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< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 074 - Teach Your Children to Test What They Are Taught Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 074 - Teach Your Children to Test What They Are Taught Just this morning I was reading an article about critical thinking in the body of the church. At first the ideas and information seemed valid and accurate. However, I quickly found myself surprised by a slight wording shift in the tone as ideas and information began to sound “off.” I read a little more with my mind intently paying attention. I no longer skimmed the words, but sought to identify whether God’s words and wisdom were being revealed. The longer I read the more I detected the shift away from God’s truth. Instead, a worldly perspective opposite of God’s was exposed. Next, I checked the credentials of the author and found that they supported teachings I have not heard through Bible study or prayer. Thankful that God made the carefully cloaked deceit clear to me, I stopped reading the article. This is an example of the importance of knowing biblical truth. As parents, our careful scrutiny through biblical wisdom and understanding is the only way we can expect to properly present God’s truths to our watching children. It is the way we can have the ability to guide and guard their biblical critical thinking. If you aren’t actively studying God’s Word and intentionally teaching the truths of Christ to enable your children to develop critical thinking skills that pursue His godliness, the world will sway your children away from His truths. Every area of life is affected by whether you and your child have the ability to critically think through the biblical truths and lens of God. Is every area of life truly affected? What do you think? Consider the various areas in which believers should live in alignment with God’s truths. I’ll read through some and as you hear them, think about the validity of my statement. Would eternity be affected if you or your child didn’t have the ability to critically think through a biblical worldview with each topic? Bible Knowledge Family Lifestyle Desires Worship Gratitude Decisions Mindset Marriage Parenthood Deepening walk with God through relationship with Jesus Bible Study Understanding Bible Truths Understanding Bible stories Understanding current worldviews through a biblical lens Conversations/Questions/Personal Reflection Service Prayer Life Integration of faith and studies in school Mentor of Christ As we list these areas of life, do you see how each one carries the need to think with godly, critical, and biblical wisdom? Without this skill, you and your child may slowly conform to the pattern of this world before you realize the change. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will .” In a world where society promotes self-interests above all else and encourages doing “what feels good” and “living your own truth,” it is imperative that our children have intimate knowledge of God’s Word and the ability to center His wisdom as the foundation on which they measure and assess cultural messaging and personal feelings or emotions. As parents, we must also possess this ability and live with a biblical worldview daily for our children to witness and be taught with intention. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “But test everything; hold fast what is good .” Without relation through Christ and the knowledge and understanding of God’s Holy Word, you and your children cannot critically think with the expectation that a biblically wise result will occur. As you navigate this world, hold fast to what is good , as stated in God’s Word. This will allow you to learn and grow in His knowledge, wisdom, and insight as you navigate this culture so opposite to our Heavenly Father’s truths. Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding .” Are you wondering how you can ensure your children develop biblical critical thinking skills? I believe it is first wise to consider that we and our children must realize people won’t stop to think critically with an eternal perspective worldview if we haven’t purposely trained our heart and mind in that manner. Proper biblical instruction and relationship with God through Jesus are the first steps to take in order to ensure that the Holy Spirit is alive within to bring needed discernment for higher level, godly critical thinking. It's also important to note that living a life devoted to slowing down instead of rushing is important. When we are rushed or forced to make fast decisions, we usually move with what is easiest or may react on impulse to save time. Also, teach your children that when something doesn’t make sense, or if they are confused or fearful, it is a signal that they must make time to pray, seek God’s wisdom through His Word, and speak with someone they trust to lead with godly advice. It’s also very important to test guidance with biblical discernment before you or your children allow the influence of another. Watch to see if their actions and words align with not only what they say they believe, but more importantly, what God’s Word says and calls. Matthew 24:4 – “And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray .” Help your children build the framework for establishing biblical critical thinking by teaching them to compare everything heard, seen, or taught against the Bible. Is the source of information godly? Is the source credible – not just through worldly expectations, but God’s? Is the source of information experienced in the Word of God and His truths? What is the motive and perspective of the source? Is the information the opinion of the source or is it fact backed by Scripture and/or biblical values? 1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world .” Most of what our children read and learn in school, see on television, hear in music, advertisements, and through peers or social media is worldly opinion clothed as fact. These man-made values often contain liberal, cultural doctrine woven throughout to make them enticing. Sometimes they may even carry a tiny bit of truth as defined by God, just to cause enough confusion in the mind of your child and they view it as fact. Just as Satan twisted God’s truth to Eve in the garden. Overall, public institutions don’t teach critical thinking, but instead push children through like they’re on an assembly line without allowing or encouraging the ability to think critically (and certainly not biblically). Students are graduating without absorbing and processing information through a biblical lens that produces godly discernment. Children and young adults are unable to differentiate between fact, fallacy, or opinion. Without aware parents who set the priority for their children to grasp the ability to think biblically and critically, students become adults living and processing life through flawed, worldly views. Public schools, as well as some private institutions, like to teach children to memorize or repeat facts learned through the instructor or read in a classroom textbook. Homework and drills enforce the ideas and trap the student to live a life of moving from one subject to another without needed time to absorb material and build a framework for critical thinking. Proverbs 14 :15 says, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” Make a goal to teach your children how to think, not what to think. Especially when it comes to their relationship with Christ. Unless your children are taught to stand on the firm foundation of Jesus as the support on which to mature their walk with God, they will not learn the process of claiming faith through Christ and experience true freedom to live a holy life. As you live and mentor God’s truths to your children, and teach them the privilege of applying biblical critical reasoning, you enable them to mature their walk with Christ. You help them find the ability to critically think through a biblical lens, and grant them the privilege of navigating this fallen world with grace and hope bound through eternal perspective. Teach your children to use the mind God created for them to process material with reflective thinking that allows biblical consideration. This will lead to beliefs, actions, and reactions pleasing to Him. Remember, your child must be taught the ability to critically scrutinize ideals instead of passively accepting everything learned at pure face value. What takes residence in the heart has already lived in the mind. Make sure your children learn the truths of God and use them to assess what seems to be truth in this world. This will be a great motivator and protector of their beliefs and actions. John 8:32 says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free .” Your child must be enabled and made aware to use the mind God created for His good, to draw upon, and reflect His wisdom when receiving information, identifying problems, analyzing ideas, creating solutions, and making connections. Your child will be empowered to use biblical discernment in complex and everyday challenges and not be swayed by peers, social media, cultural beliefs and practices, or fleshly desires. When identity and perspective are formed through the biblical, truth-filled lens of God your child is equipped to navigate this world with joy, peace, and a desire to discover what is good, pure, and true. He will be equipped and encouraged to live in a confusing world which sways him to accept the opposite of God’s desires. He’ll be far less likely to succumb to deceitful and harmful enticements. He shouldn’t be tempted to believe anything just because it’s popular and will use the mind God gave him to assess and extract God’s truths and teachings before making decisions. Firmly set in biblical truths and desires, your child will navigate life in this world with his heart and vision cast on eternity because he was taught to think critically and biblically. Dear Heavenly Father, Your mind is so far above our own. That we can critically think with even a small portion of Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is a gift beyond measure. Please help us to know You so intimately through study of your Word, prayer, and close fellowship with You that we raise children who seek and serve You through an eternal lens. Father, protect them and provide the critical thinking skills with a biblically based mindset that will honor and please You. May they walk in obedience to You because they have a love and respect borne from relationship through Christ. May they look at this world with appreciation for all You have given them, but yearn for eternal life with You. May their decisions and actions reflect biblical truths and values from You and show their desire for and knowledge of You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you enjoyed this episode and would like more information on how to teach critical thinking, I want to let you know that Purposed Parent/Connect Child Podcast Episode #23, “Teach Your Child Biblical Critical Thinking” is a practical source for godly information on this topic. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective wait list is open now. The first group of women is currently growing together. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Introduction Episode #000 Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast. I’m Terri and you are listening to my Introductory Episode #000. I cannot believe I actually just said those words! Aren’t the things God calls us to do often very surprising and above our ability? At least I find that to be true in my life and this is definitely one of those times. Thank you for spending part of your day with me by listening to my first podcast episode. Sharing God stories and talking about Jesus are two of my favorite things to do with others. If you’re like me, and we were face-to-face, we would probably sip hot teas in a cute coffee shop while time slipped away unnoticed. One of my greatest joys and blessings is sharing what God has done in my life, hearing what He has done in yours, and also encouraging others to deepen their walk with Him. I truly believe part of my calling is to encourage, educate, and equip women to lead intentional lives by embracing an eternal perspective. Today I’ll talk more about what that means to me and why I started this podcast about it. By the way, it feels a little challenging to be the only person talking on this podcast, because I want the authenticity behind what I say to be recognized. I pray you’ll hear my heart behind the words and connect with the love I have for Jesus, and more importantly, the love He has for you. Being able to share ways that He has changed my life and promising you that He can change yours, too is a joy for me. I’ll be the main person sharing on this podcast, but I do also plan to have guests from time to time. One of the most important experiences I want to share today is how the deepest pain in my life so far became a catalyst for me to live intentionally and with eternal perspective. I know we’re supposed to live with our minds fixed on Jesus and eternity, and as a believer, I know that this world is just a passage for me. I am not meant to stay in this temporary dwelling. So let me back up a bit to before everything changed. Although I already understood that truth, and tried to keep it foremost in my heart, I didn’t in the way that I do now. It wasn’t that I blatantly disregarded God’s word. It’s just that life happens and it’s simple to move right along with all the demands and distractions we allow. Of course, sometimes I would stop and ponder the words written in Hebrews 13:14, “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come,” or the verse in Matthew 6:19-21 that states, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Each time I reflected on those verses, it would bring me a step closer to trying to live the way God calls us to. Don’t you appreciate the way God intimately works in each of us? He knows us so well! He loves us so deeply. Despite ourselves, He cares for us. It’s not that I was living a lifestyle that excluded God. I loved Him and was working to grow my faith walk and relationship daily. I was blessed with nice things I was grateful for, but they weren’t excessive. I didn’t try to store up extravagant treasures, but I know deep down I took too much for granted, even life itself, and sometimes I felt entitled to what I had. Take health insurance, for example. When the premiums kept rising, I complained that I wasn’t getting the benefits I used to, instead of rejoicing that I still had insurance. In His goodness, God is able to use events to guide us to Him in even deeper ways. I hadn’t kept eternity in the forefront of my mind and actions. Even though I attempted to, the active thought of me as an alien or stranger in this world was not embedded into my brain daily until I received a mindset shift when my oldest daughter died. Then, my perception of this world was altered. This world was no longer my home. During that immensely painful season of deep loss, God "lifted the veil" and showed me His face. My precious relationship with Jesus was elevated to an altar of faith. As I experienced this loss with Him, I continued growing and developing holier bonds of understanding and trust. My comfort was endless as He never left my side. As long as I continued to hold tightly to Him, not relying on support from others, or inside myself for strength, Jesus went above and beyond what I knew to expect because His care was deeply personal. No one else perfectly understood what I endured, except for Him. He didn’t just walk through each day with me; He cradled and carried me. I’m not saying a bereaving person should not allow others to help them, but simply that Jesus alone knew what I needed in each moment. When my precious daughter passed, God set me free from life on this earth. This place is no longer my home. My spirit now feels what my head thought it understood. I live with one foot on earth to do as He instructs, and one foot in heaven. I delight in being here with my beloved family. Yet, I know that I must listen intently to what God calls me to. He must work His purposes through me. Eternal perspective is beautifully multi-faceted, it’s not just a lifestyle directive we read about in the Bible and think we interpret and attempt to live. God touched the depths of my heart in new ways that my eyes couldn't see and my ears could not hear previously. Every moment, even when I make mistakes, is a miraculous opportunity to live in a way that moves me, and others, to a deeper relationship with Jesus. I am not guaranteed another second of life. Living with eternal perspective is truly in the forefront of my mind and intentions. I am no longer deceived. Everything that happens to me is viewed through an eternal perspective that also affects everyone around me. After my beloved daughter died, I received extreme comfort in knowing that she was with Jesus. This drove home the impact of including others in my eternal viewpoint. Before my daughter died, when I pondered the definition of eternal perspective, I knew not to store treasures on earth, but to look heavenward. I understood that I was to share the gospel. Those commands are basics in Christianity. What makes it different for me now is that I also keep in the forefront of my mind just how my actions and words can affect the eternal life of another person. Every reaction and word I speak has eternal repercussions for someone else. Of course, I knew it before, but now that God has shifted His wisdom in my heart and renewed my mind, I see more clearly just how easily our own emotions and histories can cloud human reactions. I now purposely attempt to give each emotion and reaction to God before responding or speaking to others. Living with this different viewpoint makes it so much easier to sincerely care more deeply about how everything I do can be shaped to better impact the life of another for Christ. As I raise my younger children, I see clearly how what I do becomes who they are. I knew it before, but Jesus continues to drive the point home to me even more. Here’s a story that may better illustrate what I mean. One day we were on our way home from speech therapy with my youngest daughter. It was hours past lunch time and I was hungry. We had another appointment in a couple of hours and all I could think about was getting food in the girls and me before we had to head out again. I decided to stop at a Subway restaurant on the way home. Because of allergies, I can’t eat it, but the girls love it. I hoped we could run in, get the food, take it home, and I would fix myself something while they ate. The only potential flaw with this solution was that Subway can be SO sloooow. Of course, when we pulled into the parking lot and looked through the window, we could see customers already in line. Another car pulled in beside us. I told my teen to get out quickly and get inside before the other people got in line before us. My plan was for her to run in to get the food while I waited in the car with our youngest. After I spoke, I noticed she started moving a little slower than before. “Hurry,” I reminded her as my stomach growled. “Mom,” she said as she looked at me with disappointment and irritation in her eyes and voice. “Don’t you think they’re hungry, too? What if they need to get in line first?” “We’re in a hurry,” I told her, although the sting of conviction was already pricking my spirit. “Please move faster.” Just short of an eye roll, my daughter got out of the car and entered the restaurant behind the group of people from the car next to us. As I feared, we waited about twenty minutes for her to get back to the car as my lunch time was rapidly dwindling away. Before I backed out of the parking spot, I made sure to address the sting in my pride.”You were right that I was being selfish. I’m hungry and I wanted to eat before we have to leave for our next appointment. You have your food now, but I still have to get home and eat mine before it’s time to leave. I was putting myself first,” I admitted. Although I wanted her to listen to and respect what I instructed her to do, I knew that there was a bigger lesson - an eternal one - at stake. God wants us to follow Him and put others before ourselves. Philippians 2:3 instructs, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” God wants absolutely everything I do to reflect the highest level of living for Him. Every single moment offers me an opportunity to allow Him to flow through me. It is not easy. As you can see, I make mistakes. My heart is seen by God, however, and He knows that I desire showing Him to all and that I need Him to continue humbling, stretching, and molding me to become who He desires. There is no pleasure in remaining me. True joy abides when He is allowed to reside in and restore what He created. Eternal perspective living applies to absolutely everything I do. Every decision, comment, and action becomes part of a chain of events impacting myself and others around me, especially those I love. Sometimes, when I am tired or rushed, I might feel an urge to hurry things, but I hear Jesus speak to my soul. He reminds me to slow down. The moment at hand becomes a snapshot of the life album of the person I am dealing with. My reaction and attitude have the ability to affect them beyond what I can see, becoming part of their eternity. I’m honestly the worst with strangers when I get this way, especially people I cannot understand well on the telephone and I have been on an endless loop of transfers with no one able to help me when dealing with health issues for my daughter. I also have a hard time when someone offends or harms one of my children. God has worked on, and will continue working with me in these areas. Although I am far from perfect, He reminds me that I represent Him, and that the simple ways I respond can add up to complex negative or positive outcomes. How different would our world be if we lived according to God’s principles and consistently allowed others to become more important than ourselves? I am not a Bible scholar, but I am in love with God’s words and teachings. I’m fascinated that He took the trouble of preparing a life manual for us, sent straight from Him, and full of everything we need to live for Him, learn from Him, and be prepared to meet Him face-to-face one day. There is so much to learn, but I delight in sitting at the feet of Jesus. I consider myself a girl in love with Him. It’s true that I’m technically a married woman, a mother of four, and a grandma to one, but I consider myself a girl in my faith walk, because I want to maintain the childlike faith Jesus calls us to embrace in Matthew 18:3-4. “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Another scripture, 1 Corinthians 14:20, tells us, “Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.” We are called to become mature in spiritual knowledge and understanding, yet remain naive regarding evil. Adults often confuse the two. We become knowledgeable about sins of the world, and focus our attention on things that aren’t really important in our relationship with eternity. We neglect living in reverence for God, and postpone deepening our walk with Him. We lack the trust to rely on Him to provide for us. Think about the opposite way children approach life. They trust the one who cares for them, even when they shouldn’t. They want to spend time with those they care about and lavish love on the ones who adore them, the way we must intentionally be with Jesus and others. One thing I must ask myself daily is whether my actions match what my heart believes. Do others see Jesus through me? What about you. Can others see what you believe? Before my daughter died, I thought the worst thing that could ever happen to me would be to lose a child. Now I know that the most devastating thing would be to lose Jesus. He has taken me through my biggest fear and proven Himself faithful. Thankfully, His word promises me that no one can pluck me from His hand. I will never lose Jesus. When Jesus lived on this earth, His desire was to glorify God. He modeled that for me to follow. He modeled that for you to follow. Are we representing Christ in the way He should be shown? The hardest challenges and excruciating pains in our life can drive us deeper into the arms of Jesus or give us an excuse to run away from Him. In order to truly live with eternal perspective, we must view eternity through a new lens. Eternity is multi-dimensional; affecting everything we are and do. While we have a limited amount of time on earth to know, love, and show Jesus, we will spend the remainder of our timeless existence in the presence of the Lord, if we are believers. That means we must submit to God’s plan for our life – and His plan for others. We must glorify and honor Jesus in all that we do. We must look beyond ourselves to Jesus and abide in His view of others. We must focus on discipleship of ourselves and others. We must place Jesus on the throne of our affections and thoughts. When our mind is fixed on things above, seeking Jesus and drawing nearer to Him, our heart organically develops to be more like His. Our life reflects the change. We are allowing Him to truly abide in us and transform us. Sometimes the transformation is easy; sometimes it is agonizing. It is always worth the investment – for self, others, and Him. Let me list some important questions that I think help us to put eternity into an easier focus for us. Let’s ask ourselves the following: What do I believe about the promise Jesus gives me regarding eternity? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? What do I believe about the potential Jesus says I have to affect His kingdom? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? What do I believe about the possibilities (the gifts) Jesus created in me? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? What do I believe about the value Jesus places on me as His beloved child? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? Do I know and have I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? How we measure our belief will become our result – both here and for eternity. Imagine groggily lifting yourself from bed fifteen minutes later than normal one morning with all the “to-do” list of items already rolling through your mind. You can barely take another step because you’ve been so behind with all the activities and expectations of life, and you just can’t get enough sleep. As you walk from the bedroom to the kitchen, you see Jesus sitting at your kitchen table, waiting to visit with just you. Are you panic-stricken? Or do you feel peace? Do you begin apologizing for the mess in your house? Are you giving excuses as to why you don’t have enough time to keep it as clean as you’d like to and start telling Him everything that you’ve had to do? Maybe you ask Him why He didn’t add about ten more hours to each day; or better yet, another day to each week. Or do you simply sit with Him? Are you able to abide in the presence of your Savior? Are you willing to let go of the expectations you place on yourself and allow Him to restore your mindset and spirit? Often, we don’t know Jesus because we say that we don’t have time, deceiving ourselves that in order to grow in Him, we must be involved in several group Bible studies, be at every church function, take lessons on how to interpret our spiritual gifts, read every good book about faith and Jesus, and keep a spiritual journal. The list can be endless. We make knowing and loving Jesus a task. Love for our Savior should fuel our actions in simple and direct ways. Sit with Bible in hand and read His teachings and the wisdom of God. Pray. Listen for God. Connect with other believers. See where the Heavenly Father leads you next. Jesus simply desires our heart in genuine worship and relationship. Luke 10:38-42 illustrates two sisters who love Jesus. One is consumed with doing what she thinks is important, instead of simply being in His presence. After complaining to Jesus about the actions of her sister, Jesus gently rebukes her. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Live to be more engaged with Jesus than engaged for Him. Make time to be at His feet and listen for His direction. Soak up His presence. Thank you for listening to this first Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we will have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 000 Introduction Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Introduction Episode #000 Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast. I’m Terri and you are listening to my Introductory Episode #000. I cannot believe I actually just said those words! Aren’t the things God calls us to do often very surprising and above our ability? At least I find that to be true in my life and this is definitely one of those times. Thank you for spending part of your day with me by listening to my first podcast episode. Sharing God stories and talking about Jesus are two of my favorite things to do with others. If you’re like me, and we were face-to-face, we would probably sip hot teas in a cute coffee shop while time slipped away unnoticed. One of my greatest joys and blessings is sharing what God has done in my life, hearing what He has done in yours, and also encouraging others to deepen their walk with Him. I truly believe part of my calling is to encourage, educate, and equip women to lead intentional lives by embracing an eternal perspective. Today I’ll talk more about what that means to me and why I started this podcast about it. By the way, it feels a little challenging to be the only person talking on this podcast, because I want the authenticity behind what I say to be recognized. I pray you’ll hear my heart behind the words and connect with the love I have for Jesus, and more importantly, the love He has for you. Being able to share ways that He has changed my life and promising you that He can change yours, too is a joy for me. I’ll be the main person sharing on this podcast, but I do also plan to have guests from time to time. One of the most important experiences I want to share today is how the deepest pain in my life so far became a catalyst for me to live intentionally and with eternal perspective. I know we’re supposed to live with our minds fixed on Jesus and eternity, and as a believer, I know that this world is just a passage for me. I am not meant to stay in this temporary dwelling. So let me back up a bit to before everything changed. Although I already understood that truth, and tried to keep it foremost in my heart, I didn’t in the way that I do now. It wasn’t that I blatantly disregarded God’s word. It’s just that life happens and it’s simple to move right along with all the demands and distractions we allow. Of course, sometimes I would stop and ponder the words written in Hebrews 13:14, “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come,” or the verse in Matthew 6:19-21 that states, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Each time I reflected on those verses, it would bring me a step closer to trying to live the way God calls us to. Don’t you appreciate the way God intimately works in each of us? He knows us so well! He loves us so deeply. Despite ourselves, He cares for us. It’s not that I was living a lifestyle that excluded God. I loved Him and was working to grow my faith walk and relationship daily. I was blessed with nice things I was grateful for, but they weren’t excessive. I didn’t try to store up extravagant treasures, but I know deep down I took too much for granted, even life itself, and sometimes I felt entitled to what I had. Take health insurance, for example. When the premiums kept rising, I complained that I wasn’t getting the benefits I used to, instead of rejoicing that I still had insurance. In His goodness, God is able to use events to guide us to Him in even deeper ways. I hadn’t kept eternity in the forefront of my mind and actions. Even though I attempted to, the active thought of me as an alien or stranger in this world was not embedded into my brain daily until I received a mindset shift when my oldest daughter died. Then, my perception of this world was altered. This world was no longer my home. During that immensely painful season of deep loss, God "lifted the veil" and showed me His face. My precious relationship with Jesus was elevated to an altar of faith. As I experienced this loss with Him, I continued growing and developing holier bonds of understanding and trust. My comfort was endless as He never left my side. As long as I continued to hold tightly to Him, not relying on support from others, or inside myself for strength, Jesus went above and beyond what I knew to expect because His care was deeply personal. No one else perfectly understood what I endured, except for Him. He didn’t just walk through each day with me; He cradled and carried me. I’m not saying a bereaving person should not allow others to help them, but simply that Jesus alone knew what I needed in each moment. When my precious daughter passed, God set me free from life on this earth. This place is no longer my home. My spirit now feels what my head thought it understood. I live with one foot on earth to do as He instructs, and one foot in heaven. I delight in being here with my beloved family. Yet, I know that I must listen intently to what God calls me to. He must work His purposes through me. Eternal perspective is beautifully multi-faceted, it’s not just a lifestyle directive we read about in the Bible and think we interpret and attempt to live. God touched the depths of my heart in new ways that my eyes couldn't see and my ears could not hear previously. Every moment, even when I make mistakes, is a miraculous opportunity to live in a way that moves me, and others, to a deeper relationship with Jesus. I am not guaranteed another second of life. Living with eternal perspective is truly in the forefront of my mind and intentions. I am no longer deceived. Everything that happens to me is viewed through an eternal perspective that also affects everyone around me. After my beloved daughter died, I received extreme comfort in knowing that she was with Jesus. This drove home the impact of including others in my eternal viewpoint. Before my daughter died, when I pondered the definition of eternal perspective, I knew not to store treasures on earth, but to look heavenward. I understood that I was to share the gospel. Those commands are basics in Christianity. What makes it different for me now is that I also keep in the forefront of my mind just how my actions and words can affect the eternal life of another person. Every reaction and word I speak has eternal repercussions for someone else. Of course, I knew it before, but now that God has shifted His wisdom in my heart and renewed my mind, I see more clearly just how easily our own emotions and histories can cloud human reactions. I now purposely attempt to give each emotion and reaction to God before responding or speaking to others. Living with this different viewpoint makes it so much easier to sincerely care more deeply about how everything I do can be shaped to better impact the life of another for Christ. As I raise my younger children, I see clearly how what I do becomes who they are. I knew it before, but Jesus continues to drive the point home to me even more. Here’s a story that may better illustrate what I mean. One day we were on our way home from speech therapy with my youngest daughter. It was hours past lunch time and I was hungry. We had another appointment in a couple of hours and all I could think about was getting food in the girls and me before we had to head out again. I decided to stop at a Subway restaurant on the way home. Because of allergies, I can’t eat it, but the girls love it. I hoped we could run in, get the food, take it home, and I would fix myself something while they ate. The only potential flaw with this solution was that Subway can be SO sloooow. Of course, when we pulled into the parking lot and looked through the window, we could see customers already in line. Another car pulled in beside us. I told my teen to get out quickly and get inside before the other people got in line before us. My plan was for her to run in to get the food while I waited in the car with our youngest. After I spoke, I noticed she started moving a little slower than before. “Hurry,” I reminded her as my stomach growled. “Mom,” she said as she looked at me with disappointment and irritation in her eyes and voice. “Don’t you think they’re hungry, too? What if they need to get in line first?” “We’re in a hurry,” I told her, although the sting of conviction was already pricking my spirit. “Please move faster.” Just short of an eye roll, my daughter got out of the car and entered the restaurant behind the group of people from the car next to us. As I feared, we waited about twenty minutes for her to get back to the car as my lunch time was rapidly dwindling away. Before I backed out of the parking spot, I made sure to address the sting in my pride.”You were right that I was being selfish. I’m hungry and I wanted to eat before we have to leave for our next appointment. You have your food now, but I still have to get home and eat mine before it’s time to leave. I was putting myself first,” I admitted. Although I wanted her to listen to and respect what I instructed her to do, I knew that there was a bigger lesson - an eternal one - at stake. God wants us to follow Him and put others before ourselves. Philippians 2:3 instructs, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” God wants absolutely everything I do to reflect the highest level of living for Him. Every single moment offers me an opportunity to allow Him to flow through me. It is not easy. As you can see, I make mistakes. My heart is seen by God, however, and He knows that I desire showing Him to all and that I need Him to continue humbling, stretching, and molding me to become who He desires. There is no pleasure in remaining me. True joy abides when He is allowed to reside in and restore what He created. Eternal perspective living applies to absolutely everything I do. Every decision, comment, and action becomes part of a chain of events impacting myself and others around me, especially those I love. Sometimes, when I am tired or rushed, I might feel an urge to hurry things, but I hear Jesus speak to my soul. He reminds me to slow down. The moment at hand becomes a snapshot of the life album of the person I am dealing with. My reaction and attitude have the ability to affect them beyond what I can see, becoming part of their eternity. I’m honestly the worst with strangers when I get this way, especially people I cannot understand well on the telephone and I have been on an endless loop of transfers with no one able to help me when dealing with health issues for my daughter. I also have a hard time when someone offends or harms one of my children. God has worked on, and will continue working with me in these areas. Although I am far from perfect, He reminds me that I represent Him, and that the simple ways I respond can add up to complex negative or positive outcomes. How different would our world be if we lived according to God’s principles and consistently allowed others to become more important than ourselves? I am not a Bible scholar, but I am in love with God’s words and teachings. I’m fascinated that He took the trouble of preparing a life manual for us, sent straight from Him, and full of everything we need to live for Him, learn from Him, and be prepared to meet Him face-to-face one day. There is so much to learn, but I delight in sitting at the feet of Jesus. I consider myself a girl in love with Him. It’s true that I’m technically a married woman, a mother of four, and a grandma to one, but I consider myself a girl in my faith walk, because I want to maintain the childlike faith Jesus calls us to embrace in Matthew 18:3-4. “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Another scripture, 1 Corinthians 14:20, tells us, “Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.” We are called to become mature in spiritual knowledge and understanding, yet remain naive regarding evil. Adults often confuse the two. We become knowledgeable about sins of the world, and focus our attention on things that aren’t really important in our relationship with eternity. We neglect living in reverence for God, and postpone deepening our walk with Him. We lack the trust to rely on Him to provide for us. Think about the opposite way children approach life. They trust the one who cares for them, even when they shouldn’t. They want to spend time with those they care about and lavish love on the ones who adore them, the way we must intentionally be with Jesus and others. One thing I must ask myself daily is whether my actions match what my heart believes. Do others see Jesus through me? What about you. Can others see what you believe? Before my daughter died, I thought the worst thing that could ever happen to me would be to lose a child. Now I know that the most devastating thing would be to lose Jesus. He has taken me through my biggest fear and proven Himself faithful. Thankfully, His word promises me that no one can pluck me from His hand. I will never lose Jesus. When Jesus lived on this earth, His desire was to glorify God. He modeled that for me to follow. He modeled that for you to follow. Are we representing Christ in the way He should be shown? The hardest challenges and excruciating pains in our life can drive us deeper into the arms of Jesus or give us an excuse to run away from Him. In order to truly live with eternal perspective, we must view eternity through a new lens. Eternity is multi-dimensional; affecting everything we are and do. While we have a limited amount of time on earth to know, love, and show Jesus, we will spend the remainder of our timeless existence in the presence of the Lord, if we are believers. That means we must submit to God’s plan for our life – and His plan for others. We must glorify and honor Jesus in all that we do. We must look beyond ourselves to Jesus and abide in His view of others. We must focus on discipleship of ourselves and others. We must place Jesus on the throne of our affections and thoughts. When our mind is fixed on things above, seeking Jesus and drawing nearer to Him, our heart organically develops to be more like His. Our life reflects the change. We are allowing Him to truly abide in us and transform us. Sometimes the transformation is easy; sometimes it is agonizing. It is always worth the investment – for self, others, and Him. Let me list some important questions that I think help us to put eternity into an easier focus for us. Let’s ask ourselves the following: What do I believe about the promise Jesus gives me regarding eternity? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? What do I believe about the potential Jesus says I have to affect His kingdom? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? What do I believe about the possibilities (the gifts) Jesus created in me? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? What do I believe about the value Jesus places on me as His beloved child? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? Do I know and have I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior? Do my actions reflect my beliefs? How we measure our belief will become our result – both here and for eternity. Imagine groggily lifting yourself from bed fifteen minutes later than normal one morning with all the “to-do” list of items already rolling through your mind. You can barely take another step because you’ve been so behind with all the activities and expectations of life, and you just can’t get enough sleep. As you walk from the bedroom to the kitchen, you see Jesus sitting at your kitchen table, waiting to visit with just you. Are you panic-stricken? Or do you feel peace? Do you begin apologizing for the mess in your house? Are you giving excuses as to why you don’t have enough time to keep it as clean as you’d like to and start telling Him everything that you’ve had to do? Maybe you ask Him why He didn’t add about ten more hours to each day; or better yet, another day to each week. Or do you simply sit with Him? Are you able to abide in the presence of your Savior? Are you willing to let go of the expectations you place on yourself and allow Him to restore your mindset and spirit? Often, we don’t know Jesus because we say that we don’t have time, deceiving ourselves that in order to grow in Him, we must be involved in several group Bible studies, be at every church function, take lessons on how to interpret our spiritual gifts, read every good book about faith and Jesus, and keep a spiritual journal. The list can be endless. We make knowing and loving Jesus a task. Love for our Savior should fuel our actions in simple and direct ways. Sit with Bible in hand and read His teachings and the wisdom of God. Pray. Listen for God. Connect with other believers. See where the Heavenly Father leads you next. Jesus simply desires our heart in genuine worship and relationship. Luke 10:38-42 illustrates two sisters who love Jesus. One is consumed with doing what she thinks is important, instead of simply being in His presence. After complaining to Jesus about the actions of her sister, Jesus gently rebukes her. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Live to be more engaged with Jesus than engaged for Him. Make time to be at His feet and listen for His direction. Soak up His presence. Thank you for listening to this first Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we will have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #144 – Life Lessons Through my Dog Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Job 12:7-10 says, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Last week our Golden Retriever had surgery. Because of this, he isn't allowed to jump, run, or be very active for about 10 days. Of course, he doesn't understand why he's suddenly restricted from doing everything he is accustomed to doing. In fact, not only has he lost these expected privileges, but he's also made to wear a humiliating bodysuit so he can't lick or scratch himself in the surgical area! Since my dog actually acts more like a cat sometimes, (and loves to jump up to the highest positions he can lay in), some of his favorite places are blocked off with bean bags and chairs. As I watched him eyeing one of his usual lounging areas, I could see displeasure reflected in his eyes when he could not get to it. Resigned, he walked over to a small bean bag on the floor and curled himself into a tight ball to fit. His reactions remind me how humans usually react. We often take much for granted, assuming we have the right to continue the same patterns, habits, and expectations. When something changes or we feel it has been taken away, we don't understand and sometimes get angry, frustrated, disappointed, or stressed. Although my dog was disappointed, he resigned himself to finding another spot. Even though he didn't understand why I wasn't letting him continue routine events, he didn't cry or fuss. He simply found another solution to what bothered him, still trusting that he would be loved and cared for. If only humans could react the same way. Each day brings such blessings. What we have isn't guaranteed for another moment. Living with eternal perspective means so much more than thinking we will be in Heaven one day if we know Christ. Living with our eyes, mind, and heart focused above is a constant, humble lifestyle. Seeing the simplicity of life through the eyes of an animal God allows us to care for is a reminder of how much excess we have. How much we assume and expect. I hope that as life changes, we can embrace the losses as much as we grab the gifts we recognize. Losses stretch us beyond what we imagine we can endure, allowing us the opportunity to reach a new level of understanding our Lord...if we allow ourselves to focus on Him instead of our desires. As disappointments, failures, mistakes, regrets, or hardships tug at your confidence or emotions, don’t allow them to affect your relationship with Christ. Instead, let them draw you nearer to Him. Seek God for how you can allow His transformation to flow through you because of what happened or is happening to you. As much as we love answers, as much as we want pain or hardship to cease, we must learn to follow Him and allow His work to penetrate where we need it. Think of how gracious God is to provide us with insight, reassurances, and wisdom through His creation. Not only does He teach and influence us through animals, but all of what He has made. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word tells us that the heavens declare Your glory and the skies proclaim the work of Your hands. You teach us that day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Help us to see Your glory revealed through creation. Help us to recognize the beauty and majesty of Your hands. Help us to learn the lessons You sometimes present so simply if we only open our eyes and heart. Help us to study Your Word so we know and recognize You in all the beautiful ways You reveal Yourself to us with a holy and unsurpassed love. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. This summer I am working on a very special women and mother collective. You can visit terrihitt.com to learn more or send me a message at info@terrihitt.com. During the summer months, as I work on this special assignment I believe God is calling me to, I will have some shorter podcasts and may replay some treasured episodes from time to time. It is my prayer that you will find time to rest in the Lord as you listen and mature your walk with Him. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 144 - Life Lessons Through my Dog Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #144 – Life Lessons Through my Dog Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Job 12:7-10 says, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Last week our Golden Retriever had surgery. Because of this, he isn't allowed to jump, run, or be very active for about 10 days. Of course, he doesn't understand why he's suddenly restricted from doing everything he is accustomed to doing. In fact, not only has he lost these expected privileges, but he's also made to wear a humiliating bodysuit so he can't lick or scratch himself in the surgical area! Since my dog actually acts more like a cat sometimes, (and loves to jump up to the highest positions he can lay in), some of his favorite places are blocked off with bean bags and chairs. As I watched him eyeing one of his usual lounging areas, I could see displeasure reflected in his eyes when he could not get to it. Resigned, he walked over to a small bean bag on the floor and curled himself into a tight ball to fit. His reactions remind me how humans usually react. We often take much for granted, assuming we have the right to continue the same patterns, habits, and expectations. When something changes or we feel it has been taken away, we don't understand and sometimes get angry, frustrated, disappointed, or stressed. Although my dog was disappointed, he resigned himself to finding another spot. Even though he didn't understand why I wasn't letting him continue routine events, he didn't cry or fuss. He simply found another solution to what bothered him, still trusting that he would be loved and cared for. If only humans could react the same way. Each day brings such blessings. What we have isn't guaranteed for another moment. Living with eternal perspective means so much more than thinking we will be in Heaven one day if we know Christ. Living with our eyes, mind, and heart focused above is a constant, humble lifestyle. Seeing the simplicity of life through the eyes of an animal God allows us to care for is a reminder of how much excess we have. How much we assume and expect. I hope that as life changes, we can embrace the losses as much as we grab the gifts we recognize. Losses stretch us beyond what we imagine we can endure, allowing us the opportunity to reach a new level of understanding our Lord...if we allow ourselves to focus on Him instead of our desires. As disappointments, failures, mistakes, regrets, or hardships tug at your confidence or emotions, don’t allow them to affect your relationship with Christ. Instead, let them draw you nearer to Him. Seek God for how you can allow His transformation to flow through you because of what happened or is happening to you. As much as we love answers, as much as we want pain or hardship to cease, we must learn to follow Him and allow His work to penetrate where we need it. Think of how gracious God is to provide us with insight, reassurances, and wisdom through His creation. Not only does He teach and influence us through animals, but all of what He has made. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word tells us that the heavens declare Your glory and the skies proclaim the work of Your hands. You teach us that day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Help us to see Your glory revealed through creation. Help us to recognize the beauty and majesty of Your hands. Help us to learn the lessons You sometimes present so simply if we only open our eyes and heart. Help us to study Your Word so we know and recognize You in all the beautiful ways You reveal Yourself to us with a holy and unsurpassed love. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. This summer I am working on a very special women and mother collective. You can visit terrihitt.com to learn more or send me a message at info@terrihitt.com . During the summer months, as I work on this special assignment I believe God is calling me to, I will have some shorter podcasts and may replay some treasured episodes from time to time. It is my prayer that you will find time to rest in the Lord as you listen and mature your walk with Him. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Godly Motherhood Podcast - Episode 136 - Losing Myself in Motherhood Welcome to the Godly Motherhood podcast. If you’re a mom, you can’t parent in your strength. You aren’t supposed to. On this podcast I’ll encourage you to rest and abide in the Father’s arms. Through Him, you’ll be carried - and capable of raising each unique child entrusted to your care as you teach them to chase Christ over culture moment by moment. Before we start this episode, I want to invite you to be “FOUND.” If you feel like you’re losing yourself in motherhood or marriage, you need help combating anxiety, burnout, or guilt, or you need to find your sense of purpose, email me at info@terrihitt.com and mention the word, “FOUND.” You CAN move past surviving and get to thriving. When was the last time you thought or said these words: “I feel lost.” “I feel like I’m moving through quicksand trying to keep up with everything.” “I feel like I’m slowly dying.” “How is everyone else thriving while I’m barely surviving?” If you’ve ever carried these thoughts (or something close), you’re not alone. I’ve heard moms share them several times. These isolating words are actually phrases that bind many women together. Each one silently feels like she’s the only one experiencing a less than perfect attitude or living less than perfect days. Please know you’re not alone. You don’t have to feel like you are – and you don’t have to stay where you are. Women tend to ruminate. Feel deeply. We spend hours and energy at work – guilty because we’re not at home. Then when we are home, we obsess about work. We feel the pressure to work hours like we did before we became a parent - coupled with the expectation to remain a nurturing wife and mother. Meanwhile, we have huge responsibilities keeping our mind occupied like it’s still at work. Even when we stay home with the kids, the pressure for perfection persists. But we smile and say everything’s fine while wondering how to get things to change. Let’s admit it. The emotional demands of motherhood can drain the strongest of women. It’s not only the responsibilities we face; it’s the fact that we continue to take more on while in the midst of wondering how we’re going to get what we’re already committed to accomplished. That’s when feelings of anger, resentment, sadness, or depression can overtake any joy we thought we’d experience, even if all we ever wanted to do was become a mother. When you’re feeling unappreciated or unseen, daily responsibilities turn joy you thought you’d feel into overwhelm you can’t escape. Right along with emotional demands, the mental demands of work, relationships, and home, such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and everything motherhood entails, can make a woman feel she’s losing her identity. That’s when women begin to define themselves by one of the many responsibilities she carries, such as mom, wife, employee, caregiver, etc. The deeper her identity is shaped by this role, all other expectations become more challenging. Now feeling trapped in the identity most used, needed, or pressed on her, she begins to feel isolated. Withdrawn. A shell of herself. A pressure to excel in all roles becomes more of a pain than a pleasure, and there’s no balance or fulfillment in any role. It’s now even harder to justify making time to just…be. To breath. To learn, grow, or enjoy this journey called life. Once her mental and emotional capacity is at red-alert, ready to blow the top, she drops physically. Sick, fatigued, and lifeless, nothing brings joy except the thought of fleeing from it all. Feeling like she’s drowning in anxiety, she wonders when the next pressure will burn out the tiny flame that is supposed to be flickering inside. She just wants to escape to rest and recuperate, but the demands keep hitting until she barely survives each moment, let alone hours to the next day. Worried that she can’t survive financially if she quits her job, or fearful that she can’t ask her husband for help where she needs it, because she’ll be judged or feel inadequate, resentment toward her spouse and self - take root. Spiritually, she’s a mess. While her heart once loved Jesus beyond all else, she now wonders if He feels as ashamed of her as she does herself. She wonders why the Lord hasn’t swooped in to rescue her. Thoughts like, “Isn’t it the woman’s job to ‘do it all’” circulate in her mind until they control her actions and reactions. She craves the perfect home everyone on Instagram seems to have. But her furniture is covered in months of dust and she can’t remember the last time she changed her bed sheets. Is it possible to craft a routine that enables her to do it all? Could she just get one secret that would help her organize a little bit better or get faster at the chores piling up? If only she had support, She wishes she he wouldn’t feel inept if she asked for relief. Afraid to tell her friends how she feels, she smiles and acts like everything’s perfect, while weeping inside and feeling more lonely than before. Her husband used to gaze at her with pride, but now it feels like his eyes reflect disappointment. Or is that what she’s seeing shining from her own gaze? When she stays home with the kids, boredom and repetition rule the day, and when she works outside the home, time becomes an enemy that sucks her soul along with moments while she waits to get back home. If any of these situations is you…there is hope. Relief. I don’t want you to live in overwhelm when you can have joy. That’s why I offered the program at the start of this episode. I know it will help you see there is a lifeline. For now, you know where I’m going to send you. To your knees. To the Father. Though the remedies sound elementary or repetitious, hear me out. Reading the Word regularly, even when you truly are in a season where you don’t have time will change your perspective. Most of the time, we simply don’t want to read the Word enough to devote ourselves to MAKE time to do so. Even ten minutes. We think we’ll get to it later. We think ten minutes won’t make a difference so we wait until we have more time…but that day never comes. If you’re really in a spot where you’re challenged to read, maybe you’re caring for elderly parents and babies, or you have other obligations that make including Bible reading challenging, listen to the Word. Pull it up on your phone. Then continue looking for times to sit down to read. Anything is doable on the hardest and most challenging of schedules IF you value the end-result enough. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart .” No matter what conditions you face, what pain you’ve lived, what fears you face, God is able. He’s able to remove the difficulties and He’s able to carry you through them. The old saying, “God won’t give you more than you can manage” is a lie. He will give you more. Way more. You’d better believe there’s a grand purpose for allowing it in your life and at this time. You aren’t enough to manage what comes your way, but He is. The truth is that God won’t give you more than He can manage. He wants you to come to Him with everything. He wants you operating in His strength, not trying to manage on your own. He is present. He is sovereign. He is in control. He will allow whatever it takes to bring those who belong to Him closer and more Christlike each moment. Remember, whatever season you’re facing is not going to last forever. Even when it seems like it. Even when it feels like a nightmare. I don’t know where you are or what you’re facing. But God does. Invite Him to carry you. Release self to Him. Take the first step of committing to read the Word regularly. Pray for God to open your eyes, heart, and mind to what He is saying. Study Bible notes and look for ways to apply whatever you read in your life. I’ve discovered newfound inspiration from reading Nehemiah. I’m amazed at how powerful Scripture is. Just like the Bible tells us. You can read a verse or passage at various times in your life and have it finally make sense just when you need it. Or you can read it over and over and find new meaning that brings your faith clearer and deeper – and wider. More rooted. Ask God to change your heart and mind where you need it. Instead of simply praying that God change others or change a situation, ask Him to transform your mind, heart, and spirit into what He desires for your good and His glory. It won’t always be easy. His answers may not be easy. But they may be easy. Do it anyway. Then rest and abide in His arms. His care. His control. His Word promises that He has better for you than you can imagine for yourself. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think .” As you invite God to work in You, taking thoughts captive for Christ, begin to look at where you can change your circumstances. Pray for wisdom, insight, and discernment. You might have to shift priorities. Look for any that can be shifted. Rearranged. Stopped for a while - or let go of for good. Prioritize and create boundaries. People will take as much as you give. You must prioritize God, family, and self. The rest can be added or subtracted as needed. In the Christian space people talk often about guarding your heart. You must also practice guarding your walk with God and ensure that you do the same for your family. Delegate. Swallow pride and ask for help. It doesn’t mean you failed. It doesn’t mean you can’t do as much as someone else. It means you’re aware of the fact that you don’t have to. Ask God to show you what needs to be done to keep you in alignment with His good and perfect plans to give you and your family a hope and a future. To give you good and show His glory. One of the most challenging truths to remember when we’re faced with hardships is that our thoughts and feelings aren’t always accurate. It’s crucial (even when we think we can’t do it) to be in God’s Word. Only the Lord and His truths can renew your mind and refresh your soul. Your thoughts cannot be His thoughts. Your ways cannot be His ways. Unless you are immersed in maturing relationship with God through Jesus, the Word, and prayer. The only way to discern whether your thoughts, feelings, and emotions are accurate is whether they align with God’s truths as proven in Scripture. Share all your thoughts, feelings, and emotions with God. Let your spouse know you need help. Sometimes hope and help are just beyond our fingers, but we’re too prideful, afraid, or feel guilty to reach out for it. None of those emotions are from God. He offers the relief, comfort, and help we need in the ways that are individually perfect for us and that bring us to Him in deeper communion. Please let God’s truth rule your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Never give up hope. Keep looking Up. You don’t have to lose yourself as a wife, mother, or in any other role in your life…unless it’s in the Father’s arms. He is waiting to carry you. Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Great I Am, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the One who created us. You know us intimately and love us beyond measure. Father forgive us for thoughts that can rage inside us as we go from day to day. So often we fear the world more than the Way and we get caught up in comparison, doubt, or get too busy to seek You. Forgive us. Guide us back to the path You have for us. One that won’t harm us, but will fill us with the joys of our hearts. Only You know the way to our heart and deepest desires because You created us with purpose. Help us be the set-apart women You created us to be. Help us have joy, not overwhelm, laughter and love, instead of anxiety. Reach us where we need You most. Help us see You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Jesus’s precious, holy name we pray. Amen. If you’re experiencing any of the feelings you heard on this episode, don’t wait another moment. Continue prayerfully seeking God through Scripture and prayer. Find a mentor to guide you with godly methods and truths that will lead you to the Source of freedom you deserve. I also have a free resource you’ll find helpful as you navigate your daily routine as a mom. If you’re ready to become the godly mother God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource. Time is short. Leave a legacy that lasts into eternity. Unless you’re purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. Focus on eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 075 - Embrace Being an Imperfect Parent but Don't Stay There Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 075 – Embrace Being an Imperfect Parent But Don’t Stay There Godly over good parenting. Have you heard that term before? I speak of it often. In fact, it’s become one of my favorite ways to connect with someone when we talk about parenting. Why? One of the greatest joys of my life has been finding out the truth about parenting. It wasn’t until I began to see the holy privilege bestowed by God when He allows one to become a parent that I also felt one of the deepest sorrows of my life. How did something so joyous bring such sorrow? Sorrow is described as a type of grieving or regret . The fact that the definition labels sorrow as a form of grief speaks to the depth of remorse. But did you know that there are different types of sorrow ? One is a human , fleshly sorrow , the other a godly sorrow . 2 Corinthians 7:10-11a says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. ” What exactly is godly sorrow? The Bible refers to godly sorrow as sorrow that is prompted or produced by the Holy Spirit and aligns with the will of God . It is God, by His grace, who grants our saving faith, which includes repentance from sin. 2 Timothy 2:25 says, “He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth .” The repentance I felt over parenting brought a godly sorrow that was brought by my deepening walk with Christ. Knowing Christ more intimately dropped the ego from my parenting skills. By the world’s standards I was an excellent parent, but by God’s measure, I was not the godly parent He calls each believer to be. Believers know that true repentance cannot occur unless genuine sorrow for the sin committed is felt. In fact, godly repentance identifies the salvation of a believer. One following Christ as Savior and in a maturing relationship with Jesus will continue to repent of sins as awareness of fleshly desires and actions are recognized and committed. This allows a deepening walk and the fruit of the Spirit to flourish in the life of the believer. On the other hand, what is referred to as human sorrow is simply remorse that is not in alignment with God’s will . Perhaps the person becomes remorseful because they were caught in an act or they didn’t reach an intended result. Perhaps their pride is wounded by the actions of another or by something they personally did or didn’t complete. When someone carries this type of human sorrow, joy, peace, hope, or any of the fruits easily identifiable in the life of a believer aren’t identified. Instead, the person may experience feelings such as depression, despair, hopelessness, self-pity, embarrassment, or anger. When we are genuinely repentant, however, our attitude changes. Righteousness is pursued eagerly. We desire Christ to cover and carry us. No longer indifferent to sin, evil, or deception, our character and desires shift closer to Christ’s as the Holy Spirit continues redeeming work within us. We grieve that our actions and desires once brought pain and dishonor to our Heavenly Father. We are filled with gratitude for the work Jesus performed on the cross, allowing us to approach the Father and restore relationship with Him. As the Holy Spirit continues a transforming work within, we long for holiness to define our nature and realize it can only come through the life-saving power of Christ as we continue to humbly submit with love and reverence to Him. This is what happened to me after raising my first set of children. My husband and I were good parents when we raised our first set of children, very good in the eyes of the world. Beginning our family at the age of 18, we were often told that we were mature for our years and wise in many areas. While it felt wonderful to receive the praise of others, their words didn’t bring the joy that I later learned came from purposely parenting to please and honor the Lord. I learned how sorrow can pertain to parenting. As humans, none of us are perfect. No one can claim 100% skillful parenting the way God would call. First, humans will never reach the perfection of Christ. Second, we live in a fallen world, and no matter how well a person attempts to parent, human desires, meaning the parent’s, the child’s, siblings, family, friends, or strangers, events, needs, wants, mistakes, etc. will interject or interfere in some way. Life isn’t easy and raising humans to adulthood is not a task to embark on without seeking and remaining steadfast to God and His will for the parents and the child. If I was such a good parent, why would I feel sorrowful about parenting? Am I blaming my first set of children or saying that they turned out to be “bad” kids? Definitely not. My thoughts don’t reflect on them at all, but totally on my husband and me. On this side of raising my first set, I can see how we were young and spiritually immature. In fact, I didn’t know Jesus as Savior until years later, and even then, it took me a while to really understand what being discipled meant. If you think about it logically, if I wasn’t growing in relationship with God through an intentionally deepening and maturing walk with Christ, how could I expect my parenting skills to draw my children to Him? I couldn’t exhale to my children what I hadn’t yet inhaled. As I grew in Jesus at the time, it was through sporadic readings of my Bible. There might be times I read often, then times of just seeing my Bible on the nightstand, letting it remind me of how much I loved Jesus, but I thought I didn’t have time to read. Just because I had a Bible in my house, that didn’t mean I was absorbing God’s holy wisdom and learning to use it is ways that drew my children to His feet. Did they know Jesus? Yes. We talked about God, but were they learning to depend on Him for every need as they grew a strong walk with Him? There’s a massive gap between children knowing mom and dad love and follow Christ and hearing their words of wisdom to train them versus seeing mom and dad live a maturing faith moment by moment and instilling God’s morals and truths to build a lifetime of trust and obedience to Christ and build their identity through Him. The tricky part is that I thought I was building that faith and trust in Christ. I’ve learned that without a purposed plan to raise each child in the truths of the gospel and the joy of the Lord, you are building your house on shifting sand. Matthew 7:24-26 says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand .” When my kids were raised and my husband and I knew God was calling us to begin a second round of parenting with our baby girl from China, I felt the sting of repentant, godly remorse. Our Heavenly Father was speaking to my heart, telling me He had plans far different for this child than I ever imagined when I became a first time mom at eighteen. When He placed a desire within my husband and me to raise a baby after our first set of children were out of the house, I knew He had a purpose I had yet to understand. Growing up, I never even wanted children. Now I knew God was calling us to begin a second generation of parenting. My husband and I shared very specific desires and goals for what we would do the same and what we would do differently. We assessed our first parenting years in the ways we believed God’s eyes and heart would, then considered and prayed about what grieved and pleased Him. Our new baby would purposely see our faith and Jesus through our words, actions, reactions, desires, and deeds. We were committed to consistently raising her in ways that we prayerfully believed would delight the Lord as we sought and depended on Him. Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you .” How can your children honor God if they don’t see you making that choice. As a parent models humble submission, love, and obedience to God, a natural extension of your child’s blossoming walk with God will be obedience and love toward you. We deeply desired our daughter to love God first through a relationship with Jesus, then we knew she would love and respect us, as well. In my Set-Apart Collective, I teach mothers a Motherhood Mindset Model and how to construct a Purposed Parenting Plan much like the one we created that enables them to parent and live with godly purpose and take thoughts and actions captive for Christ as they model the way for their children to do the same. Do you feel areas of godly parenting remorse? Whether you are a long time or new parent, you will never feel you have every aspect of parenting down. Even if your ego tells you how well you are doing, unless you are purposed in mentoring a lifetime of love and obedience to Christ in tangible ways that draw your child to Him and training your child how to live for Jesus, your parenting is in vain. The child in your care is on loan. The God who created the heavens and earth and knitted your child together in secret with a purposed plan for their life has entrusted that child to your care to raise for Him. Are you up to the task? What are ways you can embrace being an imperfect parent without staying there? Knowing God entrusted His children to your care, you must remember that He didn’t haphazardly choose you or your child. With loving, trusting intentions, He placed you and each child you parent with you. Of course He knows you’re not able to raise children without Him. He is calling for you to give Him the sovereign place He deserves and allow Him to protect and provide moment by moment as you call out to Him. As you know, Adam and Eve were the first parents. They were also the first imperfect parents. You and I come from a very long line of imperfect caregivers. No one is able to raise children as God would call without reliance on Him in every aspect of the journey. The Bible recounts story after story offering examples of imperfect parenting and children who neglected to follow or obey God. In fact, Adam and Eve were the first disobedient children and they actually did have a perfect Father. Two imperfect parents did happen to raise a perfect Son, Jesus. No doubt, Mary and Joseph knew Jesus was special, but they were human. They would not know how to rear a child to become the Savior of the World, even if they had known God’s plan. God, in His goodness knew their hearts when He chose them. God knew the plan and purpose Jesus carried. God, in His Sovereignty chose the exact parents for Jesus to be raised by, knowing they would obediently, yet imperfectly choose to honor God and raise their Son for Him. God carried, guided, and guarded. You and I don’t know the plans God has for our children. We don’t know the eternal purpose they have on this earth. But it is through our God-given authority that we must prayerfully and humbly seek God’s arms to carry us moment by moment to raise His children for Him. Just as Jesus replied in Luke 2:49 which says, “Why were you searching for me?” He asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house ,” you and I must constantly, prayerfully, and humbly be about our Heavenly Father’s business and show our children how to do the same in their life. This world doesn’t honor the gift of motherhood through eyes like God. The heart of the world doesn’t beat for mothers staying home with children. It doesn’t know the value of a mother working a long day at work to provide for her children, then praise that mother for intentionally finding a way every evening to draw the hearts of her children to the feet of Jesus. As a mother rests in the arms of God, she mentors the way to Christ for her children instead of ignorantly or accidentally teaching the ways of the world. Your sacrifice, obedience, prayers, Scriptural teachings, and godly actions taken moment by moment will be the seeds God will use to harvest in His time. To prepare the soil of your child’s heart for teachings to take root for God, there are important steps purposed mothers and fathers must take. 1. Realize that you are not enough. Praise God! You’re not meant to be. 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God .” God waits to carry you. His desire is to breathe Truth and light into your life and family. Place Him at the center of your family. 2. Become closer to God through a maturing relationship with Christ. It’s one thing to love God. It’s different to have communion with Him through Jesus. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him .” 3. Know and love your spouse and children through eyes and heart like God. To do that, you must first know and follow the Lord in humble obedience. John 13:34 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another .” 4. Put God first, then spouse, then children, then work. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength .” 5. Humbly honor God by reading or listening to His Word. Share His Word regularly, both individually and as a family. Speak truths to others, share the gospel, but also live in ways that show you follow Christ and give Him honor when people talk to you about the differences they see in you. Teach your child to pray and talk to God. Let your children hear you pray for them and ask them to pray for you. Pray together as a family daily. People often say they don’t have time, but I have found that when you place God first, you find you discover more time for Him. Proverbs 15:29 says, “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ” 6. Let your child hear you bring God into daily conversations. Whether you’re in nature, at the store, in the car, in conversation, invite God in. Showcase God’s work in the events you are experiencing and help them form biblical critical thinking skills early in life. Set the groundwork for this process and see their skills grow as they do. Hebrews 11:6 says, “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 .” 7. Teach God’s Truths and let your child see you live those truths with joy , not simply preach God’s Word to them. Isaiah 54:13 says, “All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace .” 8. Parent with God-honoring authority, humility, and grace. Ask God to guide and guard your mind, heart, family, and decisions. Matthew 19:14 says, “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these .” This verse will pertain to your children, whether young or grown. It’s never to late to mentor a life that honors Christ for your child to see and learn from. I urge you to make time to assess your parenting . Assess your relationship with Christ. You may be like I was the first time I parented. Without knowing it, I was training my children to love Jesus, but rely more on self. Although we discussed Christ and knew we loved Him as Savior, looking back, moments weren’t held captive for Christ. Days slipped by without godly over good parenting to mold and shape my children into the image of Christ. Ask God to show you the way to His heart. Ask Him to guide your mind to think as His does and to show you how to reach the minds of your children for Him. Know that as you inhale Christ, you are able to exhale Him for others to breathe. Deepen and widen the roots of your maturity through relationship with Jesus and watch God work as only He can as you ask him to carry you. Dear Heavenly Father, there is none like You. How merciful and loving You are to seek us and never let us out of Your firm grasp. Through Jesus we know we have eternal life and that nothing can pluck us from Your mighty hand. How we need You! In our wisdom we sometimes think we are following You without knowing how far we begin to stray. Father, keep us near. Draw us closer when You see us begin to wander. Don’t let us rely on worldly wisdom or fleshly thoughts. Take our minds captive for Christ and allow us to see with Your eyes and feel with Your heart. We want to parent for You! We want to see the results of children raised to know, love, and honor You. May we be able to proclaim Your mighty works and show others the way to trust Your guidance in parenting. Help our children lead the next generation in deeper faith in You and a holy obedience. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. There’s so much more to dig into on this topic. If you find you’d like more information, please let me know. Send your questions and requests to info@terrihitt.com . Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective wait list is open now. The first group of women is currently growing together. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #110 – Armed for Spiritual Warfare Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective. My youngest daughters and I have always enjoyed laughing at our dog, because he does something every single day that amuses us and fills us with an appreciation for the unique personalities God takes time to place in His creation. We expect the individuality with people, but we’ve seen that the world of nature and animals has special qualities, too. Even though animals are not gifted with a soul that can choose God like we can, He has taken time to specifically craft each and every animal he placed on this earth. God personally knows each family pet He has gifted us with over the years and has given us the animals we have enjoyed and loved. Every one of them has taught me more about life and love and brought me closer to the person God intends me to be. Sometimes when we observe our dogs, we see them do actions that lead us to wonder what they know about God intuitively and whether they can see into the spiritual world surrounding us. Our Golden Retriever, Max was especially good at making us ponder the line between what we see and cannot. Sometimes he would lay with us, but lift his head up toward the ceiling and just look around. I can’t say whether he had the ability to see beyond what we can, but it doesn’t matter. It is true, however, that there definitely is an unseen world around us. Scripture actually refers to it. One example is in 2 Kings 6:15-17, where a passage of scripture reads, “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” In this passage, we know that Elisha understood that we are surrounded by powerful, yet unseen forces. I read these verses because they can be a reminder to us that we also have forces around us that we do not see, but trust that God is managing. God’s spiritual army was in place in biblical times, just as it is today. The evil and deceit, selfishness and division in our world is spurred by evil unseen forces that seek to steal, kill, and destroy. As we know from the book of Genesis, spiritual warfare first attacked in the garden. Satan, disguised as a serpent, sought to ruin what God had created. He saw that it was good and sought to destroy it. We cannot see Satan, but we see the effects of his influence in the world daily. In fact, we are each under attack daily. A mind that is unprepared and oblivious will always fall victim to the schemes of the deceiver. Of course, we cannot blame every bad thing that happens to us, mistakes we make, or consequences of choices on the devil. We make plenty of decisions based on our selfish fleshly desires, but we should not overlook the dark influence of evil in the world caused by Satan and an unseen force. The name, Satan comes from the Hebrew word, “accuser.” Scripture tells us that the devil prowls the earth looking for whom he can destroy. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.” The devil wants us enslaved, in bondage to sin, fear, and separation from God. He attacks us in a full-on assault with tactics he has tested and used since the beginning of time. He is not creative, and doesn’t have to try very hard. We keep falling for the same tactics, and unless we are mindful of drawing nearer to God each day through a maturing relationship with Jesus, we will be powerless to stop the devastating effects of war waged by the devil. Thankfully, we do not have to engage in battle. God has gone before us, giving us gifts personally designed to withstand any attack. James 4:7-8a says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Satan devises and uses many strategies to try to destroy and defeat humans, especially believers. The Bible warns us, actually arms us with what we need so we will be alert and ready. If we pay attention to the descriptions of Satan from scripture, we are better equipped to recognize his methods and schemes. Revelation 12:12b says, “But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.” Let’s take a moment to look at some facts about Satan. 1. The devil is a deceiver. Revelation 1:9 says, “And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” Satan began his deception toward man in the garden when he first disguised himself as a serpent, then twisted God’s words as he deceived and tempted Eve. 2. The devil is a murderer. John 8:44 says, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” 3. The devil is a tempter. Matthew 4:3 says, “The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4. The devil is a liar. John 8:44 says, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” 5. The devil is an accuser. Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down— he who accuses them day and night before our God.” 6. The devil is wicked. 1 John 5:9 says, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.” 7. The devil is a thief. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 says, “in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” Scripture warns us of the truths of the devil, prepares us for his attacks, reminds us of holy truths, and arms us with power through Jesus. God’s word equips us for the temptations and attacks by Satan that will surely attempt to throw us off course and crush us with devastation. 1 John 5:18 says, “We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.” We know that the enemy in this world is Satan. Jesus warned us that we would face trials and persecution, but He also reminded us that He has already overcome the world; He has overcome Satan. The devil knows his time is short. Followers of Jesus walk in one direction, while the devil tempts believers and non-believers in the opposite direction. The heavenly kingdom of our precious Jesus is not what we would typically do or how we would think. But because of the holy power within believers, we are more than conquerors. Jesus’s power is alive within us! Our Savior has given us everything we need to live a life that can withstand and defeat the wicked, fiery evil the devil devises to use against us. Don’t be distracted or sidetracked in a fight with the devil. Scripture is where we will turn to see exactly how to prepare and protect ourselves to withstand the evil onslaughts that will come to each of us in our lifetime. Ephesians 6:10 instructs us with two commands. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” We must rely on God, and we must allow His mighty strength to fill us, not so that we will fight, but so that we will allow Him to battle through us. Ephesians 6:11-18 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.” We aren’t told to fight. When we think of battling, we tend to fight in our own strength. Instead, we are instructed to wear the strength Jesus wore, the mighty, holy armor of God that will enable us to stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” We will have conflict with and be persecuted by people in this world, but we must remember that this world is under the evil influence of the devil and his forces. When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our true Defender and Conqueror, our focus is adjusted so that we allow Christ to work within us and we rely on His armor to protect and provide for us. If you examine OT war history, it is obvious that each time the Israelites failed to rely on the strength of God and looked to self, they lost. Just like us, when they kept their gaze on the Lord, and humbly asked for His grace and mercy, wisdom and direction, they were victorious. Every piece of armor we need to withstand Satan’s schemes has been given to us, yet we have to choose whether to continue wearing each piece at all times. Our armor isn’t designed to be slipped on when we feel it is needed. It is too easy to rely on our own strength. God has designed His armor to be kept on, a permanent attire that keeps us imperishable through God’s provision and strength. Each piece of His armor is specially designed for specific purposes. Each piece fits and works together, which is why Ephesians 6:13 tells us, “Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.” We must humbly and intentionally wear and depend on each piece: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. These are the exact, powerful, and effective weapons God has ensured will defeat the devil, the unseen spiritual forces, and the ones we see and encounter in daily life. Ephesians 6:14-18 says, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” Now let’s examine these verses more closely to see the sacred ways God has lovingly provided for us with each piece of armor. 1. Belt of Truth – Just as a belt holds our clothing securely, the belt used in a soldier’s armor was the foundation of his armor and held his sword and breastplate. Jesus is the firm foundation of every believer. Through Him we use His belt of truth to center us on holy truths and protect us from the lies of the accuser. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us He is the way, the truth, and the life. We must hold God’s truth securely in our heart and mind to guide our beliefs and actions in order to deflect the lies of the devil. 2. Breastplate of Righteousness – Every soldier wore a breastplate to guard their heart. This armor so beautifully designed by God protects our heart, our spiritual life. Without this breastplate, our heart is exposed and easily deceived and overtaken. Philippians 3:9b says, “Not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.” A believer’s righteousness is justified and sanctified by Christ. 3. Gospel of Peace – During battle, the soldier wore shielded sandals that allowed him peaceful security and firm traction as he maneuvered and fought. We stand solidly in the truth of Jesus and walk confidently and peacefully with our Lord. Philippians 4:7 says, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” 4. Shield of Faith – Roman soldiers wore the protection of leather-covered shields that had been soaked in water so that the flaming arrows of the enemy would be extinguished instead of penetrating them. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by believing and not by seeing.” This means that our faith, hope, and trust in the promises and truths of God are sufficient to destroy the devil’s sure, steady, and sneaky attacks. 5. Helmet of Salvation – Just as an armored helmet protected the brain of the Roman soldier, we must protect our mind to withstand the spiritual warfare that Satan uses to attack us. When we know we have relationship with God through Jesus, we must also believe what He says about us. Our mind is vulnerable and must be confidently conquered through truths and thoughts from Christ alone. What we think easily shapes our belief system, words, and actions. John 8:44 warns us, “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” If the thoughts in our mind are not consistent with God’s words, we must be able to recognize and immediately reject those evil lies and replace them with God’s holy words and truths. Remember, God cannot lie. What we think and believe is so critically important. Doubt can easily be planted in our mind. Only the truth that comes from Christ will set us free. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 6. Sword of the Spirit – Each of the pieces of armor that I have mentioned are for our defense. There is one piece left, however, and it is for our offense. Our sword is the word of our Heavenly Father. God’s word is life and shows us how to pattern our thoughts and steps after Jesus, and shows us how Christ stood against the devil and his evil schemes and actions. Although He could have, Jesus did not engage in hand-to-hand combat or arguments with Satan. Instead, Jesus knew and spoke God’s holy word. I have heard Dr. David Jeremiah explain it this way, “The Bible as a whole is an armory from which to select swords for specific battles.” Jesus showed us the way to God and lived a life that honored our Heavenly Father in every way. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus was tempted by Satan three times. Every single time, Jesus quoted scripture, causing the devil to flee. God’s word is living and active, our very best offense. 7. Prayer – In all things, prayer is needed. As we watch the life and instruction of Jesus, we learn how to pray. Prayer is a beautiful gift from God for His purposes, not our selfish whims or desires. Watching the example of Jesus through scripture has taught me so much about the gift and lifeline we have been given to speak directly to our Heavenly Father. In Matthew 6:13 Jesus says, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Jesus knew we must be watchful and careful at all times, reliant on the strength of God to carry us. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We have no strength to resist the devil if we do not have a maturing relationship with Christ, are not in the word, and living a prayerful, connected life with Him. If you would like to learn more about this topic, I suggest that you listen to a past Live With Eternal Perspective episode, number 18, entitled “Prayer” from May of 2020. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” Dear Heavenly Father, You are in heaven, yet also right on this earth with us. How great you are! You have prepared us with all we need in this life and yet we still fail to follow You as we should, fail to recognize the schemes devised against us. Cleanse our heart and minds. Keep us drawing ever nearer to You, Your grace, Your love, and Your truths. May Your will be done in our lives as we submit to You and flee from the devil with Your words protecting our mind and Your armor strapped securely on. Keep us ever present with You through prayer and may the cries of our heart match Yours. Guide and guard us. May no weapon formed against us prosper. May our vindication arrive from You, for we know that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. In the precious and holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. Would you please also place a rating and review at Apple Podcasts or Spotify to enable others to find each episode? I’m very excited to share that my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” has released! I hope you will look for it, follow it, and share both podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Right now the podcast is on Spotify and iHeart Radio, but will be available on other platforms soon. These podcasts are important steps of obedience that I pray bless you. If we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 110 - Armed for Spiritual Warfare Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #110 – Armed for Spiritual Warfare Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective. My youngest daughters and I have always enjoyed laughing at our dog, because he does something every single day that amuses us and fills us with an appreciation for the unique personalities God takes time to place in His creation. We expect the individuality with people, but we’ve seen that the world of nature and animals has special qualities, too. Even though animals are not gifted with a soul that can choose God like we can, He has taken time to specifically craft each and every animal he placed on this earth. God personally knows each family pet He has gifted us with over the years and has given us the animals we have enjoyed and loved. Every one of them has taught me more about life and love and brought me closer to the person God intends me to be. Sometimes when we observe our dogs, we see them do actions that lead us to wonder what they know about God intuitively and whether they can see into the spiritual world surrounding us. Our Golden Retriever, Max was especially good at making us ponder the line between what we see and cannot. Sometimes he would lay with us, but lift his head up toward the ceiling and just look around. I can’t say whether he had the ability to see beyond what we can, but it doesn’t matter. It is true, however, that there definitely is an unseen world around us. Scripture actually refers to it. One example is in 2 Kings 6:15-17, where a passage of scripture reads, “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” In this passage, we know that Elisha understood that we are surrounded by powerful, yet unseen forces. I read these verses because they can be a reminder to us that we also have forces around us that we do not see, but trust that God is managing. God’s spiritual army was in place in biblical times, just as it is today. The evil and deceit, selfishness and division in our world is spurred by evil unseen forces that seek to steal, kill, and destroy. As we know from the book of Genesis, spiritual warfare first attacked in the garden. Satan, disguised as a serpent, sought to ruin what God had created. He saw that it was good and sought to destroy it. We cannot see Satan, but we see the effects of his influence in the world daily. In fact, we are each under attack daily. A mind that is unprepared and oblivious will always fall victim to the schemes of the deceiver. Of course, we cannot blame every bad thing that happens to us, mistakes we make, or consequences of choices on the devil. We make plenty of decisions based on our selfish fleshly desires, but we should not overlook the dark influence of evil in the world caused by Satan and an unseen force. The name, Satan comes from the Hebrew word, “accuser.” Scripture tells us that the devil prowls the earth looking for whom he can destroy. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.” The devil wants us enslaved, in bondage to sin, fear, and separation from God. He attacks us in a full-on assault with tactics he has tested and used since the beginning of time. He is not creative, and doesn’t have to try very hard. We keep falling for the same tactics, and unless we are mindful of drawing nearer to God each day through a maturing relationship with Jesus, we will be powerless to stop the devastating effects of war waged by the devil. Thankfully, we do not have to engage in battle. God has gone before us, giving us gifts personally designed to withstand any attack. James 4:7-8a says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Satan devises and uses many strategies to try to destroy and defeat humans, especially believers. The Bible warns us, actually arms us with what we need so we will be alert and ready. If we pay attention to the descriptions of Satan from scripture, we are better equipped to recognize his methods and schemes. Revelation 12:12b says, “But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.” Let’s take a moment to look at some facts about Satan. 1. The devil is a deceiver. Revelation 1:9 says, “And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” Satan began his deception toward man in the garden when he first disguised himself as a serpent, then twisted God’s words as he deceived and tempted Eve. 2. The devil is a murderer. John 8:44 says, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” 3. The devil is a tempter. Matthew 4:3 says, “The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4. The devil is a liar. John 8:44 says, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” 5. The devil is an accuser. Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down— he who accuses them day and night before our God.” 6. The devil is wicked. 1 John 5:9 says, “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.” 7. The devil is a thief. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 says, “in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” Scripture warns us of the truths of the devil, prepares us for his attacks, reminds us of holy truths, and arms us with power through Jesus. God’s word equips us for the temptations and attacks by Satan that will surely attempt to throw us off course and crush us with devastation. 1 John 5:18 says, “We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.” We know that the enemy in this world is Satan. Jesus warned us that we would face trials and persecution, but He also reminded us that He has already overcome the world; He has overcome Satan. The devil knows his time is short. Followers of Jesus walk in one direction, while the devil tempts believers and non-believers in the opposite direction. The heavenly kingdom of our precious Jesus is not what we would typically do or how we would think. But because of the holy power within believers, we are more than conquerors. Jesus’s power is alive within us! Our Savior has given us everything we need to live a life that can withstand and defeat the wicked, fiery evil the devil devises to use against us. Don’t be distracted or sidetracked in a fight with the devil. Scripture is where we will turn to see exactly how to prepare and protect ourselves to withstand the evil onslaughts that will come to each of us in our lifetime. Ephesians 6:10 instructs us with two commands. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” We must rely on God, and we must allow His mighty strength to fill us, not so that we will fight, but so that we will allow Him to battle through us. Ephesians 6:11-18 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.” We aren’t told to fight. When we think of battling, we tend to fight in our own strength. Instead, we are instructed to wear the strength Jesus wore, the mighty, holy armor of God that will enable us to stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” We will have conflict with and be persecuted by people in this world, but we must remember that this world is under the evil influence of the devil and his forces. When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our true Defender and Conqueror, our focus is adjusted so that we allow Christ to work within us and we rely on His armor to protect and provide for us. If you examine OT war history, it is obvious that each time the Israelites failed to rely on the strength of God and looked to self, they lost. Just like us, when they kept their gaze on the Lord, and humbly asked for His grace and mercy, wisdom and direction, they were victorious. Every piece of armor we need to withstand Satan’s schemes has been given to us, yet we have to choose whether to continue wearing each piece at all times. Our armor isn’t designed to be slipped on when we feel it is needed. It is too easy to rely on our own strength. God has designed His armor to be kept on, a permanent attire that keeps us imperishable through God’s provision and strength. Each piece of His armor is specially designed for specific purposes. Each piece fits and works together, which is why Ephesians 6:13 tells us, “Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.” We must humbly and intentionally wear and depend on each piece: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. These are the exact, powerful, and effective weapons God has ensured will defeat the devil, the unseen spiritual forces, and the ones we see and encounter in daily life. Ephesians 6:14-18 says, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.” Now let’s examine these verses more closely to see the sacred ways God has lovingly provided for us with each piece of armor. 1. Belt of Truth – Just as a belt holds our clothing securely, the belt used in a soldier’s armor was the foundation of his armor and held his sword and breastplate. Jesus is the firm foundation of every believer. Through Him we use His belt of truth to center us on holy truths and protect us from the lies of the accuser. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us He is the way, the truth, and the life. We must hold God’s truth securely in our heart and mind to guide our beliefs and actions in order to deflect the lies of the devil. 2. Breastplate of Righteousness – Every soldier wore a breastplate to guard their heart. This armor so beautifully designed by God protects our heart, our spiritual life. Without this breastplate, our heart is exposed and easily deceived and overtaken. Philippians 3:9b says, “Not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.” A believer’s righteousness is justified and sanctified by Christ. 3. Gospel of Peace – During battle, the soldier wore shielded sandals that allowed him peaceful security and firm traction as he maneuvered and fought. We stand solidly in the truth of Jesus and walk confidently and peacefully with our Lord. Philippians 4:7 says, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” 4. Shield of Faith – Roman soldiers wore the protection of leather-covered shields that had been soaked in water so that the flaming arrows of the enemy would be extinguished instead of penetrating them. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by believing and not by seeing.” This means that our faith, hope, and trust in the promises and truths of God are sufficient to destroy the devil’s sure, steady, and sneaky attacks. 5. Helmet of Salvation – Just as an armored helmet protected the brain of the Roman soldier, we must protect our mind to withstand the spiritual warfare that Satan uses to attack us. When we know we have relationship with God through Jesus, we must also believe what He says about us. Our mind is vulnerable and must be confidently conquered through truths and thoughts from Christ alone. What we think easily shapes our belief system, words, and actions. John 8:44 warns us, “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” If the thoughts in our mind are not consistent with God’s words, we must be able to recognize and immediately reject those evil lies and replace them with God’s holy words and truths. Remember, God cannot lie. What we think and believe is so critically important. Doubt can easily be planted in our mind. Only the truth that comes from Christ will set us free. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 6. Sword of the Spirit – Each of the pieces of armor that I have mentioned are for our defense. There is one piece left, however, and it is for our offense. Our sword is the word of our Heavenly Father. God’s word is life and shows us how to pattern our thoughts and steps after Jesus, and shows us how Christ stood against the devil and his evil schemes and actions. Although He could have, Jesus did not engage in hand-to-hand combat or arguments with Satan. Instead, Jesus knew and spoke God’s holy word. I have heard Dr. David Jeremiah explain it this way, “The Bible as a whole is an armory from which to select swords for specific battles.” Jesus showed us the way to God and lived a life that honored our Heavenly Father in every way. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus was tempted by Satan three times. Every single time, Jesus quoted scripture, causing the devil to flee. God’s word is living and active, our very best offense. 7. Prayer – In all things, prayer is needed. As we watch the life and instruction of Jesus, we learn how to pray. Prayer is a beautiful gift from God for His purposes, not our selfish whims or desires. Watching the example of Jesus through scripture has taught me so much about the gift and lifeline we have been given to speak directly to our Heavenly Father. In Matthew 6:13 Jesus says, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Jesus knew we must be watchful and careful at all times, reliant on the strength of God to carry us. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We have no strength to resist the devil if we do not have a maturing relationship with Christ, are not in the word, and living a prayerful, connected life with Him. If you would like to learn more about this topic, I suggest that you listen to a past Live With Eternal Perspective episode, number 18, entitled “Prayer” from May of 2020. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” Dear Heavenly Father, You are in heaven, yet also right on this earth with us. How great you are! You have prepared us with all we need in this life and yet we still fail to follow You as we should, fail to recognize the schemes devised against us. Cleanse our heart and minds. Keep us drawing ever nearer to You, Your grace, Your love, and Your truths. May Your will be done in our lives as we submit to You and flee from the devil with Your words protecting our mind and Your armor strapped securely on. Keep us ever present with You through prayer and may the cries of our heart match Yours. Guide and guard us. May no weapon formed against us prosper. May our vindication arrive from You, for we know that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. In the precious and holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. Would you please also place a rating and review at Apple Podcasts or Spotify to enable others to find each episode? I’m very excited to share that my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” has released! I hope you will look for it, follow it, and share both podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Right now the podcast is on Spotify and iHeart Radio, but will be available on other platforms soon. These podcasts are important steps of obedience that I pray bless you. If we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 109 - How Your Productivity is Holding You Back Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 109 – How Your Productivity is Holding You Back Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast offers you the biblical tools to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode about how your productivity is holding you back.. My middle daughter and I had a lovely, blessed trip to Florida in mid-September 2024. We went to a Christian business conference together and it could not have been a better trip. We were so grateful for the time together, the things we learned, and seeing friends we only knew online in person. Plus, we had the bonus of meeting new friends. It was such a perfect trip full of unexpected blessings. Except, about a week after I returned home I got very sick. I don’t think it was from the trip itself, although I know my resistance was very low. Truth be told, I only received about 2 hours of sleep per night and wasn’t able to eat as much as normal due to food allergies and intolerances. Of course, we also had two plane flights…and you know they say it’s a germ fest on a plane and in the airport. Also, the Monday after I returned, I had a well woman visit at the doctor’s office. I’m guessing that in my lowered resistance state I probably picked up a bug there. Regardless, when I say I was sick, I mean I was knocked off my feet and made to rest. It turned out that I had pneumonia. During this time, I also found out that I have mild heart disease. In fact, it was at a scheduled CT cardiac scan that they discovered both. Let me just admit that I don’t like to rest. I love to sleep, but whenever I wake up often through the night, I always seek the clock to see if it is late enough to get up for the day. It just feels like resting is such a waste of time. With more awake hours, I could get to see and enjoy my family and do the work God has inspired and purposed me to allow Him to complete through me. I love being awake! However, when I was sick with pneumonia, I felt like I was suddenly lazy and unproductive. It was ultra challenging to come home from such a dynamic business conference with so much new knowledge and inspiration, and ideas I wanted to implement, but then be forced to stop and rest. Because I didn’t want to be isolated from my girls during the day, I would usually take several naps a day on a large chaise in our great room off the kitchen. Our kitchen is a central hub that’s occupied most of the day by someone. By staying in the great room, I could be near them if I was needed, which took away some of the guilt I felt for being unable to do my usual chores and tasks. I could hear everyone visiting and feel like I wasn’t missing anything. Resting there also allowed me to see the world and not feel as isolated. The chaise sits beside a row of floor to ceiling windows where I could easily observe the weather, nature, and the neighbors. I was sick with that crazy pneumonia for nine weeks total! Of course, after about a month I was very slowly getting better every day, but it was extremely slow. I feel like I missed two months of my life. During most of that time I was too weak to take my usual daily walks with my middle daughter. The beautiful fall weather turned from the comfortable temps with beautiful leaves to chillier conditions with falling leaves and acorns crunching under my feet on the sidewalk by the time I was able to participate in one of my favorite activities again. Because life was literally passing me by daily, I knew I needed to humbly acknowledge that there must be a reason I was made to rest. Since I’m not a nervous or anxious person, I didn’t believe He was teaching me to relax, but there had to be many lessons God wanted me to learn. I decided to stop wishing I could get more work done and look for the opportunities He gave me while I was down. I also began appreciating my usual physical activity levels. Despite being an older mom, I usually get through the days with enough energy to keep up with my active girls. For some reason, God was calling me to focus not on them, but on myself. As I prayed for God to keep my attitude pleasant and my mind fixed on Him, I saw little ways He was blessing me daily. I was able to focus on things I didn’t normally have time to do with my business, and God provided people to help in ways that were nothing short of miraculous. His personal provisions proved that He was in charge and still wanted me to pursue the calling He gave me. His methods were perfect encouragement when I felt useless. He also showed me how He had already been caring for and protecting me when I received news from the doctor’s office about my heart health. Considering all that was happening made me understand that I didn’t usually take time to rest. My lack of focus on rest made me realize that there were things God commanded in the Bible that I was simply ignoring. All in all, I am a very balanced person. I plan my days so that I don’t work in ways that take away from my family, I make sure to read the Bible daily, study the Bible, and also enjoy a daily Bible study and prayer time with my family. Yet I had never studied rest and what God desired in that area. As you plan your new year, I want to share the ways God spoke to me and help you to make time to rest deeper in God for yourself. Society always shows us ways to do more, not less. Social media can make us believe we’re less than. Sometimes (like me) we’re our own worst critic because we feel lazy or unproductive if we take time to rest. But we must remember, even God rested. You have permission and a commandment from your Heavenly Father to do what He did on the seventh day. Rest. Let’s look at the perfect model and see how we can mold our lives more closely to His. The first thing I think of is how God Himself modeled rest. On the seventh day of creation He rested. Do you think God needed to rest? Definitely not. The Maker of Heaven and Earth modeled how He wants us to live. Genesis 2:2-3 says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done .” Knowing that God prioritized and mentored the act of rest for us, I think it’s important that we ensure we know the full meaning of the word. The dictionary definition of “rest” is: “refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor, relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs, or a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquility .” One final statement on the meaning of the word “rest” carries special importance. It means “mental or spiritual calm.” If you look at the life of Jesus, you see that He also modeled rest. Mark 6:30-32 says, “The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves .” If we consider rest the way we see the Great I Am or Jesus do, we realize that rest is a physical and spiritual renewal for our mind, body, and soul. When we rest, we are able to reflect , renew , and rejuvenate . In our society, busy is a sort of status symbol. We wear the label “busy” with pride. On the flip side, rest is often thought of as laziness or incompetence. Then, the way we view rest is complicated by the weariness that comes from not resting. Think about how difficult it is to make good choices when you’re tired. For me, it’s most challenging to think wisely when I’m tired or hungry. Our health can easily decline when we don’t get enough rest. Our minds don’t work as well when we’re sluggish or worn out. I’ve found that I also eat more when I don’t get enough rest. I haven’t researched to see if I’m accurate, but I know my body. When I don’t get enough sleep, I crave more food like my body is trying to fuel up to stay awake. Another truth about tired is that when we don’t get enough rest we tend to get less done. Why? We simply can’t operate with optimal energy or enthusiasm when we haven’t gotten the rest we were fashioned and mentored to need. It’s really another reminder of the Bible verse in Galatians 6:7, which says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” When we choose to get little rest, we reap little. I find it interesting that the word “rest” is mentioned 548 times. Why would God model rest, command rest, and have the Bible speak of rest if it wasn’t important? Another beautiful truth to remember is that Jesus didn’t seek solace simply to be alone. Christ sought solace in the presence of God alone. Jesus mentored the way to rest. He mentored the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He showed us that rest means more than sleep . Rest is more than mending physically, mentally, or emotionally. Rest brings us spiritual healing from the Great Physician . Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light .” Because we live post Jesus, we now have the teachings of the New Testament and the Old. Of course, there are things in the Old Testament that modern day believers no longer have to follow. We are freed from rituals and practices though life in Christ. We don’t have to make burnt offerings because Jesus became the offering for God. But there is also much wisdom found in the pages and words of the Old Testament. We aren’t bound by the laws of the Israelites , but we also find blessed significance in the laws we have learned. Just as we don’t throw out the commandments God made to not steal or kill, we can step into the promise of rest on the Sabbath, as well as incorporating patterns of rest through our week. Here are twelve steps to help you focus on what matters for eternity and gain the rest that honors and pleases your Heavenly Father. 1. Pray for God to show you where you need to step into the promise of rest with Him. 2. Humbly submit to Christ as Savior and release burdens to God. 3. Prioritize the Bible. Read or listen daily. 4. Stay connected to God through prayer. 5. Work to keep regular sleeping habits. 6. Don’t eat heavily right before bed and get enough healthy foods and drinks. 7. Don’t sleep with your phone on and in your room. 8. Get out in nature regularly (if not daily). 9. Use gifts and talents God gave you. That’s makes “work” a blessing. 10. Use discernment and prayer before scheduling or committing to activities and learn how to say “no” without guilt and with guidance from God. 11. Practice Sabbath rest. Find a day or portion of the day to rest, or commit to resting after church on Sundays. It doesn’t mean you have to eat bon bons all day and do nothing, but you can. I found that doing activities or hobbies I don’t usually make time for are very enjoyable on a Sunday afternoon. 12. Enjoy time with God and family as you pray, play, and rest. As you pray over this list, God will expose areas He wants you to focus on. None of us will find perfect rest, especially if we’re not prioritizing the practice. But God is good. He desires that we seek and follow rest as He modeled and He will bless the efforts you give for Him. It’s such a blessing to look at the life of Jesus and find better ways to follow Him. He truly is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We’re so blessed to have a mentor to follow to become more Christlike every day. As this new year begins, enjoy the fruits of rest physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Your productivity won’t hold you back as you try to spin your wheels through fatigue or burnout. Instead, you’ll learn to rest in Him and enjoy fellowship and peace by slowing down. By the end of the year you will be much better rested and restored in the Lord with a renewed soul that rests in Him and makes you even more productive. Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Great I Am. We are so thankful that You sent Jesus to show us the way to You and create a path to Your arms. Thank you for Your sacrifice that we may live and have abundant lives. Please equip us to rest in the ways You desire. May we slow down to live more fully aware of the ways You provide and protect. May we slow down to have our souls restored. May we slow down to please You and humbly submit to Your ways. Thank you for showing us the way to a joyful and restful life. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face. That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with professionals who care about making Jesus known to their children. Are you a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible. Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity. Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior. Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 072 - Important Christian Parenting Must-Do's Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 072 – Important Christian Parenting Must-Do’s Humble, merciful, loving. Joyful, peaceful, patient, kind. Gentle, controlled, fair, forgiving, grateful, content, discerning. Meek, respectful, virtuous, sinless. The qualities of Christ. My, there are countless more beautiful, holy descriptors than the basics words I just named. Each of these qualities is so important. Why? Every one of them identifies Jesus as Christ, the Son of God. The One who died for you. For me. For your children. Jesus is the One who made eternity with God possible for you, me, and our children. None of us come close to Jesus. He alone is the perfect mentor for us to pattern our lives after. He’s also the perfect model to follow when parenting. Philippians 2:5 says, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Have the same mindset. This command is crucial in your relationship with your spouse and your children. Our families are gifts presented to us by the Father, who purposely allowed each of us to be together. Despite how good we try to be, or regardless of how much we love our spouse and children, we will always fall, always mess up, and always fall short of Christ’s example. Praise God! The closer we draw to Him and begin to carry the mindset of Christ, we experience many more fruits of the Spirit in our personal life and are able to walk in joy and peace with our family. Living and thriving as a family brings certain expectations from God that simply cannot be fulfilled through human strength. As Christians, we know God calls us to love Him first, and to love one another above self as Jesus loves us. He calls us to be faithful to Him and each other, not to provoke one another, and to teach and train our children in and through Him. Like I said earlier, knowing what God requires and actually fulfilling His expectations are two separate functions. Without purposely applying the will of the Holy Spirit living within and a love for Jesus as a driving force, it is easy to carry good intentions, but never fulfill the godly duties as God calls. Today, let’s look at eight ways you can use practical, timeless steps to nurture your personal walk with Jesus and fulfill the beautiful purpose and utilize the privilege God placed on you as a parent. 1. Put Christ First – Your relationship with Jesus is the heart of your walk with God. Your walk with the Lord will affect your spouse, and your children. Study and apply God’s Word. Everything you do reflects the work of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Are you submitting or resisting? The answer will be evident in the way you live, love, and parent. Colossians 2:6-8 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. ” 2. Ask God to Parent Through You – You are human. You will make mistakes. Pray that God will use your errors for His glory. Ask Him to give you insight into your unique children and direction through His holy Word and Spirit. Ask Him to keep you from repeating mistakes and to guard the hearts of your family members. Humbly submit to the Father parenting through you. The children you raise already belong to Him. Help them reach the purpose and potential that was crafted into them with purpose. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord .” 3. Praise Your Child – As you instruct your child and watch them respond to Christ and mature their understanding of Him, continue to encourage. Planting the seeds of faith will invite God to sprout strong roots of faith. Do not accidentally or ignorantly be a barrier between your child and Christ. Through your actions, reactions, words, and desires, you can draw them nearer to Jesus or tear them away. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect .” 4. Set Godly Boundaries – Limits should be established as you protect and prepare your children, but those boundaries should be based on godly principles and truths, not human knowledge. Setting boundaries for your child should be based on godly guidelines imparted through God’s wisdom and insight. Children do need guidelines throughout life. As they mature in their relationship with Jesus with those godly protections in place, they will respect God. That obedience will extend to your relationship. Set loving boundaries that invite trust, faith, and joy, not religious restrictions. Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh .” 5. Require Help – Requiring children to help with chores invites respect and responsibility. When children take part in keeping their home clean or cooking dinner, for example, they begin to understand how home and family functions. They will accept partial responsibility of keeping the home upkept and develop respect for the different roles family members carry. Expecting your children to participate in caring for the home forms respect that will be a foundation for future relationships and responsibilities. Begin chores such as keeping their room clean from a very young age – always help them keep it clean, so that they will respect the space you have given them and help them to understand they are doing the work for God, not just because it is a chore you assign. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters .” Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you .” 6. Plan Personal Time – Just as you need time with God, personal time is needed with your spouse and children. Life is busy. You have to understand what is important in light of eternity and be intentional in making those activities a priority. Become an observer of pockets of time that may be used for enriching your life. Don’t forget to continue touch and conversation with your spouse. You are a team. The closer you are to Christ and each other, the more you will mirror Jesus to your watching children. Use moments to honor those you love with your personal attention and time. Whether it be a walk, a drive, play time, or moments set aside for deep conversation or laughter, look for something that allows you to connect. Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh .” 7. Let Your Children (and your spouse) Know You Love and Understand Them Sometimes it’s easier for your family to believe they are loved, but still feel misunderstood . When they can feel and accept both from you, your relationship draws nearer and you are better equipped to mentor the path to Christ. Remember to let your family members see joy in your eyes when they come to you. At times, your patience might be stretched, you may need quiet time, or you might be exhausted, but they still need you. Let your reactions be gentle and pleasing to God. Tell them that you are tired, your patience might be low, but let them know they are a joy and you will do your best to help them with whatever they need. Does it sound like I’m telling you to be a perfect parent? I’m not. But I am reminding you to use the strength of God within you to be a godly parent who draws your child or spouse nearer to you and points them to the Father through each interaction you have together. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres .” Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” 8. Always Direct Life Issues, Love, Respect, Choices, and Obedience, etc. Back to God – If you are an attuned parent directing your child to God over you, you are purposely helping them to trust Christ as Savior. You are growing their identity through Him and for Him. This allows you to teach your child that no one will ever understand him or her like Christ. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin .” Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The list shared today is a short, but powerful beginning to ensure you are intentional to plan personal growth in Christ and fulfill the privilege God entrusted to you as a spouse and parent. Each of us must learn to better submit to God moment by moment and allow Him to guide and grow us through the Holy Spirit within. True joy and peace come from following the commands God gives. Use His holy, loving power to parent with purpose. Dear Heavenly Father, God we are amazed at the love and care You have intentionally used to craft our children. You purposely planned for them and assigned us responsibility when You entrusted them to us to raise. Your mercy and grace through the life-saving work of Jesus and gifting us with children are perfect examples of how sacred the work is that parents complete. Help us to humbly bow before You daily with the mindset and heart that You desire, and deserve. Enable us to seek You over self and reflect Jesus in the ways You need our children to see. Father, Your children are such beautiful gifts that we simply cannot take for granted. Help us stop being good parents and become godly in every way you call. Time is so short. Our children need parents who are purposed in working under Your hand and heart. Father, help us honor and obey You in this privileged purpose. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective wait list is open now. The first group of women is currently growing together. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #059 – Building Biblical Self-Esteem in Children Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Last week on the podcast we explored building biblical self-esteem. This is such a huge topic to cover, yet it boils down to a very simple truth. When we build our confidence in the Lord, we find that our faith in self is bolstered and connected to the only source that is able to sustain, rebuild, and perfect us. We no longer have to flounder or attempt to prove ourselves. This world no longer holds us captive in what culture or experiences attempt to shape us to become. We are finally free to fully explore who we were created to be and as we view ourselves through God’s perspective, we begin to place Him, then others, above us in a humble, respectful, and serving way that fills us more deeply than before. If you are a parent, your solid dependence on, and confidence in God, built through Jesus, is one of the strongest gifts you can give your child. As you mature in God, and you lovingly model that relationship to your children, you begin to instill a legacy of faith that will confidently carry them for generations. Why is it that mothers purpose to carry such heavy loads to ensure that our children have the best education, opportunities, clothes, beautifully decorated bedrooms, etc., yet many do not place the importance of a solid biblical foundation and maturing walk with Jesus at the top of their endless list of what truly matters? I understand. As you may know, I have already raised one set of precious children to adulthood. Once they were raised, God placed a special yearning, a calling, on the hearts of my husband and myself. Neither of us had the desire to begin raising children again. It was truly the Holy Spirit working within us. As our first two were growing up, we were happy and knew we were blessed to have them, but we were 18 and 21 when we had them, so we understood that we would still be young when they reached adulthood! We actually looked forward to that time. We were both still in our thirties when both of our children had already graduated from high school. God, however, had other plans. Once He let us in on the first step, we knew He had blessed us beyond what we ever expected. Our world took a drastic turn as He carried us to a completely new life with new goals and expectations. We brought our infant daughter home from China when I was 44 years old. A 26 year difference in age when beginning another family set is tremendous, yet God infused us with delight, health, and energy for the next phase of living and His plans for us. Because I was finally purposely maturing in my walk with Christ daily and was being granted the opportunity to parent from scratch again, I treasured moments to seek God through prayer and soul-searching decisions. My husband and I knew that we were not the same people we were at 18 and 21. What did we want to change? This was our opportunity. We were blessed to explore what our parenting priorities would be. What was God whispering to our spirit? What did He tell us was important to Him? We prayed a lot individually, but also as a team. God was the center of our marriage and we wanted our child to be raised knowing Him as the center of their life, as well. My husband and I wanted to fully honor and obey God this time. Although I believed we made some right choices raising my first set of children as we grew in Christ, I realized how far I had been from truly resting in God and making Him known in the ways God had made known to me as I matured in Him. We were good parents before, but I knew in my heart we were more worldly than godly as we parented. I didn’t even know Jesus when I first became a mother. I knew it would be our focus this time to raise a child who chose Jesus over culture and that God would be an integral part of each day. Why am I saying all of this? It is imperative that we examine our parenting in light of what God would say if He were in the room and you were seeking counsel from Him. Remember this: He is with you. We should be seeking Him moment by moment through prayer. Our Heavenly Father is a Good Father. God made each of us. He knows what type of parent you are, where you need help, where you need to change, what you need to release to Him, what you need to be on our knees more for, and exactly what each of your children need. He placed them with you for a purpose. He desires you to rely on Him and to mentor them to do the same. One of the crucial areas of raising a child is instilling them with godly, biblical self-esteem. Since last week we discussed the topic of self-esteem in adults, I believe it is important to follow-up this week with the topic of our children. I feel that I did not serve my children or the Lord well in this area the first time I parented. It wasn’t that I didn’t give my children time. I was there for them. They knew how much my husband and I loved them. Yet, we built their confidence and self-esteem more on what this world measures and on them believing in themselves. At that time, I wasn’t as adept at finding the gifts God gave each of them and helping them grow their skills for the Lord. I didn’t teach them to seek God’s will to find the purpose He had for them in a way that used what talents and interests they possessed and gave that service back to Him. Of course, I prayed and thought I was doing a good job at the time, but the truth is that I was not yet mature enough in my personal faith to know what I was lacking. My children did not receive the best measure of confidence they should have received in the way God desires them to receive it – from Him. Parenting is beyond challenging. We are raising humans! Even when we are mature followers of Christ, we will never know all of the answers. The closer we are to living as Jesus, the more we cling to Him, the more adept we become at meeting the needs our child carries. How? Because we submit and allow Him to work through us. We will never be perfect, but God doesn’t expect us to be. He does, however, desire for us to parent with a focus on Him and a mind and heart set on raising children to know, honor, and obey Him. One way to do that is to create purposeful ways to instill biblical self-esteem in our children and teach them to find identity through Him and the biblical truths God has established. Let’s examine the best methods to build esteem and identity that focuses on and honors God. You might wonder if self-esteem and Identity are the same. The two are slightly different, but do affect each other. Identity reveals how you perceive yourself. It is who you think you are and is directly tied to your sense of self-worth, since it shows how you define yourself. Self-esteem exposes the value you see in yourself. As followers of Jesus, we understand that God establishes identity in us when He plans our life, even before He places us in the womb. God already defined and valued each of us and our children before we were ever born. Psalm 139:13-18 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, You are still with me!” In this broken world, identity can easily become questioned or twisted when our self-esteem is not built on God’s loving truths. This is a lengthy list, and much of it pertains to us, as well as our children. You don’t need to try to remember or write all of these suggestions down. Please visit terrihitt.com and print the transcript for this podcast or contact me at info@terrihitt.com and I will send you the list. 1. Build personal identity and worth through God. When parents have a strong and maturing relationship with the Lord, our act of parenting becomes more loving and godly. 2. Let your child see you live a confident and bold life of faith and trust in God. 3. Teach your child God’s word when they are young – right from the beginning of their life, or as soon as you have them. 4. Raise your child to understand God’s love and grace – but also their need for repentance through Jesus. 5. Let your child know you are a sinner, too. Tell them about your walk with Jesus in age appropriate times and words. Teach them how important Jesus is to you. 6. Bring God into all areas of life. He is the Creator of all things. God should be valued, recognized, praised, worshipped, and discussed naturally and flow seamlessly into all aspects of daily life and conversation. 7. Raise your child to value Jesus more than culture – because you do. 8. Let your child know that you are raising him to know God because He commands you to in His word and because you love Him and want to obey Him. 9. Spend one-on-one time with your child. Love them through their “love language.” Let them know you love them for simply being themselves, not what they accomplish. When your child feels valued by you, they are more likely to believe God finds them valuable and lovable. 10. Let your child see you read the Bible regularly. 11. Read the Bible with your child. Discuss readings and write or memorize scripture together. 12. Encourage them to read their Bible independently, as well. 13. Help them to lead family prayers or worship sometimes. 14. Pray together. Let your child know you pray for them. Ask them to pray for you, too. 15. Point out ways God would have your child handle disappointments, situations, others, etc in a loving, patient, understanding manner. Teach them to seek Him in all ways. 16. Compliment your child often for godly character, morals, integrity, etc. 17. Look them in the eye as you speak to them. This one is hard. I know at our house we move so much and are busy, but if you are like me, make it a point to seek eye contact as often as you can. Stronger connection and love are built through looking fully at each other. 18. Limit electronic time. 19. Monitor books, magazines, television, movies, music, attire, etc. Study the elements of faith versus worldly values that are included in the materials your child uses. Each one helps to shape their identity and eternity. Even some music that is labeled Christian is far from it. Popular books, shows, and some educational resources also quietly and sneakily undermine God’s morals and desires for your precious child. Review materials with a pure and prayerful heart. Don’t be afraid to restrict what God prompts you to. 20. Help your child discover their gifts, talents, and interests. Find ways they can use them for God. 21. Help your child find God’s purpose for them. This is key in helping them build a strong identity. 22. Serve together. 23. Set godly boundaries for your child, and follow through with correction when needed. Remember that correction is not shame or punishment. 24. Do not attempt to be your child’s best friend. Point them to God and help them rely on Him first. 25. Let your child know the wisdom of this world will be contrary to God’s. As we discussed earlier, self-esteem is linked to what our child believes about himself. When he has been taught to build esteem for self on what God’s opinion of him is, your child will carry a much higher value of self. Not surprisingly, the greater biblical value he places on himself, the healthier he will be overall. He will also become more joyful and able to accept and handle stress and worry because he is learning to release it to God. When this is the case, your child is also more apt to be honest and trustworthy. In contrast to this type of self-confidence and value, if your child bases self-worth on secular views, he is more likely to blame others for his mistakes and failures, use words as weapons against himself and others, lie, avoid challenges and hard work, carry more stress and worry, have less friends, desire isolation over community, have poor eye contact, and see no need for God in his life. Mark 10:13-16 says, “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then He took the children in his arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.” Jesus desires children to know Him. He longs for them to willingly choose Him and not be held away. The heart of a child is open to the truth and love of Jesus more than at any other time in his life. God wants children to know they are loved and valued, that they were created on purpose for a unique function only they possess. Matthew 10:29-31 says, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” God knows that in order for them to be healthy, a child must begin building a focused sense of esteem through God and His value of him. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Instill God’s truths and desires in your child. Let him know that God cares and loves him with a passion we cannot comprehend, but know to be true. Back up the truths you teach your child with God’s word and a loving spirit, so he thirsts for God and the Bible himself. Help him develop an instinctive habit for turning to God throughout his lifetime. Of all the plans we make for our children, all of the preparations for their future, helping them build a solid foundation of faith, identity, and self-esteem based on God’s value of them should be at the top. At the end of their life, it will not matter whether they attended college, what their grades were, how well they played sports, whether they made the dance team, or how many friends they had. All God will care about is whether Jesus knows your child as His own and if he lived his life as God desired. Every choice and action your child makes will be based on what he believes about himself, and what his identity and self-esteem are built on and molded from. It will prove what your child believes about eternity. Help him to begin living with an eternal perspective now. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessed opportunity to parent your children. What a privilege we have to be entrusted with them for such a time as we are together in this world. Father, help us to mold and build the proper relationship with you ourselves so that we can model a life as close to Jesus as possible. Help us to rely on You to know and lead each child we have in the ways you desire. We know so little, Lord, and the task is mighty. We need you! Help us, Father, to guide our children straight to you and teach them to find identity through You and to esteem themselves to be humble, yet mighty in You. Help us to remain on our knees as we parent, Lord. May we grow in You with each day and shine You into the hearts of our children. May we be a great blessing that leads them straight to You so they may receive the joys and blessings You have for them now and for eternity. In Your precious and holy name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. Be sure to sign up for my email list to be notified when my next resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” releases. This free eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and encourage you to raise or influence children to chase Jesus instead of this world. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 059 Building Biblical Self-Esteem in Children Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #059 – Building Biblical Self-Esteem in Children Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Last week on the podcast we explored building biblical self-esteem. This is such a huge topic to cover, yet it boils down to a very simple truth. When we build our confidence in the Lord, we find that our faith in self is bolstered and connected to the only source that is able to sustain, rebuild, and perfect us. We no longer have to flounder or attempt to prove ourselves. This world no longer holds us captive in what culture or experiences attempt to shape us to become. We are finally free to fully explore who we were created to be and as we view ourselves through God’s perspective, we begin to place Him, then others, above us in a humble, respectful, and serving way that fills us more deeply than before. If you are a parent, your solid dependence on, and confidence in God, built through Jesus, is one of the strongest gifts you can give your child. As you mature in God, and you lovingly model that relationship to your children, you begin to instill a legacy of faith that will confidently carry them for generations. Why is it that mothers purpose to carry such heavy loads to ensure that our children have the best education, opportunities, clothes, beautifully decorated bedrooms, etc., yet many do not place the importance of a solid biblical foundation and maturing walk with Jesus at the top of their endless list of what truly matters? I understand. As you may know, I have already raised one set of precious children to adulthood. Once they were raised, God placed a special yearning, a calling, on the hearts of my husband and myself. Neither of us had the desire to begin raising children again. It was truly the Holy Spirit working within us. As our first two were growing up, we were happy and knew we were blessed to have them, but we were 18 and 21 when we had them, so we understood that we would still be young when they reached adulthood! We actually looked forward to that time. We were both still in our thirties when both of our children had already graduated from high school. God, however, had other plans. Once He let us in on the first step, we knew He had blessed us beyond what we ever expected. Our world took a drastic turn as He carried us to a completely new life with new goals and expectations. We brought our infant daughter home from China when I was 44 years old. A 26 year difference in age when beginning another family set is tremendous, yet God infused us with delight, health, and energy for the next phase of living and His plans for us. Because I was finally purposely maturing in my walk with Christ daily and was being granted the opportunity to parent from scratch again, I treasured moments to seek God through prayer and soul-searching decisions. My husband and I knew that we were not the same people we were at 18 and 21. What did we want to change? This was our opportunity. We were blessed to explore what our parenting priorities would be. What was God whispering to our spirit? What did He tell us was important to Him? We prayed a lot individually, but also as a team. God was the center of our marriage and we wanted our child to be raised knowing Him as the center of their life, as well. My husband and I wanted to fully honor and obey God this time. Although I believed we made some right choices raising my first set of children as we grew in Christ, I realized how far I had been from truly resting in God and making Him known in the ways God had made known to me as I matured in Him. We were good parents before, but I knew in my heart we were more worldly than godly as we parented. I didn’t even know Jesus when I first became a mother. I knew it would be our focus this time to raise a child who chose Jesus over culture and that God would be an integral part of each day. Why am I saying all of this? It is imperative that we examine our parenting in light of what God would say if He were in the room and you were seeking counsel from Him. Remember this: He is with you. We should be seeking Him moment by moment through prayer. Our Heavenly Father is a Good Father. God made each of us. He knows what type of parent you are, where you need help, where you need to change, what you need to release to Him, what you need to be on our knees more for, and exactly what each of your children need. He placed them with you for a purpose. He desires you to rely on Him and to mentor them to do the same. One of the crucial areas of raising a child is instilling them with godly, biblical self-esteem. Since last week we discussed the topic of self-esteem in adults, I believe it is important to follow-up this week with the topic of our children. I feel that I did not serve my children or the Lord well in this area the first time I parented. It wasn’t that I didn’t give my children time. I was there for them. They knew how much my husband and I loved them. Yet, we built their confidence and self-esteem more on what this world measures and on them believing in themselves. At that time, I wasn’t as adept at finding the gifts God gave each of them and helping them grow their skills for the Lord. I didn’t teach them to seek God’s will to find the purpose He had for them in a way that used what talents and interests they possessed and gave that service back to Him. Of course, I prayed and thought I was doing a good job at the time, but the truth is that I was not yet mature enough in my personal faith to know what I was lacking. My children did not receive the best measure of confidence they should have received in the way God desires them to receive it – from Him. Parenting is beyond challenging. We are raising humans! Even when we are mature followers of Christ, we will never know all of the answers. The closer we are to living as Jesus, the more we cling to Him, the more adept we become at meeting the needs our child carries. How? Because we submit and allow Him to work through us. We will never be perfect, but God doesn’t expect us to be. He does, however, desire for us to parent with a focus on Him and a mind and heart set on raising children to know, honor, and obey Him. One way to do that is to create purposeful ways to instill biblical self-esteem in our children and teach them to find identity through Him and the biblical truths God has established. Let’s examine the best methods to build esteem and identity that focuses on and honors God. You might wonder if self-esteem and Identity are the same. The two are slightly different, but do affect each other. Identity reveals how you perceive yourself. It is who you think you are and is directly tied to your sense of self-worth, since it shows how you define yourself. Self-esteem exposes the value you see in yourself. As followers of Jesus, we understand that God establishes identity in us when He plans our life, even before He places us in the womb. God already defined and valued each of us and our children before we were ever born. Psalm 139:13-18 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, You are still with me!” In this broken world, identity can easily become questioned or twisted when our self-esteem is not built on God’s loving truths. This is a lengthy list, and much of it pertains to us, as well as our children. You don’t need to try to remember or write all of these suggestions down. Please visit terrihitt.com and print the transcript for this podcast or contact me at info@terrihitt.com and I will send you the list. 1. Build personal identity and worth through God. When parents have a strong and maturing relationship with the Lord, our act of parenting becomes more loving and godly. 2. Let your child see you live a confident and bold life of faith and trust in God. 3. Teach your child God’s word when they are young – right from the beginning of their life, or as soon as you have them. 4. Raise your child to understand God’s love and grace – but also their need for repentance through Jesus. 5. Let your child know you are a sinner, too. Tell them about your walk with Jesus in age appropriate times and words. Teach them how important Jesus is to you. 6. Bring God into all areas of life. He is the Creator of all things. God should be valued, recognized, praised, worshipped, and discussed naturally and flow seamlessly into all aspects of daily life and conversation. 7. Raise your child to value Jesus more than culture – because you do. 8. Let your child know that you are raising him to know God because He commands you to in His word and because you love Him and want to obey Him. 9. Spend one-on-one time with your child. Love them through their “love language.” Let them know you love them for simply being themselves, not what they accomplish. When your child feels valued by you, they are more likely to believe God finds them valuable and lovable. 10. Let your child see you read the Bible regularly. 11. Read the Bible with your child. Discuss readings and write or memorize scripture together. 12. Encourage them to read their Bible independently, as well. 13. Help them to lead family prayers or worship sometimes. 14. Pray together. Let your child know you pray for them. Ask them to pray for you, too. 15. Point out ways God would have your child handle disappointments, situations, others, etc in a loving, patient, understanding manner. Teach them to seek Him in all ways. 16. Compliment your child often for godly character, morals, integrity, etc. 17. Look them in the eye as you speak to them. This one is hard. I know at our house we move so much and are busy, but if you are like me, make it a point to seek eye contact as often as you can. Stronger connection and love are built through looking fully at each other. 18. Limit electronic time. 19. Monitor books, magazines, television, movies, music, attire, etc. Study the elements of faith versus worldly values that are included in the materials your child uses. Each one helps to shape their identity and eternity. Even some music that is labeled Christian is far from it. Popular books, shows, and some educational resources also quietly and sneakily undermine God’s morals and desires for your precious child. Review materials with a pure and prayerful heart. Don’t be afraid to restrict what God prompts you to. 20. Help your child discover their gifts, talents, and interests. Find ways they can use them for God. 21. Help your child find God’s purpose for them. This is key in helping them build a strong identity. 22. Serve together. 23. Set godly boundaries for your child, and follow through with correction when needed. Remember that correction is not shame or punishment. 24. Do not attempt to be your child’s best friend. Point them to God and help them rely on Him first. 25. Let your child know the wisdom of this world will be contrary to God’s. As we discussed earlier, self-esteem is linked to what our child believes about himself. When he has been taught to build esteem for self on what God’s opinion of him is, your child will carry a much higher value of self. Not surprisingly, the greater biblical value he places on himself, the healthier he will be overall. He will also become more joyful and able to accept and handle stress and worry because he is learning to release it to God. When this is the case, your child is also more apt to be honest and trustworthy. In contrast to this type of self-confidence and value, if your child bases self-worth on secular views, he is more likely to blame others for his mistakes and failures, use words as weapons against himself and others, lie, avoid challenges and hard work, carry more stress and worry, have less friends, desire isolation over community, have poor eye contact, and see no need for God in his life. Mark 10:13-16 says, “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then He took the children in his arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.” Jesus desires children to know Him. He longs for them to willingly choose Him and not be held away. The heart of a child is open to the truth and love of Jesus more than at any other time in his life. God wants children to know they are loved and valued, that they were created on purpose for a unique function only they possess. Matthew 10:29-31 says, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” God knows that in order for them to be healthy, a child must begin building a focused sense of esteem through God and His value of him. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Instill God’s truths and desires in your child. Let him know that God cares and loves him with a passion we cannot comprehend, but know to be true. Back up the truths you teach your child with God’s word and a loving spirit, so he thirsts for God and the Bible himself. Help him develop an instinctive habit for turning to God throughout his lifetime. Of all the plans we make for our children, all of the preparations for their future, helping them build a solid foundation of faith, identity, and self-esteem based on God’s value of them should be at the top. At the end of their life, it will not matter whether they attended college, what their grades were, how well they played sports, whether they made the dance team, or how many friends they had. All God will care about is whether Jesus knows your child as His own and if he lived his life as God desired. Every choice and action your child makes will be based on what he believes about himself, and what his identity and self-esteem are built on and molded from. It will prove what your child believes about eternity. Help him to begin living with an eternal perspective now. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessed opportunity to parent your children. What a privilege we have to be entrusted with them for such a time as we are together in this world. Father, help us to mold and build the proper relationship with you ourselves so that we can model a life as close to Jesus as possible. Help us to rely on You to know and lead each child we have in the ways you desire. We know so little, Lord, and the task is mighty. We need you! Help us, Father, to guide our children straight to you and teach them to find identity through You and to esteem themselves to be humble, yet mighty in You. Help us to remain on our knees as we parent, Lord. May we grow in You with each day and shine You into the hearts of our children. May we be a great blessing that leads them straight to You so they may receive the joys and blessings You have for them now and for eternity. In Your precious and holy name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. Be sure to sign up for my email list to be notified when my next resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” releases. This free eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and encourage you to raise or influence children to chase Jesus instead of this world. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #073 – Be Rid of Sin Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Earlier this week my daughter Marissa and I went for a long walk together. Sharing a walk is not a new experience. We go out together a lot. Sharing conversation and laughs is a highlight for us. As we are always hopeful that we’ll encounter geese or ducks, my daughter usually carries treats to offer our feathered friends just in case we need them. What made this particular walk different is a new path we tried. I’m not sure when it opened, but our neighborhood added a nature trail for residents to enjoy. Full of winding paths, creeks, slight inclines (for optimum leg exercise), wildlife, fresh air, and sunshine, Marissa and I believed we found a little slice of heaven. Until we got home. Although I brought water with me, I was parched when we returned. For some reason, I was craving grapefruit. I told Marissa I was going to eat before I hopped into the shower. As I was eating, I felt something tickling my skin inside my shirt. I peeked inside my blouse and saw what looked like a tiny spider. After a second look, I knew it was a tick. My reflexive response was to flick it off my skin, but I regretted that move instantly because I didn’t want it to find my two dogs. After my family and I searched the kitchen floor for a bit without finding it, I looked back inside my shirt and saw that I had missed the tick, who was still enjoying walking around my stomach. I started screaming. I know. Screamers are extremely annoying, but I was so grossed out by this tiny blood-sucking bug that I could not help it. My husband grabbed the disgusting creature and smashed it. Ready for a shower now, I left for the bathroom so that I could shower and truly feel clean again. It was going to be a while before that happened. Marissa joined me in the bathroom. She planned to take a bath while I showered so we could both make sure we didn’t have any other creatures ready to suck life from us. As we prepared for our bath and shower, we continued to find more and more ticks. We ended up having so many on the two of us that I lost count. The peaceful woodland setting we had enjoyed together became a dreaded memory we never wanted to revisit. We spent the rest of the evening feeling like we had ticks crawling over our skin and checking under our clothes to ensure we didn’t really have anything to pluck off our body. As I thought about the walk and resulting ticks, I felt God urging me to write this podcast. One message kept coming to mind to share. Sin should have the same effect on us that the tiny eight-legged tick parasites carry. We should be anxious to be rid of any sinfulness touching our life. There was nothing else I could think of when I found each tick. I just wanted them off as soon as possible! The need to remove them was so urgent that it was futile to fathom thinking of anything else. Believers should be so attuned to His thoughts and ways that any sin sickens us and makes us want to escape it immediately. How is sin defined in this world? Basically, sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against God’s holy law or an act that is a sin in the eyes of God. Most people, regardless of where they stand in their religious convictions would agree that this is a fair definition of sin. Yet, what is interesting is that we each differ more in what we consider to be a sin in the eyes of God, or more importantly, we seem to forget what God would consider sinful as we habitually fall into practices that feel good or give us pleasure in the moment. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” All of humanity is subject to the actions of two men: Adam and Jesus. Do we desire to follow the example of Adam and be content to toy with sin? Or do we yearn to cling to the freedom and hope found through Christ and live with fullness of life because we identify and flee from sin? Genesis 4:7b says, “But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” Sin is everywhere. We do not experience a day where we can say we were not tempted to sin or we did not encounter some sort of sin. Yet, the miracle is that through the grace of God and the act of Jesus on the cross, we do not need to be a slave to the sinful nature within us. Romans 2:15 says, “They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” The condition of our heart dictates our thoughts and actions. I believe the easiest way to identify sin in our life is to break it down into two easy to remember categories. 1. Attitude: Are we living with a mind or heartset that strives to please God or be Christlike? Or can we recognize hatred, envy, bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride, arrogance, maliciousness, and the like in our life? 2. Action: Are we living with actions that are contrary to what God instructs? Are we living in ways that please Him? Does our life draw others to His life-changing or life-giving power or push them away? Or do we secretly live with acts such as negligence, foul language, slander, adultery, stealing, lying, and the like in our life? If we cannot recognize or obey God’s truths, commands, or promptings, we sin. James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.” When we are close to Jesus because we know, love, and follow Him, we allow His sacrificial act to transform our heart, mind, and life. Then we are able to make the powerful decision to put Him before self. It is a decision we will need to make each moment for the rest of our life – not because we have to, but because we love Him and desire transformation into His image. We need to immediately flick any remnant of sin from us with an urgency that conveys absolute obedience to Jesus. Romans 6:12-17 says, “What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Remember that our body on its own is not sinful or evil. Yet, we do not want to allow sin to find a place of dominance or power over our body or in our life. Jesus has rendered sin powerless and unless we do not know or follow Him, or we succumb to the allure of sin instead of keeping our gaze focused on the power of Christ, it will not carry a place of power over us. We can either allow ourselves to fall to the evil forces of sin and live in rebellion and regret or claim victory through the sacrifice of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. Satan and sin have no power over us when we are rightfully living under the dominion of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!! We know we have ultimate victory because the power of Jesus lives within us and He has given us a hope and future. We can also believe and claim His power over daily moment by moment activities as well. Our mind and heart can both turn to and rely on the power of Christ to save us every second if we continue to rely on Him. Grace was extended not so that we could continue to sin and experience grace over again, but so that we would be reconstructed into new life that cannot tolerate sin. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins" in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by His wounds you have been healed." 1 John 3:9 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” This verse is spoken in the present tense, meaning a continuous action. It is saying that a follower of Christ will not sin on purpose or make a practice of sinning. When we have been born again through Jesus’s act on the cross, our new nature, born again in the image of a holy God, enables us to follow Him and produce His good fruit. He releases the grip of sin and removes the temptation of bowing to sin when we keep our gaze and heart attuned to and reliant on Him. Sin entered the world through one man and exited the world through one man. Who do you want to follow? Look up to the One who has the authority and grace to render sin powerless. Jesus sacrificed all so that we can live a rich and fulfilling life now and for eternity. Keep your gaze and heart fixed on Him, the One who can do all things. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” What sin is threatening to grip or deceive you? Render it powerless now through Jesus. Heavenly Father, our good and gracious God. We thank You for the life You gave us through Jesus. Help us recognize the power alive and at work within us as we face life moment by moment. May we always turn to You, enabling Your grace and the gift of new life to lift us above the snares of this world. May our thoughts and behavior be perfected as You are perfect, not to honor us, but to glorify You. Do not let sin reign in our mortal body, or let us obey the lusts of it. Please help us present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, made alive through Jesus with sin carrying no dominion over us in any way. We boldly ask this because we know it is Your intention for us, loving Father. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 073 Be Rid of Sin Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #073 – Be Rid of Sin Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Earlier this week my daughter Marissa and I went for a long walk together. Sharing a walk is not a new experience. We go out together a lot. Sharing conversation and laughs is a highlight for us. As we are always hopeful that we’ll encounter geese or ducks, my daughter usually carries treats to offer our feathered friends just in case we need them. What made this particular walk different is a new path we tried. I’m not sure when it opened, but our neighborhood added a nature trail for residents to enjoy. Full of winding paths, creeks, slight inclines (for optimum leg exercise), wildlife, fresh air, and sunshine, Marissa and I believed we found a little slice of heaven. Until we got home. Although I brought water with me, I was parched when we returned. For some reason, I was craving grapefruit. I told Marissa I was going to eat before I hopped into the shower. As I was eating, I felt something tickling my skin inside my shirt. I peeked inside my blouse and saw what looked like a tiny spider. After a second look, I knew it was a tick. My reflexive response was to flick it off my skin, but I regretted that move instantly because I didn’t want it to find my two dogs. After my family and I searched the kitchen floor for a bit without finding it, I looked back inside my shirt and saw that I had missed the tick, who was still enjoying walking around my stomach. I started screaming. I know. Screamers are extremely annoying, but I was so grossed out by this tiny blood-sucking bug that I could not help it. My husband grabbed the disgusting creature and smashed it. Ready for a shower now, I left for the bathroom so that I could shower and truly feel clean again. It was going to be a while before that happened. Marissa joined me in the bathroom. She planned to take a bath while I showered so we could both make sure we didn’t have any other creatures ready to suck life from us. As we prepared for our bath and shower, we continued to find more and more ticks. We ended up having so many on the two of us that I lost count. The peaceful woodland setting we had enjoyed together became a dreaded memory we never wanted to revisit. We spent the rest of the evening feeling like we had ticks crawling over our skin and checking under our clothes to ensure we didn’t really have anything to pluck off our body. As I thought about the walk and resulting ticks, I felt God urging me to write this podcast. One message kept coming to mind to share. Sin should have the same effect on us that the tiny eight-legged tick parasites carry. We should be anxious to be rid of any sinfulness touching our life. There was nothing else I could think of when I found each tick. I just wanted them off as soon as possible! The need to remove them was so urgent that it was futile to fathom thinking of anything else. Believers should be so attuned to His thoughts and ways that any sin sickens us and makes us want to escape it immediately. How is sin defined in this world? Basically, sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against God’s holy law or an act that is a sin in the eyes of God. Most people, regardless of where they stand in their religious convictions would agree that this is a fair definition of sin. Yet, what is interesting is that we each differ more in what we consider to be a sin in the eyes of God, or more importantly, we seem to forget what God would consider sinful as we habitually fall into practices that feel good or give us pleasure in the moment. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” All of humanity is subject to the actions of two men: Adam and Jesus. Do we desire to follow the example of Adam and be content to toy with sin? Or do we yearn to cling to the freedom and hope found through Christ and live with fullness of life because we identify and flee from sin? Genesis 4:7b says, “But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” Sin is everywhere. We do not experience a day where we can say we were not tempted to sin or we did not encounter some sort of sin. Yet, the miracle is that through the grace of God and the act of Jesus on the cross, we do not need to be a slave to the sinful nature within us. Romans 2:15 says, “They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” The condition of our heart dictates our thoughts and actions. I believe the easiest way to identify sin in our life is to break it down into two easy to remember categories. 1. Attitude: Are we living with a mind or heartset that strives to please God or be Christlike? Or can we recognize hatred, envy, bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride, arrogance, maliciousness, and the like in our life? 2. Action: Are we living with actions that are contrary to what God instructs? Are we living in ways that please Him? Does our life draw others to His life-changing or life-giving power or push them away? Or do we secretly live with acts such as negligence, foul language, slander, adultery, stealing, lying, and the like in our life? If we cannot recognize or obey God’s truths, commands, or promptings, we sin. James 4:17 says, “Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.” When we are close to Jesus because we know, love, and follow Him, we allow His sacrificial act to transform our heart, mind, and life. Then we are able to make the powerful decision to put Him before self. It is a decision we will need to make each moment for the rest of our life – not because we have to, but because we love Him and desire transformation into His image. We need to immediately flick any remnant of sin from us with an urgency that conveys absolute obedience to Jesus. Romans 6:12-17 says, “What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” Remember that our body on its own is not sinful or evil. Yet, we do not want to allow sin to find a place of dominance or power over our body or in our life. Jesus has rendered sin powerless and unless we do not know or follow Him, or we succumb to the allure of sin instead of keeping our gaze focused on the power of Christ, it will not carry a place of power over us. We can either allow ourselves to fall to the evil forces of sin and live in rebellion and regret or claim victory through the sacrifice of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. Satan and sin have no power over us when we are rightfully living under the dominion of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!! We know we have ultimate victory because the power of Jesus lives within us and He has given us a hope and future. We can also believe and claim His power over daily moment by moment activities as well. Our mind and heart can both turn to and rely on the power of Christ to save us every second if we continue to rely on Him. Grace was extended not so that we could continue to sin and experience grace over again, but so that we would be reconstructed into new life that cannot tolerate sin. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins" in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by His wounds you have been healed." 1 John 3:9 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.” This verse is spoken in the present tense, meaning a continuous action. It is saying that a follower of Christ will not sin on purpose or make a practice of sinning. When we have been born again through Jesus’s act on the cross, our new nature, born again in the image of a holy God, enables us to follow Him and produce His good fruit. He releases the grip of sin and removes the temptation of bowing to sin when we keep our gaze and heart attuned to and reliant on Him. Sin entered the world through one man and exited the world through one man. Who do you want to follow? Look up to the One who has the authority and grace to render sin powerless. Jesus sacrificed all so that we can live a rich and fulfilling life now and for eternity. Keep your gaze and heart fixed on Him, the One who can do all things. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do so much more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” What sin is threatening to grip or deceive you? Render it powerless now through Jesus. Heavenly Father, our good and gracious God. We thank You for the life You gave us through Jesus. Help us recognize the power alive and at work within us as we face life moment by moment. May we always turn to You, enabling Your grace and the gift of new life to lift us above the snares of this world. May our thoughts and behavior be perfected as You are perfect, not to honor us, but to glorify You. Do not let sin reign in our mortal body, or let us obey the lusts of it. Please help us present ourselves as instruments of righteousness, made alive through Jesus with sin carrying no dominion over us in any way. We boldly ask this because we know it is Your intention for us, loving Father. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #141 – Why Should I Seek Jesus Early in the Morning? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Last summer we replaced siding on our house. From the month of April, when we decided to start this huge endeavor and I began collecting quotes from various contractors to the end of October when our entire home was clothed in new siding guaranteed to keep the woodpeckers away, a total of 6 months had passed! That’s half a year! During that time, we had contractors in the yard at any moment as they dropped by to check progress on the house. Workers were almost always present ripping off siding, hammering, and stomping on the roof carrying supplies and making repairs. Throughout each day I’d receive texts or phone calls with multiple questions or updates. I learned very quickly that it was important for me to prioritize anything I needed to get done each day. It was also essential that I let them know certain times that I would be unavailable. Even when they could see me through the windows of the house. For example, first thing every morning after my youngest daughter awakens, she and I have a date to play. This is a non-negotiable in our schedule. Unless she has surgery or there is an appointment beyond our control, our time together takes priority. How frustrating it was for both of us when the siding replacement brought disruption to her one-on-one time with me every day. Since she’s been home with us in August of 2015, we have made our time together something we both look forward to. It has bonded and attached us and allowed her freedom to explore interests and share passions. It has allowed me to know her sweet nature and understand what she may need to process. It became apparent early on that I needed to tell the workers (and she needed to hear me say the words) that I had a play date in the morning. The time I devoted to my daughter was important enough to dictate that I was not to be disturbed, even when they saw me at the kitchen table playing. This is the way we should set aside time to be with God. Just as my daughter can see whether I seem to place importance on our time together, and whether I uphold my word that we will have time together for just the two of us, God sees directly into our hearts. He knows the level of desire we carry for Him. He knows the battles we face and the effort we exert to overcome obstacles just to be with Him. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” Seeking and following God mattered to Jesus. It was a time He prioritized and set-apart. In order to be a person of godly integrity, in order to carry godly wisdom, in order to know God and make Him known, we must seek to do the same. Jesus was willing to make Himself rise early in the morning. Jesus was willing to step away from others and privately enjoy time alone with the Father. His pursuit of God even though He was already fully God, yet fully man, models how to live in a way that is set-apart and sanctified for the Kingdom of God. The way we prioritize our time, even our lack of time, shows our character and desires. What we set-apart to complete first becomes habit if we are consistent over time. New patterns in our thoughts, actions, and reactions are established when we arrange the time we are given for eternal purposes. If we examine the life of Jesus, we see that He spent His life actively pursuing what would bring Him closer to God. Jesus intentionally prioritized what He needed to do in order to mature His faith and obedience. You may wonder if you must seek God early in the morning. If you don’t will you offend God? Does not seeking Him early constitute a sin? I am not aware of a specific Scripture that commands we must seek God only in the morning or early each day. Actually, Scripture tells us that God is waiting for us whenever we come to Him. However, Scripture does expose a pattern of early morning risers for God. What we prioritize exposes what we pursue. If we plan to prepare for time with our Heavenly Father through praise, prayer, and the Word, we are most likely to be most successful in those aspirations if we attempt to complete our time with God in the morning. What we prioritize is less likely to be pushed aside or rescheduled, thinking we’ll come back to it later. But it depends on the schedule we currently keep and the season of life we are in. Psalm 119:147 says, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your word.” Early morning time with God through prayer and Scripture align our spirit and mind with His, allowing God’s strength, wisdom, and endurance to guide our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions throughout each day, and it instigates important growth that attaches us to our Father first thing in the morning before we face trials or tragedies. I remember when my oldest daughter passed away in 2009, I later found out that at the very time she passed from this earth, I was studying Scripture and completing a Bible Study I was in at the time. I was incredibly thankful my day had started with Jesus and He was carrying me into the worst day of my life so far. Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Just as Scripture says, we must remember that we carry free will. We can choose the best time to study and pray with God. Life has seasons. God knows what demands we face. He sees and understands our deepest desires. God knows when we long for deeper relationship with Him and He recognizes if we simply push Him away for later. Our Heavenly Father searches our heart and sees into the brightest and darkest areas we may not even know exist. He lovingly blesses those who seek Him with deep love and longing and He knows which of us long to do whatever we need to in order to develop a holy desire for Him. Psalm 88:13 says, “But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before You.” Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” The more we seek our Father, the closer He draws to us. As we draw near to Him, our hunger and thirst miraculously multiplies. Seeking Him early and often allows us a fellowship sweeter than any this world offers. Psalm 42:1 says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God.” Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” There is nothing that will ever satisfy your heart and mind like intensely seeking and finding God through a personal relationship with Jesus that allows you to know Him more intimately daily. Psalm 63:1-5 says, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You.” I’m going to share a verse that reminds us no one, not even Jesus found it simple to break away from the distractions and busyness of life to pray. People often mobbed him. He had disciples around and people needing attention and healing. But Jesus was diligent. He knew what He needed and what the Father desired. Mark 1:35-37 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for You!” The passage of Scripture reminds me of Luke 2:48-52, which says, “When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement He was making to them. Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Jesus recognized and respected the necessity of being with the Father. He ensured that His day was scheduled to accommodate the Father’s wishes to spend time with Him, to instruct and guide, to pursue and protect. Do you regularly consider how deeply God yearns to spend intimate time with you? Consistent prayer time and time to read and study Scripture is vital for believers. You cannot know the mind and desires of God without knowing His Word. You will not recognize lies from this world if you do not know the truths of God. Think of the demands Jesus dealt with daily! Yet He made it a priority to make time to get away and enjoy solitude with His Heavenly Father. Jesus made sure He broke away from everyone and everything first thing in the morning to converse with and hear God. He knew where He received strength, wisdom, guidance, protection, insight, and clarity of mind, as well as so many other qualities and blessings. This short verse reminds each of us that it is imperative for us, no matter what time of day we use, to find time with God daily. It is not surprising that the last act Jesus completed on this earth was to rise from the grave. Of course, He prioritized this miraculous feat and completed it early in the morning. John 20:1 says, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.” May you and I strive to become more like Christ daily. He understands the seasons and demands of your life this very minute. If you ask Him to enable you to find the right times to meet with Him, He will honor that prayer. Dear sovereign, holy God, who resides in Heaven above, yet within and around us, great is your mercy and love for each one of us. Thank you for Your grace and pursuit. Thank you for leaving us the greatest example through Jesus. May we see all He did more clearly and may His words and actions bring us humbly to our knees before You. Help each of us to evaluate our lives and obligations through Your eyes and heart. Help us to see where we can alter our schedules to allow more time for crafting deeper relationships with You. Enable us to allow transformation of heart, mind, and soul from spending quality time in pursuit of You. We thank you for allowing us free will to choose You, but ask that You help us stay in pursuit of You now and forever. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 141 - Why Should I Seek Jesus Early in the Morning? Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #141 – Why Should I Seek Jesus Early in the Morning? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Last summer we replaced siding on our house. From the month of April, when we decided to start this huge endeavor and I began collecting quotes from various contractors to the end of October when our entire home was clothed in new siding guaranteed to keep the woodpeckers away, a total of 6 months had passed! That’s half a year! During that time, we had contractors in the yard at any moment as they dropped by to check progress on the house. Workers were almost always present ripping off siding, hammering, and stomping on the roof carrying supplies and making repairs. Throughout each day I’d receive texts or phone calls with multiple questions or updates. I learned very quickly that it was important for me to prioritize anything I needed to get done each day. It was also essential that I let them know certain times that I would be unavailable. Even when they could see me through the windows of the house. For example, first thing every morning after my youngest daughter awakens, she and I have a date to play. This is a non-negotiable in our schedule. Unless she has surgery or there is an appointment beyond our control, our time together takes priority. How frustrating it was for both of us when the siding replacement brought disruption to her one-on-one time with me every day. Since she’s been home with us in August of 2015, we have made our time together something we both look forward to. It has bonded and attached us and allowed her freedom to explore interests and share passions. It has allowed me to know her sweet nature and understand what she may need to process. It became apparent early on that I needed to tell the workers (and she needed to hear me say the words) that I had a play date in the morning. The time I devoted to my daughter was important enough to dictate that I was not to be disturbed, even when they saw me at the kitchen table playing. This is the way we should set aside time to be with God. Just as my daughter can see whether I seem to place importance on our time together, and whether I uphold my word that we will have time together for just the two of us, God sees directly into our hearts. He knows the level of desire we carry for Him. He knows the battles we face and the effort we exert to overcome obstacles just to be with Him. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” Seeking and following God mattered to Jesus. It was a time He prioritized and set-apart. In order to be a person of godly integrity, in order to carry godly wisdom, in order to know God and make Him known, we must seek to do the same. Jesus was willing to make Himself rise early in the morning. Jesus was willing to step away from others and privately enjoy time alone with the Father. His pursuit of God even though He was already fully God, yet fully man, models how to live in a way that is set-apart and sanctified for the Kingdom of God. The way we prioritize our time, even our lack of time, shows our character and desires. What we set-apart to complete first becomes habit if we are consistent over time. New patterns in our thoughts, actions, and reactions are established when we arrange the time we are given for eternal purposes. If we examine the life of Jesus, we see that He spent His life actively pursuing what would bring Him closer to God. Jesus intentionally prioritized what He needed to do in order to mature His faith and obedience. You may wonder if you must seek God early in the morning. If you don’t will you offend God? Does not seeking Him early constitute a sin? I am not aware of a specific Scripture that commands we must seek God only in the morning or early each day. Actually, Scripture tells us that God is waiting for us whenever we come to Him. However, Scripture does expose a pattern of early morning risers for God. What we prioritize exposes what we pursue. If we plan to prepare for time with our Heavenly Father through praise, prayer, and the Word, we are most likely to be most successful in those aspirations if we attempt to complete our time with God in the morning. What we prioritize is less likely to be pushed aside or rescheduled, thinking we’ll come back to it later. But it depends on the schedule we currently keep and the season of life we are in. Psalm 119:147 says, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your word.” Early morning time with God through prayer and Scripture align our spirit and mind with His, allowing God’s strength, wisdom, and endurance to guide our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions throughout each day, and it instigates important growth that attaches us to our Father first thing in the morning before we face trials or tragedies. I remember when my oldest daughter passed away in 2009, I later found out that at the very time she passed from this earth, I was studying Scripture and completing a Bible Study I was in at the time. I was incredibly thankful my day had started with Jesus and He was carrying me into the worst day of my life so far. Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Just as Scripture says, we must remember that we carry free will. We can choose the best time to study and pray with God. Life has seasons. God knows what demands we face. He sees and understands our deepest desires. God knows when we long for deeper relationship with Him and He recognizes if we simply push Him away for later. Our Heavenly Father searches our heart and sees into the brightest and darkest areas we may not even know exist. He lovingly blesses those who seek Him with deep love and longing and He knows which of us long to do whatever we need to in order to develop a holy desire for Him. Psalm 88:13 says, “But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before You.” Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” The more we seek our Father, the closer He draws to us. As we draw near to Him, our hunger and thirst miraculously multiplies. Seeking Him early and often allows us a fellowship sweeter than any this world offers. Psalm 42:1 says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God.” Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” There is nothing that will ever satisfy your heart and mind like intensely seeking and finding God through a personal relationship with Jesus that allows you to know Him more intimately daily. Psalm 63:1-5 says, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst for You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You.” I’m going to share a verse that reminds us no one, not even Jesus found it simple to break away from the distractions and busyness of life to pray. People often mobbed him. He had disciples around and people needing attention and healing. But Jesus was diligent. He knew what He needed and what the Father desired. Mark 1:35-37 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for You!” The passage of Scripture reminds me of Luke 2:48-52, which says, “When His parents saw Him, they were astonished. “Child, why have You done this to us?” His mother asked. “Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” “Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement He was making to them. Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Jesus recognized and respected the necessity of being with the Father. He ensured that His day was scheduled to accommodate the Father’s wishes to spend time with Him, to instruct and guide, to pursue and protect. Do you regularly consider how deeply God yearns to spend intimate time with you? Consistent prayer time and time to read and study Scripture is vital for believers. You cannot know the mind and desires of God without knowing His Word. You will not recognize lies from this world if you do not know the truths of God. Think of the demands Jesus dealt with daily! Yet He made it a priority to make time to get away and enjoy solitude with His Heavenly Father. Jesus made sure He broke away from everyone and everything first thing in the morning to converse with and hear God. He knew where He received strength, wisdom, guidance, protection, insight, and clarity of mind, as well as so many other qualities and blessings. This short verse reminds each of us that it is imperative for us, no matter what time of day we use, to find time with God daily. It is not surprising that the last act Jesus completed on this earth was to rise from the grave. Of course, He prioritized this miraculous feat and completed it early in the morning. John 20:1 says, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.” May you and I strive to become more like Christ daily. He understands the seasons and demands of your life this very minute. If you ask Him to enable you to find the right times to meet with Him, He will honor that prayer. Dear sovereign, holy God, who resides in Heaven above, yet within and around us, great is your mercy and love for each one of us. Thank you for Your grace and pursuit. Thank you for leaving us the greatest example through Jesus. May we see all He did more clearly and may His words and actions bring us humbly to our knees before You. Help each of us to evaluate our lives and obligations through Your eyes and heart. Help us to see where we can alter our schedules to allow more time for crafting deeper relationships with You. Enable us to allow transformation of heart, mind, and soul from spending quality time in pursuit of You. We thank you for allowing us free will to choose You, but ask that You help us stay in pursuit of You now and forever. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #052 – Terri Hitt Interviewed by A Surprise Guest Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. I hope you enjoyed my interview with Marissa Hitt, my daughter, last week. Guess what? I have a surprise! I won’t be the main person speaking in this episode. As a fun twist, my interview with Marissa has extended to a sort of two-part episode. Only this time, the seating is switched. Marissa is going to interview me. Are you ready to hear what questions she has in store for me? I’m ready, even though I am wondering what she will be asking – and what my answers will be. I hope you will have fun and hear joy that directs you to Jesus as we talk again. ------- INTERVIEW ------- Thank you for listening to this episode. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to blog posts, transcripts, and additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence children with love and purpose through Him. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 052 Terri Hitt Interviewed by a Surprise Guest Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #052 – Terri Hitt Interviewed by A Surprise Guest Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. I hope you enjoyed my interview with Marissa Hitt, my daughter, last week. Guess what? I have a surprise! I won’t be the main person speaking in this episode. As a fun twist, my interview with Marissa has extended to a sort of two-part episode. Only this time, the seating is switched. Marissa is going to interview me. Are you ready to hear what questions she has in store for me? I’m ready, even though I am wondering what she will be asking – and what my answers will be. I hope you will have fun and hear joy that directs you to Jesus as we talk again. ------- INTERVIEW ------- Thank you for listening to this episode. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to blog posts, transcripts, and additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence children with love and purpose through Him. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #139 – Are You Really a Christian? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. After hearing the name of this episode, you may wonder if I am being judgmental. I promise I’m not. By choosing the title, “Are You a Christian,” I want you, (and myself), to consider what it takes to be a follower of Christ. If a stranger observed your life, actions, and reactions, would they be able to discern which you are? What about the words you speak? Or consider the activities you pursue? How do they reflect Jesus? When your children, whether grown or young watch you day to day, what do they see? What impressions are you making on them? Do you point the way to Christ? Today we’ll discuss ways life challenges us, allowing us opportunities to rely on self or Christ. Which do you usually choose? 1. Relationships - We all know how difficult relationships can be. Have you ever loved someone so much, but just couldn’t communicate clearly with them? Human nature is so complex. Sometimes we have wonderful relationships without issues, but then are those people that for some reason, we can only have a surface relationship with. It’s difficult when one is a believer and one is not, but so much more frustrating when both are believers. Because humans, even believers have different backgrounds, communication methods, interests, and emotional triggers, and we are at different maturity points in our walk with Christ, coupled with the truth that we live in a fallen world, communication and relationships can be extremely difficult. It’s a wonder we can communicate at all sometimes. Not only are relationships challenging, but have you ever finished a conversation with someone with the frustrated feeling that they did not clearly hear what you said? Have you had to pray, knowing that God is using this person to refine you? As much as you may love the person, it’s hard to be sure that you will ever have the deeper relationship you desire. What about when you know someone speaks untruths behind your back? You know it to be true, because trusted loved ones have defended and informed you of it. Now, you’ve become hesitant to share much with the person. Maybe each time you try to deepen your relationship, it just gets harder. You might feel like the more you try to form deeper conversations and move closer to them, it just makes everything worse. You might even feel like you can’t share anything other than a superficial relationship. Or have you ever thought a person was one way, then as you entered into a closer relationship with them you saw the truth? They were not who they pretended or tried to make you think they were. Or have you prayed for someone in your family, at work, or a stranger you met, knowing that God is using you to send mighty prayers up to Him for their sake? You may have had a disagreement, He may have laid them on your heart, burdening you to cry out for them. I’ve learned that no one in this life will ever fully satisfy us. Not even those we are very close to. Why? Because we were not meant for this world and there is no substitution for Christ. The lives we have were meant for much more than we experience here. Without each person submitting to Christ and praying and working to establish relationships under His guidance, the world, and people, will never offer us what He can. We must look for ways to offer Jesus what we can while we journey in this life. 2. Politics - In the last few years, people, even believers have been divided over political opinions. Politics seem to be the tipping point that can extinguish friendships. Have you been unfollowed by someone you thought would be a lifelong friend? Maybe a family member can’t see past the fact that you can simply agree to disagree over life issues, but still carry love and respect for each other through the grace of Christ. How we view disagreements, disappointments, and disasters say a lot about the mind and heartset we carry. We can only look to God and humbly ask Him to heal relationships by working through all parties involved, and we must work to be sure our actions and reactions, even when we are hurt, do not sin against God. There is only one way to work toward that goal: ensure that we are intentionally working to follow and honor the Lord each day. Even if you never reconnect with the person you believe wronged you, continue to pray for them. Don’t let bitterness invade your heart. Relying on Christ to ease and heal the pain of broken relationships is the only way to find healing. 3. Religion – Nowadays, if politics haven’t driven your friends away, religion might. In some ways, it seems like we have more Christians in the world than we really do. What do I mean? Many people profess to be a Christian, yet when you delve below surface talk, you learn that your views are vastly different. Many religions identify as “Christian,” yet unless they follow Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, they are not Christian. Jesus warned us that He would cause division. Luke 12:51-53 says, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Of course, life is filled with many more situations that define whether a person is truly living (or attempting to live) a lifestyle that honors Christ. What I mentioned are just a few of the most noticeable, and what so many struggle with. How much joy would we receive if each of us strived to follow Christ in each of these situations? How much would we please our Heavenly Father as we choose to live in His power, then act and react with His grace and priorities leading us? Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Our “old self” is defined as what we were before the Holy Spirit abided within us through new life in Christ. Our former existence is no more. When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the “old self” dies; the new life we receive now divinely appointed through grace. The control our former self held over us is released; the curse of death replaced by eternal life through Jesus. Believers are no longer subject to live under the influence of evil that the old self carried. Yet, knowing the influence and capacity to sin still flows within our human flesh, we must remember and rely on the power of Christ within us. We cannot trust fleshly responses that guide from hurt, fears, jealousy, and so many more emotions that clash with the Father’s truths. Romans 6:11 says, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” In this verse, Paul urges believers to grasp by faith what God says and has revealed to be true. We must strive to remember and live the truth that through Christ, and the Holy Spirit alive within us, we have power over the sin that threatens to rule our nature. We carry power to deny sin abiding within us, enabling us to live with fullness of Christ directing us. Romans 6:17-18 says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” True believers following Christ have an instinctive and evident desire to study and obey God’s Word. Having been set free from the death and burden of sin, the Holy Spirit enables believers to escape the binds of unrighteousness and become captive to righteousness. How does a believer remain true to follow the Holy Spirit within and keep the desire for righteousness? Only through the strength of Christ. Believers must fix our eyes, heart, and mind above and allow the work of Christ to grow and flow within us. A life eternally changed by Christ behaves differently because we believe differently. The more a believer seeks Jesus, the more a believer craves Him. The Holy Spirit living within believers fuels us with Christ’s hunger for righteousness and holiness. Living as a Christian is not defined by: 1. Joining a church 2. Reciting prayers 3. Being baptized 4. Serving others 5. Eating certain foods and abstaining from others Christians craving Christ: 1. Humbly accept Christ as Lord and Savior and submit to Him 2. Rely on the Holy Spirit within us to eradicate our sinful nature 3. Admit our need for the strength of Jesus and His grace and mercy as we seek Christ moment by moment 4. Shift our mindset and desires to match His 5. Allow His actions to change our reactions 6. Allow the Holy Spirit to continue to guard and cleanse us of sin 7. Carry joy by the power of Christ in us 8. Live with gratitude for the change Christ has made in us 9. Allow Christ to infuse His love for others inside us 10. Carry a biblical worldview that affects our choices and opinions 11. Intentionally become more Christlike daily John 2:23-25 says, “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.” When we believe in His name because we have seen the signs Jesus displayed versus simply trusting that Jesus is who He says He is, we follow Him with an intellectual commitment versus living with a whole-hearted assurance led by faith. Jesus calls for believers to trust, follow, honor, love, and obey because we cannot comprehend living without Him. The Lord sees our whole heart. Jesus is a discerner of genuine conversion for Him versus excitement and intrigue for what could be called “magnificent events” that prompt our belief. Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” I’d like to pose a few questions for each of us to consider: Are you sure you are a Christian? If God is a discerner of hearts, what does He see in yours? What should you change about your beliefs, actions, or reactions that will make your life more pleasing to God? What are ways to ensure you are living the full life God intends His believers to enjoy? What can you do to ensure that Christ is clearly shown to those viewing your life? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God of all creation. The heavens and the earth applaud Your name. Great are Your mysteries and the things You reveal to us. Thank you for loving us enough to make a way for us to find eternal life with You. Thank you for Your painful sacrifices so that mankind could be restored to You. Father, we pray that our hearts will be found clean before You. May we live with pureness of heart that seeks to know You more intimately and show You more clearly. May our mind, heart, and mouth exemplify You more and more each day because we choose You over self and world. Help us to desire You more than what this world offers and pledge to make shifts in our lives that bring us nearer to You. Enable us to humbly seek Your worldviews and live in ways that honor what You desire. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 139 - Are You Really a Christian? Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #139 – Are You Really a Christian? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. After hearing the name of this episode, you may wonder if I am being judgmental. I promise I’m not. By choosing the title, “Are You a Christian,” I want you, (and myself), to consider what it takes to be a follower of Christ. If a stranger observed your life, actions, and reactions, would they be able to discern which you are? What about the words you speak? Or consider the activities you pursue? How do they reflect Jesus? When your children, whether grown or young watch you day to day, what do they see? What impressions are you making on them? Do you point the way to Christ? Today we’ll discuss ways life challenges us, allowing us opportunities to rely on self or Christ. Which do you usually choose? 1. Relationships - We all know how difficult relationships can be. Have you ever loved someone so much, but just couldn’t communicate clearly with them? Human nature is so complex. Sometimes we have wonderful relationships without issues, but then are those people that for some reason, we can only have a surface relationship with. It’s difficult when one is a believer and one is not, but so much more frustrating when both are believers. Because humans, even believers have different backgrounds, communication methods, interests, and emotional triggers, and we are at different maturity points in our walk with Christ, coupled with the truth that we live in a fallen world, communication and relationships can be extremely difficult. It’s a wonder we can communicate at all sometimes. Not only are relationships challenging, but have you ever finished a conversation with someone with the frustrated feeling that they did not clearly hear what you said? Have you had to pray, knowing that God is using this person to refine you? As much as you may love the person, it’s hard to be sure that you will ever have the deeper relationship you desire. What about when you know someone speaks untruths behind your back? You know it to be true, because trusted loved ones have defended and informed you of it. Now, you’ve become hesitant to share much with the person. Maybe each time you try to deepen your relationship, it just gets harder. You might feel like the more you try to form deeper conversations and move closer to them, it just makes everything worse. You might even feel like you can’t share anything other than a superficial relationship. Or have you ever thought a person was one way, then as you entered into a closer relationship with them you saw the truth? They were not who they pretended or tried to make you think they were. Or have you prayed for someone in your family, at work, or a stranger you met, knowing that God is using you to send mighty prayers up to Him for their sake? You may have had a disagreement, He may have laid them on your heart, burdening you to cry out for them. I’ve learned that no one in this life will ever fully satisfy us. Not even those we are very close to. Why? Because we were not meant for this world and there is no substitution for Christ. The lives we have were meant for much more than we experience here. Without each person submitting to Christ and praying and working to establish relationships under His guidance, the world, and people, will never offer us what He can. We must look for ways to offer Jesus what we can while we journey in this life. 2. Politics - In the last few years, people, even believers have been divided over political opinions. Politics seem to be the tipping point that can extinguish friendships. Have you been unfollowed by someone you thought would be a lifelong friend? Maybe a family member can’t see past the fact that you can simply agree to disagree over life issues, but still carry love and respect for each other through the grace of Christ. How we view disagreements, disappointments, and disasters say a lot about the mind and heartset we carry. We can only look to God and humbly ask Him to heal relationships by working through all parties involved, and we must work to be sure our actions and reactions, even when we are hurt, do not sin against God. There is only one way to work toward that goal: ensure that we are intentionally working to follow and honor the Lord each day. Even if you never reconnect with the person you believe wronged you, continue to pray for them. Don’t let bitterness invade your heart. Relying on Christ to ease and heal the pain of broken relationships is the only way to find healing. 3. Religion – Nowadays, if politics haven’t driven your friends away, religion might. In some ways, it seems like we have more Christians in the world than we really do. What do I mean? Many people profess to be a Christian, yet when you delve below surface talk, you learn that your views are vastly different. Many religions identify as “Christian,” yet unless they follow Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, they are not Christian. Jesus warned us that He would cause division. Luke 12:51-53 says, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Of course, life is filled with many more situations that define whether a person is truly living (or attempting to live) a lifestyle that honors Christ. What I mentioned are just a few of the most noticeable, and what so many struggle with. How much joy would we receive if each of us strived to follow Christ in each of these situations? How much would we please our Heavenly Father as we choose to live in His power, then act and react with His grace and priorities leading us? Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Our “old self” is defined as what we were before the Holy Spirit abided within us through new life in Christ. Our former existence is no more. When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the “old self” dies; the new life we receive now divinely appointed through grace. The control our former self held over us is released; the curse of death replaced by eternal life through Jesus. Believers are no longer subject to live under the influence of evil that the old self carried. Yet, knowing the influence and capacity to sin still flows within our human flesh, we must remember and rely on the power of Christ within us. We cannot trust fleshly responses that guide from hurt, fears, jealousy, and so many more emotions that clash with the Father’s truths. Romans 6:11 says, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” In this verse, Paul urges believers to grasp by faith what God says and has revealed to be true. We must strive to remember and live the truth that through Christ, and the Holy Spirit alive within us, we have power over the sin that threatens to rule our nature. We carry power to deny sin abiding within us, enabling us to live with fullness of Christ directing us. Romans 6:17-18 says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” True believers following Christ have an instinctive and evident desire to study and obey God’s Word. Having been set free from the death and burden of sin, the Holy Spirit enables believers to escape the binds of unrighteousness and become captive to righteousness. How does a believer remain true to follow the Holy Spirit within and keep the desire for righteousness? Only through the strength of Christ. Believers must fix our eyes, heart, and mind above and allow the work of Christ to grow and flow within us. A life eternally changed by Christ behaves differently because we believe differently. The more a believer seeks Jesus, the more a believer craves Him. The Holy Spirit living within believers fuels us with Christ’s hunger for righteousness and holiness. Living as a Christian is not defined by: 1. Joining a church 2. Reciting prayers 3. Being baptized 4. Serving others 5. Eating certain foods and abstaining from others Christians craving Christ: 1. Humbly accept Christ as Lord and Savior and submit to Him 2. Rely on the Holy Spirit within us to eradicate our sinful nature 3. Admit our need for the strength of Jesus and His grace and mercy as we seek Christ moment by moment 4. Shift our mindset and desires to match His 5. Allow His actions to change our reactions 6. Allow the Holy Spirit to continue to guard and cleanse us of sin 7. Carry joy by the power of Christ in us 8. Live with gratitude for the change Christ has made in us 9. Allow Christ to infuse His love for others inside us 10. Carry a biblical worldview that affects our choices and opinions 11. Intentionally become more Christlike daily John 2:23-25 says, “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.” When we believe in His name because we have seen the signs Jesus displayed versus simply trusting that Jesus is who He says He is, we follow Him with an intellectual commitment versus living with a whole-hearted assurance led by faith. Jesus calls for believers to trust, follow, honor, love, and obey because we cannot comprehend living without Him. The Lord sees our whole heart. Jesus is a discerner of genuine conversion for Him versus excitement and intrigue for what could be called “magnificent events” that prompt our belief. Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” I’d like to pose a few questions for each of us to consider: Are you sure you are a Christian? If God is a discerner of hearts, what does He see in yours? What should you change about your beliefs, actions, or reactions that will make your life more pleasing to God? What are ways to ensure you are living the full life God intends His believers to enjoy? What can you do to ensure that Christ is clearly shown to those viewing your life? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God of all creation. The heavens and the earth applaud Your name. Great are Your mysteries and the things You reveal to us. Thank you for loving us enough to make a way for us to find eternal life with You. Thank you for Your painful sacrifices so that mankind could be restored to You. Father, we pray that our hearts will be found clean before You. May we live with pureness of heart that seeks to know You more intimately and show You more clearly. May our mind, heart, and mouth exemplify You more and more each day because we choose You over self and world. Help us to desire You more than what this world offers and pledge to make shifts in our lives that bring us nearer to You. Enable us to humbly seek Your worldviews and live in ways that honor what You desire. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #005 - Handling Hardships Thank you for entrusting and investing part of your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. At the time I am working on this podcast, several of my friends are experiencing hardships in their life. One will celebrate her first Christmas without her beloved husband; one celebrates her first Christmas without a beloved son; one just lost two family members and has another in the hospital. Others have children in the hospital. Many people I know are fighting battles in this world. Adversity has no schedule. Trials don’t respect holidays, busy lives, or people. Death and affliction sometimes seem to happen randomly, but as believers, we know that God is never surprised. Everything that happens to believers has already been sifted through His sovereign hands. He is with us through every storm, waiting to carry us through. Ten years ago, I lost my oldest daughter, Jaime. My family entered a season of what felt like destruction. The years between 2009 and 2015 were brutal to live through. After walking through the loss of my child, attention had to be shifted to my parents. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and my father, sister, and I made the very difficult decision to move her to a memory care unit. Multiple reasons prompted us to make that decision, but we certainly did not want her to feel abandoned or forgotten. My father, my sister, my daughter, Marissa (who was around five years old at the time), and I visited her daily. Marissa was at the facility so much that they allowed her to visit random residents in their rooms. It cheered each one of them, as well as the staff, to see her smiling face and hear the bubbly voice of a young child. Marissa also helped with crafts and the physical activity program in my mother’s unit. Although being around so much illness was often difficult at the time, in hindsight, God allowed the experiences to soften the heart of my daughter toward the elderly. Even now, she feels comfortable around older adults and enjoys conversing with them. After my mother had been living in the memory care facility for a while, my father began having significant symptoms in 2012 that finally prompted him to see a doctor. In January of 2013, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. At the time, they gave him one week to a year to live. While we had been seeing my mother every day and devoting large amounts of time to be with her and help with major decisions in her care, Marissa and I now had to divide my mother’s time and share it with my father. He got so sick that we had to lessen the time we spent with my mother considerably, although I still kept in close contact with her caregivers, and my sister was still visiting and helping with her care her as often as she could. Dad simply needed so much at that time. We took him to doctor appointments, helped with his medicine, finances, errands, and general understanding of his health. After he was rushed to the hospital in June, the doctors knew he would not be able to return home. When he regained enough strength by the end of the week to be released, the generous people at the facility my mother lived in tried to find him a room near her. He was moved there briefly, but since his insurance did not cover the facility, we had to find an alternative. Although he was stronger, he was still weak and needed special care, so his deepest wish to return home and drive his little truck around town would not come true. For several reasons, my father was not able to live with my sister or myself. The social worker at my mother’s facility found a nursing home near my father’s house that had an opening and he was moved there within the week. We now had our time split between two parents with high needs, who lived in two separate facilities. Spending almost every day battling emergencies with my father was extremely taxing. On top of that, managing cleaning out his house to donate and sell items to prepare his home for market, and helping with my managing my mother’s care and making time to see her, was exhausting and emotionally difficult. I was burdened by the fact that my young daughter was definitely not getting the time and attention she was accustomed to, or deserved. I was juggling too many things, as was my sister, and the needs of my precious daughter were being ignored. I continually prayed for God to sustain us through this storm. I remember one morning while Marissa was still sleeping, I was putting my makeup on when I received a phone call from the woman I had hired to hold an estate sale at my parent’s home. One of the employees she hired had sold their refrigerator the day before, but had not turned the water off when they pulled out the refrigerator. The house was flooded. Additional bad news came with that call as well, and when it was over, I was crushed. I knew God was with us. I had seen His hand working in so many precious ways through everything during the last four years, and I had tried through it all to remain optimistic and to notice and be thankful for the ways God was working, but in that moment, all I felt was defeat. I went to my closet, lay on the floor inside, and shut the door in case Marissa awakened. Then I began to cry. Hard. In defeat, I threw my feelings out to God. Then, my emotions surfaced; they were my subconscious reactions to everything that had been happening with my parents and family. I knew He already understood and was caring for all of my concerns, but I had to talk to Him. So much was intertwined in caring for both parents, and all the hurts and losses over the years had roots that were being exposed as the soil of my parent’s capabilities eroded. For example, as challenging as it was caring for my father, the blessing of loving him in his final days brought him to me in a new way. I knew God understood and I poured everything out in a jumble of words that only He could piece together into the masterpiece He would create through our distress. My father always told me how much he loved me as I grew up, but his actions didn’t always match his words. I had grown up wanting private time with him, but never got it. I longed for daddy/daughter dates, or even just his undivided attention without him racing off. Through caring for him, I found he was at my mercy. He had to spend time with me. He was so weak and was confined to a wheelchair, so I would take him on “dates” to the physical therapy room to find activities we could do together. Our options were limited, but the act of telling him we were on a date and moving him to a new location was therapy for my soul. One of my favorite activities was placing a bedside table between us and rolling a small ball across the top for him to bat back to me. Years of hurt and sorrow washed from my spirit each time we played. I was reminded of the numerous pleas I had cried to God for my earthly father during most of my life. My Heavenly Father was now answering in small, unexpected, but perfect ways tailored to my specific needs. 1 Peter 5:7 promises, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I wondered if my father had always wanted more time together, too, but because of addiction and shame, had not been able to break the cycle of his life and make the changes he desired. I cherished the deeper talks we began having when he was sick and held them in my heart as I crawled into bed with my daddy on his weakest days, holding him close. I had become the parent, subtly interceding where I felt prompted by God. It enabled any residue of hurt to wash away just as Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples. I now understood sacrifice in a different way that I hoped began to resemble Jesus. Only God knows the purpose of suffering, but I believe our Heavenly Father loves each of His children and intertwines life scenarios for the good of all involved and for His eternal glory. I knew with a certainty that God was in control, that He would provide and care for my parents, as well as my family, but the process was still so hard! Dealing with so much at once, especially with both parents, took a lot of emotional, mental, physical, financial, and spiritual investment. I had tried to be very specific about releasing daily burdens to God and letting Him deal with all that was happening. I knew my relationship was strong, yet there were subtle ways I could see Satan creeping in to attempt to distract me. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” I had to purposely look for ways God was working in order to stretch my faith and allow it to penetrate my character more deeply. It was an absolutely intentional mindset, but if I hadn’t forced it, my family would have been devastated by the intense needs and demands pressed on us. While I was surrounded by pain, brokenness, and trials, my Savior called for me to release them to Him. As I placed them in His capable hands, intimate grains of hope and joy blossomed inside me and brought forth gratitude, not for the destruction in this world, but for the way He lifts us above earthly vision and draws us nearer to His eternal splendor. He is enough for our every need. Despite many ways that hardship was presented almost daily, God carried me as I clung to His word, mindful of His past faithfulness to me, especially during the loss of my oldest daughter. That combination enabled me to keep myself securely focused on Him. I didn’t want to underestimate the devil, but my relationship with Christ promised me that He was greater than Satan and already had the final victory. I didn’t know how long this battle would last, but I had to remain focused on and committed to the only One who could give me the endurance I would need. I certainly couldn’t find it in my own strength. I’m a very strong and logical person, but I can promise you that my family and I would not have made it through all that happened without God. I’m so thankful I already knew and trusted in Him. I’m also incredibly grateful that He used all of it to draw me nearer to Him and that He has been able to redeem and use all the bad residue from the hardships for His glory. Trials like the ones we experience through challenging times can make us doubt God. The question most people wonder is, “Why does He allow suffering?” My first response to that is always the beautiful reminder that Jesus cared enough to warn about persecution. In John 16:33b, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” and in Romans 5:3-4, Paul speaks words meant to encourage and teach. “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Suffering should be expected in this fallen world. Sometimes, it is the catalyst that causes a person to finally release their life to Christ. Other times, it causes a believer to begin viewing affliction with the mindset of Christ. Suffering can purify our mind and heart, causing us to bow to God’s power and sovereignty. At times, however, it may feel as though we are being judged or punished when things are hard and afflictions continue. But if as a believer, we are living in upright ways, and are intentionally deepening our relationship with God, we can be assured that our suffering is a normal part of life and that it is within His will. That means God will use it for His purposes and glory, and not to harm or destroy us. The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who also lived in ways that God approved and disapproved of, and they also experienced distress and pain. Other times, God may allow affliction in our life as instruction or discipline. There are times that God permits it to prove our character and belief, or for the purpose of using what we endured to encourage or inspire others to continue looking to the Lord in their time of need. Other times, God simply allows it to teach us what we could not learn in any other way. Often times, it is for the purpose of erasing or preventing pride in our lives. I know in my life, I have lived through many lessons designed to craft patience. God also allows trials and hardship to teach us to obey Him. How astounding is it that God can use all of the various ways I mentioned (and I am sure even more) and tailor them so individually to each person and situation, yet also intertwine them with others, to change our focus and our future? Through scripture and life experience as believers, we know that God allows things to happen in a believer’s life for many reasons. Sometimes the only way we can grow in a particular area is because of – or by living through - the exact situation that occurred. Whether we endured it, helped a loved one through it, or were a witness to someone else fighting the battle, God knows exactly what to use. Isaiah 48:10 is telling, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Sometimes hardships need to knock us to our knees, and keep us there, as we learn to rely on and completely abide in Him. As believers, we must always remember that we are meant for more. In order to become more like Jesus, we must allow Him to refine us. Without the purification our souls need, our character will never reflect Christ to a world in need. Change can be painful. It’s not easy, it’s never convenient, and we aren’t able to see beyond our present discomfort to the glorious plan God has created and allowed us to be a part of. May we beg God to prevent us from falling into or remaining in a lukewarm relationship with Him, causing Him to vomit us from His mouth. May the trials we endure in our lives force us into His arms and deepen our faith roots in robust soil enriched with His plan for growth and nutrition. 1 Peter 2:21reminds us, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” Jesus is our example in every way. He told us there would be suffering and He modeled how to endure it. Jesus allowed God to direct His steps, His behavior, and His attitude, and His gratitude in every circumstance. This world is not our final destination. As we shift our minds to view every moment of life through an eternal lens, may we remember that we are being prepared for so much more and cling to the perfect example of Christ. Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we will have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 005 Handling Hardships Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #005 - Handling Hardships Thank you for entrusting and investing part of your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. At the time I am working on this podcast, several of my friends are experiencing hardships in their life. One will celebrate her first Christmas without her beloved husband; one celebrates her first Christmas without a beloved son; one just lost two family members and has another in the hospital. Others have children in the hospital. Many people I know are fighting battles in this world. Adversity has no schedule. Trials don’t respect holidays, busy lives, or people. Death and affliction sometimes seem to happen randomly, but as believers, we know that God is never surprised. Everything that happens to believers has already been sifted through His sovereign hands. He is with us through every storm, waiting to carry us through. Ten years ago, I lost my oldest daughter, Jaime. My family entered a season of what felt like destruction. The years between 2009 and 2015 were brutal to live through. After walking through the loss of my child, attention had to be shifted to my parents. My mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and my father, sister, and I made the very difficult decision to move her to a memory care unit. Multiple reasons prompted us to make that decision, but we certainly did not want her to feel abandoned or forgotten. My father, my sister, my daughter, Marissa (who was around five years old at the time), and I visited her daily. Marissa was at the facility so much that they allowed her to visit random residents in their rooms. It cheered each one of them, as well as the staff, to see her smiling face and hear the bubbly voice of a young child. Marissa also helped with crafts and the physical activity program in my mother’s unit. Although being around so much illness was often difficult at the time, in hindsight, God allowed the experiences to soften the heart of my daughter toward the elderly. Even now, she feels comfortable around older adults and enjoys conversing with them. After my mother had been living in the memory care facility for a while, my father began having significant symptoms in 2012 that finally prompted him to see a doctor. In January of 2013, he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. At the time, they gave him one week to a year to live. While we had been seeing my mother every day and devoting large amounts of time to be with her and help with major decisions in her care, Marissa and I now had to divide my mother’s time and share it with my father. He got so sick that we had to lessen the time we spent with my mother considerably, although I still kept in close contact with her caregivers, and my sister was still visiting and helping with her care her as often as she could. Dad simply needed so much at that time. We took him to doctor appointments, helped with his medicine, finances, errands, and general understanding of his health. After he was rushed to the hospital in June, the doctors knew he would not be able to return home. When he regained enough strength by the end of the week to be released, the generous people at the facility my mother lived in tried to find him a room near her. He was moved there briefly, but since his insurance did not cover the facility, we had to find an alternative. Although he was stronger, he was still weak and needed special care, so his deepest wish to return home and drive his little truck around town would not come true. For several reasons, my father was not able to live with my sister or myself. The social worker at my mother’s facility found a nursing home near my father’s house that had an opening and he was moved there within the week. We now had our time split between two parents with high needs, who lived in two separate facilities. Spending almost every day battling emergencies with my father was extremely taxing. On top of that, managing cleaning out his house to donate and sell items to prepare his home for market, and helping with my managing my mother’s care and making time to see her, was exhausting and emotionally difficult. I was burdened by the fact that my young daughter was definitely not getting the time and attention she was accustomed to, or deserved. I was juggling too many things, as was my sister, and the needs of my precious daughter were being ignored. I continually prayed for God to sustain us through this storm. I remember one morning while Marissa was still sleeping, I was putting my makeup on when I received a phone call from the woman I had hired to hold an estate sale at my parent’s home. One of the employees she hired had sold their refrigerator the day before, but had not turned the water off when they pulled out the refrigerator. The house was flooded. Additional bad news came with that call as well, and when it was over, I was crushed. I knew God was with us. I had seen His hand working in so many precious ways through everything during the last four years, and I had tried through it all to remain optimistic and to notice and be thankful for the ways God was working, but in that moment, all I felt was defeat. I went to my closet, lay on the floor inside, and shut the door in case Marissa awakened. Then I began to cry. Hard. In defeat, I threw my feelings out to God. Then, my emotions surfaced; they were my subconscious reactions to everything that had been happening with my parents and family. I knew He already understood and was caring for all of my concerns, but I had to talk to Him. So much was intertwined in caring for both parents, and all the hurts and losses over the years had roots that were being exposed as the soil of my parent’s capabilities eroded. For example, as challenging as it was caring for my father, the blessing of loving him in his final days brought him to me in a new way. I knew God understood and I poured everything out in a jumble of words that only He could piece together into the masterpiece He would create through our distress. My father always told me how much he loved me as I grew up, but his actions didn’t always match his words. I had grown up wanting private time with him, but never got it. I longed for daddy/daughter dates, or even just his undivided attention without him racing off. Through caring for him, I found he was at my mercy. He had to spend time with me. He was so weak and was confined to a wheelchair, so I would take him on “dates” to the physical therapy room to find activities we could do together. Our options were limited, but the act of telling him we were on a date and moving him to a new location was therapy for my soul. One of my favorite activities was placing a bedside table between us and rolling a small ball across the top for him to bat back to me. Years of hurt and sorrow washed from my spirit each time we played. I was reminded of the numerous pleas I had cried to God for my earthly father during most of my life. My Heavenly Father was now answering in small, unexpected, but perfect ways tailored to my specific needs. 1 Peter 5:7 promises, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I wondered if my father had always wanted more time together, too, but because of addiction and shame, had not been able to break the cycle of his life and make the changes he desired. I cherished the deeper talks we began having when he was sick and held them in my heart as I crawled into bed with my daddy on his weakest days, holding him close. I had become the parent, subtly interceding where I felt prompted by God. It enabled any residue of hurt to wash away just as Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples. I now understood sacrifice in a different way that I hoped began to resemble Jesus. Only God knows the purpose of suffering, but I believe our Heavenly Father loves each of His children and intertwines life scenarios for the good of all involved and for His eternal glory. I knew with a certainty that God was in control, that He would provide and care for my parents, as well as my family, but the process was still so hard! Dealing with so much at once, especially with both parents, took a lot of emotional, mental, physical, financial, and spiritual investment. I had tried to be very specific about releasing daily burdens to God and letting Him deal with all that was happening. I knew my relationship was strong, yet there were subtle ways I could see Satan creeping in to attempt to distract me. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” I had to purposely look for ways God was working in order to stretch my faith and allow it to penetrate my character more deeply. It was an absolutely intentional mindset, but if I hadn’t forced it, my family would have been devastated by the intense needs and demands pressed on us. While I was surrounded by pain, brokenness, and trials, my Savior called for me to release them to Him. As I placed them in His capable hands, intimate grains of hope and joy blossomed inside me and brought forth gratitude, not for the destruction in this world, but for the way He lifts us above earthly vision and draws us nearer to His eternal splendor. He is enough for our every need. Despite many ways that hardship was presented almost daily, God carried me as I clung to His word, mindful of His past faithfulness to me, especially during the loss of my oldest daughter. That combination enabled me to keep myself securely focused on Him. I didn’t want to underestimate the devil, but my relationship with Christ promised me that He was greater than Satan and already had the final victory. I didn’t know how long this battle would last, but I had to remain focused on and committed to the only One who could give me the endurance I would need. I certainly couldn’t find it in my own strength. I’m a very strong and logical person, but I can promise you that my family and I would not have made it through all that happened without God. I’m so thankful I already knew and trusted in Him. I’m also incredibly grateful that He used all of it to draw me nearer to Him and that He has been able to redeem and use all the bad residue from the hardships for His glory. Trials like the ones we experience through challenging times can make us doubt God. The question most people wonder is, “Why does He allow suffering?” My first response to that is always the beautiful reminder that Jesus cared enough to warn about persecution. In John 16:33b, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” and in Romans 5:3-4, Paul speaks words meant to encourage and teach. “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Suffering should be expected in this fallen world. Sometimes, it is the catalyst that causes a person to finally release their life to Christ. Other times, it causes a believer to begin viewing affliction with the mindset of Christ. Suffering can purify our mind and heart, causing us to bow to God’s power and sovereignty. At times, however, it may feel as though we are being judged or punished when things are hard and afflictions continue. But if as a believer, we are living in upright ways, and are intentionally deepening our relationship with God, we can be assured that our suffering is a normal part of life and that it is within His will. That means God will use it for His purposes and glory, and not to harm or destroy us. The Bible is filled with examples of men and women who also lived in ways that God approved and disapproved of, and they also experienced distress and pain. Other times, God may allow affliction in our life as instruction or discipline. There are times that God permits it to prove our character and belief, or for the purpose of using what we endured to encourage or inspire others to continue looking to the Lord in their time of need. Other times, God simply allows it to teach us what we could not learn in any other way. Often times, it is for the purpose of erasing or preventing pride in our lives. I know in my life, I have lived through many lessons designed to craft patience. God also allows trials and hardship to teach us to obey Him. How astounding is it that God can use all of the various ways I mentioned (and I am sure even more) and tailor them so individually to each person and situation, yet also intertwine them with others, to change our focus and our future? Through scripture and life experience as believers, we know that God allows things to happen in a believer’s life for many reasons. Sometimes the only way we can grow in a particular area is because of – or by living through - the exact situation that occurred. Whether we endured it, helped a loved one through it, or were a witness to someone else fighting the battle, God knows exactly what to use. Isaiah 48:10 is telling, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Sometimes hardships need to knock us to our knees, and keep us there, as we learn to rely on and completely abide in Him. As believers, we must always remember that we are meant for more. In order to become more like Jesus, we must allow Him to refine us. Without the purification our souls need, our character will never reflect Christ to a world in need. Change can be painful. It’s not easy, it’s never convenient, and we aren’t able to see beyond our present discomfort to the glorious plan God has created and allowed us to be a part of. May we beg God to prevent us from falling into or remaining in a lukewarm relationship with Him, causing Him to vomit us from His mouth. May the trials we endure in our lives force us into His arms and deepen our faith roots in robust soil enriched with His plan for growth and nutrition. 1 Peter 2:21reminds us, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” Jesus is our example in every way. He told us there would be suffering and He modeled how to endure it. Jesus allowed God to direct His steps, His behavior, and His attitude, and His gratitude in every circumstance. This world is not our final destination. As we shift our minds to view every moment of life through an eternal lens, may we remember that we are being prepared for so much more and cling to the perfect example of Christ. Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we will have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #065 – Praying Scripture – Part 3 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Thank you for joining me for Part 3, the final episode in my “Praying Scripture” series. Last week we discussed the importance of prayer, then elevated our desire to pray and communicate with our Heavenly Father to higher ground by using God’s words as the foundation of our prayer life. I pray this series has been helpful for you. I have enjoyed deepening my personal prayer life through this practice as I worked on the content and anticipate continuing my walk with God in this personal and powerful way. As we discussed last week, praying scripture strengthens our understanding of God’s word and releases His authoritative power into our life. Specifically seeking His word and utilizing it in our prayers is a faithful and trusting act of obedience as we rely on God’s words and truths. In order to pray God’s holy word, we must know it, study it, and claim it. By purposely connecting our heart to God’s and intentionally praying His words, we are beseeching our Heavenly Father to use His will, just as Jesus modeled for us. Last week we read scripture and prayers for entering into God’s presence, as well as several verses and prayers for family use. This week I want to end the series with verses and prayers crafted for family, spouse, and children. As we live with eternal perspective, our heart must beat in unison with God’s, stirring the hearts of our precious family members to do the same. The verses and prayers we discussed in Parts 1 and 2 of this series help us humbly approach God with reverence and honor. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” As we exalt God to His rightful place in our life, and seek Him with a heart of devotion, we find other areas rightfully shift into order. If you are married, your spouse should rightfully shift into place after God. Many of the verses we can apply to using for our spouse may also be applied to self or children. As we use these verses and prayers at this time to honor the person we journey through life with, we also bring honor to God. One of the great cries of my heart is for my husband to continue to draw nearer to God. Praying for our spouse is an honor that God graciously allows us to participate in. Genesis 2:28 says, “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” As we have already become one with our husband, we must aspire to draw him closer to the Lord with our actions, attitude, words, and intentions. Our knees should be worn from prayers of support lifted for him, yet fixed in faith that God is listening and will create the good works purposed for our spouse. Matthew 21:22 says, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Gracious Heavenly Father, how great Your love for my husband is. Thank you for blessing me with him. You have given us each other and connected us as one flesh. You say that whatever I ask I shall receive if I have faith. Father, enable my husband to see You more clearly day by day and thirst for You as a deer pants for water. May nothing satisfy His need but You. Cause Him to become more like You so that He is the godly husband and father You desire in every way, fulfilling the purpose You have for him. As we pray for our husband, we must start with biblical qualities that God would desire him to possess. Although I will offer sets of verses with prayers today, imagine the obedience and devotion we extend to God and our husband by prayerfully creating a list of attributes specific to what God places on our heart to pray. Let’s start with a few universal qualities God calls for all husbands to carry through reliance on Him. 1. God-honoring Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Heavenly Father, we know that all things were created by You, whether in heaven or earth, visible or invisible. Whether they are thrones or dominions, rulers or authorities, all things were created through and for You, for You alone are before all things. In You, Gracious Father, all things hold together. Who is like You? No one. You are great and above our understanding. Carry my husband, Father. Allow Him to recognize his place under You and serve You with the heart You desire. Enable him to grow in and through You moment by moment as You craft a new heart with a passion for You within him. Imagine the mighty and holy power we allow God to work in and through our spouse when we regularly lift him to God through prayers fueled by our Father’s words. 2. Humbleness Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” Father God, speak to the heart of my husband. Craft an awareness of You in mighty ways that positions Him under Your authority and stirs a tender love for others that mirrors the compassion You carry. Stir the heart of my husband to live and act in with humility instead of selfish ambition or pride. 3. Integrity Proverbs 10:9 says, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.” Dear God, may my husband securely walk with integrity with no perverted ways so that His heart will shine Your glory and honor. 4. Trustworthy Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” Lord, your word teaches that lying lips are detestable to You. May my husband deal truthfully and faithfully so that He will be Your delight. 5. Faithful 1 Samuel 12:24 says, “Above all, fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.” Father, equip my husband to fear and serve You faithfully with all His heart. May He prayerfully and thankfully consider all the great works You have done for Him and intentionally deepen His walk with You as He strives to allow the work of Jesus to strengthen and inspire Him to live the purpose You have for Him. 6. Forgiving Luke 11:4 says, “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” Heavenly Father, please forgive the sins of my husband and enable Him to forgive others as You do. Keep him far from temptation so that His eyes are fixed on You and his heart reflects a desire to honor and serve You as You rightfully deserve. 7. Courageous Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Gracious Heavenly Father, please keep my husband from being discouraged. Help him not to be afraid because He is certain that You are with Him wherever he goes and that he is traveling the path that You have set for Him because His focus is so intently set on serving You with a transparent heart of love and devotion. 8. Grateful 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Father, I rejoice that You are always with us. Help my husband to remember to seek You always, rejoice despite circumstances, and pray without ceasing, for he knows that You are God and He strives to please and serve You. 9. Healthy 3 John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.” Father, You cherish my husband. Please monitor his health closely. Protect Him and keep Him strong physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Above all, I pray that You enable His spiritual health to prevail and that You will provide Him what He needs to seek You above all else and enable Him to live the purpose You have set for Him. I hope you enjoy speaking these prayers, as well as studying God’s words tor more verses that will enable you to design additional prayers that honor our Lord and use His promises and truths to deepen your walk with Him and utilize the might and power scripture contains. Additionally, if you are a mother or grandmother, you have an eternal-focused responsibility to cover your child, whether still in your home or grown, and your grandchild in prayer. Since I didn’t come from a family that talked about Jesus or prayed together, I don’t know whether I had anyone praying for me as I grew up. How I wish I had! What a difference prayer makes! Let’s focus on scripture we may access for children and grandchildren now so we may continue maturing our habit of intentionally praying God’s word. What prayers for children would most Christian mothers lift to God? 1. Know Jesus as Savior John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Gracious, loving Heavenly Father, there is none like You. Thank you for Your patient, holy love that sent Your Son to die for my child, to be the sacrifice for every one of us. We are so unworthy, yet You love us with an everlasting love. May my children know Jesus as Savior and allow Your sovereign hand to guide their life. Help them trust Your word and Your teachings as they allow You to shine from them for the world to witness and draw others near to You. 2. Honor Jesus 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Heavenly Father, my desire is for my child to honor You in all they do. Enable me to model that same love and desire for You to make the way clear. No matter what they do in life, may it be for Your glory and may You equip them to stay on the narrow road that keeps them close to You. 3. Know purpose Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Father God, parent my children as only You can. Do not let them be conformed to this world, but transform them by the renewing of Your mind. Give them a mighty wisdom and capacity to test and approve Your good, pleasing, and perfect will and yearn to please You. 4. Be humble Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Dear Father, enable my children to do nothing out of selfish ambition or earthly pride, but to humbly consider others more important than themselves as they view the world through Your eternal mindset. Help my children to look after not only their own interests, but the interest of others as well, as You call them to do. Set their minds on things above, instead on earthly things, and enable them to live with an eternal focus on You. 5. Have courage Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Father, you have commanded us to be strong and courageous, for our strength is found in You alone. Help my children to cling to this promise. Do not let them be afraid or discouraged, for they know that You are with them wherever they go. 6. Be grateful Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Father God, may Your word dwell richly within my children. Grace them with the ability to teach and admonish others with Your wisdom. Gift them with the ability to freely worship You with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that overflow from the gratitude settled in their heart and mind. 7. Possess a godly heart Matthew 15:10-11 says, “Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” Gracious Father, enlighten the heart and mind of my children so that they understand the need for You, and please give them the desire to seek You wholly. Make their heart pure by Your holy standards so that what exits is pleasing and honoring to You. 8. For protection Psalm 121:7-8 says, “The Lord will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.” Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly ask that You protect my children from all evil. Build Your holy shield around them, encircle them with Your watchful eyes and mighty arms. Watch over their comings and goings, now and forevermore. Preserve their soul so that they may live a life of devotion and praise to You. 9. Strong Faith Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Father God, we know that without faith, it is impossible to please You. Enable my children to approach You with a strong belief in Your existence, promises, and truths so that they live a live of faith that honors You. 10. Godly Confidence Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “Put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Heavenly Father, may my children put off their former way of life, the old self corrupted by deceitful desires, and renew them in the spirit of Your holy mind. Help them put on a new self, created to be like You in true righteousness and holiness. May their life be a shining example of what is possible when one builds holy and biblical confidence through You. What power and glory our Father manifests as we purposely pray God’s word. We could continue finding applicable verses and designing prayers seeking God’s love, truth, and power in the lives of our children. I pray that what we have covered in this series of podcast episodes will jumpstart or strengthen your desire to search scripture for additional verses and enable you to speak beautiful and heartfelt prayers. Knowing the power of prayer, we must get into the habit of praying not only for our spouse, children, and self, but allow the power of scripture to overflow to others for which we intercede before the throne of God. Our world is in desperate need of prayer. Please remember to include scriptural prayer for our leaders, both in the local and higher positions of government, as well as pastors, churches, educational institutions and teachers. The list seems endless, but praying for these people regularly, even if you make a schedule of different days to do so, will bring the power of God to our world with a profound and needed truth and purpose. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Father, Who is like you, Lord our God, the One enthroned on high? There is none like You. May each of us professing to love and follow You devote ourselves to prayer in new and holy ways that match the desire You call for us. May we be watchful and thankful, ready to intercede when directed by You and seeking to lift requests to Your heart in expedient and holy ways. May we live lives that are honoring and joyful to You and draw us ever nearer to Your grace-laden arms. Thank you for listening to this podcast series on Praying Scripture. If prayer is a topic you would like to learn more about, you may enjoy listening to episode 18, “Prayer,” as well as the last two LWEP episodes regarding Praying Scripture. I also invite you to visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 065 Praying Scripture Part 3 Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #065 – Praying Scripture – Part 3 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Thank you for joining me for Part 3, the final episode in my “Praying Scripture” series. Last week we discussed the importance of prayer, then elevated our desire to pray and communicate with our Heavenly Father to higher ground by using God’s words as the foundation of our prayer life. I pray this series has been helpful for you. I have enjoyed deepening my personal prayer life through this practice as I worked on the content and anticipate continuing my walk with God in this personal and powerful way. As we discussed last week, praying scripture strengthens our understanding of God’s word and releases His authoritative power into our life. Specifically seeking His word and utilizing it in our prayers is a faithful and trusting act of obedience as we rely on God’s words and truths. In order to pray God’s holy word, we must know it, study it, and claim it. By purposely connecting our heart to God’s and intentionally praying His words, we are beseeching our Heavenly Father to use His will, just as Jesus modeled for us. Last week we read scripture and prayers for entering into God’s presence, as well as several verses and prayers for family use. This week I want to end the series with verses and prayers crafted for family, spouse, and children. As we live with eternal perspective, our heart must beat in unison with God’s, stirring the hearts of our precious family members to do the same. The verses and prayers we discussed in Parts 1 and 2 of this series help us humbly approach God with reverence and honor. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” As we exalt God to His rightful place in our life, and seek Him with a heart of devotion, we find other areas rightfully shift into order. If you are married, your spouse should rightfully shift into place after God. Many of the verses we can apply to using for our spouse may also be applied to self or children. As we use these verses and prayers at this time to honor the person we journey through life with, we also bring honor to God. One of the great cries of my heart is for my husband to continue to draw nearer to God. Praying for our spouse is an honor that God graciously allows us to participate in. Genesis 2:28 says, “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” As we have already become one with our husband, we must aspire to draw him closer to the Lord with our actions, attitude, words, and intentions. Our knees should be worn from prayers of support lifted for him, yet fixed in faith that God is listening and will create the good works purposed for our spouse. Matthew 21:22 says, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Gracious Heavenly Father, how great Your love for my husband is. Thank you for blessing me with him. You have given us each other and connected us as one flesh. You say that whatever I ask I shall receive if I have faith. Father, enable my husband to see You more clearly day by day and thirst for You as a deer pants for water. May nothing satisfy His need but You. Cause Him to become more like You so that He is the godly husband and father You desire in every way, fulfilling the purpose You have for him. As we pray for our husband, we must start with biblical qualities that God would desire him to possess. Although I will offer sets of verses with prayers today, imagine the obedience and devotion we extend to God and our husband by prayerfully creating a list of attributes specific to what God places on our heart to pray. Let’s start with a few universal qualities God calls for all husbands to carry through reliance on Him. 1. God-honoring Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Heavenly Father, we know that all things were created by You, whether in heaven or earth, visible or invisible. Whether they are thrones or dominions, rulers or authorities, all things were created through and for You, for You alone are before all things. In You, Gracious Father, all things hold together. Who is like You? No one. You are great and above our understanding. Carry my husband, Father. Allow Him to recognize his place under You and serve You with the heart You desire. Enable him to grow in and through You moment by moment as You craft a new heart with a passion for You within him. Imagine the mighty and holy power we allow God to work in and through our spouse when we regularly lift him to God through prayers fueled by our Father’s words. 2. Humbleness Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” Father God, speak to the heart of my husband. Craft an awareness of You in mighty ways that positions Him under Your authority and stirs a tender love for others that mirrors the compassion You carry. Stir the heart of my husband to live and act in with humility instead of selfish ambition or pride. 3. Integrity Proverbs 10:9 says, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.” Dear God, may my husband securely walk with integrity with no perverted ways so that His heart will shine Your glory and honor. 4. Trustworthy Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” Lord, your word teaches that lying lips are detestable to You. May my husband deal truthfully and faithfully so that He will be Your delight. 5. Faithful 1 Samuel 12:24 says, “Above all, fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.” Father, equip my husband to fear and serve You faithfully with all His heart. May He prayerfully and thankfully consider all the great works You have done for Him and intentionally deepen His walk with You as He strives to allow the work of Jesus to strengthen and inspire Him to live the purpose You have for Him. 6. Forgiving Luke 11:4 says, “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” Heavenly Father, please forgive the sins of my husband and enable Him to forgive others as You do. Keep him far from temptation so that His eyes are fixed on You and his heart reflects a desire to honor and serve You as You rightfully deserve. 7. Courageous Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Gracious Heavenly Father, please keep my husband from being discouraged. Help him not to be afraid because He is certain that You are with Him wherever he goes and that he is traveling the path that You have set for Him because His focus is so intently set on serving You with a transparent heart of love and devotion. 8. Grateful 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Father, I rejoice that You are always with us. Help my husband to remember to seek You always, rejoice despite circumstances, and pray without ceasing, for he knows that You are God and He strives to please and serve You. 9. Healthy 3 John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.” Father, You cherish my husband. Please monitor his health closely. Protect Him and keep Him strong physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. Above all, I pray that You enable His spiritual health to prevail and that You will provide Him what He needs to seek You above all else and enable Him to live the purpose You have set for Him. I hope you enjoy speaking these prayers, as well as studying God’s words tor more verses that will enable you to design additional prayers that honor our Lord and use His promises and truths to deepen your walk with Him and utilize the might and power scripture contains. Additionally, if you are a mother or grandmother, you have an eternal-focused responsibility to cover your child, whether still in your home or grown, and your grandchild in prayer. Since I didn’t come from a family that talked about Jesus or prayed together, I don’t know whether I had anyone praying for me as I grew up. How I wish I had! What a difference prayer makes! Let’s focus on scripture we may access for children and grandchildren now so we may continue maturing our habit of intentionally praying God’s word. What prayers for children would most Christian mothers lift to God? 1. Know Jesus as Savior John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Gracious, loving Heavenly Father, there is none like You. Thank you for Your patient, holy love that sent Your Son to die for my child, to be the sacrifice for every one of us. We are so unworthy, yet You love us with an everlasting love. May my children know Jesus as Savior and allow Your sovereign hand to guide their life. Help them trust Your word and Your teachings as they allow You to shine from them for the world to witness and draw others near to You. 2. Honor Jesus 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” Heavenly Father, my desire is for my child to honor You in all they do. Enable me to model that same love and desire for You to make the way clear. No matter what they do in life, may it be for Your glory and may You equip them to stay on the narrow road that keeps them close to You. 3. Know purpose Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Father God, parent my children as only You can. Do not let them be conformed to this world, but transform them by the renewing of Your mind. Give them a mighty wisdom and capacity to test and approve Your good, pleasing, and perfect will and yearn to please You. 4. Be humble Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Dear Father, enable my children to do nothing out of selfish ambition or earthly pride, but to humbly consider others more important than themselves as they view the world through Your eternal mindset. Help my children to look after not only their own interests, but the interest of others as well, as You call them to do. Set their minds on things above, instead on earthly things, and enable them to live with an eternal focus on You. 5. Have courage Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Father, you have commanded us to be strong and courageous, for our strength is found in You alone. Help my children to cling to this promise. Do not let them be afraid or discouraged, for they know that You are with them wherever they go. 6. Be grateful Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Father God, may Your word dwell richly within my children. Grace them with the ability to teach and admonish others with Your wisdom. Gift them with the ability to freely worship You with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that overflow from the gratitude settled in their heart and mind. 7. Possess a godly heart Matthew 15:10-11 says, “Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand. A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” Gracious Father, enlighten the heart and mind of my children so that they understand the need for You, and please give them the desire to seek You wholly. Make their heart pure by Your holy standards so that what exits is pleasing and honoring to You. 8. For protection Psalm 121:7-8 says, “The Lord will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.” Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly ask that You protect my children from all evil. Build Your holy shield around them, encircle them with Your watchful eyes and mighty arms. Watch over their comings and goings, now and forevermore. Preserve their soul so that they may live a life of devotion and praise to You. 9. Strong Faith Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Father God, we know that without faith, it is impossible to please You. Enable my children to approach You with a strong belief in Your existence, promises, and truths so that they live a live of faith that honors You. 10. Godly Confidence Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “Put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Heavenly Father, may my children put off their former way of life, the old self corrupted by deceitful desires, and renew them in the spirit of Your holy mind. Help them put on a new self, created to be like You in true righteousness and holiness. May their life be a shining example of what is possible when one builds holy and biblical confidence through You. What power and glory our Father manifests as we purposely pray God’s word. We could continue finding applicable verses and designing prayers seeking God’s love, truth, and power in the lives of our children. I pray that what we have covered in this series of podcast episodes will jumpstart or strengthen your desire to search scripture for additional verses and enable you to speak beautiful and heartfelt prayers. Knowing the power of prayer, we must get into the habit of praying not only for our spouse, children, and self, but allow the power of scripture to overflow to others for which we intercede before the throne of God. Our world is in desperate need of prayer. Please remember to include scriptural prayer for our leaders, both in the local and higher positions of government, as well as pastors, churches, educational institutions and teachers. The list seems endless, but praying for these people regularly, even if you make a schedule of different days to do so, will bring the power of God to our world with a profound and needed truth and purpose. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Father, Who is like you, Lord our God, the One enthroned on high? There is none like You. May each of us professing to love and follow You devote ourselves to prayer in new and holy ways that match the desire You call for us. May we be watchful and thankful, ready to intercede when directed by You and seeking to lift requests to Your heart in expedient and holy ways. May we live lives that are honoring and joyful to You and draw us ever nearer to Your grace-laden arms. Thank you for listening to this podcast series on Praying Scripture. If prayer is a topic you would like to learn more about, you may enjoy listening to episode 18, “Prayer,” as well as the last two LWEP episodes regarding Praying Scripture. I also invite you to visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #063 – Praying Scripture – Part 1 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. On a recent Sunday evening, I asked my family to sit with me for a special prayer time. Are you this way? Do you need to share your heart with your family to get their support through prayer? That is exactly how I was feeling. I knew I could pray on my own, but I had ideas to ponder, emotions to share, and needed input from the people who know and love me the best and who would agree to pray with me because they also believe in the power of lifting requests to our Heavenly Father. At our house, my youngest receives electronic privileges before bedtime. When we all sat down to talk, it was less than an hour before her scheduled time to play, but I felt fairly certain we would be finished before she would see the clock ticking into her special time. As I began sharing all that I was experiencing and the needs I wanted my family to pray about, the clock chimed eight o’clock and we were still talking. After sharing all the feelings and thoughts that were heavy on my heart, Brooklyn asked if we could pray. Assuming she was antsy to get finished, I agreed that we could go ahead and pray at that time. We decided who would pray first and who would end, and began. Several minutes later, we finished, and I told our girl she could be excused to play. Wanting to stay with us, she looked a little surprised. I was blessed to hear her say that she wanted to stay and finish the discussion with us. So often, we assume we know what others are thinking or what their motives are. How wrong we can be. Brooklyn had wanted to get our prayer started because she knew I needed it. My heart was emotionally needy for what only God could provide, and recognizing this, she jumped ahead to get guidance and assistance from God started immediately. If you also pray regularly with your family, I bet you will agree that it is difficult to imagine life without this simple act of obedience and faith. Praying together has grown each of us individually and collectively in ways only God can explain. He goes before us, paving ground that we need later and providing for us in intimate ways only the Lord can know. James 5:13-16 says, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Praying together opens our hearts to God in ways that invites His intervention. We also create deeper intimacy with our loved ones as we pray together. Whether we are suffering hardships, living in fullness of joy, praising, in need of healing, or forgiveness, God desires our heartfelt and faithful pleas to intercede with His will. The Lord honors a parent raising their children for Him and delights when we teach them to rely on Him for all of their needs and are living examples as to how to do so. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.” God delights in blessing families who invite Him into their midst to pray together. Praying together is essential. Do you know what makes prayer time more effective and meaningful? Using scripture to pray. Although my family is good about praying together, I want us to become stronger at praying God’s word daily. Praying scripture enables us to become stronger at knowing God’s word and allows us to release His power into our life. Specifically seeking His word and utilizing it in our prayers is a faithful and trusting act of obedience as we rely on God’s powerful words and truths. To pray His word, we must know it, study it, and claim it. By purposely connecting our heart to God’s and intentionally praying His words, we are beseeching our Heavenly Father to use His will, just as Jesus modeled for us. In order to prepare ourselves or our family to deepen prayer time individually and collectively by drawing nearer to God and using His word as ours, we may need to examine and adjust the way we pray. Prepare your heart and mind to connect with intimate devotion to God by crafting your language to align with scripture. Here are a few examples of how to enter the presence of the Lord and initiate your prayer. Ephesians 3:12 says, “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” When praying scripture, we simply craft God’s words and truths into the prayer we speak to Him. When entering God’s presence through prayer, we may use this verse from Ephesians to say, “Father, because of your gift to us through Christ, and the faith I have in Him, I thank you that I can now boldly and confidently enter into Your presence.” Hebrews 10:19-23 says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” Using this passage, our prayer could be, Gracious Heavenly Father, because of the blood of Jesus, I know I can enter Your Most Holy Place. By His death Jesus has given me intimate and holy access to You. I enter Your presence with a sincere heart of trust knowing my guilt has been covered through the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. I know that because He has washed me with pure water, I can hold tightly and without waver to the hope You have affirmed and that I can trust You to keep Your promises to me. Romans 8:26-28 says, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Our prayer through this passage might be, Holy Spirit, I trust that You help me in my weakness. Draw near to me. My emotions are too complex; I cannot utter what I need to pray. Please intercede and express my needs in groanings that cannot be expressed by mere words. My Heavenly Father, Who knows all hearts, will understand as You plead for me in harmony with His will. I believe that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Thank you for Your goodness and faithfulness to me. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” This beautiful verse can be spoken as we enter into prayer or call upon His truths from this verse when we need protection, reassurance, or comfort. Father God, Your way is perfect; Your word is flawless. You are my shield when I take refuge in You. Do you see the beauty and inspiration God’s word brings? Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Praying God’s living, active word releases His profound power as we believe, trust, and call upon it to judge our intentions and do the work God wills. Why don’t most of us utilize this method of prayer more often? Probably because our lives are so fast-paced that we tend to believe we can come to God with requests when we need to. We do not stop to consider that we possess privilege and strength in God’s holy word. By relying on self, even though we do not consciously realize we are doing it, we lose the strength, peace, joy, and relief we could access at any moment, as well as the power released when we pray God’s word. We also miss the blessing of a more personal and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, who created us to enjoy fellowship with Him. 2 Samuel 22:31 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” Let’s examine several Bible verses and how we can accept God’s invitation to seek refuge in Him through His perfect word and ways. Most mothers pray not only for themselves, but seek God through prayer for their spouse, children, and family. We also offer intercessory pray for friends, co-workers, strangers, and elected officials. Possibilities for prayer are vast. So is God’s omnipotence. Imagine the authority and blessings we miss when we consider ourselves too busy to delve into His word and claim His truths as our provision in every area. Praying scripture strengthens our bonds with God as we trust His word and rely on Him for every need as our mind and heart align with His. Ecclesiastes 5:2 says, “Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.” When we begin praying with God’s word, our mind and heart are directed toward His desires and will for us and others. We should not hastily come before Him with our own agenda. God’s word allows us to see with His eyes and submit to His heart and sovereignty. Isaiah 55:6-9 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Studying, then using God’s word as the groundwork for our prayers allows us to absorb His truths and righteousness in ways we may have never experienced. As we use the verses from Isaiah 55, our prayer could be something like this: Father, I seek You while You may be found, I call on You while You are near. Help me forsake my own way, will, and thoughts and return to You while You have compassion and will freely pardon. My thoughts are certainly not Yours, as my ways are not Yours. As the heavens are higher than the earth, Your ways and thoughts are higher than mine. I submit to You and Your ways for me. Approaching God, our Father, the Creator of heaven and earth with a sincere and humble heart ready to accept His will for us and genuinely craving to please and follow Him changes the way we pray. It alters our desires. It cleanses our heart and mind and prepares our spirit for His cleansing and higher growth in and for Him. Prayer exposes our core belief system. Kneeling before our Lord in supplication, whether literally or through our heart, mindset, and actions, is a natural extension of our personal relationship with and our trust, faith, and belief in Him. Our reliance on God through the act of prayer exhibits our dependence on our Heavenly Father, humbling our position with Him, and improving the level of our reliance on Him. How do we establish this lifestyle of prayer? The important word to ponder shouldn’t be how, but rather, Who. Jesus is our life and prayer model. When God sent His son to earth as a sacrifice for our sins and to form a way to Him, it was the most extravagant gift He could give us. Our sovereign God stepped into this world through flesh to exist and walk among us. He came to show us exactly how to live, suffer, love, rejoice, and how to pray. Each day should bring us closer to the Father’s heart in numerous ways, prayer included. As we depend on the Father through the act of prayer, we humbly seek Him in new and deeper ways by using His sacred, living word as a guide for submission, conversation, and conversion with Him. Prepare to connect with God in intimate devotion by shifting your heart to align with scripture, our Father’s will. 1. Jesus’s prayers were an example for us to follow. Jesus is God in human form. Jesus did not need to pray, yet He lived and suffered as a human, relinquishing everything for us, even to the point of death, modeling the ways we are to live as we trust in and rely on Him. 2. Jesus prayers were the perfect instruction in communication. Every prayer He uttered is a holy framework for us to follow. 3. Jesus’s prayers modeled submission in the purest form. Jesus genuinely shared all: His heart, fears, pain, sorrows, hopes, anything. Yet, He did not expect to get His way. Jesus trusted God’s sovereign will and ways and yielded His desires to the Father. 4. Jesus’s prayers proved reliance on God. Rather than complaining or protesting, Jesus accepted the will of God and honored what He was called to do, despite great suffering and personal cost. Prayer instructs us in holiness. Just as Jesus modeled for us, we must pray in specific ways. As we offer God’s holy words back to Him through prayer we accomplish the ability to do the following: 1. Pray with sincerity. 2. Pray with submission to holy preeminence. 3. Pray with faith. 4. Pray with trust in God’s timing. 5. Pray with heart, but yield to God’s will. 6. Pray consistently. 7. Pray with focus. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” May the prayer we offer be something like this: Father, I know that every word that proceeds from Your mouth will not return to You empty. Your words will prosper as they accomplish what You please. Help my thoughts and attitude be as Yours are and my words be Yours as I speak my heart and requests. Now that we realize the importance of praying not only the words of our soul, but of aligning our heart, mind, and words to match God’s through study of the Bible and growth of our relationship with Him through Jesus, may we deepen our walk even more through scriptural prayers. Join me next week as I share several verses, scripture passages, and craft prayers from each that will help us study, learn, and use God’s words as the backbone of prayer time with our Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father, Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to You, our God. How pleasant and lovely our words are to You as we lift praise and submission to Your will through Your holy words to us. Thank you for allowing us Jesus as our perfect sacrifice and mentor to bring us to You. Your words are faithful and true. Help our hearts be the same as we draw nearer to You. Help us hear and lift Your words as a sacrifice and offering to know and follow You more deeply. Thank you for sending us truth, love, and hope. In Your precious and holy name we pray. Amen Thank you for listening to this podcast. If prayer is a topic you would like to learn more about, you may enjoy listening to episode 18, “Prayer.” Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I’m thrilled to share that my latest free resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” has released! This eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. I encourage you to visit my website to access and download it soon. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 063 - Praying Scripture - Part 1 Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #063 – Praying Scripture – Part 1 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. On a recent Sunday evening, I asked my family to sit with me for a special prayer time. Are you this way? Do you need to share your heart with your family to get their support through prayer? That is exactly how I was feeling. I knew I could pray on my own, but I had ideas to ponder, emotions to share, and needed input from the people who know and love me the best and who would agree to pray with me because they also believe in the power of lifting requests to our Heavenly Father. At our house, my youngest receives electronic privileges before bedtime. When we all sat down to talk, it was less than an hour before her scheduled time to play, but I felt fairly certain we would be finished before she would see the clock ticking into her special time. As I began sharing all that I was experiencing and the needs I wanted my family to pray about, the clock chimed eight o’clock and we were still talking. After sharing all the feelings and thoughts that were heavy on my heart, Brooklyn asked if we could pray. Assuming she was antsy to get finished, I agreed that we could go ahead and pray at that time. We decided who would pray first and who would end, and began. Several minutes later, we finished, and I told our girl she could be excused to play. Wanting to stay with us, she looked a little surprised. I was blessed to hear her say that she wanted to stay and finish the discussion with us. So often, we assume we know what others are thinking or what their motives are. How wrong we can be. Brooklyn had wanted to get our prayer started because she knew I needed it. My heart was emotionally needy for what only God could provide, and recognizing this, she jumped ahead to get guidance and assistance from God started immediately. If you also pray regularly with your family, I bet you will agree that it is difficult to imagine life without this simple act of obedience and faith. Praying together has grown each of us individually and collectively in ways only God can explain. He goes before us, paving ground that we need later and providing for us in intimate ways only the Lord can know. James 5:13-16 says, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Praying together opens our hearts to God in ways that invites His intervention. We also create deeper intimacy with our loved ones as we pray together. Whether we are suffering hardships, living in fullness of joy, praising, in need of healing, or forgiveness, God desires our heartfelt and faithful pleas to intercede with His will. The Lord honors a parent raising their children for Him and delights when we teach them to rely on Him for all of their needs and are living examples as to how to do so. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.” God delights in blessing families who invite Him into their midst to pray together. Praying together is essential. Do you know what makes prayer time more effective and meaningful? Using scripture to pray. Although my family is good about praying together, I want us to become stronger at praying God’s word daily. Praying scripture enables us to become stronger at knowing God’s word and allows us to release His power into our life. Specifically seeking His word and utilizing it in our prayers is a faithful and trusting act of obedience as we rely on God’s powerful words and truths. To pray His word, we must know it, study it, and claim it. By purposely connecting our heart to God’s and intentionally praying His words, we are beseeching our Heavenly Father to use His will, just as Jesus modeled for us. In order to prepare ourselves or our family to deepen prayer time individually and collectively by drawing nearer to God and using His word as ours, we may need to examine and adjust the way we pray. Prepare your heart and mind to connect with intimate devotion to God by crafting your language to align with scripture. Here are a few examples of how to enter the presence of the Lord and initiate your prayer. Ephesians 3:12 says, “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” When praying scripture, we simply craft God’s words and truths into the prayer we speak to Him. When entering God’s presence through prayer, we may use this verse from Ephesians to say, “Father, because of your gift to us through Christ, and the faith I have in Him, I thank you that I can now boldly and confidently enter into Your presence.” Hebrews 10:19-23 says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” Using this passage, our prayer could be, Gracious Heavenly Father, because of the blood of Jesus, I know I can enter Your Most Holy Place. By His death Jesus has given me intimate and holy access to You. I enter Your presence with a sincere heart of trust knowing my guilt has been covered through the sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. I know that because He has washed me with pure water, I can hold tightly and without waver to the hope You have affirmed and that I can trust You to keep Your promises to me. Romans 8:26-28 says, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Our prayer through this passage might be, Holy Spirit, I trust that You help me in my weakness. Draw near to me. My emotions are too complex; I cannot utter what I need to pray. Please intercede and express my needs in groanings that cannot be expressed by mere words. My Heavenly Father, Who knows all hearts, will understand as You plead for me in harmony with His will. I believe that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Thank you for Your goodness and faithfulness to me. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” This beautiful verse can be spoken as we enter into prayer or call upon His truths from this verse when we need protection, reassurance, or comfort. Father God, Your way is perfect; Your word is flawless. You are my shield when I take refuge in You. Do you see the beauty and inspiration God’s word brings? Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Praying God’s living, active word releases His profound power as we believe, trust, and call upon it to judge our intentions and do the work God wills. Why don’t most of us utilize this method of prayer more often? Probably because our lives are so fast-paced that we tend to believe we can come to God with requests when we need to. We do not stop to consider that we possess privilege and strength in God’s holy word. By relying on self, even though we do not consciously realize we are doing it, we lose the strength, peace, joy, and relief we could access at any moment, as well as the power released when we pray God’s word. We also miss the blessing of a more personal and intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, who created us to enjoy fellowship with Him. 2 Samuel 22:31 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” Let’s examine several Bible verses and how we can accept God’s invitation to seek refuge in Him through His perfect word and ways. Most mothers pray not only for themselves, but seek God through prayer for their spouse, children, and family. We also offer intercessory pray for friends, co-workers, strangers, and elected officials. Possibilities for prayer are vast. So is God’s omnipotence. Imagine the authority and blessings we miss when we consider ourselves too busy to delve into His word and claim His truths as our provision in every area. Praying scripture strengthens our bonds with God as we trust His word and rely on Him for every need as our mind and heart align with His. Ecclesiastes 5:2 says, “Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.” When we begin praying with God’s word, our mind and heart are directed toward His desires and will for us and others. We should not hastily come before Him with our own agenda. God’s word allows us to see with His eyes and submit to His heart and sovereignty. Isaiah 55:6-9 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Studying, then using God’s word as the groundwork for our prayers allows us to absorb His truths and righteousness in ways we may have never experienced. As we use the verses from Isaiah 55, our prayer could be something like this: Father, I seek You while You may be found, I call on You while You are near. Help me forsake my own way, will, and thoughts and return to You while You have compassion and will freely pardon. My thoughts are certainly not Yours, as my ways are not Yours. As the heavens are higher than the earth, Your ways and thoughts are higher than mine. I submit to You and Your ways for me. Approaching God, our Father, the Creator of heaven and earth with a sincere and humble heart ready to accept His will for us and genuinely craving to please and follow Him changes the way we pray. It alters our desires. It cleanses our heart and mind and prepares our spirit for His cleansing and higher growth in and for Him. Prayer exposes our core belief system. Kneeling before our Lord in supplication, whether literally or through our heart, mindset, and actions, is a natural extension of our personal relationship with and our trust, faith, and belief in Him. Our reliance on God through the act of prayer exhibits our dependence on our Heavenly Father, humbling our position with Him, and improving the level of our reliance on Him. How do we establish this lifestyle of prayer? The important word to ponder shouldn’t be how, but rather, Who. Jesus is our life and prayer model. When God sent His son to earth as a sacrifice for our sins and to form a way to Him, it was the most extravagant gift He could give us. Our sovereign God stepped into this world through flesh to exist and walk among us. He came to show us exactly how to live, suffer, love, rejoice, and how to pray. Each day should bring us closer to the Father’s heart in numerous ways, prayer included. As we depend on the Father through the act of prayer, we humbly seek Him in new and deeper ways by using His sacred, living word as a guide for submission, conversation, and conversion with Him. Prepare to connect with God in intimate devotion by shifting your heart to align with scripture, our Father’s will. 1. Jesus’s prayers were an example for us to follow. Jesus is God in human form. Jesus did not need to pray, yet He lived and suffered as a human, relinquishing everything for us, even to the point of death, modeling the ways we are to live as we trust in and rely on Him. 2. Jesus prayers were the perfect instruction in communication. Every prayer He uttered is a holy framework for us to follow. 3. Jesus’s prayers modeled submission in the purest form. Jesus genuinely shared all: His heart, fears, pain, sorrows, hopes, anything. Yet, He did not expect to get His way. Jesus trusted God’s sovereign will and ways and yielded His desires to the Father. 4. Jesus’s prayers proved reliance on God. Rather than complaining or protesting, Jesus accepted the will of God and honored what He was called to do, despite great suffering and personal cost. Prayer instructs us in holiness. Just as Jesus modeled for us, we must pray in specific ways. As we offer God’s holy words back to Him through prayer we accomplish the ability to do the following: 1. Pray with sincerity. 2. Pray with submission to holy preeminence. 3. Pray with faith. 4. Pray with trust in God’s timing. 5. Pray with heart, but yield to God’s will. 6. Pray consistently. 7. Pray with focus. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” May the prayer we offer be something like this: Father, I know that every word that proceeds from Your mouth will not return to You empty. Your words will prosper as they accomplish what You please. Help my thoughts and attitude be as Yours are and my words be Yours as I speak my heart and requests. Now that we realize the importance of praying not only the words of our soul, but of aligning our heart, mind, and words to match God’s through study of the Bible and growth of our relationship with Him through Jesus, may we deepen our walk even more through scriptural prayers. Join me next week as I share several verses, scripture passages, and craft prayers from each that will help us study, learn, and use God’s words as the backbone of prayer time with our Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father, Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to You, our God. How pleasant and lovely our words are to You as we lift praise and submission to Your will through Your holy words to us. Thank you for allowing us Jesus as our perfect sacrifice and mentor to bring us to You. Your words are faithful and true. Help our hearts be the same as we draw nearer to You. Help us hear and lift Your words as a sacrifice and offering to know and follow You more deeply. Thank you for sending us truth, love, and hope. In Your precious and holy name we pray. Amen Thank you for listening to this podcast. If prayer is a topic you would like to learn more about, you may enjoy listening to episode 18, “Prayer.” Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I’m thrilled to share that my latest free resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” has released! This eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. I encourage you to visit my website to access and download it soon. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #139 – Are You Really a Christian? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. After hearing the name of this episode, you may wonder if I am being judgmental. I promise I’m not. By choosing the title, “Are You a Christian,” I want you, (and myself), to consider what it takes to be a follower of Christ. If a stranger observed your life, actions, and reactions, would they be able to discern which you are? What about the words you speak? Or consider the activities you pursue? How do they reflect Jesus? When your children, whether grown or young watch you day to day, what do they see? What impressions are you making on them? Do you point the way to Christ? Today we’ll discuss ways life challenges us, allowing us opportunities to rely on self or Christ. Which do you usually choose? 1. Relationships - We all know how difficult relationships can be. Have you ever loved someone so much, but just couldn’t communicate clearly with them? Human nature is so complex. Sometimes we have wonderful relationships without issues, but then are those people that for some reason, we can only have a surface relationship with. It’s difficult when one is a believer and one is not, but so much more frustrating when both are believers. Because humans, even believers have different backgrounds, communication methods, interests, and emotional triggers, and we are at different maturity points in our walk with Christ, coupled with the truth that we live in a fallen world, communication and relationships can be extremely difficult. It’s a wonder we can communicate at all sometimes. Not only are relationships challenging, but have you ever finished a conversation with someone with the frustrated feeling that they did not clearly hear what you said? Have you had to pray, knowing that God is using this person to refine you? As much as you may love the person, it’s hard to be sure that you will ever have the deeper relationship you desire. What about when you know someone speaks untruths behind your back? You know it to be true, because trusted loved ones have defended and informed you of it. Now, you’ve become hesitant to share much with the person. Maybe each time you try to deepen your relationship, it just gets harder. You might feel like the more you try to form deeper conversations and move closer to them, it just makes everything worse. You might even feel like you can’t share anything other than a superficial relationship. Or have you ever thought a person was one way, then as you entered into a closer relationship with them you saw the truth? They were not who they pretended or tried to make you think they were. Or have you prayed for someone in your family, at work, or a stranger you met, knowing that God is using you to send mighty prayers up to Him for their sake? You may have had a disagreement, He may have laid them on your heart, burdening you to cry out for them. I’ve learned that no one in this life will ever fully satisfy us. Not even those we are very close to. Why? Because we were not meant for this world and there is no substitution for Christ. The lives we have were meant for much more than we experience here. Without each person submitting to Christ and praying and working to establish relationships under His guidance, the world, and people, will never offer us what He can. We must look for ways to offer Jesus what we can while we journey in this life. 2. Politics - In the last few years, people, even believers have been divided over political opinions. Politics seem to be the tipping point that can extinguish friendships. Have you been unfollowed by someone you thought would be a lifelong friend? Maybe a family member can’t see past the fact that you can simply agree to disagree over life issues, but still carry love and respect for each other through the grace of Christ. How we view disagreements, disappointments, and disasters say a lot about the mind and heartset we carry. We can only look to God and humbly ask Him to heal relationships by working through all parties involved, and we must work to be sure our actions and reactions, even when we are hurt, do not sin against God. There is only one way to work toward that goal: ensure that we are intentionally working to follow and honor the Lord each day. Even if you never reconnect with the person you believe wronged you, continue to pray for them. Don’t let bitterness invade your heart. Relying on Christ to ease and heal the pain of broken relationships is the only way to find healing. 3. Religion – Nowadays, if politics haven’t driven your friends away, religion might. In some ways, it seems like we have more Christians in the world than we really do. What do I mean? Many people profess to be a Christian, yet when you delve below surface talk, you learn that your views are vastly different. Many religions identify as “Christian,” yet unless they follow Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, they are not Christian. Jesus warned us that He would cause division. Luke 12:51-53 says, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Of course, life is filled with many more situations that define whether a person is truly living (or attempting to live) a lifestyle that honors Christ. What I mentioned are just a few of the most noticeable, and what so many struggle with. How much joy would we receive if each of us strived to follow Christ in each of these situations? How much would we please our Heavenly Father as we choose to live in His power, then act and react with His grace and priorities leading us? Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Our “old self” is defined as what we were before the Holy Spirit abided within us through new life in Christ. Our former existence is no more. When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the “old self” dies; the new life we receive now divinely appointed through grace. The control our former self held over us is released; the curse of death replaced by eternal life through Jesus. Believers are no longer subject to live under the influence of evil that the old self carried. Yet, knowing the influence and capacity to sin still flows within our human flesh, we must remember and rely on the power of Christ within us. We cannot trust fleshly responses that guide from hurt, fears, jealousy, and so many more emotions that clash with the Father’s truths. Romans 6:11 says, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” In this verse, Paul urges believers to grasp by faith what God says and has revealed to be true. We must strive to remember and live the truth that through Christ, and the Holy Spirit alive within us, we have power over the sin that threatens to rule our nature. We carry power to deny sin abiding within us, enabling us to live with fullness of Christ directing us. Romans 6:17-18 says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” True believers following Christ have an instinctive and evident desire to study and obey God’s Word. Having been set free from the death and burden of sin, the Holy Spirit enables believers to escape the binds of unrighteousness and become captive to righteousness. How does a believer remain true to follow the Holy Spirit within and keep the desire for righteousness? Only through the strength of Christ. Believers must fix our eyes, heart, and mind above and allow the work of Christ to grow and flow within us. A life eternally changed by Christ behaves differently because we believe differently. The more a believer seeks Jesus, the more a believer craves Him. The Holy Spirit living within believers fuels us with Christ’s hunger for righteousness and holiness. Living as a Christian is not defined by: 1. Joining a church 2. Reciting prayers 3. Being baptized 4. Serving others 5. Eating certain foods and abstaining from others Christians craving Christ: 1. Humbly accept Christ as Lord and Savior and submit to Him 2. Rely on the Holy Spirit within us to eradicate our sinful nature 3. Admit our need for the strength of Jesus and His grace and mercy as we seek Christ moment by moment 4. Shift our mindset and desires to match His 5. Allow His actions to change our reactions 6. Allow the Holy Spirit to continue to guard and cleanse us of sin 7. Carry joy by the power of Christ in us 8. Live with gratitude for the change Christ has made in us 9. Allow Christ to infuse His love for others inside us 10. Carry a biblical worldview that affects our choices and opinions 11. Intentionally become more Christlike daily John 2:23-25 says, “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.” When we believe in His name because we have seen the signs Jesus displayed versus simply trusting that Jesus is who He says He is, we follow Him with an intellectual commitment versus living with a whole-hearted assurance led by faith. Jesus calls for believers to trust, follow, honor, love, and obey because we cannot comprehend living without Him. The Lord sees our whole heart. Jesus is a discerner of genuine conversion for Him versus excitement and intrigue for what could be called “magnificent events” that prompt our belief. Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” I’d like to pose a few questions for each of us to consider: Are you sure you are a Christian? If God is a discerner of hearts, what does He see in yours? What should you change about your beliefs, actions, or reactions that will make your life more pleasing to God? What are ways to ensure you are living the full life God intends His believers to enjoy? What can you do to ensure that Christ is clearly shown to those viewing your life? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God of all creation. The heavens and the earth applaud Your name. Great are Your mysteries and the things You reveal to us. Thank you for loving us enough to make a way for us to find eternal life with You. Thank you for Your painful sacrifices so that mankind could be restored to You. Father, we pray that our hearts will be found clean before You. May we live with pureness of heart that seeks to know You more intimately and show You more clearly. May our mind, heart, and mouth exemplify You more and more each day because we choose You over self and world. Help us to desire You more than what this world offers and pledge to make shifts in our lives that bring us nearer to You. Enable us to humbly seek Your worldviews and live in ways that honor what You desire. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast - Episode 139 - Are You Really a Christian? Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #139 – Are You Really a Christian? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. After hearing the name of this episode, you may wonder if I am being judgmental. I promise I’m not. By choosing the title, “Are You a Christian,” I want you, (and myself), to consider what it takes to be a follower of Christ. If a stranger observed your life, actions, and reactions, would they be able to discern which you are? What about the words you speak? Or consider the activities you pursue? How do they reflect Jesus? When your children, whether grown or young watch you day to day, what do they see? What impressions are you making on them? Do you point the way to Christ? Today we’ll discuss ways life challenges us, allowing us opportunities to rely on self or Christ. Which do you usually choose? 1. Relationships - We all know how difficult relationships can be. Have you ever loved someone so much, but just couldn’t communicate clearly with them? Human nature is so complex. Sometimes we have wonderful relationships without issues, but then are those people that for some reason, we can only have a surface relationship with. It’s difficult when one is a believer and one is not, but so much more frustrating when both are believers. Because humans, even believers have different backgrounds, communication methods, interests, and emotional triggers, and we are at different maturity points in our walk with Christ, coupled with the truth that we live in a fallen world, communication and relationships can be extremely difficult. It’s a wonder we can communicate at all sometimes. Not only are relationships challenging, but have you ever finished a conversation with someone with the frustrated feeling that they did not clearly hear what you said? Have you had to pray, knowing that God is using this person to refine you? As much as you may love the person, it’s hard to be sure that you will ever have the deeper relationship you desire. What about when you know someone speaks untruths behind your back? You know it to be true, because trusted loved ones have defended and informed you of it. Now, you’ve become hesitant to share much with the person. Maybe each time you try to deepen your relationship, it just gets harder. You might feel like the more you try to form deeper conversations and move closer to them, it just makes everything worse. You might even feel like you can’t share anything other than a superficial relationship. Or have you ever thought a person was one way, then as you entered into a closer relationship with them you saw the truth? They were not who they pretended or tried to make you think they were. Or have you prayed for someone in your family, at work, or a stranger you met, knowing that God is using you to send mighty prayers up to Him for their sake? You may have had a disagreement, He may have laid them on your heart, burdening you to cry out for them. I’ve learned that no one in this life will ever fully satisfy us. Not even those we are very close to. Why? Because we were not meant for this world and there is no substitution for Christ. The lives we have were meant for much more than we experience here. Without each person submitting to Christ and praying and working to establish relationships under His guidance, the world, and people, will never offer us what He can. We must look for ways to offer Jesus what we can while we journey in this life. 2. Politics - In the last few years, people, even believers have been divided over political opinions. Politics seem to be the tipping point that can extinguish friendships. Have you been unfollowed by someone you thought would be a lifelong friend? Maybe a family member can’t see past the fact that you can simply agree to disagree over life issues, but still carry love and respect for each other through the grace of Christ. How we view disagreements, disappointments, and disasters say a lot about the mind and heartset we carry. We can only look to God and humbly ask Him to heal relationships by working through all parties involved, and we must work to be sure our actions and reactions, even when we are hurt, do not sin against God. There is only one way to work toward that goal: ensure that we are intentionally working to follow and honor the Lord each day. Even if you never reconnect with the person you believe wronged you, continue to pray for them. Don’t let bitterness invade your heart. Relying on Christ to ease and heal the pain of broken relationships is the only way to find healing. 3. Religion – Nowadays, if politics haven’t driven your friends away, religion might. In some ways, it seems like we have more Christians in the world than we really do. What do I mean? Many people profess to be a Christian, yet when you delve below surface talk, you learn that your views are vastly different. Many religions identify as “Christian,” yet unless they follow Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, they are not Christian. Jesus warned us that He would cause division. Luke 12:51-53 says, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Of course, life is filled with many more situations that define whether a person is truly living (or attempting to live) a lifestyle that honors Christ. What I mentioned are just a few of the most noticeable, and what so many struggle with. How much joy would we receive if each of us strived to follow Christ in each of these situations? How much would we please our Heavenly Father as we choose to live in His power, then act and react with His grace and priorities leading us? Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Our “old self” is defined as what we were before the Holy Spirit abided within us through new life in Christ. Our former existence is no more. When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the “old self” dies; the new life we receive now divinely appointed through grace. The control our former self held over us is released; the curse of death replaced by eternal life through Jesus. Believers are no longer subject to live under the influence of evil that the old self carried. Yet, knowing the influence and capacity to sin still flows within our human flesh, we must remember and rely on the power of Christ within us. We cannot trust fleshly responses that guide from hurt, fears, jealousy, and so many more emotions that clash with the Father’s truths. Romans 6:11 says, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” In this verse, Paul urges believers to grasp by faith what God says and has revealed to be true. We must strive to remember and live the truth that through Christ, and the Holy Spirit alive within us, we have power over the sin that threatens to rule our nature. We carry power to deny sin abiding within us, enabling us to live with fullness of Christ directing us. Romans 6:17-18 says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” True believers following Christ have an instinctive and evident desire to study and obey God’s Word. Having been set free from the death and burden of sin, the Holy Spirit enables believers to escape the binds of unrighteousness and become captive to righteousness. How does a believer remain true to follow the Holy Spirit within and keep the desire for righteousness? Only through the strength of Christ. Believers must fix our eyes, heart, and mind above and allow the work of Christ to grow and flow within us. A life eternally changed by Christ behaves differently because we believe differently. The more a believer seeks Jesus, the more a believer craves Him. The Holy Spirit living within believers fuels us with Christ’s hunger for righteousness and holiness. Living as a Christian is not defined by: 1. Joining a church 2. Reciting prayers 3. Being baptized 4. Serving others 5. Eating certain foods and abstaining from others Christians craving Christ: 1. Humbly accept Christ as Lord and Savior and submit to Him 2. Rely on the Holy Spirit within us to eradicate our sinful nature 3. Admit our need for the strength of Jesus and His grace and mercy as we seek Christ moment by moment 4. Shift our mindset and desires to match His 5. Allow His actions to change our reactions 6. Allow the Holy Spirit to continue to guard and cleanse us of sin 7. Carry joy by the power of Christ in us 8. Live with gratitude for the change Christ has made in us 9. Allow Christ to infuse His love for others inside us 10. Carry a biblical worldview that affects our choices and opinions 11. Intentionally become more Christlike daily John 2:23-25 says, “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.” When we believe in His name because we have seen the signs Jesus displayed versus simply trusting that Jesus is who He says He is, we follow Him with an intellectual commitment versus living with a whole-hearted assurance led by faith. Jesus calls for believers to trust, follow, honor, love, and obey because we cannot comprehend living without Him. The Lord sees our whole heart. Jesus is a discerner of genuine conversion for Him versus excitement and intrigue for what could be called “magnificent events” that prompt our belief. Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” I’d like to pose a few questions for each of us to consider: Are you sure you are a Christian? If God is a discerner of hearts, what does He see in yours? What should you change about your beliefs, actions, or reactions that will make your life more pleasing to God? What are ways to ensure you are living the full life God intends His believers to enjoy? What can you do to ensure that Christ is clearly shown to those viewing your life? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God of all creation. The heavens and the earth applaud Your name. Great are Your mysteries and the things You reveal to us. Thank you for loving us enough to make a way for us to find eternal life with You. Thank you for Your painful sacrifices so that mankind could be restored to You. Father, we pray that our hearts will be found clean before You. May we live with pureness of heart that seeks to know You more intimately and show You more clearly. May our mind, heart, and mouth exemplify You more and more each day because we choose You over self and world. Help us to desire You more than what this world offers and pledge to make shifts in our lives that bring us nearer to You. Enable us to humbly seek Your worldviews and live in ways that honor what You desire. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 034 - Why Won't My Child Listen to Me? Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #034 – Why Won’t My Child Listen to Me? Thank you for listening to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast. My prayer is that you and I will parent with purpose and confidently connect with Christ and our children moment by moment. When my two oldest children (from our first set of parenting) were young, I had one child who seemed to listen, but always made the choice to as we call it, “learn things the hard way.” Was this his personality? Was it a lack of connection between us? Was it a combination of the two? I’m not sure. As a mom, it’s easy for me to imagine that it was something we did or didn’t do. Now an adult, my son tells us that he simply had to learn things through experience. It makes me wonder, though, if there was anything we could have done differently to ensure that he had the very best opportunity to learn and grow in this world without having to experience mishaps and hurts that maybe could have been detoured. However, in my 43 years of parenting I have learned that: 1. Children are unique. 2. Children have varied interests and personality. 3. Children experience life and learning differently. 4. Experiences shape how children learn and listen. 5. If a child doesn’t honor their parents, they probably won’t listen to them. 6. Each child needs a strong relationship with Christ mentored from the beginning of their life. 7. Once a child learns to honor God, they should desire to honor their parents. So, of course, parents can agree that it is crucial to raise children who listen to them. One thing, however, is more important. How can you ensure that you raise children who listen to you? Most importantly, how do you raise children who listen to God? Raising them to know and honor the Lord is crucial. I have many podcast episodes featuring specific steps needed to build that foundation. I invite you to look at previous Purposed Parent/Connected Child episode topics. Right now, I believe we need to uncover ways children appear not to listen. What are 9 of the reasons a child may not listen? 1. Distractions – sometimes our children are overwhelmed with all that is happening around them, especially if they are using a lot of electronics or games. 2. Processing Disorder or Special Needs – When your children face sensory, processing challenges, or have specific special needs, you may need to find alternate ways to communicate. You know your child better than anyone. Watch how they respond to various ways of communication and use what works for your family. 3. Fears/Worries/Anxiety - When children are afraid, anxious, or worried, their brain cannot function normally. That fight or flight response will most likely block out what you are attempting to teach. It also makes it difficult for your child to react without difficulty and to carry the ability to make positive changes in behavior and reasoning. 4. Attention Seeker – Sometimes children need more of the right kind of attention. Homes are so rushed! If your child doesn’t have the opportunity to simply sit and talk with you or you haven’t been able to connect through play or another preferred activity, they may be showing you their disappointment through behavior. 5. No Down Time – Is your child constantly on the run? Do they have time to be a child? When I was young, kids were allowed to be kids. We didn’t rush from practices to games to lessons to events or whatever other opportunities came our way. Childhood was more relaxed. We had time to use our minds and enjoyed doing it. Many kids today don’t know how to use imagination or think critically. They need down time to know themselves and to build skills they will need in their lifetime. They don’t have time to read and study the Bible, let alone begin to pray and converse with God. 6. Inconsistent Parenting – Are you consistent in your instructions and expectations? Children are masters at knowing when they can get away with things. They easily recognize which parent is likely to forget things and children understand what buttons to push to get what they want. 7. Complicated Instructions – Do you forget that you are speaking with a child? Perhaps your instructions are not clear or need to be shortened into bite sized expectations. 8. Rushed Parent – Do you make sure that you clearly communicate expectations? Or are you throwing instructions out like confetti as you rush out the door? Are you making time to verbally discuss requirements when you and your child can communicate with words, questions, and eye contact? 9. Rebellion – Children, especially teens and young adults who have not connected with Christ or their parents in an important way may turn rebellious. Sometimes it is masking a lack of confidence. Sometimes they have not surrendered their life to Christ and may be running from Him or hiding a sin issue that is blocking relationship with God. In this broken world, events happen that may be out of your control. If your child has been exposed to pornography, assaulted, or a variety of other hardships that may have occurred, they may not have shared the guilt or shame associated with the event. Or they may not know how to stop an addiction that has occurred. Sometimes a life event or event will occur that shake the family and utilize a lot of time, leaving children vulnerable and scared. This may cause them to seek areas of influence they normally would not encounter. Many things can place a block in their relationship with you and God. Big indicators of the condition of your child’s heart are the words they speak, the actions they take, and the way they respond to you . Let’s examine 10 ways to help your child listen and respond : 1. Attachment/Connection – Making time to connect with your child always pays off in many ways! A connected child responds better under stress and uncertainty and usually desires to please. 2. Respect – Just as parents desire respect, so do children. Of course, I am not saying that parents need to cater to whims of their children, but respecting your child as a unique individual created by God for a purpose and placed under your mentorship is the mindset needed to craft considerate timing of direction, instruction, or reprimands to ensure good communication and relationship. 3. Consistency – As you grow more consistent in your parenting, walk with Christ, discipline, and relationship with your child, your child should respond in ways that are pleasing and honoring. Children must know what to expect. Parents must ensure that they are not punishing and responding with incorrect or ungodly emotions and responses, but in ways that mentor their child closer to God. 4. Mentor/Model Behavior – As you grow your walk with Christ, your responses and past difficulties and hurts should be resolved or eliminated. Parents come with baggage, but those loads should not be pressed into the hands and hearts of your children. Allowing your children to see that you are imperfect, but transforming daily through the grace of God, and owning up to mistakes or failures in age appropriate ways allows your children to attach to you in deeper ways, but even better, shows them the life-changing power of God. 5. Clear Expectations – Give clear instructions. Don’t assume they should know. Don’t belittle questions. Be direct and make time to ensure expectations are understood. 6. Instruct (Don’t Ask) – Instead of asking your child what they want to do, tell them what you desire. Many parents say, “Would you like to get your coat on now?” instead of simply requesting a child to put on their coat. In my experience, children need transition times. I love using comments such as, “We’ll be leaving soon, so you’ll need to get your coat on in 5 minutes.” Or “I’ve had so much fun playing, but we only have 5 minutes left. After that, we’ll eat lunch.” 7. Mentor (Don’t Command ) – Instead of issuing commands like an officer, mentoring your child in relationships and ways of life bring connection and peace to the home. 8. Age Appropriate Expectations - Allow children to carry age appropriate loads, but be cognizant of disabilities or other issues that may come into play. Stretch, but don’t overload your child. 9. Construct Identity and Obedience to Christ – As you instruct and communicate with your child, remember that ultimately you are crafting their relationship with Christ. The way you live and learn, continuing to develop yourself as a person directly affects the life your child will live. The stronger you tie your identity to Jesus and mature under and through Him, the higher the chances are that your child will do the same, especially if you are intentional and prayerful with the steps you take to help them. 10. Time – If you suspect something has happened to cause a change of behavior in your child, so not hesitate to spend time with them. At this stage, they may be avoiding you, but make sure you are not hurt by behavior they may exhibit. Keep the lines of communication open. Keep them loving, but godly. Rely on prayer, Bible study, and time alone with God so that you can listen for and hear the Lord’s promptings. Spend time with your child doing things they love (or previously enjoyed). If you believe you need to seek counseling, be sure you see a godly Christian counselor who will rely on Scripture and techniques that support Christian beliefs. When we brought our youngest home from China at the age of nine, we were all strangers to her. By the time we arrived at our home, she had known us for less than 3 weeks. After giving up almost everything familiar to her, she had to travel to a new country and new home, despite fears or insecurities. Once in her new home, she had to adjust to a completely different style of life, parenting, and routines. Our girl didn’t even understand English, and even if we had known the language she was accustomed to hearing, she had not been exposed to it enough to use any words. Should she be expected to arrive in her new home and obey without any hesitation or difficulty? I don’t think so. I know in our case it took time to bond and attach. It took time for her to trust us and to feel safe enough to show that trust with joyful obedience. We had to prove ourselves to her, show that we cared, devote time to her, show her that we always responded with love, that we listened to her, that we desired to spend time with her, that she was a valued member of our family, and that we would consistently supply her needs. Parenting is very complex. There ae a variety of reasons families need help. Sometimes parents have parented their desires into their children and try to impress their desires and needs into their children instead of directing them to fulfillment and identity in Christ. Sometimes it is the culture your child is submersed in that causes them to stop listening to you. Without Christ as the anchor and goal of identity, children are bombarded by distracting messages and indoctrinations. Parents must be diligent in seeking the Lord ourselves, then mentoring the way to Him to our children with love and faith. If you are more concerned with society’s view of your children than God’s opinion and instructions, your parent/child relationship is already sabotaged. Without strong connection, a child can easily wander away from parents and Christ. You must be cognizant of not finding your identity in your child or pressing your unfulfilled hopes and dreams onto your children. If you are more concerned with your reputation or your control over your child than leading them to a life-saving relationship with Christ, you have already inflicted relationship wounds that will take time to heal. Situations are varied and parents must seek wisdom and discernment from God. He created each of you for a purpose and crafted you together as family for reasons only He understands. If the great I Am considers your family to be a perfect unit, don’t hesitate in mentoring a life of devotion to Him and living a life dependent on His instruction and provision in every need your family has. He desires for your children to listen to the godly wisdom He gifts you with, but you must seek Him and request that wisdom and discernment. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. ” Although this verse is referenced often, use it as a strong reminder that you must be intentional as you parent. The years we have been given to instruct our children are fleeting. Although they seem long at the time, time passes faster than we realize. The moments we are given are precious. What seems like an eternity in the moment will seem like seconds when you look back on it in the future. Use the time you have to seek the presence of God and allow Him into every area of your life and parenting. He desires to be your guide and mentor through the years of crafting firm foundations for the life of your child. The most important reason to construct a strong relationship with your child that makes them desire listening to you is to lead them to hear and obey God. Dear Heavenly Father, You alone are perfect. We thank you and we honor Your presence in our life. You offer riches beyond what this world offers and the peace and security that comes from a life devoted to You is immeasurable. Help us to be parents who seek You first and abide in the plans you have for us as we teach our children to do the same. Allow our minds to search Yours for the direction we need to raise children who respect you and us, who listen and obey because they know and honor You, and give us the honor of raising children who follow You above the chaos of this world. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast. This and my “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast may be found at terrihitt.com, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts may also now be found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? Did you know that when you review my podcasts on Apple, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcasts online so that more people are allowed to find and hear them. Will you please take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway them away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Parent and Connect With Eternal Perspective. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #093 – Interview with Emily Hladik – Understanding American History – Part 1 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Over the last several weeks, I’ve interviewed several wise and knowledgeable leaders in the homeschool industry. The key is that they are not only able to assist in the world of home education, but love Jesus. The wisdom and understanding they share about knowing children, giving them a full and rich education, and raising them to know and honor Jesus is what sets them apart. I’m excited to introduce another new guest on the podcast today. Emily Hladik is a wife, a follower of Jesus, and a homeschool mother who shares her passion for truth through eLearning to reach the next generation of American patriots. Emily began teaching as an adjunct college instructor of political science and history in 2004 and has a Master of Education and a BA in Political Science and History. She has also served as the Challenge 1 Director in the Classical Conversations community. Emily doesn’t care much for shopping and decorating, but is passionate about Jesus, history, politics, and is the founder and curriculum creator of Great American Studies. I appreciate her directness and wise views on history and what we must do to honor and uphold it in society today. Please join me as we converse about the Lord, politics, history, life, children, parenting, and more. Emily has a contagious spirit for all the topics we discuss, but especially Jesus, politics, and history. I think you’ll enjoy hearing her sound and principled thoughts, ideas, and values. As you listen to Part 1, please bear with the audio at around the 22 through 25 minutes mark. As you know, technology can be tricky, but Emily shares wise advice and experiences, so I hope you’ll adjust your volume where needed and hear the eternal value in our conversation. -------------------------------------------------INTERVIEW ------------------------------------------------ I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Emily and I hope you did, as well. I invite you to listen next week as we wrap up the interview with Part 2. You can learn more about Emily or Great American Studies at https://www.greatamericanstudies.com or on Facebook at Great American Studies. https://www.facebook.com/greatamericanstudies/ Emily’s courses are great for home or traditionally educated students, as well as parents who want to refresh their mind on history learned long ago. I plan to complete her course with my family soon. Father God, you have given us so much. You alone are good, holy, sovereign, and always present. We need You so much more than we can comprehend. Help us see You in each moment of our days. Help us to seek Your face as we navigate this world. May we live in sync with Your values and seek Your wisdom before our own or that of this world. May we please You with our thoughts, actions, and words because they are a reflection of Yours. Help us to view history with your heart and eyes and a gratitude for all You have allowed. Cause us to get involved where you call or support others You put in place for such a time as this. May our lives honor and reflect You to a world with blind eyes. We love You, Lord. Help the world see You within us and move ever closer to You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. As always, please feel free to let me know if you have specific questions I may be able to answer or if you need information or encouragement about a specific topic related to the podcast or interviews. You can reach me at info@terrihitt.com. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 093 - Understanding American History - Interview with Emily Hladik - Part 1 Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #093 – Interview with Emily Hladik – Understanding American History – Part 1 Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Over the last several weeks, I’ve interviewed several wise and knowledgeable leaders in the homeschool industry. The key is that they are not only able to assist in the world of home education, but love Jesus. The wisdom and understanding they share about knowing children, giving them a full and rich education, and raising them to know and honor Jesus is what sets them apart. I’m excited to introduce another new guest on the podcast today. Emily Hladik is a wife, a follower of Jesus, and a homeschool mother who shares her passion for truth through eLearning to reach the next generation of American patriots. Emily began teaching as an adjunct college instructor of political science and history in 2004 and has a Master of Education and a BA in Political Science and History. She has also served as the Challenge 1 Director in the Classical Conversations community. Emily doesn’t care much for shopping and decorating, but is passionate about Jesus, history, politics, and is the founder and curriculum creator of Great American Studies. I appreciate her directness and wise views on history and what we must do to honor and uphold it in society today. Please join me as we converse about the Lord, politics, history, life, children, parenting, and more. Emily has a contagious spirit for all the topics we discuss, but especially Jesus, politics, and history. I think you’ll enjoy hearing her sound and principled thoughts, ideas, and values. As you listen to Part 1, please bear with the audio at around the 22 through 25 minutes mark. As you know, technology can be tricky, but Emily shares wise advice and experiences, so I hope you’ll adjust your volume where needed and hear the eternal value in our conversation. -------------------------------------------------INTERVIEW ------------------------------------------------ I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Emily and I hope you did, as well. I invite you to listen next week as we wrap up the interview with Part 2. You can learn more about Emily or Great American Studies at https://www.greatamericanstudies.com or on Facebook at Great American Studies. https://www.facebook.com/greatamericanstudies/ Emily’s courses are great for home or traditionally educated students, as well as parents who want to refresh their mind on history learned long ago. I plan to complete her course with my family soon. Father God, you have given us so much. You alone are good, holy, sovereign, and always present. We need You so much more than we can comprehend. Help us see You in each moment of our days. Help us to seek Your face as we navigate this world. May we live in sync with Your values and seek Your wisdom before our own or that of this world. May we please You with our thoughts, actions, and words because they are a reflection of Yours. Help us to view history with your heart and eyes and a gratitude for all You have allowed. Cause us to get involved where you call or support others You put in place for such a time as this. May our lives honor and reflect You to a world with blind eyes. We love You, Lord. Help the world see You within us and move ever closer to You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. As always, please feel free to let me know if you have specific questions I may be able to answer or if you need information or encouragement about a specific topic related to the podcast or interviews. You can reach me at info@terrihitt.com . Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. https://www.facebook.com/greatamericanstudies/ https://www.greatamericanstudies.com

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #085 – An Essential Invitation Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss intentional changes that will equip each of us to concentrate on Jesus and live with heart and mind focused on eternity to seek more ways to live with eternal perspective. For the past week I have worked on and wrote most of a podcast during the cracks of time I found between running to appointments. As I waited for my daughter to have two procedures completed at the local Children’s Hospital, I quietly sat with my laptop concentrating and focusing on finishing the episode I felt would release this week. Although something is supposed to release in just over 9 hours, I do not feel releasing what I have would be the right timing. Instead, all I can concentrate on is the goodness and mercy of God as it overflows from my heart and mindset. I am filled with so much gratitude this week that I cannot concentrate on anything but sharing what my heart is honestly filled with. Releasing another piece would not feel authentic when praise is pressing to be released! If you have listened to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast from the beginning, you know a lot about my family. I pray the stories I share have also directed your heart to the Lord in renewed ways as I lift honor and thanksgiving to Him. God is faithful. He is sovereign. Even in the darkest of times, when it seems that good has been stolen from me, He has kept my joy intact. When the world tries to distract or sway me to go a certain way, the Lord clears my path and shows me where and how to travel. Yesterday we spent the entire day at the hospital. For a total of about 12 hours we wearily allowed our precious daughter to undergo two procedures, and sat by her side and helped her as she had to lie still for 6 hours afterwards. We had no idea how either procedure would turn out. Yet God, in His goodness, allowed our minds to focus elsewhere and rest in a wrap of peace that surpasses human understanding. The joy of the Lord is my strength. My hope and trust are fixed on Him. Psalm 28:7 says, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him." After awakening this morning, my mind replayed events from yesterday as my heart rested in remembrance of all the goodness God has graced us with this last month. I wept as I humbly lifted recognition, thanksgiving, and praise to my Heavenly Father. Life is filled with difficulties and it would be so easy to give up. Yet, those of us who know the Lord have a strength that surpasses any human understanding. It carries us through hardships with a joy and peace and wraps us in a protective shell that stands against the arrows from the wicked one or the hits this life can throw. I can say that this summer has kept my gaze fixed even more securely on Jesus. My eyes, heart, and mind have not wandered from the presence of the Lord. The peace that He has enabled me to behold as He soothed is a gift I cannot explain or begin to understand. The truth of the matter is that it is free and available to each one of us. I am not special, but the Father who watches over us is. Peace that carries us despite the outcome of our journey is a gift to treasure. As we are willing to lay down our treasures and place them in His hands He awaits, already working before us to fill any need. I know the balance between this world and the next is delicate. It is but a vapor and so close. Days like yesterday remind me of that truth anew. Live With Eternal Perspective was started out of obedience. Because the Lord has shown me His love for each of us and the power He carries through any life storm, I was compelled to begin my podcast. If you know anything about me, you know it is not just a program; it is a lifestyle born out of gratitude and surrender. Life is a daily bowing to Jesus with a mindset of thankfulness for every single moment I have, especially with loved ones. Our journey with Brooklyn has been another important piece of surrender to the grace and joys God has in store for us and I am incredibly blessed to share on the episodes just how much He loves His children and the blessings He weaves through our life. Yesterday felt like one of the longest days I've experienced. When Jaime died, or Brooklyn's first heart surgery with us, the passing and illnesses of parents, they are all up there. When we sent our precious girl off to have her liver biopsy and heart catherization, I was unsure what they would find. Everything truly rested in the hands of a sovereign and holy God. Yet, for me, there was an absence of fear and an amniotic wrap of peace surrounding me. There was a lot of information given to us yesterday, but honestly, if I could list all of it, the majority would go over the heads of most people. Heart defects are incredibly unique and in the words of the pediatric cardiologist interventionist who worked on Brooklyn for the heart catherization yesterday, "I drew this picture of her heart to show you, but I'll leave it with you because no one else will have a heart like it." Just as each precious person in this world is special, so are the hearts that beat inside us. There is so much I could say about the miracles God blessed us with through the day, even through this summer, actually. The doctor who worked on her is the same doctor Brooklyn's cardiologist we love so much worked with back in June when the CT scan was performed. He is the one who knew her anatomy and gave recommendations then. He, thank God, has the same mindset as we do. Do not touch anything that is working. He is concerned that when doctors go in to try to make things better they often make things worse, and although he sees conditions that typically need attention through certain methods, he does not think doing anything will make her quality of life better. As Brooklyn is stable, we all want to leave her that way instead of trying to increase her blood oxygenation and other things and possibly make her worse. Of course, I am boiling info down to a minimum here, but his advice was such a blessing. He sat with us for a long time after the procedure, going over her CT scans, as well as the photos and images taken during the catherization procedure yesterday. He professed to be a humble man who bows to God as his strength, knowing that he must remain humble to allow God to work through him. He even said that he does not want harm to come to any of his patients because he tries to rely on his own strength. Please try to pray for him to continue to be a man of God even more every day, as his mother passed away in June and she used to pray for him daily. We worked with another doctor for the liver biopsy. Those results should return within a few days. There is a very delicate balance with the health of the children, both short and long term, when they live with a heart like our special girl. Especially after the type of heart surgery she had in 2016. The anatomy of her heart is hard on her other organs and although she looks stable on the heart side right now, as I have shared before, the condition of her other organs is a concern to keep in prayer, as well. Sometimes the heart looks stable for the condition the patient is in, but the other organs begin to fail. She will likely end up needing not only a heart transplant, but additional organ, such as liver transplant one day. Brooklyn is very complex, and as my other heart mama friends know, it is exhausting to wrap your heart and mind around so many details, yet alone attempt to share them all. After returning home from the hospital last night, I needed time to rest in my Heavenly Father, full of thankfulness. My mind and body are still a little weary, but I have a peacefulness that covers all other emotions, thoughts, or feelings. The best words I heard yesterday are worth repeating on this podcast episode. They were spoken by our girl’s pediatric cardiology interventionist. "God has His hand on Brooklyn. He is not done with her. It is a miracle she is here." Job 14:5 says, “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.” The Bible says all of our days are numbered. If you are listening to me speak, or are reading the transcript of this episode, you are still alive. While you still have days of life, you have a purpose and you and believe that God is sending you a personal and essential invitation. What type of invitation? I’m not talking about salvation, although that is the highest invitation and gift God offers through Jesus. As I rested in the goodness of God to my family this summer, I replayed the gifts He gives each of us daily. Sometimes we neglect them or forget to think of them daily, but as we desire to live a life that seeks Jesus and focuses on a heart and mind set on eternity, I want to list the ways I viewed the gifts of God this morning. God offers us the following essentials through His invitation to humbly walk with Him. To be honest, there are many verses that I may have chosen for the following points, but the ones below are near to my heart as I bask in the goodness and faithfulness of our loving God. 1. Intimacy – Mark 12:30 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” There is no intimacy like that of knowing and trusting Jesus. No matter the time of day, the feelings pressing against our mind or heart, the emotions we feel, He is present. He cares. 2. Peace – Romans 15:13 says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Peace that passes understanding is a gift most people in this world are missing. Few carry God’s full peace, yet everyone desires it. They desire Him, whether they know it yet or not. 3. Joy – John 15:11 says, “I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” Without peace from Jesus, one cannot have joy. As we rest in Him and allow troubles and cares to be carried on His shoulders, joy follows. 4. Relationship – 1 Corinthians 1:30 says, “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.” Relationship with God comes through Christ. As we walk and study broken relationships in this world, we do not come near the intimacy and perfection that a walk with Jesus offers. 5. Trust – Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Trusting in the Lord is not natural. We cannot see Him, we speak into darkness, trusting that He will hear and care. Yet when we allow Jesus to fill our hearts as we accept and belief with faith and trust, life changes in miraculous ways we will most likely not understand until Heaven. 6. Grace – James 4:6 says, “And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Jesus made the ultimate humbling sacrifice. Without pride, He bowed to the harshest demand God could make and He offers us a life many take for granted. Commit to finding new ways to accept and share the grace Jesus offers and allow it to flow willingly through to others. 7. Security – Galatians 2:20 says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Through trust, faith, belief, and grace we are offered security that nothing in this world can touch. 8. Love – John 14:21 says, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” When we mature a walk with God through Christ, we begin to experience and offer true love. Each day offers us the opportunity to grow a love defined and perfected by Jesus. Our humanness falls short of the love and grace only He offers, yet moment by moment He calls us to return to Him and experience life with the fulness He brings if only we respond to His perfect love. 9. Promise – Mark 10:27 says, “Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Hope births promise. Promise is possible through relationship with Jesus. 10. Identity – 1 John 3:1-3 says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.” God’s word is clear about identity. The book of Genesis begins the Bible with a clear picture of who we are and the rest of the Bible clearly represents a love so great a life was willingly sacrificed. Through relationship with Jesus, we are made new and become a reflection of who He is and a framework of what we are becoming. Moment by moment we have the opportunity to accept a relationship that alters each bit of who we are and are becoming. Don’t look back. Respond to Jesus with each moment you have left. Allow Him to craft a new creation daily. Intentionally plan to meet with Him in ways you have forgotten or have not yet started. It is not too late to meet Him as He calls from within you. Gracious, loving Heavenly Father, how you yearn for us to respond to You. Through all of creation You have called to us, wooing your children to draw nearer to You so that You may draw nearer to us. Father, so often we worry when You stand ready to carry any burden on Your capable shoulders. We see things work for good in our lives, yet do not credit You for the miraculous ways You have gone before us, parting the sea simply with Your breath because You care about every detail we face. God, help us to call out to You daily, to live in union with You, to seek Your face in the stillness of the night, the freshness of the morning, and in the depths of our despair. We need You in ways we have not yet discovered. Whether we are in union with You, our steps moving in perfect unison or as we are carried over mountains and through valleys, we fail to rejoice at the simple fact that You enjoy providing for us and meeting needs. When we do not receive our desires or face uncertainties or rejection in life, or we feel we have been robbed of what is rightfully Yours, we sulk in anger or bitterness. Forgive us Father for forgetting You, who should be our first love, the author and perfector of our faith, the joy of our life. May we please You more tomorrow than we do this day and may our gaze set on You without moving as we face tomorrow as we trust Your word and promises to us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 085 - An Essential Invitation Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #085 – An Essential Invitation Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss intentional changes that will equip each of us to concentrate on Jesus and live with heart and mind focused on eternity to seek more ways to live with eternal perspective. For the past week I have worked on and wrote most of a podcast during the cracks of time I found between running to appointments. As I waited for my daughter to have two procedures completed at the local Children’s Hospital, I quietly sat with my laptop concentrating and focusing on finishing the episode I felt would release this week. Although something is supposed to release in just over 9 hours, I do not feel releasing what I have would be the right timing. Instead, all I can concentrate on is the goodness and mercy of God as it overflows from my heart and mindset. I am filled with so much gratitude this week that I cannot concentrate on anything but sharing what my heart is honestly filled with. Releasing another piece would not feel authentic when praise is pressing to be released! If you have listened to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast from the beginning, you know a lot about my family. I pray the stories I share have also directed your heart to the Lord in renewed ways as I lift honor and thanksgiving to Him. God is faithful. He is sovereign. Even in the darkest of times, when it seems that good has been stolen from me, He has kept my joy intact. When the world tries to distract or sway me to go a certain way, the Lord clears my path and shows me where and how to travel. Yesterday we spent the entire day at the hospital. For a total of about 12 hours we wearily allowed our precious daughter to undergo two procedures, and sat by her side and helped her as she had to lie still for 6 hours afterwards. We had no idea how either procedure would turn out. Yet God, in His goodness, allowed our minds to focus elsewhere and rest in a wrap of peace that surpasses human understanding. The joy of the Lord is my strength. My hope and trust are fixed on Him. Psalm 28:7 says, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him." After awakening this morning, my mind replayed events from yesterday as my heart rested in remembrance of all the goodness God has graced us with this last month. I wept as I humbly lifted recognition, thanksgiving, and praise to my Heavenly Father. Life is filled with difficulties and it would be so easy to give up. Yet, those of us who know the Lord have a strength that surpasses any human understanding. It carries us through hardships with a joy and peace and wraps us in a protective shell that stands against the arrows from the wicked one or the hits this life can throw. I can say that this summer has kept my gaze fixed even more securely on Jesus. My eyes, heart, and mind have not wandered from the presence of the Lord. The peace that He has enabled me to behold as He soothed is a gift I cannot explain or begin to understand. The truth of the matter is that it is free and available to each one of us. I am not special, but the Father who watches over us is. Peace that carries us despite the outcome of our journey is a gift to treasure. As we are willing to lay down our treasures and place them in His hands He awaits, already working before us to fill any need. I know the balance between this world and the next is delicate. It is but a vapor and so close. Days like yesterday remind me of that truth anew. Live With Eternal Perspective was started out of obedience. Because the Lord has shown me His love for each of us and the power He carries through any life storm, I was compelled to begin my podcast. If you know anything about me, you know it is not just a program; it is a lifestyle born out of gratitude and surrender. Life is a daily bowing to Jesus with a mindset of thankfulness for every single moment I have, especially with loved ones. Our journey with Brooklyn has been another important piece of surrender to the grace and joys God has in store for us and I am incredibly blessed to share on the episodes just how much He loves His children and the blessings He weaves through our life. Yesterday felt like one of the longest days I've experienced. When Jaime died, or Brooklyn's first heart surgery with us, the passing and illnesses of parents, they are all up there. When we sent our precious girl off to have her liver biopsy and heart catherization, I was unsure what they would find. Everything truly rested in the hands of a sovereign and holy God. Yet, for me, there was an absence of fear and an amniotic wrap of peace surrounding me. There was a lot of information given to us yesterday, but honestly, if I could list all of it, the majority would go over the heads of most people. Heart defects are incredibly unique and in the words of the pediatric cardiologist interventionist who worked on Brooklyn for the heart catherization yesterday, "I drew this picture of her heart to show you, but I'll leave it with you because no one else will have a heart like it." Just as each precious person in this world is special, so are the hearts that beat inside us. There is so much I could say about the miracles God blessed us with through the day, even through this summer, actually. The doctor who worked on her is the same doctor Brooklyn's cardiologist we love so much worked with back in June when the CT scan was performed. He is the one who knew her anatomy and gave recommendations then. He, thank God, has the same mindset as we do. Do not touch anything that is working. He is concerned that when doctors go in to try to make things better they often make things worse, and although he sees conditions that typically need attention through certain methods, he does not think doing anything will make her quality of life better. As Brooklyn is stable, we all want to leave her that way instead of trying to increase her blood oxygenation and other things and possibly make her worse. Of course, I am boiling info down to a minimum here, but his advice was such a blessing. He sat with us for a long time after the procedure, going over her CT scans, as well as the photos and images taken during the catherization procedure yesterday. He professed to be a humble man who bows to God as his strength, knowing that he must remain humble to allow God to work through him. He even said that he does not want harm to come to any of his patients because he tries to rely on his own strength. Please try to pray for him to continue to be a man of God even more every day, as his mother passed away in June and she used to pray for him daily. We worked with another doctor for the liver biopsy. Those results should return within a few days. There is a very delicate balance with the health of the children, both short and long term, when they live with a heart like our special girl. Especially after the type of heart surgery she had in 2016. The anatomy of her heart is hard on her other organs and although she looks stable on the heart side right now, as I have shared before, the condition of her other organs is a concern to keep in prayer, as well. Sometimes the heart looks stable for the condition the patient is in, but the other organs begin to fail. She will likely end up needing not only a heart transplant, but additional organ, such as liver transplant one day. Brooklyn is very complex, and as my other heart mama friends know, it is exhausting to wrap your heart and mind around so many details, yet alone attempt to share them all. After returning home from the hospital last night, I needed time to rest in my Heavenly Father, full of thankfulness. My mind and body are still a little weary, but I have a peacefulness that covers all other emotions, thoughts, or feelings. The best words I heard yesterday are worth repeating on this podcast episode. They were spoken by our girl’s pediatric cardiology interventionist. "God has His hand on Brooklyn. He is not done with her. It is a miracle she is here." Job 14:5 says, “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.” The Bible says all of our days are numbered. If you are listening to me speak, or are reading the transcript of this episode, you are still alive. While you still have days of life, you have a purpose and you and believe that God is sending you a personal and essential invitation. What type of invitation? I’m not talking about salvation, although that is the highest invitation and gift God offers through Jesus. As I rested in the goodness of God to my family this summer, I replayed the gifts He gives each of us daily. Sometimes we neglect them or forget to think of them daily, but as we desire to live a life that seeks Jesus and focuses on a heart and mind set on eternity, I want to list the ways I viewed the gifts of God this morning. God offers us the following essentials through His invitation to humbly walk with Him. To be honest, there are many verses that I may have chosen for the following points, but the ones below are near to my heart as I bask in the goodness and faithfulness of our loving God. 1. Intimacy – Mark 12:30 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” There is no intimacy like that of knowing and trusting Jesus. No matter the time of day, the feelings pressing against our mind or heart, the emotions we feel, He is present. He cares. 2. Peace – Romans 15:13 says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Peace that passes understanding is a gift most people in this world are missing. Few carry God’s full peace, yet everyone desires it. They desire Him, whether they know it yet or not. 3. Joy – John 15:11 says, “I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” Without peace from Jesus, one cannot have joy. As we rest in Him and allow troubles and cares to be carried on His shoulders, joy follows. 4. Relationship – 1 Corinthians 1:30 says, “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.” Relationship with God comes through Christ. As we walk and study broken relationships in this world, we do not come near the intimacy and perfection that a walk with Jesus offers. 5. Trust – Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Trusting in the Lord is not natural. We cannot see Him, we speak into darkness, trusting that He will hear and care. Yet when we allow Jesus to fill our hearts as we accept and belief with faith and trust, life changes in miraculous ways we will most likely not understand until Heaven. 6. Grace – James 4:6 says, “And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Jesus made the ultimate humbling sacrifice. Without pride, He bowed to the harshest demand God could make and He offers us a life many take for granted. Commit to finding new ways to accept and share the grace Jesus offers and allow it to flow willingly through to others. 7. Security – Galatians 2:20 says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Through trust, faith, belief, and grace we are offered security that nothing in this world can touch. 8. Love – John 14:21 says, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” When we mature a walk with God through Christ, we begin to experience and offer true love. Each day offers us the opportunity to grow a love defined and perfected by Jesus. Our humanness falls short of the love and grace only He offers, yet moment by moment He calls us to return to Him and experience life with the fulness He brings if only we respond to His perfect love. 9. Promise – Mark 10:27 says, “Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Hope births promise. Promise is possible through relationship with Jesus. 10. Identity – 1 John 3:1-3 says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.” God’s word is clear about identity. The book of Genesis begins the Bible with a clear picture of who we are and the rest of the Bible clearly represents a love so great a life was willingly sacrificed. Through relationship with Jesus, we are made new and become a reflection of who He is and a framework of what we are becoming. Moment by moment we have the opportunity to accept a relationship that alters each bit of who we are and are becoming. Don’t look back. Respond to Jesus with each moment you have left. Allow Him to craft a new creation daily. Intentionally plan to meet with Him in ways you have forgotten or have not yet started. It is not too late to meet Him as He calls from within you. Gracious, loving Heavenly Father, how you yearn for us to respond to You. Through all of creation You have called to us, wooing your children to draw nearer to You so that You may draw nearer to us. Father, so often we worry when You stand ready to carry any burden on Your capable shoulders. We see things work for good in our lives, yet do not credit You for the miraculous ways You have gone before us, parting the sea simply with Your breath because You care about every detail we face. God, help us to call out to You daily, to live in union with You, to seek Your face in the stillness of the night, the freshness of the morning, and in the depths of our despair. We need You in ways we have not yet discovered. Whether we are in union with You, our steps moving in perfect unison or as we are carried over mountains and through valleys, we fail to rejoice at the simple fact that You enjoy providing for us and meeting needs. When we do not receive our desires or face uncertainties or rejection in life, or we feel we have been robbed of what is rightfully Yours, we sulk in anger or bitterness. Forgive us Father for forgetting You, who should be our first love, the author and perfector of our faith, the joy of our life. May we please You more tomorrow than we do this day and may our gaze set on You without moving as we face tomorrow as we trust Your word and promises to us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 120 - How to Train Your Child to Rely on Scripture Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 120 – How to Train Your Child to Rely on Scripture Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode about how to train your child to rely on Scripture. Being a parent is hard. Being a godly parent is impossible! Unless we rest and abide in the arms of the One who entrusted His children to us. Before you became a parent did you realize the depth of skills you’d need? As a mother, you’re most likely the encourager, the peacemaker, the comforter, the chef, and the maid. Keeping the home tidy and well-managed, the children growing and thriving, and your life with your husband flourishing can be challenging. But when those thoughts of inadequacy or overwhelm hit, do you stop to assess why you’re experiencing those feelings? Most often, it’s because we’re relying on self. We try to be perfect, manage it all, and take care of everyone around us. Instead, we should be resting in the Father’s arms and seeking His approval and direction above all else. What’s the best way to accomplish this? Maturing our relationship with Jesus, but not daily - moment by moment. When we emphasize moment by moment growth we must depend on the Holy Spirit within us moment by moment. Once you’ve pursued relationship with Jesus through the gift of salvation, what’s next? Learning the character of God through Scripture. Without your humble submission to the Lord and continued growth through His Word, your personal and family life simply cannot thrive. As believers, we long for our children to know Jesus and follow Him into eternity one day. But the truth is that if you’re not personally mentoring a love for Him that keeps you in the Bible, studying and growing with loving intention, your child isn’t going to see the need. Life only gets busier once you have children! You already think you’re busy, then suddenly you find time to do what needs to be completed to enable you to give the best care to your precious child. What about time with your precious Father in Heaven? Somehow, the most important relationship you can have gets relegated to the back of your mind and heart. Eventually, unless you are intentional, you stop hearing and responding to the Holy Spirit inside. Life gets heavier, messier, and you wonder why you no longer feel peace, joy, or a longing for the Lord. Is this the life you want your children to witness? Is this the life you want them to emulate? Of course not. Believing moms understand this isn’t the life they want for their children. They just struggle to find the time to do all the things. The first step is realizing that you’ll never find enough time. You must make time for what God calls most important. When you strive to follow His desires, prayerfully request that He show you what He desires, then show you how to get that time, He will. If God could part the sea for Israelites to cross, do you believe He can guide you to find time for Him? Once you realize that you have the power to find that time to be in the Word and inhale Christ so you effortlessly exhale Him, you must continue to seek the Father in prayer. Did you know that the most beautiful and effective prayers are Scripturally based? If you practice the art of Scripture-based prayers and allow your children to benefit from hearing you (and being the subject of those prayers), they will seek the Word and learn to craft their own prayers from the Scripture. Just as you teach them how to eat healthy foods, how to dress, how to lovingly and respectfully respond in words and actions, as well as everything else you guide them through as you raise them, your purposed practice of prayer will influence the way your children view prayer and God’s Word. So, what is the best way to train your child to rely on Scripture? Ensure that you are reliant on God’s Word. First, let’s look at Bible verses that equip how you shape your desire for and reliance on Scripure. Philippians 4:9 says, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you .” 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Titus 2:7-8 says, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us .” Matthew 19:14 says, “But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven .” Next, let’s use these verses to craft a prayer that enables us, as women believers and mothers on mission to raise kids who chase Christ over culture to speak biblical truth that will delight the ears and heart of God. Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are. Thank you for allowing me into Your mighty presence to come before You with requests for my life and the lives of the children You have entrusted to my care. Please equip me to see You clearly and be an imitator of You. Help me to learn and receive what I have learned of Jesus, who in all ways exemplifies Your glory. Cause my desires, mind, and heart to show Your integrity, dignity, and speech so that no one can condemn me or be caused to cast blame on You. As You transform me through the power of Your Word and the Holy Spirit within me, please help me to bring my children to You, laying them at Your heart and feet so they won’t be hindered. May all I do and say cause them to come straight to Jesus and enter the kingdom of Heaven for eternity. May they carry wisdom that only comes from You. In His precious name I pray. Amen. Do you see how easily Scripture can be made into prayers that reflect God’s will and purposes? How much easier it is to know God, reflect Him in prayer requests, and speak to His heart in the ways He desires to hear when we have learned His nature and commands through the truths of the Bible. When your children hear your pray with such devotion and Scriptural truths and include them in ways that honor and please God, they will experience the dedicated love of a mother who clearly shines the Lord. God honors Scriptural prayers as you align your words and heart with His. Remember, the book of Proverbs teaches that godly wisdom is critical for creating and maintaining a life pleasing to God. As you lay a foundation of faith for your children to stand on to construct their own relationship with Jesus, you’ll build the rails that also guard and guide them. These rails line the pathway that leads them to Scripture. Without this strong foundation to hold the personal house of faith they will build, your children won’t carry godly insight, wisdom, or judgement that instills and directs this path to navigate life with integrity and insight from God. As you raise your young ones to know, love, honor, and obey God and direct them toward a personal relationship with Jesus, craft prayers to be lifted to God in your personal time with Him and also speak prayers you offer with your children. Lifting prayers in the presence of your children teaches them how to prioritize relationship with God and how to approach Him with reverence, honor and relationship. Whether your children are older, and you’re just now teaching them to rely on God or you’ve been modeling relationship that leads to Jesus over the years, using Scriptural prayers will deepen their hope and trust while leading them closer to our Heavenly Father as you remain committed and consistent. The more you’re in God’s Word and know Him, the better you’re able to pray with Scripture at the forefront of your mind. If you’re unsure how to begin, find verses that are in alignment with how you hope to parent the children God has entrusted to your care. Ask God to direct you to verses that will reach the heart of your children while continuing to deepen your walk with Him in ways that transform your desires, actions, and reactions for your children to witness His life-changing power. The closer you move to God, the more your parenting desires will reflect His will. Start with Scripture that is easy for your children to understand and that will build the basics of a lifelong trust in, and relationship with God, through Jesus. As your pray these prayers consistently with your children, you’ll find that the truth resting in the verses you use will also flow into conversations and guide the lifestyle you establish in your home. Now let’s look at verses about guidance for Godly Parents : Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ” Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it .” Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord .” Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain .” Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged .” Dear Heavenly Father, all my praise goes to You, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. There is none like You. Father, Your Word tells me to love You with all my heart and all my soul, and all my might. Help me to do so in all the way that honor You and bring my children to do the same. Show me the ways You desire me to teach You and Your truths to my children with diligence and steadfast love. Help us effortlessly talk of You in all places and yearn to be with You each day together. Help my husband and I to be in agreement in how to train our children in the ways You say they should go. May we lean on Your truths and strength and follow Your word, not the world. Help the children You’ve entrusted us to raise grow up to love You with an everlasting and widening love that brings joy and light to You. Help our home be one that is built by You and will withstand the troubles of this world or our flesh. May my husband and I never provoke or discourage our children and may we never be a stumbling block that shifts their focus from You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Next, let’s select Scripture for prayerful wisdom . Proverbs 2:6-7 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity .” Proverbs 3:1 says, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep My commandments. ” Dear Heavenly Father, Almighty Father and keeper of my soul. How great You are. Thank you for allowing me into Your holy presence. Father, Your Word tells me that You alone give wisdom. From Your mouth come understanding and You are a shield to those who walk in Your integrity. Help me to be one who fits these requirements. Equip me to show these ways to my watching children and through it, lead them straight to Your arms. May they embrace You and Your ways as truth that guides them throughout their life here and into eternity. Help them to always remember Your teachings and may they keep Your commandments because they strive to love and honor You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Now we’ll look at prayers for peace . Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God .” Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect .” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you .” Dear Heavenly Father, Author of peace. May my life carry the peace only You can give. Thank you for the peace You provide when I keep my mind fixed on You. Help me to exemplify Your peace in all circumstances and model that reliance on You to my children. Help them to embody Your peace that passes understanding because they have heart and minds fixed on You and Your unwavering truths. May we each make requests known to You that are acceptable and perfect in Your eyes and may they be in alignment with Your will and ways because we renew our minds and receive discernment through You. May we always cast all of our anxieties on You, because we trust that You care for us. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen. Now, one last example. Let’s look at Steadfast Faith . Matthew 19:14 says, “But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven .” Proverbs 1:8-9 says, “Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck .” 2 Timothy 3:14-17 says, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Dear Heavenly Father, Gracious Father who fills me with such love and desire for godliness. Thank you for instructing me in Your ways so that I can lovingly mentor my children in Your ways. You say that I should not hinder the little children from coming to You. Show me the way to bring them to You. Help me show Your heart and truths in ways that are lasting in their life. Help my children to appreciate what is taught of you. May they never forsake my teaching or the teachings of their father because we are in alignment with Your will and ways in all things. May my children choose to serve You all the days of their life and long to be pleasing in Your sight. Help them remember all of Scripture is breathed by You and will train, correct, and equip them for every good work. May they always delight in delighting You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen. Can you see how easy it is to know God through His Word and find Scripture that brings your desires and words into alignment with His will? I urge you to seek Him through the Bible today. Find Scripture that will help you craft the prayers you want to lift to the Great I Am. Your diligence and dedication will bring godly blessings and connection to your children and family. Scriptural prayers are another powerful tool to keep your heart and the heart of your family in alignment with God. These prayers offer protection and guidance in a world of confusion. As you continue to pray from God’s Word, your desires and actions are transformed into the image of Christ that will attract your children as you become a godlier woman and parent. Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face. That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with professionals who care about making Jesus known to their children. Are you a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible. Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity. Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior. Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #042 – Cast Your Cares Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. This episode is not about the election, but because it will air the week of Election Day, I understand that as we are waiting to see the results, or after the results are in, some people may be quite upset. Some people will worry so much that the feelings and fears in their minds will affect their body in unhealthy ways as the worry spirals into anxiety. This is perfect timing to address how worry and anxiety withers our spirit and divides our heart, just as it seems to be dividing our nation. Allowing worry and/or anxiety to seep into our mind actually hands wicked power to our emotions and separates us from the provisions of God. Worry is an uneasy human condition our Creator knew we would experience. Jesus no doubt was faced with the threat of worry when he lived on this earth. We know that although Jesus was fully God, He was also fully man. He felt the emotions we experience and understood the pain and uncertainty behind them. Since we have the hindsight of knowing the life of Jesus and the privilege of His words and promises to us, we can be thankful that He specifically addresses worry for us, providing us assurance and hope that anxiety can be overcome. Through Him. As you may have heard on this podcast, I love diving into the formal definitions of words. Let’s look at how worry is defined: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; to fret, to torment with cares, anxieties, etc.; trouble; plague. Listen to this definition: to seize, especially by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does another. To divide, tear, rip apart, and shake in opposite directions. When we allow worry or anxiety to torment us, we allow emotions, and in turn, our life to be torn apart by the circumstances we are facing. Worry grants power to what concerns us, allowing disturbing thoughts to grip and rule us as God is removed from the center of our thoughts. Our Heavenly Father provided us with what we need to be able to experience the human emotions he allowed us, yet not be overwhelmed by them. He offers us opportunity and resources to choose to exercise faith and trust that He is enough to overcome our greatest obstacles. Because we tend allow our minds to conceive and dwell on so much, it can be very difficult to release worry, frustrations, fears, and other emotions that contribute to anxiety. Through Jesus, help is at hand. If we read Matthew 6:25-34, we see that Jesus actually repeats the command, “Do not worry,” a total of three times in these few verses. This proves that He understands how difficult it can be to lay worry at His feet. In His words to us, He also offers five truths that have the power to defy and erase worry and anxiety. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” What are some of the ways that worry (and the anxiety it leads to) is harmful? Jesus shows us in these passages: 1. Jesus understands that worry is an obstacle. He also knows that through Him, it can be overcome. Jesus asks us to not worry, not to be concerned with our life, what we will eat or drink, what we will wear. If we are followers of Jesus and have committed our life to Him, we are trusting Him to lead us into eternity. We can most certainly trust Him with the small details of everyday life. 2. Jesus sees even birds of the air. They have no true home; they are not able to collect or save, yet they are well-fed and cared for. How much more does our Heavenly Father love us? We are much more valuable to Him than the birds He provides for. 3. Jesus reminds us that worrying gains us nothing of value. It leads to harmful effects in our mind and body, affecting our health and mental attitude, as well as our words and actions. Most of all, it builds a wedge between God and us. 4. Jesus gives us the example of the beauty of the fields. How gorgeous are the colorful fields and flowers? The colors, textures, and designs God has created in nature are only copied by humans. Everything we create is modeled after what God has already accomplished and shared with us. “The lilies of the field neither toil not spin,” yet they are more beautifully dressed than even King Solomon could be. We are of much more value and God longs for us to have faith in the provisions He has set for us. 5. Jesus knows our needs and longs for us to release our concerns to Him. He yearns for us to exhibit faith and trust because we believe He intimately understands and cares for every one of us. When we follow Jesus as our Savior, we unknowingly exhibit a lack of faith and relationship when we allow worry to control us. Jesus directs us to prioritize our relationship with Him. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (verse 33). We must remain proactive. “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” (verse 34). How do we ensure that we keep Jesus first? 1. Lift and fix my eyes on Jesus and constantly placing Him at the top of my daily to-do list. 2. Make sure I make time for His word. 3. Strive to understand His holy word. 4. Apply God’s word to my daily life through the actions I make and using it as my mental guide for wisdom. 5. Seek to know and grow in the Lord through daily conversation through prayer. 6. Intentionally be still enough to hear Him speak to me. 7. Obey what I know God is sharing and commanding me to do and be. Relationship with God through Jesus is the only strategy to effectively combat worry and anxiety. In addition to reminding us not to worry, it is said that the command to “fear not” is given 365 times in the Bible. With 365 days a year, that gives us one reminder per day. God knows we are forgetful and prideful, and tend to carry loads we are not meant to. Our loving Heavenly Father always walks ahead of us, providing for every need. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Psalm 56:3-4 says, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” No matter what you desired the outcome of the election to be, and beyond that, no matter what ails you in this very moment, God understands. Our loving Father has allowed this moment in time so that you will turn to Him, trusting that He is in charge. Allow Him to carry your load and offer relief. Romans 8:26-28 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Seek Him. Trust Him. Call out to Him. Release worries to Him. Repeat as often as needed as you build and grow your faith. Father God, please help me. I’m in need of Your everlasting goodness and provisions to keep my eyes, mind, and heart fixed on You. This world and the distractions within it cause me to stumble daily. I trust in You, but fall and fail so often. My spirit is weak and I need Your beautiful reminders of provision and hope. Please strengthen my faith and trust and provide me with freedom from worry and anxiety. Help me place my concerns in Your capable hands and give me the joy and pleasure of seeing You work and provide for my every true need. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. If you enjoyed this podcast, and would like to receive a free resource that ties to this episode and was created to help ease your spirit and attack worry or anxiety, visit terrihitt.com/resources and download the “Cast Your Cares - Resources Against Worry” Ebook. I deeply desire God to cultivate a strong community of women who embrace life with an eternal perspective through the work He has given me. I pray you will be inspired and equipped to seek and abide in God’s truths as you live with deep joy and will influence children to live for and find their identity through Jesus. Besides playing on Apple Podcast and Spotify, the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is also linked to my new website. Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 042 Cast Your Cares Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #042 – Cast Your Cares Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. This episode is not about the election, but because it will air the week of Election Day, I understand that as we are waiting to see the results, or after the results are in, some people may be quite upset. Some people will worry so much that the feelings and fears in their minds will affect their body in unhealthy ways as the worry spirals into anxiety. This is perfect timing to address how worry and anxiety withers our spirit and divides our heart, just as it seems to be dividing our nation. Allowing worry and/or anxiety to seep into our mind actually hands wicked power to our emotions and separates us from the provisions of God. Worry is an uneasy human condition our Creator knew we would experience. Jesus no doubt was faced with the threat of worry when he lived on this earth. We know that although Jesus was fully God, He was also fully man. He felt the emotions we experience and understood the pain and uncertainty behind them. Since we have the hindsight of knowing the life of Jesus and the privilege of His words and promises to us, we can be thankful that He specifically addresses worry for us, providing us assurance and hope that anxiety can be overcome. Through Him. As you may have heard on this podcast, I love diving into the formal definitions of words. Let’s look at how worry is defined: to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; to fret, to torment with cares, anxieties, etc.; trouble; plague. Listen to this definition: to seize, especially by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does another. To divide, tear, rip apart, and shake in opposite directions. When we allow worry or anxiety to torment us, we allow emotions, and in turn, our life to be torn apart by the circumstances we are facing. Worry grants power to what concerns us, allowing disturbing thoughts to grip and rule us as God is removed from the center of our thoughts. Our Heavenly Father provided us with what we need to be able to experience the human emotions he allowed us, yet not be overwhelmed by them. He offers us opportunity and resources to choose to exercise faith and trust that He is enough to overcome our greatest obstacles. Because we tend allow our minds to conceive and dwell on so much, it can be very difficult to release worry, frustrations, fears, and other emotions that contribute to anxiety. Through Jesus, help is at hand. If we read Matthew 6:25-34, we see that Jesus actually repeats the command, “Do not worry,” a total of three times in these few verses. This proves that He understands how difficult it can be to lay worry at His feet. In His words to us, He also offers five truths that have the power to defy and erase worry and anxiety. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” What are some of the ways that worry (and the anxiety it leads to) is harmful? Jesus shows us in these passages: 1. Jesus understands that worry is an obstacle. He also knows that through Him, it can be overcome. Jesus asks us to not worry, not to be concerned with our life, what we will eat or drink, what we will wear. If we are followers of Jesus and have committed our life to Him, we are trusting Him to lead us into eternity. We can most certainly trust Him with the small details of everyday life. 2. Jesus sees even birds of the air. They have no true home; they are not able to collect or save, yet they are well-fed and cared for. How much more does our Heavenly Father love us? We are much more valuable to Him than the birds He provides for. 3. Jesus reminds us that worrying gains us nothing of value. It leads to harmful effects in our mind and body, affecting our health and mental attitude, as well as our words and actions. Most of all, it builds a wedge between God and us. 4. Jesus gives us the example of the beauty of the fields. How gorgeous are the colorful fields and flowers? The colors, textures, and designs God has created in nature are only copied by humans. Everything we create is modeled after what God has already accomplished and shared with us. “The lilies of the field neither toil not spin,” yet they are more beautifully dressed than even King Solomon could be. We are of much more value and God longs for us to have faith in the provisions He has set for us. 5. Jesus knows our needs and longs for us to release our concerns to Him. He yearns for us to exhibit faith and trust because we believe He intimately understands and cares for every one of us. When we follow Jesus as our Savior, we unknowingly exhibit a lack of faith and relationship when we allow worry to control us. Jesus directs us to prioritize our relationship with Him. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (verse 33). We must remain proactive. “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” (verse 34). How do we ensure that we keep Jesus first? 1. Lift and fix my eyes on Jesus and constantly placing Him at the top of my daily to-do list. 2. Make sure I make time for His word. 3. Strive to understand His holy word. 4. Apply God’s word to my daily life through the actions I make and using it as my mental guide for wisdom. 5. Seek to know and grow in the Lord through daily conversation through prayer. 6. Intentionally be still enough to hear Him speak to me. 7. Obey what I know God is sharing and commanding me to do and be. Relationship with God through Jesus is the only strategy to effectively combat worry and anxiety. In addition to reminding us not to worry, it is said that the command to “fear not” is given 365 times in the Bible. With 365 days a year, that gives us one reminder per day. God knows we are forgetful and prideful, and tend to carry loads we are not meant to. Our loving Heavenly Father always walks ahead of us, providing for every need. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Psalm 56:3-4 says, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” No matter what you desired the outcome of the election to be, and beyond that, no matter what ails you in this very moment, God understands. Our loving Father has allowed this moment in time so that you will turn to Him, trusting that He is in charge. Allow Him to carry your load and offer relief. Romans 8:26-28 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Seek Him. Trust Him. Call out to Him. Release worries to Him. Repeat as often as needed as you build and grow your faith. Father God, please help me. I’m in need of Your everlasting goodness and provisions to keep my eyes, mind, and heart fixed on You. This world and the distractions within it cause me to stumble daily. I trust in You, but fall and fail so often. My spirit is weak and I need Your beautiful reminders of provision and hope. Please strengthen my faith and trust and provide me with freedom from worry and anxiety. Help me place my concerns in Your capable hands and give me the joy and pleasure of seeing You work and provide for my every true need. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. If you enjoyed this podcast, and would like to receive a free resource that ties to this episode and was created to help ease your spirit and attack worry or anxiety, visit terrihitt.com/resources and download the “Cast Your Cares - Resources Against Worry” Ebook. I deeply desire God to cultivate a strong community of women who embrace life with an eternal perspective through the work He has given me. I pray you will be inspired and equipped to seek and abide in God’s truths as you live with deep joy and will influence children to live for and find their identity through Jesus. Besides playing on Apple Podcast and Spotify, the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is also linked to my new website. Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 096 - How Parents Can Guide Children to Live Out Faith in a Secular World Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 096 – How Parents Can Guide Their Children to Live Out Faith in a Secular World Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children, equipping you to become a set-apart woman and mother. One afternoon my youngest child came to me as I worked in the office, her smile beaming so brightly. She pushed her palm toward me, and in it, rested a tiny cherry tomato grown in her garden. As I reached for her gift, thoughts swarmed my mind. "I'm not hungry." "I already had several tomatoes today and too many cause stomach problems." "I hope she washed it." As fast as those negativities pressed at me, God covered them with His truth. "How loving of her to think of me." So I returned her joy with a smile of my own and reached for her offering. After popping the fruit in my mouth to taste the sweet juice, I had one reply. "You grow the best cherry tomatoes." How often are we presented with gifts such as this? A moment that seems like an interruption becomes a divine meeting between opportunity and a decision to love. After we hugged and I thanked her for thinking of me, we chatted a bit and she left my side with a spring in her step and delight on her face. She felt like the best gardener in the world. A giving daughter. Thoughtful. She felt seen. Appreciated. How easily I could have ruined the moment. Mothers, how often are you presented with Heaven-sent opportunities? Most likely, many times a day. Maybe you seize each one like a savored treasure. Or maybe you don’t recognize the instant it appears, and see only problems or pressures. Instead, look for moments you can choose to grasp, not allow to flutter to the ground unused. This is one example of how we can guide our children to live their faith. We build a closeness that surpasses the rush of this world and allows a glimpse of Heaven to enter the chaos life can bring. We teach our children to understand the beauty of giving and thinking of others. We don’t stop the natural tendency they carry to please. We mold those characteristics into qualities they will use to serve and honor God and others. We don’t rob their joy or crush their tender spirit. Today we’re going to share more ways mothers can be purposed in helping our children build a strong foundation that equips them to live out a lasting faith in this secular world. First, we need to identify what our children need to guide and grow them toward faith that lasts for eternity. In order to do that, we need to realize the effects of the secular world your child lives in. Even if you have invested in a private or Christian school, or you homeschool your children, the world and the culture created by it seep into their lives. Extended family, neighbors, strangers in the store, classmates, social media, television shows, movies, games, music, books, language, (the list is long) – all pose the potential to have a positive or negative impact on your child’s faith. Do you know what types of challenges your children are currently facing? Do you understand what they are likely to face in the future? How does that knowledge impact your parenting style? Do worldly values affect your faith and relationship with God? Your relationship with God affects your child’s ability to maintain strong faith in a secular world. The truth is that you must be strengthening your faith in order to build the foundation for your children. You must study and know God’s Word in order to teach Biblical worldview to your children. You must also study God’s Word with your children. They must see that you prioritize the Father. You must make prayer a priority for yourself and your family. You must weave God into daily life. He is real and His presence in your home must be real, too. You must regularly discuss how Biblical truths must be a foundation for worldview. Show your children how to live the truths you believe . You must be the fragrance of Christ in your home. In order to do so, you must inhale Christ moment by moment so you can exhale Him in your words, desires, actions, reactions, habits, and lifestyle. Some of the ways you can set your children up for successfully living faith out in the world for others to see Jesus, are as follows. Today we’re going to address 19 ways. Don’t worry about taking notes. Listen and absorb, then remember to look at terrihitt.com/podcast to see the complete listing in transcript form. 1. Guard the innocence and safety of your children. Use biblical discernment to guide activities and events. For example, in present society, most moms agree that it’s not wise to allow children to attend sleepovers. Although the Bible doesn’t specifically address this topic, it does give advice on being wise parents. 2. Point out life situations that aren’t biblical. Whether it be movies, books, games, attire, actions, or more, let your children know why something wouldn’t be pleasing to God. Don’t use personal likes or dislikes to guide you. Take your opinion back to biblical truths to see what God said on the topic. Teach them to study Scripture so that when a particular topic is not addressed, they will know God’s guidance on the issue because they know already Him through the Word. For example, God values life, as His Word clearly says. Although the Bible doesn’t clearly say, “Do not have an abortion,” the topic is addressed in His character and Scripture. 3. Model listening to praise and worship music. Find songs that carry strong Scriptural truths and sing them at home. Even if your older children don’t enjoy them at first, over time, the words will seep into their spirit. God’s Word never returns void. 4. Dress your children modestly. Begin when they’re young. For example, if you don’t want your daughter to wear bikinis when she becomes a teen, don’t dress her in them as a toddler. 5. Watch what you model in desires, words, and actions. If you don’t want your children to use profanity, drink, smoke, or do drugs, don’t partake in them yourself. Your children always learn more from your actions than your words. 6. Introduce Jesus to your children as soon as you have them. It’s never too early. Even a baby in the womb is able to hear the Bible in utero. The first night we had our ten month old baby home from China I read the book, “The Story of Jesus” to her. It brought calm when nothing else soothed her. With my two youngest children we were able to incorporate Christian music in the home as soon as we had them. We did Bible studies, even when they were newly home and didn’t understand English. I would draw photos or act out stories to bring about understanding. Take the steps God desires to plant the seeds and allow Him to work in their life. 7. Be purposed and consistent in modeling relationship with Christ. As they see you read the Bible, pray, pray with them and for them, and seek Christ in all you do and consider, they will be more apt to pay attention when you show and speak about the Lord daily. You are building that foundation your child will build a house of faith upon. You want your children to pursue relationship with Jesus, not a religion with rules and regulations. 8. Teach your children how to refer to God’s Word and to use biblical worldview when shaping values, actions, desires, reactions, and relationships. 9. Show them how to serve others and Christ in and out of the home. 10. Don’t aspire to raise what the world calls typical children. God calls you and I to raise set-apart children. Nothing about Christ is typical. Jesus went against worldly values and held all to a godly standard. 11. Strive to parent the heart of your children, not the behavior. You want to discipline to disciple, not punish. All you do should be done with a heart to serve the Lord and raise children who know, honor, love, and obey Him with joy. 12. Develop relationship with your children through Christ so they value your opinion over that of peers. When you spend time getting to know your children, not just bark orders at them, you develop a closeness that must be in place in order for them to respect you or God. 13. Enlist prayer partners to pray specific requests and Scriptures for your children. I know my children are following the Lord in part due to those who held my family in prayer over many years. 14. Go to church regularly as a family. But don’t go out of duty or obligation. Make it a time to draw nearer to God and each other. Do it for relationship. Don’t treat church as a religion. 15. Read and study God’s Word together. Pray together and for each other. 16. View yourself not just as a parent, but as a mentor assigned by God to bring your children to Christ. 17. Regularly discuss current world issues together and talk about how Jesus would respond to them. Discern from Scripture what God’s belief is on the topic you are discussing. 18. Make family traditions and activities honoring to Christ. Whether it be Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, or other birthdays or holidays, bring God into the plan. He ordained the day and is waiting to be invited to the events. 19. Combat worldly educational indoctrination with godly education . As this world continues to shift and teach children ungodly deceit such as changing sex, sex before marriage, fluid pronouns, and more, use those opportunities to educate your child with loving, godly truths. Work through questions or situations that arise with the Bible as your guide. God’s Word holds all the answers we need. We just need to make the time to find them. Without reading the Word, we can’t help our children apply it or choose to be faithful to it. If you feel overwhelmed or unsure if you can handle these steps, ask God for His guidance. Pray for Him to show you opportunities. The more you listen to His promptings and step out in obedience, the easier your walk will be. Start with one thing you can do to better honor Christ and keep looking Up as you move forward to guide your children to live out faith in this secular world. Remember, if you’d like guided steps on how to incorporate these areas into your life and parenting, this is exactly what I equip you to do in the Set-Apart Collective. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for Your great provision and protection on our life. We praise You for entrusting us to watch Your children and guide them to You. Equip us to know the ways to their heart. Help us know You so well that we can’t help but shine You to them and others. May Your light burst forth so brightly that Your presence and love cannot be denied. May our children seek You because they have been taught Your truths. May they recognize deceit in this world. Help us not to ignorantly steer them in the wrong ways. Keep us in Your arms so they will rest at Your feet. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face. That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with moms of littles from infancy to upper grade school. Are you a high achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible. Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity. Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #102 – Resolution or Reflection Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Let’s talk about anticipation. I consider it one of the gifts we have in this life. Have you ever experienced the joy of planning a vacation or special event, awaited a holiday or birthday, perhaps a visit from or a surprise for a loved one? Each event carries the anticipation of what we hope for. Half of the fun is in the planning and anticipation. What if we carry that expectation into the new year in regards to our walk with Jesus? Each year people make New Year Resolutions. Sometimes they stick. Most of the time they’ve disappeared within days or weeks. What would you like your walk with Jesus to look like in the new year? What would you like it to be like at the end of your life? What do you want others to see in you? Do you desire a reflection of the Lord to shine for all to see and be drawn to Him? Over the last two years, through this podcast, I have shared interviews with many people who have spoken of their God stories about how the Lord has, or is, working in their life. I’ve shared practical tips and advice on deepening your walk with God through a personal relationship with Jesus, and how to continue growing the depth and width of your walk. Nothing gives me as much joy as finding ways to experience the fullness of joy that Christ has for each one of us Right now we are each sandwiched between Christmas and New Year’s. For some, it is business as usual as they continue their schedule without change or much thought. For others, they are in that glorious time of year in which they are off work and able to stay home before heading back off to work next week. For others, like me, it is a special time of year in which we are out of school until after the beginning of January and we are each busy getting things we normally don’t have time to do accomplished. I also use this time to think of the upcoming year. Each morning we awaken is a gift. Gratefulness abounds for me the moment I open my eyes. Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” I don’t want to journey into the new year without pondering with great anticipation what the Lord has for me. What work does God request that I allow Him to accomplish through me? I challenge each of us to look not for resolutions for the new year, but to sit with our Bible and in prayer as we seek the Lord and reflect on what He speaks in the silence. Which will deepen and mature your walk with Jesus? Resolution or Reflection? What will draw you nearer to God so that He will draw nearer to you? Resolution or Reflection? Think of what areas you need change or results in life. Will making a resolution help? Maybe. But with certainty, I promise that if you hand it to God and seek Him for guidance and reflection, He will show you the way to a true and lasting resolution. Not just a New Year’s resolution. How should you reflect with the Lord? Simply. 1. Find a quiet space 2. Sit alone with God 3. Seek Him 4. Converse in prayer 5. Listen 6. Respond When we ask for God to intervene and take control, to guide us in His will and ways, He does. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait patiently for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the Lord!” Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.” No matter what you are facing in this moment or hour, God is present. He knows your situation and is waiting on you to turn to Him and continue to rely on His strength and wisdom. Heavenly Father, thank you for this moment in time. You are our lighthouse, our strong and mighty fortress. Thank you for allowing us to turn to You, dear Father, our Jehovah-Jireh. There is none like You. Our Great Provider. May we not focus on our trials, but accept Your provision, even when it is not what we expect. Help us to trust You more and more each moment. May we focus on a life with You that extends beyond the world that we can see and taste. Help us to crave eternity with You and our eternal home each day, as we continue to widen our hope and trust in You. We pray that You come quickly, dear Lord. Rescue us from this world that is farther from You than we even understand. We need You so much. May the new year bring us to our knees in search of greater relationship with You. May we experience Your mighty grace and compassion, may Your hand move in this land and in our hearts and homes as we resolve to reflect You in solitude and through our thoughts, attitude, words, and actions. Shine from us, Father because we seek and desire You above all else. Let us reflect on You, reflect Your nature, and resolve to mentor the way to You for others. May we live with anticipation of the glorious ways we will see you at work within and around us daily. In the precious and holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to help others find the podcast. Please share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. You can share my website, terrihitt.com and let others know that on it they will be able to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature their walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage them to raise or influence children and grandchildren to choose Christ over culture. I also invite you to listen to the top ten downloaded episodes of 2021. Is your favorite among them? Simply go to the link in the transcript of this episode (on my website and in the podcast notes) to see who made the list. I’d appreciate it if you would share the link with friends who may like to discover the podcast, too. Thank you for making God known in new and eternal ways. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2KsuvrYwl4uP34lJmU5b0g I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 102 Resolution or Reflection Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #102 – Resolution or Reflection Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Let’s talk about anticipation. I consider it one of the gifts we have in this life. Have you ever experienced the joy of planning a vacation or special event, awaited a holiday or birthday, perhaps a visit from or a surprise for a loved one? Each event carries the anticipation of what we hope for. Half of the fun is in the planning and anticipation. What if we carry that expectation into the new year in regards to our walk with Jesus? Each year people make New Year Resolutions. Sometimes they stick. Most of the time they’ve disappeared within days or weeks. What would you like your walk with Jesus to look like in the new year? What would you like it to be like at the end of your life? What do you want others to see in you? Do you desire a reflection of the Lord to shine for all to see and be drawn to Him? Over the last two years, through this podcast, I have shared interviews with many people who have spoken of their God stories about how the Lord has, or is, working in their life. I’ve shared practical tips and advice on deepening your walk with God through a personal relationship with Jesus, and how to continue growing the depth and width of your walk. Nothing gives me as much joy as finding ways to experience the fullness of joy that Christ has for each one of us Right now we are each sandwiched between Christmas and New Year’s. For some, it is business as usual as they continue their schedule without change or much thought. For others, they are in that glorious time of year in which they are off work and able to stay home before heading back off to work next week. For others, like me, it is a special time of year in which we are out of school until after the beginning of January and we are each busy getting things we normally don’t have time to do accomplished. I also use this time to think of the upcoming year. Each morning we awaken is a gift. Gratefulness abounds for me the moment I open my eyes. Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” I don’t want to journey into the new year without pondering with great anticipation what the Lord has for me. What work does God request that I allow Him to accomplish through me? I challenge each of us to look not for resolutions for the new year, but to sit with our Bible and in prayer as we seek the Lord and reflect on what He speaks in the silence. Which will deepen and mature your walk with Jesus? Resolution or Reflection? What will draw you nearer to God so that He will draw nearer to you? Resolution or Reflection? Think of what areas you need change or results in life. Will making a resolution help? Maybe. But with certainty, I promise that if you hand it to God and seek Him for guidance and reflection, He will show you the way to a true and lasting resolution. Not just a New Year’s resolution. How should you reflect with the Lord? Simply. 1. Find a quiet space 2. Sit alone with God 3. Seek Him 4. Converse in prayer 5. Listen 6. Respond When we ask for God to intervene and take control, to guide us in His will and ways, He does. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait patiently for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the Lord!” Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.” No matter what you are facing in this moment or hour, God is present. He knows your situation and is waiting on you to turn to Him and continue to rely on His strength and wisdom. Heavenly Father, thank you for this moment in time. You are our lighthouse, our strong and mighty fortress. Thank you for allowing us to turn to You, dear Father, our Jehovah-Jireh. There is none like You. Our Great Provider. May we not focus on our trials, but accept Your provision, even when it is not what we expect. Help us to trust You more and more each moment. May we focus on a life with You that extends beyond the world that we can see and taste. Help us to crave eternity with You and our eternal home each day, as we continue to widen our hope and trust in You. We pray that You come quickly, dear Lord. Rescue us from this world that is farther from You than we even understand. We need You so much. May the new year bring us to our knees in search of greater relationship with You. May we experience Your mighty grace and compassion, may Your hand move in this land and in our hearts and homes as we resolve to reflect You in solitude and through our thoughts, attitude, words, and actions. Shine from us, Father because we seek and desire You above all else. Let us reflect on You, reflect Your nature, and resolve to mentor the way to You for others. May we live with anticipation of the glorious ways we will see you at work within and around us daily. In the precious and holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to help others find the podcast. Please share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. You can share my website, terrihitt.com and let others know that on it they will be able to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature their walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage them to raise or influence children and grandchildren to choose Christ over culture. I also invite you to listen to the top ten downloaded episodes of 2021. Is your favorite among them? Simply go to the link in the transcript of this episode (on my website and in the podcast notes) to see who made the list. I’d appreciate it if you would share the link with friends who may like to discover the podcast, too. Thank you for making God known in new and eternal ways. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2KsuvrYwl4uP34lJmU5b0g I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast. Episode #012 – Complaint Fosters Rebellion Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. What a day I experienced yesterday! It was actually perfect preparation for this podcast. I woke up feeling fine to begin my day. After eating breakfast, which, by the way, I want to eat as soon as I wake up every day, I began to have stomach issues. Unfortunately, since I have a lot of food allergies and intolerances, every couple of weeks I end up with severe stomach cramping that literally makes me feel like I have the flu. Since I have not been outside my home (because we are adhering to the CO-VID19 social distancing order), I knew I most likely was not sick. At about the time my worst cramps were hitting, my husband came home from the grocery store. He’s been going out as little as possible, so when he gets back home, we have quite a few groceries to disinfect and put away. I met him in the kitchen, told him I thought I was going to be sick, and asked him to leave the items on the kitchen floor so I could come clean them as soon as I was able to. About half an hour later, I made myself get to the kitchen to begin the long process of disinfecting every item he brought home. At first my thoughts began to slide to how much work it now was to clean everything just to put it away in the pantry and refrigerator. My stomach was still not feeling well, and even though I wasn’t feeling like I needed to run to the toilet to throw up at any second, I knew that could change again quickly. Yet as soon as the negative thoughts entered my mind, I decided to lift praises of gratitude instead. I began thanking God that my husband was able to go purchase the food and items we needed, and for the money to buy our essentials. I offered gratitude that I had spray disinfectant and that my husband came home with one small container of Clorox wipes that we hadn’t been able to purchase in weeks. As my thoughts began to wander toward wondering how long our cleaning supplies and paper towels would last, I questioned whether I should postpone cleaning the bathrooms in case we would not be able to restock our supplies on the next grocery run. It felt so odd to have to balance how long our supplies would last and decide whether I would have enough of what I needed left to clean the food items on the next grocery run. Again, when those questions arose in my mind, God gently shoved them away and reminded me to carry nothing but praise and trust in my mind, heart, and on my lips. I thanked Him once again for what He had provided and for the way He carried and loved us each day. I finished cleaning and storing all the new purchases and ran back to the bathroom as a new wave of cramps hit. I had been given just enough time to do what I needed to in the kitchen. New praise arose from my heart and lips. Through the remainder of the day, I was offered many opportunities to choose whether to praise God or complain. I thanked God for the reminders that just “happened” to come at this exact time that I was beginning to prepare this podcast. One of the funniest stories for me personally was the fact that with my food issues, it is difficult to eat a wide variety of items. Since I am so limited, it’s a big deal when I get to eat something different. My husband had also brought home a rack of pork ribs to grill for me yesterday. I’m really picky and dislike the fatty ones, so he always selects ones that look extra lean. He usually does such a delicious job when he grills and I was ready for the tasty treat, but when he changed out the tank to the grill it burned extra hot and the meat was ruined. In the middle of a pandemic and stay-home order, you don’t want your husband to go right back to the store for more meat. I praised God for a man who loves me enough to try to get me something special and for the food that I already had at home. Do I tell you these stories to make you think I have it all together and live with a perfect mindset and relationship with my Heavenly Father? Definitely not! I understand I’m so far away from where He wants me to be. But I also understand His grace and recognize His work in my life. I remember how far He has brought me. I acknowledge the Holy Spirit transforming me daily. When I live with such miraculous change and reconstruction of my thoughts and heart, I cannot help but share Him with you to encourage you to press on in your own walk with Jesus. It is so much easier to complain than to offer thanks, just as it takes more effort to smile than to sit with an unhappy expression. Erasing a grumbly or disappointed attitude takes concentrated effort, especially in our culture of entitlement and selfishness. I have to remain mindful and be very careful with my words because I tend to voice my opinions and feelings sometimes as I verbally process big thoughts. After I have done so, I don’t usually give them another thought because it has been cleared away and I am fine. Yet, I do not want to appear to others, especially my husband and family, that I am complaining. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” When I was young, I tended to view life through a more negative lens. Instead of automatically searching for the positive side of anything, I was passively raised to immediately think more negatively or pessimistically. It took years to recognize and shift my mindset to begin thinking with a positive, life-affirming attitude. It actually began to occur after I focused on deepening my walk with Jesus. He began shifting and molding my thoughts to be more in sync with His. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 Since our thoughts and attitude affect our words, what joy do you imagine it brings our loving Heavenly Father to hear us obey Him with our speech? Unfortunately, since the beginning of the creation of man, God has dealt with our complaints. Adam and Eve began the cycle of thoughts involving dissatisfaction when Eve allowed Satan to manipulate her into believing his attacks on God’s character and she began entertaining doubt about God’s love for her and Adam. She believed Satan’s subtle denials about the truth of God’s word, and his lies accusing God of jealousy. Because of these manipulations, Eve switched from listening to God’s instructions to following her own misguided will and thought things would be better if she took what God had forbidden. Adam listened to Eve and did the same, then complained to God that she had given it to him to eat. Complaining in the Greek is muttering or grumbling. It shows an inner rebellion that defies God and challenges His right to rule us. As we move a little farther in the Bible, we pass through Genesis to Exodus and come to the story of Moses, where once again, we see God’s dominion challenged. In Exodus 3:11, after God tells Moses that He has heard the cries of His people, the Israelites in Egypt and is going to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians by sending Moses to Pharaoh to bring them out of captivity, Moses questioned, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Moses was dissatisfied with what God was calling him to do. There may have been a variety of reasons why. None of them matter to God. Displeasure plus disobedience equals complaint and rebellion. Moses complained because he misunderstood the nature of God. He looked to “self” and missed the fact that God is and would be the Deliverer. God wasn’t relying on Moses to be the strength behind events; He wanted Moses to rely on His mighty power. Moses complained because He didn’t believe He knew enough. Instead of seeking and claiming God’s wisdom, truths, and power, Moses looked to his own inadequate knowledge. Moses complained because he had low confidence. He knew his abilities were limited, but didn’t look beyond himself and claim God’s ultimate power. Moses complained because he had limited speech ability. Moses didn’t understand or trust that God can use anyone, especially the weakest and least, when we are willing to let Him work through us. Moses complained because he was scared. Again, Moses proves that he was looking to self, instead of focusing on God, who can do above and beyond what we have the ability to imagine. God replied to Moses in Exodus 3:12a, “I will certainly be with you.” We must remember that the success of anything God calls us to do is not dependent on our ability. God’s promise and assuring words should have been enough for Moses to stop worrying and questioning the mission God had assigned him, yet Moses found it much easier to focus on his own personal faults or shortcomings and fret, standing in fear and complaint, rather than accept God at His word. Just as we often do. Exodus 3:14 says, “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God declared to Moses exactly Who He is: an ever-present, uncreated self-existence, eternal, and unchanging. God is everything Moses would need to rely on and believe in to carry him through what God called Moses to let Him accomplish through simple obedience. God in the triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is everything each of us need. Another example of complaint signifying rebellion is the story of Jonah. When Jonah disobeyed God’s instruction to go east to Assyria (Nineveh’s capital city), as God had instructed, and traveled the opposite direction to Tarshish instead, we see major opposition to the authority of God. Jonah held many complaints against the Ninevites, and because of his anger and hatred, could not see he was refusing God just as much or more than they were. When we complain to God with our voice and/or our actions, and disobey His commands to us, whether they are shown to us intimately and directly, or through His Holy word, it is simple rebellion and we sin. Does this mean we can’t share our feelings with God? Definitely not. He already knows our thoughts and needs, but God never desires that we voice complaints simply for the sake of grumbling. He welcomes our questions and thoughts, and wants to teach and grow us, but He doesn’t wish for us to simply complain, expressing unhappiness or displeasure, then go our own way, placing a wedge between Him and us. When we approach God, we want to do so with honesty and trust, knowing He can relieve our frustration, bitterness, unforgiveness, loneliness, depression, or any emotion we have. He knows when we are hurting and never wants us to feel alone. Confide in our Heavenly Father, but trust Him to handle and relieve distress. Placing praise and trust ahead of frivolous complaints is the desire God has for our lives. After surviving a violent storm and being swallowed by a whale, Jonah is vomited out of the belly of the giant fish, and God again requests that Jonah travel to Nineveh, instructing him to preach a message to the people there. Finally obedient with his actions, although his attitude of complaint against God and the people still needed major adjusting, Jonah did travel quickly to relay the word God had given him. The very people Jonah held such hatred and contempt for quickly cast aside their evil behavior and repented to God, making Jonah extremely angry. Throughout the story of Jonah, we see his complaint-filled, rebellious attitude toward the immoral Ninevites and recognize rebellion and rejection of God in both. Yet, the Ninevites immediately changed their ways when face-to-face with God’s approaching judgement, while Jonah remained displeased and bad-tempered, proving that the prophet knew a lot about God, but didn’t really know God. How easy that is to do. Sometimes complaints and rebellion are not spoken, but are proven by the way we live. Our attitude and actions express our negativity and separate us from our Heavenly Father. Philippians 2:14 instructs, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” What is the key to adhering to this verse from Philippians? Jesus. When we are His, and allow the Holy Spirit to do a good work in us, we become children of God who shine Him in this world without complaint and living with gratitude and praise. Ephesians 2:1-10 says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Once we recognize and accept that salvation through Jesus is critical to eternal life and living with eternal perspective, how do we grow in and remain close to Him? How do we shift away from grumbling and complaining, to living with freedom and contentment? How do we ensure that our heart carries no inner rebellion that would dispute God’s authority in our life? How do we ensure that we do not become like the Israelites as they wandered through the wilderness? 1 Corinthians 10:9-10 says, “Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” The grumbling in the desert drove the Israelites to perform many acts against the Lord. Through them, we are reminded that we must purpose to keep praise in our hearts and on our lips, despite circumstances. Even in the worst of times, God is faithful. We must chose to lift our eyes to Him and trust that He is present and that His unlimited knowledge, grace, love, and power will rescue and provide for us. When we focus on our present circumstances or trials through a lens of self-reliance, we fall victim to fear, worry, and complaint. If we live with a mindset of trust, faith, and reliance on the provision of an omnipotent Heavenly Father, we experience His power and blessings. John 15:1-11 instructs, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” We must abide in Him. Once we have purposely sought and accepted the gift Jesus sacrificed to give us, our obligation is to stay connected to Him, to rely on Him, and to reside in His care. We follow His command to seek Him daily, allowing Jesus to fill and transform us. We continue to be sanctified through Him as we dedicate our mind, heart, and soul to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, conforming us to the image of Jesus. Can you remember Jesus grumbling and complaining when He lived among us? Or do you imagine Him drawing nearer to God, sharing His intimate thoughts, seeking His provisions and appreciating His care? When we keep our focus on Him, we allow God to transform us into the image He created us to become. Complaints and rebellion are not welcome in God’s kingdom and deprive us from true peace and joyful fellowship. His ways become ours when we trust and follow Him, allowing Him to remove our grumbling, discontented spirit and replace it with a perspective influenced and nurtured by the One who loves us beyond measure. Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 012 Complaint Fosters Rebellion Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast. Episode #012 – Complaint Fosters Rebellion Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. What a day I experienced yesterday! It was actually perfect preparation for this podcast. I woke up feeling fine to begin my day. After eating breakfast, which, by the way, I want to eat as soon as I wake up every day, I began to have stomach issues. Unfortunately, since I have a lot of food allergies and intolerances, every couple of weeks I end up with severe stomach cramping that literally makes me feel like I have the flu. Since I have not been outside my home (because we are adhering to the CO-VID19 social distancing order), I knew I most likely was not sick. At about the time my worst cramps were hitting, my husband came home from the grocery store. He’s been going out as little as possible, so when he gets back home, we have quite a few groceries to disinfect and put away. I met him in the kitchen, told him I thought I was going to be sick, and asked him to leave the items on the kitchen floor so I could come clean them as soon as I was able to. About half an hour later, I made myself get to the kitchen to begin the long process of disinfecting every item he brought home. At first my thoughts began to slide to how much work it now was to clean everything just to put it away in the pantry and refrigerator. My stomach was still not feeling well, and even though I wasn’t feeling like I needed to run to the toilet to throw up at any second, I knew that could change again quickly. Yet as soon as the negative thoughts entered my mind, I decided to lift praises of gratitude instead. I began thanking God that my husband was able to go purchase the food and items we needed, and for the money to buy our essentials. I offered gratitude that I had spray disinfectant and that my husband came home with one small container of Clorox wipes that we hadn’t been able to purchase in weeks. As my thoughts began to wander toward wondering how long our cleaning supplies and paper towels would last, I questioned whether I should postpone cleaning the bathrooms in case we would not be able to restock our supplies on the next grocery run. It felt so odd to have to balance how long our supplies would last and decide whether I would have enough of what I needed left to clean the food items on the next grocery run. Again, when those questions arose in my mind, God gently shoved them away and reminded me to carry nothing but praise and trust in my mind, heart, and on my lips. I thanked Him once again for what He had provided and for the way He carried and loved us each day. I finished cleaning and storing all the new purchases and ran back to the bathroom as a new wave of cramps hit. I had been given just enough time to do what I needed to in the kitchen. New praise arose from my heart and lips. Through the remainder of the day, I was offered many opportunities to choose whether to praise God or complain. I thanked God for the reminders that just “happened” to come at this exact time that I was beginning to prepare this podcast. One of the funniest stories for me personally was the fact that with my food issues, it is difficult to eat a wide variety of items. Since I am so limited, it’s a big deal when I get to eat something different. My husband had also brought home a rack of pork ribs to grill for me yesterday. I’m really picky and dislike the fatty ones, so he always selects ones that look extra lean. He usually does such a delicious job when he grills and I was ready for the tasty treat, but when he changed out the tank to the grill it burned extra hot and the meat was ruined. In the middle of a pandemic and stay-home order, you don’t want your husband to go right back to the store for more meat. I praised God for a man who loves me enough to try to get me something special and for the food that I already had at home. Do I tell you these stories to make you think I have it all together and live with a perfect mindset and relationship with my Heavenly Father? Definitely not! I understand I’m so far away from where He wants me to be. But I also understand His grace and recognize His work in my life. I remember how far He has brought me. I acknowledge the Holy Spirit transforming me daily. When I live with such miraculous change and reconstruction of my thoughts and heart, I cannot help but share Him with you to encourage you to press on in your own walk with Jesus. It is so much easier to complain than to offer thanks, just as it takes more effort to smile than to sit with an unhappy expression. Erasing a grumbly or disappointed attitude takes concentrated effort, especially in our culture of entitlement and selfishness. I have to remain mindful and be very careful with my words because I tend to voice my opinions and feelings sometimes as I verbally process big thoughts. After I have done so, I don’t usually give them another thought because it has been cleared away and I am fine. Yet, I do not want to appear to others, especially my husband and family, that I am complaining. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” When I was young, I tended to view life through a more negative lens. Instead of automatically searching for the positive side of anything, I was passively raised to immediately think more negatively or pessimistically. It took years to recognize and shift my mindset to begin thinking with a positive, life-affirming attitude. It actually began to occur after I focused on deepening my walk with Jesus. He began shifting and molding my thoughts to be more in sync with His. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 Since our thoughts and attitude affect our words, what joy do you imagine it brings our loving Heavenly Father to hear us obey Him with our speech? Unfortunately, since the beginning of the creation of man, God has dealt with our complaints. Adam and Eve began the cycle of thoughts involving dissatisfaction when Eve allowed Satan to manipulate her into believing his attacks on God’s character and she began entertaining doubt about God’s love for her and Adam. She believed Satan’s subtle denials about the truth of God’s word, and his lies accusing God of jealousy. Because of these manipulations, Eve switched from listening to God’s instructions to following her own misguided will and thought things would be better if she took what God had forbidden. Adam listened to Eve and did the same, then complained to God that she had given it to him to eat. Complaining in the Greek is muttering or grumbling. It shows an inner rebellion that defies God and challenges His right to rule us. As we move a little farther in the Bible, we pass through Genesis to Exodus and come to the story of Moses, where once again, we see God’s dominion challenged. In Exodus 3:11, after God tells Moses that He has heard the cries of His people, the Israelites in Egypt and is going to deliver them out of the hands of the Egyptians by sending Moses to Pharaoh to bring them out of captivity, Moses questioned, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Moses was dissatisfied with what God was calling him to do. There may have been a variety of reasons why. None of them matter to God. Displeasure plus disobedience equals complaint and rebellion. Moses complained because he misunderstood the nature of God. He looked to “self” and missed the fact that God is and would be the Deliverer. God wasn’t relying on Moses to be the strength behind events; He wanted Moses to rely on His mighty power. Moses complained because He didn’t believe He knew enough. Instead of seeking and claiming God’s wisdom, truths, and power, Moses looked to his own inadequate knowledge. Moses complained because he had low confidence. He knew his abilities were limited, but didn’t look beyond himself and claim God’s ultimate power. Moses complained because he had limited speech ability. Moses didn’t understand or trust that God can use anyone, especially the weakest and least, when we are willing to let Him work through us. Moses complained because he was scared. Again, Moses proves that he was looking to self, instead of focusing on God, who can do above and beyond what we have the ability to imagine. God replied to Moses in Exodus 3:12a, “I will certainly be with you.” We must remember that the success of anything God calls us to do is not dependent on our ability. God’s promise and assuring words should have been enough for Moses to stop worrying and questioning the mission God had assigned him, yet Moses found it much easier to focus on his own personal faults or shortcomings and fret, standing in fear and complaint, rather than accept God at His word. Just as we often do. Exodus 3:14 says, “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God declared to Moses exactly Who He is: an ever-present, uncreated self-existence, eternal, and unchanging. God is everything Moses would need to rely on and believe in to carry him through what God called Moses to let Him accomplish through simple obedience. God in the triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is everything each of us need. Another example of complaint signifying rebellion is the story of Jonah. When Jonah disobeyed God’s instruction to go east to Assyria (Nineveh’s capital city), as God had instructed, and traveled the opposite direction to Tarshish instead, we see major opposition to the authority of God. Jonah held many complaints against the Ninevites, and because of his anger and hatred, could not see he was refusing God just as much or more than they were. When we complain to God with our voice and/or our actions, and disobey His commands to us, whether they are shown to us intimately and directly, or through His Holy word, it is simple rebellion and we sin. Does this mean we can’t share our feelings with God? Definitely not. He already knows our thoughts and needs, but God never desires that we voice complaints simply for the sake of grumbling. He welcomes our questions and thoughts, and wants to teach and grow us, but He doesn’t wish for us to simply complain, expressing unhappiness or displeasure, then go our own way, placing a wedge between Him and us. When we approach God, we want to do so with honesty and trust, knowing He can relieve our frustration, bitterness, unforgiveness, loneliness, depression, or any emotion we have. He knows when we are hurting and never wants us to feel alone. Confide in our Heavenly Father, but trust Him to handle and relieve distress. Placing praise and trust ahead of frivolous complaints is the desire God has for our lives. After surviving a violent storm and being swallowed by a whale, Jonah is vomited out of the belly of the giant fish, and God again requests that Jonah travel to Nineveh, instructing him to preach a message to the people there. Finally obedient with his actions, although his attitude of complaint against God and the people still needed major adjusting, Jonah did travel quickly to relay the word God had given him. The very people Jonah held such hatred and contempt for quickly cast aside their evil behavior and repented to God, making Jonah extremely angry. Throughout the story of Jonah, we see his complaint-filled, rebellious attitude toward the immoral Ninevites and recognize rebellion and rejection of God in both. Yet, the Ninevites immediately changed their ways when face-to-face with God’s approaching judgement, while Jonah remained displeased and bad-tempered, proving that the prophet knew a lot about God, but didn’t really know God. How easy that is to do. Sometimes complaints and rebellion are not spoken, but are proven by the way we live. Our attitude and actions express our negativity and separate us from our Heavenly Father. Philippians 2:14 instructs, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” What is the key to adhering to this verse from Philippians? Jesus. When we are His, and allow the Holy Spirit to do a good work in us, we become children of God who shine Him in this world without complaint and living with gratitude and praise. Ephesians 2:1-10 says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Once we recognize and accept that salvation through Jesus is critical to eternal life and living with eternal perspective, how do we grow in and remain close to Him? How do we shift away from grumbling and complaining, to living with freedom and contentment? How do we ensure that our heart carries no inner rebellion that would dispute God’s authority in our life? How do we ensure that we do not become like the Israelites as they wandered through the wilderness? 1 Corinthians 10:9-10 says, “Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” The grumbling in the desert drove the Israelites to perform many acts against the Lord. Through them, we are reminded that we must purpose to keep praise in our hearts and on our lips, despite circumstances. Even in the worst of times, God is faithful. We must chose to lift our eyes to Him and trust that He is present and that His unlimited knowledge, grace, love, and power will rescue and provide for us. When we focus on our present circumstances or trials through a lens of self-reliance, we fall victim to fear, worry, and complaint. If we live with a mindset of trust, faith, and reliance on the provision of an omnipotent Heavenly Father, we experience His power and blessings. John 15:1-11 instructs, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” We must abide in Him. Once we have purposely sought and accepted the gift Jesus sacrificed to give us, our obligation is to stay connected to Him, to rely on Him, and to reside in His care. We follow His command to seek Him daily, allowing Jesus to fill and transform us. We continue to be sanctified through Him as we dedicate our mind, heart, and soul to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, conforming us to the image of Jesus. Can you remember Jesus grumbling and complaining when He lived among us? Or do you imagine Him drawing nearer to God, sharing His intimate thoughts, seeking His provisions and appreciating His care? When we keep our focus on Him, we allow God to transform us into the image He created us to become. Complaints and rebellion are not welcome in God’s kingdom and deprive us from true peace and joyful fellowship. His ways become ours when we trust and follow Him, allowing Him to remove our grumbling, discontented spirit and replace it with a perspective influenced and nurtured by the One who loves us beyond measure. Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #018 – Prayer Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Sharing about my family and the faith God has crafted in us through the years is such a joy for me. Recognizing methods that He uses to stretch and challenge me daily feels like a gift extended in lessons for me to grasp and share. As I have matured, both in age, and in wisdom, I have recognized the simple truth that prayer is not an option. It is a dire necessity for any soul desiring to be filled with the fruits of the spirit and to live a life pleasing to God, expectant of the rich blessing of intimate and personal fellowship with our Creator. In order to cultivate the qualities that Jesus carried, we must cling to Him through a relationship that craves and adores Him and desires to live in ways that are productive for Him. Without faith, I would not be the person I am or have a peaceful, calm nature that carries me through situations with a positive and hopeful temperament. Prayer is a crucial element for growing my faith in, and dependence on, the Lord. Prayer has grown to be such an automatic response within my brain and body that like breathing, I often do not even realize I am speaking to God. When disaster strikes or emergencies arise, my first response is to fall in humble position before my Father and ask Him to carry the load. Even when the situation is too critical for prayer because time is urgent, my mind and mouth utter the sweet words that bring me comfort and peace each time I say His name aloud. Jesus. Just like every aspect of our faith life, prayer must be something we desire. Once we have acknowledged the fact that we require this lifeline and discipline in our walk with the Lord, we will establish methods to ensure that we connect through this worship and petition that is so much more than we often suspect when we begin our faith journey with God. Prayer exposes our core belief system. Kneeling before our Lord in supplication, whether literally or through our heart and mindset, is a natural extension of our personal relationship with and belief in Him. Our reliance on God through the act of prayer exhibits our dependence on our Heavenly Father, humbling our position with Him, and proving the level of our reliance on Him. How do we establish a lifestyle of prayer? The important word to ponder shouldn’t be how, but rather, Who. Jesus is our life and prayer model. When God sent His son to earth, it wasn’t only to offer His life as a sacrifice for our sins. God stepped into this world to exist and walk among us. He came to show us exactly how to live and how to pray. I think the time period Jesus lived in was significant, as well. Obviously, the particular time frame was crucial in order for events to occur as God ordained, but beyond that, if we examine the way of life during that period compared to our current lifestyle, we admit that we have a comparative life of ease and comfort. Yet, despite daily requirements for survival, chores, and occupation, then later the pressures and demands of His ministry, Jesus consistently made sure He spent time with His Heavenly Father. Our affluent lifestyles have occupied every second of our day and keep us permanently distracted with work, activities, and electronics. No matter the purpose for our commitment to a particular task, our souls were created with a deep need to be nurtured and refreshed by God and our minds need the interaction, guidance, and wisdom that only He can supply. We were not created for constant preoccupation with earthly diversions. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Jesus, through His perfect example of Son seeking Father, committed to sacrificing for God. He willingly planned and enjoyed spending time with His Father. To stand in the presence of God was His desire, His lifeline. 1. Jesus prayed without ceasing. His breath and thoughts coexisted in behavior and habits of praise developed through reliance on and relationship with God through prayer. He existed in a constant state of heart and prayer connection. 2. Jesus prepared for prayer. His mind and attitude were qualified to hear God. His heart was primed. As we bow before God with petition, our personal sins must be released. We should seek repentance and restoration with our Heavenly Father before imploring Him with requests. In other words, our communication should consistently be prioritized, and our walk refreshed moment by moment. Relationship with God is a mutual and emotional connection requiring our commitment and diligence in order for it to flourish. James 5:16 reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Instead of bowing before our Lord without much forethought, or asking others who appear “godlier” in their Christian walk to carry our prayer burdens, Jesus modeled the way for us to open ourselves to a regular and intentional personal time with God. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking others to petition the Lord for us or for us to pray for others, but in order for us to grow and deepen our own connection with God, we need intimate, intentional, consistent, solitary moments to share undisturbed and undistracted time with Christ alone. Obviously, the easiest way to create this time is to simply begin with the determination to persist until regular time is established. Genuine and connected relationship is the goal, not a fancy, complicated system. Meeting with God can be as simple as getting up early or staying up late or carving out time through the day. If a special area needs to be designed in order to move ahead, a spare room, or an area in an existing space, such as a favorite desk or chair, or a piece of floor in the closet may also work. It is also important to analyze why we want to pray. Do we view the time as a way to mark a box off of our spiritual checklist? Or do we crave a personal relationship with Christ that deepens daily? Knowing and understanding why we want to pray will enable us to reach our goal. Personal needs, needs of loved ones, friend requests, requests from church members, world issues, prayer for leaders and pastors, family needs, and prayers to draw nearer to God are probably the most common requests we lift to God. As we continue to develop our relationship and live with a deeper eternal perspective, we recognize many more topics to carry to God in our quiet time. We need Him so much in every way as we journey through this life and prepare for the next. Jesus taught us that we should examine our relationship with our Heavenly Father, the reasons we pray, and the way we pray. What are the most effective methods to pray? 1. Prayer does not have to be fancy. Be faithful, be authentic; speak from your heart. Be focused on our Heavenly Father, not wondering how much longer you should pray, whether the kids are going to come busting through the door, or whether it’s time to eat yet. 1 Kings 8:28 says, “Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today.” 2. Pray with confidence formed through a secure and growing relationship with Jesus. Psalm 55:1-2a says, “Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me.” His word promises His love for us. We can approach His throne with assurance that He hears and sees us. 3. Always pray in alignment with scripture and the character of God. Psalm 139:23 says, “Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.” A deep prayer relationship with the Lord will align our heart and desires to His, not require God to fulfill our wishes and motives. 4. Trust that prayer works. When you don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit will intercede. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” When we are followers of Jesus, we are guaranteed that the Holy Spirit is alive and active within us. During the times we carry intense pressure, heavy concerns, or are in deep emotional, mental, physical, financial, or spiritual pain, the Holy Spirit Himself does not need us to verbalize our emotions or desires. The Spirit intercedes because He searches our hearts, knows the mind of our Father, and makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27). 5. Rest in knowing that God hears and is at work. Psalm 102:17 says, “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer.” Psalm 55:16-17 promise, “As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” 6. Remain in prayerful attitude, even when not physically praying. Release your cares and prayers and believe what you cannot see. Mark 9:29 says, “So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Determine in your heart and through meditation with the Lord whether you need to fast. Fasting is something God would direct us to do or is a sacrifice we willingly and privately make for Him. It is not only abstaining from food, but may be anything that pulls us from Him. Something that your heart desires more than God such as television, shopping, video games, phones, social media, etc. can be lifted in sacrifice to God for a season or permanently. Many years ago God clearly requested that I fast from reading mainstream fiction. After I did so, He made it clear that He had a new direction for my life and also called me to stop writing fiction. A little backstory is important to insert here. During most of my life at that point, I had carried a deep desire to be a published author. I had written several mainstream novels that I intended to polish and present to agents and editors for publication. Although it was painful to let the dream go, I recognized that writing was like breathing air for me, but I needed my relationship with God to be my source of oxygen. After stepping away from writing, I stopped reading small passages of my Bible and began reading it in entirety several times. My walk with God deepened and our relationship blossomed in ways it never could have if I had continued living the way I had been. A few years later God took my husband and I on an adoption journey that He had laid the foundation for during that time of deep yearning and reconstruction of my faith. I had never prayed about whether God wanted me to be a mainstream writer. I had only prayed that He would help me become an author. He clearly had other desires for my life. I only found true joy and peace when I submitted to, prayed for His desires, and followed what He created me to do. 7. Live with gratitude, whether or not your prayer is answered the way you want God to answer, and even when His timing is not want we desire. Our attitude easily dictates the future of our faith journey. 2 Corinthians 4:15 says, “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” I waited approximately 43 years for God to answer my prayer that my dad stop drinking. The answer was not in the way I hoped for or expected, but God’s answer was an intimate method that was personal between my father and myself. 8. Listen and evaluate what you believe God reveals to you through prayer. Make sure it is from Him. Does it align with His nature and word? Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” 9. Lift God’s word to Him in prayer. There is absolute power behind the word of God. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Using prayer in praise and petition is mighty. A beautiful way to begin prayer time is to pray scripture that praises God and Who He is. Praying scripture also connects our heart to God and prepares us to worship and petition more as He would desire. God’s holy word is highly effective and absolutely never returns void. 10. Model prayer life after Jesus. Growing and sustaining a prosperous walk with God was a top priority for Jesus. He knew His reason for living and was devoted to knowing, trusting, and making God known. Various scriptures attest to the life Jesus led through prayer. Proverbs 15:8 says, “The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases Him.” Jesus was very deliberate about the way He approached His Heavenly Father and the way He prayed. As we review sections of scripture, we recognize distinct approaches Jesus used to pray because of His reverence and love for God. Matthew 6:5-15 and Luke 11:1-4 are both nearly the same, but the verses from Matthew indicate that the prayer was shared during the Sermon on the Mount while those from Luke illustrate instructions Jesus gave to His disciples regarding prayer. How I would have loved to stand with Jesus and have Him personally teach me how to pray! Thankfully, we have instructions through His word and the Holy Spirit inside us to advise, train, and discipline us. I will read both passages of scripture and highlight points of each that enrich our prayer life and journey with God. Let’s start with Luke 11:1-4. “And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” If we reflect on these words of Jesus as He instructed His disciples on the heart of prayer, we are able to clearly see 7 important points He mentored for us to follow. The prayer, known as The Lord’s Prayer is not meant to be mindlessly repeated verbatim, but as an outline to encourage us to focus on certain qualities and aspects of God as we come before our Lord in prayer instead of focusing on ourselves or whatever whim we may desire to approach Him for. 1. Approach God as our Father - because He is. He may not be flesh and blood standing next to us where we can see Him, but He is beside, within, and before us. 2. Adore Him. He is our Creator, our Provider, our Comforter, and our Healer. He is holy. He is worthy to be praised! Hallowed be His name. 3. Allow His authority and His will to reign in our hearts, minds, and attitudes. 4. Accept God’s ability to provide. Believe that He will. 5. Admit that He is sovereign, and we are sinners. 6. Abundant strength against temptation will protect us if we become and remain grounded in and reliant on Him. God is sufficient for our every need. 7. Armor is His specialty. God is our Shield, our Protector. Now let’s review Matthew 6:5-15. Jesus says, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 1. When the Pharisees prayed, it was at arranged times and in front of public places so that they could be recognized and praised for their so-called devotion to God. Jesus is not criticizing public prayer, rather, He is exposing and denouncing false and self-absorbed prayer. The core of prayer is personal. While we may pray for others, our purpose and desires through prayer are between us and our Father. Even when we pray aloud in a public setting, our heart and mind should be focused on, meditating on, and speaking to Him. 2. The Lord’s Prayer is a beautiful example of the qualities Jesus desires us to possess as we pray. However, while it is acceptable to pray as written in the Bible, we must not allow routine or memorized prayers to flow mindlessly from our heart and lips. The Lord desires and deserves our mind and heart to be alive and active when we humbly bow before Him. This prayer template modeled by Jesus sets the tone and instructs us how to pray the priorities of our Father. 3. As we pray to our Father in Heaven as Jesus designed, we acknowledge God’s deep and profoundly intimate love for us, His children and recognize His promise that we are heirs in His family. 4. The beautiful words, “Your kingdom come” reveal both God’s spiritual reign and His approaching sovereignty over all of creation. When believers become Christians, we receive the Spirit of God within us, but will also experience the fulfillment of God’s kingdom when Jesus returns in His full eminence and institutes His glorious new world order. 5. As we pray for our “daily bread,” we submissively recognize and accept our dependence on God to supply our every need. He does not always grant us exactly what we desire, but it is always greater than we could anticipate and exactly meets our needs. 6. As Jesus extended forgiveness to us, we must also forgive others. Often, when we are wounded, the only way we can forgive is through the mighty, supernatural power of the Lord. In order to do this, our relationship with God must be a priority. Believers must also regularly confess our sins to the Lord and seek to live in the ways we know He desires and are acceptable when exposed by His light. Otherwise, our relationship will weaken and can become strained or closed off. Although God has promised that we can never be plucked from His hand, when we are not living as we should, we do easily drift away from Him. 7. When we live in the power and light of God, and are striving to be pleasing to Him, our prayers are heard and answered as we pray in the ways that are desirable and acceptable to Him. When we pray for protection from temptation and the evil one, God will hear and provide. Jesus was not hesitant to be alone. He craved and created quiet time with His Father. Another way Jesus modeled a perfect prayer life was in the way He often sought and found ways to be alone with His Heavenly Father. Luke 5:16 says, “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” How do we expect to hear God speaking to and guiding us when we are always distracted and preoccupied? Jesus knew the importance of solitude and respected and honored His Father enough to ensure that He made the time. Here are three other examples of Jesus seeking the Father in private. Matthew 14:23 says, “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.” Luke 6:12 says, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Mark 1:35 says, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” God gave us His Holy word, so full of wisdom and instruction, as well as the perfect living example of truth and light - Jesus, God in flesh, who walked among us, the template, the way to serve, love, and honor Him. What ultimate gifts we have received. I’d like to share one more passage of scripture that is so beautifully written and models devotion for our Father, sacrificial love for the disciples and all who would believe in Him. These verses are full of discipleship, obedience, and fulfillment that could probably be another podcast on their own. I believe they are beautiful words to end this episode because they expose the pure heart of our Savior and instruct His followers on the way to mold our heart to follow God’s. John 17:1-26 says, “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify You. For you granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began. “I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have obeyed Your word. Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. For I gave them the words You gave Me, and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given me, for they are Yours. All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. And glory has come to Me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father protect them by the power of Your name, the name You gave me, so that they may be one as We are One. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name You gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. “I am coming to You now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them. I have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. “Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know You, I know You, and they know that You have sent Me. I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Prayer brings us closer to God through continuous communication, recognition, and admittance that God is the provider of our needs, acknowledgement that He is enough, and that we trust Him to care for us. We come to understand God through prayerful reliance on Him, compelling us to depend on the Holy Spirit within us. Prayer forces us to wait on the Lord and listen for His response or direction. Our patience and faith mature as we submit to our Father. My heart yearns for each of us to experience a prayer life like Jesus. May your heart be touched by the humble example of a living God who came to live for a time on earth, but still reigns in Heaven and within the hearts of each of us who follow Him. What a miracle and gift that He desires deep communication with us through the act of prayer. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, would you please make time to leave a review and rating for the show? Send me an email at thedoovermom@gmail.com if you don’t know how and I will walk you through step-by-step. I pray you find value in our weekly topics. In order for others to be able to hear about Jesus through Live With Eternal Perspective, I need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift this podcast higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Right now, because the podcast is new and the following is small, listeners won’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. Can you think of a friend who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them so that they will also find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 018 Prayer Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #018 – Prayer Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Sharing about my family and the faith God has crafted in us through the years is such a joy for me. Recognizing methods that He uses to stretch and challenge me daily feels like a gift extended in lessons for me to grasp and share. As I have matured, both in age, and in wisdom, I have recognized the simple truth that prayer is not an option. It is a dire necessity for any soul desiring to be filled with the fruits of the spirit and to live a life pleasing to God, expectant of the rich blessing of intimate and personal fellowship with our Creator. In order to cultivate the qualities that Jesus carried, we must cling to Him through a relationship that craves and adores Him and desires to live in ways that are productive for Him. Without faith, I would not be the person I am or have a peaceful, calm nature that carries me through situations with a positive and hopeful temperament. Prayer is a crucial element for growing my faith in, and dependence on, the Lord. Prayer has grown to be such an automatic response within my brain and body that like breathing, I often do not even realize I am speaking to God. When disaster strikes or emergencies arise, my first response is to fall in humble position before my Father and ask Him to carry the load. Even when the situation is too critical for prayer because time is urgent, my mind and mouth utter the sweet words that bring me comfort and peace each time I say His name aloud. Jesus. Just like every aspect of our faith life, prayer must be something we desire. Once we have acknowledged the fact that we require this lifeline and discipline in our walk with the Lord, we will establish methods to ensure that we connect through this worship and petition that is so much more than we often suspect when we begin our faith journey with God. Prayer exposes our core belief system. Kneeling before our Lord in supplication, whether literally or through our heart and mindset, is a natural extension of our personal relationship with and belief in Him. Our reliance on God through the act of prayer exhibits our dependence on our Heavenly Father, humbling our position with Him, and proving the level of our reliance on Him. How do we establish a lifestyle of prayer? The important word to ponder shouldn’t be how, but rather, Who. Jesus is our life and prayer model. When God sent His son to earth, it wasn’t only to offer His life as a sacrifice for our sins. God stepped into this world to exist and walk among us. He came to show us exactly how to live and how to pray. I think the time period Jesus lived in was significant, as well. Obviously, the particular time frame was crucial in order for events to occur as God ordained, but beyond that, if we examine the way of life during that period compared to our current lifestyle, we admit that we have a comparative life of ease and comfort. Yet, despite daily requirements for survival, chores, and occupation, then later the pressures and demands of His ministry, Jesus consistently made sure He spent time with His Heavenly Father. Our affluent lifestyles have occupied every second of our day and keep us permanently distracted with work, activities, and electronics. No matter the purpose for our commitment to a particular task, our souls were created with a deep need to be nurtured and refreshed by God and our minds need the interaction, guidance, and wisdom that only He can supply. We were not created for constant preoccupation with earthly diversions. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Jesus, through His perfect example of Son seeking Father, committed to sacrificing for God. He willingly planned and enjoyed spending time with His Father. To stand in the presence of God was His desire, His lifeline. 1. Jesus prayed without ceasing. His breath and thoughts coexisted in behavior and habits of praise developed through reliance on and relationship with God through prayer. He existed in a constant state of heart and prayer connection. 2. Jesus prepared for prayer. His mind and attitude were qualified to hear God. His heart was primed. As we bow before God with petition, our personal sins must be released. We should seek repentance and restoration with our Heavenly Father before imploring Him with requests. In other words, our communication should consistently be prioritized, and our walk refreshed moment by moment. Relationship with God is a mutual and emotional connection requiring our commitment and diligence in order for it to flourish. James 5:16 reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Instead of bowing before our Lord without much forethought, or asking others who appear “godlier” in their Christian walk to carry our prayer burdens, Jesus modeled the way for us to open ourselves to a regular and intentional personal time with God. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking others to petition the Lord for us or for us to pray for others, but in order for us to grow and deepen our own connection with God, we need intimate, intentional, consistent, solitary moments to share undisturbed and undistracted time with Christ alone. Obviously, the easiest way to create this time is to simply begin with the determination to persist until regular time is established. Genuine and connected relationship is the goal, not a fancy, complicated system. Meeting with God can be as simple as getting up early or staying up late or carving out time through the day. If a special area needs to be designed in order to move ahead, a spare room, or an area in an existing space, such as a favorite desk or chair, or a piece of floor in the closet may also work. It is also important to analyze why we want to pray. Do we view the time as a way to mark a box off of our spiritual checklist? Or do we crave a personal relationship with Christ that deepens daily? Knowing and understanding why we want to pray will enable us to reach our goal. Personal needs, needs of loved ones, friend requests, requests from church members, world issues, prayer for leaders and pastors, family needs, and prayers to draw nearer to God are probably the most common requests we lift to God. As we continue to develop our relationship and live with a deeper eternal perspective, we recognize many more topics to carry to God in our quiet time. We need Him so much in every way as we journey through this life and prepare for the next. Jesus taught us that we should examine our relationship with our Heavenly Father, the reasons we pray, and the way we pray. What are the most effective methods to pray? 1. Prayer does not have to be fancy. Be faithful, be authentic; speak from your heart. Be focused on our Heavenly Father, not wondering how much longer you should pray, whether the kids are going to come busting through the door, or whether it’s time to eat yet. 1 Kings 8:28 says, “Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today.” 2. Pray with confidence formed through a secure and growing relationship with Jesus. Psalm 55:1-2a says, “Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me.” His word promises His love for us. We can approach His throne with assurance that He hears and sees us. 3. Always pray in alignment with scripture and the character of God. Psalm 139:23 says, “Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.” A deep prayer relationship with the Lord will align our heart and desires to His, not require God to fulfill our wishes and motives. 4. Trust that prayer works. When you don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit will intercede. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” When we are followers of Jesus, we are guaranteed that the Holy Spirit is alive and active within us. During the times we carry intense pressure, heavy concerns, or are in deep emotional, mental, physical, financial, or spiritual pain, the Holy Spirit Himself does not need us to verbalize our emotions or desires. The Spirit intercedes because He searches our hearts, knows the mind of our Father, and makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27). 5. Rest in knowing that God hears and is at work. Psalm 102:17 says, “He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer.” Psalm 55:16-17 promise, “As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” 6. Remain in prayerful attitude, even when not physically praying. Release your cares and prayers and believe what you cannot see. Mark 9:29 says, “So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Determine in your heart and through meditation with the Lord whether you need to fast. Fasting is something God would direct us to do or is a sacrifice we willingly and privately make for Him. It is not only abstaining from food, but may be anything that pulls us from Him. Something that your heart desires more than God such as television, shopping, video games, phones, social media, etc. can be lifted in sacrifice to God for a season or permanently. Many years ago God clearly requested that I fast from reading mainstream fiction. After I did so, He made it clear that He had a new direction for my life and also called me to stop writing fiction. A little backstory is important to insert here. During most of my life at that point, I had carried a deep desire to be a published author. I had written several mainstream novels that I intended to polish and present to agents and editors for publication. Although it was painful to let the dream go, I recognized that writing was like breathing air for me, but I needed my relationship with God to be my source of oxygen. After stepping away from writing, I stopped reading small passages of my Bible and began reading it in entirety several times. My walk with God deepened and our relationship blossomed in ways it never could have if I had continued living the way I had been. A few years later God took my husband and I on an adoption journey that He had laid the foundation for during that time of deep yearning and reconstruction of my faith. I had never prayed about whether God wanted me to be a mainstream writer. I had only prayed that He would help me become an author. He clearly had other desires for my life. I only found true joy and peace when I submitted to, prayed for His desires, and followed what He created me to do. 7. Live with gratitude, whether or not your prayer is answered the way you want God to answer, and even when His timing is not want we desire. Our attitude easily dictates the future of our faith journey. 2 Corinthians 4:15 says, “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” I waited approximately 43 years for God to answer my prayer that my dad stop drinking. The answer was not in the way I hoped for or expected, but God’s answer was an intimate method that was personal between my father and myself. 8. Listen and evaluate what you believe God reveals to you through prayer. Make sure it is from Him. Does it align with His nature and word? Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” 9. Lift God’s word to Him in prayer. There is absolute power behind the word of God. Isaiah 55:11 says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Using prayer in praise and petition is mighty. A beautiful way to begin prayer time is to pray scripture that praises God and Who He is. Praying scripture also connects our heart to God and prepares us to worship and petition more as He would desire. God’s holy word is highly effective and absolutely never returns void. 10. Model prayer life after Jesus. Growing and sustaining a prosperous walk with God was a top priority for Jesus. He knew His reason for living and was devoted to knowing, trusting, and making God known. Various scriptures attest to the life Jesus led through prayer. Proverbs 15:8 says, “The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases Him.” Jesus was very deliberate about the way He approached His Heavenly Father and the way He prayed. As we review sections of scripture, we recognize distinct approaches Jesus used to pray because of His reverence and love for God. Matthew 6:5-15 and Luke 11:1-4 are both nearly the same, but the verses from Matthew indicate that the prayer was shared during the Sermon on the Mount while those from Luke illustrate instructions Jesus gave to His disciples regarding prayer. How I would have loved to stand with Jesus and have Him personally teach me how to pray! Thankfully, we have instructions through His word and the Holy Spirit inside us to advise, train, and discipline us. I will read both passages of scripture and highlight points of each that enrich our prayer life and journey with God. Let’s start with Luke 11:1-4. “And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” If we reflect on these words of Jesus as He instructed His disciples on the heart of prayer, we are able to clearly see 7 important points He mentored for us to follow. The prayer, known as The Lord’s Prayer is not meant to be mindlessly repeated verbatim, but as an outline to encourage us to focus on certain qualities and aspects of God as we come before our Lord in prayer instead of focusing on ourselves or whatever whim we may desire to approach Him for. 1. Approach God as our Father - because He is. He may not be flesh and blood standing next to us where we can see Him, but He is beside, within, and before us. 2. Adore Him. He is our Creator, our Provider, our Comforter, and our Healer. He is holy. He is worthy to be praised! Hallowed be His name. 3. Allow His authority and His will to reign in our hearts, minds, and attitudes. 4. Accept God’s ability to provide. Believe that He will. 5. Admit that He is sovereign, and we are sinners. 6. Abundant strength against temptation will protect us if we become and remain grounded in and reliant on Him. God is sufficient for our every need. 7. Armor is His specialty. God is our Shield, our Protector. Now let’s review Matthew 6:5-15. Jesus says, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 1. When the Pharisees prayed, it was at arranged times and in front of public places so that they could be recognized and praised for their so-called devotion to God. Jesus is not criticizing public prayer, rather, He is exposing and denouncing false and self-absorbed prayer. The core of prayer is personal. While we may pray for others, our purpose and desires through prayer are between us and our Father. Even when we pray aloud in a public setting, our heart and mind should be focused on, meditating on, and speaking to Him. 2. The Lord’s Prayer is a beautiful example of the qualities Jesus desires us to possess as we pray. However, while it is acceptable to pray as written in the Bible, we must not allow routine or memorized prayers to flow mindlessly from our heart and lips. The Lord desires and deserves our mind and heart to be alive and active when we humbly bow before Him. This prayer template modeled by Jesus sets the tone and instructs us how to pray the priorities of our Father. 3. As we pray to our Father in Heaven as Jesus designed, we acknowledge God’s deep and profoundly intimate love for us, His children and recognize His promise that we are heirs in His family. 4. The beautiful words, “Your kingdom come” reveal both God’s spiritual reign and His approaching sovereignty over all of creation. When believers become Christians, we receive the Spirit of God within us, but will also experience the fulfillment of God’s kingdom when Jesus returns in His full eminence and institutes His glorious new world order. 5. As we pray for our “daily bread,” we submissively recognize and accept our dependence on God to supply our every need. He does not always grant us exactly what we desire, but it is always greater than we could anticipate and exactly meets our needs. 6. As Jesus extended forgiveness to us, we must also forgive others. Often, when we are wounded, the only way we can forgive is through the mighty, supernatural power of the Lord. In order to do this, our relationship with God must be a priority. Believers must also regularly confess our sins to the Lord and seek to live in the ways we know He desires and are acceptable when exposed by His light. Otherwise, our relationship will weaken and can become strained or closed off. Although God has promised that we can never be plucked from His hand, when we are not living as we should, we do easily drift away from Him. 7. When we live in the power and light of God, and are striving to be pleasing to Him, our prayers are heard and answered as we pray in the ways that are desirable and acceptable to Him. When we pray for protection from temptation and the evil one, God will hear and provide. Jesus was not hesitant to be alone. He craved and created quiet time with His Father. Another way Jesus modeled a perfect prayer life was in the way He often sought and found ways to be alone with His Heavenly Father. Luke 5:16 says, “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” How do we expect to hear God speaking to and guiding us when we are always distracted and preoccupied? Jesus knew the importance of solitude and respected and honored His Father enough to ensure that He made the time. Here are three other examples of Jesus seeking the Father in private. Matthew 14:23 says, “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.” Luke 6:12 says, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Mark 1:35 says, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” God gave us His Holy word, so full of wisdom and instruction, as well as the perfect living example of truth and light - Jesus, God in flesh, who walked among us, the template, the way to serve, love, and honor Him. What ultimate gifts we have received. I’d like to share one more passage of scripture that is so beautifully written and models devotion for our Father, sacrificial love for the disciples and all who would believe in Him. These verses are full of discipleship, obedience, and fulfillment that could probably be another podcast on their own. I believe they are beautiful words to end this episode because they expose the pure heart of our Savior and instruct His followers on the way to mold our heart to follow God’s. John 17:1-26 says, “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify You. For you granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began. “I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have obeyed Your word. Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. For I gave them the words You gave Me, and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given me, for they are Yours. All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. And glory has come to Me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father protect them by the power of Your name, the name You gave me, so that they may be one as We are One. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name You gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. “I am coming to You now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them. I have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. “Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know You, I know You, and they know that You have sent Me. I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Prayer brings us closer to God through continuous communication, recognition, and admittance that God is the provider of our needs, acknowledgement that He is enough, and that we trust Him to care for us. We come to understand God through prayerful reliance on Him, compelling us to depend on the Holy Spirit within us. Prayer forces us to wait on the Lord and listen for His response or direction. Our patience and faith mature as we submit to our Father. My heart yearns for each of us to experience a prayer life like Jesus. May your heart be touched by the humble example of a living God who came to live for a time on earth, but still reigns in Heaven and within the hearts of each of us who follow Him. What a miracle and gift that He desires deep communication with us through the act of prayer. Did you enjoy this episode? If so, would you please make time to leave a review and rating for the show? Send me an email at thedoovermom@gmail.com if you don’t know how and I will walk you through step-by-step. I pray you find value in our weekly topics. In order for others to be able to hear about Jesus through Live With Eternal Perspective, I need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift this podcast higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Right now, because the podcast is new and the following is small, listeners won’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. Can you think of a friend who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them so that they will also find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 069 - Interview with Marissa Hitt/CEO Melane & Co. The transcript of this interview is available on Apple Podcast. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 115 - How to Teach Your Child to Turn From Sin and to God's Grace Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 115 – How to Teach Your Child to Turn From Sin and to God's Grace Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode about how to teach your child to turn from sin and to God’s grace. Have you ever done something in your life that you knew was direct disobedience to God? Or maybe you didn’t know it at the time, but later your heart was pierced with grief at the way you sinned against God. Perhaps you knew at the time that you were sinning against God, but rebelled as you chose to walk in your way. Repentance goes beyond simply being sorry. Repentance drives us to our knees before God and leads to changed heart and actions. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death .” Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord .” In the Old Testament God demands that people turn away from their sin and wickedness, and in the New Testament we read about repentance in the stories of specific people such as John the Baptist, Peter, the disciples, Paul, and Jesus. When we consider biblical characters who sinned and repented, we can think of King David or Paul. Both of them show mighty examples of how a person can sin greatly against God and others, yet find true, life-changing repentance. In order to find such a move of conscience that leads to change bringing a deeper relationship with God, there are a few requirements. 1. We must experience godly sorrow for our sin. This isn’t simply being sorry we got caught, but a sorrow that pierces our heart with the realization that we have sinned greatly against God Almighty. 2. Next, we must confess our sin. When we have sinned against someone it is always wise to ask them for forgiveness, which sets us on the right path to come before God. 3. We must also confess before God, asking Him for forgiveness. This is the most important step in repentance. We must learn to come before our Heavenly Father with a heart for forgiveness and change. 4. As we realize we have sinned before God, and ask Him for forgiveness, we also ask Him to keep us from repeating that sin or others, we receive deeper fellowship and humble obedience. 5. In order to continue to deepen our walk with God, we must also continue seeking Him daily. He knows our weaknesses and as we step into His arms and ask Him to keep us obedient to Him, He hears our cries. Psalm 51:1-6 says, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place .” Teach your child that God is merciful in little ways daily. He doesn’t wait for us to mess up so He can punish us. Instead, He waits for us to turn to Him with sincere repentance. We are all sinners, but God doesn’t leave us in that state. In His loving righteous care for us, He has given us the ability to be cleansed. Psalm 51:10-12 show us how God delights as we desire a pure heart. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me .” Psalm 51:17 finishes with a plea we desire our child to utter before God. It’s also what we should be doing moment by moment. “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise .” Now that we’ve discussed repentance and what it is, how do you teach your child to have a heart for seeking God and living with a repentant heart? As you build the foundation of faith for your child in all the ways we’ve discussed in previous episodes, help him or her to build faith and trust on God's Word and truths. Remind your children to turn to Scripture in every circumstance of life. Help them do that by sharing Scripture early in your time with them. Refer to God’s Word when you lovingly disciple them in their disobedience. Yes, you discipline your child, but do so with the heart of discipleship, not punishment. They will suffer consequences of their actions, but you never want to discipline for the sake of punishment. You aren’t trying to beat your child down, but are attempting to lift them up in the Lord and mold their heart for Him. Help your children direct desires and actions according to God's Word. As you teach day by day, look up passages that have to do with sin, character, integrity, and so on. Show your children how to use biblical truths and commands to guide their morals and integrity. Let your child see you do the same each day. Talk to them about how you use God’s Word to guide your daily life, choices, and actions. Show your children how you repent and ask God for forgiveness in your daily life - apologize to them and others when needed. Teach them how God deals with sin and repentance in the Bible and show them how to apply those teachings in their life. God's grace is greater than our sin, but He requires us to repent and turn away from sin through His strength. Remember, we are always parenting the hearts of our children and with the desire to help them shape character and behavior that is Christlike and pleasing to God. Everything can be used for His glory and as ways to teach for Him. Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled to come before You and thankful for Your mighty presence in our life. Thank you for the freedom to make choices, and for the grace You offer when we make mistakes, yet come to You with a heart of repentance. Help us change to be more pleasing in Your sight. Help us to teach the qualities You desire to our children and to show them Your heart and truths. Help us teach them by our actions, desires, and through Your Holy Word. May we use Your truths as the way to their heart. May our life be godly examples they can see and may we lead them straight into Your arms. Please keep them from sinning against You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. This is the part of the episode that you usually hear me talk about the Set-Apart Collective. Today I want to share about my new mini program called “Establish Identity.” Why? Your identity is a major force behind what you do. Who you believe yourself to be, and who you find your identity through affects the way you live, parent, love, serve, and discipline. Your identity is one of the lifelines, a pulse point of your home. Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Even if they are grown, your identity affects your child. The way you think, speak, and react is rooted in your identity. Send me a message at info@terrihitt.com if you’d like details or go to terrihitt.com and join my email list. You’ll get updates before anyone else and hear a little about what makes this so important. If you join the email list you’ll also be able to access free resources such as my new Good to Godly: A 31 Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms. One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 133 - Stop Getting in God's Way: Let Him Parent Through You Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 133 – Stop Getting in God’s Way: Let Him Parent Through You Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Before we start today’s episode, I want to invite you to work with me. If you’re feeling overwhelm instead of overjoy, or you simply feel you don’t have time to do all the things you think will help your kids know Christ, send me a message at info@terrihitt.com . There is a way to alleviate frustration or fear and find freedom as a godly mom. No matter the age of your kids, from infant to adult, your relationship can improve and you can find greater connection with Jesus that will affect theirs. Send me a message today for info about how easy it is to work together and begin experiencing change for only $397. Now, let's talk about how to stop getting in God's way, so you can let Him parent through you. One of the best revelations a follower of Christ can make is jumping into and abiding in the arms of God. People often remark that they’re walking with God, or holding His hand. I want you to be intentional. Go deeper. Our Heavenly Father never belongs by our side. The Lord of All, Prince of Peace, Author and Perfecter of our Faith, and the Alpha and Omega holds out His strong and capable arms, ready for us to rest and abide within His arms. This means He isn’t behind or beside us. Instead, He is the One carrying and sustaining you through every disturbance, disruption, and delight. Where are you now? Are you abiding in the Father’s arms? Or are you choosing to trust Jesus for eternity, but not for each moment? Matthew 14:22-33 says, “Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God .” What a decision Peter made! He chose to step out of the boat and into the choppy, stormy waters to walk toward Jesus. While His eyes and mind were centered on Jesus, Peter actually walked on the water! When his focus slipped away from Christ and fell to self and surroundings, Peter experienced fear, panic, and difficulties. Jesus had not moved; He had not changed. Jesus remained centered on Peter and ready to care for him. Peter’s mind moved away from Jesus and he began to sink. Focus marks the distinction between faith and fear. Are you choosing to focus on self, the world and those around you, or on the Only One who can carry you? While it is easy to blame Peter and belittle his faith, he was willing to be the one who walked toward Jesus. Peter was willing to leave the other disciples, leave what he knew, and venture alone into the turbulent waters toward Jesus. The other men remain unchanged and unmoving inside the boat while Peter took the risk of trusting Christ. Why did the others remain in the boat? Why didn’t they walk with Peter? Why is it so difficult to place and keep our mind, heart, and focus on Christ? What do people struggle to trust God with each occasion and stage of life? There are actually multiple reasons. Let’s look at what the most common causes are and how we can turn to Scripture to battle them. 1. Trust – It can be difficult to trust or believe in what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen .” John 20:29 says, “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed .” 2. Worry/Anxiety – It’s easy to imagine what might happen and allow our thoughts to spiral out of control. Anxiety and stress are products of this world, not by-products of the Way. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you .” Matthew 6:31-34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble .” 3. Control – We don’t want to relinquish our perceived control. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest .” Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God .” The only One who holds control is our Father. You weren’t meant to be in charge. Release the need and trust as you lay in His hands. 4. Doubt – When things don’t go the way we desire or think they should or if we begin to wonder why there is hardship and evil in the world, doubt can begin to creep in. Hebrew 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen .” Matthew 6:30 says, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith ?” 5. Sinfulness – I also like to call this selfishness. When we don’t want to give up sin, we are choosing self over Christ. We’re also choosing self over our family. Personal sin always affects those who love us. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body .” Romans 7:22-23 says, “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members .” 6. Arrogance/Pride – Pride rears up in each of us through different ways. Whether it be entitlement, perfectionism, bragging, if we think we are superior to someone or deserve something more than another, the root of each thought ties back to arrogance or pride. James 4:6 says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble .” James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you .” 7. Unworthiness – Each of us was bought with a price. The life of Jesus was exchanged so that we could begin to understand our great worth to God. Isaiah 43:18 says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old .” Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope .” Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they ?” 8. Fear – When fear creeps in, it’s because we’ve taken our mind and eyes off of God and centered them on self or surroundings. Every time I have felt fear even begin to touch me I stop and focus on Jesus (and in my mind I actually picture blinders on my face that force my vision upwards on God). As I rest in His presence and pray to Him about the situation I am fearing, He takes the burden and calms any fears. It is said that God leaves the message “Do not fear” 365 times in the Bible. I'm not sure whether that is an accurate count, but I trust that the Lord gives us the command as many times as needed. He knows our thoughts can easily be distracted and move from His sovereign holiness and perfect provision and protection. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears .” Psalm 115:11 says, “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.” John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid .” 9. Faith – Perhaps our belief doesn’t feel real or big enough. Maybe difficult times in the past, unanswered prayers, or present hardships may cause us to feel like God has forsaken us or that He isn’t real. Each of the points we discussed can arguably return back to the thought of faith that is too little. But remember, God’s Word tells us all we need is a faith the size of a mustard seed. Plant that seed and let it grow and mature through Christ. James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing .” Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us .” We each know how easy it can be to allow self or situations to distract us and move our eyes off Christ. Being aware of this offers us the opportunity to purposely prepare to be ahead of our next season of trials. Intentionally living in ways that set us up to trust God gives us assurance that our focus will not be easily swayed this moment or tomorrow. That’s the only way to be able to mentor this behavior full of faith and trust to your children. Without you living in ways that magnify the Lord and His mighty work in your life, your testimony won’t influence generations for Jesus. How can you live in ways that set your family up to trust God for eternity and the everyday? 1. Know Jesus through a personal relationship. 2. Read and study God’s word. 3. Prayer – speak to God and listen for God. 4. Pursue close relationship with God daily. 5. Invite and allow Christ to transform your life. 6. Decide to rest and abide in His arms. Take your thoughts captive for Christ and see the difference He makes to your surrendered soul. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me .” Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places .” As you study God’s Word and think about or pray about the verses we read today, ponder the following questions: Teach these question and habits to your children to continue. 1. What does this verse promise? 2. What does this verse command? 3. Where do I need to apply this in my life? Ask God to carry your cares and deepen your faith and trust. He alone is able to reach the crevices of your body and spirit and remedy what troubles you. He alone can use your faithfulness to influence your whole family for Him. Dear Heavenly Father, Your love for us is so great! Your glory fills the earth and yet we fail to experience Your love and power as You desire. Help us to see You clearly as Your word instructs and to love us with a love that fills us in the deep and dark spaces of need we each carry. Thank you for loving us first and for making a way straight to You through Jesus. Help our faith to be full, alive, and active. Enable us to cling to You through every moment we face and trust in Your provision and protection despite what happens in the world around us. Fix our eyes and our heart on You. Help us mentor our children to do the same. In the precious name of Your Holy Son, Jesus we pray. Amen. If you have questions after this episode, please reach out to me at info@terrihitt.com . I’m happy to help you discover the ways you can ensure you trust and submit to God to lead your parenting. I also have a resource that you’ll find helpful as you navigate your daily routine as a mom. If you’re ready to become the godly mother God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. Remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

We live in a world that tells your child to trust feelings to define who they are, but God's Word instructs differently. How to Help Your Child Develop (Godly) Confidence will give you tips and Scripture to equip you to build confidence that will last and strengthen your child (and yourself) through identity in Christ. Help Your Child Develop (Godly) Confidence We live in a world that tells your child to trust feelings to define who they are, but God's Word instructs differently. How to Help Your Child Develop (Godly) Confidence will give you tips and Scripture to equip you to build confidence that will last and strengthen your child (and yourself) through identity in Christ. Download

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #111 – The Way, the Truth, and the Life Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective. My children ask a lot of questions. I’ve always encouraged curiosity and learning. We believe there are no dumb or silly questions. In fact, I teach that the smarter a person is, the more questions they will ask. There is one specific question each person should ask during their lifetime. The question, “Who is Jesus?” will cause them to seek the most important answer each person will need to discover. When most people are asked this question, they answer in simple terms. Perhaps they say Jesus is God’s Son. Maybe they answer that He is their Savior. While both are true, Jesus Christ is so much more. Even the truths I present in this podcast will not come close to everything that Jesus is and will be. When we think of the characteristics of Jesus, the first qualities that may spring to mind are words such as: God, Teacher, Judge, Sinless, Obedient, Mediator, Savior, Eternal, Heir, Healer, Servant, King, Son, Anointed, and Resurrected. All of these are true and accurate, but still don’t grasp the beauty and majesty of Jesus. Words are easy to use without pondering the rich meaning of the description. Without the blessed resource of scripture to back truths about Jesus, I think it is impossible for our human mind and heart to grasp all that Jesus really is. Even when we read the bible and learn all we can about Jesus, He is so far above and beyond us that we struggle to fathom His glory. As was written in the gospel of John, Jesus is the divine Son of God who came to this world in human flesh to save all who believe in Him. Jesus changes lives. Our pursuit of Jesus invites Him to renew our soul and spirit. Studying Jesus arouses new belief or affirms existing belief in Him. In fact, whether you believe in Who He proclaims to be or not, most people at least believe Jesus lived. Those who hold a special relationship with Jesus because we have read the scriptures and believed the testimonies, know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and receive new life in His name. Scripture clearly proves that Jesus is the only way for us to receive life on earth and for eternity in heaven. Let’s examine 8 basic bible verses that reveal some of what Jesus came to earth to complete for the Father and for us. This is where we view and absorb the truth that Jesus is more than God in flesh on earth, and regard His Divine character and Supreme nature. 1. Jesus is our example of obedience. John 6:38 says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” Jesus’ focus remained on His Father and what God called Him to do. 2. Jesus warns us of the thief. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” Jesus steadfastly warned of the devil and his wickedness, as well as the promise and security through steadfastly remaining with the Father and finding new life through Jesus. 3. Jesus is our light. John 12:46 says, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.” Jesus came to give new, eternal life and conquered the darkness of evil and death through His light. 4. Jesus is our Conquering King. John 18:37 says, “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” Jesus is the King of Kings calling for all who will accept His truth and follow. 5. Jesus is truth. Mark 1:38 says, “But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.” Jesus made time to minister and live His life in this world as He walked among us in earthly flesh, but He never forgot His purpose or that He was the Truth He was to make known. 6. Jesus is our healer. Mark 2:17 says, “On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus saw and loved each person. Although He didn’t bow to their sin or join in it, he associated with sinners because they needed to hear to find healing. 7. Jesus is our judge. John 9:39 says, “Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” After we turn to Christ, we begin to see Him differently. Walking with Jesus alters us, opens our eyes and heart to His truth. Once we have heard the truth of Jesus and experienced Him, we receive spiritual understanding and insight. Those who reject Him, ignoring Truth through self-righteousness or pride, will remain in earthly blindness. 8. Jesus is eternal life. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.” Jesus is the only way to God. Not a limited path, but clear and exact, Jesus extends the Way, a path to God. As Truth, He defines clarity of God. As Life, Jesus came in the flesh of man, joining creator to created, heaven to earth, divine to earthly. Deserving of all the glory and honor we can give Him, Jesus clearly models life on earth and in heaven in many other ways, as well. Instead of making my main focus what Jesus gives me, I want my life focus to be on knowing Who Jesus is. Is this the cry of your heart? As we come to realize more about the deity of Jesus, we realize how far we are from Him and how much we need Him to sustain and rescue us. After being justified through faith in Jesus Christ, sanctification follows as we allow Him to erase our sinful nature and we are fashioned into a new creation as the Holy Spirit works within us. Praise God that I am not the same person I was when I first began my life as a follower of Jesus! A life submitted cannot remain unaltered. Do you see His work within you, too? Scripture presents an in-depth look at Who Jesus is and how He is able to make such a profound change in the world and within us. Of course, I can never list all that Jesus is, has done, or will be, but God’s holy word makes Him known. Just as Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.” Jesus gives us life, fills every void in our life, and is the way to everlasting life. Three major points will be our focus as we search scripture to learn more about Jesus. As I read, rest in the truths, comforts, promises, and power of His holy word. As Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The first set of bible verses I share will prove Jesus’ obedience. Through them we see that He is the perfect example for us to follow. 1. Jesus is The Way John 4:34 says, “Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” John 5:19 says, “So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” John 5:30 says, “I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38 says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” John 8:28 says, “So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.” John 8:42 says, “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.” John 10:37-38 says, “If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.” John 12:49-50 says, “I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” John 14:10 says, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.” John 14:31 says, “But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” John 15:9-11 says, “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John 17:4-5 says, “I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.” How much we learn from studying and following the life of Jesus! Perfect in every way, He obediently follows where God has called. Lord, our heart cries for you to make us more like You! 2. Jesus is Truth John 7:37 says, “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.” John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 8:31b-32 says, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 1:17-18 says, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” Lord, thank you for exposing truth to us! If we know You, we know Truth. This world seeks relative truth or how we feel instead of learning and clinging to Your truths, the standard that gives us life. 3. Jesus is Life John 1:1-5 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” John 6:33 says, “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:48 says, “I am the bread of life.” John 7:37-38 says, “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” John 8:12 says, “Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 10:7 says, “So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:11 says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 11:25 says, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.” John 14:6-7 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” Jesus, You are Life! Thank you for telling us so clearly that the way to live an abundant life is through You. Cause us to desire You and Your definition of abundance so deeply that we cannot stop learning more about You and allowing You to shine more clearly through us for others to grasp the life that exists in and with You. John 21:25 says, “There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written.” This podcast has barely touched on what scripture teaches about Jesus. Beyond what our mind can grasp, Jesus speaks to our heart and whispers for us to recognize and accept Him into our life. It is my prayer that you continue deep study of His word on your own and cling to the Way, the Truth, and the Life with passionate love that grows as you draw nearer to Him. Jesus causes us to look beyond our selfish desires and forces us to ponder the meaning of life and an everlasting existence through eternal perspective. Jesus allows us to see God in flesh at work in our personal life and in all of humanity. How will you respond to Jesus? Once we know and submit to Christ, we are never the same. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that through Christ we have been crucified. We have assurance that we no longer live, but Christ lives within us. We know there is no longer condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus, for we have been set free from the law of sin and death. We praise You Father, for Your goodness and Your everlasting love for us. May we reflect You more and more each moment. May we live good and pleasing lives in Your sight, and by Your estimation, in all godliness and dignity. Thank you that You make Yourself known and that You give us assurance of one way to You, through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for all and is our perfect Mediator. May we reflect Your beauty, love, and honor You with our thoughts and ways. In the precious name of Jesus, our Way, truth, and Life we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I’m humbled to share that my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” has released! I hope you will look for it, follow it, and share both podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. If you find value in what you hear, would you please also place a rating and review at Apple Podcasts or Spotify to enable others to find each podcast? Now that I am writing and hosting two podcasts, I will release episodes of each show every other week instead of in a weekly format. For example, since the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast released this week, the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast will release next week. Some weeks, I may release bonus episodes, making weekly releases, so be sure to watch for those extra episodes when they occur. Please remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that the podcasts draw you nearer to God and help you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 111 - The Way the Truth and the Life Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #111 – The Way, the Truth, and the Life Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective. My children ask a lot of questions. I’ve always encouraged curiosity and learning. We believe there are no dumb or silly questions. In fact, I teach that the smarter a person is, the more questions they will ask. There is one specific question each person should ask during their lifetime. The question, “Who is Jesus?” will cause them to seek the most important answer each person will need to discover. When most people are asked this question, they answer in simple terms. Perhaps they say Jesus is God’s Son. Maybe they answer that He is their Savior. While both are true, Jesus Christ is so much more. Even the truths I present in this podcast will not come close to everything that Jesus is and will be. When we think of the characteristics of Jesus, the first qualities that may spring to mind are words such as: God, Teacher, Judge, Sinless, Obedient, Mediator, Savior, Eternal, Heir, Healer, Servant, King, Son, Anointed, and Resurrected. All of these are true and accurate, but still don’t grasp the beauty and majesty of Jesus. Words are easy to use without pondering the rich meaning of the description. Without the blessed resource of scripture to back truths about Jesus, I think it is impossible for our human mind and heart to grasp all that Jesus really is. Even when we read the bible and learn all we can about Jesus, He is so far above and beyond us that we struggle to fathom His glory. As was written in the gospel of John, Jesus is the divine Son of God who came to this world in human flesh to save all who believe in Him. Jesus changes lives. Our pursuit of Jesus invites Him to renew our soul and spirit. Studying Jesus arouses new belief or affirms existing belief in Him. In fact, whether you believe in Who He proclaims to be or not, most people at least believe Jesus lived. Those who hold a special relationship with Jesus because we have read the scriptures and believed the testimonies, know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and receive new life in His name. Scripture clearly proves that Jesus is the only way for us to receive life on earth and for eternity in heaven. Let’s examine 8 basic bible verses that reveal some of what Jesus came to earth to complete for the Father and for us. This is where we view and absorb the truth that Jesus is more than God in flesh on earth, and regard His Divine character and Supreme nature. 1. Jesus is our example of obedience. John 6:38 says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” Jesus’ focus remained on His Father and what God called Him to do. 2. Jesus warns us of the thief. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” Jesus steadfastly warned of the devil and his wickedness, as well as the promise and security through steadfastly remaining with the Father and finding new life through Jesus. 3. Jesus is our light. John 12:46 says, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.” Jesus came to give new, eternal life and conquered the darkness of evil and death through His light. 4. Jesus is our Conquering King. John 18:37 says, “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” Jesus is the King of Kings calling for all who will accept His truth and follow. 5. Jesus is truth. Mark 1:38 says, “But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.” Jesus made time to minister and live His life in this world as He walked among us in earthly flesh, but He never forgot His purpose or that He was the Truth He was to make known. 6. Jesus is our healer. Mark 2:17 says, “On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus saw and loved each person. Although He didn’t bow to their sin or join in it, he associated with sinners because they needed to hear to find healing. 7. Jesus is our judge. John 9:39 says, “Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” After we turn to Christ, we begin to see Him differently. Walking with Jesus alters us, opens our eyes and heart to His truth. Once we have heard the truth of Jesus and experienced Him, we receive spiritual understanding and insight. Those who reject Him, ignoring Truth through self-righteousness or pride, will remain in earthly blindness. 8. Jesus is eternal life. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.” Jesus is the only way to God. Not a limited path, but clear and exact, Jesus extends the Way, a path to God. As Truth, He defines clarity of God. As Life, Jesus came in the flesh of man, joining creator to created, heaven to earth, divine to earthly. Deserving of all the glory and honor we can give Him, Jesus clearly models life on earth and in heaven in many other ways, as well. Instead of making my main focus what Jesus gives me, I want my life focus to be on knowing Who Jesus is. Is this the cry of your heart? As we come to realize more about the deity of Jesus, we realize how far we are from Him and how much we need Him to sustain and rescue us. After being justified through faith in Jesus Christ, sanctification follows as we allow Him to erase our sinful nature and we are fashioned into a new creation as the Holy Spirit works within us. Praise God that I am not the same person I was when I first began my life as a follower of Jesus! A life submitted cannot remain unaltered. Do you see His work within you, too? Scripture presents an in-depth look at Who Jesus is and how He is able to make such a profound change in the world and within us. Of course, I can never list all that Jesus is, has done, or will be, but God’s holy word makes Him known. Just as Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.” Jesus gives us life, fills every void in our life, and is the way to everlasting life. Three major points will be our focus as we search scripture to learn more about Jesus. As I read, rest in the truths, comforts, promises, and power of His holy word. As Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The first set of bible verses I share will prove Jesus’ obedience. Through them we see that He is the perfect example for us to follow. 1. Jesus is The Way John 4:34 says, “Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” John 5:19 says, “So Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself, unless He sees the Father doing it. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” John 5:30 says, “I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear. And My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38 says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” John 8:28 says, “So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.” John 8:42 says, “Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on My own, but He sent Me.” John 10:37-38 says, “If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me. But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works themselves, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.” John 12:49-50 says, “I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.” John 14:10 says, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works.” John 14:31 says, “But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” John 15:9-11 says, “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John 17:4-5 says, “I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.” How much we learn from studying and following the life of Jesus! Perfect in every way, He obediently follows where God has called. Lord, our heart cries for you to make us more like You! 2. Jesus is Truth John 7:37 says, “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” John 16:13 says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.” John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 8:31b-32 says, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 1:17-18 says, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” Lord, thank you for exposing truth to us! If we know You, we know Truth. This world seeks relative truth or how we feel instead of learning and clinging to Your truths, the standard that gives us life. 3. Jesus is Life John 1:1-5 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” John 6:33 says, “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:48 says, “I am the bread of life.” John 7:37-38 says, “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” John 8:12 says, “Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 10:7 says, “So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:11 says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 11:25 says, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.” John 14:6-7 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” Jesus, You are Life! Thank you for telling us so clearly that the way to live an abundant life is through You. Cause us to desire You and Your definition of abundance so deeply that we cannot stop learning more about You and allowing You to shine more clearly through us for others to grasp the life that exists in and with You. John 21:25 says, “There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written.” This podcast has barely touched on what scripture teaches about Jesus. Beyond what our mind can grasp, Jesus speaks to our heart and whispers for us to recognize and accept Him into our life. It is my prayer that you continue deep study of His word on your own and cling to the Way, the Truth, and the Life with passionate love that grows as you draw nearer to Him. Jesus causes us to look beyond our selfish desires and forces us to ponder the meaning of life and an everlasting existence through eternal perspective. Jesus allows us to see God in flesh at work in our personal life and in all of humanity. How will you respond to Jesus? Once we know and submit to Christ, we are never the same. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that through Christ we have been crucified. We have assurance that we no longer live, but Christ lives within us. We know there is no longer condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus, for we have been set free from the law of sin and death. We praise You Father, for Your goodness and Your everlasting love for us. May we reflect You more and more each moment. May we live good and pleasing lives in Your sight, and by Your estimation, in all godliness and dignity. Thank you that You make Yourself known and that You give us assurance of one way to You, through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for all and is our perfect Mediator. May we reflect Your beauty, love, and honor You with our thoughts and ways. In the precious name of Jesus, our Way, truth, and Life we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I’m humbled to share that my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” has released! I hope you will look for it, follow it, and share both podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. If you find value in what you hear, would you please also place a rating and review at Apple Podcasts or Spotify to enable others to find each podcast? Now that I am writing and hosting two podcasts, I will release episodes of each show every other week instead of in a weekly format. For example, since the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast released this week, the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast will release next week. Some weeks, I may release bonus episodes, making weekly releases, so be sure to watch for those extra episodes when they occur. Please remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that the podcasts draw you nearer to God and help you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #025 – Relationship or Religion? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. If you have listened to a few of my podcasts, you probably already know that I am not a cold weather person and you understand how much I love spring and summer! I am filled with absolute delight this time of year. I’m really not that fond of the color green, but I definitely adore seeing all the lush leaves on the full trees outside. There are several plants in my kitchen, bringing in the feeling of being outdoors. Each one was specially chosen by a friend or family member who gifted it to me when I lost a loved one. I deeply appreciate the generosity of those who chose the special gifts, and it is nice to think of my loved ones when I see the plants, but I am absolutely not gifted with a green thumb. Watering my plants keeps them alive, but I don’t research the best care or do anything more than give them a drink them once every week or two. Because I don’t take the time to know and understand their needs, my poor plants merely survive, not thrive. This parallels what happens to each of us if we forget we are supposed to have a relationship with God, not serve Him through the motions of religion. Our Heavenly Father intended for us to experience so much more than many of us know with Him. Jesus came so that we would have a rich and fulfilling connection and build a life of reliance on God. Jesus is our living model, our sacrifice who came that we can experience a rich and generous life of joy and peace. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” I don’t want to merely survive like my plants, but to flourish and prosper the way God intended when He sacrificed His life to set me free. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Without a living connection to Jesus we wither and fade to a useless leaf ready to fall from the branch. Have you ever been asked whether you are a religious person? A few times strangers have asked me that question after we meet and chat. I believe my answer surprises them. No, I tell them. I am not religious, but I do have a relationship with Jesus. Through Him, I am able, just as we are all able, to remain connected to the Source. Despite the conditions of our life, we will be able to enjoy the beneficial fruits of joy and love when we abide in Him through relationship. John 15:7-12 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” The Lord wants us to have a reciprocal relationship with Him. His words must abide in us, His attitude and motives must abide in us because we abide in Him. Next, He requires that we model and extend that relationship to others. Jesus does not desire relations with one person over another. He longs for deep connection with every single one of us. Jesus wants every one of His followers to be the image of Him, live out His word and ways, share Him, and influence others for Him. We plant the seeds in the garden as we allow Him to shine through, transform, and work through us. He brings forth the harvest. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. If we just carry a spiritual mindset or religious motives, we miss the benefits of growing a true relationship with Jesus as life-long, mature disciples of our Lord. We risk walking with only casual or lukewarm lifestyles, or as unbelievers. Jesus, through His deep and purposed love for us, desires that we experience abundant lives, rich in Him. The definition Jesus held of abundance and what our culture believes it to be are not the same. The world preaches “self” or “abundance prosperity.” God word teaches us that He wants us to prosper, to have abundant lives. Abundance as defined by God would be hearts and souls tied to Him, drawing us nearer to Him, gaining fruits of the spirit and connecting us to Him in deep, supernatural ways through our body, mind, and spirit. Prosperity as this world craves is material-based through affluence, success, and wealth. Jesus came to the earth in the lowliest of ways, and lived a life without worldly wealth. It is not His desire that we follow Him in order to live a life of ease, comfort, or wealth. He wants us to follow Him because we trust, believe, and love Him, and want to spend the rest of our lives getting to know and following Him. He warned us that in this world we would suffer persecution and we understand that there is no guarantee of happiness, but through Him, there is joy. Deep and lasting joy that comes through a purposed and growing relationship. Let me add, there is nothing wrong with having wealth, but the sheer desire of money and the motivation to do anything to get it, forsaking the Lord, our family, or what God calls us to do is unbiblical. A true relationship with the Lord is not dissimilar to what we attempt with those we love and care for here on earth. We desire closeness and connection, we long to be understood, and we want to feel needed and appreciated. Those intimate connections and desires live within us because we were designed that way. God placed those needs inside us because He wants us to fill those longings with Him. He made us for relationship. Instead, we often forget Him and strive to fulfill our fleshly, worldly wants, giving little thought to God. We also fail to connect the emptiness we feel inside or our longings to possess more junk to our casualness and lack of relation with Him. Our walk with the Lord then slides down the slippery slope of little more than traditional holiday rituals or an occasional thought or prayer for something we want. Sometimes our walk with God is nothing more than a hollow attempt at mindless communion during Sunday services with no other thought of or connection with Him until the next week. We each also need to be careful not to fall into the trap of believing our attempts to do the “right” thing saves us. Simply moving through motions or checking off spiritual boxes on our mental to-do list will not give us a heart, mind, or spirit connection to the One who desires us above anything else. Not one of us can ever be good or righteous enough. That is the deception of living a religious lifestyle. Jesus paid the price for us to reach God. Our personal relationship with God is sanctified through Jesus alone. Our lives are permanently altered and transformed through His sacrifice, life instructions for us through the Holy Bible, and the Holy Spirit deposited inside us when we accept Him as our personal Savior and life mentor. When we do not understand the simplicity of God’s plan, it can cause us to thoughtlessly recite prayers or do actions that we believe make us appear holier. It can cause us to strive to do more performance-based activities for Him instead of finding and following the life mission He has specifically and intimately purposed for us. When we yield to Him and allow Him to transform and complete us, He will direct our lives and enable us to experience true freedom and joy as we mature through Him. A religious lifestyle mentality cripples our growth and understanding of God. Our Heavenly Father created us for relationship with Him. He is personal. He is intimate. He desires that we seek Him above all else. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Galatians 1:10 says, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Simply going to church or being active in church or being kind to others does not make us a Christian. A changed heart through the sacrifice of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that continues to transform us moment by moment as we yield to Him secures our eternal future. Matthew 7:21-23 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” We must desire and intentionally pursue true relationship with God through Jesus in order to live with Him in eternity. God desires a deep, authentic relationship with us. He sees into our heart and understands our motives far better than we do. Without Him we are broken and incomplete. With Him, our hearts and minds are miraculously transformed. Have you seen the changes He has made on your life? In your thoughts? In your actions? If not, please begin to analyze your life, your desires, your motives, actions, and words. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person, change is inevitable as we yield to Him. Religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the purpose of the universe, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. It is also described as a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects of a specific organization such as the Christian religion or the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices. It is also defined as the practice of religious beliefs or ritual observances of faith. Relationship is an emotional connection. Can we have a personal bond with our Heavenly Father through the observance and accomplishments of religion? Of course. Is our heart penetrated and our walk with the Lord strengthened through Jesus through the observance of religion? Maybe. Not necessarily. Relationship with God through Jesus is certain. The Bible tells us so. John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Relationship through Jesus is the key to heaven and life. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” Relationship is heart-based. God wants our heart, then He will transform the rest as we allow His work to continue in us. The battle between relationship versus religion may be one of the biggest hurdles non-believers face as they watch Christians to see if they can view a glimpse of Christ in us. Why? 1. When they see Christians attack other Christians. 2. When they feel attacked by Christians. 3. When they do not see a difference in the way we live. 4. When they sense that we are judging them. 5. When they feel like we only preach to them. Non-believers need followers of Jesus to stop following religion and reveal the relationship. 1. They need to see and believe that Christians can get along. 2. They need to feel safe around us. 3. They need to see a difference in the way we live (that matches what we say). 4. They need to feel that we accept them as valuable humans, even if we do not have the same beliefs. 5. They need to hear our words surrounded by love in action. When we fail to know Jesus through relationship, we cannot show Him with truth and love. Each of us have undoubtedly made mistakes in trying to show or share Jesus. The more time we spend in His word, in private time reflecting on and studying His word, in speaking to Him and listening for His words to us, in walking through obedience, and in serving others how He calls us to, we are better equipped to reflect and shine Him in a broken and dark world of people looking for what Jesus offers. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Psalms 46:1-3 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” As we ponder the differences between relationship versus religion, and the universal benefits of lavishing knowing Jesus through time invested in our relationship, let us consider this verse from 2 Corinthians 9:6, which says, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” In a world where none of us wish to reap sparingly, let us exhibit the difference between religion and relationship. May we intentionally sow for a bountiful return in and through Christ. Many on this earth are hurting, seeking relief from pain, anxiety, betrayal, and loss. They are in search of love, friendship, companionship, understanding, and much more. May we purpose that our lives be so rich in the abundance of Christ that others linger to learn more of what is within us because they cannot pass Him by. Did you enjoy this topic? Would you like others to hear one of the podcast episodes? If so, would you please make time to leave a review and rating for the show? In order for others to be able to hear about Jesus through this podcast, I need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift this podcast higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Right now, because the podcast is new and the following is small, listeners won’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. Please share this podcast on social media or with friends and family so that others will find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 025 Relationship or Religion Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #025 – Relationship or Religion? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. If you have listened to a few of my podcasts, you probably already know that I am not a cold weather person and you understand how much I love spring and summer! I am filled with absolute delight this time of year. I’m really not that fond of the color green, but I definitely adore seeing all the lush leaves on the full trees outside. There are several plants in my kitchen, bringing in the feeling of being outdoors. Each one was specially chosen by a friend or family member who gifted it to me when I lost a loved one. I deeply appreciate the generosity of those who chose the special gifts, and it is nice to think of my loved ones when I see the plants, but I am absolutely not gifted with a green thumb. Watering my plants keeps them alive, but I don’t research the best care or do anything more than give them a drink them once every week or two. Because I don’t take the time to know and understand their needs, my poor plants merely survive, not thrive. This parallels what happens to each of us if we forget we are supposed to have a relationship with God, not serve Him through the motions of religion. Our Heavenly Father intended for us to experience so much more than many of us know with Him. Jesus came so that we would have a rich and fulfilling connection and build a life of reliance on God. Jesus is our living model, our sacrifice who came that we can experience a rich and generous life of joy and peace. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” I don’t want to merely survive like my plants, but to flourish and prosper the way God intended when He sacrificed His life to set me free. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Without a living connection to Jesus we wither and fade to a useless leaf ready to fall from the branch. Have you ever been asked whether you are a religious person? A few times strangers have asked me that question after we meet and chat. I believe my answer surprises them. No, I tell them. I am not religious, but I do have a relationship with Jesus. Through Him, I am able, just as we are all able, to remain connected to the Source. Despite the conditions of our life, we will be able to enjoy the beneficial fruits of joy and love when we abide in Him through relationship. John 15:7-12 says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” The Lord wants us to have a reciprocal relationship with Him. His words must abide in us, His attitude and motives must abide in us because we abide in Him. Next, He requires that we model and extend that relationship to others. Jesus does not desire relations with one person over another. He longs for deep connection with every single one of us. Jesus wants every one of His followers to be the image of Him, live out His word and ways, share Him, and influence others for Him. We plant the seeds in the garden as we allow Him to shine through, transform, and work through us. He brings forth the harvest. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. If we just carry a spiritual mindset or religious motives, we miss the benefits of growing a true relationship with Jesus as life-long, mature disciples of our Lord. We risk walking with only casual or lukewarm lifestyles, or as unbelievers. Jesus, through His deep and purposed love for us, desires that we experience abundant lives, rich in Him. The definition Jesus held of abundance and what our culture believes it to be are not the same. The world preaches “self” or “abundance prosperity.” God word teaches us that He wants us to prosper, to have abundant lives. Abundance as defined by God would be hearts and souls tied to Him, drawing us nearer to Him, gaining fruits of the spirit and connecting us to Him in deep, supernatural ways through our body, mind, and spirit. Prosperity as this world craves is material-based through affluence, success, and wealth. Jesus came to the earth in the lowliest of ways, and lived a life without worldly wealth. It is not His desire that we follow Him in order to live a life of ease, comfort, or wealth. He wants us to follow Him because we trust, believe, and love Him, and want to spend the rest of our lives getting to know and following Him. He warned us that in this world we would suffer persecution and we understand that there is no guarantee of happiness, but through Him, there is joy. Deep and lasting joy that comes through a purposed and growing relationship. Let me add, there is nothing wrong with having wealth, but the sheer desire of money and the motivation to do anything to get it, forsaking the Lord, our family, or what God calls us to do is unbiblical. A true relationship with the Lord is not dissimilar to what we attempt with those we love and care for here on earth. We desire closeness and connection, we long to be understood, and we want to feel needed and appreciated. Those intimate connections and desires live within us because we were designed that way. God placed those needs inside us because He wants us to fill those longings with Him. He made us for relationship. Instead, we often forget Him and strive to fulfill our fleshly, worldly wants, giving little thought to God. We also fail to connect the emptiness we feel inside or our longings to possess more junk to our casualness and lack of relation with Him. Our walk with the Lord then slides down the slippery slope of little more than traditional holiday rituals or an occasional thought or prayer for something we want. Sometimes our walk with God is nothing more than a hollow attempt at mindless communion during Sunday services with no other thought of or connection with Him until the next week. We each also need to be careful not to fall into the trap of believing our attempts to do the “right” thing saves us. Simply moving through motions or checking off spiritual boxes on our mental to-do list will not give us a heart, mind, or spirit connection to the One who desires us above anything else. Not one of us can ever be good or righteous enough. That is the deception of living a religious lifestyle. Jesus paid the price for us to reach God. Our personal relationship with God is sanctified through Jesus alone. Our lives are permanently altered and transformed through His sacrifice, life instructions for us through the Holy Bible, and the Holy Spirit deposited inside us when we accept Him as our personal Savior and life mentor. When we do not understand the simplicity of God’s plan, it can cause us to thoughtlessly recite prayers or do actions that we believe make us appear holier. It can cause us to strive to do more performance-based activities for Him instead of finding and following the life mission He has specifically and intimately purposed for us. When we yield to Him and allow Him to transform and complete us, He will direct our lives and enable us to experience true freedom and joy as we mature through Him. A religious lifestyle mentality cripples our growth and understanding of God. Our Heavenly Father created us for relationship with Him. He is personal. He is intimate. He desires that we seek Him above all else. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Galatians 1:10 says, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Simply going to church or being active in church or being kind to others does not make us a Christian. A changed heart through the sacrifice of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that continues to transform us moment by moment as we yield to Him secures our eternal future. Matthew 7:21-23 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” We must desire and intentionally pursue true relationship with God through Jesus in order to live with Him in eternity. God desires a deep, authentic relationship with us. He sees into our heart and understands our motives far better than we do. Without Him we are broken and incomplete. With Him, our hearts and minds are miraculously transformed. Have you seen the changes He has made on your life? In your thoughts? In your actions? If not, please begin to analyze your life, your desires, your motives, actions, and words. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person, change is inevitable as we yield to Him. Religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the purpose of the universe, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. It is also described as a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects of a specific organization such as the Christian religion or the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices. It is also defined as the practice of religious beliefs or ritual observances of faith. Relationship is an emotional connection. Can we have a personal bond with our Heavenly Father through the observance and accomplishments of religion? Of course. Is our heart penetrated and our walk with the Lord strengthened through Jesus through the observance of religion? Maybe. Not necessarily. Relationship with God through Jesus is certain. The Bible tells us so. John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Relationship through Jesus is the key to heaven and life. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” Relationship is heart-based. God wants our heart, then He will transform the rest as we allow His work to continue in us. The battle between relationship versus religion may be one of the biggest hurdles non-believers face as they watch Christians to see if they can view a glimpse of Christ in us. Why? 1. When they see Christians attack other Christians. 2. When they feel attacked by Christians. 3. When they do not see a difference in the way we live. 4. When they sense that we are judging them. 5. When they feel like we only preach to them. Non-believers need followers of Jesus to stop following religion and reveal the relationship. 1. They need to see and believe that Christians can get along. 2. They need to feel safe around us. 3. They need to see a difference in the way we live (that matches what we say). 4. They need to feel that we accept them as valuable humans, even if we do not have the same beliefs. 5. They need to hear our words surrounded by love in action. When we fail to know Jesus through relationship, we cannot show Him with truth and love. Each of us have undoubtedly made mistakes in trying to show or share Jesus. The more time we spend in His word, in private time reflecting on and studying His word, in speaking to Him and listening for His words to us, in walking through obedience, and in serving others how He calls us to, we are better equipped to reflect and shine Him in a broken and dark world of people looking for what Jesus offers. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Psalms 46:1-3 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” As we ponder the differences between relationship versus religion, and the universal benefits of lavishing knowing Jesus through time invested in our relationship, let us consider this verse from 2 Corinthians 9:6, which says, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” In a world where none of us wish to reap sparingly, let us exhibit the difference between religion and relationship. May we intentionally sow for a bountiful return in and through Christ. Many on this earth are hurting, seeking relief from pain, anxiety, betrayal, and loss. They are in search of love, friendship, companionship, understanding, and much more. May we purpose that our lives be so rich in the abundance of Christ that others linger to learn more of what is within us because they cannot pass Him by. Did you enjoy this topic? Would you like others to hear one of the podcast episodes? If so, would you please make time to leave a review and rating for the show? In order for others to be able to hear about Jesus through this podcast, I need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift this podcast higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Right now, because the podcast is new and the following is small, listeners won’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. Please share this podcast on social media or with friends and family so that others will find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 119 - How Can I Reflect Christ to My Children? Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 119 – How Can I Reflect Christ to My Children? Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode about how you can reflect Christ to your children. Over the last couple of years, my youngest daughter has been fascinated with roly polys. I’ve never seen one of my children so absorbed in learning about this little creature. In fact, Brooklyn has maintained several terrariums over time, and still has one or two left. Over the course of these many months she has viewed the cycle of life, learned how to distinguish male and female roly polys, and has gained maturity and wisdom through caring for them with food and climate choices. I remember a time last year when she prepared the soil in a new habitat to move the roly polys into a bigger residence. She carefully laid chia seeds in soil, then daily you would find her checking soil moisture, sunlight, and adding water when needed. Although you couldn’t see anything growing, when you looked under the clear terrarium box, you could see that many roots were winding beneath the dirt in preparation for the changes that would take place on top of the soil later. It’s fascinating to see how many hidden roots twisted and turned, but you couldn’t see them unless you purposely made an effort to find them. Just as our heart needs seeds of truth to be planted before we can experience changes, no one can see how the Holy Spirit is working within us unless our words, actions, and reactions are altered to showcase His presence. When we first become believers and followers of Christ, we can’t comprehend the life-changing beauty of what a maturing relationship with Him could look and feel like. Yet, once we are His and the longer we walk with Him, the more intentional we are about pursuing Jesus and submitting to His work within us. Then the greater our belief grows, we humbly invite Christ to shine through us, we move out of the way so He freely makes a great impact on those around us. How true it is that the way we conduct our life and Christian walk attracts attention. Even when we don’t believe anyone is paying attention, they are. The older I’ve gotten, the more I focus on how my actions affect others. Actually, this thought process probably has less to do with aging, and more to do with my walk with Christ. As time has progressed and I’ve continued to mature in Him, Jesus prompts me to examine motives and actions in light of the way others are impacted by them. I desire others to see Him clearly through me and that hope comes with great responsibility. As I ponder what that responsibility holds, I acknowledge how easily my behavior can attract people to, or turn people away from Christ. Have you ever noticed that small and seemingly insignificant decisions you make can cause someone to build their foundation of Christ on rock or sand? Those decisions may also cause another to stumble or to turn away from Jesus completely. Especially our children. Romans 14:12-13 says, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” Have you ever been short with someone at work? Or with a family member? Maybe you gave a dirty look to the crazy driver who totally cut you off on the highway or at the person who took the parking spot they could see you were going to take. Have you ever rushed to get in line to order food or check out at the store before someone else could get ahead of you? Perhaps you yelled at your child or reprimanded too harshly. Do you ever stop to think about how well you’re representing Christ in these situations? What if the person you hurried past showed up at church the next Sunday and took a seat next to you? What if they heard you proclaiming to love Jesus or giving testimony at a later date and they remembered that it was you who did whatever act didn’t offer a holy representation of the Lord? What about your watching children? Every word and act is absorbed by them and becomes interwoven as a building block of their desires, character, and actions. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ .” This verse from 1 Corinthians 3:11 reminds us that the only foundation that is true and lasting is one built on Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, and parents of the children He entrusted to us, our mind should remain focused on our character, our visible and invisible walk with Christ so that He is reflected in the way we model a fruitful life. Our reason for showing others the Way, the Truth, and the Life should be because our own heart and mind are so full of Him that He overflows and we can’t help but exude His spirit, grace, mercy, and love to others because He has permanently entwined His spirit within ours. Do you guard your actions, your mind, your heart, and reactions daily through the power of the Holy Spirit alive within you? In order to train yourself to respond in ways pleasing to God and in ways that will impress Him perfectly to others, you must be aware of how your actions reflect Him. Just as an athlete develops discipline through intentional daily training, we must be attentive to the coaching of the Lord within us. We must desire to reflect Him in Christlike, not fleshly ways. We must invite Him to guide and guard us and our responses and reactions so that others clearly see the work He has done - and is still completing within us. Through life, each of us develop habits. Some are good, making us stronger in the Lord while others may become the opposite. Without consistent, intentional, purposed life through Christ, we shine Him less and flash self more. Which do you want your children to emulate? As you grow in relationship, strength, and character through Christ, your affections and actions toward others change. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me .” When most of us become believers, we still think of “self” more than Christ. Once we begin to mature our walk, humbly inviting the Holy Spirit to transform our character and desires, our thought processes change. We begin thinking of others more than self and deeply desire to be stewards of the relationship we have with Christ. When selfishness, jealousy, impatience, or other fleshly feelings try to overtake us, it is a blessing to know we can utilize the power of Christ within us to shift our thinking process to Him. He makes us aware of how others see Him through us, reminding us of the challenge and responsibility we must bear. Our inadequacies, even when we strive to follow and honor Christ are apparent in differing ways. One method to strengthen our Christian walk and make Jesus known to others in ways that attract them to Him is through our habits. We all have behaviors we repeat daily. We understand that it’s much easier to develop bad or harmful habits over nurturing good ones. One key to growing habits that press your walk upward through Christ while drawing others to Him is to pay attention to the Word. Stop excuses and study the Word! Each of us need individual time with God, as well as time with family. The better you know God’s Word, the more you effortlessly exhale Him on your spouse and children. Of course, right now we’re only discussing godly habits, not health, beauty, finance, work, or study habits. Goodness! When you think about it, our lives consist of a variety of routines and habits we’ve developed over years without giving them much thought. One purpose of fostering positive habits is to build character. As followers of Christ, we want our character to reflect His. Righteousness or Christlike character is only fashioned through reflection on Him and formation of excellent, repeated actions. It is crucial to discover which thought processes you need to alter, then commit to doing it. Just as we get out of bed, get dressed, brush our teeth, etc. we must have a set standard we commit to completing for the Lord. If we aren’t purposed women, we can’t be purposed parents or create the connection with Christ and our family that we long for. As humans, we often make plans to be consistent or to begin character formation in some way, but life interferes. Our schedules are tight. We get sick. Our children need us. Maybe we run errands all day and just need to relax in the evening. When we’re tired, hungry, cold, or overscheduled, we tend to think of “self” first. We want to satisfy the burning need we have or the commitment to child or spouse that must be completed. Instead, stop. Allow yourself to think of Christ. As He was dying on the cross, He put sinners first. He didn’t just fulfill what obligations He had to. Jesus remained committed to a lifestyle of integrity and obedience. Jesus followed habits He constructed through righteous intention throughout His life. Remember: 1. Your children see your actions. 2. Your children hear your words. 3. Your children learn your desires. 4. Your children appreciate your acts. 5. Your children feel your love. 6. Your children see your devotion to Christ. When others see followers of Christ, they consciously and subconsciously observe whether we appear to be genuine, whether we lovingly serve others, how well we appear to trust and obey Christ, whether we are discerning or judgmental, and how our actions affect them. The same is true of your children. They hear your professions for Jesus, and can easily evaluate whether your actions match your words. Over time, your attitude and actions are the biggest reflection of what theirs will look like in the future. It is imperative that you: 1. Desire His Word 2. Study His Word 3. Know His Word 4. Practice His Word 5. Share His Word 6. Live His Word As you develop habits, remember to form them around your view of eternity. 1. Which habits will you construct that support what you believe? 2. Which habits will be important enough to ensure you continue? 3. Which habits will draw you nearer to Christ? 4. Which of your habits will draw your children to Jesus? 5. Which habits will draw your spouse to Christ? 6. Do you possess the qualities needed to form godly habits in your children? 7. Will your daily words and actions draw your children and spouse nearer to, or farther from, Christ? 8. Which habits will they copy? Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things .” Does your professed faith match your actions, reactions, and words? How are you working daily to develop strong, righteous integrity that is pleasing to God? 1 Samuel 16:7b says, “For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart .” Make sure that what God sees in your heart is intentionally more pleasing to Him for your children day by day. Dear Heavenly Father, oh Lord, how we need You! Left alone, we are so far from the holiness You require. Thank you for sending Jesus to bridge the way to You. Thank you for loving us as we are, yet purposely making sure that we don’t have to stay where we are. May our lives proclaim Your glory, mercy, love, and holiness more each day. Enable our hearts to desire You above all else. Give us a longing for You that cannot be quenched by this world. Help us remain steadfast in studying Your Word, the life of Jesus, and obeying what You call. Help our lives proclaim You to those who do not know You and draw them closer to Your heart, especially our children and grandchildren. May future generations of our family never go without knowing, trusting, and following You with passion that spreads to others. Help us never act in ways that turn others away from You, but invite You to flow through us to spread a sweet fragrance that draws them nearer to Your truths. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Raising children is challenging. No one has all the answers because each child is unique as are parenting styles and family dynamics. By connecting with and knowing your children as you maintain purposed growth in Christ, you will be better prepared for any situation you face. That’s why you hear me share about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast. I work with ambitious women who care about making Jesus known to their children. Are you a high-achieving woman who loves Jesus, but is so busy with the rush of work and daily life that you feel like you’re being drained like the water in your bathtub? Do you yearn to get closer to Jesus and show Him to your kids so you will create a love that will last into eternity? The desire is there, but your days spiral out of control before you even think about opening your Bible. Do you ever stop to think that you are the first Jesus your child will see? Let me remind you there is hope. There is a way you can be equipped to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. If you want a connected relationship with Christ and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, I have an 8-step program to move you from frustrated to fulfilled. I will show you how to reflect Jesus in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity. Remember, godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset you carry. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior. Does this sound like a lifeline to help you be that set-apart mom God has entrusted you to be? Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. If you need a little jumpstart, visit my website at terrihitt.com/resources. Scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the link for my free ebook, “Good to Godly: A 31 Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” One last thing to remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 123 - One Secret to Connecting With Your Kids Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 123 – One Secret to Connecting With Your Kids Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom and BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you will be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode that shares one secret to connecting with your kids… I want you to lean in for this episode. I’m actually glad this is a podcast and we’re not sitting face-to-face. You know why? Today I’m sharing one fantastic way to get your kids to open up faster than many other ways you’ve tried. Do you know what that secret is? The back of your head. Seriously. This view of you can seem attractive to your children for many reasons. Let me share a story of my own to prove the point. My youngest loves to use my bathroom. Why not? The master bedroom tub is three times as big as the tub in her sister’s bathroom. Brooklyn’s room only has a shower, and that’s no fun; there’s no way you can float in there. So, my bathroom it is! One evening I was using my shower, and Brooklyn was in the tub. Although it was hard to hear her voice, my daughter insisted on talking to me. While I was barely able to hear her over the waterfall flowing over my head and unable to see her face, she began sharing what she could remember of an incident at the orphanage she lived in for nine years before we were blessed to bring her home with us. As she floated in the warm bath water, and I was nearby, but couldn’t stare into her eyes and cause her to cry or be distracted, she opened up about time that was painful. My experience with her that evening showcased the point that opening up is often easier when eye contact isn’t being made. Think of the opportunities this opens up for you to interact verbally with your child – or your moment may arrive while in the car, walking together, or in darkness while relaxing at home together. So the secret we’re talking about today is to connect with your child in multiple ways while you’re not face-to-face. Using that as the foundation of this episode, I want to share ways to foster conversation using that guideline. So use this guide while you’re in the car, walking outside side by side, or sitting at home in a low-dimmed room before bedtime. One of the ways is what I mentioned briefly already. Use the car as a safe place to talk. Kids often open up to the back of your head faster than your face when they are struggling. It can be challenging for your children to see emotions on your face when they share something vulnerable. Or it can be too emotional for them to look into your eyes. Sometimes they need to share before hearing or seeing judgement or emotion. Kids (like adults) open up when they feel safe, when they don’t feel judged, and feel they can speak freely. Remember to keep yourself from making conversation feel like a chore or burden for your child. If you’re not used to sharing close connection or a lot of communication, use your time and words wisely. Use discernment and prayerful guidance about what and when you share about yourself, your past or your present. Remember that your vulnerability and wisdom can open up lines of communication and deeper connection. But don’t lay details on your child who might not be ready to deal with topics or information that isn’t age appropriate. One way to get kids to open up easier is to ask open-ended questions. Instead of asking, “What did you do today,” consider saying, “What’s one thing that made you smile today?” or “What interested you the most today?” Reword questions so they don’t come across as demanding. For example, instead of What did you do at lunch that often elicits a response like, “I don’t know,” say something like, “I had an interesting time at lunch today. I ate with _________ and it made me wonder who you were sharing lunch with today.” Make the questions true conversation so your child is drawn into the relational aspects of conversation. Briefly talk about your day or your friends, etc. before you ask about theirs. Instead of giving advice (unless asked for it), listen to your child, acknowledge feelings, and make appropriate comments to what they share. For example, It seems like something might be bothering you.” Or “Thank you for sharing that.” Or “That sounds like it would be frustrating for me. How did it make you feel?” Don’t get offended by responses. Sometimes kids seem distant or sarcastic before they open up. Words can be a defensive mechanism. Attitude and responses can be guided by where your relationship is with them currently or through things they are experiencing. Also remember to spend time with your child doing fun activities they love. Because you’re already building connection, communication will be easier and will guide the ways they open up. Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are. Thank you for showing us Your glory and sovereignty. Thank you for entrusting us with Your precious children. Enable us to respond to them in ways that honor You and draw them nearer to You in every way. Equip us to seek You first because You know the hearts and minds of our children and want the very best for them. Please help us to have beautiful connection with our kids because their heart is tied to Yours. Help us listen with grace and love as our children speak to us. May our responses be driven by You and may Your wisdom and insight guard every word from our mouth. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you’re ready to become the godly mom God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you might like my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource. You are the first Jesus your child will see. Your relationship with Christ is the light that shines Him to your children. If you want a connected relationship with Jesus and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, my Set-Apart Collective program can show you how to reflect Christ in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior. Visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. Remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #036 – Visible Reverence Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Today I’d like to start with a sweet story, but I’ll share hard truths, too. Let’s start with the part that warms my heart. My youngest child loves to walk through the house with her arm linked in mine. Actually, she would probably adore having our arms joined anywhere we go. As we were walking through the house the other day, we passed a large mirror. I glanced at it as we passed and saw the look of adoration on her face as she gazed at me with the most loving expression. How blessed I am to be her mother. What opportunities God has given me through being the object of her love. I am truly thankful and make time to reciprocate her love in the ways she appreciates, which usually means one-on-one playtime. I try to show her how appreciated she is and how thankful we are to have her in our family. My biggest and most important daily goal, however, is to teach her to direct true reverence to God. As much as she loves me, and I appreciate being the focus of her adoration, I am responsible for teaching her how to love Him more. As many listeners of this podcast know, I am raising my second set of children. While I feel I showed deep love and care to all of my children, modeling reverence for God and actively placing Him as my priority was not one of the qualities I yet carried. How I wish I had already developed a deeper walk with Jesus! When I became a Christian in my early twenties, I was hurt by church members and let that affect my spiritual growth. While I loved Jesus, I slowly stopped reading my Bible daily and did not develop the relationship I should have in the timing I could have had. Although I talked to my children about knowing and loving the Lord, I wasn’t modeling an active adoration that translated to visible reverence for Him. Our house was unknowingly built on sand shoveled in by Satan as he deceived me in many ways, instead of being erected on the rock God calls us to use as the only foundation that will withstand the storms of life. I am so thankful that my adult son follows Jesus. I know his walk would be different though, if I had known better and not let pride and foolish worldly wisdom trick me into thinking I was wise and following God in ways that were not what He had designed as best for me or my family. When we are not purposely maturing our walk through Jesus and becoming all He desires, we are cheating our children out of an inheritance God wants to hand them on this earth. Knowing what I would do differently now, and have been given the opportunity to do through our second set of children, makes me more aware of what I see in the world today. I am not saying I am all wise and know all of the answers, but I have learned many lessons and have developed a much more mature walk with God over time. I am still grateful every day that I have my girls, and I am truly doing my utmost to relay a devotion for God to them, and also shine it to my son and grandson. Every time I fall short, I strive to take it to the Lord for His stirrings on where and how to rely on Him more fully and enable Him to do the work in me that is needed. I see multiple ways our society has lost the desire to instruct our children in the ways of the Lord. As our culture moves farther away from Christianity, I fear for the souls of our youngest and most vulnerable. The world does not seek Him in our way of life. Our lifestyles are wrapped more and more in obtaining frivolous items and spending more time comparing ourselves to others, while leaving us little time to connect with the soul God placed in us with and for great purpose. In fact, many people run from facing the inner thoughts and condition of their heart, which only compounds the issues they face. Modern children are well-versed in and over-exposed to social media and peer pressure, and we, as parents, are losing more rights as the years pass. Children and teens are exposed or introduced to various issues much too young and are left to ponder and battle adult topics with the resilience and understanding of a child. We are at a major cross-road of moral and holy significance. Do we want our precious children, beautiful gifts from God who are entrusted to us for care, to be in the world or be a part of the world? There is such a distinct difference. We are not meant to be a best friend to our children. We are their provider and protector first. As parents who seek to know, love, and follow the Lord, we must ensure that our number one priority is for our children to see us living with visible eternal perspective and for them to understand the meaning and significance of that calling. We must also teach them true love and purpose through Jesus, not what the world calls them to do or be. This eternity-based decision starts with us. You and me. No matter whether we raise our family with a partner or alone, we are each responsible for our own individual walk with God. We have to make the decision that He is a priority for us. No more excuses. “Not enough time,” “I’ll do it tomorrow,” “After I finish this,” “The kids aren’t interested,” or “I think it’s just too late.” The excuses can go on and on. How about this one? “I’m doing okay. The kids seem fine.” That may be the most dangerous one of all. It’s time to allow God to awaken mothers and fathers to a revolution of freedom. True change, lasting change comes from God. Then everything else flows from this important relationship. When our children see us grow an authentic and beautiful walk with God through Jesus and we strive to embody the qualities of Jesus and in turn, exhibit them in our life, true reverence is visible and impactful. When they see us obeying God, and they have been lovingly taught to develop a love and respect for Him, that honor is also extended to us as their parent. There is no such thing as the lie that society presents to us. The world tells us that teens act a certain way. I do not believe it. While teens undergo many bodily and emotional changes, there is no reason or excuse for them to act certain ways that stir disrespect or shallowness. We must be connected to Jesus in loving, growing ways that allow us insight into our children. They should be growing beside us because it is a relationship we are actively nurturing moment by moment every single day. Our job, our responsibility is to ensure that we have introduced and modeled Jesus to them and we keep the communication lines open because we are developing lifetime relationships with the Lord and our precious child. Today I presented my middle daughter with a tough question. I asked her to tell me what about my walk impacts her the most for the Lord. I thought she might have to take some time and get back to me, but surprisingly, she was able to answer quickly. Always painfully honest, and my deepest thinker, she usually takes time to ponder questions so that she gives the most accurate response possible. “Your wisdom and the way you give such straightforward advice,” she said, then continued with, “Also, the way you treat Dad and the way you treat us,” she smiled. Although it sounds like I was fishing for a compliment, I wasn’t. Instead, I was looking for critical input to evaluate my performance and provide me with valuable insight. If I am not intentionally directing myself and my family toward Jesus in a loving, authentic way daily, I not only have to answer to God one day, but to I also answer to my family right now. I wasted earlier years of my life not focused with the deeper purpose I should have for God’s holy work in my children. I’m very thankful that the Lord opened my heart years ago and that He still continues to drop the scales from my eyes moment by moment. I see it almost as if I am a pipeline that flows from God to my child. I am the conduit or passage that enables Him to reach them in the most efficient way. I do not want to be a blockage in that journey. Christians often debate on how to be a good witness. I believe we must start in our own homes. The love of Christ must be evident. It must be authentic. It must be active. Our children know whether we believe what we say, because of the actions they see us do. They see who we are. When we are genuine, we become credible, and so does God. I am human, but I love Jesus. More and more daily. I crave Him and His work in me. The closer I move to Him, the closer He draws to me, just as His word tells us. The more I read and study His word, the more I understand and recognize Him. It is also the only way others will see Him in me. I try to pattern my beliefs and values after what I see in Christ. Although I have acquaintances or family members who do not pattern their life in the same way, and do activities and have lifestyles that run contrary to those qualities, I try my best to love them where they are, just as I hope people love me where I am. When we have open discussions about those topics, I approach them from a Biblical standpoint and offer Jesus as a guide, not my opinion or interpretations. We are all human. The only way this lifestyle approach works is if I remain growing in Jesus and on my knees for guidance daily, and if they do the same. When we can discuss issues from the POV of Jesus and how He lived for us to pattern, we have a starting point for discussion and growth. I have to be able to listen when I am in the wrong, just as those around me must be. One of the greatest problems of this generation is that we all want to do what we want and do not care about the consequences that may stem from it. We want it all and we want it our way. I do not want my children to grow up with that mindset or those habits. I make mistakes daily. Because of Christ in me, I often recognize them quickly. When I don’t, He stings me with a gentle nudge inside my spirit that pierces my obstinance or cluelessness. He is gracious to point them out to me. I wish I could say He changed me and has made me free of errors, but since that is not the way life works, I have to continue growing through Him and allowing Him to continue molding and shaping me into a beautiful vessel that He can actually use for His purposes and not my selfish desires. The humbling I receive every time actually sharpens my walk with Him and increases my love and thirst for Him. It all starts with developing and maturing a visible reverence for God through my relationship with Jesus and making sure I humbly recognize my place in the lives of others. I am not here for partaking in every whim and desire I chose, but for real and intentional purpose that God can only work through me. Your life has the same beautiful and meaningful value. God has filled my spirit with such a strong inclination toward inspiring other women to focus on living with eternal perspective and to equip you to teach your children love and purpose through Jesus. Living in this way is the most impactful and fulfilling task we can complete in this lifetime. The basic steps to begin molding and shaping your children to carry a reverent attitude toward God is to begin with three easy steps and grow from there. 1. Develop a personal and maturing walk with God through Jesus. Serve God humbly with the way we live, seek Him, and spend our time. Let our children see that God is worthy to be praised and made a priority. Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” 2. Continue intentionally learning and growing in the Lord daily. Let our children see us study our Bible and study with them through daily Bible readings or lessons. They do not have to be long or complicated, but they do need to be enjoyable and consistent. Pray with and for our children. Let them hear us pray for them regularly and encourage them to pray for us. 2 Timothy 1:13 says, “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” 3. Remain rooted in the Lord and persistent over time. Keep your faith and reverence visible in words and actions. 1 Peter 3:2 says, “when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” Although this verse was originally used in the Bible to speak to wives who were new converts to Christianity and used for encouragement and training for them to remain steadfast for their husbands to see, I believe it applies for our walk in general. Life is a series of habits, whether good or bad, that shape and mold our character and actions, as well as those around us. This also perfectly leads into 1 Peter 3:3-4, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let It be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” When we focus less on the distractions of this world and what advertisements and others push and influence us to desire, our true longings can be met and our children receive a mother who is much better settled and joyous to train them in the ways that will truly satisfy and provide. It is not easy to live in this world, yet not be a part of it. Living with a visible reverence for Jesus that guides and shapes our desires is the foundation for building the life God aspires for us to have, and that deep down, every soul needs. Some mothers fear it may be too late. Maybe you have not walked closely with God and wish that you could change what you have done or what you may be doing now. Until we leave this earth, it is never too late. Begin where you are. Right now. God never leaves us and is always ready for us to move closer or come to Him for the first time. Without a doubt, the best and most meaningful purpose I have held in this life has been raising my children and teaching them about Jesus. The relationships that stem from this step of faith and obedience is absolutely priceless and eternal. Considering that I never wanted children growing up, God has changed my heart completely. I am in awe that He entrusted two sets of children to me. I will never cease trying to honor Him with visible reverence that attracts my children and grandson to Him. I would be honored to encourage your in your walk with Jesus or help you find ways to shape the life of your children around Him. If you have specific questions, please contact me through Instagram or Facebook. You can also reach me at thedoovermom@gmail.com. and you can look forward to more resources available on my new website that launches very soon. Father God, we thank you for the opportunity and privilege to know and walk with You. Thank you that you, God, the One who created each of us, desire a personal relationship with all who will humbly seek You. Help us to follow You in the ways You call and created for us. Shape us as women and as mothers to be who You desire us to and to visibly exude a reverence for You that shapes and molds future generations and calls them to bow in submission to You. Let me be one who allows You to make a difference through me. I pray in Jesus’ precious name, Lord. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 036 Visible Reverence Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #036 – Visible Reverence Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Today I’d like to start with a sweet story, but I’ll share hard truths, too. Let’s start with the part that warms my heart. My youngest child loves to walk through the house with her arm linked in mine. Actually, she would probably adore having our arms joined anywhere we go. As we were walking through the house the other day, we passed a large mirror. I glanced at it as we passed and saw the look of adoration on her face as she gazed at me with the most loving expression. How blessed I am to be her mother. What opportunities God has given me through being the object of her love. I am truly thankful and make time to reciprocate her love in the ways she appreciates, which usually means one-on-one playtime. I try to show her how appreciated she is and how thankful we are to have her in our family. My biggest and most important daily goal, however, is to teach her to direct true reverence to God. As much as she loves me, and I appreciate being the focus of her adoration, I am responsible for teaching her how to love Him more. As many listeners of this podcast know, I am raising my second set of children. While I feel I showed deep love and care to all of my children, modeling reverence for God and actively placing Him as my priority was not one of the qualities I yet carried. How I wish I had already developed a deeper walk with Jesus! When I became a Christian in my early twenties, I was hurt by church members and let that affect my spiritual growth. While I loved Jesus, I slowly stopped reading my Bible daily and did not develop the relationship I should have in the timing I could have had. Although I talked to my children about knowing and loving the Lord, I wasn’t modeling an active adoration that translated to visible reverence for Him. Our house was unknowingly built on sand shoveled in by Satan as he deceived me in many ways, instead of being erected on the rock God calls us to use as the only foundation that will withstand the storms of life. I am so thankful that my adult son follows Jesus. I know his walk would be different though, if I had known better and not let pride and foolish worldly wisdom trick me into thinking I was wise and following God in ways that were not what He had designed as best for me or my family. When we are not purposely maturing our walk through Jesus and becoming all He desires, we are cheating our children out of an inheritance God wants to hand them on this earth. Knowing what I would do differently now, and have been given the opportunity to do through our second set of children, makes me more aware of what I see in the world today. I am not saying I am all wise and know all of the answers, but I have learned many lessons and have developed a much more mature walk with God over time. I am still grateful every day that I have my girls, and I am truly doing my utmost to relay a devotion for God to them, and also shine it to my son and grandson. Every time I fall short, I strive to take it to the Lord for His stirrings on where and how to rely on Him more fully and enable Him to do the work in me that is needed. I see multiple ways our society has lost the desire to instruct our children in the ways of the Lord. As our culture moves farther away from Christianity, I fear for the souls of our youngest and most vulnerable. The world does not seek Him in our way of life. Our lifestyles are wrapped more and more in obtaining frivolous items and spending more time comparing ourselves to others, while leaving us little time to connect with the soul God placed in us with and for great purpose. In fact, many people run from facing the inner thoughts and condition of their heart, which only compounds the issues they face. Modern children are well-versed in and over-exposed to social media and peer pressure, and we, as parents, are losing more rights as the years pass. Children and teens are exposed or introduced to various issues much too young and are left to ponder and battle adult topics with the resilience and understanding of a child. We are at a major cross-road of moral and holy significance. Do we want our precious children, beautiful gifts from God who are entrusted to us for care, to be in the world or be a part of the world? There is such a distinct difference. We are not meant to be a best friend to our children. We are their provider and protector first. As parents who seek to know, love, and follow the Lord, we must ensure that our number one priority is for our children to see us living with visible eternal perspective and for them to understand the meaning and significance of that calling. We must also teach them true love and purpose through Jesus, not what the world calls them to do or be. This eternity-based decision starts with us. You and me. No matter whether we raise our family with a partner or alone, we are each responsible for our own individual walk with God. We have to make the decision that He is a priority for us. No more excuses. “Not enough time,” “I’ll do it tomorrow,” “After I finish this,” “The kids aren’t interested,” or “I think it’s just too late.” The excuses can go on and on. How about this one? “I’m doing okay. The kids seem fine.” That may be the most dangerous one of all. It’s time to allow God to awaken mothers and fathers to a revolution of freedom. True change, lasting change comes from God. Then everything else flows from this important relationship. When our children see us grow an authentic and beautiful walk with God through Jesus and we strive to embody the qualities of Jesus and in turn, exhibit them in our life, true reverence is visible and impactful. When they see us obeying God, and they have been lovingly taught to develop a love and respect for Him, that honor is also extended to us as their parent. There is no such thing as the lie that society presents to us. The world tells us that teens act a certain way. I do not believe it. While teens undergo many bodily and emotional changes, there is no reason or excuse for them to act certain ways that stir disrespect or shallowness. We must be connected to Jesus in loving, growing ways that allow us insight into our children. They should be growing beside us because it is a relationship we are actively nurturing moment by moment every single day. Our job, our responsibility is to ensure that we have introduced and modeled Jesus to them and we keep the communication lines open because we are developing lifetime relationships with the Lord and our precious child. Today I presented my middle daughter with a tough question. I asked her to tell me what about my walk impacts her the most for the Lord. I thought she might have to take some time and get back to me, but surprisingly, she was able to answer quickly. Always painfully honest, and my deepest thinker, she usually takes time to ponder questions so that she gives the most accurate response possible. “Your wisdom and the way you give such straightforward advice,” she said, then continued with, “Also, the way you treat Dad and the way you treat us,” she smiled. Although it sounds like I was fishing for a compliment, I wasn’t. Instead, I was looking for critical input to evaluate my performance and provide me with valuable insight. If I am not intentionally directing myself and my family toward Jesus in a loving, authentic way daily, I not only have to answer to God one day, but to I also answer to my family right now. I wasted earlier years of my life not focused with the deeper purpose I should have for God’s holy work in my children. I’m very thankful that the Lord opened my heart years ago and that He still continues to drop the scales from my eyes moment by moment. I see it almost as if I am a pipeline that flows from God to my child. I am the conduit or passage that enables Him to reach them in the most efficient way. I do not want to be a blockage in that journey. Christians often debate on how to be a good witness. I believe we must start in our own homes. The love of Christ must be evident. It must be authentic. It must be active. Our children know whether we believe what we say, because of the actions they see us do. They see who we are. When we are genuine, we become credible, and so does God. I am human, but I love Jesus. More and more daily. I crave Him and His work in me. The closer I move to Him, the closer He draws to me, just as His word tells us. The more I read and study His word, the more I understand and recognize Him. It is also the only way others will see Him in me. I try to pattern my beliefs and values after what I see in Christ. Although I have acquaintances or family members who do not pattern their life in the same way, and do activities and have lifestyles that run contrary to those qualities, I try my best to love them where they are, just as I hope people love me where I am. When we have open discussions about those topics, I approach them from a Biblical standpoint and offer Jesus as a guide, not my opinion or interpretations. We are all human. The only way this lifestyle approach works is if I remain growing in Jesus and on my knees for guidance daily, and if they do the same. When we can discuss issues from the POV of Jesus and how He lived for us to pattern, we have a starting point for discussion and growth. I have to be able to listen when I am in the wrong, just as those around me must be. One of the greatest problems of this generation is that we all want to do what we want and do not care about the consequences that may stem from it. We want it all and we want it our way. I do not want my children to grow up with that mindset or those habits. I make mistakes daily. Because of Christ in me, I often recognize them quickly. When I don’t, He stings me with a gentle nudge inside my spirit that pierces my obstinance or cluelessness. He is gracious to point them out to me. I wish I could say He changed me and has made me free of errors, but since that is not the way life works, I have to continue growing through Him and allowing Him to continue molding and shaping me into a beautiful vessel that He can actually use for His purposes and not my selfish desires. The humbling I receive every time actually sharpens my walk with Him and increases my love and thirst for Him. It all starts with developing and maturing a visible reverence for God through my relationship with Jesus and making sure I humbly recognize my place in the lives of others. I am not here for partaking in every whim and desire I chose, but for real and intentional purpose that God can only work through me. Your life has the same beautiful and meaningful value. God has filled my spirit with such a strong inclination toward inspiring other women to focus on living with eternal perspective and to equip you to teach your children love and purpose through Jesus. Living in this way is the most impactful and fulfilling task we can complete in this lifetime. The basic steps to begin molding and shaping your children to carry a reverent attitude toward God is to begin with three easy steps and grow from there. 1. Develop a personal and maturing walk with God through Jesus. Serve God humbly with the way we live, seek Him, and spend our time. Let our children see that God is worthy to be praised and made a priority. Hebrews 12:28 says, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” 2. Continue intentionally learning and growing in the Lord daily. Let our children see us study our Bible and study with them through daily Bible readings or lessons. They do not have to be long or complicated, but they do need to be enjoyable and consistent. Pray with and for our children. Let them hear us pray for them regularly and encourage them to pray for us. 2 Timothy 1:13 says, “Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” 3. Remain rooted in the Lord and persistent over time. Keep your faith and reverence visible in words and actions. 1 Peter 3:2 says, “when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” Although this verse was originally used in the Bible to speak to wives who were new converts to Christianity and used for encouragement and training for them to remain steadfast for their husbands to see, I believe it applies for our walk in general. Life is a series of habits, whether good or bad, that shape and mold our character and actions, as well as those around us. This also perfectly leads into 1 Peter 3:3-4, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let It be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” When we focus less on the distractions of this world and what advertisements and others push and influence us to desire, our true longings can be met and our children receive a mother who is much better settled and joyous to train them in the ways that will truly satisfy and provide. It is not easy to live in this world, yet not be a part of it. Living with a visible reverence for Jesus that guides and shapes our desires is the foundation for building the life God aspires for us to have, and that deep down, every soul needs. Some mothers fear it may be too late. Maybe you have not walked closely with God and wish that you could change what you have done or what you may be doing now. Until we leave this earth, it is never too late. Begin where you are. Right now. God never leaves us and is always ready for us to move closer or come to Him for the first time. Without a doubt, the best and most meaningful purpose I have held in this life has been raising my children and teaching them about Jesus. The relationships that stem from this step of faith and obedience is absolutely priceless and eternal. Considering that I never wanted children growing up, God has changed my heart completely. I am in awe that He entrusted two sets of children to me. I will never cease trying to honor Him with visible reverence that attracts my children and grandson to Him. I would be honored to encourage your in your walk with Jesus or help you find ways to shape the life of your children around Him. If you have specific questions, please contact me through Instagram or Facebook. You can also reach me at thedoovermom@gmail.com . and you can look forward to more resources available on my new website that launches very soon. Father God, we thank you for the opportunity and privilege to know and walk with You. Thank you that you, God, the One who created each of us, desire a personal relationship with all who will humbly seek You. Help us to follow You in the ways You call and created for us. Shape us as women and as mothers to be who You desire us to and to visibly exude a reverence for You that shapes and molds future generations and calls them to bow in submission to You. Let me be one who allows You to make a difference through me. I pray in Jesus’ precious name, Lord. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them and take time to leave a quick rating and review wherever you listen to this podcast. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 066 - Specific Steps to Strengthen Connection to My Child and Christ Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 066 Specific Steps to Strengthen Connection to My Child and Christ I love hearing the sweet sounds of my daughter’s voices. Right now I can hear them in the living room as they play checkers together. I know the delight I get from listening to them converse is just a fraction of what God feels when He sees His children getting along and acting in ways that honor Him. While we know all children must learn to connect with respect, love, and grace, sometimes sibling connections are taken for granted. Since my girls weren’t sisters until the ages of 9 and 11, they had to learn to love one another. Their love was born through decisions and purposeful connection . Much like what we should do as parents. Although most of us automatically love our children before they are even in our arms, we still need to make choices that build meaningful and godly connection through the lifetime of our relationship. In the last Purposed Parent Connected Child Episode we discussed the importance of strong connection to your child. This is obviously a crucial step in parenting, but I believe the most important reason a parent should want strong connection with their child is simple. You want to be your child’s godly main influence in this loud and crazy world. No one is going to care about your child like you – as a loving, Christ-following parent. If you are a Bible-believing mother who desires your child to follow Jesus, you must be determined and prepared to stand against this world and the ungodly messages feeding into your child. Let’s face it, those messages are faster, louder, and sometimes a lot more attractive than how you quietly influence at home. That’s why building connection with your children must begin as early as you have them. In fact, I believe with all my heart that the best connection begins then because you are starting from the ground up. You’ve hopefully prepared the soil, which in this instance is what you carry in your mind and heart. Your thoughts and beliefs are what your child’s relationship with Christ will be built upon . You have to possess what you desire your child to have . Next, choose the materials you will build with. These will be your character, the mindset work you are completing through Christ’s truths, the plans you have made to raise this child for God, your relationship with your spouse, and your personal walk with Christ). Does that mean you’re out of luck if you don’t know Christ as Savior until your child is older? Absolutely not! But it does mean that you have a lot of work and prayer to accomplish. But then, that’s the definition of parenting! Since our last episode spoke about the importance of being connected to your child, we’ll use this episode to talk about different ways to build connection to your child. There is no way to capture every way of constructing strong connection in one podcast episode, but I’ll share some of my favorite ways with you. Have you ever stopped to ponder how much more influential you are in leading your child to Jesus when you share a solid connection with each other? I always enjoy sharing connection and relationship tips, because connection with children is a beautiful gift from the Father for the Father . Let’s start with ways to connect with a younger child. I’ll share some of my personal favorites. From the time my middle daughter was a baby, I enjoyed Bible lessons with her. Those lessons consisted mostly of singing short songs which were made up lyrics of Bible truths or songs set to familiar tunes like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or Happy Birthday. We also played a lot of Bible music CD’s for children or classical instrumental music. I also regularly read “The Story of Jesus” to my baby, and it was the key to silencing her crying on the first night we brought her home from China at ten months of age. I also read the Bible aloud, so she was used to hearing Scripture. I prayed for her, but also when I was with her, I prayed over her, so she could hear the prayers. When she was one, I began sharing Bible verses with her. I would say the verse in a soft voice used for talking to babies and clap my hands or sway with movement to the verse. Motion and movement always kept her attention and the sound of my voice was soothing to her, making the verses more interesting. Of course, she can’t remember those days, but I know the seeds of faith were already being implanted in the soil of her heart. Because she was adopted when she was almost one year old, I was very concerned about ensuring that we bond and attach well. Everything I did was purposed , to connect her to me and to Jesus . I knew the first ten months of her life were deprived of emotional, mental, and spiritual stimuli. It was my job as a loving parent to stimulate her brain and help it connect neural pathways. Looking at connection through an eternal perspective, I knew that the work I was doing for my daughter and I ultimately translated to work for the Lord . Intentionally positioning her with confidence that I was safe and always there for her as I responded to needs also built a foundation for her that God was also safe. I spent many years doing art projects with her, playing with Play-Doh, dancing, singing, playing outside, using play kitchens, playing with dolls and stuffed animals, doing role plays, going on walks outdoors, and exploring nature together. Anything I could think of to increase time together and give us opportunities to talk and laugh was welcome. Most of our daily conversations would be directed back to God in some way, Praise, worship, stories of His love, stores of His provisions, Bible stories, any way God could be brought into the conversation and honored or thanked was grafted into our time together. Of course, homeschooling was a plus at our house. I’ll never regret the years we spent in our schoolroom together. They were absolutely some of the hardest, easiest, and most rewarding bonding times with my children. One of the best methods of building a strong connection with your child of any age is simply being present. I don’t mean sitting at home with them, but being engaged – with your attention , voice , reactions , and body language . Finding activities to do with your teen that are reflective of their interests or are common interests between the two of you, even activities that may build new interests are important to share together. Often teens will open up at night or when you are driving them in the car. Honestly, preteens or teens usually open up at the least convenient time for you, but remember how important those moments are for connection . To help a reluctant preteen or teen confide feelings, emotions, or thoughts, you may also take walks together, share a day trip, trade writing journals, play games, or do physical activities together, such as bowling, skating, basketball, or many other ideas. Another thing to mention is that all you do with younger children establishes the groundwork that will later bear the values and morals learned through the small and large interactions throughout their life . As your child approaches the teen years, their critical thinking skills sharpen and you will see thinking, morals, and values mesh. Good morals such as respecting elders, not cheating, lying, or stealing, as well as values such as integrity and kindness sink deeper into the soil of your child’s developing critical thinking skills. On the flip side, so do bad morals and values. Now let’s examine some strong ways to connect with an older child. I don’t know whether you think this way, but I’ve always felt that in some ways a child entering the teen years is almost like a toddler. Toddlers and teens can both whine, throw tantrums, not want to go to bed, be messy and selfish, and want independence, yet still need you. Both the toddler and teen find ways to express their needs, and they aren’t always what you would consider acceptable methods. Knowing your individual child is important. You are best able to decipher whether your child or teen needs food, whether they are tired, stressed, overworked, scared, or lonely. You will notice when behavior is ordinary or out of character and when it is worth investigating deeper. Just as when your child was a baby, your teen will show in various ways whether they feel their needs are being met. When your teen feels that needs are being met by you, trust and attachment occurs, and the cycle is repeated and strengthened. When children enter the teen years, it is harder for some parents than others. As a parent of four children, I can say that each of mine reacted differently to the process of maturing. However, the children I worked hardest to have a Christlike connection with are the ones who never exhibited “typical” teen behavior or attitudes. As we parent our growing child, it is very important to help them know who they are in Christ, even before they know Him as Savior. Self-esteem is a term we hear often, but I like to refer to it as “godly esteem.” Godly esteem focuses on Who created us, Who we belong to, and the God-given purpose we carry on this earth. Building godly esteem is critical for raising children who become productive, well-adjusted, loving adults who honor and obey God . If your teen exhibits many behaviors many in this world write off as “typical,” that is a definite red flag in my opinion, meaning there is connection work to do. You can listen to the Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast episode #063 – Stop Raising Typical Teens for my opinion in that area. My goal was always to step in sync with my child when they were young so that the later years would be an extension of the relationship we worked for earlier. Just like your walk with God develops intentionally over time, your child deserves attention and understanding. We need to parent in ways that help us see their unique, God-given talents and interests, then parent to help them see and strengthen what God has uniquely entrusted to them. Another aspect to consider is that every mother carries individual experiences that shape her and the way she loves, listens, laughs, and raises children. It is extremely important for a woman to evaluate her past, present, and future through a godly lens, comparing her experiences and beliefs against what Scripture, the ultimate source of truth teaches . A mother securely attached to Christ will better parent her child with connection through the difficulties of maturing, whether it be emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially. One of the most effective pieces of my Set-Apart Collective is the Motherhood Mindset Model that enables women to be cognizant of how they have been shaped by their past and how their thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and beliefs line up against God’s truths. As they work through the Mindset Model, they are able to become the mother and wife He created them to be as they allow God to transform their mind and thought patterns. Being an adoptive parent solidified another connection truth for me. Just because a child behaves a particular way doesn’t mean you understand the “why” behind the behavior. For example, when a child exhibits difficult behavior or has a sudden change in behavior, we need to stop and consider two things. One, what is my child conveying (or saying) with this behavior? Two, what is my child asking for through the behavior? Remembering these two points helps build solid connection. Instead of berating, ignoring, or punishing the child, a connected parent deciphers behavior and uses the opportunity to draw nearer to their child, to reach the heart of her child . Just because a mother works to construct connection, it doesn’t mean she babies or spoils her child. Finding the reason behind behavior doesn’t mean letting your child “walk all over you,” instead it simply means you are attuned and responsive . When I raised my last two, I also told them from the time they were young that we would need to be purposed in growing and maintaining a close relationship with God and each other . Every relationship takes work . When you let each other know you are willing to invest in each other with time, words, actions, love, grace, and respect, you are letting your child know they are important to you . It also shows them it is essential to be even more purposed at having a close relationship with God. You have also imparted to them the knowledge and desire to work at connected relationships . The most important factor in the close connection I have with my children has been God’s Word. Having the goal of reading the Bible together and praying together daily has cemented our faith and family connection. What beautiful work God does in families who commit to connection with Him and each other. I have many resources on prayer. If you’d like more information, please contact me. In the last podcast episode, “How to Strengthen Connection to My Child and Christ,” I stated that I believe children have replaced attachment with mom and dad for attachment to peers . That’s a concerning thought, because when parents lose the status of mentor or influencer in the life of their children, the home, then in turn, the world, is altered. That’s the result we are seeing in America today. Cultural (meaning society) influences have a stronger attraction than traditional family values and is more important to many teens. As kids follow kids, traditions, morals, values, and relationships suffer. Most importantly, parents lose the blessing of teaching their child the way Deuteronomy 6:5-9 , instructs, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates ." This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible and one I have taken to heart as a mother. In it, God gives specific instructions on how to make Him known to our children. It also offers beautiful, godly insight into how to build a firm foundation under our children and how to continue constructing a heart of faith and obedience to Christ for a lifetime. As you study the words in Deuteronomy 6:5-9, examine your mind and heart. Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart? Are there areas in your mind or heart that are closed off from God? Do you carry hurt or shame that needs to be worked out with God so that you can live fully present in the freeness and mercy of His agape love? Did you notice that God commands us to love Him with all of our heart , soul , and might ? This commandment means unreserved love with the whole heart. Agape love is committed to a humble connection with God. When we love like this, we freely obey God’s laws. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 also instructs us to keep the words God commanded in our heart . That means to hold them as a precious , sacred gift . All you and I think and do is directed by the condition of our heart . As we hold God’s words dear to our heart, we will meditate on them, absorb them in our thoughts, beliefs, feelings, actions, and reactions . Our obedience then flows from love and holy reverence rather than a formal need to follow God’s laws. As we read on in the passage, we notice God’s command to teach His words diligently to our children. As you go about your day, your love for God, your reverence, respect, and humble submission should be evident in your speech, attitude, and desires. His teachings should be on your lips as they flow from your mind and heart from the moment you rise and think of Him until you lay down to sleep with Him on your mind. Thoughts of God, prayers to Him, and obedience to Him should be as effortless as breathing. At the end of this passage in Deuteronomy, you see God instruct “to bind His words and teachings as a sign on the hand and as frontlets between the eyes.” He was instructing the Israelites to continue meditating on and also be directed by His commandments . In Biblical times, God’s instructions in this passage were taken quite literally as the Israelites wore boxes containing verses to their hands and foreheads. How does this speak to you and me regarding connecting with our children? It serves as a reminder to keep God’s Words foremost in our mind and to carry them out daily. It reminds us to allow the life-changing power of God’s truths to penetrate our own heart and mind so that we are living examples of Him to our children. It reminds us to carry out the love of God and allow Him to transform us moment by moment for our children to see and emulate. It binds us to God as we remember His mercy and grace and enables us to trust Him to extend that same mercy and grace to us as we parent the beautiful gifts He has allowed us to raise for Him. Dear Heavenly Father, Your sovereign, holy presence in our life is so needed. Thank you for drawing nearer to us as we draw nearer to You. I pray that You will help each person listening to this podcast to experience Your presence with their children in new ways as they purposely pursue passionate connection together under You. Help us as women to long for You as the deer longs for streams of water. May our spirit thirst for You and find what we need in Your arms. May we mentor that desire to our children and shine You in ways that bring them to You for eternity. Press Your commandments into our heart and mind so that we do not sin against You or cause our children to walk in ways that dishonor You. Help us model Christ with beauty and grace from You because we love and follow You so closely. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Do you have questions, comments, or suggestions for me to add in an upcoming podcast? Please feel free to let me know at info@terrihitt.com . Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Would you like to deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan? I want to share special news with my podcast listeners. The Set-Apart Collective wait list is open now. Send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information and a special code to receive a discount if you find you’d like to join the collective. It’s time for mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? The best reviews are by word of mouth, so if you would also choose a friend to recommend the show to, imagine the change we could see in the way mothers parent for Christ. Please tell others that this podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 071 – Does Your Family Think You’re a Complainer Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 071 – Does Your Family Think You’re a Complainer? I adore the witty personality of my youngest daughter. Being with her is such a delight. Because she didn’t come to live with us until she was nine years old, she didn’t begin the phase of copying my actions until she was about ten. Although that’s later than most daughters try to “be like mommy,” it was perfect timing for her developmentally. Since she was older when we were able to become her parents, I can’t take credit for the joy she carries. It’s such a deep blessing to be able to tell people that it is totally a gift from God to watch her dimpled smile and hear her sweet words. For example, if she drops a Lego creation it has taken her days to complete, she will shrug and say, “Well, I’ll built it again.” How many children do that? How many adults can shrug that disappointment off that easily? Mothers understand that most children observe and mimic what their parents do. Unlike teens, they want to be just like mommy or daddy and enjoy repeating actions as well as words. It’s cute to see how they interpret their parents. That is, unless what those adults do is annoying, mean, or a chronic habit. Have you ever been around someone who seems to enjoy complaining? What a relief it is to escape their company! But what if the culprit is your mother? Or maybe you might be the complaining mother. A mother’s habits will likely become the habits of her children. Her interpretation of life forms the way her watching children shape theirs. Take a moment to think about the answer you would give to the following questions: What does your child learn and begin doing by watching you? When troubles or trials arise, does your family hear you complain? If that answer is yes, what can you do to flip to praise and teach your child to do the same? A woman who can’t stop certain negative traits becomes known as a “complainer” to others. While those around her still love her, they tend to spend less time with her or often change the subject when around her to alleviate disagreements or discomfort. They don’t want to give her cause to gripe about anything else. It’s especially difficult when that person is your mother. Think of how this affects your children if that is the case in your household. Most complaining mothers seem to carry basic habits. Let’s highlight some of the most common characteristics of mothers who complain. I’ll also list the ways people view the complaining mother and the effects of her negativity on the family. As you listen, honestly assess whether you see yourself in any of these descriptions. 1. Stubborn – The stubborn mother might hear what others say, but will let no one change her opinion. In her mind, she’s always right. Relationships may fracture around her, but she never ties it to her behavior. It’s difficult for anyone to try to explain another point of view to her, because she just ends up explaining her position again. The bossy mother would rather be right in her own mind than learn a new viewpoint or way of doing something. She’ll sacrifice relationships and happiness just to prove a point, even if she would begin to question herself. Her husband and children may begin constructing walls to guard against the pain she causes or they may become stubborn themselves, causing even more tension in the household. 2. Angry – Life can be hard. The angry mother shows it on her face, in her attitude, and her actions. When anything happens that is below her expectations or desires, she doesn’t mind letting everyone know how she was wronged. Somehow she doesn’t notice people backing away from relationship with her. They need respite from her to enable themselves to maintain joy. Others in the household become angry, as well. It can be almost impossible to maintain peace or quiet in a home of angry people. 3. Bossy – Most everyone knows what a bossy kid on the school playground is like. Sometimes those kids don’t change. They grow up and become your mother. The bossy mother has a need to maintain control over events and lives. She’s confident her way is always best. Children with bossy mothers often grow up to be bossy. A bossy mother also finds it difficult to maintain a close relationship with her spouse. Her attitude affects everyone around her, leading to shattered relationships and broken connection. 4. Selfish – When most people become a parent, they understand the privilege and blessing they have been given. Some see raising children as a hardship and can’t let go of selfish desires. Whether it be time, love, attention, or sometimes even necessities, a selfish mother just can’t forget what she wants or place the needs of others above herself. It doesn’t matter who suffers around her. She really doesn’t see the needs of others as important. 5. Critical – People often have a natural critic living in their head. It takes a maturing walk with Jesus to silence that voice speaking deceit into their life. However, sometimes a critical mother is the culprit placing negativity in the minds of her children or spouse. The critical mother most likely had someone criticize her often in life and that fueled her unconscious need to continue the line. When a mother picks apart what a child or spouse wears, says, or does, when she nags about relationships, friends, choices, or simply can’t say anything nice, you may know a critical woman who can’t escape the need to criticize. Like the other complainer qualities we’ve been discussing, this trait tends to break down the family unit and the confidence of those the complainer lives with. 6. Controlling – Often the critical, controlling, and bossy mother are one and the same. When a woman feels that she has little or no control over her own life, the need to control others will surface or become more prominent. Whether it is over a particular issue or a major character trait apparent often, the controlling mother usually pushes her husband and children away. They will resort to trying to claim peace, joy, and freedom in other ways that may be harmful, because those fruits of the Spirit feel stripped when they are in her presence. 7. Explosive – Have you ever been around someone who seems fine one moment, but can explode like a triggered bomb was just detonated inside them the next? The explosive mother is adept at holding in feelings and emotions until she simply can’t tolerate it any longer. She is an expert at inflicting damage to those around her when the shards of her behavior hit. 8. Shaming – This is when a mother constantly makes her child feel guilty, confused, or humiliated for thinking, feeling, wanting, or needing something. Or it could be that the mother constantly criticizes and causes her child to feel bad for making choices different than she would make. Shaming seems to go even further than criticizing as it strips confidence when they may not be able to change what the mother is shaming. Children expect mothers to be protectors, not predators. 9. Mouthy – When a mother can’t stop voicing her opinions, advice, or criticisms, she is what is defined as a “mouthy” mother. She may be motivated by stubbornness, criticism, bossiness, envy, or a host of other traits, but she doesn’t know when to stop talking. Her words become hurtful and begin to feel like personal attacks. When family members have a mouthy mother, they spend less and less time with her. Daily life or family gatherings are a chore instead of a delight. Instead of creating joyful memories and influencing her children or spouse for Christ, the mouthy mother drives wedges between herself and those God has gifted to her. Did you see yourself in any of the descriptions? If not, wonderful! Why don’t you go an extra step and ask your family whether you fit any of the traits mentioned in the podcast. Sometimes we don’t recognize the problems we cause for those around us. If you do recognize yourself in any of the descriptions, your family might secretly think you’re a complainer. Talk to them. Let them know you want to work to erase those toxic traits and better honor Christ in your home. Ask God to restore relationships that have been damaged. Ask God to point out where to begin and ask Him to carry you through the process of transformation. Maybe you didn’t see yourself in any of the descriptions because you are purposely allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your mind, heart, and character moment by moment. Continue allowing God to carry you through the trials and triumphs of life. Continue allowing Him to examine the places in your heart that may have been hurt or neglected so you don’t hurt or neglect others. Just as we can look at certain trees and expect a particular fruit to bloom on the buds of the branches, others notice the fruits of the spirit within believers who submit to Christ and allow transformation of mind and heart. When a mother relies on her strength or places her desires and will above God’s purposes, she loses the gift God provides through the fruits of the Spirit. She also damages the relationships of those God entrusted to her circle of love and influence. Galatians 5:22-26 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other .” In order to influence your family for Christ, they must see Jesus alive in you. Matthew 22:37-39 says, “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself .’” The Holy Spirit working within you to administer fruits of the Spirit guides your character , conduct , and communication . Let Him fill you with the godly love of Christ that seeks others above self. If you are seen as a complainer now, through His strength you will soon be recognized as one who unselfishly models the love of Christ. Dear Heavenly Father how blessed we are to have the gift of fellowship with You through the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank you for Your everlasting love, mercy, and grace. You have made a way where there was none before and given us instant access to You at any time. Help us use that privilege to submit to the Holy Spirit You deposited within us. Help us allow it to transform our character, conduct, and communication. May we be aware of the way we represent You and use that knowledge to humble our actions and reactions so that they mirror what You would do. Help us to be seen as godly and unselfish modelers of Jesus who place you first and the needs of others next. May we love others as You desire and allow You to fill the empty places inside of us that need a godly overhaul to erase those remnants of the old person we were before You brought us the gift of eternal life with You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Have you decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child? Would you like to parent to prepare your child, not to repair a relationship? In the Set-Apart Collective, you will deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective wait list is open now. The first group of women is currently growing together. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information. In fact, when you email me, use the word: PREPARE in the heading and I’ll extend a special offer to you. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ together. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a few minutes and makes a huge difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 086 - Navigating the Challenges of Being a Christian Working Mother Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 086 – Navigating the Challenges of Being a Christian Working Mother Thank you for taking time to share your day with me. I pray this podcast deepens your walk with Jesus and your children. During forty-five years of parenting two sets of children, I’ve been the mother who worked full-time outside the home while parenting my first set of children in the eighties and nineties. I’ve also been the stay-at-home mother who homeschooled my second set of children, and am now a Christian parenting and mindset coach and a podcaster with my second set of children. Over the years I have experienced many emotions and feelings as I navigated what I had to do and what I was called to do. I’m not sure which season you’re currently living in, but there is such a difference in doing what you feel you have to do versus what God is calling you to complete . Where are you in your life? I understand many women have careers they absolutely love, careers they may have known they would have since they were children. But I’ll be honest. When I worked outside the home, I dreaded almost every day I went to work. The first twelve years were the hardest. After I switched jobs going to work was more enjoyable, but my heart still yearned to be at home. I remember in one of the facilities I worked in, there was a bathroom stall that had a window. I used to look out and dream of a time when I would be able to be home and not have to go to work for the money our family needed. I felt like my heart was shriveling up and the passions and dreams God gave me were being wasted. Although I tried to follow some of them in the bits of time left from working, I always felt torn and confused. How was I supposed to reach my goals when I had important duties as a wife and mother, but had to work outside the home, and had so little time? I remember feeling guilty and never fulfilled . Have you ever felt that way? Later, when I was in my early forties I would sit at my desk at work and daydream about how I would change the way I had parented if I had the opportunity to redo those early years. I missed my children being little, and felt like I had been cheated out of moments and memories, because I was aways at work. By this time my first two children were young adults, and because I didn’t feel like I was an empty-nester longing for years passed, I wondered why I was having these thoughts. In hindsight, I understand that I had since matured my relationship with Christ, and God was preparing me for the beautiful plans He had in store for me. It was the beginning of a journey I never dreamed I would take, but it has fulfilled me more intimately and deeply than any dreams I imagined for myself. Isn’t that always the way with the One who created us? I share this portion of my personal story because I want you to know you’re not alone. Whether you are a working mom inside or outside of the home, what you do is important. You may have a career that you know you were created to do or you may have to bring in money to cover food and bills. Either way, I hope you are following God’s plan for your life. I hope that you rely on Him to carry you through the difficult and discouraging times. Life definitely throws us both. When my husband and I got married right out of high school, I was seventeen; he was eighteen. When I say we were financially challenged, it’s an understatement. When we married we had one thousand dollars in our bank account and it quickly disappeared as we had deposits to place on our first apartment, bills to pay, and food to purchase. Thankfully, we had supportive family, especially my in-laws. After adding two children and multiple medical bills, I finally resigned myself to the fact that I had to go to work outside of the home in order to make ends meet. At that time our son was three years old and our daughter was almost six. I had been babysitting children as they grew to that age, but that very small amount barely contributed to our needs. Mom guilt quickly appeared when I began working outside the home. My daughter’s kindergarten teacher didn’t help when she called to tell me my daughter disliked me working and wanted me to stay at home. The babysitter I hired through referral from a friend at church ended up calling me at work to tell me she was upset that my three year old son had discovered her gun and was carrying it around the house. What ?! I probably don’t need to say this, but of course, I immediately took him from that environment. I left work early to bring him home that day and he never went back. If she couldn’t keep a weapon from my three year old, what other dangers were surrounding him at her place? Where did she keep her gun that he could find it so easily? I was astounded. Finding quality child care at an affordable price was so challenging! I felt trapped as a woman and a mom. My goodness! Have you been there? The difficulties of dealing with strong personalities at work, finding quality, safe daycare, combined with making sure the family ate, the house stayed clean, and navigating thoughtless, untrue remarks from an extended family member yet still maintain a relationship with them left me exhausted. That basic feeling of being exhausted never left during the twenty-one years I worked outside the home. In fact my health deteriorated while working outside the home and I began losing weight when I didn’t need or intend to. My life schedule also had to become very well-planned and limited. I didn’t have time for everything I wanted to do in my life, and I wanted to put my husband and children first. I have never enjoyed cooking, so I used our family wall calendar to solve the “what are we going to have for dinner when I get home from work and have so much to do” situation by charting my meals. On that calendar I wrote the meal planned for that day. I would cook for one week on Sunday afternoons and package up the meals to store in our extra refrigerator in the garage. This method allowed us to always have meals ready. When we were ready to eat, the food just needed to be heated. Of course, we could switch days if we wanted something different, but the point is that food was prepared and no one had to question what to eat. We didn’t spend hard-earned cash on eating out and the food was healthy and filling. Weekends were busy with cleaning the house in the moments between games, events, and trying to make time for my hearts true desire - writing. Eventually, I began assigning chores to the family so everyone could pitch in to complete the work together. At the time I felt like a failure that I couldn’t do it all myself, but despite an extended family member telling me that it was the role of the woman to clean, I forged on with my plan and am so glad. My husband didn’t mind pitching in as long as he knew what to do. He’s the type who doesn’t usually think of what to help with on his own, but gladly helps when asked. By helping, my children learned skills they would need later in life, and I was able to feel like I could breathe easier knowing home basics weren’t neglected. How do you handle the chore load at your home? It's not easy to be a working mom. Expectations from work, home, family, and self can cause women to suffer from anxiety, depression, resentment, guilt, and more. Those burdens can leave little time for the one solution that can lift a woman out of the pit of pressures. The Lord. When I became a Christian I was in my twenties. Shortly after, I began working outside of the home. I’d been hurt by the church we attended when I first found Christ. In error, I had placed those members on a pedestal, instead of rightly placing Christ in that position. When I wasn’t treated well, we stopped going to that church. I began using Sunday morning time to clean and cook, or do whatever needed to be completed before I went back to work the next day. I always felt like there was a ticking clock that zapped the time and my energy over that two day, short weekend. It felt so unfair to work 5 days and only have two to feel like I was really living. Am I the only working mother who feels that way? How much different it would have been if I had remained faithful in following Jesus intentionally and maturing my walk with Him. I’ve learned that when we make any amount of time for Him, we crave more. Once we make time for Him, we discover that we actually have much more time than we imagine. The Lord seems to multiply time like He did with the bread and fish long ago. Working women always seem to crave a better balanced schedule. The missing piece is usually time with Christ. Jesus sets all things free. Following Jesus is crucial in daily living. As believers we understand that truth. However, we don’t always live it. Sometimes we deceive ourselves and think we are. Sometimes we love Him with all our heart, but don’t know how to make more time for Him. Sometimes we have time, but don’t stop to hear what He is calling. Where do you fall? One thing I know to be true is that Jesus won’t lead you astray. He cares for you. Your time, schedule, family, health, and finances are all important. He has plans with a purpose set for you. He longs for you to seek Him and see the purpose He desires, the purposes that will fill your heart and home with a joy, peace, love, and beauty you never imagined. Today I want to address struggles, demands, and solutions that may help working moms, whether they are earning a living from inside or outside the home. A working mom shoulders added responsibilities that can either cause her to lift up praise and gratitude to the Lord or pull her away from Him as she struggles to survive. First, let’s look at a fact that working mothers often have to deal with – approval. Many working mothers wonder whether God really gives approval for women to work. Some people fall into the camp that God calls women to stay home, while others believe God allows women to work. Which is true? What do you and your family believe? Each of us have seasons in our life. God understands our seasons. He expects us to cling to Him despite the season we’re in. He desires that we seek Him first, make time to prayerfully hear His guidance , and stay in His Word. He must come before all else. God has crafted different purposes into each of us. What God has created you to do is different than what I am purposed to complete. When we purposely mature our walk with Him, God guides us to step into the desires we didn’t even know were in our heart . But only when we humbly submit and follow where He leads. Some of us were meant to complete tasks that require us to be out of the home. We must be extra diligent not to neglect the important duties and privileges of being a mother and wife. We must also ensure that we don’t find our identity there. Identity must come through Jesus. I don’t believe God ever commanded women not to work . Read Proverbs 31:10-31 , which says, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Did you notice the beautiful qualities and conviction of the Proverbs 31 woman? How easily we can compare ourselves to her seeming perfection. However, the truth is that through Christ you are free. Free of comparison. Free of the burdens you may carry from juggling all the things. It’s clear that the Proverbs 31 woman excelled at many things. That assures us she was following the path God laid for her . She wasn’t striking out on her own without consulting the Father. What has God called you to do in this season? I don’t mean what do you think you are supposed to do. What do you know through prayerful certainty that God wants you to complete in this season of your life? Jesus never commanded you to live with stress or anxiety. He calls for you to live in peace . He provides that peace. We only find that beautiful fruit of the Spirit when we humbly and obediently submit to Him. Where is He asking you to be right now ? What is He calling you to do? We know that God has basic instructions that do not change. God commands all mothers to do the following : Love God - Mark 12:30 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength .” Trust God - Psalm 121:1-3 says, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber .” Follow God - Psalm 27:11 says, “Teach me Your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors .” God also requires devotion to Him first. Family second . He desires that you, no matter where you are in the work force - at home - or outside the home, to train the children He has entrusted to you in His truths and ways . Proverbs 1:8 says, “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching .” In order for your children to come to a life-saving knowledge of Christ as their Savior, you must make Him known to them. Many women who work struggle in this area. Time is short. They’re unsure of how to have enough time to get dinner on the table after helping everyone with homework, let alone find time to read the Bible so they can teach their kids about Jesus. What is your plan to do that if you are a full-time working mother? Can it be done? Of course, but you have to be even more purposed and ready to sacrifice short term for the long term investment of your child’s eternity with Christ. It can be challenging for you as a working mom to make time to disciple your children. When you consider all of the trials a working mom faces, there’s barely enough time for the basics of living after she returns home each evening. As a working mom, you face normal life successes and challenges, as well as the following: Time – It can be very difficult to leave the house when your child is sick, tired, or missing you. Sometimes they need more cuddle time or extra care. Even a mom working from home faces times when the kids need extra care even though she’s facing work deadlines. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You .” Use blocks of time to direct your children to the Lord through prayer, Bible readings, or devotions together. This is to be an ongoing lifestyle. On days when your children might have to support you through work deadlines, pray with them before you part ways and touch base as you can. Check back with them that evening and spend a few minutes with them to ensure that they are doing well. Depending on your child’s interests, you can take a short walk together at night to find time to explore and talk. You can take a drive together. You can work a puzzle together. You can pass a journal of feelings and thoughts to each other. Use your creativity to observe what would work best for your children and your situation. Of course, there are variables such as age, interests, maturity, etc. Seek God’s guidance in this area before you need it, so you have a strong foundation to build on. I know it can seem impossible to have time to do some of these suggestions, but to make time for these important ways to be together, you will cut out things in your life that don’t honor the Lord or are currently keeping you and your family from spending time together. You’ll always be busy and getting busier. When does parenting for Christ become the priority if it isn’t right now? The world won’t wait to influence your child away from Christ. Don’t give Satan a foothold. Work/Family Balance – Working moms often feel they’re the only one who fails at work/life balance. The truth is that no one juggles everything well at all times. Keep your eyes fixed on what God is calling you to do or how He is leading you . Know that it is godly to say, “no” sometimes. Ensure that your “yeses” are reserved for what God lays on your heart to complete. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward .” In life, you will experience easier and more challenging seasons. Above all, keep your eyes and heart fixed above. Mentor and teach that lifestyle and decision-making to your children. They need to hear and see you put God first. Are you consistently mentoring the way? Guilt – Guilt’s a feeling that’s easy to carry and let it weigh you down. While working, a mother might miss her children and lose focus while thinking of home demands. When at home, she may feel unfocused on her children due to work demands. She might believe she’s is failing at both jobs. Scripture tells us that Satan is always prowling to see who he can destroy. The devil is out to steal, kill, and destroy. This is why it is imperative to know God’s Word and ingest it daily . Knowing God through His Word is imperative. You cannot build a close relationship or understand where God is calling you or trust He is carrying you without knowing His Word, truths, and character. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus .” Remember, God never causes you to feel guilt. He doesn’t condemn, but He will convict you. He will guide and guard you according to His Word . As you follow His plan for you, He will equip you for the job. God will also allow circumstances that draw you nearer to Him or cause you to depend on Him, rather than self. Be sure to consistently inhale God so you can exhale Him to your family. Atmosphere/Operations of Workplace – Dealing with people can be the hardest part of working. Whether it be customers or co-workers, relationships can be extra challenging. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." A working mother carries extra layers of responsibility when she is in the workplace. Not only are the logistics of getting to work daily challenging, but the relationships in the workplace can be as well. Maintaining a godly attitude, work ethic, and reactions are only possible through daily renewal through Christ. Not just knowing you believe in Him or you follow Him, but intentionally seeking Him in fellowship and living at His feet. Even more important, your time at home must reflect the Father you follow. Without relationship through Christ, you cannot cultivate a foundation of hope and trust in Him in your home. Without close relationship with Jesus, your children will not have a firm foundation building under their feet on which to establish a lifetime of faith. You are their first exposure to Jesus. How well are you showing Him? Daycare Struggles (quality, pricing, hours) – It’s challenging to find a caregiver to love your child. When a family member watches your children it might be smooth or could cause more stress, depending on your situation. Finding a quality caregiver is one of the biggest concerns for a working mother. Also important is the consideration of the costs of working (travel, clothing, food, daycare, and more) if one is considering going outside of home to bring in additional income. Sometimes you find that it’s not worth the effort in the long run if you are able to cut costs in other areas. Seek what God’s good and perfect will Is for you. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will .” Sometimes the answer is to stay at home while your children are very young or find a way to work from home. Expectations of others, whether it be a boss, co-worker, customer, family, or client, as well as hours worked, and distance or location of work, and whether traveling is required all play into more added burdens for the working mom. Anxiety hits when you feel overwhelmed. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things .” Our mind is a powerful tool. Choose to keep your mind fixed above and specifically ask God to protect your thoughts. Prayerfully ensure that you are following His will regarding work. Commit to knowing that you will never please everyone all the time. God first, husband second, family next. As important as work is, it comes last. Create the mindset that God will carry you through difficulties if you are listening to His guidance. Trust that He cares for you in every intimate way you need. Are you looking for ways He is doing so already? Are you praising Him before your children so they hear you and will be thankful for His provisions? Communication with Husband – Sometimes, the person you love most gets shoved to the bottom of your to-do list at home. It can be challenging to find time for intimacy or quiet time with your husband. It’s important to have the proper mindset to take care not to neglect your relationship. One of the best ways I have strengthened my 45 year marriage is by praying together daily. It is a habit well worth establishing with your husband and children. James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry .” Look at your spouse as a person God created and loves. Make time to speak to, and listen to your husband, as well as make time to pray and grow in the Lord together, which will help with the next section. Lack of Support from Husband (in work/business) – Sometimes it’s hard to get help from your husband. Marriage is a two-person commitment and so is caring for the children and the home. While some believe the man should take care of “manly” chores like mowing or lawn work, and the woman should take care of the inside chores of the home, what works for your home and the interests and talents of you and your spouse are what need to be considered. If you love to mow and he likes to cook, take the roles you excel in to maintain the home and help your family flourish. When you work together, knowing you work for God - and then each other, housework and free time are accomplished a lot more easily. Ephesians 5:33 says, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband .” As you make time to grow your walk with God together, you will follow the loving commands He set forth for your relationship. Loving God first enables you to love each other more deeply. Love is sacrificial. Love listens. Love helps. I believe the closer your husband is following the Lord, the clearer He will hear promptings from you and God on how he should support you with the extra burdens you carry. Spiritual Challenges – Sometimes it can be hard to hear God speaking when life is busy. As believers we know the Word tells us God is present . We also have the Holy Spirit living within us. If we can’t hear God speaking, we are moving too fast. It feels counter-productive and scary to slow down, especially when so much is left undone, but placing God at the top of your list in home and work life will give you peace and joy. Without active fruits of the Spirit, it can be impossible to hear Him speak and direct your ways. Don’t look at what others are doing. Set God first in your life and household and do what He has called for you . Galatians 6:4 says , “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else .” During the seasons you think you don’t have time for reading God’s Word, listen to it. Ensure that your children do as well. Discuss God’s Word and weave it into conversations, as well as ways to apply God’s commands and truths. You need God’s daily bread. Your spouse and children do, too. Even Jesus realized His need and ensured He spent time with God daily, then relied on the Father moment by moment. Desire to Be Present with Kids (but also bring in income) – I don’t think there is a working mom who feels like she gets enough time with her children. Since time is limited, the most important thing you and your husband can do for your family is maintain close and growing relationship with Jesus and each other. Building that basic foundation will enable you to put everything else in order. Pay attention to your children in the small ways that matter. Cultivate time with them, no matter how brief. That one on one time and being there for them in important ways that feel small now will be remembered later. Ask God for guidance and insight into each child and ask Him to show you the way to help them build identity in Him and relationship with Jesus and you. Be present with those you love, not always on your phone or computer. Show joy in your eyes and body posture when they approach you. When you fail, acknowledge it and apologize to your loved ones. No one is perfect, but you will grow in your wisdom and stature with God as you humbly seek His ways and show them to your family. Philippians 4:13 says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. ” God has commanded you to be the hands that bring His children to His feet. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 commands, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates .” Time for Self – This may be one of the hardest. Time alone is certainly rare. A mom can’t even go to the bathroom alone. But if you’ll listen to an older mom for a moment. Everything I thought I needed to do when I was younger has lost importance when compared to what was completed for Christ. Don’t feel guilty when you need time for yourself. Maybe it’s your love language to take a bubble bath or go to coffee with a friend. Maybe you like long walks with your husband. Whatever speaks to your love language, you need to schedule. But always remember that nothing will complete you like time with God. What did Jesus do when He needed time alone? He used the time to rest in God and be in humble submission to Him. Jesus sought God in all things and in all ways. The Father was first. When you place God as the highest authority in your life, you will be Spirit-led and satisfied. How can you make time for Him before self? Ask God to show you the way to fulfill your duties as a working mom, wife, and mentor of Christ to the children He has entrusted to you. Ask God to give you the joy He purposed for you in this time of your life. No matter where you work in your life at this time, you are in a season. It may be a season you enjoy, or one you can’t wait to finish. Rest in it with Jesus. Know that if you are following where the Lord leads, He is preparing you for the desires of your heart in ways that will honor and glorify Him. Above all, purpose what you are experiencing to enable you to become a set-apart woman who will raise her children to chase Christ over culture. Time is short. But the more you use it in intentional ways that draw you nearer to your Heavenly Father, the more influential you are to His children - for Him . Dear Heavenly Father, How we need Your holy presence in our life. Thank you for making a way for us to reach You at any time. Jesus is the bridge that brings us to You Hallelujah! Father, we thank you for the provisions you make for us through the work of our husbands and our own hands. You know the needs we have, Father. As a woman, we care for much, our attention goes to all, and we constantly think and analyze the world around us. We are naturally intuitive and insightful because You made us that way. Our mind and heart hold so much and we carry the effects of that wherever we are, straddling across the work and home life. God, please comfort and carry us. We need Your strength to navigate the effects of working inside and outside of the home. It seems we’re never off duty and we don’t want to stray from the safety of Your care and loving arms. Please let nothing cause us to drift away from You. Help us continue to cling to You and grow in Your truths and purpose. Keep us on the road You have designed and equip us to carry our children to Your heart and feet. Help our marriages to grow stronger and our lines of communication to be strengthened as we encourage and equip each other in the paths You have called for us. Help us to be present with You and our loved ones in the season we are in and navigate it with Your strength and wisdom. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you’re a working mom inside or outside the home and need an easy way to begin teaching your babies, toddlers, or preschoolers about Jesus, send me an email at info@terrihitt.com . I’m currently working on a devotional to bring your children to the feet of Jesus early. Let me know you’re interested, and I’ll let you know how to receive a copy. Also, you may have heard me talk about the Set-Apart Collective often in this podcast. Why do I share it so often? I know the program works. Through 6 weeks of one-on-one and group coaching, along with Scripturally-based materials I provide, you will complete 8 steps that include the following: Seek God First, Establish Identity, Teach Truth, A Set-Apart Woman, Parent Set-Apart Kids, Arm for Battle, Relationships, and Training. What you learn and solidify in your personal life will directly affect the way you serve God and parent for Him. It will help you construct godly confidence and esteem through Christ in your children. If you’re ready to invest in the future of your children, contact me at info@terrihitt.com for more details or visit terrihitt.com/setapart. Because you are a podcast listener, let me know you heard about the special price I’m offering you. I seriously want you to experience results and live a set-apart life with a set-apart family. Instead of a $997 value, I’ll give you a discount code that enables you to pay only $247. If you are serious about parenting with eternal perspective and raising children to chase Christ over culture, I’m making this very affordable and easy to do. Why? Because supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. Godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. If you’ve decided peers and culture won’t be the main influence over your child and you desire to parent to prepare your child for eternity with Christ, the Set-Apart Collective, will deepen your walk with Christ. You’ll learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family. The Set-Apart Collective is open now. Please send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information or look online at terrihitt.com/setapart. We can also set up a 15 minute call to chat about details. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a minute or so and makes a big difference in people finding the podcast. You and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so would you please choose a friend to recommend the show to? Let them know that the podcast is found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Imagine the change we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #116 – Christ’s Peace Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Do you consider peace to be a quality of life concern? Or is peace something you take for granted, expecting to carry it until you don’t have it? Worries or stressors from jobs, finances, children, aging parents, spouse, culture, and more can easily pile weight on our shoulders and minds. Sleeplessness, fatigue, irritability, tears, depression, and divorce are by-products of life without peace. Peace is freedom. Everyone desires tranquility, yet so few carry true peace. How do we define peace that passes understanding? Peace that remains within you despite circumstances swirling around, threatening to overtake your life? Everyone I know desires serenity and contentment. However, what we seek and receive from our own attempts are mere shadows of what we receive through Christ. Various methods exist to seek the harmony sought in this world. Self-care, yoga, breathing, stretching, bubble baths, alcohol, drugs, and many other ways or vices have allowed people temporary freedom from what ails or haunts them. Only one design fills us with everlasting peace we cannot understand, yet appreciate when we receive it. Philippians 4:4-9 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Have you ever wondered what can make it difficult to achieve or keep peace? Based on my own experience, setting heart and mind on Christ is crucial. If I ever feel peace slipping away, I have learned to recognize that it means I am not focused on God. My gaze has lowered to self. What is going on around me. What might happen. What others are saying. Yet, when I settle my mind on the truths found in God’s word, how He has carried me in the past, and stop to simply breath Him in and out, saying the name of Jesus silently in my mind while clinging closely to Him through prayer, His peace comforts me far better than a warm blanket or a cup of hot tea - and those are two things I enjoy very much. I simply cannot fathom the depth and intensity of the peace of God. It is a blessing beyond compare. If we look at the passage of scripture from Philippians 4 that I read at the beginning of this podcast, it is easy to recognize 5 steps that clearly show us how to achieve peace. Let’s examine the words more closely to see what we should be doing to receive the peace of God. 1. Rejoice! Seek God despite what is going on in or around you. Philippians 4:4 2. Live with gentleness. In this passage, gentleness is defined as being unconcerned with events that aren’t of eternal importance. Philippians 4:5 3. Hand over anxieties to your Heavenly Father. Prayerful fellowship with God allows your mind and heart to focus where He calls. Philippians 4:6 4. Contemplate life with the mind of Christ. Whatever is true, as God defines it, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy, meditate on those. Philippians 4:8 5. Allow God’s peace to settle over and within you. Ask for it, expect it, and receive it. Philippians 4:9b Paul strived to live for Christ and his instruction is clear, “Whatever you have learned, received, heard, or seen in me, put into practice and the God of peace will be with you.” Paul called for believers not to be anxious about anything. The Greek word for anxious means to have a divided mind between reasonable and destructive thoughts. We know that the opposite of peace is worry, which causes anxiety. Worry and anxiety cause toxic thoughts, which are lies, because they are opposite of God’s truths, and they destroy the peace of God before it can settle in your spirit. Isaiah 48:22 says, “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” How can we expect the blessing of peace if we are not actively seeking and surrendering to Him? Once surrendered to the Father’s will, a follower of Jesus will long for Him, eager to seek the Lord’s wisdom, will, and ways. When our mind and heart are fixed on Him, the peace of God that surpasses any human understanding gives us refuge. No matter who we are in this life, the accolades we may receive, degrees, income, or social standing, we are unable to create genuine, holy, sustainable peace apart from the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit within us. Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace, and it means completeness or wholeness. The frame of reference throughout Jewish literature for this shalom (peace) is tied to shelemut (shell-a-met), which means perfection. This perfect peace is not referring to an absence of earthly strife, quarrels, or trials, but transcends, to a divine, moral centering in the soul and comes from God alone. Perfect peace is a blessing manifested by God, the Author of Perfect Peace. Biblical peace allows more than rest or tranquility. Our Heavenly Father’s peace brings refuge even during conflict and takes action to restore what is broken or hurting through completeness at the Source. Our gracious, loving Father carries many names, of course, as He is the Author of Everything. One name, Yahweh Shalom means “the Lord is peace.” Because the Lord is peace, we receive peace and restoration with God, as well as with others, and ourselves. In this fallen world, peace as a fruit of the spirit is indwelt and felt, as well as sustained, when we purposely seek Him in humble, obedient love and service. God’s peace is presented and upheld through His Heavenly realm. It is not circumstantial or negotiated, but is a mysterious, indwelt, unfathomable gift. John 14:25-31 says, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.” When I read this passage and begin absorbing all that it proclaims, I’m struck by the confidence of Jesus. That same conviction lives within believers when we cling to Christ. As he spoke to the disciples, Jesus exhibited full trust that the Father, Son, and Holly Spirit were actively working together and in full control of current and future events. Unlike the peace our broken world offers, Jesus had no fear or doubts. We live on the other side of what the disciples experienced with Jesus, able to see how circumstances played out. We know the joyous ending! Without the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, true peace would be impossible. We are unable to walk and talk with Christ in the physical sense the disciples were privileged to explore, yet we live with the benefit of hindsight and all the modern conveniences available to study Jesus through scripture, studies, and fellowship. Yet true peace eludes many believers. When Jesus walked with the disciples, they asked questions, followed, observed Him, and heard His teachings. Once He was gone, the Holy Spirit was sent to embrace that duty. For the remainder of their time on earth, the disciples were carried and comforted by Jesus through another means, the Holy Spirit, who works within believers today. In this passage from John 14, Jesus instructs the disciples not to be troubled. When we follow Jesus, trusting Him as our Savior, our life doesn’t miraculously change to a world of perfection without blemishes. In fact, in many ways it becomes much harder. Yet, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, left as a deposit for us by the grace of our loving Heavenly Father, we may face trials and difficulties while still carrying a peace that transcends anything we could manifest in our own ability. Also included in this passage is a warning about Satan to the disciples. Jesus tells them that Satan is the ruler of this world, but has nothing in Jesus, meaning there is not a thing that the devil can do to get Jesus to sin. The same truth applies to followers of Christ. The devil needs fertile soil to do his work and damage. His strength is found when we have an area in our life that is not surrendered to Christ. Ephesians 4:27 says, “and give no opportunity to the devil.” In order to achieve the perfect peace of God, we must live a life that honors Christ, willingly seeking Him, and humbly surrendering to His will, allowing Him to transform us moment by moment so the fruits of His Spirit may penetrate and bless the fertile ground He is tilling and flourishing so that His perfect peace may abide and protect us. 2 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Not simply a greeting, Peter is offering a blessing and encouragement to believers in these words. The disciple knew that God multiplies grace and peace as a believers seek a deep, humble knowledge of Him through relationship with Jesus. The hallowed power of God supplies His followers with exactly what we need to live a life with holy faith, obedience, and blessings. The key to this fruitful life is always found through two resources. Jesus and God’s holy word. Extracting the truths and promises of God’s word and applying it to our life as we look at each moment with eternal perspective and seek to honor and please Him brings us the peace that only comes from the Holy Spirit residing within us and offers blessings more abundant than we can measure. Dear Heavenly Father, how good and gracious You are. We simply cannot understand how perfectly You love us and how mightily You long to gift us with blessings such as Your peace that surpasses all human comprehension. Father, help us be worthy of Your perfect gifts. May we seek You in ways that please and honor You, may we follow Your words and live with Your light. Help us to live with confidence in Your promises so that we honor the sacrifice Jesus gave for us. Please gift us with your peace and joy each day because we honor You and follow the ways You taught us to receive them. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you would like to hear more about living with the peace that can only come from Christ, I invite you to listen to “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast episode 21, “Peace That Passes Understanding.” You can find it easily at terrihitt.com. Click on the podcast page and type the episode name in the search bar just above the current episode on the left. It’s so easy to listen on the go with your phone or iPad as you travel, work, or exercise. Have you listened to my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” yet? I hope you will listen, follow it, and share both of my podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 116 - Christ's Peace Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #116 – Christ’s Peace Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. Do you consider peace to be a quality of life concern? Or is peace something you take for granted, expecting to carry it until you don’t have it? Worries or stressors from jobs, finances, children, aging parents, spouse, culture, and more can easily pile weight on our shoulders and minds. Sleeplessness, fatigue, irritability, tears, depression, and divorce are by-products of life without peace. Peace is freedom. Everyone desires tranquility, yet so few carry true peace. How do we define peace that passes understanding? Peace that remains within you despite circumstances swirling around, threatening to overtake your life? Everyone I know desires serenity and contentment. However, what we seek and receive from our own attempts are mere shadows of what we receive through Christ. Various methods exist to seek the harmony sought in this world. Self-care, yoga, breathing, stretching, bubble baths, alcohol, drugs, and many other ways or vices have allowed people temporary freedom from what ails or haunts them. Only one design fills us with everlasting peace we cannot understand, yet appreciate when we receive it. Philippians 4:4-9 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Have you ever wondered what can make it difficult to achieve or keep peace? Based on my own experience, setting heart and mind on Christ is crucial. If I ever feel peace slipping away, I have learned to recognize that it means I am not focused on God. My gaze has lowered to self. What is going on around me. What might happen. What others are saying. Yet, when I settle my mind on the truths found in God’s word, how He has carried me in the past, and stop to simply breath Him in and out, saying the name of Jesus silently in my mind while clinging closely to Him through prayer, His peace comforts me far better than a warm blanket or a cup of hot tea - and those are two things I enjoy very much. I simply cannot fathom the depth and intensity of the peace of God. It is a blessing beyond compare. If we look at the passage of scripture from Philippians 4 that I read at the beginning of this podcast, it is easy to recognize 5 steps that clearly show us how to achieve peace. Let’s examine the words more closely to see what we should be doing to receive the peace of God. 1. Rejoice! Seek God despite what is going on in or around you. Philippians 4:4 2. Live with gentleness. In this passage, gentleness is defined as being unconcerned with events that aren’t of eternal importance. Philippians 4:5 3. Hand over anxieties to your Heavenly Father. Prayerful fellowship with God allows your mind and heart to focus where He calls. Philippians 4:6 4. Contemplate life with the mind of Christ. Whatever is true, as God defines it, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy, meditate on those. Philippians 4:8 5. Allow God’s peace to settle over and within you. Ask for it, expect it, and receive it. Philippians 4:9b Paul strived to live for Christ and his instruction is clear, “Whatever you have learned, received, heard, or seen in me, put into practice and the God of peace will be with you.” Paul called for believers not to be anxious about anything. The Greek word for anxious means to have a divided mind between reasonable and destructive thoughts. We know that the opposite of peace is worry, which causes anxiety. Worry and anxiety cause toxic thoughts, which are lies, because they are opposite of God’s truths, and they destroy the peace of God before it can settle in your spirit. Isaiah 48:22 says, “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.” How can we expect the blessing of peace if we are not actively seeking and surrendering to Him? Once surrendered to the Father’s will, a follower of Jesus will long for Him, eager to seek the Lord’s wisdom, will, and ways. When our mind and heart are fixed on Him, the peace of God that surpasses any human understanding gives us refuge. No matter who we are in this life, the accolades we may receive, degrees, income, or social standing, we are unable to create genuine, holy, sustainable peace apart from the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit within us. Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace, and it means completeness or wholeness. The frame of reference throughout Jewish literature for this shalom (peace) is tied to shelemut (shell-a-met), which means perfection. This perfect peace is not referring to an absence of earthly strife, quarrels, or trials, but transcends, to a divine, moral centering in the soul and comes from God alone. Perfect peace is a blessing manifested by God, the Author of Perfect Peace. Biblical peace allows more than rest or tranquility. Our Heavenly Father’s peace brings refuge even during conflict and takes action to restore what is broken or hurting through completeness at the Source. Our gracious, loving Father carries many names, of course, as He is the Author of Everything. One name, Yahweh Shalom means “the Lord is peace.” Because the Lord is peace, we receive peace and restoration with God, as well as with others, and ourselves. In this fallen world, peace as a fruit of the spirit is indwelt and felt, as well as sustained, when we purposely seek Him in humble, obedient love and service. God’s peace is presented and upheld through His Heavenly realm. It is not circumstantial or negotiated, but is a mysterious, indwelt, unfathomable gift. John 14:25-31 says, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave.” When I read this passage and begin absorbing all that it proclaims, I’m struck by the confidence of Jesus. That same conviction lives within believers when we cling to Christ. As he spoke to the disciples, Jesus exhibited full trust that the Father, Son, and Holly Spirit were actively working together and in full control of current and future events. Unlike the peace our broken world offers, Jesus had no fear or doubts. We live on the other side of what the disciples experienced with Jesus, able to see how circumstances played out. We know the joyous ending! Without the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, true peace would be impossible. We are unable to walk and talk with Christ in the physical sense the disciples were privileged to explore, yet we live with the benefit of hindsight and all the modern conveniences available to study Jesus through scripture, studies, and fellowship. Yet true peace eludes many believers. When Jesus walked with the disciples, they asked questions, followed, observed Him, and heard His teachings. Once He was gone, the Holy Spirit was sent to embrace that duty. For the remainder of their time on earth, the disciples were carried and comforted by Jesus through another means, the Holy Spirit, who works within believers today. In this passage from John 14, Jesus instructs the disciples not to be troubled. When we follow Jesus, trusting Him as our Savior, our life doesn’t miraculously change to a world of perfection without blemishes. In fact, in many ways it becomes much harder. Yet, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, left as a deposit for us by the grace of our loving Heavenly Father, we may face trials and difficulties while still carrying a peace that transcends anything we could manifest in our own ability. Also included in this passage is a warning about Satan to the disciples. Jesus tells them that Satan is the ruler of this world, but has nothing in Jesus, meaning there is not a thing that the devil can do to get Jesus to sin. The same truth applies to followers of Christ. The devil needs fertile soil to do his work and damage. His strength is found when we have an area in our life that is not surrendered to Christ. Ephesians 4:27 says, “and give no opportunity to the devil.” In order to achieve the perfect peace of God, we must live a life that honors Christ, willingly seeking Him, and humbly surrendering to His will, allowing Him to transform us moment by moment so the fruits of His Spirit may penetrate and bless the fertile ground He is tilling and flourishing so that His perfect peace may abide and protect us. 2 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Not simply a greeting, Peter is offering a blessing and encouragement to believers in these words. The disciple knew that God multiplies grace and peace as a believers seek a deep, humble knowledge of Him through relationship with Jesus. The hallowed power of God supplies His followers with exactly what we need to live a life with holy faith, obedience, and blessings. The key to this fruitful life is always found through two resources. Jesus and God’s holy word. Extracting the truths and promises of God’s word and applying it to our life as we look at each moment with eternal perspective and seek to honor and please Him brings us the peace that only comes from the Holy Spirit residing within us and offers blessings more abundant than we can measure. Dear Heavenly Father, how good and gracious You are. We simply cannot understand how perfectly You love us and how mightily You long to gift us with blessings such as Your peace that surpasses all human comprehension. Father, help us be worthy of Your perfect gifts. May we seek You in ways that please and honor You, may we follow Your words and live with Your light. Help us to live with confidence in Your promises so that we honor the sacrifice Jesus gave for us. Please gift us with your peace and joy each day because we honor You and follow the ways You taught us to receive them. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you would like to hear more about living with the peace that can only come from Christ, I invite you to listen to “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast episode 21, “Peace That Passes Understanding.” You can find it easily at terrihitt.com. Click on the podcast page and type the episode name in the search bar just above the current episode on the left. It’s so easy to listen on the go with your phone or iPad as you travel, work, or exercise. Have you listened to my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” yet? I hope you will listen, follow it, and share both of my podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #139 – Are You Really a Christian? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. After hearing the name of this episode, you may wonder if I am being judgmental. I promise I’m not. By choosing the title, “Are You a Christian,” I want you, (and myself), to consider what it takes to be a follower of Christ. If a stranger observed your life, actions, and reactions, would they be able to discern which you are? What about the words you speak? Or consider the activities you pursue? How do they reflect Jesus? When your children, whether grown or young watch you day to day, what do they see? What impressions are you making on them? Do you point the way to Christ? Today we’ll discuss ways life challenges us, allowing us opportunities to rely on self or Christ. Which do you usually choose? 1. Relationships - We all know how difficult relationships can be. Have you ever loved someone so much, but just couldn’t communicate clearly with them? Human nature is so complex. Sometimes we have wonderful relationships without issues, but then are those people that for some reason, we can only have a surface relationship with. It’s difficult when one is a believer and one is not, but so much more frustrating when both are believers. Because humans, even believers have different backgrounds, communication methods, interests, and emotional triggers, and we are at different maturity points in our walk with Christ, coupled with the truth that we live in a fallen world, communication and relationships can be extremely difficult. It’s a wonder we can communicate at all sometimes. Not only are relationships challenging, but have you ever finished a conversation with someone with the frustrated feeling that they did not clearly hear what you said? Have you had to pray, knowing that God is using this person to refine you? As much as you may love the person, it’s hard to be sure that you will ever have the deeper relationship you desire. What about when you know someone speaks untruths behind your back? You know it to be true, because trusted loved ones have defended and informed you of it. Now, you’ve become hesitant to share much with the person. Maybe each time you try to deepen your relationship, it just gets harder. You might feel like the more you try to form deeper conversations and move closer to them, it just makes everything worse. You might even feel like you can’t share anything other than a superficial relationship. Or have you ever thought a person was one way, then as you entered into a closer relationship with them you saw the truth? They were not who they pretended or tried to make you think they were. Or have you prayed for someone in your family, at work, or a stranger you met, knowing that God is using you to send mighty prayers up to Him for their sake? You may have had a disagreement, He may have laid them on your heart, burdening you to cry out for them. I’ve learned that no one in this life will ever fully satisfy us. Not even those we are very close to. Why? Because we were not meant for this world and there is no substitution for Christ. The lives we have were meant for much more than we experience here. Without each person submitting to Christ and praying and working to establish relationships under His guidance, the world, and people, will never offer us what He can. We must look for ways to offer Jesus what we can while we journey in this life. 2. Politics - In the last few years, people, even believers have been divided over political opinions. Politics seem to be the tipping point that can extinguish friendships. Have you been unfollowed by someone you thought would be a lifelong friend? Maybe a family member can’t see past the fact that you can simply agree to disagree over life issues, but still carry love and respect for each other through the grace of Christ. How we view disagreements, disappointments, and disasters say a lot about the mind and heartset we carry. We can only look to God and humbly ask Him to heal relationships by working through all parties involved, and we must work to be sure our actions and reactions, even when we are hurt, do not sin against God. There is only one way to work toward that goal: ensure that we are intentionally working to follow and honor the Lord each day. Even if you never reconnect with the person you believe wronged you, continue to pray for them. Don’t let bitterness invade your heart. Relying on Christ to ease and heal the pain of broken relationships is the only way to find healing. 3. Religion – Nowadays, if politics haven’t driven your friends away, religion might. In some ways, it seems like we have more Christians in the world than we really do. What do I mean? Many people profess to be a Christian, yet when you delve below surface talk, you learn that your views are vastly different. Many religions identify as “Christian,” yet unless they follow Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, they are not Christian. Jesus warned us that He would cause division. Luke 12:51-53 says, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Of course, life is filled with many more situations that define whether a person is truly living (or attempting to live) a lifestyle that honors Christ. What I mentioned are just a few of the most noticeable, and what so many struggle with. How much joy would we receive if each of us strived to follow Christ in each of these situations? How much would we please our Heavenly Father as we choose to live in His power, then act and react with His grace and priorities leading us? Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Our “old self” is defined as what we were before the Holy Spirit abided within us through new life in Christ. Our former existence is no more. When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the “old self” dies; the new life we receive now divinely appointed through grace. The control our former self held over us is released; the curse of death replaced by eternal life through Jesus. Believers are no longer subject to live under the influence of evil that the old self carried. Yet, knowing the influence and capacity to sin still flows within our human flesh, we must remember and rely on the power of Christ within us. We cannot trust fleshly responses that guide from hurt, fears, jealousy, and so many more emotions that clash with the Father’s truths. Romans 6:11 says, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” In this verse, Paul urges believers to grasp by faith what God says and has revealed to be true. We must strive to remember and live the truth that through Christ, and the Holy Spirit alive within us, we have power over the sin that threatens to rule our nature. We carry power to deny sin abiding within us, enabling us to live with fullness of Christ directing us. Romans 6:17-18 says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” True believers following Christ have an instinctive and evident desire to study and obey God’s Word. Having been set free from the death and burden of sin, the Holy Spirit enables believers to escape the binds of unrighteousness and become captive to righteousness. How does a believer remain true to follow the Holy Spirit within and keep the desire for righteousness? Only through the strength of Christ. Believers must fix our eyes, heart, and mind above and allow the work of Christ to grow and flow within us. A life eternally changed by Christ behaves differently because we believe differently. The more a believer seeks Jesus, the more a believer craves Him. The Holy Spirit living within believers fuels us with Christ’s hunger for righteousness and holiness. Living as a Christian is not defined by: 1. Joining a church 2. Reciting prayers 3. Being baptized 4. Serving others 5. Eating certain foods and abstaining from others Christians craving Christ: 1. Humbly accept Christ as Lord and Savior and submit to Him 2. Rely on the Holy Spirit within us to eradicate our sinful nature 3. Admit our need for the strength of Jesus and His grace and mercy as we seek Christ moment by moment 4. Shift our mindset and desires to match His 5. Allow His actions to change our reactions 6. Allow the Holy Spirit to continue to guard and cleanse us of sin 7. Carry joy by the power of Christ in us 8. Live with gratitude for the change Christ has made in us 9. Allow Christ to infuse His love for others inside us 10. Carry a biblical worldview that affects our choices and opinions 11. Intentionally become more Christlike daily John 2:23-25 says, “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.” When we believe in His name because we have seen the signs Jesus displayed versus simply trusting that Jesus is who He says He is, we follow Him with an intellectual commitment versus living with a whole-hearted assurance led by faith. Jesus calls for believers to trust, follow, honor, love, and obey because we cannot comprehend living without Him. The Lord sees our whole heart. Jesus is a discerner of genuine conversion for Him versus excitement and intrigue for what could be called “magnificent events” that prompt our belief. Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” I’d like to pose a few questions for each of us to consider: Are you sure you are a Christian? If God is a discerner of hearts, what does He see in yours? What should you change about your beliefs, actions, or reactions that will make your life more pleasing to God? What are ways to ensure you are living the full life God intends His believers to enjoy? What can you do to ensure that Christ is clearly shown to those viewing your life? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God of all creation. The heavens and the earth applaud Your name. Great are Your mysteries and the things You reveal to us. Thank you for loving us enough to make a way for us to find eternal life with You. Thank you for Your painful sacrifices so that mankind could be restored to You. Father, we pray that our hearts will be found clean before You. May we live with pureness of heart that seeks to know You more intimately and show You more clearly. May our mind, heart, and mouth exemplify You more and more each day because we choose You over self and world. Help us to desire You more than what this world offers and pledge to make shifts in our lives that bring us nearer to You. Enable us to humbly seek Your worldviews and live in ways that honor what You desire. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast - Episode 139 - Are You Really a Christian? Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #139 – Are You Really a Christian? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together as we live with purposed eternal perspective. After hearing the name of this episode, you may wonder if I am being judgmental. I promise I’m not. By choosing the title, “Are You a Christian,” I want you, (and myself), to consider what it takes to be a follower of Christ. If a stranger observed your life, actions, and reactions, would they be able to discern which you are? What about the words you speak? Or consider the activities you pursue? How do they reflect Jesus? When your children, whether grown or young watch you day to day, what do they see? What impressions are you making on them? Do you point the way to Christ? Today we’ll discuss ways life challenges us, allowing us opportunities to rely on self or Christ. Which do you usually choose? 1. Relationships - We all know how difficult relationships can be. Have you ever loved someone so much, but just couldn’t communicate clearly with them? Human nature is so complex. Sometimes we have wonderful relationships without issues, but then are those people that for some reason, we can only have a surface relationship with. It’s difficult when one is a believer and one is not, but so much more frustrating when both are believers. Because humans, even believers have different backgrounds, communication methods, interests, and emotional triggers, and we are at different maturity points in our walk with Christ, coupled with the truth that we live in a fallen world, communication and relationships can be extremely difficult. It’s a wonder we can communicate at all sometimes. Not only are relationships challenging, but have you ever finished a conversation with someone with the frustrated feeling that they did not clearly hear what you said? Have you had to pray, knowing that God is using this person to refine you? As much as you may love the person, it’s hard to be sure that you will ever have the deeper relationship you desire. What about when you know someone speaks untruths behind your back? You know it to be true, because trusted loved ones have defended and informed you of it. Now, you’ve become hesitant to share much with the person. Maybe each time you try to deepen your relationship, it just gets harder. You might feel like the more you try to form deeper conversations and move closer to them, it just makes everything worse. You might even feel like you can’t share anything other than a superficial relationship. Or have you ever thought a person was one way, then as you entered into a closer relationship with them you saw the truth? They were not who they pretended or tried to make you think they were. Or have you prayed for someone in your family, at work, or a stranger you met, knowing that God is using you to send mighty prayers up to Him for their sake? You may have had a disagreement, He may have laid them on your heart, burdening you to cry out for them. I’ve learned that no one in this life will ever fully satisfy us. Not even those we are very close to. Why? Because we were not meant for this world and there is no substitution for Christ. The lives we have were meant for much more than we experience here. Without each person submitting to Christ and praying and working to establish relationships under His guidance, the world, and people, will never offer us what He can. We must look for ways to offer Jesus what we can while we journey in this life. 2. Politics - In the last few years, people, even believers have been divided over political opinions. Politics seem to be the tipping point that can extinguish friendships. Have you been unfollowed by someone you thought would be a lifelong friend? Maybe a family member can’t see past the fact that you can simply agree to disagree over life issues, but still carry love and respect for each other through the grace of Christ. How we view disagreements, disappointments, and disasters say a lot about the mind and heartset we carry. We can only look to God and humbly ask Him to heal relationships by working through all parties involved, and we must work to be sure our actions and reactions, even when we are hurt, do not sin against God. There is only one way to work toward that goal: ensure that we are intentionally working to follow and honor the Lord each day. Even if you never reconnect with the person you believe wronged you, continue to pray for them. Don’t let bitterness invade your heart. Relying on Christ to ease and heal the pain of broken relationships is the only way to find healing. 3. Religion – Nowadays, if politics haven’t driven your friends away, religion might. In some ways, it seems like we have more Christians in the world than we really do. What do I mean? Many people profess to be a Christian, yet when you delve below surface talk, you learn that your views are vastly different. Many religions identify as “Christian,” yet unless they follow Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, they are not Christian. Jesus warned us that He would cause division. Luke 12:51-53 says, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Of course, life is filled with many more situations that define whether a person is truly living (or attempting to live) a lifestyle that honors Christ. What I mentioned are just a few of the most noticeable, and what so many struggle with. How much joy would we receive if each of us strived to follow Christ in each of these situations? How much would we please our Heavenly Father as we choose to live in His power, then act and react with His grace and priorities leading us? Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Our “old self” is defined as what we were before the Holy Spirit abided within us through new life in Christ. Our former existence is no more. When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the “old self” dies; the new life we receive now divinely appointed through grace. The control our former self held over us is released; the curse of death replaced by eternal life through Jesus. Believers are no longer subject to live under the influence of evil that the old self carried. Yet, knowing the influence and capacity to sin still flows within our human flesh, we must remember and rely on the power of Christ within us. We cannot trust fleshly responses that guide from hurt, fears, jealousy, and so many more emotions that clash with the Father’s truths. Romans 6:11 says, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” In this verse, Paul urges believers to grasp by faith what God says and has revealed to be true. We must strive to remember and live the truth that through Christ, and the Holy Spirit alive within us, we have power over the sin that threatens to rule our nature. We carry power to deny sin abiding within us, enabling us to live with fullness of Christ directing us. Romans 6:17-18 says, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” True believers following Christ have an instinctive and evident desire to study and obey God’s Word. Having been set free from the death and burden of sin, the Holy Spirit enables believers to escape the binds of unrighteousness and become captive to righteousness. How does a believer remain true to follow the Holy Spirit within and keep the desire for righteousness? Only through the strength of Christ. Believers must fix our eyes, heart, and mind above and allow the work of Christ to grow and flow within us. A life eternally changed by Christ behaves differently because we believe differently. The more a believer seeks Jesus, the more a believer craves Him. The Holy Spirit living within believers fuels us with Christ’s hunger for righteousness and holiness. Living as a Christian is not defined by: 1. Joining a church 2. Reciting prayers 3. Being baptized 4. Serving others 5. Eating certain foods and abstaining from others Christians craving Christ: 1. Humbly accept Christ as Lord and Savior and submit to Him 2. Rely on the Holy Spirit within us to eradicate our sinful nature 3. Admit our need for the strength of Jesus and His grace and mercy as we seek Christ moment by moment 4. Shift our mindset and desires to match His 5. Allow His actions to change our reactions 6. Allow the Holy Spirit to continue to guard and cleanse us of sin 7. Carry joy by the power of Christ in us 8. Live with gratitude for the change Christ has made in us 9. Allow Christ to infuse His love for others inside us 10. Carry a biblical worldview that affects our choices and opinions 11. Intentionally become more Christlike daily John 2:23-25 says, “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.” When we believe in His name because we have seen the signs Jesus displayed versus simply trusting that Jesus is who He says He is, we follow Him with an intellectual commitment versus living with a whole-hearted assurance led by faith. Jesus calls for believers to trust, follow, honor, love, and obey because we cannot comprehend living without Him. The Lord sees our whole heart. Jesus is a discerner of genuine conversion for Him versus excitement and intrigue for what could be called “magnificent events” that prompt our belief. Matthew 7:21 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” I’d like to pose a few questions for each of us to consider: Are you sure you are a Christian? If God is a discerner of hearts, what does He see in yours? What should you change about your beliefs, actions, or reactions that will make your life more pleasing to God? What are ways to ensure you are living the full life God intends His believers to enjoy? What can you do to ensure that Christ is clearly shown to those viewing your life? John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Dear Heavenly Father, You are the God of all creation. The heavens and the earth applaud Your name. Great are Your mysteries and the things You reveal to us. Thank you for loving us enough to make a way for us to find eternal life with You. Thank you for Your painful sacrifices so that mankind could be restored to You. Father, we pray that our hearts will be found clean before You. May we live with pureness of heart that seeks to know You more intimately and show You more clearly. May our mind, heart, and mouth exemplify You more and more each day because we choose You over self and world. Help us to desire You more than what this world offers and pledge to make shifts in our lives that bring us nearer to You. Enable us to humbly seek Your worldviews and live in ways that honor what You desire. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast. You can find this and other transcripts online at terrihitt.com. Remember that both of my podcasts are available on the website. You can also find them on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and they are part of the Spark Media Network. Both podcasts are also found on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place for your listening enjoyment. Have you rated or reviewed my podcasts on Apple Podcasts yet? When you review my podcast on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcast online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. Will you take a moment to follow the shows and think of someone you can share the podcasts with and encourage them to follow and share, as well? Remember, if we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture. I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 060 - Motherhood is Discipleship Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 60 – Motherhood is Discipleship Have you ever pondered how Jesus gathered His disciples? Or how He decided who would become His apostles? When I first became a follower of Christ, I had so many questions. I wondered at how Jesus chose those who were closest to Him. Of course, now I understand more clearly that God has a plan and Jesus was close to the Father and sought the Father’s wisdom, insight, knowledge, and understanding. Jesus simply and immediately obeyed where the Father commanded. He was able to choose the men who would become apostles through deep prayer with, and direction from God. Have you ever thought of yourself as a disciple of Christ? Let’s pause and consider the definition of the word disciple: a disciple is a person who is a pupil of or adheres to the doctrines of another. As a mother, you certainly are His disciple. In fact, as a mother, you are a discipler . As such, your main goal should be three-fold: to worship Christ, serve Him, and witness to your children. Luke 6:12-16 says, “In these days He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night He continued in prayer to God. And when day came, He called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom He named apostles: Simon, whom He named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor .” As you study additional Scripture, you see how Jesus prepared his disciples to become apostles in four ways. In fact, these are the same methods you can use to prepare your children for a life of discipleship under Christ. 1. He shared truth - Jesus shared the truth of God – Jesus, the actual Source of the gospel, the provider of eternal life for each of us, shared God to everyone without excuses, without wavering, and without fear - just as you are to do with your husband, children, or grandchildren. No matter how old they might be, you have the holy privilege and responsibility of bringing your children to God through Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me .” 2. He mentored discipleship - Jesus explained the way to get to God , He modeled the way to live. Jesus mentored complete obedience and love. Just as we are expected to do with our children and others. God gives us the blessing of choice, but why would anyone choose not to share Jesus? The very act of living shows our beliefs and values under Christ. How are you modeling Jesus? John 8:31-32 says, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 1 John 2:4-6 says, “Whoever says “I know Him” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked .” 3. He modeled prayer – Jesus taught the disciples how to pray . The Lord’s Prayer clearly indicates an order in which to lift requests and recognition to God. Jesus began with praise . Petitions were made after worship had begun and glory given. Instead of reciting a shopping list of needs and desires, Jesus remembered Who He was addressing and gave due honor. When we pray in this way, our focus remains in the right frame of mind. Luke 11:1-13 says, “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.” So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Did you notice the important aspects of prayer laid out by Jesus: content , persistence , faithfulness, and forgiveness of God ? Jesus prayed because He understood His purpose was to be a disciple of God, to show Him to others, and to obey His will. Without prayer, and learning to know and be like the Father, Jesus would not be able to obey God’s will. Such is your life. So is my life. In order to share the truth of God with our children, they must witness Him in us . In order to be able to see Him within you, you must be in prayer. So much is modeled in this prayer! Forgiveness of self, others, God, and realizing the forgiveness lavished on us by Jesus Himself. This beautiful prayer also modeled realization that God’s provisions are daily . Sure, we love surplus. We want assurance that everything is taken care of today, tomorrow, and forever. Yet, God’s ways are different. His desire is that we are satisfied with trusting Him moment by moment. “Give us this day our daily bread .” When you are worried, dissatisfied, grumpy, lonely, or depressed, are you relying on Him to give what you need in each moment? Are you living in His strength or faltering in your own? Colossians 4:2 says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving .” Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer .” God’s Word says to be steadfast in prayer. You know I love looking at meanings of words. Steadfast means fixed in direction and unwavering. We are to remain unwavering in our ability to speak to God at any time. No matter the time of day, where you are, how you are feeling, or what is on your mind, take your heart and thoughts to God in prayer. Sometimes you’ll be in a quiet place, sometimes you’ll literally be on your knees or laying prostrate on the floor. At other times, you will lift a quick and quiet prayer from your spirit. Sometimes you’ll speak aloud as you go along your day. There is no required method to prayer, except that you speak from a place of belief, faith, and trust. God is ever-present and He hears. Steadfastness or persistence in prayer changes our heart and mind as we wait for God’s response. It helps us express the needs and desires of our heart and mind and transforms what we long and ask for as we wait. We recognize God’s work more readily as we are changed to desire what He desires and we acquire gratitude that springs from a changed heart. God also tells us to be watchful with thanksgiving . I used to keep a prayer journal. When life became so busy it was difficult to keep it up, I stopped and put the journal away. Even many years later, I pull it out sometimes and read the prayers I spoke to God and I see the answers logged, as well as those that weren’t. I think all of them have now been answered. I highly recommend logging prayers, not only for your records and remembrances, but for family members who will see the log long after you are gone. What a beautiful way to showcase the faithfulness of God and the mother who longed to disciple her children for Him. God’s Word commands us to be constant in prayer. I adore the definition for the word constant : continuing without pause or let-up . I believe speaking to God is also a lifestyle. Our communication with our Heavenly Father is like breathing. Our heart, mind, words, actions, reactions, and emotions should be so tied to His that we are in constant communication in the way we act and speak. This is constant prayer. Speaking to God, letting Him know our deepest desires, our weaknesses, relying on Him to carry us, and calling on Him to do so. 4. He equipped them – Jesus equipped His disciples . Jesus spent purposed time with His disciples. He mentored the way to live a life centered on three very important things: live with God-driven desires, focus on serving others above self, and be a godly leader. Ephesians 4:11-16 says, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work .” Can you see how in the same way Jesus prepared His apostles, Jesus prepares you to disciple His children for Him through the holy Word of God? God has set the knowledge of His moral standards within each of us and our children, but we need His Holy Spirit inside to guide and guard us, to equip us to do live according to the holy standards He has set for us. His Holy Spirit living within your children mentors the way to live a life of morals and values from our Heavenly Father. They need you to teach them the way to Him. Christ sits at the right hand of God interceding with groans when your words are inadequate and your heart longs for understanding, wisdom, direction, and peace. He has equipped you with a perfect template of how to pray to the Father and how to grow your walk moment by moment so you can reflect Him in thoughts, words, actions, reactions, and deeds. Jesus taught men to fish. He didn’t just give them fish. Don’t attempt to walk with Jesus. Let yourself be carried by Christ. Then show your children how to abide in His arms so they will never need to be hand-fed. They will be able to fish and become the generation showing others the way to life through Christ. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness is unfathomable. Try as we might, it is difficult to imagine the glory You deserve. Help us each day to grasp Your holiness and mercy in new ways that drive us to our knees before You. Enable us to be the godly women You desire so that our children and grandchildren will carry the knowledge of You into each area of their life, invite You in, and rely on You for all their needs. Father, Jesus chose ordinary apostles with mixtures of backgrounds and personalities, talents and desires. Yet He showed each of them how to use those unique qualities for You. Help us to parent in the same way. May we see our children with Your eyes of love, wisdom, and understanding, and have the patience to show them the way to eternal life with You. Prepare our hearts as You prepare theirs. Lord, we know Jesus prayed before every important event. He took time to abide in You. Help us to seek that time with You and find it. In the midst of hectic days and short nights, our spirit cries out for You without relief. Help us find the Way, the Truth, and the Life and reflect You to our children because we make the time to rest in You. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? The best reviews are by word of mouth, so if you would also choose a friend to recommend the show to, imagine the change we could see in the way mothers parent for Christ. Also, please tell friends and family that the podcast can be found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #006 – What Defines Me Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. In a world where there is confusion about life, death, and eternity, knowing what and why we believe what we do is vitally and eternally important. Why? Because I have to know my beliefs before I can live them. I suspect that most people listening to this podcast are already following Christ and enjoy listening to words of praise, inspiration, and encouragement to deepen their walk with Jesus. However, I can’t ignore the command in my spirit that leads me to clarify exactly what following Christ means. I don’t know for sure who may hear this podcast and I need to obediently follow what I believe the Holy Spirit is prompting me to share. Are you like me? I love to learn. I instinctively ask so many questions that close friends and family members joke about me. I found digging a little deeper into the terms Christian and Christianity interesting. Have you ever looked up the definition of the word, “Christian?” I never had before. I didn’t need to. As a believer, I know what the term means, but I decided to look. As a noun, the dictionary definition states that a Christian is “a person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Christianity.” I will come back to this. As an adjective, it means “relating to or professing Christianity or its teachings.” So of course, I looked up, “Christianity.” The dictionary states that Christianity is “the religion founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ.” The Hebrew and Greek definitions of Christian mean, “Follower of Christ.” The word “Christ” is the root word of “Christian” and is defined as “the Messiah or anointed One, referring to Jesus Christ.” Next, I reflected on the difference between the dictionary definition and what the Bible shows that the word, “Christian” means. Of course, there may be more entries, but I found the term Christian used in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. What caught my attention as the most telling is just one of those passages. Why? Because it reflects the way many people live today. Acts 26:28 says, “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Although King Agrippa heard Paul relay his astonishing personal testimony of the truth of his conversion to following Jesus, he would not allow himself to be humbled enough to declare Christ as King. Many of us live the same way. Each of us needs to ask ourselves an important question. Have I let the truth of Jesus penetrate my heart? The gospel changes lives. It opens eyes and alters hearts and mindsets. It changes families and communities. It forces each of us to face behaviors and beliefs that are uncomfortable. Almost everyone dislikes change. We don’t want to be told what to do. We think we have control or we think we have time. The power and truth of the gospel moves people from living in darkness under the power of Satan and places us in the powerful, loving light of Jesus. It provides hope and secures our future if we choose to let Jesus penetrate our hearts and lives. If we think we are walking with Jesus and our life has not changed, we need to reassess our relationship. No one can face the truth of Christ, study His word and life, and remain unchanged. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” If we don’t know Jesus as our personal Savior, those words can be threatening and frightening. Because I‘ve already submitted to Jesus as the Lord of my life, I find the words promising, as well as a beautiful safeguard that will continue to grow and mold me in the proper ways, ensuring that I become more pleasing to God the more that I pursue Him and allow Him to work in and through me. The needed transformation took place in my life after I understood that I am a sinner who needed Jesus. I spoke a simple, yet very heartfelt prayer confessing to the Lord that I knew I had broken His laws and that sin separated me from Him. I repented and asked for forgiveness. I professed my knowledge and belief that Jesus, God’s Holy Son, died as my substitute. I thanked Jesus for forgiving me and cleansing me from unrighteousness. I invited Jesus to take control of my life and I asked Him to change me and enable me to live the way He desires. I accepted His promise of sending the Holy Spirit to reside in, and transform me, to be more and more like Him each day. I thanked Him for his sacrifice for me. If you need to ask Jesus into your life, please feel free to use what I prayed as a template for your own prayer. It shows that all you need is a simple, yet heart-felt prayer. I am also listing a few key verses that you can read to reference for more insight before you pray. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, I John 1:9, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13 A Christian is someone saved by the grace of Jesus and has accepted His gift as I stated in the example of my own prayer. Simply praying the prayer won’t get you into heaven, but it combined with the heart knowledge and desire to truly follow Jesus because you repent and confess your need for Him and acknowledge His merciful act of grace through dying as a substitute for your sin does. At the beginning of this episode, I stated that the dictionary defines a Christian as “a person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Christianity.” The truth is that baptism is the way we publicly show we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. It is an act of obedience that should follow our heart change for Christ and should be done as soon as possible after salvation. Although the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us immediately, it definitely takes intentional effort on our part daily to ensure that our walk with the Lord continues to deepen and grow. He is faithful, but we are not. Just as with any relationship, we have to want it to flourish. Spending time deepening our walk with God is the best investment we can make for not only ourselves, but for our family. I know that as a follower of Jesus I can call myself a Christian only after I have accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. Simply believing in and loving God or praying to Him did not make me a Christian. I lived until my early twenties under that mistaken assumption. Jesus tells us clearly in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” What I am stating is not my opinion; it is fact from God’s Holy word. Jesus makes the way to heaven very clear. Also, don’t be deceived into following religions that are act-based. Instead, build a relationship with the only One who can save you from unrighteousness. 1 John 4:15 states, “If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” God, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit all participate in the salvation experience. God, the Father sent His Son as a substitute for us, allowing us a glimpse of His eternal love. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer. Jesus is the Truth, the Hope, and the Message for this world. He is the Savior each of us needs, whether we understand it yet or not. Why do I believe this? The Bible tells us. I yearn for all to know and experience His truth and loving care through salvation. What a different world we would reside in if only hearts would be softened to Him. Satan’s power to deceive and the pride of too many cause a blindness that kills and destroys. Do you know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him? The second half of the dictionary definition of Christian states, “a believer in Christianity.” Just saying that you believe in Jesus does not make you a Christian. We must commit to Him and release control of our life to Him, as I said earlier in the example of what I prayed. Make sure that your eternal future is securely in His hands. God is so good to give us free will. I think that would be so difficult to do! God created each of us uniquely and intentionally. Instead of forcing us to acknowledge and love Him, He allows us to choose what we believe and what and who we will follow in this life. He allows us to choose whatever religion we desire. I actually dislike the word, religion, but treasure knowing that I have a relationship. My walk with God through Jesus is entirely relationship-based. I believe what the Bible states and I acknowledge the remarkable difference in my life through my attitude, thoughts, desires, and actions since I have come to know Jesus as my Savior and continue to mature in Him. I have learned through experience that what the Bible says is living and true. Jesus is alive and active in my life. Is He alive in yours? Another very important point I must raise in this episode is life after salvation. So, we pray a prayer asking Jesus to lead our life. What happens next? Unfortunately, this is where many people trip in their walk. I know I had wonderful intentions after choosing to follow Jesus. I made the mistake of following people, not Jesus. After they let me down, I faltered in knowing what to do next. I didn’t get the right discipleship needed to learn about Jesus and correctly grow my relationship. It took longer for me to understand and know Him deeply, and to release proper access to my life than it should have. If you are a new Christian, please do not hesitate to reach out for support to know the next steps to fully develop your understanding of Jesus. There is nothing magical or mysterious about following Jesus. It is actually incredibly simple. Jesus desires us to have the faith of a child. We just need to acknowledge our need for Him, accept His grace, and confess Him as the Lord of our life. The hardest part is afterwards. We have to work at the relationship like any other, and it is the most important one we will ever have. The fact that the gospel, the way to salvation through Christ is so uncomplicated, sometimes allows people to question whether they actually belong to Jesus and will live for eternity in heaven with Him one day. I will list a few Bible verses that I hope will reassure anyone who questions their future or might need to reevaluate whether they have entered into a relationship with Jesus. Revelation 3:20, John 10:27-28, Romans 8:38-39, 1 John 5:10-13, Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, and Ephesians 2:8-9, which is my favorite. It states, “For by grace you have been saved by faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Beyond the reassurances of scripture, the most effective way of ensuring our eternal walk with Jesus is secure is through the works He produces through us. A Christian lives and exhibits a changed life. God creates a good work in believers. Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Are you changing daily, becoming more Christ-like? Colossians 1:9b-11 says, “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” As believers, we are filled with knowledge and spiritual understanding by immersing ourselves in and studying God’s word and by keeping open communication with Him through prayer. Because of the Holy Spirit inside us, we are able to better discern God’s will. Wisdom and understanding can only come from the Lord and by following Him through a deepening relationship. The more intimately we know and understand God and His word; we will produce fruit for Him as we gain knowledge and grow in Him. We also gain fruits of the Spirit from Him. Instead of desiring and partaking in sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these, we possess and exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We persevere through trials as He carries us because we trust in Him. We praise Him in deeper ways because we understand He has plans for good and not to harm us. We believe the good He has for us is not strictly ours, but is the best for all as He intricately weaves lives and His glorious plans. We walk in faith, share the gospel, and help others to live lives that reflect Christ. We look at our present and future through the lens of eternal perspective and live in ways that exemplify His truths and in doing so, it is not a burden, but a joy. Here are several questions that are necessary to review if we have accepted Christ as our Savior and want to continue growing and shining for Him. 1. Do I intentionally and joyfully spend time in prayer throughout each day? Are my prayers living and breathing extensions of my thoughts and life as I raise my heart to God with gratitude before requests? God already knows us, but He desires intimacy, as well as honor in our lives. 2. Do I spend time in God’s word through reading my Bible each day? Podcasts, inspirational stories and blogs, etc. are wonderful ways to be encouraged and taught, but the most effective way to grow and deepen our walk is through consistent, personal time in His Holy word. 3. Do I place my spiritual growth behind more pressing duties in my life? God must be a priority. We know we make time for what we declare is important. 4. What are my first thoughts and desires when I awaken each morning? What about my last thoughts when I go to sleep? Make it a habit to talk to God as you go to sleep and to awaken with gratitude in your heart and on your lips as you start the day. Ask Him to guide and time your day. Ask Him to shine through you in every encounter. Ask for His patience, His love, whatever you know is lacking. Pray for the person who bad mouths you or the child bullying your son or daughter. Ask God to give you a heart for them, and to give them a heart for Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform you. 5. Do I feel true joy in my life? Two important fruits of the Spirit we receive from walking with Jesus is pure joy and peace despite circumstances. Psalm 94:19 says, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comfort delights my soul.” 6. Have I found a Bible-believing church to mentor and encourage me or to invest in others? Am I using the gifts God has given me for Him? In order for my family and friends to know my beliefs, I have to live them. If they are not clear to me, they will be clear to no one else. We must take time to reflect on our life. 1. If I am in a relationship or have children they will not be positively influenced by me in eternal ways if I am not intentionally allowing the Lord to work through me. 2. Do my words reflect my beliefs and desire to grow in Jesus? 3. Do my actions reflect my beliefs and desire to grow in Jesus? 4. Am I allowing God to alter my thoughts? My thoughts reflect my words, attitude, and actions. Do I submit to them or to the Lord? 5. My emotions, attitude, words, and actions influence and affect my loved ones daily. Do I attract or repel them and others to the Lord? How does the world see me? Is my life authentic? Do I project a false image? Do I exude warmth? Do I come across as stand-offish? Am I kind or rude? Would others be attracted to Christ because they see Him in me? What I think about myself will affect how others see me and how they view Christ. Where do I find my worth? Jeremiah 1:5a says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Ephesians 1:4-5 says, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” Psalm 27:10 says, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.” What are my strengths? Do I praise God for these qualities? Do I acknowledge that they are from Him and use them for Him? What are my weaknesses? Am I thankful that I have weaknesses that force me to rely on God? Do I ask God to strengthen these areas so that I may honor Him? Do I allow other people or circumstances to affect or influence my mindset and actions? Two verses beautifully instruct us in this area. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The other verse is Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we inherit daily change. Our relationship with Christ becomes experiential. He penetrates and alters our attitude, thoughts, and actions. He regulates our emotions and erases fears. We are no longer “in the body of Christ." We are living for Christ. We don’t just “identify” with Christ; we abide in and fellowship with Him. When we are tempted to become angry or hurt, or a variety of other emotions, we rely on Christ within us to enable our reaction to be what He desires, instead of allowing our fleshly responses to control us. Is this easy? Not always. We are human. But God is not. We must rely on His strength. God is able to do above and beyond what we can conceive. As we yield to Him, He modifies our instinctive responses and creates something new and beautiful within us. When we fail to respond in the ways that please Him, we repent and lean closer in reliance on Him. Philippians 4:8 offers sound advice for yielding to the life God desires for us. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” Finally, a last set of ways to evaluate and discern the way we live. 1. What would others say defines me: Jesus or the world? What would my family say? 2. Which exposes my life focus as shown through my daily habits (Jesus or the world)? 3. What am I willing to do in order to change this definition of my current lifestyle? 4. Do I submit to advertisements that show me what to desire and how to live? 5. Are my values dictated more by social media or friends, rather than God? 6. What are my last actions before bed and my first actions upon awakening? 7. Do I rely more on God or myself throughout each day? 8. How have I reflected Jesus to others? 9. Am I embarrassed for others to know I follow Him? 10. Have I stepped out in faith and obedience where God has asked me to? 11. Do I have the same peace, joy, and hope through both good and difficult times? After a life conversion to follow Christ, we will not exhibit all of the above qualities immediately. It takes time to grow in our faith and dependence on God. The key is to immediately begin cultivating our trust through the ways already stated. As we pursue Him, He allows wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to flow into our lives. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. Ephesians 5:8-10 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), and find out what pleases the Lord.” Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we will have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 006 What Defines Me Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #006 – What Defines Me Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed and thrilled to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. In a world where there is confusion about life, death, and eternity, knowing what and why we believe what we do is vitally and eternally important. Why? Because I have to know my beliefs before I can live them. I suspect that most people listening to this podcast are already following Christ and enjoy listening to words of praise, inspiration, and encouragement to deepen their walk with Jesus. However, I can’t ignore the command in my spirit that leads me to clarify exactly what following Christ means. I don’t know for sure who may hear this podcast and I need to obediently follow what I believe the Holy Spirit is prompting me to share. Are you like me? I love to learn. I instinctively ask so many questions that close friends and family members joke about me. I found digging a little deeper into the terms Christian and Christianity interesting. Have you ever looked up the definition of the word, “Christian?” I never had before. I didn’t need to. As a believer, I know what the term means, but I decided to look. As a noun, the dictionary definition states that a Christian is “a person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Christianity.” I will come back to this. As an adjective, it means “relating to or professing Christianity or its teachings.” So of course, I looked up, “Christianity.” The dictionary states that Christianity is “the religion founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ.” The Hebrew and Greek definitions of Christian mean, “Follower of Christ.” The word “Christ” is the root word of “Christian” and is defined as “the Messiah or anointed One, referring to Jesus Christ.” Next, I reflected on the difference between the dictionary definition and what the Bible shows that the word, “Christian” means. Of course, there may be more entries, but I found the term Christian used in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. What caught my attention as the most telling is just one of those passages. Why? Because it reflects the way many people live today. Acts 26:28 says, “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Although King Agrippa heard Paul relay his astonishing personal testimony of the truth of his conversion to following Jesus, he would not allow himself to be humbled enough to declare Christ as King. Many of us live the same way. Each of us needs to ask ourselves an important question. Have I let the truth of Jesus penetrate my heart? The gospel changes lives. It opens eyes and alters hearts and mindsets. It changes families and communities. It forces each of us to face behaviors and beliefs that are uncomfortable. Almost everyone dislikes change. We don’t want to be told what to do. We think we have control or we think we have time. The power and truth of the gospel moves people from living in darkness under the power of Satan and places us in the powerful, loving light of Jesus. It provides hope and secures our future if we choose to let Jesus penetrate our hearts and lives. If we think we are walking with Jesus and our life has not changed, we need to reassess our relationship. No one can face the truth of Christ, study His word and life, and remain unchanged. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” If we don’t know Jesus as our personal Savior, those words can be threatening and frightening. Because I‘ve already submitted to Jesus as the Lord of my life, I find the words promising, as well as a beautiful safeguard that will continue to grow and mold me in the proper ways, ensuring that I become more pleasing to God the more that I pursue Him and allow Him to work in and through me. The needed transformation took place in my life after I understood that I am a sinner who needed Jesus. I spoke a simple, yet very heartfelt prayer confessing to the Lord that I knew I had broken His laws and that sin separated me from Him. I repented and asked for forgiveness. I professed my knowledge and belief that Jesus, God’s Holy Son, died as my substitute. I thanked Jesus for forgiving me and cleansing me from unrighteousness. I invited Jesus to take control of my life and I asked Him to change me and enable me to live the way He desires. I accepted His promise of sending the Holy Spirit to reside in, and transform me, to be more and more like Him each day. I thanked Him for his sacrifice for me. If you need to ask Jesus into your life, please feel free to use what I prayed as a template for your own prayer. It shows that all you need is a simple, yet heart-felt prayer. I am also listing a few key verses that you can read to reference for more insight before you pray. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, I John 1:9, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13 A Christian is someone saved by the grace of Jesus and has accepted His gift as I stated in the example of my own prayer. Simply praying the prayer won’t get you into heaven, but it combined with the heart knowledge and desire to truly follow Jesus because you repent and confess your need for Him and acknowledge His merciful act of grace through dying as a substitute for your sin does. At the beginning of this episode, I stated that the dictionary defines a Christian as “a person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Christianity.” The truth is that baptism is the way we publicly show we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. It is an act of obedience that should follow our heart change for Christ and should be done as soon as possible after salvation. Although the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us immediately, it definitely takes intentional effort on our part daily to ensure that our walk with the Lord continues to deepen and grow. He is faithful, but we are not. Just as with any relationship, we have to want it to flourish. Spending time deepening our walk with God is the best investment we can make for not only ourselves, but for our family. I know that as a follower of Jesus I can call myself a Christian only after I have accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. Simply believing in and loving God or praying to Him did not make me a Christian. I lived until my early twenties under that mistaken assumption. Jesus tells us clearly in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” What I am stating is not my opinion; it is fact from God’s Holy word. Jesus makes the way to heaven very clear. Also, don’t be deceived into following religions that are act-based. Instead, build a relationship with the only One who can save you from unrighteousness. 1 John 4:15 states, “If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” God, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit all participate in the salvation experience. God, the Father sent His Son as a substitute for us, allowing us a glimpse of His eternal love. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer. Jesus is the Truth, the Hope, and the Message for this world. He is the Savior each of us needs, whether we understand it yet or not. Why do I believe this? The Bible tells us. I yearn for all to know and experience His truth and loving care through salvation. What a different world we would reside in if only hearts would be softened to Him. Satan’s power to deceive and the pride of too many cause a blindness that kills and destroys. Do you know Jesus and have a personal relationship with Him? The second half of the dictionary definition of Christian states, “a believer in Christianity.” Just saying that you believe in Jesus does not make you a Christian. We must commit to Him and release control of our life to Him, as I said earlier in the example of what I prayed. Make sure that your eternal future is securely in His hands. God is so good to give us free will. I think that would be so difficult to do! God created each of us uniquely and intentionally. Instead of forcing us to acknowledge and love Him, He allows us to choose what we believe and what and who we will follow in this life. He allows us to choose whatever religion we desire. I actually dislike the word, religion, but treasure knowing that I have a relationship. My walk with God through Jesus is entirely relationship-based. I believe what the Bible states and I acknowledge the remarkable difference in my life through my attitude, thoughts, desires, and actions since I have come to know Jesus as my Savior and continue to mature in Him. I have learned through experience that what the Bible says is living and true. Jesus is alive and active in my life. Is He alive in yours? Another very important point I must raise in this episode is life after salvation. So, we pray a prayer asking Jesus to lead our life. What happens next? Unfortunately, this is where many people trip in their walk. I know I had wonderful intentions after choosing to follow Jesus. I made the mistake of following people, not Jesus. After they let me down, I faltered in knowing what to do next. I didn’t get the right discipleship needed to learn about Jesus and correctly grow my relationship. It took longer for me to understand and know Him deeply, and to release proper access to my life than it should have. If you are a new Christian, please do not hesitate to reach out for support to know the next steps to fully develop your understanding of Jesus. There is nothing magical or mysterious about following Jesus. It is actually incredibly simple. Jesus desires us to have the faith of a child. We just need to acknowledge our need for Him, accept His grace, and confess Him as the Lord of our life. The hardest part is afterwards. We have to work at the relationship like any other, and it is the most important one we will ever have. The fact that the gospel, the way to salvation through Christ is so uncomplicated, sometimes allows people to question whether they actually belong to Jesus and will live for eternity in heaven with Him one day. I will list a few Bible verses that I hope will reassure anyone who questions their future or might need to reevaluate whether they have entered into a relationship with Jesus. Revelation 3:20, John 10:27-28, Romans 8:38-39, 1 John 5:10-13, Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, and Ephesians 2:8-9, which is my favorite. It states, “For by grace you have been saved by faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Beyond the reassurances of scripture, the most effective way of ensuring our eternal walk with Jesus is secure is through the works He produces through us. A Christian lives and exhibits a changed life. God creates a good work in believers. Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Are you changing daily, becoming more Christ-like? Colossians 1:9b-11 says, “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” As believers, we are filled with knowledge and spiritual understanding by immersing ourselves in and studying God’s word and by keeping open communication with Him through prayer. Because of the Holy Spirit inside us, we are able to better discern God’s will. Wisdom and understanding can only come from the Lord and by following Him through a deepening relationship. The more intimately we know and understand God and His word; we will produce fruit for Him as we gain knowledge and grow in Him. We also gain fruits of the Spirit from Him. Instead of desiring and partaking in sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these, we possess and exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We persevere through trials as He carries us because we trust in Him. We praise Him in deeper ways because we understand He has plans for good and not to harm us. We believe the good He has for us is not strictly ours, but is the best for all as He intricately weaves lives and His glorious plans. We walk in faith, share the gospel, and help others to live lives that reflect Christ. We look at our present and future through the lens of eternal perspective and live in ways that exemplify His truths and in doing so, it is not a burden, but a joy. Here are several questions that are necessary to review if we have accepted Christ as our Savior and want to continue growing and shining for Him. 1. Do I intentionally and joyfully spend time in prayer throughout each day? Are my prayers living and breathing extensions of my thoughts and life as I raise my heart to God with gratitude before requests? God already knows us, but He desires intimacy, as well as honor in our lives. 2. Do I spend time in God’s word through reading my Bible each day? Podcasts, inspirational stories and blogs, etc. are wonderful ways to be encouraged and taught, but the most effective way to grow and deepen our walk is through consistent, personal time in His Holy word. 3. Do I place my spiritual growth behind more pressing duties in my life? God must be a priority. We know we make time for what we declare is important. 4. What are my first thoughts and desires when I awaken each morning? What about my last thoughts when I go to sleep? Make it a habit to talk to God as you go to sleep and to awaken with gratitude in your heart and on your lips as you start the day. Ask Him to guide and time your day. Ask Him to shine through you in every encounter. Ask for His patience, His love, whatever you know is lacking. Pray for the person who bad mouths you or the child bullying your son or daughter. Ask God to give you a heart for them, and to give them a heart for Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform you. 5. Do I feel true joy in my life? Two important fruits of the Spirit we receive from walking with Jesus is pure joy and peace despite circumstances. Psalm 94:19 says, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comfort delights my soul.” 6. Have I found a Bible-believing church to mentor and encourage me or to invest in others? Am I using the gifts God has given me for Him? In order for my family and friends to know my beliefs, I have to live them. If they are not clear to me, they will be clear to no one else. We must take time to reflect on our life. 1. If I am in a relationship or have children they will not be positively influenced by me in eternal ways if I am not intentionally allowing the Lord to work through me. 2. Do my words reflect my beliefs and desire to grow in Jesus? 3. Do my actions reflect my beliefs and desire to grow in Jesus? 4. Am I allowing God to alter my thoughts? My thoughts reflect my words, attitude, and actions. Do I submit to them or to the Lord? 5. My emotions, attitude, words, and actions influence and affect my loved ones daily. Do I attract or repel them and others to the Lord? How does the world see me? Is my life authentic? Do I project a false image? Do I exude warmth? Do I come across as stand-offish? Am I kind or rude? Would others be attracted to Christ because they see Him in me? What I think about myself will affect how others see me and how they view Christ. Where do I find my worth? Jeremiah 1:5a says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Ephesians 1:4-5 says, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” Psalm 27:10 says, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.” What are my strengths? Do I praise God for these qualities? Do I acknowledge that they are from Him and use them for Him? What are my weaknesses? Am I thankful that I have weaknesses that force me to rely on God? Do I ask God to strengthen these areas so that I may honor Him? Do I allow other people or circumstances to affect or influence my mindset and actions? Two verses beautifully instruct us in this area. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The other verse is Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we inherit daily change. Our relationship with Christ becomes experiential. He penetrates and alters our attitude, thoughts, and actions. He regulates our emotions and erases fears. We are no longer “in the body of Christ." We are living for Christ. We don’t just “identify” with Christ; we abide in and fellowship with Him. When we are tempted to become angry or hurt, or a variety of other emotions, we rely on Christ within us to enable our reaction to be what He desires, instead of allowing our fleshly responses to control us. Is this easy? Not always. We are human. But God is not. We must rely on His strength. God is able to do above and beyond what we can conceive. As we yield to Him, He modifies our instinctive responses and creates something new and beautiful within us. When we fail to respond in the ways that please Him, we repent and lean closer in reliance on Him. Philippians 4:8 offers sound advice for yielding to the life God desires for us. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” Finally, a last set of ways to evaluate and discern the way we live. 1. What would others say defines me: Jesus or the world? What would my family say? 2. Which exposes my life focus as shown through my daily habits (Jesus or the world)? 3. What am I willing to do in order to change this definition of my current lifestyle? 4. Do I submit to advertisements that show me what to desire and how to live? 5. Are my values dictated more by social media or friends, rather than God? 6. What are my last actions before bed and my first actions upon awakening? 7. Do I rely more on God or myself throughout each day? 8. How have I reflected Jesus to others? 9. Am I embarrassed for others to know I follow Him? 10. Have I stepped out in faith and obedience where God has asked me to? 11. Do I have the same peace, joy, and hope through both good and difficult times? After a life conversion to follow Christ, we will not exhibit all of the above qualities immediately. It takes time to grow in our faith and dependence on God. The key is to immediately begin cultivating our trust through the ways already stated. As we pursue Him, He allows wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to flow into our lives. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. Ephesians 5:8-10 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), and find out what pleases the Lord.” Thank you so much for listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast. God has impressed so much on my heart to share. Living with an eternal perspective affects absolutely everything in my life. I am thrilled to delve into different areas with you. Since everything affects our eternity, we will have a lot to discuss! I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you found value in this podcast, please subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. I also encourage you to leave a review. In order for others to be able to find this podcast, I will need the support of listeners who will invest a few minutes in subscribing and reviewing to lift Live With Eternal Perspective higher on the charts so that the platform shows it to everyone. Thank you again for sharing part of your day with me. Until next time, keep looking Upward and finding new ways to live with an Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #083 – Allowing Christ to Shine Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Last week I spoke about the peace of God surrounding me despite trials we have endured this summer. Of course, you know what usually happens after a declaration like that, right? This week has been full of situations happening that would cause me to lose that peace if I didn’t know the secret to authentic peace that lasts. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” No matter what happens, we must keep our eyes, mind, and heart lifted Up. Forming the habit of regularly hearing, studying, and absorbing God’s word, as well as making time to prayerfully be in the presence of God, listening for Him, and speaking to Him is essential. The “Live With Eternal Perspective” Podcast Episode 18, simply entitled “Prayer” is a good source to help us focus on a life of meaningful prayer and reverence for God. Would you like to listen to it or read the transcript, both available on terrihitt.com? Deuteronomy 10:12 says, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul.” Our life does not amount to anything if it does not include forming and maturing a deep relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the definer and refiner of life. Ephesians 5:2 says, “and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God, into an aroma of a sweet smell.” As I type this podcast my shoulder is numb and I am applying an ice pack for relief. There have been many obstacles I could list, but James 12 comes to mind and fills me with greater peace and clarity of mind. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” What can you do to change the direction of your life so that you honor Christ and live with greater peace? Deuteronomy 30:20a says, “and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.” As I mentioned earlier this month, I am using the month of August to encourage listeners and equip you through previous episodes of this podcast that you may not have listened to. Have you heard Podcast Episode 46 – Maturing Character Like Christ or Podcast Episode 49 How Do We Love Christ? Both are useful for instruction and for training, then maintaining a pure and deepening walk with God through Jesus. Father God, we thank you for Your holy and sovereign presence in our lives. Without you we are absolutely nothing. From the dust of the ground we were formed, and to the ground we will return. Our hope is in You through Jesus. Thank you for the dearest sacrifice You could have made for us. Please enable us to desire and know You so well that we cannot help but be obedient to the stirrings and calls You personally place on our life. Father, may we know and love You more each day because we make the time to cherish You. Until we stand before You and gaze into Your eyes, help us cling to You and allow You to shine more brightly through us each and every moment. In the name of Your precious Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 083 - Allowing Christ to Shine Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #083 – Allowing Christ to Shine Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Last week I spoke about the peace of God surrounding me despite trials we have endured this summer. Of course, you know what usually happens after a declaration like that, right? This week has been full of situations happening that would cause me to lose that peace if I didn’t know the secret to authentic peace that lasts. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” No matter what happens, we must keep our eyes, mind, and heart lifted Up. Forming the habit of regularly hearing, studying, and absorbing God’s word, as well as making time to prayerfully be in the presence of God, listening for Him, and speaking to Him is essential. The “Live With Eternal Perspective” Podcast Episode 18, simply entitled “Prayer” is a good source to help us focus on a life of meaningful prayer and reverence for God. Would you like to listen to it or read the transcript, both available on terrihitt.com? Deuteronomy 10:12 says, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul.” Our life does not amount to anything if it does not include forming and maturing a deep relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the definer and refiner of life. Ephesians 5:2 says, “and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God, into an aroma of a sweet smell.” As I type this podcast my shoulder is numb and I am applying an ice pack for relief. There have been many obstacles I could list, but James 12 comes to mind and fills me with greater peace and clarity of mind. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” What can you do to change the direction of your life so that you honor Christ and live with greater peace? Deuteronomy 30:20a says, “and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.” As I mentioned earlier this month, I am using the month of August to encourage listeners and equip you through previous episodes of this podcast that you may not have listened to. Have you heard Podcast Episode 46 – Maturing Character Like Christ or Podcast Episode 49 How Do We Love Christ? Both are useful for instruction and for training, then maintaining a pure and deepening walk with God through Jesus. Father God, we thank you for Your holy and sovereign presence in our lives. Without you we are absolutely nothing. From the dust of the ground we were formed, and to the ground we will return. Our hope is in You through Jesus. Thank you for the dearest sacrifice You could have made for us. Please enable us to desire and know You so well that we cannot help but be obedient to the stirrings and calls You personally place on our life. Father, may we know and love You more each day because we make the time to cherish You. Until we stand before You and gaze into Your eyes, help us cling to You and allow You to shine more brightly through us each and every moment. In the name of Your precious Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. Please visit terrihitt.com to access podcast episodes housed in one convenient location, read blog posts, transcripts, and access additional resources designed to mature your walk with Jesus through an eternal perspective and encourage you to raise or influence children to choose Christ over culture. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Godly Motherhood Podcast - Episode 139 - How to Respond to Kids From a Biblical Perspective Godly Motherhood podcast – Episode 139 – How to Respond to Kids From a Biblical Perspective Welcome to the Godly Motherhood podcast. If you’re a mom, you can’t parent in your strength. The Good News is that you aren’t supposed to. On this podcast I’ll mentor how to rest and abide in the Father’s arms. Through Him, you’ll be carried - and capable of raising each unique child entrusted to your care as you teach them to chase Christ over culture moment by moment. Just last week, I released Godly Motherhood Podcast Episode # 138 – entitled, “How to Raise Kids to Think Critically and Biblically.” This week’s episode reiterates a small portion of that episode. This is Episode 139 – How to Talk to Kids From a Biblical Perspective Last week I shared some thoughts with moms in my current Set-Apart Collective program. I’d like to share a few with you now. One of the moms asked how to answer kids in a way that turns them toward God when they ask hard questions. For example, let’s say your child is trying to do homework, but gets frustrated. As moms, we want to rush in and alleviate the pain. We want to reassure them that they’re smart. Capable. Able to do the work if they try hard enough. But is that really the way to reach what they’re feeling that brought out the frustration? SO many variables flow into how we shift from parenting from a place of wanting to reassure our kids and take away pain - or from a place of answering quickly while we juggle 10 tasks. Mothers tend to jump into erasing pain. We want to make days smooth for our kids. We want them to see themselves as we see them. Instead, we must remember to tend to the soil of our hearts - inhale Christ so we effortlessly exhale Him onto our children. Then work with them in ways that lead them to see themselves not as we do, but as HE does. It's a process...that starts with us. Having said that, let me remind you of a section from my last podcast, "How to Raise Kids Who Think Critically and Biblically: Here are 9 ways to help your children develop biblical critical thinking skills: 1. Encourage Questions 2. Enjoy Answering Questions 3. Enforce “No Question is Dumb” 4. Seek Answers Together 5. Ask Your Child Questions 6. Allow Time to Think and Process 7. Practice Critical Thinking Together 8. Inspire Creativity 9. Read the Bible Together Here are 4 ways to teach your child that people don’t stop to think critically when : 1. We Are Rushed – When forced to make fast decisions, people usually move with what is easiest. 2. We Are Confused – Teach your children that when something doesn’t make sense, they must make time to pray and seek God’s wisdom through Scripture and speak with someone they trust to lead and advise them in God’s truths. 3. We Are Selfish – When we follow only selfish desires, we usually make decisions we regret later, decisions that hurt others, or decisions that go against God’s desires. 4. We Are Apathetic – If children are allowed to remain indifferent or uninterested, they will not make time to seek and follow God’s values and commands. Matthew 24:4 – “ And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.” Help your children build a framework for establishing biblical critical thinking by teaching them to: Compare everything heard, seen, or taught against the Bible . 1. Is the source of information godly? 2. Is the source of information credible? 3. Is the source of information experienced? 4. What is the motive of the source? 5. What is the perspective of the source? 6. Is the information opinion or is it fact backed by Scripture and/or biblical values? 7. Is the information backed by biblical evidence? I remind you of these points, because teaching our kids godly esteem and identity in Christ - along with biblical, critical thinking skills will enable us to approach those remarks our kids say, like "I can't do this." or "I'm not smart enough," or "No one likes me" through a biblical and eternal lens. Instead of rushing to reassure our kids that we believe in them, ask probing questions like Jesus did. Like those I mentioned earlier, but in context of the remarks your kids made. Sometimes we think we know where their mind is - and they may be a mile away from where we suspect. Asking questions will invite and allow better understanding and godlier leadership for our kids. Don't rush in to make things smooth, easy, or fast for kids either. (ie:"I believe in you." "You can do this.") We usually need to "walk through the pain" of what we (or they) are thinking or feeling (with godly guidance) in order to reach real transformation. The responses they give will lead us to reflect and answer with responses - when we're pursuing God consistently - and in ways that what we say matches our actions, attitudes, and desires. Raising kids is a process guided by prayer, the Word, and communication that points to God in every situation. Just as our answers and responses to questions and remarks should be. If you’d like to dig deeper, send me an email. Thank you for listening to this podcast. The Godly Motherhood podcast will be absent from the airways for a few weeks while I complete final edits on my book, “The Good Mom Trap.” When the podcast returns, we’ll have more episodes to flesh out questions like those posed in this episode, interviews, and biblical teachings to equip you in areas of godly womanhood and motherhood. Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Great I Am, the Maker of all things, the designer of our soul. How blessed we are to know You, to have You available for all things at all times. We praise and thank You for entrusting Your precious children to our hands and homes. Please enable us to seek You first in all things. Help our thoughts be so connected to Yours that our words reflect Yours and we direct the children in our care straight to Your heart and truths. Help us not rescue them, but help them build identity through Jesus as Savior. Help us not alleviate all pains, but help them resolve troubles by resting in Your capable arms. May it be so because we are already there. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I have a free resource you’ll find helpful as you navigate your daily routine as a mom. If you’re ready to become the godly mother God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource. Also, if you’d like to get more info or get on the waiting list to hear when the next Godly Womanhood or Godly Motherhood program begins, send me an email at info@terrihitt.com . Time is short. Leave a legacy that lasts into eternity. Unless you’re purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. Focus on eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #049 – How Do We Love Christ? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Have you increasingly felt the love of Jesus in the last few podcast episodes as we prepare our hearts for Him this season? If so, I know without a doubt that it is nothing I said or did. Deepening awareness of and increasing love for Christ simply comes from time in His word and moments invested in speaking to and listening for Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6 says, “But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.” As we move closer to the Father and the Son, we experience life-changing transformations. A personal relationship with Jesus is the source. It has been astounding to witness the goodness of God in the transformation of our youngest. When we brought Brooklyn home from China five years ago, she was understandably a frightened girl who had no idea what was in her future. When we talk about the time now, she admits her fear. Our treasured daughter had lived in an orphanage most of her life and was placed in a foster home for less than a year (from what we can piece together) before we brought her home. I’ve heard much about what she experienced in both places, but because I crave every detail available; I cannot ever hear enough history. We lived without our youngest daughter for too long, and I yearn to fill the holes in her precious story to uncover everything she endured and braved. Since that is impossible, I must rest in the truth that although she was treated, and felt as though she was a forgotten one who did not matter in China, she was actually never alone. Before Brooklyn knew Him, God was already watching over her. Our Heavenly Father does the same for you and me. Matthew 10:29-31 says, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” The Lord has a love for us that is so deep He even knows the number of hairs on our head. As much as I love each of my family members, I cannot record in my brain or understand every minuscule feature about them. Honestly, can you imagine how difficult it would be to remember that much information about everyone? Not just remember, but even cherish the details so deeply that they sit on your tongue and abide in your heart to recite and obtain at any moment? That fact that we don’t have that capacity doesn’t diminish our love or affection for the special people in our lives; it just shows how tiny and worthless our mind and abilities are in comparison to God’s omnipotence and wisdom. Beyond the personal way God recalls everything about us, He planned for us and tailor-made each of those details in beautiful and unique ways that is never duplicated in another individual. Nehemiah 9:6 says, “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” How high God’s love is, for He, the author and perfecter of love, is supremely higher than each of us. Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Thank you, God for planning me. For crafting each of us. Your fastidiousness and devotion to us are fathomless. Boundless is your love. Love. Many ponder the meaning of such a small word. Our culture carries many confusing and warped definitions of this simple, yet profoundly important word. So, let’s examine love. 1. What is love? Our Lord beautifully offers living examples and definitions of love in the Bible and through His life on earth and in Heaven. In this world, the meanings of love point to the following: a profoundly tender, deep, or passionate affection for another person, a feeling of personal attachment for a parent, child, or friend, to have a strong liking for or to take great pleasure in something. God’s definition of love is not built or based on the wisdom, values, morals, or agenda of our culture or human belief systems. God defines true love because He is love. God was love before we knew love existed in any form. In John 15:9, Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” Love for our Heavenly Father and for one another is not an option when we follow Jesus. It is only through Jesus that we see and experience love in action. Most people have heard John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Sometimes it is quoted so much that I think many people have stopped paying attention to the promise and eternal value in these powerful words, yet they prove God’s plan for the world with the most spectacular sacrifice and gift that could ever be bestowed. Less quoted, but just as powerful and central in the study of God’s love for mankind is Romans 5:8, which says, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is authentic, eternal love. Our society has a difficult time distinguishing love, yet it waits for us. He waits for us. 2. How do we recognize love? John 13:34 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We only begin to view and accept love as Christ does when we clearly see, know, and follow Jesus. 1 John 4:16 says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” The way the world sees Christ is through us – His followers. 3. How is love described? Luke 6:32 says, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” Jesus extracts impurities from within us; sometimes easily, often painfully. Yet, He never leaves our side. Jesus walks through the fires with us, replacing what we lose with qualities we can only receive from the Spirit. Because of His refining, we are continually becoming new creations and “take-on” the qualities of our Lord. Our behavior reveals the nature of our relationship with Jesus. Changed by His love, we are able to love others differently and in visibly Christ-centered ways. 1 John 4:16 says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” Our actions expose our heart. 1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” One of the passages in the Bible most widely connected with love is 1 Corinthians 13, which is an entire chapter expressing biblical love in multiple ways: modeling grace, virtue, faith, joy, patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, truth, perseverance, assurance, hope, and God’s agape love. 1 Corinthians 13 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 4. Where do we learn love? The Trinity reveals perfect love: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." Matthew 22:36-40 says, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 1 Peter 1:22 says, “You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” 1 John 4:12 says, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 5. How can we show our love for God? Jesus modeled perfect love, expressing His love for the Father in a way we can all replicate. Obedience. Like you may have experienced in your own life, obedience has the been key to fulfilling joy in my life and in deepening my walk with Jesus. When I keep my gaze and heart set on the Lord, my reliance on Him grows, my relationship matures, and listening and obeying when and where He calls becomes easier and is such a desire for me. Through this, I have experienced the most profound blessings - deeper than I could ever imagine. Obedience is costly, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. God continues to call us into deeper waters than we have previously tested. He requires reliance on, and obedience in Him. For good reason. Our life is meaningless and empty without Him. Fully expressed love from a believer to God’s heart is exhibited when we fix our thoughts on Him and move without question where He calls. Obedience to God brings us fullness of life and love. Luke 1:26-38 says, “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” Don’t you adore these verses?! This is one of my very favorite stories and responses in the Bible. Examine the heart, faith, and simple, prompt response of Mary. I want a heart that always follows exactly where God leads, exactly when He requests, and exactly how He desires me to move. Mary exemplified obedient love in action. 1 John 5:1-3 says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome.” When we love God, and the Holy Spirit is alive and active inside us, obedience becomes a pleasurable, desirable source of peace. Jesus remained steadfast; modeling obedient love, bidding us to imitate His actions. John 15:10 says, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” Luke 6:46-49 says, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Don’t wait for hardships and tragedies to force you to follow the Lord. Let obedient love guide and rule your life. John 15:9-17 says, “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” Jesus already expressed obedient love to the fullest degree with the largest sacrifice one could make. Beseeching us to love and follow His commands, Jesus tells us that by doing so, we will abide in His love, carry His joy, and bear fruit that will last. Because He loves us so deeply, He commands us to love each other. The Bible tells us that three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. Dear Jesus, thank you for modeling love with the greatest act of obedience the world has recorded. Your passionate and unfailing love is a template for us. We fall so short, Lord. Help us to abide in Your perfect love that casts out all fear and enable us to obediently follow where You call with a passion that never becomes a burden, yet is a joyful delight for us and for You. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to my new website at terrihitt.com, where you can access all the podcasts housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to blog posts, transcripts, and additional free resources that are added to regularly. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 049 How Do We Love Christ Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #049 – How Do We Love Christ? Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Have you increasingly felt the love of Jesus in the last few podcast episodes as we prepare our hearts for Him this season? If so, I know without a doubt that it is nothing I said or did. Deepening awareness of and increasing love for Christ simply comes from time in His word and moments invested in speaking to and listening for Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6 says, “But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.” As we move closer to the Father and the Son, we experience life-changing transformations. A personal relationship with Jesus is the source. It has been astounding to witness the goodness of God in the transformation of our youngest. When we brought Brooklyn home from China five years ago, she was understandably a frightened girl who had no idea what was in her future. When we talk about the time now, she admits her fear. Our treasured daughter had lived in an orphanage most of her life and was placed in a foster home for less than a year (from what we can piece together) before we brought her home. I’ve heard much about what she experienced in both places, but because I crave every detail available; I cannot ever hear enough history. We lived without our youngest daughter for too long, and I yearn to fill the holes in her precious story to uncover everything she endured and braved. Since that is impossible, I must rest in the truth that although she was treated, and felt as though she was a forgotten one who did not matter in China, she was actually never alone. Before Brooklyn knew Him, God was already watching over her. Our Heavenly Father does the same for you and me. Matthew 10:29-31 says, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” The Lord has a love for us that is so deep He even knows the number of hairs on our head. As much as I love each of my family members, I cannot record in my brain or understand every minuscule feature about them. Honestly, can you imagine how difficult it would be to remember that much information about everyone? Not just remember, but even cherish the details so deeply that they sit on your tongue and abide in your heart to recite and obtain at any moment? That fact that we don’t have that capacity doesn’t diminish our love or affection for the special people in our lives; it just shows how tiny and worthless our mind and abilities are in comparison to God’s omnipotence and wisdom. Beyond the personal way God recalls everything about us, He planned for us and tailor-made each of those details in beautiful and unique ways that is never duplicated in another individual. Nehemiah 9:6 says, “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” How high God’s love is, for He, the author and perfecter of love, is supremely higher than each of us. Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Thank you, God for planning me. For crafting each of us. Your fastidiousness and devotion to us are fathomless. Boundless is your love. Love. Many ponder the meaning of such a small word. Our culture carries many confusing and warped definitions of this simple, yet profoundly important word. So, let’s examine love. 1. What is love? Our Lord beautifully offers living examples and definitions of love in the Bible and through His life on earth and in Heaven. In this world, the meanings of love point to the following: a profoundly tender, deep, or passionate affection for another person, a feeling of personal attachment for a parent, child, or friend, to have a strong liking for or to take great pleasure in something. God’s definition of love is not built or based on the wisdom, values, morals, or agenda of our culture or human belief systems. God defines true love because He is love. God was love before we knew love existed in any form. In John 15:9, Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” Love for our Heavenly Father and for one another is not an option when we follow Jesus. It is only through Jesus that we see and experience love in action. Most people have heard John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Sometimes it is quoted so much that I think many people have stopped paying attention to the promise and eternal value in these powerful words, yet they prove God’s plan for the world with the most spectacular sacrifice and gift that could ever be bestowed. Less quoted, but just as powerful and central in the study of God’s love for mankind is Romans 5:8, which says, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is authentic, eternal love. Our society has a difficult time distinguishing love, yet it waits for us. He waits for us. 2. How do we recognize love? John 13:34 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We only begin to view and accept love as Christ does when we clearly see, know, and follow Jesus. 1 John 4:16 says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” The way the world sees Christ is through us – His followers. 3. How is love described? Luke 6:32 says, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” Jesus extracts impurities from within us; sometimes easily, often painfully. Yet, He never leaves our side. Jesus walks through the fires with us, replacing what we lose with qualities we can only receive from the Spirit. Because of His refining, we are continually becoming new creations and “take-on” the qualities of our Lord. Our behavior reveals the nature of our relationship with Jesus. Changed by His love, we are able to love others differently and in visibly Christ-centered ways. 1 John 4:16 says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” Our actions expose our heart. 1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” One of the passages in the Bible most widely connected with love is 1 Corinthians 13, which is an entire chapter expressing biblical love in multiple ways: modeling grace, virtue, faith, joy, patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, truth, perseverance, assurance, hope, and God’s agape love. 1 Corinthians 13 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 4. Where do we learn love? The Trinity reveals perfect love: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." Matthew 22:36-40 says, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 1 Peter 1:22 says, “You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” 1 John 4:12 says, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 5. How can we show our love for God? Jesus modeled perfect love, expressing His love for the Father in a way we can all replicate. Obedience. Like you may have experienced in your own life, obedience has the been key to fulfilling joy in my life and in deepening my walk with Jesus. When I keep my gaze and heart set on the Lord, my reliance on Him grows, my relationship matures, and listening and obeying when and where He calls becomes easier and is such a desire for me. Through this, I have experienced the most profound blessings - deeper than I could ever imagine. Obedience is costly, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. God continues to call us into deeper waters than we have previously tested. He requires reliance on, and obedience in Him. For good reason. Our life is meaningless and empty without Him. Fully expressed love from a believer to God’s heart is exhibited when we fix our thoughts on Him and move without question where He calls. Obedience to God brings us fullness of life and love. Luke 1:26-38 says, “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” Don’t you adore these verses?! This is one of my very favorite stories and responses in the Bible. Examine the heart, faith, and simple, prompt response of Mary. I want a heart that always follows exactly where God leads, exactly when He requests, and exactly how He desires me to move. Mary exemplified obedient love in action. 1 John 5:1-3 says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome.” When we love God, and the Holy Spirit is alive and active inside us, obedience becomes a pleasurable, desirable source of peace. Jesus remained steadfast; modeling obedient love, bidding us to imitate His actions. John 15:10 says, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” Luke 6:46-49 says, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Don’t wait for hardships and tragedies to force you to follow the Lord. Let obedient love guide and rule your life. John 15:9-17 says, “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” Jesus already expressed obedient love to the fullest degree with the largest sacrifice one could make. Beseeching us to love and follow His commands, Jesus tells us that by doing so, we will abide in His love, carry His joy, and bear fruit that will last. Because He loves us so deeply, He commands us to love each other. The Bible tells us that three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. Dear Jesus, thank you for modeling love with the greatest act of obedience the world has recorded. Your passionate and unfailing love is a template for us. We fall so short, Lord. Help us to abide in Your perfect love that casts out all fear and enable us to obediently follow where You call with a passion that never becomes a burden, yet is a joyful delight for us and for You. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to my new website at terrihitt.com, where you can access all the podcasts housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to blog posts, transcripts, and additional free resources that are added to regularly. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to Jesus and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #032 – Teachability Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Welcome back to the podcast this week. Do you know what is heavy on my mind right now? I love learning! As our 2020-2021 school year will begin soon, and I am preparing our classroom and studies, I am incredibly thankful to have the freedom to teach my children at home. What a joy homeschool has been for our family! One of the goals I set when I began teaching my children, and one that all parents should have, whether they homeschool or not (in my opinion), is to instill a love of learning. I want my children to adore learning and to have curious minds that study many topics. I also want them to seek the truth of God in each. That desire leads me to the topic of our podcast this week. Teachability. The openness we carry for learning affects everything in our life. Let me ask you a couple of questions. How open are you to learning new things? How open are you to making mistakes? For most people, the first question is probably much easier than the second. Yet, you can’t have one without the other. This is one of the lessons I have repeatedly taught my children – and myself. When I was younger, I never wanted to make mistakes. But as I matured and grew my confidence in and through the Lord, I realized that I didn’t have to fear mistakes. I should embrace them. They don’t define me. Mistakes define how I am progressing. They prove I am a changing and growing human. Just as we are meant to be. This week, I was thinking of a Biblical character who was forced to learn through a very difficult method. It’s a longer set of verses, but right now, I’m going to read from the book of Daniel – Chapter 4:1-37. “King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. “ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— our Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” What methods God had to use to ensure that King Nebuchadnezzar was teachable! King Nebuchadnezzar had proven that he was one of the most arrogant leaders the world had held. God knew the pride living and growing in the king’s heart had to dealt with in the only ways that would personally work for him. Just like He has to do with every one of us. Each of us has moments in which we are anything but pliable and ready for God to use us. Each one of us has been resistant to learning at times and remained stuck where we were. Oh, God, may our hearts and minds be pliant and open to you. May our spirit bend to Your will, instead of our own. In the verses we read, God gave the stubborn and prideful King Nebuchadnezzar a vision of a huge tree that had been chopped down by an angel. Who do you think the tree represented? That’s right. The King. God removed the king from his high position and sent him into the wilderness where he would live as an animal. He ate like all the other animals, his nails grew long and he lived in the dirt and wilderness as an animal. How long did he dwell there? Until the former king was humbled and God knew he had learned to submit to Him. The discipline God chose worked. When the beastly former king returned to the palace and his position, he was a changed man. No longer did he believe he was greatest, but now realized his position and greatness was God-ordained and given to him. He wanted to honor God instead of himself. The king became teachable. King Nebuchadnezzar praised God and acknowledged the sovereignty of the Lord. His sanity was returned, along with honor, splendor, and his reign. Advisors and nobles sought the king and he was even greater than before. King Nebuchadnezzar was a changed man. Humbled, he praised, exalted, and glorified God, proclaiming that He alone is right and just. Lord, may we give you proper glory and honor without the hard lessons. Help us to honor and exalt you because our hearts are willingly softened toward You and Your ways. May we please you and give you joy. What are the lessons from this story that we can grasp and hold in our hearts? 1. Live humbly. Recognize that all we have comes from God. 2. Express genuine gratitude for what we do and don’t possess. 3. Trust God and His timing. 4. Seek to live in ways that honor, please, and glorify God. 5. Allow God to change and grow us with experiences and situations that stretch us. 6. View life with an eternal perspective that includes God and others. God sees directly into our heart. He knows our reasons for each word, thought, and action we have. Seek Him when you awaken, throughout each day, and every night, allowing Him to guide your purposes and behavior in ways that honor Him and attract others to the light only He can place inside us. How do we develop such a love for God? Through Jesus. When we are His and seek to know Him better, we will. 1. Crave Him more than earthly treasures and accolades. 2. Apologize when you have wronged another, even when it is slightly. What we do and say matters greatly to others and to God. 3. Read His word and seek to continue deepening your understanding and relationship. 4. Admit mistakes and keep learning and growing daily. 5. Intentionally influence others by the way you live. Allow them to see your strong and growing connection to Jesus. When they see the difference He makes in your life and understand that He can do the same for them, their eternity is altered. 6. Desire godly change. Father, thank you for allowing us to draw nearer to you and bring others with us by the work You do in and through us. God help each of us crave You more than before, beginning this moment. Help us to seek You in new ways that enlighten us to Your heart. May we honor You with all we are and bring You exceeding joy. Help us to be teachable in Your desires, and influence others to be the same, in this world that does not realize how greatly we thirst for You. Please change that, God, by changing us. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 032 Teachability Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #032 – Teachability Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to grow in Jesus together. I am blessed to be back with you today to discuss more ways to live with eternal perspective. Welcome back to the podcast this week. Do you know what is heavy on my mind right now? I love learning! As our 2020-2021 school year will begin soon, and I am preparing our classroom and studies, I am incredibly thankful to have the freedom to teach my children at home. What a joy homeschool has been for our family! One of the goals I set when I began teaching my children, and one that all parents should have, whether they homeschool or not (in my opinion), is to instill a love of learning. I want my children to adore learning and to have curious minds that study many topics. I also want them to seek the truth of God in each. That desire leads me to the topic of our podcast this week. Teachability. The openness we carry for learning affects everything in our life. Let me ask you a couple of questions. How open are you to learning new things? How open are you to making mistakes? For most people, the first question is probably much easier than the second. Yet, you can’t have one without the other. This is one of the lessons I have repeatedly taught my children – and myself. When I was younger, I never wanted to make mistakes. But as I matured and grew my confidence in and through the Lord, I realized that I didn’t have to fear mistakes. I should embrace them. They don’t define me. Mistakes define how I am progressing. They prove I am a changing and growing human. Just as we are meant to be. This week, I was thinking of a Biblical character who was forced to learn through a very difficult method. It’s a longer set of verses, but right now, I’m going to read from the book of Daniel – Chapter 4:1-37. “King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.) I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me. These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed. “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven. He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field. “ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him. “ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ “This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries! The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds— our Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. “Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’ “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules. Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” What methods God had to use to ensure that King Nebuchadnezzar was teachable! King Nebuchadnezzar had proven that he was one of the most arrogant leaders the world had held. God knew the pride living and growing in the king’s heart had to dealt with in the only ways that would personally work for him. Just like He has to do with every one of us. Each of us has moments in which we are anything but pliable and ready for God to use us. Each one of us has been resistant to learning at times and remained stuck where we were. Oh, God, may our hearts and minds be pliant and open to you. May our spirit bend to Your will, instead of our own. In the verses we read, God gave the stubborn and prideful King Nebuchadnezzar a vision of a huge tree that had been chopped down by an angel. Who do you think the tree represented? That’s right. The King. God removed the king from his high position and sent him into the wilderness where he would live as an animal. He ate like all the other animals, his nails grew long and he lived in the dirt and wilderness as an animal. How long did he dwell there? Until the former king was humbled and God knew he had learned to submit to Him. The discipline God chose worked. When the beastly former king returned to the palace and his position, he was a changed man. No longer did he believe he was greatest, but now realized his position and greatness was God-ordained and given to him. He wanted to honor God instead of himself. The king became teachable. King Nebuchadnezzar praised God and acknowledged the sovereignty of the Lord. His sanity was returned, along with honor, splendor, and his reign. Advisors and nobles sought the king and he was even greater than before. King Nebuchadnezzar was a changed man. Humbled, he praised, exalted, and glorified God, proclaiming that He alone is right and just. Lord, may we give you proper glory and honor without the hard lessons. Help us to honor and exalt you because our hearts are willingly softened toward You and Your ways. May we please you and give you joy. What are the lessons from this story that we can grasp and hold in our hearts? 1. Live humbly. Recognize that all we have comes from God. 2. Express genuine gratitude for what we do and don’t possess. 3. Trust God and His timing. 4. Seek to live in ways that honor, please, and glorify God. 5. Allow God to change and grow us with experiences and situations that stretch us. 6. View life with an eternal perspective that includes God and others. God sees directly into our heart. He knows our reasons for each word, thought, and action we have. Seek Him when you awaken, throughout each day, and every night, allowing Him to guide your purposes and behavior in ways that honor Him and attract others to the light only He can place inside us. How do we develop such a love for God? Through Jesus. When we are His and seek to know Him better, we will. 1. Crave Him more than earthly treasures and accolades. 2. Apologize when you have wronged another, even when it is slightly. What we do and say matters greatly to others and to God. 3. Read His word and seek to continue deepening your understanding and relationship. 4. Admit mistakes and keep learning and growing daily. 5. Intentionally influence others by the way you live. Allow them to see your strong and growing connection to Jesus. When they see the difference He makes in your life and understand that He can do the same for them, their eternity is altered. 6. Desire godly change. Father, thank you for allowing us to draw nearer to you and bring others with us by the work You do in and through us. God help each of us crave You more than before, beginning this moment. Help us to seek You in new ways that enlighten us to Your heart. May we honor You with all we are and bring You exceeding joy. Help us to be teachable in Your desires, and influence others to be the same, in this world that does not realize how greatly we thirst for You. Please change that, God, by changing us. Amen. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement and learn how to live with more eternal perspective? Right now, because this podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help them find it by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media or word of mouth. Can you think of a friend or family member who might enjoy encouragement? If so, please share this podcast with them. Until next week, keep looking Up and finding new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 067 - Have You Planned for Your Child's Spiritual Growth? Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 067 – How Are You Planning for Your Child’s Spiritual Growth? I remember wanting to read everything I could about child development when I was pregnant with my first child. I was eighteen years old, and if I heard another parent or doctor state something, or if the information was was published, I thought it had to be true! How different I feel about those sources today. Regardless, that curiosity and desire to do well as a mother spurred me to find answers before they were needed. I wanted to be ahead, to know what to expect , and to give my child the best start in life. By the time I had my second child, I felt pretty confident that I could rely more on instinct and experience than what others said. But a generation later, when we brought our ten month old daughter home from China, I was back to reading books plus taking attachment, cultural, and trauma classes. Ten years after that, when we brought our youngest home as a nine year child with much deprivation in her history, I had also completed several foster-to-adopt courses. All of those courses and materials, combined with lots of prayer left me as prepared as I could be. People say you never know what to expect when you adopt, but the truth is that you don’t know what you will encounter as a bio mom, either. Most mothers like to be prepared. It makes us feel like better parents when we think we know a little more about what to expect. We feel empowered when we’re armed with the resources we might need. The phrase “mama bear” is so true. We fight for our children and knowledge is one of the best defenses we can have. But one thing I’ve noticed is that most mothers don’t think about planning for the spiritual development of their children. I certainly didn’t do it the first time I parented. It wasn’t until my husband and I decided to begin parenting with a baby again over twenty years later that we created a purposed parenting plan that caused me to think about charting spiritual growth. Obviously, spiritual development of your child is even more important than their physical, mental, and emotional development, because it affects their eternity . Why do we accidentally leave so much of it to chance? One of the Bible verses I’m intrigued by is Luke 2:52. In it, we read, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Surprisingly, God’s Word doesn’t tell us much about Jesus as a child. Yet this short verse exposes so much if we pay attention . First, let’s stop and look up the definition of wisdom, “the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action, discernment, or insight .” Next, if we look up the word stature, it says, “degree of development attained; level of achievement .” We know this means the Bible is telling us Jesus had godly insight and discernment, the wisest you can get and He achieved it at a very high level. As Jesus matured, He continued to grow in these ways of God. Don’t you bet God charted the spiritual growth of His Son? Don’t you think He was purposed in what Jesus was exposed to and what God allowed to happen? In how He used every experience to mature Jesus’ character and godliness? Just as we should do with our children. Because God intentionally planted eternity on our hearts, He also placed the need for us to mature spiritually while we grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Just as He did with Jesus. Ecclesiastes 3:11a says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart .” Just as there are medically proven developmental stages for children, the spiritual life of a child seems to mature in stages. Before the age of seven, a child typically cannot understand the abstract. Some say that the thought of a Heavenly Father may be difficult to comprehend because children aren’t able to see God or understand specific theological points in discussions. However, they do understand and enjoy rituals and symbols, such as the cross or prayers. Although research demonstrates what is believed about children at this age, believing mothers must remember what the Bible tells us in Matthew 19:14. “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these .” I believe that when we teach our children Biblical truths about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit from the beginning of our time with them, and we prayerfully nurture their faith. When we ask God to convey His wisdom to us in how to parent His child in godly ways, He will honor our prayers. Continue exposing your child to God’s truths as early as possible in ways that enable your child to build interest, understanding, and faith. The heart of a young child is ready to hear about Jesus. You are nurturing their eternity. Until the late preteen years, around the age of twelve, you are helping your child construct their important foundation of faith. They are growing a personal sense of connection to God through experience with family. Where and how your child worships, the truths he has learned from the Bible, other faith-based experiences, family and church rituals, and traditions remain very important in building faith and understanding at this age. The teen years should solidify connection with God through Christ. A teen is searching for answers about self, the world, and others. You know Jesus is the answer. As you have helped your child build identity through Christ in younger years, you can now help them connect what they’ve already learned and experienced so they will bring faith, trust, and obedience to a higher level. Throughout the life of your child, whether in the earliest or teen years, continue with traditions you’ve established at home and church. Continue teaching God’s truths and helping your child understand why they believe. Although sometimes you may think your child doesn’t pay attention, they are absorbing everything, especially what you deem important and what you remain consistent with. Your faith , godly character , and obedience to God and His Word will affect them more than any other influence. If you are prayerfully and purposely committed to God, and personal growth in and through Him, your family, and children will see God at work in you. Remember, God gifts you with perfect parenting direction within His perfect Life Manual, His holy Word, the Bible and your prayerful time with Him. As you study God’s Word, you see that He has given you exactly what is needed to influence children for Jesus. He has offered guidelines, guards, and promises. When you hear the following verses, listen with new ears. Hear the heart behind the words. Think of ways you should use the verses to lead you and help you influence and raise your children for God. Let me give a few examples: Psalm 34:11 says, “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord .” The only way to learn the fear of the Lord is to know Him. After you accept Christ as your personal Savior, live with the Holy Spirit within, study God’s Word, and trust and follow the Lord with humble submission, you are transformed. You are made new. You carry new eyes, ears, heart, and desires. As you learn more of God and His truths, you carry the fear of the Lord because you recognize His holiness and sovereignty. Spiritual growth has occurred and you are able to help your children grow, as well. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up .” God tells us that we should be thinking of Him, living for and growing in Him, and purposely teaching our children to do the same moment by moment. Living for and growing in God should be as simple as the act of breathing . Life is full of distractions. Remember, God didn’t place Adam and Eve in a world like we have today and they still fell. We must be extra cautious of the confusion, interferences, and sin faced daily. God never said parenting for Him would be easy, but He has required us to do so. What will you sacrifice to obey Him and make Him known to your children? Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord .” Have you seen parents who treat their children as competitors or best friends? I have. None of us are perfect parents, but our children deserve the best we can give them. Your child receives your best when you intentionally draw near to God so He will draw nearer to you. Daily. Every moment. Wear those invisible blinders that lead your heart, mind, and eyes to Him. The closer you are to Christ, humbly trusting and obeying, learning how to be the godly woman and parent He desires, the less exasperated, confused, or hopeless your child will be. Numbers 14:18 says, “The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation .” What needs to change in your life or the life of your spouse? Living with eternal perspective means paying attention to ways you can extract sins and spiritual neglect from your life and home. What happens now moves into future generations. How are you, your spouse, and children going to influence those after you for eternity? Your choices and decisions matter. Proverbs 14:1 says, “A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands .” Who you are and what you do are drawing your child closer to or further away from Christ. How are you moving nearer to God daily? In what ways are you making Him known to your children? Do you inhale God’s love, grace, and mercy moment by moment and exhale His truths for your child to grasp? By your own hands you are influencing the next generation for Jesus in ways that either honor or dishonor God. There are so many verses – a whole book of them – that we could go over in this episode. I’ll list a few more verses without my thoughts for you to ponder and begin with. There are so many additional excellent verses to use in the Bible. Look at the Bible with new eyes the next time you study. Pinpoint verses that may be used to shape your character, motives, parenting, marriage, and choices. This is the best start to purposed parenting and planning for your child’s spiritual growth. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth .” Psalm 119:97 says, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long .” Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives .” Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. ” 1 Samuel 3:13 says, “For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them .” Proverbs 23:24 says, “The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him .” James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you .” Psalm 19:7-9 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous .” Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Use these verses to help you begin charting the spiritual life of your children in purposed ways. Just as you mark the walls of your home to show the height your child is reaching, impress the heart and mind of your child with spiritual truths that will shape their character and morals for eternity. Dear Heavenly Father, how gracious You are to us. How can You entrust Your children into our incapable hands? Your generosity is astounding! Your holy character and sovereignty over our lives are such a gift. Your guidelines to us are a treasure that we need to cherish with more intentionality. May we read Your Words with open hearts and receive Your teachings with open hands. Help us to interpret and examine Your teachings with wisdom and insight that comes from You. Help us use Your Words to raise our children and influence our grandchildren for generations to come. May our families shine for You because we make time to know, love, and honor You now and help our children to do the same. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Supporting and encouraging mothers to rest in Christ and pursue a holy relationship with Him so they purposely raise set-apart children is the cry of my heart. I believe godly parenting is rooted in relationship with Christ and the mindset a mother carries. That’s why I’ve created the Set-Apart Collective. Would you like to walk with other like-minded mothers to deepen your walk with Christ, learn a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan? I want to share special news with my podcast listeners. The Set-Apart Collective wait list is open now. Send me an email at info@terrihitt.com to let me know you’d like to receive information and a special code to receive a discount if you find you’d like to join the collective. It’s time for mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. If you connected in some way with this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? The best reviews are by word of mouth, so if you would also choose a friend to recommend the show to, imagine the change we could see in the way mothers parent for Christ. Also, please tell friends and family that the podcast can be found at terrihitt.com, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and on the Edifi app, where you can hear thousands of the best Christian podcasts in one place. Remember, if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will likely sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection. Previous Next

< Back Godly Motherhood Podcast Episode 135 - Godly Motherhood Will Transform Your Parenting for Jesus Welcome to the Godly Motherhood Podcast - Episode 135 - Godly Motherhood Will Transform Your Parenting for Jesus Today I’m sharing a conversation with Carolyn Wiley, founder of Rose and Pearl Publishing. First – let’s address the podcast name change. This is the first episode to release after the official switch from Purposed Parent/Connected Child to Godly Motherhood. This new name reflects the lifestyle our Heavenly Father commands us to seek. You see, the world we live in tells us to seek what we define as good for us, but God demands us to be set-apart. To seek what’s holy. After parenting for 46 years, I’ve learned that as we invite moment by moment transformation of our heart and mind, we inhale Christ and exhale Him effortlessly onto our children. By sharing guest interviews and biblically sound teaching laced with personal stories, each week episodes will draw you nearer to the Father’s feet and heart while equipping you to raise kids who chase Christ over culture. Today I’m sharing a conversation with Dr. Carolyn Wiley, my good friend and the publisher of my upcoming book, “The Good Mom Trap.” Carolyn is a bestselling textbook author, publishing strategist, and the founder of Rose & Pearl Publishing—a faith-filled publishing company serving high-level Christian coaches and CEOs. With a doctorate in Higher Education specializing in Institutional Effectiveness, Carolyn co-authored one of the nation’s top-selling statistics textbooks, generating 7-figure annual sales and used by universities across the country. But her true gift lies in blending data-driven precision with Spirit-led creativity—helping experts turn their body of work into a book that’s both a strategic asset and a sacred assignment. From Harvard-trained memoirist to legacy-minded ghostwriter, Carolyn guides her clients through every phase of the publishing process with prophetic insight, editorial excellence, and unmatched clarity—so their message multiplies their impact and positions their business for next-level visibility. Now you may not be a business-woman, but this episode focuses on her time in my program, the Set-Apart Collective, a Christian walk, and her new book releasing September 5. If you’re a reader, I highly recommend you grab this one. I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets optioned for a movie in the future. Settle in with your laundry or pump up the speed on your exercise equipment and let’s listen to this newest Godly Motherhood episode. -------CONVERSATION------- If you have questions after this episode, please reach out to me at info@terrihitt.com . I’m happy to help you discover ways you can ensure you trust and submit to God to lead your parenting. I also have a resource that you’ll find helpful as you navigate your daily routine as a mom. If you’re ready to become the godly mother God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. Remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom as the world defines - and focus on being the godly parent God commands. If you’re ready to be more intentional - to be purposed in preparing your children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ, contact me at info@terrihitt.com . I think you’ll be interested in my Set-Apart mini renewal program for $197. I have a limited number of partial scholarships at this price. Don’t wait to experience a deeper walk with God and closer connection with Christ and your children. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 126 - How to Avoid Tantrums Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 126 – How to Avoid Tantrums Thank you for sharing your day with me. I pray this podcast gives you the awareness and tools you need to STOP being a GOOD mom so you can BECOME the GODLY mom God entrusts you to be. Then you’ll be the SET-APART woman PURPOSELY raising children to chase CHRIST over culture. Just a quick reminder as we start, if you enjoy Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episodes, would you please share this episode or others with a friend or family member? When you graciously take a moment to do that, and leave a rating or review at Apple Podcast, you are ensuring that others will find the podcast. When you do, you’re helping affect generations for Jesus. Now on to this episode that makes us consider an important question… do you know how to avoid tantrums? Many parents have experienced being the center of attention with a child who decides to throw a tantrum while out shopping or at an event. While this isn’t an unusual event, when it happens, the situation makes you feel like the only person this has ever happened to. You feel like every other parent present is focused on you, your parenting skills, and your reaction. It’s easy to convince yourself that they’re already judging your skills. I always thought I was such a good mom with my first two kids because I never experienced this happening to me. That was before my third daughter let me know “good” parenting wasn’t enough. Her behavior at the mall one afternoon forced me to make an assessment about what I had done to let her down. How could I have better prepared both of us so that she didn’t have to feel so out of control that she threw a fit at the mall? Just like adults, children have a tipping point. How many times have you put up with being over-tired, but you pressed on? Or maybe you had to go to an event you weren’t thrilled about, and your attitude wasn’t the best, but you went anyway. Perhaps you had to run a last minute errand you weren’t physically, mentally, or emotionally prepared to complete, but there wasn’t a way to get out of it. Life feels like this for children, too. Except they usually don’t have a say in what we spring on them. During the time my daughter had her tantrum at the mall we were going through very difficult times with extended family. My daughter was young and didn’t have the ability to let me know her thoughts and emotions. All I wanted was to go to the mall for a while and not have to think about anything. I wanted to let my little girl play in the toddler area and just let her have fun. I wanted to feel like I was living a normal life doing a normal activity. I thought going to the mall, walking around to window shop and seeing people, then letting her play would be relaxing for both of us. I thought afterwards we’d go home for lunch and she’d take a nap. Do you notice how many “I” statements are here? Did you catch that I had personal expectations for the day? I’d been going through a lot, which meant my child had also experienced disruption from our normal routine. Although she seemed to be doing fine, and I knew she liked going to the mall and riding in the stroller, as well as playing in the children’s area, I wasn’t paying attention to subtle clues that would have alerted me that she was low on her emotional charge, as well. On that particular day when we arrived at the play area, I released my daughter from the confines of the stroller and sat near her, watching her play. My outgoing toddler loved watching the older kids, and was great at playtime alone, as well as with strangers. Happily alternately interacting with others and playing alone, she moved about with a huge smile shining from her face and eyes. Until it was time to leave. Because I wasn’t paying attention to her cues and I didn’t exercise parenting wisdom, I didn’t give enough transition time before rounding her up to go home. From the first slip of one of her legs into the stroller, she let out loud squeals of disagreement. Nothing would dissuade her as her volume continued to increase. With what felt like all eyes on me, I hurried from the area. When attempting to talk to my daughter didn’t work because by then she was too upset and loud to hear me and her eyes were squeezed shut as she screamed, I stepped up my pace like I was in a marathon and hightailed it to the parking lot. Still howling as I struggled to put her in the car seat, my daughter’s cries had me worried someone was going to confront me. Would they think I was kidnapping her? Oh, I just wanted to get home. This was not a normal reaction for my girl. My toddler obviously had strong feelings she didn’t know how to express. She was too young to verbalize her emotions or thoughts, except through the now high-pitched screams she couldn’t stop. Because there had been a lot of disruptions in her daily schedule recently, she was over-stimulated and now totally exhausted. I’d been thinking of what I needed and missed the fact that we should have stayed home that day. Instead of going out, being at home together with a relaxed day where I gave myself permission to do nothing but play and spend quiet time with my daughter would have been the best course of action to rejuvenate our spirit, mind, and connection with each other. Have you ever made choices that you wish you could change? That was me that day. All I wanted was a relaxing day, but instead of looking for cues from my child, and using God-given wisdom, I forged ahead with what I thought would be fun for both of us without really paying attention to the fact that we were both already overburdened and overstimulated. I’m not saying I should have let her have her way when she started throwing a fit. But chances are very high that there never would have been a fit if I had been more considerate of our schedules and the fact that we both needed down time. Because it’s very important that we become observant mothers, here are some tips that you can remember if you find yourself in a similar position. Here are a few ways to prepare to avoid tantrums: 1. Use Wisdom in Judgement – Is it a good idea to go out? What has life been like recently? Maybe you’ve had too much going on like we did. Maybe you’ve been cooped up and need a break outside the home. Is it best to be in nature or to go to an activity? 2. Inform Your Child – Set expectations. Let your child know (in an age-appropriate version) what you’re doing. For example, tell a toddler, “We’re going to the mall. We’ll play and then come home.” When you’re an observant parent and you pay attention to needs (for both of you), and set expectations consistently, your child will get used to doing what you say because you do what you say. In hindsight, I wish I had driven to a far corner of the mall parking lot and held my daughter for a bit before attempting to drive home. I could have rocked and soothed her instead of just going home. Because I was concerned that someone would stop us and accuse me of kidnapping since I’m Caucasian and she’s Asian, I just wanted to hurry home. Another aspect of setting expectations allows you to transition your child to leave when it’s time to go home. Instead of giving her proper notice through a count down, I shortened our departure and only told her once. Children like to feel in control, especially when things have felt out of control. My daughter was enjoying her time and would have responded much differently if I had handled departure better with a count down. 3. Be Armed With Necessities – When my girls were young, I always carried water and snacks. A hungry, dehydrated, or tired child needs a pick-me-up and you want it on hand before they have time for behavior to spiral. Even adults have a change in temperament when they’re tired, hungry, or thirsty. Let’s give consideration to our children to help them grow and learn sensible habits. 4. Keep Your Child Involved – I consider this letting them know what the plans are in advance, and reminding as needed. This also applies to that transition time I mentioned. No one likes to simply be pulled out of a good time. Respect your child while remaining in authority and they will better respect you in return because you set them up for success and connection. Now, what happens if things fall short of your expectations or hopes and a tantrum occurs: 1. Be Relaxed, Calm, and In Control – Breathe and pray. Ask God to keep you calm. Ask Him to guide you in next steps. Instead of focusing on what people might think of you, ask for guidance from the expert on your child. 2. Pretend You’re Alone With Your Child (Forget Watching Eyes/Listening Ears) – When you’re at home you don’t worry about listening ears or watchful eyes. Simply climb into God’s arms and ask Him to guide and carry you and your child. 3. It’s Not the End of the World – Even though it feels like it! What can you learn from the experience? What could you have done better? What can you change for the next time you’re in a similar situation? Would you change anything you did this time? Where do you need to focus on yourself or your child to better strengthen certain areas to grow character, obedience, and connection? 4. Are You Parenting the Heart or the Behavior – When troubling times or pressures arise with your child, it’s so easy to want to stop the behavior, especially when you feel like you’re being watched and judged. But the most important task you have as a parent is to bring your child to the heart and feet of Christ. The only way you can do that is by discipling their heart, not focusing on changing behavior. Once the heart knows and obeys Jesus, He will change the heart. Remember this as your top goal each day as you parent, whether it’s during challenging times or moments of ease. Remember these verses as you adjust your parenting techniques and live and learn from the Lord. Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged .” Hebrews 12:11 says, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ” Proverbs 29:17 says, “Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. ” If you want more on disciplining, be sure to listen to the Purposed Parent Connected Child podcast episode 117 – “Should Kids Be Spanked?” Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are. How we need Your perfect presence in our lives. Thank you for making a way for us to parent Your children. Thank you for guiding and guarding our steps as parents if we only rest and abide in Your arms and ask You to show us the way. Please show us the way to reach the hearts of our children for Christ. Help us draw so near to You that they cannot help but find You. Equip us to know how to parent in ways that honor You and the unique children You have entrusted to our care. Help us parent in ways that set our children up for success and strengthen their connection with us so tantrums aren’t a concern. Please help us be pleasing to You. Make us a sweet joy in Your eyes just as I pray our children will be to You and us. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. If you’re ready to become the godly mom God entrusts you to be for Him and His children, you’ll love my free “Good to Godly: A 31-Day Scripture and Prayer Guide for Moms.” Visit terrihitt.com to receive this resource. You are the first Jesus your child will see. Your relationship with Christ is the light that shines Him to your children. If you want a connected relationship with Jesus and your children that leads them to your side and His feet, instead of them seeking validation from peers, my Set-Apart Collective program can show you how to reflect Christ in a way that attracts your family to a connected relationship that lasts into eternity. If you don’t want peers and culture to be the main influence over your child, if you desire to parent to “prepare” your child for eternity with Christ, not repair your relationship with them, the Set-Apart Collective will arm you with a Christ-centered Motherhood Mindset Model™, and create a Purposed Parenting Plan™. You’ll also deepen your identity in Christ so you can mentor the way for your children to do the same. You will be a purposed mother with an intentional mind and heart set on Christ and your family and you will have the tools to raise set apart kids as you parent the heart, not simply the behavior. If you’re the mom of an adult child and in need of strengthening connection with them, you can also visit terrihitt.com/coaching and click the link for a free, no obligation conversation call with me. This is a strategic call where I will hear your biggest struggle and show you how to turn it into a blessing that will bring you closer to Christ and your children. It’s time for believing mothers to be purposed in preparing their children for a lifetime pursuit of Christ. Time is short. Make yours matter for eternity. Remember - if you’re not purposed in knowing Jesus and showing Him to the next generation, the world will sway your children away from Christ. I pray that what you hear on this podcast enables you to stop being a good mom and focus on being a godly parent. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to parent with eternal purpose and connection with your children and Christ. Previous Next