Another week on the homestead.

shalom ladies. I was wondering if any of you have dealt with fighting among your children? I do my best to keep them in line but sometimes it's like a fuse waiting to be lit. I have five boys, and one girl(age 14). the boys are aged 12, 10, 10, 7, and 6 (very soon to be 8 and 7). They will get into heated arguments over things like 'someone stole my ....' and, 'you just threw such and such and it hit me so I'm going to hit you back' and I have tried and tried to show them how to forgive each other and what the bible says. most times they are okay and not fighting, but the escalation is sometimes very rapid and then it goes beyond words. I would love for them to all show love and kindness to one another. the house is like a volcano on a lot of days.
thanks for listening.
ps. i have prayed, anointed with oil, cast out devils, and so many other things that don't seem to really make a huge difference.
pps. I would also appreciate any actual discipline or consequence that might work. I have tried things like grounding them, and making them sit on the couch by themselves, and withholding things like books or toys. I don't like to use the work as a consequence because it makes them loathe working when they haven't done something "wrong". (I was punished like that as a child and i have a hard time with chores as an adult).
okay, thanks again

Something I found which I wrote back in 2014:

Some people in arguing for marrying multiple wives give the examples of Abraham, Jacob, David, or Solomon. Those who argue against polygyny say that the Bible only records their actions, it does not condone them. They say that since the Bible does not specifically say it is right, we are free to condemn it as much as we like.

And marrying multiple wives was not the only thing the Bible records David doing. David also tells the priest that he was sent by the king when he was actually fleeing for his life, and he eats the shewbread, which is expressly forbidden by the law.

If there is any point where a person could be sure that David’s example should not be followed, it would be when he did what was unlawful, by eating the shewbread.

Then Jesus says:
Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
Luke 6:3-4

Some say that Jesus can interpret how he likes because he is God. But he is not giving us new information, he is not explaining something to the Pharisees, he is rebuking them for not seeing what is clear in the scriptures.

He says “Have ye not read so much as this?”
Implying that something should have been obvious to us. Something he made clear, which we have no excuse for missing.

When we read what David did, Jesus expected us to not condemn his action, though it was expressly forbidden by the law, and not only that: he also expects us to take his action as a guide to our thinking.

This is far bolder than any claim made by advocates of polygyny, yet Jesus considers it obvious that we should have already been thinking this way.

In the place where those who condemn David would feel most sure of themselves, Jesus considers their thinking to be perfectly the opposite of what is clearly taught by the scripture.

Even though the scripture did not “condone” it, it simply said that David did it.

If you had been there when Jesus said this, what would you have said?

Many would have said, “The Bible only records David’s actions, it does not condone them. We cannot use David’s actions as a guide for our life or our understanding of the scriptures.”

The Pharisees would have loved that.

THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE – CONTINUE

4 -- We must respect our foe, but not fear him -- Become acutely aware of his methods, but not be preoccupied by them:
Unless you have been holed up in a closet somewhere you have had to have seen the many retired military men and women in the news telling us about all the different strategies and schemes of the Iraqis and various terrorist groups. They have computer generated models and illustrations that help us to understand what are going on and how our men and women can overcome. It is not that the United States and England went into this battle with the thought of losing, but they did go in with a level of respect for the enemy and spent much time and poured over much intelligence as they planned their battle strategy. We need to do something very similar as we engage in spiritual warfare. -- Put on the whole Armour of YHVH that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. -- Ephesians 6:11. Once Paul agreed to forgive a brother along with the Corinthian church so that… -- Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. -- 2 Corinthians 2:11. Like Paul, we need to be aware of satan's tactics if we are going to win the war.

Here four helpful ways we can become aware of his tactics:

A -- Satan's names reveal his tactics:
1 -- Satan [adversary] 2 -- Devil [slanderer] 3 -- Lucifer [son of the morning] 4 -- Beelzebub [prince of demons] 5 -- Belial [without profit] 6 -- Evil one; 7 -- Tempter; 8 -- Prince of this world 9 -- Accuser of the brethren 10 -- Representations include a Serpent, a Dragon, an Angel of Light.

