thing, but marriage, sexuality and identity, pedagogy, procuring wealth and health—these situations are in our faces each day. Humanity has listened to seducing spirits and deviated. We continue to accelerate to a brand of life that was not God’s intent for humanity. From the Neurolink idea to GMO food, God’s intents are being ignored or subverted by people of influence, who dictate how we live, just as Caesar and Gregory dictated whose calendar the world should follow.

The Lord is telling His people to reclaim our destiny by claiming His original intents for these topics. Male and female only. Human beings are created in the image and likeness of God and we do not need to be refashioned into Human 2.0. Our food must comes from the land. God said that even the animals were clean to eat. We must steward the earth’s resources as God’s representations. Overpopulation wasn’t in God’s mind. Children should be trained in the Word, not idolizing the intellect over the heart, from which the issues of life emerge. Truth must be accompanied by power, lest we live in a form of godliness. This was the model of Jesus. This also means having a sense of the appointed time that we are in. We must reclaim what was stolen and what we gave away while we sat in our Sunday pews. This is the destiny of those in the Kingdom of God’s dear son. (Col 1:13)

In my research, I’ve learned that people who worship the dark side-those captive in the other kingdom–have trained people to use spirit guides (Eph 6:12) and psychic power to see into the future. There are intentional practitioners of dark works involved in Luciferianism and its many subgroups who know the Bible and want to subvert God’s times and seasons. Simple put, these are real people who choose to worship (or are born into a family that worships) the devil, although they likely use a different name for their god. They faithfully practice the dark arts (Deut. 18:10) to bring forth a counterfeit timeline, and evil strategies, and doctrines (1 Tim 4:1). This psychic training as happened for decades and many have foreseen future events. (Consider this ability a counterfeit of what God does when he lets His people have foresight and revelation for His purposes. Daniel 1:17, John 16:13). Interestingly enough, some have said that none of these trained persons were able to see 2024.

What does this mean?

I believe it means that Yahweh is snatching back His timeline. And the enemy can’t see it.

I believe the light of God in our future is so bright that it is blinding the enemy.

I believe it means that we, starting today, are saying no to deviations and yes to God’s intents and purposes for human beings and this earth.

So Happy New Year—according to Pope Gregory, but not God. 

We the Citizens and residents of the United States, human beings created in the image of God do solemnly declare… 

(Scroll down for the rest of the Declaration. First, I must explain why I am compelled to write this.)

Have you sensed a foreboding in the air? Various media outlets suggest coming calamities…and many people sense something coming of Biblical proportion.

Will Russia begin WW3? Will another pathogen be released? Is the new chimeric virus created in a Boston lab a new pestilence that will change the world, again?  Mid-term elections,  reports of extensive human  trafficking, winter supply chain issues…

We are realizing that giants and mountains bigger than we ever imagined exist both in unseen and seen realms. Ephesians 6 is becoming a reality for many Christians.  

Consider the chants of  pro-abortion women on SoCal, the school clubs promoting satanism, or events held for those who are turning their God-given humanity into a colorful spectacle.

We’ve got globalists who endorse intentional decrease of the human population. (God said to Adam and Eve “Be fruitful and multiply”. He wasn’t concerned about too many people here.)

The point is we need God. We have always needed God, but now we are realizing how much WE NEED GOD!

I prayed and took weeks to write this Declaration of Dependence upon God. Feel free to say it and share it with your friends. 

We, the citizens and residents of the United States, human beings created in the image of God do solemnly declare that we will serve the Most High God and no other.

As beings created in the image and likeness of God–the Creator of all things and the Most High who sent His only begotten Son, Yeshua (Jesus) to die for our sins and be resurrected on the third day–we acknowledge and declare:

We have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

We, who are called the “hope of glory” have leaned to our own understanding,

We have honored idols and  exalted the work of our hands as if we can do good without the gracious empowerment of God.

We, in this day and age, have built our own towers of Babel within the seven mountains of social influence:
Arts and Entertainment
Business
Education
Family
Government
Media
Religion

We have owned our time and money instead of stewarding them with reverence for God, the Author of time and the One who meets our daily needs,

and we have worshipped ease, luxury, convenience and cast off the value of work, diligence, patience, and endurance.

Pride in our own ways, pride in our reasonings, preferences, adopted identities, ethnicities, and nationalities has contributed to our downfall.

We have pursued solutions to our problems without first pursuing the Problem-solver.

We have prioritized other people-their opinions and feelings; strived for academic accolades and economic status, and revered the thoughts and ways of our fellow human beings, instead of giving first place to the Creator, whose position, glory,  thoughts and ways are higher and better than any of ours.

We have trusted our societal systems and those in positions of influence instead of first trusting the faithful, unchanging. consistent, benevolent, just and holy Creator God.

We have bowed to fear instead of bowing to our God for whom nothing is impossible.

We have introduced chaos and confusion to our children, allowing them to embrace thoughts and ways that are contrary to God’s intent for humanity.

This is our confession and to the Most High God, El Roy (the God who sees) we say, We have sinned. We ask for the forgiveness that only the blood of Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, has supplied.

He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, who came to seek and save the lost, to destroy the works of the devil, to announce to all principalities and powers that His kingdom shall never end! His is the name above every other name. The devils even believe in Him and tremble.

Most High God, we need You. We have always needed You. But we have not always heeded You. We turn from evil, renouncing every word, deed, and thought that we have agreed with that is contrary to Your intent for us. Forgive us. Deliver us from wicked beings and their schemes and plans. Help us be your hands, feet, and voice, the salt and light of the earth. We receive the Holy Spirit and the empowerment to do the “greater things” that Jesus referred to in John 14:12.

We bow humbly to Yeshua/Jesus the Christ, the Word of God (John 1), surrendering completely, with all reverence and joy. This is our wholehearted declaration. Amen.

We the Citizens and residents of the United States, human beings created in the image of God do solemnly declare… 

(Scroll down for the rest of the Declaration. First, I must explain why I am compelled to write this.)

Have you sensed a foreboding in the air? Various media outlets suggest coming calamities…and many people sense something coming of Biblical proportion.

Will Russia begin WW3? Will another pathogen be released? Is the new chimeric virus created in a Boston lab a new pestilence that will change the world, again?  Mid-term elections,  reports of extensive human  trafficking, winter supply chain issues…

We are realizing that giants and mountains bigger than we ever imagined exist both in unseen and seen realms. Ephesians 6 is becoming a reality for many Christians.  

Consider the chants of  pro-abortion women on SoCal, the school clubs promoting satanism, or events held for those who are turning their God-given humanity into a colorful spectacle.

We’ve got globalists who endorse intentional decrease of the human population. (God said to Adam and Eve “Be fruitful and multiply”. He wasn’t concerned about too many people here.)

The point is we need God. We have always needed God, but now we are realizing how much WE NEED GOD!

I prayed and took weeks to write this Declaration of Dependance on God. Feel free to say it and share it with your friends. 

We, the citizens and residents of the United States, human beings created in the image of God do solemnly declare that we will serve the Most High God and no other.

As beings created in the image and likeness of God–the Creator of all things and the Most High who sent His only begotten Son, Yeshua (Jesus) to die for our sins and be resurrected on the third day–we acknowledge and declare:

We have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

We, who are called the “hope of glory” have leaned to our own understanding,

We have honored idols and  exalted the work of our hands as if we can do good without the gracious empowerment of God.

We, in this day and age, have built our own towers of Babel within the seven mountains of social influence:
Arts and Entertainment
Business
Education
Family
Government
Media
Religion

We have owned our time and money instead of stewarding them with reverence for God, the Author of time and the One who meets our daily needs,

and we have worshipped ease, luxury, convenience and cast off the value of work, diligence, patience, and endurance.

Pride in our own ways, pride in our reasonings, preferences, adopted identities, ethnicities, and nationalities has contributed to our downfall.

We have pursued solutions to our problems without first pursuing the Problem-solver.

We have prioritized other people-their opinions and feelings; strived for academic accolades and economic status, and revered the thoughts and ways of our fellow human beings, instead of giving first place to the Creator, whose position, glory,  thoughts and ways are higher and better than any of ours.

We have trusted our societal systems and those in positions of influence instead of first trusting the faithful, unchanging. consistent, benevolent, just and holy Creator God.

We have bowed to fear instead of bowing to our God for whom nothing is impossible.

We have introduced chaos and confusion to our children, allowing them to embrace thoughts and ways that are contrary to God’s intent for humanity.

This is our confession and to the Most High God, El Roy (the God who sees) we say, We have sinned. We ask for the forgiveness that only the blood of Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, has supplied.

He is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, who came to seek and save the lost, to destroy the works of the devil, to announce to all principalities and powers that His kingdom shall never end! His is the name above every other name. The devils even believe in Him and tremble.

Most High God, we need You. We have always needed You. But we have not always heeded You. We turn from evil, renouncing every word, deed, and thought that we have agreed with that is contrary to Your intent for us. Forgive us. Deliver us from wicked beings and their schemes and plans. Help us be your hands, feet, and voice, the salt and light of the earth. We receive the Holy Spirit and the empowerment to do the “greater things” that Jesus referred to in John 14:12.

We bow humbly to Yeshua/Jesus the Christ, the Word of God (John 1), surrendering completely, with all reverence and joy. This is our wholehearted declaration. Amen.

Have you ever asked a friend how they want to be remembered most? Have you asked yourself this question? Is it loyalty or perseverance, a fun-filled life or a zeal for justice that describes the you that others experience? Usually sentiments like these outweigh facts like: how many books we read, how many degrees we received or how much money stayed in our bank accounts. When it comes to legacy, the eternal impact far outweighs accolades and economic success.

However, we spend so many years and so much money on the pursuit of professional accolades and economic success. Not that these items are bad, but perhaps we keep in mind what it most important.

My latest podcast episode, Setting Our Kids Up for A Great Education, emphasizes what is most important, how we can mentor our kids and even revamp our perspective of living where necessary.

I’m Tina Webb, wife, mom, former home educator, author and a spiritual director which is a fancy name for a professional mentor that includes a faith component to any advice given. Thanks for hopping on my blog!

Here is Part 2 of Setting Our Kids Up for A Great Education. If you are a Christian parent and want to help your children as they learn, in and out of school, keep these perspectives in mind!

My 2nd son, 4th child just received his Bachelor of Science. I’m so proud of him. After working a bit, he has plans to get a graduate degree. But what makes me happiest is that he wants his vocation to have eternal value–where God’s justice reaches everywhere. He doesn’t just want to work to make money and build personal influence.

After listening to Part 1 and Part 2, I’d love to read your comments!

Do we hype education and success too much? Are we aware of the unseen forces behind much of the issues we face today?

Education! Life is a journey of learning and unlearning, reviewing and renewing, searching and finding. I want to share two teaching videos with you, one that may challenge your perspective of your child’s academic success, the other will challenge the narratives you have learned about war to food sources to the experts and influencers behind WHO, global economics and child endangerment.

The first video below is an extended 14 Min Momlife Podcast called “Setting Our Kids Up For A Great Education.” Part 2 will be released at the end of July. I discuss scriptures that help us understand how “Greek” our American mindset of education and learning has become and how to help our kids major on the most important aspect of learning.

Watch Videos or Listen to Podcast on Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts

This second video is not public (yet) but available to mentoring clients and subscribers, like you! The video, “Natural and Spiritual Obstacles, Ep. 1” uncovers dark forces that most people are not aware of or have assumed are “conspiracy theory”. I only discuss topics that I have researched or vetted enough to pass along. Please use the information on the slides and in the notes below the video to do your own research.

Unveiling Truth Contending for Freedom Uplifting Families AUTHOR | PODCASTER | SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR l GALATIANS 5:1 ADVOCATE

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Gal 5:1)

Every mom remembers preparing for the new baby or the soon-to-be adopted child! Preparing is a mentality that God gave us. The past few years have brought weather-related emergencies and now with the baby formula shortage and inflation, we can think about how to no longer rely on various systems–supply/demand, trucking, grocery stores. We can be our own suppliers for our families and communities.

We’ve grown SO used to instant access: fast food, microwaves, bank card withdrawals…we are reliant upon these systems. Many of us grew up trusting in these systems.

But what if the systems break down?
What if access becomes limited?
Or the items we want to access become too expensive?

Whether you live in an apartment or are restricted by HOA guidelines, there are creative ways you can grow certain items for your family.

Work out a partnership with a neighbor or friend. Each pick 3-5 items to grow and share with one another.

 

Continued on Tina’s podcast or watch the video on “Emergency Preparedness and Community Care.”

Listen to 14 Min Momlife Podcast

My husband once told a group of college kids, “God has an opinion about every subject because He made every subject.” 

They were blown away! although they were Christians, viewing God as having an opinion about every aspect of life and the world was a new concept to them.

Would you like your children to understand that what God thinks is most important?

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Consider how Jesus was at 12 years old. Divine set aside, this human tween really impressed these Bible teachers!

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Luke 2:47

What can we do to help our children have a God perspective about life, the world, and themselves?

Listen to this episode of the 14 Min Momlife Pause.

Scriptures for the episode: Proverbs 14:15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Cor 10:5

Main points:

Pray for your child to hunger and desire to know Jesus. Faith is about relationship more than rules. Outside the House affects inside the house.
The Israelites of the Exodus were born into Egyptian culture, which worshipped and did the bidding of other gods (fallen angels). Once in the wilderness it was revealed how much of that culture had become a part of them.We need to teach our kids how to evaluate:
– lofty opinions
– God’s ways, design, intents, purposes
– What did God say? (about a topic)
– What does God think? (about a topic)Study the Scriptures with the Holy Spirit.

Parenting kids will cause us to experience the worst nightmares and the most beautiful memories. Both the nightmares and the beautiful moments bring forth the vulnerability of our hearts. And in this vulnerability, we need a safe place to land.

One of my sons was having a hard day. Their internal turmoil exploded at…yep, me. It was hurtful, made me angry and at one point I didn’t respond well. That night I found myself in my bedroom crying out to the Lord. He is a very present help in time of trouble.

Jesus redeems every heartache, turns terrible moments into treasured lessons, and teaches us how to experience the tension between being hurt by someone we love and still acknowledging how deeply we love the one that hurt us.

Jesus loves well. And he teaches us that love brings a vulnerability that is uncomfortable, for when we acknowledge our deep love for the one who deeply hurt us… we enter  the painful beauty of raw admission and real heartache.

Hebrews 12:2 reads “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus experienced horrid torture. Can you imagine the pain–mental, emotional and physical pain that he was willing to endure because of love?

The depth of love enabled Him to welcome this tension between the nightmarish experience and this beautiful moment. A moment that He knew would lead to eternal restoration for all who would receive Him.

Listen to this full episode of the 14 Min Momlife Pause You don't have to be a mom to listen! Share with friends!And enjoy Tina's books! Paperback and Digital formats. Click the picture to go to Tina's digital store. Paperbacks available in bookstores or online book sites.

When my husband and I were young parents, we had to make a tough choice. Have two incomes and put the kids in daycare or make a lot of sacrifices. Doug decided to work as many hours needed to help us slowly climb out of post-college debt and the consequences of bad financial choices. So after child #2 was born, I no longer worked outside the home. 

