Women in the Word -Lois

Scripture Reference—2 Timothy 1:5

Name Meaning—Agreeable or desirable

While there are numerous grandmothers mentioned in the Bible, as these cameos show, the term “grandmother” itself is only used once in the Bible, and that is in connection with Lois, the mother of Eunice, and grandmother of Timothy . Lois preserves in her name an old Greek word and corresponds to Naamah and Naomi, both of which carry a similar significance. We can imagine how the nature of Lois corresponded to the implication of her name.

Lois was a devout Jewess who had instructed her beloved daughter and grandson in Old Testament Scriptures. The family lived at Lystra, and it is possible that Paul, during his visit there, had the joy of leading Lois, Eunice, and Timothy to Christ (Acts 14:6, 7; 16:1), and then wrote of the “unfeigned faith” that dwelt in all three. We have no record of Timothy’s father apart from the fact that he was a Greek and apparently not a Christian (Acts 16:11). (Lois’ husband was most likely dead since he is not mentioned at all).,dly, and win the child to Christ” (1 Corinthians 7:14; 2 Timothy 3:15). Paul dwells upon the faith of the mother and grandmother alone in the spiritual instruction of Timothy who became his son in the faith.

The faith that Timothy knew first started in his grandmother Lois, but it also lived in her daughter, Eunice. Both women had a big impact on Timothy’s life. Lois built that faith and then handed it off.

She was a support to Eunice as Eunice discipled her son, Timothy.. Grandparents should always recognize and honor their supporting role in building up the faith of their grandchildren. Sometimes grandparents finds themselves the only spiritual influence on the life of a grandchild. If that’s the case, consider four suggestions:

• Don’t hound your adult kids about going to church.
• You take your grandchildren to church as much as possible.
• You speak Jesus into the lives of your grandchildren at every opportunity.
• The gospel came to Lois late in life. She didn’t raise her daughter, Eunice, as a Christian. Timothy was not raised as a Christian. In fact, he was probably raised with no religion at all. The fact that Timothy had to be circumcised as a young adult reveals that he had little to no spiritual affiliation up to that point (Acts 16:3). They didn’t have a male figure in the family as a spiritual leaderIn spite of all that, Lois and Eunice worked together to build up the faith of Timothy. In so doing they left a legacy of faith that would change the Mediterranean world!

  Even if you feel like you failed with your children, you can still have a powerful impact on your grandchildren. You can still work on building a legacy of faith for future generations. As long as you have breath in your lungs, you can speak Jesus into the lives of the people you love.

  Paul probably met Timothy on his first missionary trip through Asia Minor, an area then known as Southern Galatia. Paul and his friend Barnabas started several churches, winning both Jews and Gentiles to the faith. One of the villages where Paul started a church was Lystra. This is where Timothy’s family lived. It is likely that on that first missionary journey, or shortly thereafter, Timothy’s grandmother, Lois accepted the Lord.

  By the time Paul came through that region a third time (probably about 5 years later), Lois’ faith had led her daughter, Eunice, and her grandson, Timothy to the Lord. When Paul visited Lystra on his way to regions unknown, he saw something special in Timothy. His faith had matured rapidly and he exhibited such potential that Paul invited him to join his traveling missionary team.

  Timothy would go on to be one of the most important early Christian leaders. His faith was born out of the love and witness of his grandmother and mother. Lois created a legacy of faith that would make a difference far beyond her own circle of influence.

   

 

Suffer the Little Lass to come unto Me

Being a Registered Nurse has it’s advantages, one of which is the ability to understand what the Physician is talking about when you are in need of his intervention.  Many friends have turned to me over the years for assistance in deciphering what they have been told at the Doctor’s office.  This has been a ministry of sorts and I would like to believe that I have alleviated some of the apprehension associated with their illness.  My skills have enabled me the pleasure of caring for my Dad and my Stepmother as they battled the torments of cancer.  There developed a bond during those months of palliative care that have given much comfort as I reflect on those days.  After retiring, my stethoscope sorta got hung on the back of the closet door.   Well, it seems that the Lord has given me the need to hang the stethoscope around my neck once more.

The death of a parent can be most devastating especially is there was a close bond.  My friend had a special close relationship with his Mom and even wrote an article commemorating her passing. (http://jpfinn7,wordpress.com )  Since I was a survivor of an abusive childhood, I did not share this type of deep emotional attachment to my parents.  As a young mother though, I often broke into tears over the thought of losing a child.  A dear sweet Aunt lost two of her sons, three years apart at Easter time; one of cancer (age 17), one from injuries sustained in a car wreck (had been home from Nam  two weeks)  It aged her tremendously.  And the Lord God said,  Diann, it is your turn!

Recently, my sweet firstborn granddaughter developed some black irregular growths on her left foot and her back.  She is preliminarily diagnosed with metastatic melanoma.  As she begins this year she will turn 16 on January 3rd.  The potential challenges which she could face are extremely difficult for an adult let alone a young lass in her prime years of youth.

The process of her treatment began with the successful removal of the tumor on her foot.  The Podiatrist was pleased that he was able to remove all of the affected tissue.  On the 8th of January she will be examined by a Dermatologist specializing in melanoma’s and an Endrochronologist to assess the tumors on her thyroid.  Although this Clinic is noted for its aggressive treatment of cancers, her Mom has wisely decided to seek confirmation of any adverse diagnosis via a second opinion.

Our family is holding these truths to be divinely evident; 1 – That God is in control and he knows all about this trial of our faith; 2 – Our Heavenly Father is the Great Physician and should the final diagnosis confirm the presence of metastatic melanona he is still in the business of miraculous healing, and 3 – the promise of Romans 8:28 is still in the Living Word of God, and the Lord is allowing this difficult time in her life to show forth his glory and honor.

It is not unusual in clinical settings to discover that in the process of treating one disease, other ailments rear their unsightly head.  The Physician is then bound by his promise within the Hippocratic Oath to render appropriate treatment.  In my granddaughters case the Great Physician has already began to heal  ‘spiritual’ ailments within her and also in our immediate family.  In allowing this trial in her life, the Lord is not only using this as an opportunity to deal with malignant tumors of sin in the lives of others, but also as a catalyst in helping us to draw nigh unto Him.

The Holy Spirit reminded me that I needed to keep short accounts with God in order that my prayers for my granddaughter would not be hindered.  As I diligently bring her before the Throne of Grace I am pleading with the Holy Spirit to reveal to me those sins which the tempter has caused me to conveniently forget.  In doing so, I was given the opportunity to make things right with a Sister-in-Christ that I had offended years ago.  It will be most important that the Holy Spirit has free reign within my heart!

For those of my Blog family that know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior, I covet your prayers as Tori and our family begin this New Year with challenges from God.  May we face them with His strength and grace as our mantle.

From the Heart of a Child

“IF YOU CAN READ THIS WITHOUT SHEDDING A TEAR YOU ARE STRONGER THAN I AM”.

http://jpfinn7.wordpress.com

God’s take on Tattoos and Body Piercing

During my younger years I was repulsed by  the appearance of the heathen people of uncivilized countries because of their practice of painting and piercing of their bodies.  Some were so grotesque I cringed just looking at them.   The time came in my young adult life that guys began wearing necklaces.  Although it was considered ‘cool’, this practice was in my opinion, feminizing men.  I was ignorant of God’s Word stating that a woman should not wear that which pertaineth unto a man.  It would have seemed the opposite would also be true, that a man should not wear that which pertained unto a woman, like necklaces.   When the practice of men piercing their ears evolved, it originally seem to be a mark of one being a homosexual, especially if  the earring was worn in the right ear lobe.  Well, the practice hit the hollywood crowd and spread like Molasses Flood of 1919, corrupting everything in its path.   For shame, for shame.  Why would anyone want to emulate a heathen hollywood inhabitant?   Alas, this practice no longer elicited the stares, glares and dares of society so the young and rebellious took up another heathen practice, body painting.

My Dad served in WWII.  During his enlistment he and many of his comrades received a tattoo on their  lower right arm.  I always associated this tattoo as a mark of his patriotism and service to his country.  The motive for being tattooed was honorable in the respect that it was done because these men were proud to be serving their country.   It represented  a conviction of sorts.  I do not ever remember a lady getting a tattoo!  Well times have certainly changed in regards to skin painting.  Today, it is a cultural fad, one that actually has its roots in witchcraft!

Many of todays youth look at taboos as asserting their independence and rejection of parental authority.  Others cave into peer pressure or just want to be stylish.   Recently, my second grandson succumbed not only to the ear-piercing but also to getting a tattoo.  Fortunately the tattoo is not visible when he is wearing a shirt.  He had no problem in discerning that his grandmother was not happy.  Even though I was not able to see the tattoo, I know it is there and so does God.   Thus, it became my quest to search the scriptures and learn what God  thought about body piercings and painting.

Actually, God has addressed both of these practices in His Word.   In Leviticus 19:28. God states that ‘Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you:  I am the LORD.’  Even though this is found in the Old Testament, we need to remind ourselves that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction., for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Tim 3:16.  Therefore because we have been instructed by God himself that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost…..we are to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirit, which are actually Gods!

