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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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #023 – Discouragement and Disappointment 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. When I was a little girl I felt like I had so many disappointments that caused me to begin expecting less out of life. Like all of us, I learned that nothing is guaranteed. Instead of using that fact to prompt me to appreciate what I did have, I withdrew and became more introverted. I was already attending my second or third elementary school by the time I entered first grade. We were also living in a new state. I remember my dad taking me to my first day in that new school. The year had already started. Even at that age, I understood that meant everyone already had their friend groups and everyone would be staring at the new girl. In my mind, I still see my dad and I outdoors on the playground on that early morning as he knelt next to me. I cried, pleading with him to let me stay home. I didn’t want to go inside that school. Like parents usually do, he promised me that everything would turn out okay. I knew he couldn’t really promise that, but I also understood I had to go in. My personality was already shutting down, knowing that even if I made any new friends, I’d just have to leave them when we moved again and I wasn’t willing to keep investing the time and energy it took to develop and nurture relationships. Aren’t you glad God isn’t like that? Despite the ways we unknowingly or purposely sabotage our lives, push Him away, or live in disobedience to His callings and purposes for us, He remains faithful and merciful. He craves intimate relationship with each one of us and desires that we spend eternity with Him. Revelation 21:3-4 is a beautiful reminder of what is to come for those of us who choose a personal relationship with God through Jesus. “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Life gets bumpy, even when we know and try to please Him, but for true followers of Jesus, there is no way but straight through the disappointment and/or discouragement, allowing the Lord to carry and comfort us. As a child, I did not know Him and could not call upon His help. As an adult, I’m filled with gratitude for the ways I now recognize that He understands and provides for all of my needs. Even when the answers I receive are not at all what I desire, I do recognize and appreciate the way God works out every detail in the circumstances of my life, giving me opportunities to choose whether I will use them to draw nearer to Him and influence others for Him. I remember when our oldest daughter had her first set of seizures. She was in her early twenties and living in her own apartment near us. My husband was sick with a flu virus, and I had worked all day. After showering, I planned to watch television and go to bed. Instead, when I stepped out of the shower and into a towel, the phone rang and I had to head to the hospital. There was no way my husband could go with me, and he remained sick for a couple of days after she was admitted to the hospital. I was disappointed and scared to be caring for our daughter alone. I missed my husband and some of the details of her illness were very serious. I wanted to be able to rely on his wisdom and suggestions. God, in the way He crafts personal relationships with each one of us, knows the intricate ways we are all intertwined with one another and how connected we are to Him. He understands just what is needed for us to draw nearer to Him and He offers opportunities through the events in our lives. As I leaned into the support of God through the terrible illness my daughter suffered, I experienced intimate peace and trust and my faith deepened through the events. If my husband had been present, I do not think my walk would have grown as significantly as it did during that time. God, in His intimate, loving way, knew exactly how I needed to grow in those moments. The Bible offers a variety of life accounts about people who lived before us, providing a catalog of historical and biblical events that enable us to be a spectator viewing the way God warned, promised, cared for, and disciplined His people before us. As I purposely attempt to live each day with more eternal perspective, I appreciate the value in studying the ways God reached out to them before, during, and after each moment in their life, just as He does for us now. God is always present, whether or not we choose to acknowledge Him. Living with hindsight, especially drawn from watching mistakes, setbacks, disappointments, failures, and discouragement experienced by others should be the easiest way to learn. Many times, however, we choose the hardest way to grow, which is from our personal mistakes. Before we fall into traps, lies, or heartaches, we would do well to remember those who left lessons we can all benefit from and avoid hardships and pain to ourselves and others in our lives. The very first human disappointment recorded in the Bible was Eve’s. Disappointment and discouragement can stem from several reasons. Eve must have allowed pride and lust to birth disappointment that she could not eat of the fruit God forbade in the garden. After allowing herself to be deceived by the serpent (Satan), she had to have felt deep despair at the outcome of her disobedience. Her life, as well as Adam’s, were negatively impacted and altered by the actions they chose to take. When discouragement hits so deep, it is sometimes difficult to continue past it. This is where many fall victim to deeper discouragement and disappointment, allowing the feelings to fester and grow into more disobedience. Let’s look at Old Testament Joseph. He did not disobey God, like Adam and Eve. Instead, despite a series of hardships occurring over several years, Joseph continued to look to God through every circumstance and misfortune as they continued to affect him. Recognizing blessings disguised as adversity allows us to focus our perspective on eternity. Joseph understood that this life is not for our pleasure and that God uses everything for His good purposes. What we are allowed to be a part of in this short time on earth, has bigger picture consequences. Without struggle, we cannot develop spiritually in broad or profound ways and others will also miss the opportunity to be reached for and by God through us. Joseph shows us that we must never lose sight of the hidden meanings and plans that God can work through our obedience. Job lived a blameless, upright life, fearing God and shunning evil. In fact, his life was so pious that Satan begged to touch it, believing that Job lived with a shallow, self-serving devotion to God. The Lord allowed Satan to upset Job’s life, with restrictions, because He knew Satan would be proven wrong and that spiritual warfare would not harm the relationship God and Job shared. Job allows us to see that there can be godly purposes at work when we suffer, and that they can be unrelated to punishment or sin in our lives. If we allow disappointment and/or discouragement to rule our emotions and actions, our personal walk with the Lord is damaged and we never see the underlying work He is creating though what we cannot see. Paul, a Pharisee who once hated, punished, and murdered Christians, was shocked, and his life totally transformed when he met Jesus on a road to Damascus. The intensity with which he once massacred Christians then turned into a passion for sharing the gospel and serving others, drawing them to Jesus and helping them to draw nearer to Him. Paul allows us to glimpse the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our gracious Heavenly Father as we study how Jesus shattered the evil life he followed, and the way God forgave Paul, allowing him the opportunity to reach others for Him. Paul obediently and faithfully stepped through treacherous and painful sufferings and events, proving that the law doesn’t provide freedom. Only grace through the shed blood of Jesus offers us eternity and the forgiveness and transformation we desire and need. Are you able to recognize the types of disappointment and/or discouragement that usually pull us away from God or that causes us to stumble in our walk with Him? How do you define it? To avoid letting disappointment or discouragement from gaining a grip on us, we must recognize when it threatens us. Anything unexpected or unpleasant, whether personal, spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, or financial can affect a change that causes us to be discouraged or disappointed. Those feelings can also be triggered by someone or something. The most common are as follows: 1. Disappointments – Life will carry adversity. 2. Burnout – Trying to please everyone instead of relying only on what the Lord is calling us to do and not releasing our burdens to Him sparks the flame of burnout. 3. Lack of confidence – Relying on self causes false security and fake confidence that will crumble. True confidence comes only from knowing and believing our worth through God. 4. Expectations – Maturing in the Lord means releasing what we want and accepting a higher plan. 5. Comparisons – Not keeping our gaze fixed above and comparing ourselves to those around us is toxic. 6. Timing (delays) – Our timing is never the same as what God follows. 7. Criticism – Constantly viewing life as negative is contrary to God’s plan. Whether it comes from us or others, it never benefits us. 8. Job – Stresses from jobs can be extreme. 9. Family – Relationships are difficult. 10. Friends – Again, relationships can be difficult. 11. Judgement – Just like comparisons, judgements are not something we are meant to do. 12. Spiritual warfare – Satan is out to get everyone of us, especially those who love Jesus. 13. Lethargy – Not standing for something or doing anything causes boredom and gives us time to do nothing but complain and look for things to be disappointed about. To avoid falling victim to disappointment and discouragement we must actively engage in purposing to keep our hearts and minds fixed on God. Always remember to look Up to Him, not around us, and certainly not within ourselves. Exodus 6:8-9 says, “And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord. Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” Do not allow yourself to focus on the negative. Wait for what God is working behind the scenes of our vision and understanding . Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Circumstances in our lives will change. Practice gratitude by enjoying what you appreciate while you have it. Nothing will ever stay the same. Circumstances, joys, and heartaches will ebb and flow just like the sea. Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Don’t remember the former things; don’t dwell on things past. Watch! I’m about to carry out something new! And now it’s springing up don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the wilderness and paths in the desert.” The Lord is making a way. We must trust and wait with expectation despite circumstances. I will list practical steps to follow to actively combat disappointment and/or discouragement when they threaten to take root. 1. Get enough rest. Everything looks and feels better when we are well-rested. Eat properly. Proper and regular hydration and nutrition affect our minds and body. Exercise. Our bodies were meant to be active and our minds were meant to be challenged. Both need proper exercise. Proverbs 3:5-8 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” 2. Heed your thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 3. Pay close attention to attitude. 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.” 4. Notice the way you interact with others, the words you use, the way you treat others. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” When we trust the Lord and release the loads we carry to Him, we are free to truly live the way He desires. 5. Exercise gratitude despite circumstances. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” 6. Read the Bible! God’s words are a medicine and balm for all that occurs in this life. The closer we press to Jesus, the more we respect and appreciate the wisdom contained in God’s Holy word. The Holy Spirit works inside us to communicate and decipher the very intentions and words God gave to us, allowing us more clarity, insight, and understanding. Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Romans 15:4-5 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” 7. Communicate with God through prayer and actively listening for His guidance and direction. Psalm 55:11 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” 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.” 8. Rely on God, not self, and not earthly friends. Friends, especially godly ones, are true blessings, but do not replace God with a human He created. Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” 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.” 9. Shift your viewpoint of occurrences to one of eternal perspective. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” 10. Trust God. Let go of personal expectations and follow God’s plan and purposes for your life. Learn to enjoy what happens, instead of what you think should happen or you want to happen. Ephesians 4:27 says, “And do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” 11. Model godly disappointment for our children and grandchildren. When they see us handle discouragement, discontent, or defeat with our heart and mind fixed above, it teaches and encourages them to build the same spiritual strengths. Let them appropriately know your feelings when you are dissatisfied and let them see you pray (or pray with them) about it. Teach them to carry everything to God and share with them as He answers or shifts your heart to the perspective He desires. Remember (and teach our children and grandchildren) Jeremiah 29:11 which 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.” And Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” When we forget or refuse to seek Him and instead fixate on what has disillusioned or disenchanted us, we automatically lose sight of a blessing, joy, or lesson that God has allowed or purposed for our life. Eternal perspective living is born from lifting our gaze above any obstacle this earth gives and allowing that annoyance, setback, failure, defeat, or blow to push us into the arms and care of Jesus. What I call heartitude is revealed when disappointments arise. If we continue worshipping the Lord and living with gratitude despite setbacks and frustrations, we submit to God’s sovereignty over our life. Satan wants Christians discouraged and defeated, hoping that it will cause us to disobey God, not trust God, make wrong decisions, stop believing in God, or cause fear and anxiety. Depression can also stem from discouragement and/or disappointment, draining us of all hope and chipping away at the foundation of our trust and hope in God. When we allow our mind and spirit to become discouraged or depressed, our spiritual life, personal life, prayer life, and obedience suffer. Satan wants to till the soil of our spiritual life and rip away roots of trust to replace them with nettles of distrust and disappointment. He will plant seeds of doubt where the discouragement settled and drip waters of discontent until strong, thorny weeds choke out faith and leave us languishing without hope and filling our mind with lies. Our inner thoughts whisper trash that would never enter God’s thoughts. Satan writes the same dialogue for anyone weak enough to accept the lying words. “God’s not real.” “God is not good.” “If He loved you, He wouldn’t let this happen.” “You aren’t enough for even God to love.” “Christianity is a sham.” “You’re not really a Christian or this wouldn’t have happened.” “God is a liar.” John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Purpose to draw nearer to God if you feel even a stab of discouragement. Remember emotions you experience when you follow His loving guidelines, read His word, or worship Him in song. Expect that life will bring heartache and uncertainty, but it will also shift again. Jesus warned us that in this world we would experience sorrow and troubles. John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Do not allow Satan, this world, or your pride and selfishness keep you from viewing discouragement or disappointment through an eternal lens. God’s word offers the perfect hope, promise, or comfort for any event or experience and for any one of us. The following verses are perfect for memorizing, writing out, praying over, or carrying with you to read when needed to counter the lies this world offers. God’s word truly is the solution this hurting world needs. Romans 5:5 says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Remember the Israelites and the discouragement and dissatisfaction they suffered on their journey to the promised land and how it prolonged their disappointment, leading to disobedience, and misery? They certainly did not remember God’s past faithfulness to them or the spectacular miracles they had seen Him perform. How different could their journey and life have been if they had remained faithful to trusting and obeying Him? Our discouragement actually proves our spiritual and relational need for God. No one can fill our emotions, heart, and mind as well as the One who created us. Not even ourselves. Only God. We must read His word to know Him and recognize His voice and promptings. We must pray to Him, and make time to seek, talk, and listen to Him. Why? Because that is the only way to nourish and flourish any relationship. What bond is more important than a personal one with the Creator of the universe? Let’s close this episode with the following beautiful verse. Psalm 34:1-7 “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.” Do you enjoy this podcast? If so, would you please make time to leave a review and rating for the show? 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 023 Discouragement and Disappointment Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #023 – Discouragement and Disappointment 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. When I was a little girl I felt like I had so many disappointments that caused me to begin expecting less out of life. Like all of us, I learned that nothing is guaranteed. Instead of using that fact to prompt me to appreciate what I did have, I withdrew and became more introverted. I was already attending my second or third elementary school by the time I entered first grade. We were also living in a new state. I remember my dad taking me to my first day in that new school. The year had already started. Even at that age, I understood that meant everyone already had their friend groups and everyone would be staring at the new girl. In my mind, I still see my dad and I outdoors on the playground on that early morning as he knelt next to me. I cried, pleading with him to let me stay home. I didn’t want to go inside that school. Like parents usually do, he promised me that everything would turn out okay. I knew he couldn’t really promise that, but I also understood I had to go in. My personality was already shutting down, knowing that even if I made any new friends, I’d just have to leave them when we moved again and I wasn’t willing to keep investing the time and energy it took to develop and nurture relationships. Aren’t you glad God isn’t like that? Despite the ways we unknowingly or purposely sabotage our lives, push Him away, or live in disobedience to His callings and purposes for us, He remains faithful and merciful. He craves intimate relationship with each one of us and desires that we spend eternity with Him. Revelation 21:3-4 is a beautiful reminder of what is to come for those of us who choose a personal relationship with God through Jesus. “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Life gets bumpy, even when we know and try to please Him, but for true followers of Jesus, there is no way but straight through the disappointment and/or discouragement, allowing the Lord to carry and comfort us. As a child, I did not know Him and could not call upon His help. As an adult, I’m filled with gratitude for the ways I now recognize that He understands and provides for all of my needs. Even when the answers I receive are not at all what I desire, I do recognize and appreciate the way God works out every detail in the circumstances of my life, giving me opportunities to choose whether I will use them to draw nearer to Him and influence others for Him. I remember when our oldest daughter had her first set of seizures. She was in her early twenties and living in her own apartment near us. My husband was sick with a flu virus, and I had worked all day. After showering, I planned to watch television and go to bed. Instead, when I stepped out of the shower and into a towel, the phone rang and I had to head to the hospital. There was no way my husband could go with me, and he remained sick for a couple of days after she was admitted to the hospital. I was disappointed and scared to be caring for our daughter alone. I missed my husband and some of the details of her illness were very serious. I wanted to be able to rely on his wisdom and suggestions. God, in the way He crafts personal relationships with each one of us, knows the intricate ways we are all intertwined with one another and how connected we are to Him. He understands just what is needed for us to draw nearer to Him and He offers opportunities through the events in our lives. As I leaned into the support of God through the terrible illness my daughter suffered, I experienced intimate peace and trust and my faith deepened through the events. If my husband had been present, I do not think my walk would have grown as significantly as it did during that time. God, in His intimate, loving way, knew exactly how I needed to grow in those moments. The Bible offers a variety of life accounts about people who lived before us, providing a catalog of historical and biblical events that enable us to be a spectator viewing the way God warned, promised, cared for, and disciplined His people before us. As I purposely attempt to live each day with more eternal perspective, I appreciate the value in studying the ways God reached out to them before, during, and after each moment in their life, just as He does for us now. God is always present, whether or not we choose to acknowledge Him. Living with hindsight, especially drawn from watching mistakes, setbacks, disappointments, failures, and discouragement experienced by others should be the easiest way to learn. Many times, however, we choose the hardest way to grow, which is from our personal mistakes. Before we fall into traps, lies, or heartaches, we would do well to remember those who left lessons we can all benefit from and avoid hardships and pain to ourselves and others in our lives. The very first human disappointment recorded in the Bible was Eve’s. Disappointment and discouragement can stem from several reasons. Eve must have allowed pride and lust to birth disappointment that she could not eat of the fruit God forbade in the garden. After allowing herself to be deceived by the serpent (Satan), she had to have felt deep despair at the outcome of her disobedience. Her life, as well as Adam’s, were negatively impacted and altered by the actions they chose to take. When discouragement hits so deep, it is sometimes difficult to continue past it. This is where many fall victim to deeper discouragement and disappointment, allowing the feelings to fester and grow into more disobedience. Let’s look at Old Testament Joseph. He did not disobey God, like Adam and Eve. Instead, despite a series of hardships occurring over several years, Joseph continued to look to God through every circumstance and misfortune as they continued to affect him. Recognizing blessings disguised as adversity allows us to focus our perspective on eternity. Joseph understood that this life is not for our pleasure and that God uses everything for His good purposes. What we are allowed to be a part of in this short time on earth, has bigger picture consequences. Without struggle, we cannot develop spiritually in broad or profound ways and others will also miss the opportunity to be reached for and by God through us. Joseph shows us that we must never lose sight of the hidden meanings and plans that God can work through our obedience. Job lived a blameless, upright life, fearing God and shunning evil. In fact, his life was so pious that Satan begged to touch it, believing that Job lived with a shallow, self-serving devotion to God. The Lord allowed Satan to upset Job’s life, with restrictions, because He knew Satan would be proven wrong and that spiritual warfare would not harm the relationship God and Job shared. Job allows us to see that there can be godly purposes at work when we suffer, and that they can be unrelated to punishment or sin in our lives. If we allow disappointment and/or discouragement to rule our emotions and actions, our personal walk with the Lord is damaged and we never see the underlying work He is creating though what we cannot see. Paul, a Pharisee who once hated, punished, and murdered Christians, was shocked, and his life totally transformed when he met Jesus on a road to Damascus. The intensity with which he once massacred Christians then turned into a passion for sharing the gospel and serving others, drawing them to Jesus and helping them to draw nearer to Him. Paul allows us to glimpse the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our gracious Heavenly Father as we study how Jesus shattered the evil life he followed, and the way God forgave Paul, allowing him the opportunity to reach others for Him. Paul obediently and faithfully stepped through treacherous and painful sufferings and events, proving that the law doesn’t provide freedom. Only grace through the shed blood of Jesus offers us eternity and the forgiveness and transformation we desire and need. Are you able to recognize the types of disappointment and/or discouragement that usually pull us away from God or that causes us to stumble in our walk with Him? How do you define it? To avoid letting disappointment or discouragement from gaining a grip on us, we must recognize when it threatens us. Anything unexpected or unpleasant, whether personal, spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, or financial can affect a change that causes us to be discouraged or disappointed. Those feelings can also be triggered by someone or something. The most common are as follows: 1. Disappointments – Life will carry adversity. 2. Burnout – Trying to please everyone instead of relying only on what the Lord is calling us to do and not releasing our burdens to Him sparks the flame of burnout. 3. Lack of confidence – Relying on self causes false security and fake confidence that will crumble. True confidence comes only from knowing and believing our worth through God. 4. Expectations – Maturing in the Lord means releasing what we want and accepting a higher plan. 5. Comparisons – Not keeping our gaze fixed above and comparing ourselves to those around us is toxic. 6. Timing (delays) – Our timing is never the same as what God follows. 7. Criticism – Constantly viewing life as negative is contrary to God’s plan. Whether it comes from us or others, it never benefits us. 8. Job – Stresses from jobs can be extreme. 9. Family – Relationships are difficult. 10. Friends – Again, relationships can be difficult. 11. Judgement – Just like comparisons, judgements are not something we are meant to do. 12. Spiritual warfare – Satan is out to get everyone of us, especially those who love Jesus. 13. Lethargy – Not standing for something or doing anything causes boredom and gives us time to do nothing but complain and look for things to be disappointed about. To avoid falling victim to disappointment and discouragement we must actively engage in purposing to keep our hearts and minds fixed on God. Always remember to look Up to Him, not around us, and certainly not within ourselves. Exodus 6:8-9 says, “And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord. Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.” Do not allow yourself to focus on the negative. Wait for what God is working behind the scenes of our vision and understanding . Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Circumstances in our lives will change. Practice gratitude by enjoying what you appreciate while you have it. Nothing will ever stay the same. Circumstances, joys, and heartaches will ebb and flow just like the sea. Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Don’t remember the former things; don’t dwell on things past. Watch! I’m about to carry out something new! And now it’s springing up don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the wilderness and paths in the desert.” The Lord is making a way. We must trust and wait with expectation despite circumstances. I will list practical steps to follow to actively combat disappointment and/or discouragement when they threaten to take root. 1. Get enough rest. Everything looks and feels better when we are well-rested. Eat properly. Proper and regular hydration and nutrition affect our minds and body. Exercise. Our bodies were meant to be active and our minds were meant to be challenged. Both need proper exercise. Proverbs 3:5-8 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” 2. Heed your thoughts. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 3. Pay close attention to attitude. 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.” 4. Notice the way you interact with others, the words you use, the way you treat others. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” When we trust the Lord and release the loads we carry to Him, we are free to truly live the way He desires. 5. Exercise gratitude despite circumstances. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” 6. Read the Bible! God’s words are a medicine and balm for all that occurs in this life. The closer we press to Jesus, the more we respect and appreciate the wisdom contained in God’s Holy word. The Holy Spirit works inside us to communicate and decipher the very intentions and words God gave to us, allowing us more clarity, insight, and understanding. Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” Romans 15:4-5 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” 7. Communicate with God through prayer and actively listening for His guidance and direction. Psalm 55:11 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Romans 12:12 says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” 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.” 8. Rely on God, not self, and not earthly friends. Friends, especially godly ones, are true blessings, but do not replace God with a human He created. Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” 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.” 9. Shift your viewpoint of occurrences to one of eternal perspective. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” 10. Trust God. Let go of personal expectations and follow God’s plan and purposes for your life. Learn to enjoy what happens, instead of what you think should happen or you want to happen. Ephesians 4:27 says, “And do not give the devil an opportunity to work.” 11. Model godly disappointment for our children and grandchildren. When they see us handle discouragement, discontent, or defeat with our heart and mind fixed above, it teaches and encourages them to build the same spiritual strengths. Let them appropriately know your feelings when you are dissatisfied and let them see you pray (or pray with them) about it. Teach them to carry everything to God and share with them as He answers or shifts your heart to the perspective He desires. Remember (and teach our children and grandchildren) Jeremiah 29:11 which 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.” And Joshua 1:9 which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” When we forget or refuse to seek Him and instead fixate on what has disillusioned or disenchanted us, we automatically lose sight of a blessing, joy, or lesson that God has allowed or purposed for our life. Eternal perspective living is born from lifting our gaze above any obstacle this earth gives and allowing that annoyance, setback, failure, defeat, or blow to push us into the arms and care of Jesus. What I call heartitude is revealed when disappointments arise. If we continue worshipping the Lord and living with gratitude despite setbacks and frustrations, we submit to God’s sovereignty over our life. Satan wants Christians discouraged and defeated, hoping that it will cause us to disobey God, not trust God, make wrong decisions, stop believing in God, or cause fear and anxiety. Depression can also stem from discouragement and/or disappointment, draining us of all hope and chipping away at the foundation of our trust and hope in God. When we allow our mind and spirit to become discouraged or depressed, our spiritual life, personal life, prayer life, and obedience suffer. Satan wants to till the soil of our spiritual life and rip away roots of trust to replace them with nettles of distrust and disappointment. He will plant seeds of doubt where the discouragement settled and drip waters of discontent until strong, thorny weeds choke out faith and leave us languishing without hope and filling our mind with lies. Our inner thoughts whisper trash that would never enter God’s thoughts. Satan writes the same dialogue for anyone weak enough to accept the lying words. “God’s not real.” “God is not good.” “If He loved you, He wouldn’t let this happen.” “You aren’t enough for even God to love.” “Christianity is a sham.” “You’re not really a Christian or this wouldn’t have happened.” “God is a liar.” John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Purpose to draw nearer to God if you feel even a stab of discouragement. Remember emotions you experience when you follow His loving guidelines, read His word, or worship Him in song. Expect that life will bring heartache and uncertainty, but it will also shift again. Jesus warned us that in this world we would experience sorrow and troubles. John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Do not allow Satan, this world, or your pride and selfishness keep you from viewing discouragement or disappointment through an eternal lens. God’s word offers the perfect hope, promise, or comfort for any event or experience and for any one of us. The following verses are perfect for memorizing, writing out, praying over, or carrying with you to read when needed to counter the lies this world offers. God’s word truly is the solution this hurting world needs. Romans 5:5 says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” Remember the Israelites and the discouragement and dissatisfaction they suffered on their journey to the promised land and how it prolonged their disappointment, leading to disobedience, and misery? They certainly did not remember God’s past faithfulness to them or the spectacular miracles they had seen Him perform. How different could their journey and life have been if they had remained faithful to trusting and obeying Him? Our discouragement actually proves our spiritual and relational need for God. No one can fill our emotions, heart, and mind as well as the One who created us. Not even ourselves. Only God. We must read His word to know Him and recognize His voice and promptings. We must pray to Him, and make time to seek, talk, and listen to Him. Why? Because that is the only way to nourish and flourish any relationship. What bond is more important than a personal one with the Creator of the universe? Let’s close this episode with the following beautiful verse. Psalm 34:1-7 “I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears. Others too were radiant at what he did for them. Theirs was no downcast look of rejection! This poor man cried to the Lord—and the Lord heard him and saved him out of his troubles. For the Angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence him.” Do you enjoy this podcast? If so, would you please make time to leave a review and rating for the show? 