I Timothy 4

“1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good. Nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving. 5 It is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” 

When my children were growing up, I had to support them. Their father was unwilling to work. Accepting the advice from so-called food experts wasn’t easy for me. They said, “Eat this, don’t eat that.” I did the best I could, and I grieved because I couldn’t afford better for my children. When I cried out to God and said LORD, isn’t everything from You? He led me to this word, and it has been my source of sustainability since. I thank God for His daily provisions. Everything made is from His hands. I worship Him for His goodness. But we are more than our bodies; our bodies are tents of the Living God. Greater is He who lives in us. He is greater than he who lived according to the world and the desires of the flesh. It’s not all about food.

Sometimes I get caught up in the discussions of marriage. At my age, with the many mistakes I’ve made, I became fearful. I sabotaged potential relationships. So I’ve been told. If we walk in healing from the wounds of our past with the Lord, we start to understand true love. We do this through Scripture. We begin to see what it truly looks like. For instance, true love never dies, nor will it separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8). How so, you think? Through experience, we start to taste the goodness of God. For example, when I failed Him unintentionally, and questioned Him in my grief. He embraced me. He did not condemn me when others questioned my faith. God did not kill my son; He saved my son. The Goodness of God gives us free will to choose daily. Like Adam and Eve, the garden contained two trees. They had the freedom to choose between life and death. They chose death. Yet, God made a way through the blood of a lamb. Every day, we too, make a decision; to live by the Spirit, or by deeds of the flesh. When we continue to live according to our flesh, our reactions are dominated by the flesh. Self-control is the fruit of the Spirit. The sin that kills is repaying evil for evil. Pray for the LORD to deliver us. Ask for help for our descendants as well. Deliver us from the sin that leads to death. These are the sins of the flesh.

Heavenly Father,

I did not pray like Timothy’s mother and grandmother, who prayed for him constantly. I neglected to keep my children covered in prayer. I did not pray for my children continually like they did. I repent of complacency. Hannah prayed to God for a child and vowed to give him to the LORD. I regret leaving my children in the open field like sheep for the wolves to prey upon. LORD, I plead the Blood of JESUS over my children and their offspring. In Jesus’ Name, I declare that no weapons of spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental warfare rise and overtake them. Rise, O Mighty Warrior, and defend them by the Fire of the HOLY SPIRIT. Let Grace, Prudence, and Wisdom direct their steps, and cover them with Your feathers. Consume our enemies O God, and deliver us from enticements of the flesh, the world and the devil. Let Your Peace rule and reign in their hearts and minds. LORD, bless the fruit of our lips with seeds of righteousness. Your word says that there is power in the tongue. Put a bridle on it and tame it to serve in Spirit and Truth. Let it act in the best interest of others. Let it work for ourselves and Your Glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen