School in Session-Students have an opportunity to be a Godly influence

Many years ago, the supreme court banned prayer in public schools.  They decided it was unconstitutional because it violated the Separation of Church and State.  At that time, the court thought they had succeeded in expelling God from the classroom.  They did not want non-believers to be offended.  This is now known as P. C. , translated as Political Correctness.  They failed to realize that “actions speak louder than words”.  The Godly behavior of young people in our schools does have an influence on other students.  This happens when they look beyond themselves and adopt the following “Motto” and put it into practice.

1. See the need
2.  Take responsibility
3.  MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

You may not be able to pray with those in need while in the classroom, but you can pray for them at home in your quiet time with the Lord.  Keep a record of the answers to your prayers to share with others to encourage them.

1.  A need can be seen when a student is being isolated or ignored because he or she does not meet the expectations of the crowd.  This could be because of their appearance or personality.
2. You can take responsibility by inviting him or her to join you for lunch and become one of your new friends.
3.  You can MAKE A DIFFERENCE by  standing  alongside the victim of a bully. Even the bully will be impressed with your courage.

It should also be on your M.O. to dress modestly and speak kindly to everyone.  I believe the following scriptures spell out the guidelines to follow to become a Godly influence no matter where you are.

Ephesians 4:32 – And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

2 Timothy 3:12 – Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 – Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

Proverbs 3:27, 28 – Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due; When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go and come back and tomorrow I will give it “ When you have it with you.

Joshua 1:9 – Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither dismayed, for the Lord, thy God is with thee wherever you go.

1 Timothy 2:9, 10 – In like manner, also, that the  women adorn themselves in modest  apparel, with propriety and moderation, which is proper for women professing godliness with good works.

Philippians 2:4 - Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but for the interest of others.

Thank you for reading this,

Great Granny Witt

Our lazy summer days are almost over! Back to the reality of a scheduled daily routine.

Just a few more days of no rigid schedule and then back to a daily routine.  It seems that the casual days we enjoy always speed by more quickly than those that have a tight and sometimes rigid schedule of daily events.  I find it is always better  and less stressful to gradually  return to a scheduled life style.  We will then be less likely to be overwhelmed by any sudden changes.  Here are a few ways to successfully accomplish the transition:

1. This week plan on sending the children to bed one hour earlier than usual.

2.  Next week awaken them an hour earlier than normal.  By the time school starts, they will already be on an “early to bed and early to rise” routine.

3.  Also, for an hour after dinner until an hour before bedtime have an organized game time that will soon be replaced with home work and study when school begins again.

 

Dad, Mom and the children will already be prepared for the school year changes in their routine.  If not, it will be like the school football team not practicing before the big game.  Getting a good education is an important part of your future.  The discipline and routine of school helps prepare young people to be successful when they enter into the workplace.  Good school ethics result in good work ethics.  Let’s not let our kids be sitting on the bench just watching the years go by. 

 

A happy thought is that in just three months the parents and kids will be on vacation again for a few weeks. Maybe a daily count down calendar will help the time go by at a faster pace. If everyone of us, parents, children and teachers follow the Golden Rule, everything will go smoothly at every school, including our Home Schools.

 

Thank you for reading this,

 

Great Granny Witt

A new dark cloud is hanging heavy over America!

I felt the need to focus one more week on our religious freedoms due to the controversy caused by videos shown on the internet of tax-funded Planned Parenthood admitting the heartless decision to sell the body parts of aborted babies.

The following scriptures show how God sees human life:

Genesis 2:7 – “And the Lord  God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Psalm 72:12-14 – “For He will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him who has no helper.  He will spare the poor and needy, And will spare the souls of the needy. He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.”

Psalm 139:13-16 – “For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”

Proverbs 8:35,36 – For whoever finds me, (wisdom), finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; But, he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me, love death.” 

From your own experience, can you think of anyone more needy and helpless than a new born baby? Has our country become so barbaric that killing a baby is considered a solution to a problem?  I pray not.

Americans have always been aghast at some of the ways dictators from the past have disposed of humans who have disagreed with them, or were unwanted.  Why now are some defending an organization as callous of human life as those calling aborted babies a line item to cover their expenses?  This should make most parents and grandparents sick to their stomachs.  Think about how sweet, soft and tender your own newborns were.  You would do anything to keep them safe from harm.

Let your representatives in Washington know that if they allow this funding go on, they will be breaking the hearts of loving parents and grandparents.  They are the ones who can’t imagine life without the joy these children have brought into their lives.

Since God is the only one who can truly change the hearts of those who do not see anything wrong with the funding of this organization, please join me in prayer daily that He will answer our prayers.

Thank you for reading this,

Great Granny Witt      

Pray for the protection of Israel from those who want to destroy their nation

In these present days, our government is not considering the dire consequences that could befall Israel if we negotiate a treaty with Israel’s worst enemy, Iran. It doesn’t take a great deal of common sense to research the book of Genesis and see what God’s plans are for Israel.  It was God who gave Abraham these instructions.  God also issued warnings to those who would try to impede His plans for Israel.  

Genesis 12:1-3 - “Now the Lord had said to Abram “Get out of your country, from your family, And From your father’s house to a land I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.”  “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Our government might be more powerful than Israel, but we are not more powerful than our Creator. When we demean Israel’s Prime Minister and treat him in a condescending manner, could that be considered a curse?  It surely doesn’t sound like a blessing to me.  How about you?  What do you think?

As I watch the current news,I pray that our country’s leaders will not help Iran develop nuclear weapons that could be used to destroy Israel; the land that God Himself gave to Abraham. Please join me in praying daily and fervently for God’s protection and blessings on Israel. 

Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God is one.” 

Galatians 5:16 – “I say then; Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

Galatians 6:16 – “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” 

May all of you be blessed as you flood the heavens on behalf of Israel!

 

Thank you for reading this,

 

Great Granny Witt

Be ready to vote wisely in the upcoming 2016 Presidential election

November 2016 seems a long way from now, and it is.  By the time it arrives we will be weary of the speeches by the candidates and alarmed by their vicious, verbal attacks on their opponents, which mostly are proven to be untrue.  A plus to this long period of time is this: as God’s people we have the opportunity to pray for many days that God’s truth will prevail and the lies and false promises will be exposed.

Anyone who has run and won a race knows the following steps are necessary:

Get ready – Be physically and mentally alert.
Get set – Be prepared to start and to finish.
Go – Keep your eyes on the goal.

The same guidelines apply to you when you are about to help elect our next president, our next state governor, or the next mayor of our city.

Get Ready – Research the backgrounds of each candidate.  Make a pro and con list of where they stand on what you believe to be the best for your city, state or country.  Does their past record show that they have done what they said they would?  Are they trustworthy to represent you?

Get Set – Know, before you go to the polls, who you are going to vote for and why.

Go – Cast your vote as an informed voter doing their civic duty. Pray that, God willing, they will win.

Proverbs 15: vs. 29 – “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

Psalm 34: vs. 15 – “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.”

God’s people have a responsibility of electing government leaders who will bring America back to being a land based on Christian principles; a  land that will once again be blessed by God. 

Thank you for reading this,

Great Granny Witt

Are our religious freedoms in jeopardy in America? Pray for the protection of them.

Our history books confirm that the Pilgrims sailed  to America to escape from religious bondage in England.  Politically they were unable to enact new laws to protect their freedom to worship  God as they chose.  They were looking for a new land where they could have religious freedom without persecution.  

I am using the Pilgrims as an example of serious religious persecution because of the present day restrictions being put on believers in America.  They are the believers who are refusing to lower their biblical standards now required by some of our new laws.  They are willing to lose their livelihood rather than veer from God’s Word.  Isn’t it typical of our kind and loving heavenly Father to bless and reward those who are persecuted for glorifying and obeying Him?  The following scriptures attest to that belief:

Matthew 5:11 – “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” 

Luke 6:22 – “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil; for the Son of Man’s sake.” 

1 Peter 4:14 – “If you are reproached  for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  On their part, He is blasphemed, but on your part, He is glorified.”  

These above scriptures tell me that God does not want us to stand by quietly while evil prevails.  He will continue to protect us and bless us as we take a stand for His righteousness. 

One of my favorite worship songs is “Shine, Jesus Shine”.    As I sing the words, or just hear them, I feel I am praying for God to bless America.  I first heard this song years ago when I was part of a parade marching against abortion in Cleveland, Ohio. These are some of the verses that still inspire me to pray for America: 

Shine, Jesus, shine

Fill this land with the Father’s glory

Blaze, Spirit, blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow, river flow

Flood the nations with grace and mercy

Send forth your word

Lord, and let their be light

 

Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 

As God’s people who are called by His name, we have been chosen to send forth His word and pierce the darkness with the light of our salvation.  What an honor and privilege to share the love of Jesus with those who do not yet know Him.  I ask everyone to keep abreast of what is going on in our government.  It is possible, and very probable, that decisions made by our government will effect our spiritual lives.  We need to know what to pray for and how to pray for it.

 

Thank you for reading this,

 

Great Granny Witt

Pray that God's blessings will be on America once again

I have been patriotic since I was old enough to know what it meant.  It means a love for and devotion for one’s country.  Our battle cry then was ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.  The current battle cry for Christian Soldiers seem to have changed to following the biblical advice of Matthew 10:16 –

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”   

If our lives represent wisdom and peace we will indeed stand out as being different  from those who represent the world views.  God has also provided peace and hope for us.

John 16:33 – “Jesus said “These things I have spoken to you that in Me, you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 

Our land needs healing in many areas.  Scripture tells us what God expects from us to enhance that healing.  We are to be wise, peaceful, humble, hopeful, faithful believers in God.

II Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will forgive their sin and  heal their land.!”

Since one of the most important holidays in America is Independence Day on July 4th, I want to focus on our government in the month of July.

Many Americans are wandering around today with seemingly no hope for their future.  Those of us who place our hope and faith in Our God, can experience peace in the midst of chaos.  There are scriptures to show us how.

Hebrews 11:1 “ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

  Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

When an unbeliever approaches you all stressed out and worried about all of the negative happenings in the world, this could be your opportunity for a “divine appointment” (aka a time God arranged for you to share that your hope and peace comes because your faith and trust are in God, not in people.

You could also share with them what a difference Jesus has made in your life.

Thank you for reading this,

Great Granny Witt