Being a stay at home mom wasn’t a sacrifice for me emotionally. I loved kids and wanted to teach my own.  Teaching our own kids,  giving them a biblical worldview was most important to us as parents. Seeing the world through God’s lens was key to their intellectual and emotional success. But we were so poor. For a few years, we used WIC, a program that allows low income people to get basics like cheese, baby formula, milk and peanut butter at no cost. One week, we ran out of food a few days before payday. I tried to get food stamps but our monthly income was $100 over the limit. So members of our local church came to the rescue and brought two bags of groceries to our apartment to help us get through until payday.

Financially, I knew we would be in a better place one day because we knew God wanted us to be prosperous enough to have what we needed and then have enough to be a blessing to others during their times of need. 

Prosperity Is Not Evil

My husband and I now live in that “one day” where we can be a blessing to others.  No, we can’t just go out and buy anything we want (nor would we), but now we’ve been able to buy someone groceries, give an extra tip, and let our children witness that a solid work ethic, patience, and supporting others when you can, bears fruit.

Our kids have never received allowance. Chores are part of being in a family. But they did get paid when they helped their dad in  his cleaning business or did “challenging” work in the yard. They were taught to give/tithe and save more than they spend.

Biblical Altruism does not allow for one’s own children to beg bread because others (government) decide how much each a person can keep from what they make.  Taxation is too often a masquerade for plain theft and the Bible is clear that God is not the thief. (John 10:10)

The Bible teaches stewarding of resources, property and personhood. This means we can buy nutritious food, maintain our home, manage our “storehouse” like the ant (Proverbs 30:25), while resting in God’s parental care (Matthew 6:25-34). Stewardship of one’s resources, property, and personhood leads to the ability to care for a another jurisdiction: our community. We cannot love our neighbors (those in our community) if we don’t love ourselves (care for ourselves the way the Father desires). So giving–helping others is the offshoot of a discipline of biblical stewardship. 

Prosperity Gospel

First of all, calling this a gospel is a misnomer. There is one gospel and it’s based on John 3:16-17 and Romans 10:9. For various reasons, the message of prosperity gets a lot of flack. My point here is to say the message is necessary, because we cannot take care of our families and then, choose to assist in the care of our communities if we don’t have enough resources.

Times of Need

Inflation comes and goes. Banking systems are not eternal. As the pandemic is ending, we are seeing some global systems issues…groceries, gas, car parts etc. I read somewhere recently, the more self-reliant you can be, the better (my paraphrase). So first, rest in the fact that our Holy God knows what we need. He has performed food miracles before and He will do it again if needed. Second, we need to steward what we have. Cook what you need for today so leftovers don’t sit in the refrigerator and end up being thrown out. Or cook extra and surprise someone near you with a free meal. Rather than have thousands of dollars sit in a fledging banking system, pay off your debt or repair the things in your house that you’ve put off. Are you growing herbs? Grow extra and dry them to give to neighbors. Have extra time? Volunteer to go to the store for that momma with the newborn baby. Each of has some resource that can be  used to maintain our families or multiplied to help someone else if the need arises.

Governments Rise and Fall

Many people in our nation depend on the government to cover their basic needs. I don’t believe these systems–food programs, other subsidies, Medicaid etc. are sustainable in their current condition. So if the world gets worse, a lot of people are going to suffer. The need to stay alive will tempt some to steal from others–that is what dire need will do. Right now, is the time to plan. Whether you consider yourself rich or poor, it doesn’t matter, evaluate how well you are stewarding your resources (including time), property, and personhood.  Change what you need to change. Churches and other organizations need to develop innovative systems and strategize what to do if (fill in the blank).  Those who use federal programs need to spend wisely, save where you can, plant some vegetables in a pot, abandon the foods and substances that hurt your health…actually, all of us need to do that!

Some  changes will be tough. Sacrifice is real as my husband and I discovered when we were young parents. Lack was not in God’s intent when He created the Garden of Eden. But sin happened. The good news for us is: God does not abandon His creation. He has a way.

I encourage you to read through the scripture links above.

Enjoy my latest newsletter!

Tina teaches our need to experience the virtues of God to her Equipping Moms Small Group. (2021) Want Ebooks, Audiobooks, Webinars?
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