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 080 - The Power of Using Scripture in Parenting - A Guide for Christian Parents Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 080 – The Power of Using Scripture in Parenting: A Guide for Christian Parents Oh my goodness! I still clearly remember that day I walked out of the local mall with my one year old screaming at the top of her lungs. I forced myself to casually push the stroller instead of running out like I wanted to. The shrillness and volume of her screams combined with the fact that we’re different races, made me concerned someone might think I was kidnapping her. I expected someone to confront me as I made my way out of the mall, and I wondered how I would convince them I was the mother and my girl was usually very happy. I hoped I had pictures of us together in my purse, as at that time I didn’t own a cell phone that held photos. That afternoon we’d been at the mall play area for quite a while. It was past my daughter’s naptime, but she had such fun playing with other children that I let her stray off schedule. When I told her it was time to go and lifted her into the stroller, she did the one thing I hadn’t yet experienced when raising my first two. She began screaming and stiffening her body so I couldn’t easily get her into the stroller. Once I got her in, I thought she’d calm down when I began pushing her away. Instead, the movement made the screaming worse. She didn’t hear me when I tried to soothe and talk to her. Her cries were now a matter of will and exhaustion. It was like ripping a band-aid off. I needed to get out of that mall quickly. Escape was foremost on my mind. As I drove home, her screams continued. I tried talking to her, singing to her, playing music. Nothing I did stopped her cries. I had already tried to soothe her, so I kept driving. About the time we pulled into the driveway, she fell asleep. After a long nap, she awakened to her usual cheery self. I have never looked at mothers of disobedient children in the same way. There’s now a camaraderie. I know that when I see when her child disobey or cause a scene in public I’m just witnessing a portion of the story. I don’t know the child’s background, what has happened in the past, nothing. I just see that there’s another mother who just wishes her child would obey. Are you wondering why I’m sharing this story? The world teaches you to raise children who are well-behaved, good citizens . Our Heavenly Father calls you to parent with a higher objective. God calls you to raise children who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He calls you to raise godly kids, not good kids. It’s true. Parents want kids who obey. No one likes to be the embarrassed mom everyone is staring at because her children are acting up in public. Somehow, society expects children to be perfect, although we know they’re not. Neither are adults, and we know we were never perfect kids. Of course, children must be lovingly trained in the way they should go, but just as adults still make mistakes or bad decisions, our children are learning and growing, and they will, too. Instead of raising children with the goal of teaching them to perfectly obey us , we must parent with the purpose of raising children who obey the Lord . When your children love and trust Jesus, you will receive a beautiful by-product as they love and obey You, as well. First, however, you must be intentional in raising children to obey God and honor Him . Children need parents who understand they are raising imperfect humans sent from God to be raised for His glory . That means you must remember that the discipline you give is to be crafted with the purpose of molding godly character traits and drawing your children to Christ . Remember, the behavior your children exhibit exposes the condition of their heart. So, how do you cultivate the soil of your child’s heart to be ready for the seeds you will sow for Christ? How do you instill behavior that honors God and you? The answer is simple, but takes dedication and consistency. It’s the way you live for Christ and show Him through your words, desires, actions, and reactions. The way you prioritize Jesus and live a lifestyle of humble love and service to Him , instead of just saying you follow Christ. It’s several purposed steps that build a life that honors Jesus . Using godly discipleship and the Bible as your parenting guide as you build and mature a connection with Christ and your child allows you to address behaviors your children express. As you observe their tendencies, actions, words, and desires, you see a glimpse into the condition of their heart. Use this insight to keep you focused on forming behavior and characteristics that are pleasing to God. Guide your children into His arms as you teach them to also recognize ungodly character traits and grow a relationship with Christ to transform behavior. Would you like to know the most powerful tool to influence your child’s behavior? Scripture. God’s powerful, holy Word cultivates godly character. In yourself and your child. I’ll share three powerful truths to remember as you parent with the purpose of cultivating Christlike character traits in your children. 1. Display the qualities you want your child to possess. 2. Don’t ignore character and behaviors that need to be addressed and corrected. 3. Train your child in God’s truths. This allows you to instill characteristics needed to build a godly foundation for future behaviors and decisions. Scripture has power to guide you and transform each of these areas in your life and the lives of your children. While parenting two sets of children over two generations, God has brought my attention to the importance of using Scripture to influence the behavior of my children. The most memorable and impactful ways I have found are: 1. Bible – Read and know God’s Word so you have a strong foundation to build the godly groundwork for your children to build a house of faith and obedience. Self-help books, parenting guides, advice from others, and punishment are weak in comparison to the wisdom God offers in His holy Word. The Bible addresses every concern a parent carries. Studying God’s Word prepares you, your spouse, and your family for a lifestyle of devotion to Him. As your character is transformed, you are better equipped to disciple the behavior of your children. 2. Song – Even if you’re not a singer, singing God’s Word is a memorable way to teach your children Biblical truths from a young age. The power of Scripture and music combined will trigger another method of memorization in the minds of your children. As they get older, music with Scripturally based-lyrics bring truths they will sing and remember. 3. Prayers – Praying Scripture with and for your children is a powerful blessing. Teaching your children to pray Scripture helps them recognize another way to remember and use God’s Word in ways that honor Him and uses His power in ways they will see and remember. 4. Lifestyle – The way you live, the music you listen to, what you read, what you desire, etc., should all reflect what you say you believe about God. Your words, actions, and reactions should mirror the ways God would call you to act. As you use Scripture to form your personal character and beliefs, your child will see God at work within you and know that you live , not just preach a lifestyle devoted to Jesus . 5. Discussions – Don’t neglect using life moments as they arise. Each day brings moments you can capture and utilize for planting godly seeds and nurturing what you have sown. Keep your ears, eyes, and heart open to opportunities. Let your discussions be personal ways to connect with your child or children and allow God to mold you as He works through them. Don’t make the moments preaching sessions, but a sharing of God in natural ways that will shape their heart and relationship with you and their Heavenly Father. I’ve compiled several Scripture verses and passages to show you the power of using God’s Word in your habits, training, and prayers so you can mold His character and beliefs in your children. If you want your children to have wisdom that comes from God, remember Proverbs 3:7 which says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil .” As you train and correct your children, remember you are discipling them. Teach them that human wisdom falls short of God’s wisdom. As they learn God’s truths and remember that His ways are higher than ours and that wisdom as this world teaches it is opposite of God’s, they will learn to detect what is truly wise with your direction. If you want your children to love like Jesus, remember Deuteronomy 6:5 which says, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Teach them to love God first, then others in the ways He loves. If you want your children to live with gratitude that is pleasing to God, remember Psalm 118:24 which says, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it .” Teach them that each moment, each day is a blessing from God. No matter the circumstances, they are to trust and keep faith that God is using their daily happenings for His purposes and for their good if they love Him and are called according to His purpose. If you want your children to live with integrity , remember Proverbs 10:9 which says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out .” Teach them that God is always present. Humans may not know the things others do in secret, but God does. He knows their thoughts, sees their actions, and loves them. Yet, in all His holiness, God doesn’t want them to stay the way they are. He has a better way for them to live. Then live out integrity in ways they see. Talk about decisions you have made to live with integrity pleasing to God, not to make yourself look good, but to show them how God is your guiding source of light and life. Point out times they have made godly choices. Give them scenarios and help them find answers or solutions that are pleasing to God. If your want your children to live with trust in God, remember 1 Peter 5:7 which says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Teach them how God has carried you, your spouse, and the family. Let them know He cares about every detail. He is a personal and intimate God who wants to take care of their every need. If you want your children to live a life of obedience , remember Ephesians 6:1-3 which says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth .” As you train them to love and obey God, they will also love and obey You. As you can see, it is easy to choose Scripture to form character and behavior. As you know and trust God’s Word, you are able to use it as you disciple your child in life and choices. Teach them about these characteristics before situations arise so that godly character is beginning to form inside them before they need to use them. As I share the following verses, remember to look for opportunities to use the verse or teaching behind it in daily life. Communication with God and your children is vital to forming lives pleasing to God. If you want your children to live a life of surrender to God, remember Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” If you want your children to live a life of generosity , remember Luke 6:31 which says, “Do to others as you would like them to do to you .” If you want your children to live a life of abundant love , remember Romans 12:10 which says, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other .” If you want your children to live a life of forgiveness, knowing they are forgiven and forgiving others, remember Ephesians 4:32 which says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you .” If you want your children to live a life of contentedness, remember Philippians 4:11 which says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances .” Here are more Scriptures and the characteristics they can help you to disciple for your children. Think of characteristics you want your children to carry or qualities you observe they need help with. Forbearance - Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Mindset - Ephesians 4:23 says, “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes .” Kindness - Proverbs 11:17 says, “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves .” Faithfulness - Proverbs 20:6 says, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?” Humility - Mark 10:44 says, “And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all .” Godliness - Galatians 5:22-23 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 .” Pure Faith - Matthew 15:8 says, “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me .” Teachable - Hebrews 12:5-6 says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son .” Endurance - 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 .” John 15:5-7 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. If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you .” As you pray for a life that beautifully mentors Jesus to your children and spouse, and humbly ask God for His mercy and guidance to flow from You as you disciple and raise your children for Him, He will honor your prayers in extraordinary ways that will last for eternity. Remember, the world tells us to raise good kids who obey. God calls for you to raise godly children who obey Him. Your walk matters. Relationship with Jesus and a maturing walk with Him makes a difference. Surrender to the Lord so you will mentor Christ to the children He entrusted to you. Use opportunities to discuss the qualities you desire them to carry, such as fruits of the spirit. Use books, movies, school assignments, life situations, sporting events, and more to capture moments you can impress God’s desires for them and the way to develop these life skills. Show them in the way you use the characteristics. Bring attention to times you have to be long-suffering or forgiving. Read Bible stories highlighting characteristics your child exhibits or needs work in. There are many creative ways to pray for, show, and teach your child how to desire and develop godly qualities that will last for a lifetime. You can bet that in the days after our loud mall exit, we began reading specific verses and stories about listening and obeying parents. We prayed together about honoring mother and father. Even before she grasped the full understanding of what I was teaching, she was receiving a message that rooted in her heart. I also remembered not to exasperate my child and be more aware of not exciting and tiring her beyond what she could endure for her age. As you work with your children under God’s sovereign guidance, expect beautiful and godly results for each of you. Dear Heavenly Father, You entrusted Your children to us for this time. You know we are unable to raise children for You without Your strength and direction. Thank you for Your holy Word, which is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Only Your wisdom and love can guide Your children to Your arms. Please lend it to us. We need You so much and humbly bow before You in gratitude and awe. Thank you for depositing the Holy Spirit inside us to lead and love, guide and guard us and our children. Only through You can we become new each moment and show our children the characteristics they need to live a life called by You. Help us to clearly identify the behaviors and traits we must nurture for You and show us the way to mentor You in loving, respectful, and honoring ways. Thank you for entrusting us with sacred responsibility. Help us parent in ways that honor and bless 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. 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 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. 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< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 020 - Teach Your Children Not to Follow Their Heart Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #020 –Teach Your Children Not to Follow Their Heart Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. Listen to your heart. You’ve probably lost count of the number of songs that have used this line. How many times have you been given this advice? Or maybe you’ve even given it to given it to your child without thinking? Human nature tells us to seek the emotions and thoughts stored inside to lead us. But Galatians 5:17 warns, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want .” I have a personal story that illustrates these thoughts. When I was a child, we moved a lot. In fact, I lived in 8-10 homes by the time I was 12. One of the first things I would do when we settled into our new place was go get a library card. Books were one of the biggest joys of my childhood, as well as the blank spiral notebooks I would use as journals. Every day of my childhood was spent doing some form of reading or writing. Whether it was poetry, short stories, or simply journaling moments, writing helped me process and understand events. Words have always held life for me. They can also hold death. If we aren’t careful, the words we speak or write can become what breaks or makes the confidence, accomplishment, faith, or eternity of another person. Now that I’m older and my walk with Christ is deeper, I understand the necessity of prayerful reliance on God’s direction and timing. Something just as – or more - important as the tongue is our heart. Or I should say the condition of our heart. Words we speak or write to influence do so in ways we may never know. This world constantly fills our mind with the message that we should follow our heart. We should do what feels right or feels good. If I followed my heart, I would probably still be trying to make it as a mainstream fiction writer. By my early forties, I had written a few novels, and dreamed of one day having them accepted and published. Of course, Oprah would have me on her show and my book would be chosen as the book of the month for her popular book club. I wrote what I wanted, although I had no experience or track-record, so no one was interested in even letting me submit sample chapters. Next I wrote what everyone told me would get published. Every moment I lived and invested by working on that romance book I disliked writing affected the words and storyline I wrote and I know it was quite obvious; I didn’t believe the characters or plot. Neither did the agents who allowed me to submit it for consideration. When I began my next novel, a mainstream romantic thriller, it was obvious by my writing history that I had nothing to guide me clearly. Finally, I began the book heavy on my heart. I was working on a Christian mainstream novel and was far into the characterization, plot, and details. I even drew a map of the city I saw in my head so that I could keep storylines consistent. I found characters that resembled the people I saw in my head and cut them out of magazines and kept them on my desk as encouragement to fuel their storylines. A long index box full of the multiple chapters and storylines, as well as every detail I’d need about the individual characters sat on my desk for reference when needed. I knew their fears, successes, body types, birthdays, memories, and motivations. I was probably about one-third of the way through the first draft (plus had all of my plotting and characterization detailing finished) when I clearly knew God was calling me to put the book away. Unfinished. He didn’t want excuses or bargains. He wanted obedience. Immediate obedience. I was sad to let it all go, but I did. Yet, as I released the dreams and promises of the people who existed not only in my head, but lived in my heart as well, I felt the peace of obedience. Do you know what God had for me instead? After that book was put away, my Heavenly Father showed me a different path for my future. One I previously knew nothing about. In a nutshell, He made it clear that my husband and I had a daughter in China. The Lord didn’t want me focusing attention on crafting a book; His plan called for me to disciple a life. My future was at a cross-roads. I could leave the life my heart told me I wanted or trust what God offered. Writing fiction was not the narration of my story, no matter what my heart felt. It wasn’t until a few years later that I began occasionally blogging sweet and encouraging life stories that mostly had to do with my daughter who was about four years old by that time. Then many years passed before I knew God called me to begin crafting the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast and I began posting and blogging about it. I’m sharing this story because it is so easy for each of us to think we know what we want or we are supposed to do. We think our heart is directing us in one direction. Or sometimes we are led by parents who see something in us, just as you probably see the gifts, interests, and talents your child carries. What is important, however, is waiting on the direction and discernment of our Lord. God crafted such intimate and purposed details into every human on this earth. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” If we are not purposed in following God’s direction, we easily distract our children and forfeit the best God has for them. Even when we see that our child has an obvious talent in some area, we must seek direction from God. How does He desire us to guide our child? Don’t be the one who guides your children down a path that is far from what He desires for them. Who knows the mind or plans of God without careful prayer, discernment, and direction from Him? Reliance on following our heart not only keeps us (and our children) from God’s best, but it can also lead to dangerous situations or decisions we later deeply regret. God knows our heart is untrustworthy. In fact, He warned us in Jeremiah 17:9 , which says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This world pushes for us (and our children) to follow self . So many speak of self-care and listening to what our heart tells us. All that does is increase the selfishness already existing inside. 1 John 3:20 says, “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything .” The hardest obstacle to ignore is the language and guidance of this world. Advertisements, books, magazines, movies, television shows, friends, family, teachers, and even strangers love to tell our children to follow their heart. Do what feels right at that time. Our human hearts are fickle and without understanding or discernment from God, our thoughts and feelings are based on what we have experienced in a fallen world. How can this be a moral or godly guideline? Is this what you want for your child to follow or rely on? Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Only through Christ may we acquire a heart that is willing to surrender to God’s purposes. How do we teach our children not to follow their heart? Through the Lords’ strength and Scriptures, we must teach our children 3 important truths. 1. They must seek God’s heart . Deuteronomy 30:6 says, “The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.” 2. They must guard their heart . Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” 3. They must purify their heart . 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Only Jesus can shepherd our children away from the futility of following a haughty heart. It is only through the Lord’s strength that we can rely on His wisdom and direction instead of reverting to self and feelings or emotions and carry the ability to teach our children to rely on Christ. If our children follow what they believed their heart said to do, they would carry no values. Three would be no moral compass, no right or wrong by which to discern actions. Selfishness, heartbreak, embarrassment, and regret will cause division from friends, family, and faith. Our children’s’ hearts were crafted by God to desire Him, to be led and directed by Him. As their parent, we are hand-chosen by God to be the one to disciple and direct them to Him. It is our responsibility and privilege to be the one to guide them to His feet and His heart. 2 Thessalonian 3:5 says, “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” As the one in charge of shepherding the hearts of our child to Jesus, we must realize what following heart really means. The words are actually a sentiment with no real substance. The phrase, “follow your heart” is a fluffy, sweet filling that taste good when we swallow it, but causes pain when we live with the consequences of ingesting worldly advice . Dear Heavenly Father, You reign over the heavens and the earth. How great You are. Thank you for Your lovingkindness and grace toward us and the children you have entrusted to us. There is none like You. Help us to follow Your decrees willingly and joyfully. Help us to carefully keep Your laws and never mentor following the human heart. Instead, may our children see us draw near to You, our God, with sincere hearts and with assurance that only faith can bring, teaching that Your will and ways, Your commands and promises offer so much more than we can imagine. 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? 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. 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

< 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

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 127 - How to Be a Godly Mom Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 127 – How to Be a Godly Mom Goodness! I can’t believe school is about to end and my favorite time of year has arrived! The first blooms of spring have already fallen, making way for additional foliage to emerge. Summer is right around the corner, pushing out the comfortable cooler weather and bringing in blasts of air that feel like a furnace. No matter how hot it gets, I much prefer summer over winter and I’m sure I always will. Since nothing lasts forever, seasons are a beautiful reminder of why we need to live with eternal perspective. Have you had days, weeks, or years of life that you want to last forever? Or maybe right now you feel the opposite. Do you wonder how much longer you have to endure the season you are experiencing? Change can be good. Especially when we aren’t aware that we’re not living in ways God desires for us. Change can become the catalyst that moves us to be in sync with the next transformation God has for us. I distinctly remember a time I wasn’t living in ways that God desires. There was a period in my life before I knew Christ when I wanted to make sure I was a good person. A good woman. A good wife. A good daughter. A good mother. As I found, and purposely began maturing my relationship with Jesus, I understood that limiting myself to “good” was “ungodly.” Why do I say that? Because God wants to richly bless His followers with so much more. He calls us to a much higher standard than good. Good isn’t good enough for God . It’s true that in the beginning when God created, He exclaimed that what He made was good. However, God is proclaiming His creations are good, not that we individually or collectively are. What I mean is that what God created is by His intelligent and perfect design. Anything He makes is good. Yet, in this sinful, fallen world, it didn’t take long for God’s creations to choose sin. Without Christ indwelling us, we continue to move farther from God. Without the Holy Spirit within us, there is no perfection or godliness. In fact, we are unable to claim the status of “good,” let alone “godly.” So how do you and I move from desiring a good life to building godly lives? Only through Christ. Once believers see our need for God, we begin to realize the need for His perfect Son, Jesus to pay the price for our sin. Once we realize the need for a Savior, and accept the free gift Jesus offers, we are able to live with His Holy Spirit within us. We are no longer bound to the world and the sinful temptations. Through relationship with Him, the Holy Word, and prayerful conversations with God, we can experience a shift from good to godly. That is, if we are seeking Him and a humble, obedient, close connection daily. What we desire must be held up to a mirror, so to speak, as we look at how our desires are reflected against what God calls for us in His holy Word. My heart fills with joy when I remember the time between when my first set of children were raised and before my husband and I knew that God was calling us to adopt a sweet baby from China. Before we knew our daughter was waiting for us, I was experiencing deeper growth in my spiritual walk with Christ. Slowly by slowly, I allowed God greater access to me. I wish I could profess to be one of those people who surrender fully in the moment they accept Christ, but the truth is that each of us have varying degrees of surrender throughout our lifetime. We never reach that finish line in this life. We are so very far beneath God, and so far from Him, that our lifetime should be focused on pursuing deeper relationship with Him and continuing to surrender self. As my relationship with Jesus deepened and widened, I thought back to when my husband and I had raised our first two children. I was not a Christian when my first two were born. Although I came to follow Jesus when they were young, I wasn’t well discipled. I wasted so many years thinking I was “good” and not striving to be godly. Would you like to know my deepest regret? Although my children always heard about Jesus, and knew I loved and followed Him, I did not know to intentionally disciple them. I didn’t yet understand that the Christian walk is a beautiful relationship between God and man. I didn’t understand the command in Deuteronomy 6:5-9, which 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. 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 .” I assumed that what I was doing to teach my children about Jesus was enough. In reality, they were learning my limited faith, and since I was not growing as well as I should have been, they were only able to mimic a portion of my faith and not being discipled well to chase Christ for themselves. By parenting in this manner, I was ignorantly accidentally teaching my children to follow me instead of God. If we parent in this way, we teach our children to find and craft identity in us, not the Father. I didn’t yet realize with my first set of children that in order to be a godly mom, I had to first focus on my growing and deepening my walk with God through Jesus. I had to train my mind to think biblically about everything. I had to view my responsibility as a mother through a biblical lens that removed the worldly filter I was accustomed to using or that we as humans automatically revert to. I had to live the fact that my children were really His and were on loan for a season. God entrusted them into my hands to raise for Him. How would He judge my work? As my husband and I grew our walk with Jesus, we knew with certainty that God was calling us to travel to China to bring home the baby God had waiting to be ours. Before we went, we prayed together daily for the girl she would grow to be. Our heart desired that she be a light for Jesus, that she pursue Him with a pure heart, and that she would be an inspiration for others to follow Him. I remember the days I worked backwards, formulating a plan to raise her with what I prayed were very Christlike goals. Ten years later when we returned to China to bring home our last child, the “master plan” for raising our girls for Christ had been practiced, and our youngest enabled us to continue the course with another beautiful soul to nourish for Jesus. Although there are so many important details I’m not including here, this story is so important to me, because our second step into parenting with a new generation of children was very intentional. My mind and heart was fixed, anchored on Christ through all obstacles. My husband and I committed to stand on that firm foundation. When deep waters swirled around us, when tragedy and troubles plagued our home, we tightened our grip on that three-fold cord that kept God in the center of all. No matter what happened, we remained committed to raising our girls and influencing our grown son and grandson for Christ. I want you to know that my heart truly sings with joy when I encourage and equip busy mothers to move past guilt, anxiety, frustration, or the variety of other emotions this world presses upon us. God has greatly pressed upon my heart the need for me, as an older mother, to wrap my arm around you and help you move from these emotions or feelings to a place of peace. I want to encourage and equip mothers to create close connection with Christ and her children and raise kids who chase Christ over culture. Mothers and grandmothers too, it is time to rise and purposely raise children who know and honor God. How long will mothers sit back and watch as children follow peers over parents or Christ? It doesn’t matter how good a parent you want to be or already are. God calls you and I to be holy, godly mothers – not women who settle for good. There is nothing greater we can do than fix our heart and mind above and focus on the methods given by God to raise children for Him. If we don’t purposely lead our children to Christ, the world will sway them away. It starts with you and me. Our life must be so focused on living godly lives through Christ that our children clearly see Him through us and desire Him for themselves. It's time to stop the attachment our children place first on peers and mentor the way to attachment with Christ. It starts with the parent. That means you and me. Will you walk with me in creating a movement of mothers who deeply desire to be set-apart women parenting set-apart kids for Christ? It happens moment by moment and you are the first Jesus your children see. What are you showing them? Remember, you are the mother chosen by God to till the soil of your child’s heart and lay a solid foundation based on biblical truths, not worldly emotions or trends. You were meant to be more than good. Good is defined by human experience, opinions, and feelings. Godly is defined by a holy, sovereign Heavenly Father. Which definition do you want to use to direct your parenting, relationships, and ultimately – the eternity of your children – whether they’re still in your care or grown and out of the home? If you’d like more information about influencing your children for Christ intentionally and with godly strength, send me a message at info@terrihitt.com for access to a free mini session on parenting the heart – not reacting to behaviors – no matter the age of your children. Dear Heavenly Father, You alone are holy. You alone are greater than the good we desire. Move us from good to godly in the ways You know we need. Help us to be more and more pleasing to You each moment. May our heart and mind be in sync with Your desires for us as we move ever nearer to You. Father, I thank you for Your Word, Your perfect guidance. May we understand You better and please You more as we read and act in obedience to it. 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. 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

< 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

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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #088 – Godly Instruction 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. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight.” Proverbs 4:1-2 says, “Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.” Proverbs 4:10-13 says, “Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.” The very first instruction a child receives comes from parents. God has ordained and established this right and privilege to us. Entrusting us to care for His precious, hand-crafted children is a gift none of us are worthy of. Remembering that it is an honor to influence and raise a human God has purposed to be in this world for exact purposes should be at the top of our mind as we make choices, educate, instruct, and correct our children. Raising them to know, love, honor, and obey Jesus is a process that demands we know Him first and love Him well. To be the greatest influence and tie to God that our child will experience is incredibly humbling and we should never take that responsibility for granted. Psalm 78:1-8 reminds us, ”My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. They would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.” Educating my two youngest children from home has been one of my most treasured blessings. Without question, humbly asking God to work through me as I homeschool my daughters has been an obedient step of faith and trust that has made the scriptures I’ve read in this podcast come alive in new ways. Choosing to hear His call to home educate my girls and sticking to the commitment has opened my eyes and heart to new depths of relationship with God and heightened my desire to hear, trust, and obey my Father. Being with my daughters to educate them at home has enabled God to work through each one of us to widen and deepen our personal walks with Him and one another. Scripture has been made alive in our lives in ways that only come from intentionally seeking and following God. We not only speak, read, and learn of Him together, but we make Him alive throughout each day, weaving the Creator of the Universe into every subject we teach. Can a parent foster the same spiritual strength without home educating their child? Of course-with much concentrated effort and intentionality. Yet, for my family, the sacrifice and honor to be at home to homeschool is one I never take for granted as I strive to praise God for the glorious ways He has and is still allowing us the privilege to do. I enjoy taking each step of obedience to honor my Lord with the children He has graciously entrusted to me. Beginning the education of your child is easier and is a more natural progression than most people believe it to be. Many adults believe or are fearful of myths. The top one being that homeschooling prevents children from being socialized. Truthfully, I have found that lie to be one of the easiest to debunk. My children receive a much superior socialization than they would if they were sitting in a classroom with teachers and peers all day every day. Especially when I think of socialization in the widely accepted definition, which is: a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position. Which leads me to the next definition: social position, which is described as: ascribed status typically based on sex, age, race, family relationships, or birth. No matter which status we discuss, I seek to choose a godly social position for the child God has placed under my authority and in my loving care. That is not found in a public school setting, especially in these times. There is so much I could share about homeschooling children. Often, people contact me for support or with questions about beginning a home education for their children. I remember when I was in the same position. Scared, full of questions, and humbly seeking God for guidance and direction, I questioned others who taught their children at home and attended conferences and seminars to absorb and digest as much information as possible. The time came when I just needed to jump in and trust God to protect and carry us. I knew what God was impressing upon my heart. Be at home to raise and train my daughters in righteousness and truth. Days have been easy. Days have been hard. Every one of them has been well worth the time, financial, spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical investment. Without a doubt, my girls have flourished, and our relationships with God and each other have been eternally changed. After trying a few different educational methods, I have landed on what I believe to be the best choice for our family. The Charlotte Mason style of teaching encompasses all that is good and pure about home education and godly formation of character and soul. I rest in knowing that the Lord faithfully led me to what has been an enormous blessing in our home, as well as one of the foundations of our relationship with God and each other. Over the new several episodes, I will be airing interviews that focus on home educating children. Whether you are a homeschool parent, a grandparent of a home educated child, or a friend or relative of someone home educating, someone curious about how homeschool works, or perhaps you are a parent thrust into the homeschool arena due to Covid, I believe you will find interesting and life-changing information over the next several weeks. Perhaps you may even have some basic questions answered. Since I stated that I lean more toward the Charlotte Mason method of teaching my girls, I’d like to list a few of the hallmarks of the Charlotte Mason education, which I believe transcend teaching from home and cross into every area of life, imparting general knowledge, developing the ability to reason and critically think, nurturing and maturing spiritual health and depth, strengthening family bonds, and intellectually, emotionally, financially, and spiritually preparing children for a mature adult life. Habits – Charlotte Mason believed that if parents work to instill the development of good habits within a child, a solid foundation is being built for early education. I’d also like to add that a firm foundation is also erected for the biblical sturdiness which undergirds all areas of life. Charlotte Mason wrote that, “The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days.” There are no habits more important or crucial to the life and eternal future of our child than to instill godly habits that draw our child to the Father who created them, loves them, and has a good and perfectly tailored future for them. Style of Lessons – Charlotte Mason style lessons are typically short (at least in the younger years). By limiting the time spent per subject, the parent is training the child to focus fully on the work set before them. It is an easier goal to attain because the parent pays attention to the age of the child and considers what they are developmentally capable of. This is especially important as each child is unique and as Charlotte Mason taught, the educator must respect the child as a unique person. This also applies to children with special needs and best enables parent and child to work according to their abilities and builds the trust needed to stretch capabilities further. Mother and child come to know one another well. Charlotte also recommends switching subject styles. Exercise the mind and change to another topic to keep the mind energized and awake for learning. For example, do not study reading, then spelling. Instead, study math, then handicrafts or handwriting, then music study. Use different areas of the brain to keep the mind stimulated. One exception I add is that we always begin our day with Bible Study. It allows our heart and mind to focus on God first, just as we should do in life. Establishing this habit has allowed tremendous blessings on our relationships with God and each other and set the framework for smoother and easier days. Living Books – When I speak of using “living books,” I do not mean reading textbooks used in the traditional education most of us experienced. Instead, “living books” can be fictional or non-fictional literature of quality, written by an author with a passion for the particular topic. The passion, interest, and expertise that the “living book” author injects into the topic and book births “life” instead of giving your child a dry textbook that simply recites facts and details about a subject. This way, your student is drawn into the experience, giving them a reason to care, read, and learn. When your child engages with the topics through the “living book” experience, they are introduced to people and characters who inspire, teach, and present positive models to mirror. Make no mistake, there is a severe lack of quality literature for our children to read. Take a walk through bookstores and look at the young adult and children sections. Be very particular and oversee what your child reads, both in school and private time to protect their character, thoughts, heart, and mind for eternity. Narration – Narration is one of the central methods used in the Charlotte Mason education. Through narration, a child proves his ability to absorb and use what he has learned, as well as learning to think and express those thoughts clearly. Eventually, when the world hits your child with ideas and examples that are not from God’s values, she will recognize them. Of course, we teach our children to love everyone as God does, but we also train them to examine everything in light of the gospel. Our child learns to respect others, yet use critical reasoning that allows him to follow Christ and not culture. Through the process of narration, the home educator may assess what the child is catching and enable them to continue deeper learning day by day. Dictation – Spelling and grammar concepts are reinforced through repeated dictation exercises. Charlotte Mason enjoyed and recommended using quotations that inspire or scripture verses for dictation exercises. First, the child studies the passage until he is certain he can spell the words and use proper punctuation. Next, the teacher reads the dictation passage slowly as the child writes it. I personally enjoy using scripture for dictation, but also use well-written literature and fun sentences. Art and Music –Charlotte Mason believed that children should be exposed to greatness in several forms. Both music and art appreciation were intentionally introduced in her schools. One composer or artist would be studied during each term, allowing children to experience them through both music and art. They would also listen to the music, read living books about the artist or composer, and attempt to reproduce the style of the artist or composer through art and music lessons. Classical music and early hymns may also be used beautifully during periods of rest, handicrafts, or art. I have also had fun at school when playing popular, meaningful American patriotic songs and marches that are seldom heard in society now. Nature Study - Charlotte Mason strongly believed that children should spend as much time as possible outdoors, especially when they are young. She encouraged the use of personal journals used for nature study, drawings, and notes, which greatly helped the children to learn and identify the world of nature around them. We personally do not experience enough time outdoors. While one of my daughters and I take walks together, it is difficult for the other to do so, and I have to intentionally try to get her out of doors in other ways. Since she enjoys observing insects and birds very much, I sometimes set goals of sketching or observation times for her to experience nature and I have her orally narrate what she sees, feels, smells, etc. as she views creation. Charlotte Mason asked students to keep detailed nature journals and we have also used nature journals over the years. I also keep one and sketch when the girls render their drawings. I’ve even enjoyed looking back over my own sketches over time. Nature studies have changed each of us in multiple ways. When Charlotte Mason first developed her educational ideas, she ignited quite a revolution in education because she believed that a child, no matter what class of society they were born into, held a God-given right to be recognized and respected as a unique person. It was her desire that education would give each child the opportunity to acquire qualities and develop into the person God created them to be and that would reach opportunities unknown to them before. One of my favorite Charlotte Mason quotes, which is very telling of her intuition and insight is, “The question is not how much does the child know when he has finished his education, but how much does he care?” I would like to add, “How has my child deepened and widened her relationship with God? How has she formed a desire to learn for the simple sake of using the mind, gifts, and talents given to her when God thought of her and formed her? How often does she persist in learning, knowing she should expect to fail and not grow discouraged, but rely on the strength of her Heavenly Father to sustain and guide her?” As Christian parents educating our children in such a manner that respects our child as a unique person planned, created, and set apart by God for a specific journey and life, we must intentionally plan the course set before us. What is the goal we have for the life of our child? What is the goal our Heavenly Father has set for our unique child so loved by Him? We must submit to God, ask Him for guidance for each child, and allow Him to lead and inspire us to cultivate and mature strong character and spiritual formation in our children. I hope you will join me over the next several episodes to learn more about the gift of homeschooling and the eternal blessings it brings. Even if you are not homeschooling your child, the basic thoughts and principles that should be the foundation of home education are wise lessons for each of us to absorb and ponder the ways we can incorporate these treasured bits of wisdom into daily life at home with our children. Father God, I praise You for Your mighty and sovereign ways. Thank you for the wisdom, understanding, insight, and knowledge You impart to us when we ask for it. Thank you that we can trust that we will never be enough and that You fashioned us to humbly bow to You for our needs. Thank you for the gift of caring for our precious children. In reality, we recognize that they are truly Yours and are entrusted to us for such a short time, but also for just this time. You know the times we live in and the experiences and concerns we face, but You planned this time in advance for us. Please go before us. Show us the way to You and how to navigate this world and the education of our children. Let us choose what is pleasing to You. Carry us through each day in Your strength, for it makes an eternal difference in the lives of Your children. In the precious name of Jesus we humbly 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 088 Godly Instruction Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #088 – Godly Instruction 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. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight.” Proverbs 4:1-2 says, “Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.” Proverbs 4:10-13 says, “Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.” The very first instruction a child receives comes from parents. God has ordained and established this right and privilege to us. Entrusting us to care for His precious, hand-crafted children is a gift none of us are worthy of. Remembering that it is an honor to influence and raise a human God has purposed to be in this world for exact purposes should be at the top of our mind as we make choices, educate, instruct, and correct our children. Raising them to know, love, honor, and obey Jesus is a process that demands we know Him first and love Him well. To be the greatest influence and tie to God that our child will experience is incredibly humbling and we should never take that responsibility for granted. Psalm 78:1-8 reminds us, ”My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. They would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.” Educating my two youngest children from home has been one of my most treasured blessings. Without question, humbly asking God to work through me as I homeschool my daughters has been an obedient step of faith and trust that has made the scriptures I’ve read in this podcast come alive in new ways. Choosing to hear His call to home educate my girls and sticking to the commitment has opened my eyes and heart to new depths of relationship with God and heightened my desire to hear, trust, and obey my Father. Being with my daughters to educate them at home has enabled God to work through each one of us to widen and deepen our personal walks with Him and one another. Scripture has been made alive in our lives in ways that only come from intentionally seeking and following God. We not only speak, read, and learn of Him together, but we make Him alive throughout each day, weaving the Creator of the Universe into every subject we teach. Can a parent foster the same spiritual strength without home educating their child? Of course-with much concentrated effort and intentionality. Yet, for my family, the sacrifice and honor to be at home to homeschool is one I never take for granted as I strive to praise God for the glorious ways He has and is still allowing us the privilege to do. I enjoy taking each step of obedience to honor my Lord with the children He has graciously entrusted to me. Beginning the education of your child is easier and is a more natural progression than most people believe it to be. Many adults believe or are fearful of myths. The top one being that homeschooling prevents children from being socialized. Truthfully, I have found that lie to be one of the easiest to debunk. My children receive a much superior socialization than they would if they were sitting in a classroom with teachers and peers all day every day. Especially when I think of socialization in the widely accepted definition, which is: a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position. Which leads me to the next definition: social position, which is described as: ascribed status typically based on sex, age, race, family relationships, or birth. No matter which status we discuss, I seek to choose a godly social position for the child God has placed under my authority and in my loving care. That is not found in a public school setting, especially in these times. There is so much I could share about homeschooling children. Often, people contact me for support or with questions about beginning a home education for their children. I remember when I was in the same position. Scared, full of questions, and humbly seeking God for guidance and direction, I questioned others who taught their children at home and attended conferences and seminars to absorb and digest as much information as possible. The time came when I just needed to jump in and trust God to protect and carry us. I knew what God was impressing upon my heart. Be at home to raise and train my daughters in righteousness and truth. Days have been easy. Days have been hard. Every one of them has been well worth the time, financial, spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical investment. Without a doubt, my girls have flourished, and our relationships with God and each other have been eternally changed. After trying a few different educational methods, I have landed on what I believe to be the best choice for our family. The Charlotte Mason style of teaching encompasses all that is good and pure about home education and godly formation of character and soul. I rest in knowing that the Lord faithfully led me to what has been an enormous blessing in our home, as well as one of the foundations of our relationship with God and each other. Over the new several episodes, I will be airing interviews that focus on home educating children. Whether you are a homeschool parent, a grandparent of a home educated child, or a friend or relative of someone home educating, someone curious about how homeschool works, or perhaps you are a parent thrust into the homeschool arena due to Covid, I believe you will find interesting and life-changing information over the next several weeks. Perhaps you may even have some basic questions answered. Since I stated that I lean more toward the Charlotte Mason method of teaching my girls, I’d like to list a few of the hallmarks of the Charlotte Mason education, which I believe transcend teaching from home and cross into every area of life, imparting general knowledge, developing the ability to reason and critically think, nurturing and maturing spiritual health and depth, strengthening family bonds, and intellectually, emotionally, financially, and spiritually preparing children for a mature adult life. Habits – Charlotte Mason believed that if parents work to instill the development of good habits within a child, a solid foundation is being built for early education. I’d also like to add that a firm foundation is also erected for the biblical sturdiness which undergirds all areas of life. Charlotte Mason wrote that, “The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days.” There are no habits more important or crucial to the life and eternal future of our child than to instill godly habits that draw our child to the Father who created them, loves them, and has a good and perfectly tailored future for them. Style of Lessons – Charlotte Mason style lessons are typically short (at least in the younger years). By limiting the time spent per subject, the parent is training the child to focus fully on the work set before them. It is an easier goal to attain because the parent pays attention to the age of the child and considers what they are developmentally capable of. This is especially important as each child is unique and as Charlotte Mason taught, the educator must respect the child as a unique person. This also applies to children with special needs and best enables parent and child to work according to their abilities and builds the trust needed to stretch capabilities further. Mother and child come to know one another well. Charlotte also recommends switching subject styles. Exercise the mind and change to another topic to keep the mind energized and awake for learning. For example, do not study reading, then spelling. Instead, study math, then handicrafts or handwriting, then music study. Use different areas of the brain to keep the mind stimulated. One exception I add is that we always begin our day with Bible Study. It allows our heart and mind to focus on God first, just as we should do in life. Establishing this habit has allowed tremendous blessings on our relationships with God and each other and set the framework for smoother and easier days. Living Books – When I speak of using “living books,” I do not mean reading textbooks used in the traditional education most of us experienced. Instead, “living books” can be fictional or non-fictional literature of quality, written by an author with a passion for the particular topic. The passion, interest, and expertise that the “living book” author injects into the topic and book births “life” instead of giving your child a dry textbook that simply recites facts and details about a subject. This way, your student is drawn into the experience, giving them a reason to care, read, and learn. When your child engages with the topics through the “living book” experience, they are introduced to people and characters who inspire, teach, and present positive models to mirror. Make no mistake, there is a severe lack of quality literature for our children to read. Take a walk through bookstores and look at the young adult and children sections. Be very particular and oversee what your child reads, both in school and private time to protect their character, thoughts, heart, and mind for eternity. Narration – Narration is one of the central methods used in the Charlotte Mason education. Through narration, a child proves his ability to absorb and use what he has learned, as well as learning to think and express those thoughts clearly. Eventually, when the world hits your child with ideas and examples that are not from God’s values, she will recognize them. Of course, we teach our children to love everyone as God does, but we also train them to examine everything in light of the gospel. Our child learns to respect others, yet use critical reasoning that allows him to follow Christ and not culture. Through the process of narration, the home educator may assess what the child is catching and enable them to continue deeper learning day by day. Dictation – Spelling and grammar concepts are reinforced through repeated dictation exercises. Charlotte Mason enjoyed and recommended using quotations that inspire or scripture verses for dictation exercises. First, the child studies the passage until he is certain he can spell the words and use proper punctuation. Next, the teacher reads the dictation passage slowly as the child writes it. I personally enjoy using scripture for dictation, but also use well-written literature and fun sentences. Art and Music –Charlotte Mason believed that children should be exposed to greatness in several forms. Both music and art appreciation were intentionally introduced in her schools. One composer or artist would be studied during each term, allowing children to experience them through both music and art. They would also listen to the music, read living books about the artist or composer, and attempt to reproduce the style of the artist or composer through art and music lessons. Classical music and early hymns may also be used beautifully during periods of rest, handicrafts, or art. I have also had fun at school when playing popular, meaningful American patriotic songs and marches that are seldom heard in society now. Nature Study - Charlotte Mason strongly believed that children should spend as much time as possible outdoors, especially when they are young. She encouraged the use of personal journals used for nature study, drawings, and notes, which greatly helped the children to learn and identify the world of nature around them. We personally do not experience enough time outdoors. While one of my daughters and I take walks together, it is difficult for the other to do so, and I have to intentionally try to get her out of doors in other ways. Since she enjoys observing insects and birds very much, I sometimes set goals of sketching or observation times for her to experience nature and I have her orally narrate what she sees, feels, smells, etc. as she views creation. Charlotte Mason asked students to keep detailed nature journals and we have also used nature journals over the years. I also keep one and sketch when the girls render their drawings. I’ve even enjoyed looking back over my own sketches over time. Nature studies have changed each of us in multiple ways. When Charlotte Mason first developed her educational ideas, she ignited quite a revolution in education because she believed that a child, no matter what class of society they were born into, held a God-given right to be recognized and respected as a unique person. It was her desire that education would give each child the opportunity to acquire qualities and develop into the person God created them to be and that would reach opportunities unknown to them before. One of my favorite Charlotte Mason quotes, which is very telling of her intuition and insight is, “The question is not how much does the child know when he has finished his education, but how much does he care?” I would like to add, “How has my child deepened and widened her relationship with God? How has she formed a desire to learn for the simple sake of using the mind, gifts, and talents given to her when God thought of her and formed her? How often does she persist in learning, knowing she should expect to fail and not grow discouraged, but rely on the strength of her Heavenly Father to sustain and guide her?” As Christian parents educating our children in such a manner that respects our child as a unique person planned, created, and set apart by God for a specific journey and life, we must intentionally plan the course set before us. What is the goal we have for the life of our child? What is the goal our Heavenly Father has set for our unique child so loved by Him? We must submit to God, ask Him for guidance for each child, and allow Him to lead and inspire us to cultivate and mature strong character and spiritual formation in our children. I hope you will join me over the next several episodes to learn more about the gift of homeschooling and the eternal blessings it brings. Even if you are not homeschooling your child, the basic thoughts and principles that should be the foundation of home education are wise lessons for each of us to absorb and ponder the ways we can incorporate these treasured bits of wisdom into daily life at home with our children. Father God, I praise You for Your mighty and sovereign ways. Thank you for the wisdom, understanding, insight, and knowledge You impart to us when we ask for it. Thank you that we can trust that we will never be enough and that You fashioned us to humbly bow to You for our needs. Thank you for the gift of caring for our precious children. In reality, we recognize that they are truly Yours and are entrusted to us for such a short time, but also for just this time. You know the times we live in and the experiences and concerns we face, but You planned this time in advance for us. Please go before us. Show us the way to You and how to navigate this world and the education of our children. Let us choose what is pleasing to You. Carry us through each day in Your strength, for it makes an eternal difference in the lives of Your children. In the precious name of Jesus we humbly 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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #100 – Journey to Hope - Interview with Dwyatt Gantt 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. Did you notice the episode number in the title? One hundred. That means there have been 100 Live With Eternal Perspective episodes! What a blessed journey I have been honored to travel as I stepped forward in obedience when I heard God call me to podcast. Our gracious Heavenly Father amazes me weekly as He continues to grow and deepen my maturity and relationship with Him through producing each episode. If you have enjoyed or grown through any of the Live With Eternal Perspective podcasts, give our Almighty God the glory! I knew absolutely nothing about podcasting when I began, but my heart was focused on obeying where I heard God calling me to walk. He has made sure the resources I need are available at each step. When we trust and follow the Lord, we see that His vision is always larger than we imagine and the blessings more abundant! God doesn’t seek the equipped to serve Him. Our Heavenly Father yearns for us to release self, doubt, fear, and anything that hinders or holds us back from stepping out for and through Him. He desires to complete us as we completely trust, love, and obey Him. Walking in faith through trusting the Lord is one of my favorite ways to obey God. It is exactly what my husband and I chose to do back in 2004 when we began our adoption journey. It was the definitely one of the biggest blind steps of faith we had taken so far. Why is that important? That piece of our faith and life journey is why it is an honor for me to share my special guest with you today. Dwyatt Gantt also lives each day to hear and follow where he believes God is calling him to go. Because of faith and obedience, Dwyatt’s life, and miracles of God, intertwined with ours and with thousands of others. Dwyatt Gantt is the Founder and Executive Director of Children’s Hope International, and is committed to the mission of compassionately engaging in changing the lives of the vulnerable, orphans, sick, weak, and the poorest of children and families. The organization places its hope in God and the staff is intent on taking His love to those whose hope has died. Through strongly focusing on children who are orphans, abandoned and forgotten, often sick or with special needs, or families struggling with debt and despair because of the health of their children, this non-profit organization brings hope and relief with Dwyatt at the helm. Dwyatt is also the proud patriarch of four children, seven grandchildren, and twenty-one great grandchildren. When my husband and I knew for certain that God had a daughter for us in China back in early 2004 and we began completing all of the paperwork, it was the local branch of Children’s Hope that guided us as extended family. Every person on staff was a true joy to know and an absolute pleasure to work with. Through personal guidance and monthly meetings designed to educate and equip parents as we walked the precious journey we were privileged to travel, we experienced joy and peace as the trajectory of our lives was forever changed. Please enjoy this very special episode of Live With Eternal Perspective as I speak with Dwyatt about the way God has provided him with a purpose and passion that was written on his heart long before Dwyatt realized it was there. Listen as Dwyatt shares how God revealed Himself and the blind faith journey his life was to take. As he says in the interview, “Discover your purpose and never let it go.” -----------------------------------------------INTERVIEW-------------------------------------------------- Corrie Ten Boom said, “Never be afraid of an unknown future with a known God.” Dwyatt has captured this quote as inspiration and lived it well. Mark Twain wrote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Dwyatt believes he discovered his purpose at age 50. He doesn’t want you to wait that long. What is God whispering to you? Are you ready to take a blind faith journey with the Lord carrying you every step of the way? Dear God, our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, our Creator and Keeper, our Provider and Protector, how Great You are. Thank you for placing us on this earth with a purpose straight from You. May we discover more clearly day by day what you have for us to do in Your name and through Your will and ways as we draw nearer to You. Help us cling to You through good and bad, easy and hard. Through persecution may we rise up in Your strength and may we be concerned with what concerns You. May we wait upon You to have our strength renewed, may we mount up with wings like eagles, may we run and not grow weary, walk and not faint because we humbly rely on Your strength and provision. Thank you Father, for Your goodness and grace. In the precious 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. I have two requests. If you are able, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review to push the podcast out for more people to find. Without good reviews, others won’t hear the episodes designed to mature walks with Christ and equip all to live for eternity now. You can also share podcast 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 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 100 Journey to Hope Interview with Dwyatt Gantt Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #100 – Journey to Hope - Interview with Dwyatt Gantt 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. Did you notice the episode number in the title? One hundred. That means there have been 100 Live With Eternal Perspective episodes! What a blessed journey I have been honored to travel as I stepped forward in obedience when I heard God call me to podcast. Our gracious Heavenly Father amazes me weekly as He continues to grow and deepen my maturity and relationship with Him through producing each episode. If you have enjoyed or grown through any of the Live With Eternal Perspective podcasts, give our Almighty God the glory! I knew absolutely nothing about podcasting when I began, but my heart was focused on obeying where I heard God calling me to walk. He has made sure the resources I need are available at each step. When we trust and follow the Lord, we see that His vision is always larger than we imagine and the blessings more abundant! God doesn’t seek the equipped to serve Him. Our Heavenly Father yearns for us to release self, doubt, fear, and anything that hinders or holds us back from stepping out for and through Him. He desires to complete us as we completely trust, love, and obey Him. Walking in faith through trusting the Lord is one of my favorite ways to obey God. It is exactly what my husband and I chose to do back in 2004 when we began our adoption journey. It was the definitely one of the biggest blind steps of faith we had taken so far. Why is that important? That piece of our faith and life journey is why it is an honor for me to share my special guest with you today. Dwyatt Gantt also lives each day to hear and follow where he believes God is calling him to go. Because of faith and obedience, Dwyatt’s life, and miracles of God, intertwined with ours and with thousands of others. Dwyatt Gantt is the Founder and Executive Director of Children’s Hope International, and is committed to the mission of compassionately engaging in changing the lives of the vulnerable, orphans, sick, weak, and the poorest of children and families. The organization places its hope in God and the staff is intent on taking His love to those whose hope has died. Through strongly focusing on children who are orphans, abandoned and forgotten, often sick or with special needs, or families struggling with debt and despair because of the health of their children, this non-profit organization brings hope and relief with Dwyatt at the helm. Dwyatt is also the proud patriarch of four children, seven grandchildren, and twenty-one great grandchildren. When my husband and I knew for certain that God had a daughter for us in China back in early 2004 and we began completing all of the paperwork, it was the local branch of Children’s Hope that guided us as extended family. Every person on staff was a true joy to know and an absolute pleasure to work with. Through personal guidance and monthly meetings designed to educate and equip parents as we walked the precious journey we were privileged to travel, we experienced joy and peace as the trajectory of our lives was forever changed. Please enjoy this very special episode of Live With Eternal Perspective as I speak with Dwyatt about the way God has provided him with a purpose and passion that was written on his heart long before Dwyatt realized it was there. Listen as Dwyatt shares how God revealed Himself and the blind faith journey his life was to take. As he says in the interview, “Discover your purpose and never let it go.” -----------------------------------------------INTERVIEW-------------------------------------------------- Corrie Ten Boom said, “Never be afraid of an unknown future with a known God.” Dwyatt has captured this quote as inspiration and lived it well. Mark Twain wrote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Dwyatt believes he discovered his purpose at age 50. He doesn’t want you to wait that long. What is God whispering to you? Are you ready to take a blind faith journey with the Lord carrying you every step of the way? Dear God, our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, our Creator and Keeper, our Provider and Protector, how Great You are. Thank you for placing us on this earth with a purpose straight from You. May we discover more clearly day by day what you have for us to do in Your name and through Your will and ways as we draw nearer to You. Help us cling to You through good and bad, easy and hard. Through persecution may we rise up in Your strength and may we be concerned with what concerns You. May we wait upon You to have our strength renewed, may we mount up with wings like eagles, may we run and not grow weary, walk and not faint because we humbly rely on Your strength and provision. Thank you Father, for Your goodness and grace. In the precious 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. I have two requests. If you are able, please go to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review to push the podcast out for more people to find. Without good reviews, others won’t hear the episodes designed to mature walks with Christ and equip all to live for eternity now. You can also share podcast 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 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 #056 – A Passionate Life for Jesus 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 week I was surprised to receive my first angry and vulgar message online. I knew this would happen at some point, and I had just lifted a prayer of gratitude to my Heavenly Father about this very subject the week before. I had thanked Him that His timing is always best. Since the Live With Eternal Perspective ministry is small right now, I have not suffered the hardships big platforms have with people who throw cruelty like confetti while they hide behind the internet wall. I knew that God would make me ready when the time arrived, and I believe the Holy Spirit led me to pray for what He knew was coming. I lift up what God is building through Live With Eternal Perspective daily in prayer, and I am attempting to follow the plans God gives to me. Only my Heavenly Father knows what He has for me to share on the podcast and beyond. As I consistently post online about Jesus, more people will eventually see my words. They will learn my beliefs, and of course, not everyone will agree with them. More and more people may use the bravery of invisibility to throw insults and hate because they don’t know or live in the truth and freedom Jesus offers. After reading curse words and accusations from this stranger about how I was brain-washing and ruining the lives of children by encouraging mothers to raise them to know Jesus, I stopped to praise God for this person. Why? Because God had exposed his pain to me and allowed me the opportunity to pray for him right then. I don't know his story, but God does. Our Heavenly Father knows every heartache and joy this person has ever had. He knows what emotions drive the cruel words and the reason he feels them. God knows whether or not this person will ever be saved by the sacrifice of Jesus. My prayer is that he will. Luke 6:22 says, "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man." Yesterday this stranger unknowingly sent me a blessing. Because I am faithfully allowing truth, hope, and encouragement to flow from my heart and words, and I am attempting to obediently follow where I believe God is calling, this person saw my message and hated me for it. What I shared went against what many people in this world choose to believe. More people are speaking out against godly values and morals, while less speak the truths of and for Jesus. How long will Christians keep silent? God is calling me to allow Him to work through me even more. If you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, then He is calling you to more, too. If others use the freedom to speak against Jesus, we must exercise our right to speak for Him. Christians have been complacent; we've been lazy. We are losing our right to worship, freely express beliefs, and follow the Lord without fear of retaliation. Why is it allowable for non-believers to spew hate and lies, but they cannot tolerate believers having freedom to say or show what we desire? I am not angry at those who make the choice to reject Jesus. That decision is strictly between them and God. However, Christians deserve the same privilege to exercise our first amendment right. Freedom goes both ways. It is time for each of us to deeply examine our heart. What do we truly believe? Who do we follow? Would we rather chase Jesus or the ungodly culture we live in? Unbelievers are watching us. Although they do not act like it, they are waiting and watching to see how we handle complications, stress, and heartache. They want to see whether their words and actions against us will stop us. They wonder whether they have power over what we profess to be true. They are looking to see whether our actions match our words. They wonder whether Jesus really does make a difference. What will they see? If we do not stand for Jesus, we stand against Him. Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm? Have you obediently followed Christ with a passion? Are you aware that the word "passion" doesn’t mean just a strong feeling or desire? The Latin meaning of "passion" is to suffer, bear, or endure. Jesus suffered a passionate sacrifice for each of us. Why aren’t each of us living with a passionate desire for pleasing Christ and becoming more like Him? Why aren't most Christians living with a passion to obediently follow and share Him, despite the cost? Joshua 24:14-15 says, "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the Lord, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Do you realize that criticism is acceptable? “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me." John 15:18-21 When people make accusations, spread lies, misunderstand us, spew hateful words at us, or attack us, we must remember that Jesus understands. He has already faced anything we can receive. Do we want to be attacked? Of course not! Yet, we know that the boldness we show for Christ will attract the cruel and reckless comments and actions of those against Jesus. What peace and encouragement that truth provides! What we allow God to produce through us is for Him. John 15:1-11 says, "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" As we mature our walk with God through Jesus, we should never want to remain the same person from day to day. I urge you to view your life with eternal perspective. What are your end goals? What are your beliefs about eternity? The way we schedule, prioritize, and live our life proves our perspective on eternity. If you rest in assurance through Jesus, your goal should be to glorify and honor God more each day. You should expect to awaken a new person every morning because your faith and obedience has shifted your heart and mindset closer to His in every way. Ask God to release a passion inside you for Him. Seek Him in a deeper walk and relationship. He will shift your thoughts, words, and actions as you understand that everything we do can affect those around us for eternity. He is faithful to give new life, hope, and joy to those who desire Him, no matter the circumstances we endure, as we allow Him to direct and carry us. Don’t worry about how you will manage life. Just grow closer to Him. He will work out every detail as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13 says, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Live a passionate, Spirit-led life! Let us purpose to live by the passionate power of the Holy Spirit alive inside us! Galatians 5:22-25 offers this promise and command, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." What is the best way to ensure we are able to live with passion for Christ and follow the Spirit in every area of our life? We must live with a mindset purposed for eternity. Set specific goals for Christian Living so you intentionally seek to glorify God and imitate Jesus. 1. Expect to suffer for Him. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 says, “So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.” Acts 5:41 says, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Bad things happen daily in this fallen world. It doesn’t matter how much you love Jesus or how closely you try to follow and please Him. You will still have hardships and difficulties. Loved ones will die. People will let you down. I can list so many things that can happen. You know the list is endless. Yet, as followers of Christ, we have Him to carry us whether times are easy or hard. He makes life bearable. We know as followers, we will face hardships because we believe. Stand strong, but not in yourself. In Him. As Isaiah 45:24a says, “The people will declare, “The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 2. Be grateful and joyful despite circumstances. 2 Corinthians 6:10 says, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” When those trials, hardships, failures, and pain come, live in gratitude. Even though we suffer and grieve, we can still choose to praise Him because we know He is there to comfort us. He is there to carry us and we know each difficulty will bring us closer to Him and extend the roots of our faith in deeper and richer soil. Each time we release control, and look to Jesus, we realize the importance and truth of our faith. 3. Follow the Holy Spirit James 1:1-4 says, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, “you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Seek heavenly wisdom that is only available from a holy and sovereign source. The Holy Spirit He sends to us is active and alive. 2 Corinthians 1:22 says, “ He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.” 4. Seek God’s wisdom James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” Proverbs 3:13-17 says, “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Wisdom from the Lord is pure, loving, steady, genuine, and although it is extended to every believer, it is also personal to each one of us. 5. Carry the mindset of Christ Ephesians 5:1 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Pure peace comes from allowing God to handle all areas of our life. That is only possible through a relationship with God through Jesus. Only He can sooth us with a perfect peace that passes understanding and deposit joy in our spirit, despite circumstances swirling around us. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 6. Worship God James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” We must find the balance of living in the world while not being a part of it. This is not our final home. Eternal perspective allows us to appreciate what God has allowed us and strive to honor Him with our riches, even when they are meager. We simply cannot love this world and passionately follow culture and trends. If we value what this world tells us to honor and seek, we go against all that God has for us. 7. Live with passion for Christ 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.” Struggles, bitterness, sorrow, disunity, and animosity exist when we search for happiness and wisdom from self or this world. In contrast, when we follow Jesus, we receive and treasure His wisdom, guidance, and joy. Yielding to His commands and mindset become a balm and encouragement, as well as our source of strength in life. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us every resource we need to stand before You with the choice and ability to live a pure life of passion for You. Lord, I pray that as I close this podcast today, and read Your biblical truths, that you will pierce my heart. Prick the heart of every listener, Lord. Carry us closer to You. Bring us to a clearer understanding of where we need to change and help us mold ourselves closer to Jesus and where You want us to be. In Your very precious name I pray. Amen. As I close, please absorb the truth of the following scriptures and ponder how different we would be if we experienced the passion of living for Christ. How different our life, home, and world would be if we each purposely step into closer alignment with God. Ephesians 4:13 says, “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:17-31 says, “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more. But this is not the way you came to know Christ. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—to 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. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Matthew 7:24 says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Passionately build your purpose, your life, and eternal focus on the holy, solid rock of Jesus Christ. Thank you for listening to this episode. 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. 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 soon. This eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. 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 056 A Passionate Life for Jesus Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #056 – A Passionate Life for Jesus 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 week I was surprised to receive my first angry and vulgar message online. I knew this would happen at some point, and I had just lifted a prayer of gratitude to my Heavenly Father about this very subject the week before. I had thanked Him that His timing is always best. Since the Live With Eternal Perspective ministry is small right now, I have not suffered the hardships big platforms have with people who throw cruelty like confetti while they hide behind the internet wall. I knew that God would make me ready when the time arrived, and I believe the Holy Spirit led me to pray for what He knew was coming. I lift up what God is building through Live With Eternal Perspective daily in prayer, and I am attempting to follow the plans God gives to me. Only my Heavenly Father knows what He has for me to share on the podcast and beyond. As I consistently post online about Jesus, more people will eventually see my words. They will learn my beliefs, and of course, not everyone will agree with them. More and more people may use the bravery of invisibility to throw insults and hate because they don’t know or live in the truth and freedom Jesus offers. After reading curse words and accusations from this stranger about how I was brain-washing and ruining the lives of children by encouraging mothers to raise them to know Jesus, I stopped to praise God for this person. Why? Because God had exposed his pain to me and allowed me the opportunity to pray for him right then. I don't know his story, but God does. Our Heavenly Father knows every heartache and joy this person has ever had. He knows what emotions drive the cruel words and the reason he feels them. God knows whether or not this person will ever be saved by the sacrifice of Jesus. My prayer is that he will. Luke 6:22 says, "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man." Yesterday this stranger unknowingly sent me a blessing. Because I am faithfully allowing truth, hope, and encouragement to flow from my heart and words, and I am attempting to obediently follow where I believe God is calling, this person saw my message and hated me for it. What I shared went against what many people in this world choose to believe. More people are speaking out against godly values and morals, while less speak the truths of and for Jesus. How long will Christians keep silent? God is calling me to allow Him to work through me even more. If you are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, then He is calling you to more, too. If others use the freedom to speak against Jesus, we must exercise our right to speak for Him. Christians have been complacent; we've been lazy. We are losing our right to worship, freely express beliefs, and follow the Lord without fear of retaliation. Why is it allowable for non-believers to spew hate and lies, but they cannot tolerate believers having freedom to say or show what we desire? I am not angry at those who make the choice to reject Jesus. That decision is strictly between them and God. However, Christians deserve the same privilege to exercise our first amendment right. Freedom goes both ways. It is time for each of us to deeply examine our heart. What do we truly believe? Who do we follow? Would we rather chase Jesus or the ungodly culture we live in? Unbelievers are watching us. Although they do not act like it, they are waiting and watching to see how we handle complications, stress, and heartache. They want to see whether their words and actions against us will stop us. They wonder whether they have power over what we profess to be true. They are looking to see whether our actions match our words. They wonder whether Jesus really does make a difference. What will they see? If we do not stand for Jesus, we stand against Him. Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm? Have you obediently followed Christ with a passion? Are you aware that the word "passion" doesn’t mean just a strong feeling or desire? The Latin meaning of "passion" is to suffer, bear, or endure. Jesus suffered a passionate sacrifice for each of us. Why aren’t each of us living with a passionate desire for pleasing Christ and becoming more like Him? Why aren't most Christians living with a passion to obediently follow and share Him, despite the cost? Joshua 24:14-15 says, "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the Lord, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Do you realize that criticism is acceptable? “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me." John 15:18-21 When people make accusations, spread lies, misunderstand us, spew hateful words at us, or attack us, we must remember that Jesus understands. He has already faced anything we can receive. Do we want to be attacked? Of course not! Yet, we know that the boldness we show for Christ will attract the cruel and reckless comments and actions of those against Jesus. What peace and encouragement that truth provides! What we allow God to produce through us is for Him. John 15:1-11 says, "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" As we mature our walk with God through Jesus, we should never want to remain the same person from day to day. I urge you to view your life with eternal perspective. What are your end goals? What are your beliefs about eternity? The way we schedule, prioritize, and live our life proves our perspective on eternity. If you rest in assurance through Jesus, your goal should be to glorify and honor God more each day. You should expect to awaken a new person every morning because your faith and obedience has shifted your heart and mindset closer to His in every way. Ask God to release a passion inside you for Him. Seek Him in a deeper walk and relationship. He will shift your thoughts, words, and actions as you understand that everything we do can affect those around us for eternity. He is faithful to give new life, hope, and joy to those who desire Him, no matter the circumstances we endure, as we allow Him to direct and carry us. Don’t worry about how you will manage life. Just grow closer to Him. He will work out every detail as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13 says, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Live a passionate, Spirit-led life! Let us purpose to live by the passionate power of the Holy Spirit alive inside us! Galatians 5:22-25 offers this promise and command, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." What is the best way to ensure we are able to live with passion for Christ and follow the Spirit in every area of our life? We must live with a mindset purposed for eternity. Set specific goals for Christian Living so you intentionally seek to glorify God and imitate Jesus. 1. Expect to suffer for Him. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 says, “So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.” Acts 5:41 says, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Bad things happen daily in this fallen world. It doesn’t matter how much you love Jesus or how closely you try to follow and please Him. You will still have hardships and difficulties. Loved ones will die. People will let you down. I can list so many things that can happen. You know the list is endless. Yet, as followers of Christ, we have Him to carry us whether times are easy or hard. He makes life bearable. We know as followers, we will face hardships because we believe. Stand strong, but not in yourself. In Him. As Isaiah 45:24a says, “The people will declare, “The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 2. Be grateful and joyful despite circumstances. 2 Corinthians 6:10 says, “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” When those trials, hardships, failures, and pain come, live in gratitude. Even though we suffer and grieve, we can still choose to praise Him because we know He is there to comfort us. He is there to carry us and we know each difficulty will bring us closer to Him and extend the roots of our faith in deeper and richer soil. Each time we release control, and look to Jesus, we realize the importance and truth of our faith. 3. Follow the Holy Spirit James 1:1-4 says, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. He presented Himself alive to them after His suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, He said, “you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Seek heavenly wisdom that is only available from a holy and sovereign source. The Holy Spirit He sends to us is active and alive. 2 Corinthians 1:22 says, “ He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.” 4. Seek God’s wisdom James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” Proverbs 3:13-17 says, “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Wisdom from the Lord is pure, loving, steady, genuine, and although it is extended to every believer, it is also personal to each one of us. 5. Carry the mindset of Christ Ephesians 5:1 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Pure peace comes from allowing God to handle all areas of our life. That is only possible through a relationship with God through Jesus. Only He can sooth us with a perfect peace that passes understanding and deposit joy in our spirit, despite circumstances swirling around us. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 6. Worship God James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” We must find the balance of living in the world while not being a part of it. This is not our final home. Eternal perspective allows us to appreciate what God has allowed us and strive to honor Him with our riches, even when they are meager. We simply cannot love this world and passionately follow culture and trends. If we value what this world tells us to honor and seek, we go against all that God has for us. 7. Live with passion for Christ 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.” Struggles, bitterness, sorrow, disunity, and animosity exist when we search for happiness and wisdom from self or this world. In contrast, when we follow Jesus, we receive and treasure His wisdom, guidance, and joy. Yielding to His commands and mindset become a balm and encouragement, as well as our source of strength in life. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us every resource we need to stand before You with the choice and ability to live a pure life of passion for You. Lord, I pray that as I close this podcast today, and read Your biblical truths, that you will pierce my heart. Prick the heart of every listener, Lord. Carry us closer to You. Bring us to a clearer understanding of where we need to change and help us mold ourselves closer to Jesus and where You want us to be. In Your very precious name I pray. Amen. As I close, please absorb the truth of the following scriptures and ponder how different we would be if we experienced the passion of living for Christ. How different our life, home, and world would be if we each purposely step into closer alignment with God. Ephesians 4:13 says, “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:17-31 says, “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more. But this is not the way you came to know Christ. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with the truth that is in Jesus—to 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. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Matthew 7:24 says, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Passionately build your purpose, your life, and eternal focus on the holy, solid rock of Jesus Christ. Thank you for listening to this episode. 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. 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 soon. This eBook is an excellent encouragement and support for mothers or grandmothers of young children. 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.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 124 - The Most Important Job of a Parent Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 124 – The Most Important Job of a Parent 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 makes us consider an important question…What is the most important job of a parent? Every job you hold has a description. Think back to any position you’ve ever held. Even if it was your first job, which may have been babysitting, or working at a fast food restaurant, you had a requirement of duties. You had certain responsibilities you were to carry out while performing the job. Motherhood is no different. With this prestigious position, we have certain requirements we must meet. We also have someone we report to and we are expected to meet their requirements for the job they entrusted to us. Today we’ll discuss this holy job description. I remember becoming mother to each of my children. Even though two were biological and two were adopted, the day I met each of them holds a uniquely special place in my heart. I remember my son locking gazes with me as soon as they placed him in my arms. I recall the way my youngest was nine years old, yet a toddler in her actions due to her background. The day we met, she was wary of us, yet hopeful, standing in front of us with hands on hips and bravery etched in her posture. The day each of us have our precious children placed in our arms is obviously different for everyone. It’s a moment forever etched in our mind and heart. For most, in that instant, your heart expands beyond any capacity you knew was capable, and this person becomes someone you love so deeply that you’d die for them, even though you just met. Many of us enter parenthood ready for the responsibility. However, when I was a first time mother, I didn’t feel ready, except that I loved my husband, and together we were bringing our child into the world. Not yet a Christian, my thoughts were to learn and become the best mom I could be. I did everything to become a good mom, wife, and homemaker. I fell short in some ways, but I also grew and succeeded in other ways. Yet, aspiring to be the good mom was actually opposite of the direction I should have headed. It would have given me such relief if I could have been given a manual with each child. Something that would tell me how each of them were wired, and what their interests would be. This guide could prepare me for how to handle their temperament and how to walk them through trials or temptations. How welcome this book would have been for a young mother. As an older mom now, I look back at those early parenting years and wish I could have known things I do now. But the truth is that just like Dorothy with the ruby red slippers, I’ve always had the power. I’ve always held a weapon for success that isn’t secret. God’s Holy Word, the Bible gives us everything we need to know to parent successfully and live a life of joy. The Bible instructs us in how to carry out our most important job. God’s instructions are very clear. We are to teach our kids to love God with all their heart, soul, and might because we do, too. God’s Word shall be on our heart, honored and obeyed, and lovingly shown to our children. We are to weave God and His commandments into everyday conversation and life whether we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise. We are to inhale Him so we effortlessly exhale Him as a sweet fragrance that attracts our children to Him. Everything begins with where you place your identity. If it’s not deeply, widely woven by Jesus, your child’s won’t be crafted by Christ, either. Your greatest goal should be that your children love, follow, and obey Jesus. You must be a mirror mentoring Christ over culture. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 makes it very clear that every act of parenting should ultimately point to building a foundation of love and trust in Christ that is strong enough for your child to construct their own solid house of faith that lasts into eternity. If God’s Word makes what our biggest parenting goal should be so clear, why do most parents falter in this area? When asked what they are most concerned about when parenting, most parents respond with different answers. Instead of sharing that they desire to make God clearly known as their first, second, or third answer, many parents remark that they are concerned with entirely different issues. Responses such as strong mental health for their children (specifically addressing depression or anxiety), protecting against bullying, safety concerns, helping their child achieve academic success, and finding ways to better manage screen time are top of mind. When we look at this list of parental concerns, there’s one clear solution to each point. Everything points back to instilling a heart for Jesus and establishing strong identity though Him. When our children build personal identity through relationship with Christ, integrity, character, and habits are formed that protect against what parents are worried about . As they grow in depth and breadth of maturity in their relationship, they learn to take thoughts captive for God and begin daily habits that bring them closer and closer to Him with each moment. As your children witness you seeking God first in daily life, reading His Word and utilizing what you learn in your thoughts, words, desires, and actions, then teach them how to do the same, you are exchanging fleeting treasures of this world for eternal security in the next. When your children see you continue to build and strengthen your identity in Christ, then teach them how to do the same, you are investing in eternal insurance that will bring great dividends for eternity . When your children are taught God’s Truth from you, the first Jesus they will experience, you will mold their heart and mind with eternal treasures that will combat depression and anxiety as they grow in Him. You will fill them with understanding of their purpose in life as they continue to mature. As your children uncover purpose through Christ and use the gifts and talents God crafted within them, they will have less use for mindless screen time and the fleeting interests of this world. As you become a set-apart woman who intentionally parents set-apart kids, your children will stop looking like typical children and teens as they become uniquely equipped to navigate life in this world in ways that will bring peace and security in Heaven. Why is it that believing women raise typical kids who grow into typical adults? Because we fall into the trap of living life day to day with the same patterns we’ve used in the past. Instead of relying on the power of the Holy Spirit within , we mindlessly live in the easiest or most convenient ways. Sometimes we think we’ll get to training about God later or that our kids aren’t mentally ready for certain topics, but the truth is that the devil deceives. It’s way too easy to follow his ways of the world instead of purposely pursuing the only One who can give us and our children or families what we truly desire in the depths of our spirit. If you desire your children to carry peace that passes understanding, love, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control, as is promised in Galatians 5:22-23, you must be purposed in making Christ known moment by moment in your life in order to mentor to your child how to show Him in their lives. A once a week trip to church together won’t secure your child’s walk with Christ. It’s a day in, day out process of submitting self, moment by moment, and mentoring Jesus to your watching children. It’s knowing, showing, and experiencing the power of Christ together with the joy and peace that comes from an intentionally close relationship with Jesus. Parents are merely human. We don’t carry special powers or traits that allow us to do everything ourselves, as much as we would like to think we can. We must submit to the Father and receive the Son. Through the Holy Spirit within, you can attract your child to Jesus. Because of free will, none of us can guarantee that our children will accept Jesus as their personal Savior, but we can rest assured that we have done everything to lead them to His feet and heart. Dear Heavenly Father, You reign over us from Heaven, yet you live on earth and within our heart. Anywhere we go, You are present. Thank You for that hope and truth. May we live with ever more awareness of who You are and whose we are. May our children see the love and dedication we have for You because we passionately pursue You moment by moment and show our reliance on You. May we never draw our children, spouse, or others to self, but to You. May we honor You with purpose that exalts You and brings us into alignment with all You have for us. Thank you for including us in Your plans and showing us the way to You. May we climb in Your arms and rest there as we abide in Your glory, care, and love. May our children follow with even more desire for You. 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 #090 – Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll – Part 2 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. Welcome back to the podcast this week. I pray you listened to Part 1 of my interview with Sheila Carroll last week. It was a wonderful introduction to Sheila and the insight God has given her into education. If you haven’t yet listened, please do so before you hear Part 2. If you’ve already heard Part 1, we are about to press in and learn some very useful tips that will help to ignite the fire of learning in your child and perhaps fan the flames for you as you are better equipped to trust the Lord to guide and provide for you in this precious journey we call home education. ----------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW --------------------------------------------------- Are you better equipped to home educate your child after hearing these episodes with Sheila? I pray God allowed you to hear the exact words you need to hear to take action in new ways or use encouragement offered to stay the course set before you. If you are in a season of life where you are teaching your child from home, rejoice! God is present. He is with you. He knows exactly what style of teaching you prefer, He knows exactly how each of your children are wired, and He desires simple obedience and trust from you, coupled with humility to seek Him in all ways to enable Him to work through each of you in ways you have not yet discovered. Homeschooling is one of the best blessings of my life. God has worked in numerous ways over the years I have stepped into the role of home educator. He has much more work to do, but He has been present every step of the way, going before us as I seek Him with a humble and ready heart. My children and I would not have the same relationship if I had chosen another method of education for them. I would not trade one hard or easy second of sacrifice, tears, laughter, love, or passion. I hope you will prayerfully consider the work God desires to do in your home and through you and your children. I invite you to join me next week as we begin another interview that is sure to bless and encourage, as well as uplift your spirits as you continue purposely teaching your children from home. Remember that what we are doing is holy work, ultimately purposed for the Lord and the blessings of homeschooling reaches well into the eternal heart and mindset of each of our children. Father God, You are precious to us. You are holy and sovereign. It is no mistake that we are educating our children from home for such a time as this. Father, protect our home. Protect our children. Culture attempts to sway and distract, it steals the joy and innocence of our children. It attempts to rob us of the purpose You have set in each of us. Father, we need You so much! Please ignite the passion of following Your beautifully set plans for us. Please ignite the joy of teaching as You light the joy of learning in our children. You alone hold the key. You know how we are made and how we think as mothers. You have hand-crafted each child we have the opportunity to teach, raise, or influence. We thank You for the mighty blessings and opportunities You have put before us. Make us able. Give us Your hope, trust, faith, and abilities to create and sustain or grow a healthy environment and atmosphere at home where we are joyous and insightful as we teach, and our children are joyous and blessed to be home. Help us remember to set You first and allow You to ignite a passion for You in our children. May they seek You, find You, and serve You well and with purpose and influence established by You. We thank You, Father for all You have set before us and the ways we will watch You work. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. I truly hope this interview series with Sheila uplifted and encouraged you as you find new ways to seek God, bring glory to Him as you raise and teach your children, and better equip you to run the race God is entrusting to you as you educate your child at home. Homeschooling is a long-distance race, not a sprint. As we seek God, rely on Him with a humble heart, and set a philosophy of education inspired by Him, we will find success in His eyes and experience a full and rich relationship with our Father and the precious children He has entrusted to us. Do not seek perfection, but seek Him, and love your children well as you discover the passions and purposes set inside them. Find ways to reach the love of learning God has instilled in them individually. Learn and teach in His strength, not your own. You may connect with Sheila online in the following ways: www.livingbookscurriculum.com www.charlottemasonhomeschooling.com www.sheilacarroll.com I invite you to listen next week when I introduce another wonderful leader in home education. I pray you find additional encouragement and desire to continue on your journey at home with your children as God leads the way. 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 090 - Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll - Part 2 Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #090 – Ignite the Fire of Learning with Sheila Carroll – Part 2 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. Welcome back to the podcast this week. I pray you listened to Part 1 of my interview with Sheila Carroll last week. It was a wonderful introduction to Sheila and the insight God has given her into education. If you haven’t yet listened, please do so before you hear Part 2. If you’ve already heard Part 1, we are about to press in and learn some very useful tips that will help to ignite the fire of learning in your child and perhaps fan the flames for you as you are better equipped to trust the Lord to guide and provide for you in this precious journey we call home education. ----------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW --------------------------------------------------- Are you better equipped to home educate your child after hearing these episodes with Sheila? I pray God allowed you to hear the exact words you need to hear to take action in new ways or use encouragement offered to stay the course set before you. If you are in a season of life where you are teaching your child from home, rejoice! God is present. He is with you. He knows exactly what style of teaching you prefer, He knows exactly how each of your children are wired, and He desires simple obedience and trust from you, coupled with humility to seek Him in all ways to enable Him to work through each of you in ways you have not yet discovered. Homeschooling is one of the best blessings of my life. God has worked in numerous ways over the years I have stepped into the role of home educator. He has much more work to do, but He has been present every step of the way, going before us as I seek Him with a humble and ready heart. My children and I would not have the same relationship if I had chosen another method of education for them. I would not trade one hard or easy second of sacrifice, tears, laughter, love, or passion. I hope you will prayerfully consider the work God desires to do in your home and through you and your children. I invite you to join me next week as we begin another interview that is sure to bless and encourage, as well as uplift your spirits as you continue purposely teaching your children from home. Remember that what we are doing is holy work, ultimately purposed for the Lord and the blessings of homeschooling reaches well into the eternal heart and mindset of each of our children. Father God, You are precious to us. You are holy and sovereign. It is no mistake that we are educating our children from home for such a time as this. Father, protect our home. Protect our children. Culture attempts to sway and distract, it steals the joy and innocence of our children. It attempts to rob us of the purpose You have set in each of us. Father, we need You so much! Please ignite the passion of following Your beautifully set plans for us. Please ignite the joy of teaching as You light the joy of learning in our children. You alone hold the key. You know how we are made and how we think as mothers. You have hand-crafted each child we have the opportunity to teach, raise, or influence. We thank You for the mighty blessings and opportunities You have put before us. Make us able. Give us Your hope, trust, faith, and abilities to create and sustain or grow a healthy environment and atmosphere at home where we are joyous and insightful as we teach, and our children are joyous and blessed to be home. Help us remember to set You first and allow You to ignite a passion for You in our children. May they seek You, find You, and serve You well and with purpose and influence established by You. We thank You, Father for all You have set before us and the ways we will watch You work. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. I truly hope this interview series with Sheila uplifted and encouraged you as you find new ways to seek God, bring glory to Him as you raise and teach your children, and better equip you to run the race God is entrusting to you as you educate your child at home. Homeschooling is a long-distance race, not a sprint. As we seek God, rely on Him with a humble heart, and set a philosophy of education inspired by Him, we will find success in His eyes and experience a full and rich relationship with our Father and the precious children He has entrusted to us. Do not seek perfection, but seek Him, and love your children well as you discover the passions and purposes set inside them. Find ways to reach the love of learning God has instilled in them individually. Learn and teach in His strength, not your own. You may connect with Sheila online in the following ways: www.livingbookscurriculum.com www.charlottemasonhomeschooling.com www.sheilacarroll.com I invite you to listen next week when I introduce another wonderful leader in home education. I pray you find additional encouragement and desire to continue on your journey at home with your children as God leads the way. 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. http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com http://www.charlottemasonhomeschooling.com http://www.sheilacarroll.com

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 064 - Stop Yelling So Your Child Can Hear You Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 64 – Stop Yelling So Your Child Can Hear You I was on a walk one evening when I heard the sound of screaming. Although I wasn’t close enough to hear exactly what the mother was saying, it was obvious she was reprimanding her son. The boy was young, perhaps only three or four years old, but that didn’t stop the loud and demanding words flooding from his mother. I’ve never been a yeller, and I’m not judging her situation. However, I do have sympathy for her child. Although it’s definitely not the preferred way for a mother to communicate, what I can empathize with is the reason some women resort to yelling. Mothers yell when they don’t know what to do – it’s a reaction that comes when she is overwhelmed or maybe has had a history of being yelled at. The more a mother resorts to yelling, the faster the response becomes a reflex. Maybe she feels helpless, hopeless, or powerless. Or she feels stuck or unable to resolve a situation, Maybe she feels spread too thin. Have you been there? Are you there now? When a mother yells, it’s a red flag that she needs to stop and evaluate the “why ” behind her tone and volume . What is causing the flash reaction directed at her child? Most mothers don’t set out to yell. Maybe she’s tried speaking in a calm voice, but feels like her child won’t listen unless she yells. Maybe she’s desperate for things to change and can’t help forcing that desire into a louder voice. Perhaps she feels disrespected. Maybe the kids really don’t listen or a spouse undermines her authority. Maybe she’s just plain exhausted and needs relief. But when a mother yells, she disrupts the natural bonding and attachment that is supposed to occur between a mother and child. Did you know that yelling at your children affects them in many ways? When a child is consistently yelled at, he begins to think the problem is him. Most children place their parents on a pedestal, even when those parents are far from deserving. Naturally, then, when mom yells, they suspect it is because they are bad or stupid, or many other reasons centered around them. When a child is belittled or shamed by constant yelling, physical problems can also occur. Stress caused from a yelling parent (whether mom or dad) can cause anxiety, stomach issues, fears, insecurity, anger, and more. The long term effects may also create back and neck problems, arthritis, mental issues, headaches, depression, and other chronic pains. Many children move into the teen years and deal with destructive activities such as risky sexual behavior and drug or alcohol use. They may also grow up to yell at their spouse, children, and of course, their parents. Studies have shown that yelling, especially when combined with other harsh parenting techniques actually change brain development. Because of the way our brains process language and sounds, and the fact that people process negative events and information faster and more efficiently than positive ones, activities such as repeated yelling changes the physical pattern of brain waves enough that you can see the differences on an MRI scan. Those are the memories embedded deeper into the brain. Another important fact to remember about yelling is that while the act may shut down the undesired behavior in the moment , repeated yelling has the opposite effect. After a while, the child’s behavior worsens, which triggers even more yelling from the parent. Because of that, negative behaviors continue creating additional undesired behaviors. You may yell because you think your child doesn’t listen and it triggers the response in you. You’re right. Sometimes kids don’t listen. They are easily distracted, but think about it, kids have different priorities. Most children naturally live in a world of creativity, imagination, and joy. As little sponges, they have a need to investigate and unravel the mysteries of life. This leaves them open to not hearing when you call or ignoring you because they are so engrossed in what they are currently doing. There’s also another reason your child may not listen. If connection is broken between parent and child, there may really be a lack of respect and motivation to listen or pay attention to you. If you and your child have encountered disruptions in life and have lost the ability and time to laugh, talk, or play together, your connection may be off. Especially if they’ve been yelled at often. When we adopted our youngest daughter at the age of nine, there was zero connection between us. We met her and less than an hour later she was leaving to begin a new life with us. It was challenging to guide and correct behaviors learned in an orphanage setting without that natural connection that most babies develop and grow with their mother. At times in China, I wondered whether I would have been able to forge relationship and parent my new daughter if I was still that young mother in my twenties. I know the answer. Of course I could have. The question should really be how well would I have been able to do so. Being an older, experienced mother has definitely carried benefits, but the biggest safeguard to ward against yelling has been my maturing relationship with Jesus. Don’t hear me wrong, please. I’m not saying that if you’re a mother who tends to raise your voice too loud or yell at your children you’re not a Christian. I am saying, however, that I believe the closer you draw to Christ , the more you will reflect Him . Especially if you prayerfully address this habit and place it in His capable hands. Acknowledging your propensity to yell and asking God to lift the burden from your shoulders is the first step toward stopping a habit you don’t want to last and certainly don’t want to cause your child to develop. Ask God to help you uncover the reasons you are drawn to yell . No matter how disobedient your child may be, the trigger that causes the yelling resides within you . Ask God to show you how to stop yelling and help you react with His grace, insight, wisdom, and love. If you’d like an episode more in depth on this topic, please be sure to let me know at info@terrihitt.com . Let’s switch gears now. I’d like to look at communication . After all, although yelling is not the way we should choose to connect with our children, it is a form of communicating with your child. But I’d like to consider another way that is much quieter, as well as more respectful and in alignment with the godly mother you want to be. Do you realize how much of communication is non-verbal? The way you interact with your child can set you up for success and keep you from losing your cool or set you up for a lot of work to repair your relationship later. However, excellent communication takes prayer, planning, patience, and self-control. So let’s stop and discuss good ways to communicate non-verbally with your child. Setting these actions into your normal routine combined with releasing self to God and deepening your walk with Him as we discussed in earlier in the podcast may alleviate the pressures and feelings that cause you to yell. I’ll share seven important tips today. 1. Lower your position to be at eye-level with your child - This will automatically gain your child’s attention. 2. Make eye contact – Remember that frustration you feel when you are trying to communicate with someone and they don’t meet your eyes? Your child feels the same way. Build respect and relationship from an early age. You’ll be glad when your child hits the teenage years. 3. Move closer – Kids don’t have the same need for personal space that adults do. If you want to get the attention of a child, move in lower as we discussed earlier, but also move in nearer. 4. Model behavior – If you want to gain the attention of your child and ensure that they understand what you want them to do, try modeling the behavior first. For example, if you want your child to speak in a quiet voice, instruct them in one, if you want your child to pick up toys after playing, clean your messes after projects. When it is time for them to clean, tell them, and show them how it is done as you begin the work with them. Talk about why you do the behavior and why you expect it from your child. 5. Watch your expression – Instead of facing your child with the day’s pressing demands showing on your face, remember that to your children, you are everything. They notice so much about you without you saying a word. Let your expression and eyes reflect love and joy when they face you. Even when you correct behavior, they will come to understand that you are correcting and discipling, not punishing. 6. Hand or facial signals –Give a thumbs up (or down), finger waging, raised eyebrows, a smile, scrunched nose, a shake of your head, or snap your fingers to reveal what you desire from them without having to say a word. 7. Make sure they know you are listening – When your child shares, complains, or questions you, make sure you make eye contact, keep your body adjusted so that they see you are listening, and respond with sounds, or comments such as, “I see,” or “Hmm,” to show you are paying attention. These suggestions are excellent methods of quiet communication that become second nature with practice . I think using them definitely helps mothers communicate in ways that may help erase the frustration that causes yelling. Give yourself and your child time to develop these new communication habits. These suggestions will also draw you and your child closer to each other in new ways, which allow you to deepen your relationship with your child so you can help them mature their walk with Christ. With your new closeness, they will see Christ at work within you and give you a godly influence to help them want to experience the same relationship. Dear Heavenly Father, how much we need You! This world is full of pitfalls and powers that pull us away from you and our children. Sometimes we don’t even recognize who we are or used to be. We praise You for loving us despite how far we are from You. We praise You for Your holy grace and wisdom. Please help us cling to You and find Your holy parenting methods that will uniquely apply to each of the beautiful children You have loaned to us. May we honor You and bring our children closer through our connected parenting, as well as our love and obedience for 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. 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

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #108 – Jesus Desires Three Responses Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective. When my youngest daughter came home to us at the age of nine, it took time for her to adjust to her new life, and most importantly, to us. Because we were strangers to her when we received her, then she moved to a foreign country where nothing looked the same, smelled the same, sounded the same, or tasted the same, and routines and expectations were different than anything she had experienced, it took courage for her to wake up and face us each new day. Bravery became trust and over time, she bonded with each of us, especially me, her primary caregiver. Our connection process was delicate, sacred, intense, and surprising. It took energy, time, and commitment; our bonding and attachment could not be forced or hurried. I needed to ensure that my girl felt safe, heard, and valued. With Christ, the act of attaching ourselves to Him as Savior should be a quicker process. Jesus doesn’t want to prove Himself to us over time. Just as I needed to accept my daughter as she was, and love her there, Jesus never expects or asks us to change before we enter into His presence. He simply asks us to trust. To come to Him. To believe He is Who He says. To follow Him. Mark 8:34-35 says, “Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.” Jesus sought to teach his disciples, and longs for each of us to know, that a life in pursuit of trusting and following Him means denial and sacrifice of self. The world we live in now is in direct opposition of the heart or mindset of Christ. Trusting Jesus means we experience a radical change in the patterns of our life. We purposely step into a new identity, a follower of Christ. The word Christian combines two Greek words, Christ, meaning anointed, and tian, meaning little. So the word, Christian literally means “little anointed ones.” The new label we receive automatically sets us apart, as we are to live. Being set apart for Christ allows us a heart and mindset shift to focus on seeking Jesus first. John 12:25 says, “Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Don’t blindly pursue the riches this world offers over the agape love and eternal blessings Christ allows. He who loves this temporary life, following our selfish and fleshly will and desires will miss what God longs for us to experience with Him for eternity. John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” As Jesus selected and walked with His disciples, He desired three responses from them. Just as He does from us. 1. Trust - In all circumstances. Psalm 22:4 says, “In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them.” Psalm 13:5 says, “But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.” 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.” 2. Listen - Carefully hear His words and truths. John 8:37-38 says, “I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” Because the Holy Spirit abides within true followers of Christ, His spirit and truths live within us. God’s holy words will change the heart, actions, and reactions of true followers of Jesus or inflict torment and internal conflict for those who do not know Him. John 8:47 says, “Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” As Christians, followers of Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit to abide within us! Through the power of Christ living in us, the power to become more like Jesus exists within us. We are able to hear and discern what Christ says and calls us to. 3. Obey - Act promptly. Luke 6:46-49 says, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!” John 12:26 says, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” Humans tend to complicate life, but through releasing ourselves to Christ, submitting to His authority, we find sanctuary and relief from the burdens this world throws on us. We also abide in a covenant relationship with Christ that covers all sins, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and actions as we submit to His mindset and truths. What do you trust, hear, and obey? Who do you trust, hear, and obey? The values and morals taught and followed in this world conflict with the holy truths God established and mentors. It is only through a maturing walk with Jesus that we find the response Jesus requires and deserves, and the peace, joy, and love He longs for you to carry within you despite circumstances. Just because we follow Christ, it does not mean we live a holy life that honors Him. We must purposely examine ourselves each day in light of scripture and prayer time with the Father, and allow Him to work within us as we submit in trusting, hearing, and obeying each call He gifts to us. Dear Heavenly Father, as the deer pants for water, may my heart long for You. Thank you for the holy grace and love You bestow on Your people, the sheep of Your pasture. May we be led by the grace and sacrifice of Jesus instead of the shallow distractions this world offers. May we place our hope and trust in You and intentionally purpose to follow Your ways more brightly and joyfully each day. Help us to come to You boldly through the sacrifice of Jesus, dear God, but may our hearts seek You because we trust, listen, and obey from a pure heart of growing and deepening love for You. May we walk in the obedience You deserve. We pray these things in the precious name of Jesus. 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 108 Jesus Desires Three Responses Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #108 – Jesus Desires Three Responses Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective. When my youngest daughter came home to us at the age of nine, it took time for her to adjust to her new life, and most importantly, to us. Because we were strangers to her when we received her, then she moved to a foreign country where nothing looked the same, smelled the same, sounded the same, or tasted the same, and routines and expectations were different than anything she had experienced, it took courage for her to wake up and face us each new day. Bravery became trust and over time, she bonded with each of us, especially me, her primary caregiver. Our connection process was delicate, sacred, intense, and surprising. It took energy, time, and commitment; our bonding and attachment could not be forced or hurried. I needed to ensure that my girl felt safe, heard, and valued. With Christ, the act of attaching ourselves to Him as Savior should be a quicker process. Jesus doesn’t want to prove Himself to us over time. Just as I needed to accept my daughter as she was, and love her there, Jesus never expects or asks us to change before we enter into His presence. He simply asks us to trust. To come to Him. To believe He is Who He says. To follow Him. Mark 8:34-35 says, “Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.” Jesus sought to teach his disciples, and longs for each of us to know, that a life in pursuit of trusting and following Him means denial and sacrifice of self. The world we live in now is in direct opposition of the heart or mindset of Christ. Trusting Jesus means we experience a radical change in the patterns of our life. We purposely step into a new identity, a follower of Christ. The word Christian combines two Greek words, Christ, meaning anointed, and tian, meaning little. So the word, Christian literally means “little anointed ones.” The new label we receive automatically sets us apart, as we are to live. Being set apart for Christ allows us a heart and mindset shift to focus on seeking Jesus first. John 12:25 says, “Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Don’t blindly pursue the riches this world offers over the agape love and eternal blessings Christ allows. He who loves this temporary life, following our selfish and fleshly will and desires will miss what God longs for us to experience with Him for eternity. John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” As Jesus selected and walked with His disciples, He desired three responses from them. Just as He does from us. 1. Trust - In all circumstances. Psalm 22:4 says, “In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them.” Psalm 13:5 says, “But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.” 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.” 2. Listen - Carefully hear His words and truths. John 8:37-38 says, “I know you are Abraham’s descendants, but you are trying to kill Me because My word has no place within you. I speak of what I have seen in the presence of the Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” Because the Holy Spirit abides within true followers of Christ, His spirit and truths live within us. God’s holy words will change the heart, actions, and reactions of true followers of Jesus or inflict torment and internal conflict for those who do not know Him. John 8:47 says, “Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” As Christians, followers of Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit to abide within us! Through the power of Christ living in us, the power to become more like Jesus exists within us. We are able to hear and discern what Christ says and calls us to. 3. Obey - Act promptly. Luke 6:46-49 says, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!” John 12:26 says, “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” Humans tend to complicate life, but through releasing ourselves to Christ, submitting to His authority, we find sanctuary and relief from the burdens this world throws on us. We also abide in a covenant relationship with Christ that covers all sins, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and actions as we submit to His mindset and truths. What do you trust, hear, and obey? Who do you trust, hear, and obey? The values and morals taught and followed in this world conflict with the holy truths God established and mentors. It is only through a maturing walk with Jesus that we find the response Jesus requires and deserves, and the peace, joy, and love He longs for you to carry within you despite circumstances. Just because we follow Christ, it does not mean we live a holy life that honors Him. We must purposely examine ourselves each day in light of scripture and prayer time with the Father, and allow Him to work within us as we submit in trusting, hearing, and obeying each call He gifts to us. Dear Heavenly Father, as the deer pants for water, may my heart long for You. Thank you for the holy grace and love You bestow on Your people, the sheep of Your pasture. May we be led by the grace and sacrifice of Jesus instead of the shallow distractions this world offers. May we place our hope and trust in You and intentionally purpose to follow Your ways more brightly and joyfully each day. Help us to come to You boldly through the sacrifice of Jesus, dear God, but may our hearts seek You because we trust, listen, and obey from a pure heart of growing and deepening love for You. May we walk in the obedience You deserve. We pray these things in the precious name of Jesus. 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.

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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #142 – How Do My Actions Reflect God to Others? 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. Yesterday during part of our morning playtime, my youngest daughter and I observed the roly poly terrarium she’s building. Right now, she’s preparing the groundwork for the roly polys to move into a new habitat later. Last week she laid chia seeds in soil and daily you can find her checking soil moisture, sunlight, and adding water when needed. Although you can’t see anything growing, if you look under the clear terrarium, you see that many roots are winding beneath the dirt in preparation for the changes that will take place on top of the soil later. It’s really fascinating to see how many hidden roots are twisting and turning unless you make an effort to find them. Just as our heart needs seeds planted before we 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 cannot comprehend the life-changing beauty of a maturing relationship with Him. Yet, the longer we walk with Him, the more intentional we are about pursuing Jesus and submitting to His work within us, and the greater our belief grows. As we allow Him to shine through us, we unknowingly invite Him to make a great impact on those around us. It is true 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 have continued to mature in Him, Jesus prompts me to examine motives and actions in light of the way others are impacted by them. I want others to see Him clearly through me and that desire comes with great responsibility. As I ponder what that duty means, 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. 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? Once you beat them, do you stop to wonder how well you’re representing Christ? I find it interesting that when I slow down and allow others to go first, I don’t think about how it reflects Christ: I just allow Him to work within me, helping me to think of others first. However, when I try to move faster than someone else (without it looking like I’m doing it), because I’m short on time or hungry, or some other excuse, I do stop to think (after the fact) that I certainly did not represent Christ the way I should. What if the person you hurried past showed up at church the next Sunday? 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 give a holy representation of the Lord? “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. 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 cannot help but exude His spirit, grace, mercy, and love to others because He has permanently entwined His spirit within us. 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 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 properly. We must allow 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. Each of us develop habits. Some are good, making us stronger in the Lord while others may become the opposite. As we grow in relationship, strength, and character through Christ, our 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, allowing 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 know it’s much easier to develop bad or harmful habits over nurturing good ones. One key to growing habits that forward our walk with Christ and draw others to Him is to pay attention to what encourages you, gives you more joy, and what matures your personal walk with Christ. Of course, right now we are 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 have 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 godly character is fashioned through reflection and formation of excellent, repeated actions. It is crucial to discover which thought processes you need to alter and 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. However, without thinking about what we are creating, excellent habits are almost impossible to achieve. We often plan 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 around town all day and just need to relax in the evening. When we are 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 to 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 with righteous intention throughout His life. Remember: 1. People see your actions. 2. People hear your words. 3. People learn your desires. 4. People appreciate your acts. 5. People feel your love. 6. People see your devotion to Christ. When others see those of us who follow 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 ho our actions affect others. It is imperative that you: 1. Study His Word 2. Know His Word 3. Practice His Word 4. Share His Word It is only then that those who do not have a relationship with Jesus will see that He genuinely changes lives! 1. Jesus is Who He says He is – 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.” 2. Jesus leads to the Father – Matthew 4:19 says, “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 3. Jesus heals hearts and lives – Matthew 4:23 says, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” 4. Jesus saves – John 3:16, 17 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” and Acts 4:11, 12 says, “Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” As you develop habits, the most important ones concern 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 others to Jesus? 5. Do you possess the qualities needed to form godly habits in your children? 6. What do your children see in your daily words and actions that will draw them nearer to, or farther from, Christ? 7. 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 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 show us 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. May we never act in ways that turn people away from You. 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 142 - How Do My Actions Reflect God to Others? Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #142 – How Do My Actions Reflect God to Others? 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. Yesterday during part of our morning playtime, my youngest daughter and I observed the roly poly terrarium she’s building. Right now, she’s preparing the groundwork for the roly polys to move into a new habitat later. Last week she laid chia seeds in soil and daily you can find her checking soil moisture, sunlight, and adding water when needed. Although you can’t see anything growing, if you look under the clear terrarium, you see that many roots are winding beneath the dirt in preparation for the changes that will take place on top of the soil later. It’s really fascinating to see how many hidden roots are twisting and turning unless you make an effort to find them. Just as our heart needs seeds planted before we 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 cannot comprehend the life-changing beauty of a maturing relationship with Him. Yet, the longer we walk with Him, the more intentional we are about pursuing Jesus and submitting to His work within us, and the greater our belief grows. As we allow Him to shine through us, we unknowingly invite Him to make a great impact on those around us. It is true 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 have continued to mature in Him, Jesus prompts me to examine motives and actions in light of the way others are impacted by them. I want others to see Him clearly through me and that desire comes with great responsibility. As I ponder what that duty means, 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. 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? Once you beat them, do you stop to wonder how well you’re representing Christ? I find it interesting that when I slow down and allow others to go first, I don’t think about how it reflects Christ: I just allow Him to work within me, helping me to think of others first. However, when I try to move faster than someone else (without it looking like I’m doing it), because I’m short on time or hungry, or some other excuse, I do stop to think (after the fact) that I certainly did not represent Christ the way I should. What if the person you hurried past showed up at church the next Sunday? 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 give a holy representation of the Lord? “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. 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 cannot help but exude His spirit, grace, mercy, and love to others because He has permanently entwined His spirit within us. 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 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 properly. We must allow 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. Each of us develop habits. Some are good, making us stronger in the Lord while others may become the opposite. As we grow in relationship, strength, and character through Christ, our 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, allowing 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 know it’s much easier to develop bad or harmful habits over nurturing good ones. One key to growing habits that forward our walk with Christ and draw others to Him is to pay attention to what encourages you, gives you more joy, and what matures your personal walk with Christ. Of course, right now we are 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 have 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 godly character is fashioned through reflection and formation of excellent, repeated actions. It is crucial to discover which thought processes you need to alter and 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. However, without thinking about what we are creating, excellent habits are almost impossible to achieve. We often plan 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 around town all day and just need to relax in the evening. When we are 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 to 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 with righteous intention throughout His life. Remember: 1. People see your actions. 2. People hear your words. 3. People learn your desires. 4. People appreciate your acts. 5. People feel your love. 6. People see your devotion to Christ. When others see those of us who follow 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 ho our actions affect others. It is imperative that you: 1. Study His Word 2. Know His Word 3. Practice His Word 4. Share His Word It is only then that those who do not have a relationship with Jesus will see that He genuinely changes lives! 1. Jesus is Who He says He is – 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.” 2. Jesus leads to the Father – Matthew 4:19 says, “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 3. Jesus heals hearts and lives – Matthew 4:23 says, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” 4. Jesus saves – John 3:16, 17 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” and Acts 4:11, 12 says, “Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” As you develop habits, the most important ones concern 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 others to Jesus? 5. Do you possess the qualities needed to form godly habits in your children? 6. What do your children see in your daily words and actions that will draw them nearer to, or farther from, Christ? 7. 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 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 show us 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. May we never act in ways that turn people away from You. 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 016 - Parenting for God Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #016 – Parenting for God Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. In our image-absorbed culture, our children ingest a great amount of photos and videos that are most of the time about absolutely nothing. At least they’re not about anything we should want them to care about. 1 Samuel 16:7b says, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Have you ever felt overlooked? Perhaps forgotten or less than others? Do you ever feel like no one understands you? When sorrow befalls you, do you cling to blessings or allow anguish to overwhelm you? Remember that God sees what happens in this world through an entirely different vision and mindset . One Bible story that I believe we can be encouraged by is what we read about Hannah in 1 Samuel 1, where we see this woman drowning in misery because she could not bear children. Remember, in Old Testament times, to remain childless was to be known as a failure. After Hannah waited for a child years longer than she could stand to bear, she beseeched God, saying to Him, “O Lord Almighty, if You will only look upon Your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget Your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head .” 1 Samuel 1:11 . Have you ever done what Hannah did? Have you thrown a bargain to the Lord? Hannah, in desperate misery, muttered words felt deeply in her spirit, words that became a promise shaping her future, but also that of her child. Remember, we must be careful how and why we pray to God. Prayer opens the door for God’s work and He hears every thought or word we offer to Him. Hannah so fiercely desired a child that she offered a negotiation to receive a son. God heard her plea and gave Hannah the son she desired. Can you imagine the pain Hannah must have felt when she realized she had to uphold the weighty promise she previously made to God in desperation? As she nursed her son, did she live with regret that she would soon have to release him to service for God? Or was she joyful inside, trusting that this was God’s ultimate will for the precious boy in her arms? In 1 Samuel 1:27-28a we read of the time Hannah took her son, Samuel to stay at the Tabernacle, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord . Hannah had promised God the return of her son, and she upheld her end of the agreement she initiated. Obviously, God doesn’t need our negotiations. None of us are in a position to bargain with the Creator of the Universe. Yet despair, heartache, confusion, and many other emotions can cloud our senses and heighten our emotions to the point that we feel we have no other choice. God keeps His promises and expects the same from us. As we ponder the words Hannah spoke in 1 Samuel 1:27-28a, we must remember that when Hannah gave her son up for the Lord, she was actually devoting her own life to God at the same time. In order to sacrifice her son to our Heavenly Father, Hannah had to focus on God and on keeping the promise she made to Him. Her life became a testimony of keeping that vow as she arranged her present and future days to fulfill it. In actuality, Hannah was returning her son to the One he already belonged to. These verses, however, and this story remind us of the types of gifts we should prepare for God. Hannah’s willingness to walk through the pain of extreme and deep loss in order to execute the promise she made to God is an illustration of faithfulness that should spur each of us to examine ourselves and our faith journey. I’m not saying to model how Hannah bargained, but to look beyond that into how she upheld what she promised. Do the gifts you offer to God reflect the joy He brings your life ? Are they costly to you? Do they exhibit the level of your faith? Are you offering God small tokens of belief or presenting Him with more than you can spare because you trust in all He will do with it? I ask these questions of myself, as well. We don’t know each of the reasons Hannah wanted a child. In the Bible, we are able to read some of them, but we can’t know her full heart. If someone else desperately desires a child and they pray like Hannah did, will God bring them a child, too? Not necessarily. God’s not in the business of bargaining with His creation. None of us know the reasons God allowed this child for Hannah. Hannah may have decided that she wanted a child so desperately that she didn’t care if she was able to keep it very long. Perhaps she believed it would be better to bear a child that would be devoted to a lifetime of following and serving the Lord. We can’t understand all of her thoughts or the reasons she released ownership of her son before she had him in her arms. One thing we do know for sure is that like Hannah, we do not own the children God gifts to us. Each precious child is already His , and we are responsible for raising God’s children to answer to Him . We are only stewards of the children He has entrusted to us for a very short while. What this world teaches or believes does not matter. What we find within the pages of God’s Holy Word is the guiding truth that should direct our very short time with them. 1 Peter 1:22-25 says, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Mothers, remember while you change diapers, wash countless loads of laundry, cook meals, correct, educate, and play with your children, it is only a season of life for each of you. Yet, the moments that make up those passages of time are allowed by God and are to be used for His purposes and glory. How you use that time matters for eternity. Both the hard and the easy moments, the joys and the disappointments shape you, as well as your child and form the type of spiritual walk, the relationship you and your child will carry with God into eternity. What can we glean from Hannah’s bargain or prayer to the Lord? Surely there is a lesson that will enable us to draw nearer to our Lord and direct our children to His feet in humble adoration. I believe we learn that no matter what our parenting motives are, no matter where we come from, what type of childhood we had, or where we are in life as we raise our children, God is the true parent of our child. It doesn’t matter whether your pregnancy was a surprise, whether you tried for years to conceive, or whether you adopted your child. The little ones you love and treasure came from Him, belong to Him, and answer to Him. Whether your child is loving and submissive, strong-willed, lives with extensive special needs, is a foster child, or because of divorce or separation is only with you part time, through great privilege and honor, you were chosen to be the one to direct your child to God. There is no greater honor than to live a life that seeks and reflects God with thoughts, words, actions, and reactions. I believe there are 5 practices to ensure that we purpose our heart and mind to hold and exhibit godly influence that we desire our children to witness and imitate. 1. Proclamation - Revelation 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being .” When we acknowledge God as our Heavenly Father, the Creator and Giver of all, our life must proclaim His truths in all we think and are. Moment by moment, day by day, we seek to know Him better and imitate Him more clearly. 2. Profession - Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” As we profess that Jesus is our Savior and the only way to God with our mind, heart, lips, and actions, our life becomes worship. 3. Purity - Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. ” Obedience is one of the purest form of faith and worship. As we study God’s Holy Word and allow the Holy Spirit within us to transform us daily, our life shines the Lord more and more clearly. 4. Persistence - Luke 10:42 says, “but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” As Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and reside with Him, our life must reflect that genuine desire in order for our children to begin to build a walk with God. As we persist in knowing and showing Jesus they will begin to display the same desires and characteristics. 5. Praise - Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.” As we choose to live with open praise, joy in the relationship will be reflected in our expression, words, motives, and dealings. Praise transforms our life as we live with authentic gratitude worship. When we are changed, the present and future of our children and grandchildren are as well. Jeremiah 10:6 says, “There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power .” Lord, may our lives, and the lives of our children shine a maturing walk that please You more and more each day. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for Your goodness and faithfulness to us. We know we are not worthy of anything You so generously give, yet we humbly thank You and desire that we please You more and more. Help us to be the example You desire for our children to come to know, follow, and show You. Help them to crave You over culture and live with focus on eternity, even while on this earth. May they proclaim You, profess You, live lives pure in Your eyes, persist in time with You, and praise You in the ways You deserve. May we lead them straight to You with the way we live, as well. Show us the way to model that lifestyle and desire for them. Pierce our heart with Your pureness and desire for You that they will see and grasp. In the precious name of Jesus we humbly pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, and you would like more information on the topic we discussed today, I invite you to listen to previous episodes. To hear episodes similar to this one, I suggest listening to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast Episode 076, "Direct Your Focus,” or Episode 108, “Jesus Desires Three Responses.” You may find these on the terrihitt.com website. Just click on “podcasts” and type in the topic or title you wish to hear about in the search bar at the top of the page. The Live With Eternal perspective and Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcasts are also found at iHeart Radio, Spotify, and 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 the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast on Apple Podcasts yet? For those who have, I thank you so very much! If you haven’t, would you please consider doing so? When you review my podcasts on Apple Podcasts, it helps to elevate the standing of the podcasts online so that more people are allowed to find and hear it. If you believe the content you hear should be heard so that more people can begin to deepen their walk with Jesus, live with eyes set on eternity, and raise or influence children for Christ, would you please write a review and rate the podcast for me? 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. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #082 –Peace That Guards 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. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, surpassing all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” About five months ago I felt a warning in my spirit that my sweet golden boy, Max was going to be attacked. There was no reason for the thought. It came on me just as I’ve had random ideas of things to come in the past. Three months after my warning, my Golden Retriever, Max suddenly became ill and passed away on June 18. Our sweet little girl, Misty, our precious Miniature Schnauzer was gone three days later. At the time I wondered if it might be spiritual warfare. The closer we move to God and the more we offer to Him in genuine submission and love to honor and glorify Him, we can be targeted or attacked. God has spoken to me in similar ways over the years. I am not claiming a be a prophet. I certainly am not one. Nor am I a psychic. I do listen for the voice of God and desire to recognize when He speaks to me. Each of us has a personal connection to our Heavenly Father and I know He speaks intimately to us in the ways we will recognize and appreciate. Just as our Heavenly Father has warned me about things in the past, I appreciate hearing His voice and know it kept me calmer since I already knew something was going to happen to my baby boy. Just as when the Lord warned me about losing my oldest daughter 24 hours before she passed or that my father would pass away in 2013, and multiple other events. On the day our Golden Retriever passed away, I was driving home from the emergency veterinary clinic when I felt the same voice in my spirit tell me that “I would be attacked next.” I didn’t tell anyone about it except my husband. Almost two months later, I am not surprised that my doctor recently asked me to return for a second mammogram, then told me that I need to go in for a biopsy. Even through this season, I know that God is going before me and has everything under control. There is a peace that passes understanding girding my spirit and mind. Yesterday as I was sitting at a doctor’s appointment with my youngest daughter, I received a call from my doctor that proves God is paving the way as she explained that she wanted me to switch biopsy providers and was making a new referral for me. It was to the medical center I had hoped to go to, but had not mentioned it because I did not think it could be done. A bubble of peace and calm continues to surround and carry me. Are you like me? It’s actually easier to handle medical concerns and conditions about myself than it is regarding my children. I would much prefer to take on all their battles, and bear their wounds. Yet our sovereign God knows exactly what each of us needs to endure or face that will bring Him honor and glory in not only our life, but also those around us and anyone we may come into contact with. What our child faces will develop relationship with God (for each of us) if we foster a loving mentorship that leads directly to Him. My youngest has testing scheduled right after my biopsy that will not be pleasant for her. I have been seeking and beginning dialogues with her in an effort to prepare and build her reliance on the only One who can handle anything she feels or experiences in perfect ways and measures designed to mature her walk with Him in glorious ways. No matter how involved I am in the care she receives, He will know, understand, and minister to her in intimate ways she may not have voiced to me or even yet understand herself. How privileged I am to have a small part in the development of her present, future, and eternity. Philippians 4:4-9 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these 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.” How would God define peace? I am positive the Creator of all things, our Holy, Omnipotent God would describe peace much more profoundly than I can. In my weak, human mind, I suspect the peace of God is not only a calmness that erases worry in our mind and attitude. I believe the peace of God is a complete and supernatural presence of Almighty God going before us and carrying us in His capable and loving arms, holding us near enough to feel the beating of His heart against us, filling us with the courage and resolve to continue the journey. As I stated on the podcast last week, I am spending time with my girls preparing for our new school year, doing last minute activities from our summer “to do” list, and taking care of the personal needs I expressed. Instead of a long podcast with new topics in this episode, I want to direct you to past episodes reminding each of us to look Up to the only one who can offer us and sustain us with the peace we need in this world. So many are in need of peace at this moment. Peace is a necessity that often escapes us. I know that in my own life when I feel the fraying of nerves begin and even an inkling of frustration or unrest threatens to invade my spirit, it is an opportunity to choose. Do I want to sit in my emotions, feelings, thoughts, worries, or fears – or will I recognize the opportunity to trust in God? Today, after several medical phone calls and a tight schedule, I knew I needed to rest in God’s word. Yet as wonderful as it is to do so, the first thing I knew I needed was a quiet time to simply sit with God and speak to Him about my feelings and clear my mind and heart to hear Him speak to me. After my time of reflection and prayer, I listened to God’s word on audio instead of reading it myself. Sometimes it is enlightening to hear another speak the words of God and simply listen without reading and studying as I go. Just hearing God’s powerful words, instructions, and promises to me left my spirit calmer and I felt I had taken the opportunity to make a sharp detour away from the course my flesh may have gone earlier. God is the beacon guiding me through any storm and the anchor securing me in a world of chaos and confusion. Yet I must choose to follow Him. Each moment allows me that opportunity to embrace the option to follow self, world, or the Lord of Heaven and Earth. I invite you to listen to a few “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast episodes that will help foster the peace only God can give. Episode 2 – Protecting Our Thoughts Episode 14 – Fear Episode 21 – Peace That Passes Understanding Episode 72 – Faith That Perseveres These episodes point to our Father and the calm He lovingly and willingly promises to those who trust in Him. 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Father God, You alone are Holy. You are sovereign. You are good. Thank you for allowing me to choose to place my trust in You. Relationship is sweet when we choose the one we are with. I choose You, God. Thank you for the work you have done and continue to do in me. Help me to seek you despite the chaos and confusing messages of this world. You are the foundation I need to build my life on and my trust in. May Your words be buried inside me to draw me ever nearer to You and may Your spirit shine forth from me to light the way for others. Thank you for the choice to be with You and be made new each moment. In the precious name of Jesus I 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 082 Peace That Guards Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #082 –Peace That Guards 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. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, surpassing all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” About five months ago I felt a warning in my spirit that my sweet golden boy, Max was going to be attacked. There was no reason for the thought. It came on me just as I’ve had random ideas of things to come in the past. Three months after my warning, my Golden Retriever, Max suddenly became ill and passed away on June 18. Our sweet little girl, Misty, our precious Miniature Schnauzer was gone three days later. At the time I wondered if it might be spiritual warfare. The closer we move to God and the more we offer to Him in genuine submission and love to honor and glorify Him, we can be targeted or attacked. God has spoken to me in similar ways over the years. I am not claiming a be a prophet. I certainly am not one. Nor am I a psychic. I do listen for the voice of God and desire to recognize when He speaks to me. Each of us has a personal connection to our Heavenly Father and I know He speaks intimately to us in the ways we will recognize and appreciate. Just as our Heavenly Father has warned me about things in the past, I appreciate hearing His voice and know it kept me calmer since I already knew something was going to happen to my baby boy. Just as when the Lord warned me about losing my oldest daughter 24 hours before she passed or that my father would pass away in 2013, and multiple other events. On the day our Golden Retriever passed away, I was driving home from the emergency veterinary clinic when I felt the same voice in my spirit tell me that “I would be attacked next.” I didn’t tell anyone about it except my husband. Almost two months later, I am not surprised that my doctor recently asked me to return for a second mammogram, then told me that I need to go in for a biopsy. Even through this season, I know that God is going before me and has everything under control. There is a peace that passes understanding girding my spirit and mind. Yesterday as I was sitting at a doctor’s appointment with my youngest daughter, I received a call from my doctor that proves God is paving the way as she explained that she wanted me to switch biopsy providers and was making a new referral for me. It was to the medical center I had hoped to go to, but had not mentioned it because I did not think it could be done. A bubble of peace and calm continues to surround and carry me. Are you like me? It’s actually easier to handle medical concerns and conditions about myself than it is regarding my children. I would much prefer to take on all their battles, and bear their wounds. Yet our sovereign God knows exactly what each of us needs to endure or face that will bring Him honor and glory in not only our life, but also those around us and anyone we may come into contact with. What our child faces will develop relationship with God (for each of us) if we foster a loving mentorship that leads directly to Him. My youngest has testing scheduled right after my biopsy that will not be pleasant for her. I have been seeking and beginning dialogues with her in an effort to prepare and build her reliance on the only One who can handle anything she feels or experiences in perfect ways and measures designed to mature her walk with Him in glorious ways. No matter how involved I am in the care she receives, He will know, understand, and minister to her in intimate ways she may not have voiced to me or even yet understand herself. How privileged I am to have a small part in the development of her present, future, and eternity. Philippians 4:4-9 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these 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.” How would God define peace? I am positive the Creator of all things, our Holy, Omnipotent God would describe peace much more profoundly than I can. In my weak, human mind, I suspect the peace of God is not only a calmness that erases worry in our mind and attitude. I believe the peace of God is a complete and supernatural presence of Almighty God going before us and carrying us in His capable and loving arms, holding us near enough to feel the beating of His heart against us, filling us with the courage and resolve to continue the journey. As I stated on the podcast last week, I am spending time with my girls preparing for our new school year, doing last minute activities from our summer “to do” list, and taking care of the personal needs I expressed. Instead of a long podcast with new topics in this episode, I want to direct you to past episodes reminding each of us to look Up to the only one who can offer us and sustain us with the peace we need in this world. So many are in need of peace at this moment. Peace is a necessity that often escapes us. I know that in my own life when I feel the fraying of nerves begin and even an inkling of frustration or unrest threatens to invade my spirit, it is an opportunity to choose. Do I want to sit in my emotions, feelings, thoughts, worries, or fears – or will I recognize the opportunity to trust in God? Today, after several medical phone calls and a tight schedule, I knew I needed to rest in God’s word. Yet as wonderful as it is to do so, the first thing I knew I needed was a quiet time to simply sit with God and speak to Him about my feelings and clear my mind and heart to hear Him speak to me. After my time of reflection and prayer, I listened to God’s word on audio instead of reading it myself. Sometimes it is enlightening to hear another speak the words of God and simply listen without reading and studying as I go. Just hearing God’s powerful words, instructions, and promises to me left my spirit calmer and I felt I had taken the opportunity to make a sharp detour away from the course my flesh may have gone earlier. God is the beacon guiding me through any storm and the anchor securing me in a world of chaos and confusion. Yet I must choose to follow Him. Each moment allows me that opportunity to embrace the option to follow self, world, or the Lord of Heaven and Earth. I invite you to listen to a few “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast episodes that will help foster the peace only God can give. Episode 2 – Protecting Our Thoughts Episode 14 – Fear Episode 21 – Peace That Passes Understanding Episode 72 – Faith That Perseveres These episodes point to our Father and the calm He lovingly and willingly promises to those who trust in Him. 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Father God, You alone are Holy. You are sovereign. You are good. Thank you for allowing me to choose to place my trust in You. Relationship is sweet when we choose the one we are with. I choose You, God. Thank you for the work you have done and continue to do in me. Help me to seek you despite the chaos and confusing messages of this world. You are the foundation I need to build my life on and my trust in. May Your words be buried inside me to draw me ever nearer to You and may Your spirit shine forth from me to light the way for others. Thank you for the choice to be with You and be made new each moment. In the precious name of Jesus I 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 #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 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

< Back Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 009 - Uniquely Christ's Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #009 – Uniquely Christ’s Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. Because I homeschool, I’ve been able to spend much more time with my two youngest daughters than I was able to be with my oldest children, who attended public school while I worked full-time. When you stay home with your children, plus serve as their educator in the classroom, you have the opportunity to craft a special relationship with each child. Not only do I know their natural inclinations toward learning and life, but I understand their attitude and desires. I have a front row seat to viewing when lessons and material stick and when we need to work harder; I get to be present when they accomplish big goals and look them in the eye to share successes in the moment. Just as I have memorized the faces of my beautiful daughters, their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical states are well known by me. Our closeness comes from time spent together and by pursuing relationship through thick and thin. I know what lights them up and what dims their interest. God clearly shows Himself to me daily through my interactions with them as I recognize His mighty hand in the way He crafted them with special talents, interests, and dreams that can only come from Him. Some may believe that all people are created as “blank slates” with potential to become anything they desire. While part of that statement can be considered true, if we look to scripture, we see that God actually purposed to craft uniqueness into each of us. Psalm 139:13-16 says, “ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” When we examine this passage closely, we are able to detect the intimacy of God and begin to understand how He planned for and brought each of us into existence. God created our “inmost ” being, meaning our intimate thoughts, our deepest desires. As he formed each of us, we were knitted together, meaning His actions were designed uniquely for each specific human He thought of and created. Every single person is exceptional and exclusive, complex, and created for a purpose designed by the Great I Am. God, the Author of Life was involved in planning and forming each inmost area and outer detail of our soul and body. As the passage of scripture in Psalm 139 continues, we read affirmation that God planned us, saw us, and formed us. He knew all the seconds and days our life would hold before we even came to be. It is no coincidence that you are paired with and have the particular child you were given at the exact time they came to be with you. Whether by birth or adoption, God knew you would parent exactly who you do. Over my extended years of parenting I have found comfort and direction in these verses from Psalm 139. I hope they bring you peace and strength in your parenting journey, as well. Not only are we able to find assurance and affirmation in self-worth for ourselves, but most importantly, for our children. This passage of scripture leaves no doubt that we are each cherished and planned. Your child is not an after-thought. His or her life matters. God purposed for your children to exist. He planned each of us, made each of us, knew us before we were born, and knew the exact second each of us were conceived. Even more, God is present at every moment of formation and development for everyone. He knows when we are born and He knows when we will leave this earth. There is no greater method of teaching your child that her life matters and that God has specific plans for her than through this section of Psalms. Of course, most parents wouldn’t argue the fact that their child is special. Yet, the way we view “special” in earthly or secular terms versus how God defines unique is often quite different. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do .” Combining the passage we read earlier from Psalms with this verse from Ephesians proves that we, and our children are each alive and purposed for special plans that can only come from the Father and are to be used for the Father. Ephesians 2:10 affirms again that we are God’s workmanship and are created in Christ for good works, which were prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Because of our relationship with Jesus, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the good works predestined for them to accomplish through Christ. It is very interesting that the word “workmanship” translated in Greek becomes the word poiema (poyeema), which is the root of the English word, “poem.” I find two definitions for the word “poem” to be beautifully interesting in light of the context we are seeking here. The first definition of “poem” is, “a composition in verse, especially one that is characterized by a highly developed artistic form and by the use of heightened language and rhythm to express an intensely imaginative interpretation of the subject .” The second definition is: “composition that, though not in verse, is characterized by great beauty of language or expression .” How God loves each of us and our children to compose us in such specific, artistic ways that showcase His imagination and sovereignty . How clearly He values our individuality and purpose . How deeply He yearns and calls for us to honor Him with what we do and how we use what He has instilled within us. As Christians, we can earnestly believe that we are to raise our child to honor Christ, yet be stuck in how to do it. How is a parent supposed to find the ways each child is unique? 1. Relationship with you – Spending time with your child, observing their tendencies and giftedness. The most important part of this piece is to observe your child through God’s eyes and heart to find what may be used for Him. 2. Play – We all know God works hard, but He also allows Himself to relax. Just seeing the playfulness of each of God’s creations, not only in people, proves that He crafted and understands the importance of play. Children deeply need time to process and understand life, relationships, feelings, and emotions. Try to spend at least a small portion of each day doing some type of play with your child. Much will be discovered during this personal time spent together. If your child is older, play time includes their love language: shopping together, visiting coffee shops, sitting in their room together, chatting and laughing, or enjoying a sporting event or physical activity together. It doesn’t include just going to watch them in an event. Make time to hang out together to deepen your relationship together and get the opportunity to really observe and enjoy your child. 3. Feelings and Emotions – Through much time spent together in playful and serious moments, you will witness your child will express a variety of feelings and emotions. As they express joy or pour out their thoughts or show you through actions, you have the opportunity to see how they are constructed. Are they quiet, do they withhold feelings, do they need time to process, or do they spill and regret? 4. Interests – What lights up the eyes of your children? What makes them excited? What disappoints or scares them? Do they repeatedly seek the same things or like new adventures? Is there a skill or talent that shines through them? How do we help our child to recognize the ways God has made him unique? 1. Healthy parent – When we have and are building a strong, mature relationship with Christ and we show our child the importance of relationship with Him, it will become important to our child. Accepting the gifts and talents God crafted within us is crucial. If we put ourself down and show no value in the way God has constructed us, our child will not find value in himself. As a parent, I believe we also have a very important responsibility to continue seeking God, allowing Him to develop and alter us. We cannot help and enable our children to become what God requires of them if we are not giving our needs to the Lord in humble, loving submission and allowing Him to graft Himself throughout us. Society often reminds us we can only do our best, but I don’t want your best or my best for our precious children. I desire God’s best for us so that they receive His best, as well. 2. Self-esteem – Whether we brag about our abilities or complain about what we feel is wrong with us, neither is the type of confidence Christ would have for us or our children. Building self-esteem through the Lord builds our walk with Him and becomes an example to our children, teaching them how to rely on Christ and trust that He has placed value within them. Helping our child to build their esteem through Jesus is the greatest foundation they will have. They must understand Who they belong to and what to craft their life around. Actively building that relationship with you and Christ together daily enables your child to recognize their godly potential and step out in faith to continue building it. How do we guide our child to use their giftings, interests, or talents for God? 1. Safety – When we are focused on constructing and maintaining strong relationship with our child and Christ, our child feels safe to learn and grow with us. It is much easier to trust Jesus when your child knows she can trust you. When we remark on their abilities and strengths and offer suggestions as to how to use them for the Lord, our child hears and listens to our suggestions and feels safe enough to trust our encouragement and testimony to pursue their own faith. 2. Encouragement – Acknowledging the strengths of our children and offering glory to God for them teaches them to do the same. 3. Relationship with Jesus – When our child discovers faith and purposely develops it as their own, relationship with Christ will slowly mature. As they see, hear, and remember the way we have taught them to respect how God made them individually and for a purpose, and see how we use our own giftings for the Lord, they will believe their Heavenly Father can guide them in the way to honor Him. As we continue to love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and with all our strength, and humbly seek His way in building relationship with our children and allowing Him to continue transforming us moment by moment, our children are taught by example. As we recognize and help them develop the interests and talents God specifically chose to craft within them, then teach them the joy of serving God through them, we honor our Lord in ways that last for eternity. Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are! Thank you for entrusting us with the talents and gifts You crafted within each of us and for the ones You gifted to our children. Help all of us to see and use what You have given us and enable our children to use them in mighty ways for Your kingdom and purpose. May our children delight You in the way they use the creativity and interests You chose for them. Your word tells us that before You formed our children in the womb You knew them, before they were born You set them apart, just as You did for us. What a holy honor to walk in the plans You have set for us. Help us to be so close to You, help our children to choose You and walk in Your ways that we each easily discern Your purpose and ways. Your word assures us that even the very hairs of our head are all numbered . You tell us that You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand . In so many ways You make it clear that You are the Great I Am, but You also show how deeply and clearly You love us and chose to be with us. How thankful we desire to be. Help us please You as we understand more clearly moment by moment just how good You are, just how lavishly You love. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you pray for your child, please look for my free ebook, “Prayers for My Child,” available on the website under the “Resources” page and is designed to guide the heart of your child to the feet of Jesus through scripturally-based prayer. The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast is now available at terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, receive access to blog posts, read transcripts, and find additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence connected children through Him. God knows that we are not capable of successful parenting on our own. As we rely on Him, releasing doubts and expectations, and humbly bow to His guidance and experience, we find greater clarity in parenting and a wondrous walk with our Creator that will extend to our children and those around us for generations . I pray this podcast helps you parent with purpose and deepen your connection to Jesus and your children as you intentionally place Christ above culture or self. Allow Him to work through you for true connection that will draw your children to Him and build a maturing relationship with Christ and your child that lasts for eternity. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast- Episode 107 - Why It's Important to Teach Your Child to Prioritize Jesus Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 107 – Why It’s Important to Teach Your Child to Prioritize Jesus 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 why it’s important to teach your child to prioritize Jesus… One of the highlights of my days is sharing Bible study with my two youngest daughters. Teaching the truths of God, maturing our faith together, and viewing their faith growth is a gift and blessing I never take for granted. Because we share this time, I get to hear their questions and answers, see those “aha” moments, and watch them practice their faith in daily life situations. I know I’m not responsible for their faith in Christ, for God does the work within each of us. But I do know that one decision my husband and I made years ago became the foundation upon which their faith is grounded. We committed to raising our child for Him, no matter what obstacles life threw at us. When we knew God was calling us to adopt our sweet baby girl from China in 2005, we prayerfully and purposely created a parenting plan that would be the root of biblical training she (and a sister we brought home ten years later) would receive. Because we had already parented one set of children and experienced maturing faith in Christ, my husband and I had the gift of knowing what we wanted to change and what we thought worked well the first time we parented. You probably know that I often talk about being a good versus godly parent. When I tell you that I was a good parent the first time and a godly parent in my second round of parenting, I mean that I no longer rely on self. This parenting shift has nothing to do with my children, but everything to do with honoring God with the children He entrusted to me. As my personal faith grew and I realized how parenting values in this world are so far from what God desires, I knew what I offered was a shadow of what God commands. When raising my first two, I loved the Lord, but got sidetracked without knowing it. I never realized I was a good mom who unintentionally valued the world more than the Word . How is your life? Are you intentionally living with an eternal perspective that propels you to invite Jesus to rule over your life moment my moment? Maybe you’re His, but you haven’t really submitted to daily living under His Lordship. It’s not too late. Do it today. Do it now. You see, in order to desire to raise godly children, then complete that high calling, you must be intentional . Purposed . Jesus must be the focus of your parenting . You can’t simply hope to raise kind, successful, well-adjusted kids, because they’ll be raised on the standards of this world . Without purposely teaching your kids strong and intentional identity through Christ, your children won’t have lasting joy, hope, or peace. Those qualities and gifts are only present when your child is filled with the Holy Spirit and submitted to Christ themselves. As parents, we can know we love God, be His through salvation through Jesus, but still unknowingly focus on world more than Word. How? Because we are human. We get distracted. We think that just because we love Jesus and have called Him to be our Lord and Savior that our children will do the same. But with hectic schedules and all that comes with work, home life, raising kids, fostering relationships, and you know the list goes on…unless you commit to God and with your spouse that you will do whatever it takes to raise your children for Jesus with purpose each day, time will slip away. This is why it’s important that you prioritize Christ. Moment by moment. That’s how you will teach your children to prioritize Jesus. Deuteronomy 6:5-8 says, “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. ” Consider your home life…honestly. Do your days reflect you and your spouse loving God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength? Are God’s commandments on your hearts moment by moment? Is God top of mind or is it the newest designer bag or the errands you need to run? God made His command for parents very clear. Love Him with all your heart – with all your soul – with all your strength . You can’t do that if you don’t have a purposed relationship with Jesus. One that is growing , widening , and deepening moment by moment. Know God and His Word so you can teach your children His truths . Study God’s Word daily. Teach Him to your children moment by moment. This world is filled with deceit. How will you – how will your children recognize deceit if you don’t know God’s Word? You simply can’t . You will not recognize the lies of this world, of culture, of society, of flesh unless you know and follow God’s truths. Plant God’s commands on your heart. Impress them on your children. Not as a sword raised over their heads, but as truth you know, believe, love, and follow moment by moment. Consider this truth: You are the first Jesus your children see . How are you representing Him? Are you drawing your children toward God and His Word? Or do you ignorantly send them into the world to absorb deceit as truth? Talk about the Lord at home , on the road , when you lie down , and when you get up . Weave Him into your soul so that you breathe Him into all you do. What does this look like? This means you know Jesus well through fellowship and submission to the Word, God’s truths, and that you love and honor the Lord so much that you prioritize Him and place Him on the throne of your day. Start with Bible study, even if you have to get up earlier or listen instead of read some days. Make sure you are inhaling truth so that you can exhale truth to your children . Knowing and teaching God’s truths creates a solid foundation for your child to build on. Because you are teaching His Truth , you will begin teaching respect for God. You will teach honor and obedience to Him. Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise .” What else does this look like? Showing godly character even when no one is watching. It means following God when you relax as a family. The shows you watch, the music you listen to, the books and magazines you read should be evaluated through a lens of Christlike scrutiny. It sounds challenging. I know. We’re human. But as you submit to God in these areas, you will see the difference He makes in your life, the life of your spouse, and the life of your children and family as a whole. When you profess Jesus as your Savior, it takes effort to grow that relationship, just like it does with each person in your life. It’s frighteningly easy to drift away from the Lord and close relationship with Him. All it takes it you doing nothing. Falling into a pattern or not reading the Word, not praying, not listening for His voice and not obeying immediately when you do hear instruction. It’s taking shortcuts because you say you’re too busy, but we all know deep down that we can make time for what we really want to do. God deserves your attention. He deserves all glory and praise. As you are careful about how you live, as you teach your children about God, about relationship with Jesus, and to know truth and recognize deceit, you will also teach respect and praise for God. Ephesians 5:1-20 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. “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. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .” How convicting this passage is. We need to be convicted by God’s Word, lest we continue to fall away in ways we consider small day by day…and lead our children with us . We cannot lead our children to the Way unless we live the Word. There are several important, simple truths you can easily weave into conversations with your children. These will undergird the foundation you build on Christ. Discuss these during Bible studies, show them in your words and actions daily. I’ll share some now. · God has good guidelines or commands that we must obey. · God gives Mom and Dad guidelines, too. The most important is to teach our children about Jesus. · We must fear God - which means loving and respecting Who He is. · God gives grace. · Jesus is the way to relationship with God. · The Bible (God’s Word) leads us to His truths and relationship with Jesus · Relationship with Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit. · The Holy Spirit guides us in all truth and gives us the fruits of the Spirit. · We receive godly wisdom when we obey God. · We cannot make wise or godly choices without God’s truths and wisdom. · God is truth, so He perfectly guides us in truth. · The book of Genesis in the Bible gives us the keys to a godly life that is pleasing to our Father. · The book of Romans in the Bible shows God’s righteousness. 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 .” Also lovingly teach your children that they respect God when they honor, respect, and obey you - their parent. Then do not exasperate them . Do not ignorantly show your children the world instead of the Way. God has many reasons for calling children to respect parents. When children respect God, they desire to please Him . When a child desires to please God, they build more connection and stability within the family. When family members are all respectful of and loving to one another, they honor God. A family unit is built that shines Christ in society. When this happens, the community is strengthened because family is a central component to building a strong culture, government, and world. Your children must understand that God is sovereign . They won’t learn that fact unless you believe and teach it. God must be honored. He is the Creator of all. He deserves honor and praise. As each person is created in God’s image and for His good purposes, we must intentionally treat one another with love, honor, and respect. When we direct our children to prioritize Him above all else, we train our children to rely on God and His strength within them. As they travel through life, no matter what they face, this godly mind and heart attitude will teach them to submit to their Heavenly Father. Instead of walking beside Him, they will invite Him to carry them. Assess which areas you should place focus to strengthen in 2025. Look at where you may have failed in the past. Look at the strengths you hold for building relationship with Jesus in your home. Prayerfully seek God and ask what He desires you to release. Where does He want you to focus so that you and your family see and shine Him more freely and diligently? How can you joyfully (and with open hands) direct your children to prioritize Jesus? What will you change now so you will guide your children to His Word, Truths, and feet? It’s timely that this episode is coming out just before Christmas. As you run around doing tasks such as decorating and cooking, buying presents, and having parties, enjoy yourself! Have fun experiencing the holidays, but please remember to think of this season as we imagine God does. Jesus is first. Forgive the cliché, but He is the reason for the season. We experience Christmas in the ways of the world, and as parents, we try to make the holiday a memorable and beautiful one. I’m sure God loves to see us give and spread happiness, but true joy only comes from Him – the Holy Spirit living within us. Praise God for Jesus. Thank you, Jesus for all You sacrificed for us. Please remember to stop this year (if you haven’t already) and allow your focus to shift to an eternal lens. Put Jesus first and foremost in your activities. Create new traditions that shine more focus on Him – where it needs to be. Allow your children to experience the wonder of Christ and help them deepen their walk this Christmas. It’s the only gift that will last into eternity. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that guides and guards us. Thank you for Jesus who enables us to have joyful relationship with You that lasts into eternity. Help us to be godly mothers who place Jesus first as we progress through our days. Each moment is gone so quickly that time passes before we realize we haven’t focused on what You deem important. Forgive us our negligence and disobedience. Help us seek You more intimately and openly. Help us shine You into our families in ways that change generations for Jesus. In His precious name 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 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 #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.