As stated in God’s Word, body piercing and body painting were practices of the heathen in regards to the burial of their dead.  Their belief was that by cutting themselves and disfiguring their bodies, the anger of their gods would be appeased.  This is the abomination that God was referring to in Leviticus 19.  Historians have recorded that in some areas of our uncivilized world these rituals are still being conducted.    Since this is the case and God has commanded His people not to participate in such things then we need to please and honor Him in abstaining from body piercing and tattooing.  In 2 Corinthians 6:17  we are commanded to come out from among them and be ye separate.  We are to be a peculiar people to our Heavenly Father.

Consideration also needs to be given to a growing number of health problems being associated with tattooing.  The major concern is the spread of hepatitis C and the aids virus from multiple tattooing and unsanitary needles.    Should one have their tattoo surgically removed, there is not only the residual scarring but also the possibility of infection from the potential cellulitis.

In conclusion, we need to be cautious in not judging the brethren who sport tattoo’s  These folk can still be used by God even though their appearance may be a stumbling block to some.  Oftentimes these body paintings were acquired prior to the salvation of the individual.   In that regard, it would be good to caution our young people to consider what King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:8  “Better is the end of a thing then the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit”  In other words, it would behoove any one considering a tattoo to reflect on their feelings in about 10 or so years.  Many folk end up regretting the foolishness of their youth in this area of tattooing.

Train up a child ………………………

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

There are a plethora of books written today that expound seemingly fool-proof methods of rearing a child.  Granted, some of these literary works have a nugget of merit or two that would be a useful tool in parenting children.  Many fail to study the One book which sets forth the etched-in-stone, Divinely inspired instruction on rearing children.   THE BIBLE

Within the hallowed pages of the Holy Writ, God has set forth principles and precepts for parents to adhere when training their children to desire to follow in the paths of righteousness.  Notice the word ‘desire’.   Many a parent have suffered devastating agony over the waywardness of the beloved ‘bundle of joy’.   The Biblical principles were studied and applied but the end product was not what the Dad and Mom had hoped and prayed would engulf their child’s life.  What went wrong?  Are God’s promises in vain?  Not at all.!

The wickedness of this world and the free will of man is a fertile medium for Satan to use in counteracting the Biblical training of children.  Parents frequently find themselves in a spiritual battle with the god of this world over the souls of their children.  Only by seeking guidance and wisdom from the Heavenly Father can an earthly Dad have any  hope of rearing his child in the way of the Lord.   The one factor that seals the effort of Biblical training is unfortunately the will of the child.

Many are the stories of preachers kids who have succumbed to homosexuality, delved into pornography, or simply went the ‘way of the world’.   These kids memorized scripture, attended church faithfully, were active in youth work, but alas, their heart was far from the Lord.   What then, shall ye fret?  Shall ye wring your hands in anxious anticipation?  Not at all.   The Word encourages parents to ‘trust in the Lord with all of their heart and lean not unto their own understanding.  Those who rear children are commanded to obey the Word and leave the results up to the Lord

The word ‘those’ was used for a purpose.  There are many children being reared by their grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, or older siblings.  The following testimony is about a child that was for the most part of his childhood, reared by his Grandmother.  The Book of 2 Timothy chapter 1:5 can be an inspiration to all “GRANDmoms”  who God has given the joy of training their grandchild.  The following is a testimony of one such Grandma.

From his birth his grandmother ‘knew’ that God had a special purpose for him.  He was a preemie, weighing one kilogram.  His apgar score at birth was 8 and 9.  For those non medical people, this meant that he was in near perfect health.  What a miracle!  Totally unusual.  His childhood was to be tumultuous, born to  a single Mom, his only stable factor in his life was his Grandmother.  She would be he primary caregiver the most of his childhood.  This child would be subjected to emotional and verbal abuse from his “Christian” school teacher, ridiculed in front of his classmates and ‘written off’ by the school Principle and Superintendent, who was a Preacher.  Yet, his Grandmother had faith and trusted her God that this child would choose to follow the Lord.

God answered her prayer.  He young charge is now a grown man and fulfilling what he believes is his calling in life, serving in the United States Marine Corps.  The following is an except from a recent letter that she received.   May you be blessed as she was!

Dear Grandma,

……………….I am working hard, reading my Bible, and praying harder.  Recruit training has actually strengthened my faith.  I talk to the Chaplain, pray and sing with other recruits and atten church enthusiastically.

To God be the Glory, great things He hath done in the life of this child!