B -- Satan attacks YHVH's program, the Church, By...:
1 -- False philosophies - Colossians 2:8; 2 -- False religions - 1 Corinthians 10:19; 3 -- False ministers - 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; 4 -- False doctrine - 1 John 2:18; 5 -- False disciples - Matthew 13; 6 -- False morals - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

C -- Satan attacks YHVH's people by…:
1 -- Directing governments - Daniel 10:13; 2 -- Deceiving men - 2 Corinthians 4:4; 3 -- Destroying life - Hebrews 2:14; 4 -- Persecuting the saints - Revelations 2:10; 5 -- Preventing service - 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 6 -- Promoting schisms - 2 Corinthians 2:10-11; 7 -- Planting doubt - Genesis 3:1-2; 8 -- Provoking sin and Anger – Ephesians 4:26-27; 9 -- Pride - 1 Timothy 3:6; 10 -- Worry - Matthews 13:22; 11 -- Self-reliance - 1 Chronicles 21:1; 12 -- Discouragement - 1 Peter 5:6-8; 13 -- Worldliness - 1 John 2:16; 14 -- Lying - Acts 5:3; 15 -- Immorality - 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 16 -- Producing sects / cults - 1 Timothy 4:1

D -- Satan's power is limited:
1 -- He is created, therefore not omniscient or infinite; 2 -- He can be resisted by the believers - James 4:7; 3 -- YHVH places limitations on him - Job 1:12

Balance and wisdom are crucial in our assessment of spiritual opposition. To assign too much or too little credit to the reality of demonic activity is to error greatly.

5 -- As believer's in Moshiach, we do not fight for victory, we fight from victory. in Moshiach's power we are invincible!
As Operation Iraqi Freedom raged, Mohammed al-Sahhaf, Iraq's Minister of Information, daily refuted clear evidence that Iraq was losing the war. On April 6, after coalition forces seized Baghdad's Saddam Airport, renamed it Baghdad International Airport, started flying planes in and ventured into Baghdad itself, the news papers quoted al-Sahhaf saying, --We butchered the force present at the airport. On April 7, after U.S. and British troops penetrated central Baghdad and stormed Saddam's Republican Palace, the news again quoted al-Sahhaf saying, --There is no presence of the American columns in the city of Baghdad at all. We besieged them and we killed most of them. Referred to as Baghdad Bob or Comical Ali by the media, his efforts to explain away coalition force victories as illusions were comical. In the same way, our spiritual enemy is already defeated at the cross of Moshiach, yet he continues to hurl out lies, insults and condemnation at the believers. We fight a very real battle against a very real enemy, but we need to know without a doubt that our victory over him is assured. We do not fight for victory; we fight from victory. Even though we are presently engaged in battle, our future victory is written about as if it has already taken place, it is written that way because our victory is sure. -- Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. -- John 12:31; -- blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. -- Colossians 2:14-15; -- Ye are of YHVH, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. -- 1 John 4:4; -- For whatsoever is born of YHVH overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Yeshua is the Son of Elohim? --1 John 5:4-5.

In a classic -Twilight Zone- episode from 1960, an American on a walking trip through central Europe gets caught in a raging storm. Staggering through the blinding rain, he chances upon an imposing medieval castle. It is a hermitage for a brotherhood of monks. The reclusive monks reluctantly take him in. Later that night, the American discovers a cell with a man locked inside. An ancient wooden staff bolts the door. The prisoner claims he is being held captive by the -insane- head monk, Brother Jerome and he pleads for the American to release him. The prisoner's kindly face and gentle voice win him over. The American confronts Brother Jerome, who declares that the prisoner is none other than satan, - the father of lies, - held captive by the Staff of Truth, the one barrier he cannot pass. This incredible claim convinces the American that Jerome is indeed mad. As soon as he gets the chance, he releases the prisoner who immediately transforms into a hideous, horned demon and vanishes in a puff of smoke! The stunned American is horrified at the realization of what he has done. Jerome responds sympathetically. -- I am sorry for you, my son. All your life you will remember this night and whom you have turned loose upon the world; -- I didn't believe you -- the American replies. -- I saw him and did not recognize him -- to which Jerome solemnly observes, -- That is man's weakness and satan's strength! What a true statement that is.

THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

War is a fact of life; most countries has been involved in many different conflicts including Civil War, World Wars 1 and 2, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars, Iraq and literally hundreds of other conflicts throughout the history as a human race. Some of you have fought for your country in this way and know war firsthand. Those who are engaged in military conflict have no doubt who their enemies are, have a plan to defeat them and are trained to do battle. But there is another battle being waged all around us in the spiritual realm. Unfortunately, those engaged in spiritual warfare most often do not know who their enemies are, have no plan for victory and have little, if any, training. There has been a war going on since before the fall of satan that many are not even aware of. Paul gives us this instruction about spiritual warfare that we need to take to heart: -- Finally, my brethren, be strong in Elohim, and in the Power of His might. Put on the whole Armour of YHVH that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. -- Ephesians 6:10-12

5 BASIC TRUTHS:

There are five basics truths that everyone should learn about spiritual warfare.

1 -- There is an invisible world that is just as real as the visible world:
Many people, including many believers, tend to accept as reality only those things that we can see, hear, touch, smell, or taste. The Bibles in our homes are real, the clothes on we wear are real and the food we eat is real. We know that they are real, because we can experience them with the senses YHVH has given us. But when we begin to talk about that which is invisible, those things that cannot be seen, heard, touched, smell, or tasted, we tend to think that those things are not real or somehow at a lesser level of reality than the visible world. Nothing could be further from the truth: -- For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. -- Ephesians 6:12. While we exist in this present visible world, we also exist simultaneously in the unseen world that Paul describes here. The unseen world is described as the place where evil beings exist, but it is also the place Moshiach, and all believers exist. -- Blessed be YHVH and Father of our Adonai Yeshua Moshiach, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Moshiach. -- Ephesians 1:3; -- And what is the exceeding greatness of His Power to us-ward who believes, according to the working of His mighty Power, which He wrought in Moshiach, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places. -- Ephesians 1:19-20; -- And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Yeshua Moshiach. -- Ephesians 2:6. Beyond this world of our senses is the unseen world where all that is of a spiritual nature dwell, both good and evil and it is in this invisible world that spiritual warfare takes place; it is in this unseen world that we fight against the principalities and powers that seek to do us harm.

2 -- We are involved in an invisible war, a cosmic conflict that has eternal implications:
The Bible tells us that once Daniel had been praying to YHVH and not receiving an answer to his prayer; an angel came to him and explained the delay in terms of spiritual warfare: -- Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy Elohim, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. -- Daniel 10:12-13. There is much here we do not understand, but what is obvious is that a spiritual war was taking place between these spirits and angels. This reveals that in the world which is unseen by us there is a conflict going on, a conflict of the ages between good and evil, light and darkness, YHVH and satan. It reveals that there are satanic forces and heavenly forces, and it reveals that we are right in the middle of the whole thing. The Bible tells us Elisha and his servant was confronted with the army of King Aram which had surrounded the city. The servant saw the chariots of the enemy and began to despair. -- And when the servant of the man of YHVH was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Adonai, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Elohim opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. -- 2 Kings 6:15-17. YHVH revealed to them that He was ready to do battle on their behalf from the world that was unseen with human eyes. The spiritual battle that we are in is no less real than it was for Daniel, Elisha, or any of YHVH's people down through the ages. -- In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Moshiach, Who is the Image of YHVH, should shine unto them. -- 2 Corinthians 4:4. Maybe reading this message this moment and you are not in a relationship with Moshiach or perhaps you have trouble even understanding, or maybe you once felt close to YHVH and have been straying away. It just might be that you are engaged in a spiritual war that you are not even aware of, and satan is blinding your mind to the truth. Those of us who are in Moshiach are here to battle, not those of you who are not believers, but the satanic presence that is keeping you from understanding. -- For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through YHVH to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of YHVH and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Moshiach. -- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. It is obvious that YHVH is calling His church to engage satan in warfare so that we will be strong in Elohim and will be able to break satanic strongholds. Our weapons are not of this world, are not visible, but are unseen weapons like prayer, the Word of YHVH, and faith. The decisions that we make every day, as to whether we will or will not begin to take up the weapons of our warfare has eternal implications for those who are not yet in a relationship with Moshiach. We need to begin by honestly considering that some of the struggles, relational conflicts, and misunderstandings about YHVH are caused by satanic opposition.

3 -- Our foe is formidable, and his goal is to destroy us and discredit the cause of Moshiach:
Years ago my favourite rugby team, the Blue Bulls, played the Cheetahs in the Curry Cup Final 2005. I thought the Bulls would walk onto the field and clean house. I have a feeling the Bulls’ players were thinking the same thing, they were not taking their opposition seriously and as a result they got beaten. A similar problem comes when believers underestimate the power of our enemy. While we do not want to give him more power than he really has, we make a huge mistake if we think he and his demonic army have no power at all. -- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour -- 1 Peter 5:8. Satan is a present reality in our lives whether we like it or not. He wants nothing more than to destroy our faith, take away our credibility and lead us to stumble into sin. We must be prepared for his attacks, and we need to show him some level of respect as far as his abilities are concerned. -- Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, YHVH Elohim rebuke thee. -- Jude 1:9. This is a remarkable section of Scripture that does not give us as many details as I would like, but it does shed some light on how we should treat satan. Satan is a fallen creature and an avowed enemy of YHVH, yet Michael the archangel, when disputing about the body of Moses, would not dare say anything that would impugn the dignity of satan. In a sense we could say that he respected his position and his power. We would be foolish to do anything less. I have seen many people saying they rebuke the devil; it is pure idiocy to think they can do something that the archangel Michael would not dare do.

Our Lord is so good and perfect! Are you trusting Him today?

#trust #messiahyeshua #messiah #redeemer #salvation #redeemed #believers #cornerfringe #romans #scripture #seekhim #justified #sanctification #walkinhisways

You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
#exodus 23:1 #mishpatim

Did you think Paul was making a new command when he said not to engage in vain and worthless talk? Think again. As with everything else he wrote, he was teaching Torah. If talking about someone else serves no useful or edifying purpose, then don't do it. It doesn't matter if it's true. Keep it to yourself.

From Jonathan Cahn's daily newsletter:

Thursday, January 27, 2022

After 9-11, everyone was saying God bless America, but which God? Which America? What blessing? Is it the God of the Bible or the God of political correctness? Is America founded to be a light to the nations, a new Jerusalem, source of Gospel missions, refuge of the Jewish people, friend of Israel? Or the America that's the chief exporter of pornography, immorality and the god Mammon, which has daily blasphemed God on its media airwaves, and advocated the killing of tens of millions of unborn children - an entire generation? The blessing of safety and prosperity - so we can continue in sin? No, the point isn't "God bless America", the point is "America, bless God!" The focus of our prayers isn't to be our nation's prosperity, but our nation's repentance. In our own lives, our prayers tend to focus on God blessing us - but more important is that we repent and live in God's will. You can't expect His blessings if you don't submit to His will. Pray and seek that your life be truly in His will. Bless God with your obedience and God will bless you with His best.

From Message #923 - Sound of The Watchmen
Scripture: Acts 17:30

Today's Mission - Pray for our country, its people, its government, that we, as a nation will turn from our sin and seek God's face. Repent and turn away from the spiritual darkness.