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #003 - Obedience 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. So many topics are swirling in my mind, vying for attention, trying to be the one we are going to focus on. I don’t know whether it’s because obedience is one of my favorite themes and life goals, but I keep returning to humility, submissiveness, and respect for God. I deeply treasure how I have watched those qualities grow in my children. My youngest daughter lived without even hearing the name of Jesus for most of her life. We adopted her when she was 9 years old, then consistently began filling her empty spiritual reservoir with love and reverence for Jesus. Seeing us live out our beliefs and hearing us speak and teach of Jesus ultimately led her to accept Him as her Savior this past summer. My daughters, Brooklyn and Marissa truly enjoy our daily Bible studies together. I see God working in and changing each of us steadily as we continue committing part of our days to Him. One of the most rewarding parts for me is knowing that the girls don’t limit their spiritual development to one portion of the day. They understand that their relationship with Jesus is their responsibility. In order to grow and mature their walk, they must commit to the Heavenly Father individually, by making private and quiet time with God a personal priority and communication with God through prayer, an active and on-going conversation each day. When I promised God that I would raise each of them to know, love, and honor Him, I knew it was a solemn choice and a task I was completely unable to manage on my own. This is my second time raising a family, and although I was not a bad mother the first time, I did not have the spiritual maturity I have since developed. I married my husband soon after we graduated from high school. I was 17 years old. He was 18. I was not a Christian. I loved God, but never knew the story of Jesus. We had our first baby, a daughter, when I was 18. Our second child, a son, was born when I was 21. I accepted Christ as my Savior a few months before I turned 22. I could not have loved either of our children any more than I did, yet I was not the Christian mother I wish I had been because I did not know Jesus or have the spiritual relationship with the Lord to have done so at that time. Although I raised them to know and love the Lord to the best of the ability I had at that time, I am a different mother now. I have intentionally matured as a woman and in my walk with Christ. I receive such joy from teaching the girls about Jesus and in continuing to mentor my grown son. By the time my husband and I knew that God was calling us to adopt in our early forties, we had a much stronger walk with Jesus and knew with a certainty that raising our child for Him would be a priority. It was such a treasure to know that God was entrusting us to begin a second family. We wanted to please Him with the spiritual choices we made and practiced. Despite a few people telling us we were too old to start another family, and that we should keep working and saving for retirement, we kept our hearts and minds focused on the Lord and His desire and directive for us. When we brought home our ten month old baby girl from China, my heart was awakened to the power of obedience despite circumstances, and the delight that follows it. Psalm 47:1 says it best, “Clap your hands, all you nations; and shout to God with cries of joy.” Blindly stepping out in obedience brought undiluted and absolutely precious joy. It was the first time I knew for certain that God had called me to fully trust and submit to His will with a plan I had never dreamed of. Allowing God to orchestrate a new direction and provide in absolutely every way deepened my faith and ability to understand God’s heart. My Heavenly Father began showing me the desires He had created in me. Simply hearing and trusting Him, then obeying at any cost, changed my life. It transformed each member of our family in personal ways. When God was gracious enough to ask us to adopt again ten years later, we brought home our 9 year old daughter. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The words are so true. With such pure blessing coming from obedience, what makes it so hard for Christians to obey? Is it fear? Or is it the fact that we have free will and think we will make time for what God asks later? Maybe we don’t want what God requires and think we know better? I think often we step on the fast-paced treadmill of life and allow ourselves to be pushed along, falsely pacified by the thought that we have tomorrow. We don’t recognize the blindness of our eyes and hearts, or the subtle deceit we invite into our life by placing God behind us instead of before us. How many gifts and blessings do we miss or lose because we don’t step out in obedience? Only God knows. How do we train ourselves to experience lives of submission that are pleasing to God? Jesus is the answer. Although the Bible doesn’t tell us much about Jesus as a child, we do gain important insight about obedience in Luke 2. When Jesus was just 12 years old, He went to Jerusalem with His parents for the Feast of the Passover. When the family left to return home, however, Jesus stayed behind without His family knowing. It was three days before His parents returned and found Him at the temple, sitting in the midst of teachers. The Son of God was absorbed in listening to them and in asking questions of His own. All who heard Him were astounded at His answers and understanding. Yet Jesus’ mother could not understand why her son had committed this act of disobedience against them. They had anxiously searched for Him. When Mary asked Jesus why He had done this to them, Jesus calmly asked her, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” These words of Jesus prove that He knew His identity as the Son of God. How incredibly challenging, it must have been for Mary to raise God’s divine son! The next verse, however, clearly shows that Jesus submitted to His earthly parents when He left Jerusalem to return to Nazareth with His family. God in human flesh respected the call to yield to earthly parents, as instructed in the Ten Commandments through Exodus 20:12a. “Honor your father and mother.” Submission takes concentrated effort, as well as love and reverence for the Heavenly Father. Jesus first made the decision to remain in Jerusalem to learn of God and to submit to His Heavenly Father, but then acknowledged that obedience to His earthly parents was imperative. Returning to Nazareth was what God required Jesus to do. Obedience brought Jesus to earth and He remained submissive to God in every way during His years of human life. He modeled submission so that we see the importance of obedience. Every request God made of Jesus was humbly and obediently followed, even to the point of death on a cross, so that every single one of us has the ability to approach God for eternal life through Him. Jesus knew death was imminent, as well as the excruciating separation from His Heavenly Father, yet He remained faithful to obey His call. The respect and humility Jesus exhibited for us also demonstrates how godly obedience, in God’s timing, extracts fullness of joy. When it does, it is not only for the benefit of one, but usually for many. Simple obedience leads to living life with an eternal perspective that is pleasing to God and offers a promise of blessing to those who follow Him through it, as Jesus said in Luke 11:8. ‘He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”’ Jesus possessed a heart fully yielded to God and He demonstrated how we can, too. As believers, we experience both our flesh, and the power of Jesus, within us. It is our option to choose which one to follow. Matthew 26:41 warns, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus devoted His life to studying the word of God, looking to His Father for guidance, living with a humble and submissive heart, and obeying God’s calls regardless of the outcome for Himself. He aligned Himself with God and did not suffer from distractions of a world He was only traveling through. His heart was fixed above and His hands and feet followed. He desired to do the work purposed for Him. How do we live the same way? How do we walk like Jesus without fear? By studying and clinging to the teachings of Jesus. Start by looking Up to the Lord and placing Him first. So often, believers are paralyzed because it is hard to step into the unknown. Fear should be a warning to us that we are looking to self. Fear does not come from God, unless it is a healthy reaction to danger. When I feel fear, I immediately step back and assess what I am doing. If the underlying belief and motivation driving my action or desire can stand against scripture without shame, and I have counseled God about what I am considering, I turn the fear into fuel that births obedience. If God has placed a thought in me that will honor or glorify Him and fear is present, I know the father of lies is attempting to keep me from following the Father of Light and Truth. As believers, we have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. I don’t value or believe present day quotes that challenge us to “be strong” or that “we can do it.” These are meaningless and distracting words strung together that give Satan glee each time we mutter them to ourselves or each other. Why would a believer desire to stand on our own limited ability? With Jesus within us, we have unlimited strength and power ever present. He waits for us to lean on Him, to ask Him to carry us. Through the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, combined with God’s Holy word, the Bible, and the valuable access we have to God through prayer, we are armed for any battle. Once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and are living with the intent of growing closer to Christ, we are already taking steps of obedience. The Holy Spirit within us enables us to believe and to live for Jesus, yet we still have the choice as to whether we will yield and allow Christ to be the ruler of our heart and life each moment. As we draw nearer to Him, He draws nearer to us. Our spirit and heart are open and ready to accept our humble position at God’s feet and our heart is pliable to acknowledge the power of God and His sovereignty. Will we submit? As we grow in the Lord, our thoughts and actions better match the desires He created for us. A request from God becomes a catalyst to blessing through our submissiveness. My obedience demonstrates to God that my heart trusts and desires His will. When we view obedience through an eternal perspective, we see that humble obedience affects our life, the lives of others around us, and even the lives of strangers. In contrast, so does disobedience. Just like ripple effects of a pebble on water, our decision to obey or disobey God can bless or cripple the spiritual walk and relationships of others. Obedience blesses; disobedience curses. Our present, as well as future is altered by our daily choices. What will our spouse, children, grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers, family members, etc. reap from our actions? Or what will they have to contend with? In what ways have we enabled them to live a life full of blessings? Or have we set them up for a life stunted by condemnation? Obedience can be easy. Most often, it requires sacrifice. It always demands a humble and submissive heart. It took me years of following Christ to finally absorb at a deep level that yielding to His desires brings the sweetest fruit. The God of the Universe created me with intimate needs and desires combined with gifts He placed inside me for specific reasons that only He understands. I have discovered that as I follow where He leads, joy and peace capture my spirit. I don’t have to know where the road leads. I just have to follow His direction. Instead of looking ahead or behind, my greatest blessings are found in looking straight Up to the only One who knows where my heart truly desires to go and where He can use me for the good of His kingdom. One of the beautiful blessings about obedience is in knowing that it looks different for every one of us. To obey Jesus means that we willingly and lovingly submit to His authority and will for our life. It means that we look forward to seeing where our life will lead and what beautiful and uniquely created desires He will draw from us. Most often, we never even knew they were in our heart because He opens our eyes and hearts to delighting in Him and loving others more than ourselves. Thank you for listening to this episode of 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 003 Obedience Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #003 - Obedience 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. So many topics are swirling in my mind, vying for attention, trying to be the one we are going to focus on. I don’t know whether it’s because obedience is one of my favorite themes and life goals, but I keep returning to humility, submissiveness, and respect for God. I deeply treasure how I have watched those qualities grow in my children. My youngest daughter lived without even hearing the name of Jesus for most of her life. We adopted her when she was 9 years old, then consistently began filling her empty spiritual reservoir with love and reverence for Jesus. Seeing us live out our beliefs and hearing us speak and teach of Jesus ultimately led her to accept Him as her Savior this past summer. My daughters, Brooklyn and Marissa truly enjoy our daily Bible studies together. I see God working in and changing each of us steadily as we continue committing part of our days to Him. One of the most rewarding parts for me is knowing that the girls don’t limit their spiritual development to one portion of the day. They understand that their relationship with Jesus is their responsibility. In order to grow and mature their walk, they must commit to the Heavenly Father individually, by making private and quiet time with God a personal priority and communication with God through prayer, an active and on-going conversation each day. When I promised God that I would raise each of them to know, love, and honor Him, I knew it was a solemn choice and a task I was completely unable to manage on my own. This is my second time raising a family, and although I was not a bad mother the first time, I did not have the spiritual maturity I have since developed. I married my husband soon after we graduated from high school. I was 17 years old. He was 18. I was not a Christian. I loved God, but never knew the story of Jesus. We had our first baby, a daughter, when I was 18. Our second child, a son, was born when I was 21. I accepted Christ as my Savior a few months before I turned 22. I could not have loved either of our children any more than I did, yet I was not the Christian mother I wish I had been because I did not know Jesus or have the spiritual relationship with the Lord to have done so at that time. Although I raised them to know and love the Lord to the best of the ability I had at that time, I am a different mother now. I have intentionally matured as a woman and in my walk with Christ. I receive such joy from teaching the girls about Jesus and in continuing to mentor my grown son. By the time my husband and I knew that God was calling us to adopt in our early forties, we had a much stronger walk with Jesus and knew with a certainty that raising our child for Him would be a priority. It was such a treasure to know that God was entrusting us to begin a second family. We wanted to please Him with the spiritual choices we made and practiced. Despite a few people telling us we were too old to start another family, and that we should keep working and saving for retirement, we kept our hearts and minds focused on the Lord and His desire and directive for us. When we brought home our ten month old baby girl from China, my heart was awakened to the power of obedience despite circumstances, and the delight that follows it. Psalm 47:1 says it best, “Clap your hands, all you nations; and shout to God with cries of joy.” Blindly stepping out in obedience brought undiluted and absolutely precious joy. It was the first time I knew for certain that God had called me to fully trust and submit to His will with a plan I had never dreamed of. Allowing God to orchestrate a new direction and provide in absolutely every way deepened my faith and ability to understand God’s heart. My Heavenly Father began showing me the desires He had created in me. Simply hearing and trusting Him, then obeying at any cost, changed my life. It transformed each member of our family in personal ways. When God was gracious enough to ask us to adopt again ten years later, we brought home our 9 year old daughter. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The words are so true. With such pure blessing coming from obedience, what makes it so hard for Christians to obey? Is it fear? Or is it the fact that we have free will and think we will make time for what God asks later? Maybe we don’t want what God requires and think we know better? I think often we step on the fast-paced treadmill of life and allow ourselves to be pushed along, falsely pacified by the thought that we have tomorrow. We don’t recognize the blindness of our eyes and hearts, or the subtle deceit we invite into our life by placing God behind us instead of before us. How many gifts and blessings do we miss or lose because we don’t step out in obedience? Only God knows. How do we train ourselves to experience lives of submission that are pleasing to God? Jesus is the answer. Although the Bible doesn’t tell us much about Jesus as a child, we do gain important insight about obedience in Luke 2. When Jesus was just 12 years old, He went to Jerusalem with His parents for the Feast of the Passover. When the family left to return home, however, Jesus stayed behind without His family knowing. It was three days before His parents returned and found Him at the temple, sitting in the midst of teachers. The Son of God was absorbed in listening to them and in asking questions of His own. All who heard Him were astounded at His answers and understanding. Yet Jesus’ mother could not understand why her son had committed this act of disobedience against them. They had anxiously searched for Him. When Mary asked Jesus why He had done this to them, Jesus calmly asked her, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” These words of Jesus prove that He knew His identity as the Son of God. How incredibly challenging, it must have been for Mary to raise God’s divine son! The next verse, however, clearly shows that Jesus submitted to His earthly parents when He left Jerusalem to return to Nazareth with His family. God in human flesh respected the call to yield to earthly parents, as instructed in the Ten Commandments through Exodus 20:12a. “Honor your father and mother.” Submission takes concentrated effort, as well as love and reverence for the Heavenly Father. Jesus first made the decision to remain in Jerusalem to learn of God and to submit to His Heavenly Father, but then acknowledged that obedience to His earthly parents was imperative. Returning to Nazareth was what God required Jesus to do. Obedience brought Jesus to earth and He remained submissive to God in every way during His years of human life. He modeled submission so that we see the importance of obedience. Every request God made of Jesus was humbly and obediently followed, even to the point of death on a cross, so that every single one of us has the ability to approach God for eternal life through Him. Jesus knew death was imminent, as well as the excruciating separation from His Heavenly Father, yet He remained faithful to obey His call. The respect and humility Jesus exhibited for us also demonstrates how godly obedience, in God’s timing, extracts fullness of joy. When it does, it is not only for the benefit of one, but usually for many. Simple obedience leads to living life with an eternal perspective that is pleasing to God and offers a promise of blessing to those who follow Him through it, as Jesus said in Luke 11:8. ‘He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”’ Jesus possessed a heart fully yielded to God and He demonstrated how we can, too. As believers, we experience both our flesh, and the power of Jesus, within us. It is our option to choose which one to follow. Matthew 26:41 warns, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus devoted His life to studying the word of God, looking to His Father for guidance, living with a humble and submissive heart, and obeying God’s calls regardless of the outcome for Himself. He aligned Himself with God and did not suffer from distractions of a world He was only traveling through. His heart was fixed above and His hands and feet followed. He desired to do the work purposed for Him. How do we live the same way? How do we walk like Jesus without fear? By studying and clinging to the teachings of Jesus. Start by looking Up to the Lord and placing Him first. So often, believers are paralyzed because it is hard to step into the unknown. Fear should be a warning to us that we are looking to self. Fear does not come from God, unless it is a healthy reaction to danger. When I feel fear, I immediately step back and assess what I am doing. If the underlying belief and motivation driving my action or desire can stand against scripture without shame, and I have counseled God about what I am considering, I turn the fear into fuel that births obedience. If God has placed a thought in me that will honor or glorify Him and fear is present, I know the father of lies is attempting to keep me from following the Father of Light and Truth. As believers, we have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. I don’t value or believe present day quotes that challenge us to “be strong” or that “we can do it.” These are meaningless and distracting words strung together that give Satan glee each time we mutter them to ourselves or each other. Why would a believer desire to stand on our own limited ability? With Jesus within us, we have unlimited strength and power ever present. He waits for us to lean on Him, to ask Him to carry us. Through the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, combined with God’s Holy word, the Bible, and the valuable access we have to God through prayer, we are armed for any battle. Once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and are living with the intent of growing closer to Christ, we are already taking steps of obedience. The Holy Spirit within us enables us to believe and to live for Jesus, yet we still have the choice as to whether we will yield and allow Christ to be the ruler of our heart and life each moment. As we draw nearer to Him, He draws nearer to us. Our spirit and heart are open and ready to accept our humble position at God’s feet and our heart is pliable to acknowledge the power of God and His sovereignty. Will we submit? As we grow in the Lord, our thoughts and actions better match the desires He created for us. A request from God becomes a catalyst to blessing through our submissiveness. My obedience demonstrates to God that my heart trusts and desires His will. When we view obedience through an eternal perspective, we see that humble obedience affects our life, the lives of others around us, and even the lives of strangers. In contrast, so does disobedience. Just like ripple effects of a pebble on water, our decision to obey or disobey God can bless or cripple the spiritual walk and relationships of others. Obedience blesses; disobedience curses. Our present, as well as future is altered by our daily choices. What will our spouse, children, grandchildren, neighbors, co-workers, family members, etc. reap from our actions? Or what will they have to contend with? In what ways have we enabled them to live a life full of blessings? Or have we set them up for a life stunted by condemnation? Obedience can be easy. Most often, it requires sacrifice. It always demands a humble and submissive heart. It took me years of following Christ to finally absorb at a deep level that yielding to His desires brings the sweetest fruit. The God of the Universe created me with intimate needs and desires combined with gifts He placed inside me for specific reasons that only He understands. I have discovered that as I follow where He leads, joy and peace capture my spirit. I don’t have to know where the road leads. I just have to follow His direction. Instead of looking ahead or behind, my greatest blessings are found in looking straight Up to the only One who knows where my heart truly desires to go and where He can use me for the good of His kingdom. One of the beautiful blessings about obedience is in knowing that it looks different for every one of us. To obey Jesus means that we willingly and lovingly submit to His authority and will for our life. It means that we look forward to seeing where our life will lead and what beautiful and uniquely created desires He will draw from us. Most often, we never even knew they were in our heart because He opens our eyes and hearts to delighting in Him and loving others more than ourselves. Thank you for listening to this episode of 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.

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 085 - Raising Christian Kids - Why It's Important to Build Your Child's Confidence in Christ, Not on Self-Reliance Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 085 –Raising Christian Kids: Why It's Important to Build Your Child's Confidence in Christ, Not on Self-Reliance Thank you for taking time to share your day with me. I pray what you hear each week deepens your walk with Jesus and your children. Today I want to dig into confidence. Many parenting experts tout self-confidence in children as a foundational necessity. I disagree. In fact, I believe self-confidence is harmful , dangerous , and unbiblical . 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God .” After reading this verse, don’t you agree that it’s clear? Parents should raise children to carry godly confidence. God never intended for humans to rely on self . In fact, Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me .” God clearly makes it known that the only way we find peace, joy, or other fruits of the Spirit is by releasing self and submitting to Him. John 15:4-5 says, “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.” Raising your children to follow self over Christ is the cause , and definitely not the cure, of many problems. Problems pop up quickly when a child builds confidence based on self . Because building confidence on self will never withstand the storms of life, some of the issues your child might exhibit as they mature could be as follows: 1. Frequent comparison of self to others 2. Negative talk about self 3. Isolation from family or friends 4. Afraid to do things without parents 5. Easily angered or frustrated 6. Sluggishness/loss of interest or motivation in something that used to excite them 7. Depression 8. Frequent crying 9. Fearfulness/Worry 10. Resistance to school 11. Frequent illness – such as stomachaches or headaches 12. Low self-esteem Now that I’ve brought up this topic, let’s examine ways a child might exhibit low self-esteem. 1. Bullying 2. Neglect 3. Bad grades 4. Lack of coordination 5. Excessive praise 6. Excessive criticism 7. Ignoring God’s commands to build esteem through Him 8. Addictions When your children have built esteem on self and have trouble with grades, relationships, body size, bullying, etc. they have nothing to fall back on. Their foundation of self-esteem crumbles. There is no lasting support. Worldly parenting coaches and therapists will try to persuade parents that building high self-esteem is the key to eradicating low self-esteem and the symptoms of it. This tactic actually makes the situation worse for your child. Only building confidence through identity in Christ will enable your children to live in freedom, joy, and peace that will multiply and last through eternity. Secular specialists say that high self-esteem allows your children to be independent, resilient, secure, good decision makers, and respected. These experts stress that methods of building high self-esteem can be easy, such as: 1. Affirmations – Many adults also adhere to the practice of affirmations. There is actually a lot of Christians who believe in this practice. However, I know (because the Bible says so) that nothing man can write, think, or feel will override what God’s holy Word teaches. Instead of affirmations such as “I am pretty.” “I am smart” or others such as these, help your children find applicable Bible verses that speak God’s truth and life. Encourage them to memorize, write, or speak biblical words. Teach them that Jesus used Scripture to stand against the devil. If it’s good enough for Jesus to use as an offensive weapon, I highly recommend your children (and you) do the same. In fact, let your children hear you speak Truth and apply it in your life and activities. 2. Compose love letters to self – If your children want to write love letters to themselves, there’s not anything wrong with doing so. But how long will words they write last as encouragement? How long will they believe human opinion of themselves? God’s Word teaches that what man believes comes from our mind, heart, and experiences – all of which are skewed by this fallen world. Instead, have your children read the love letters of the Bible and study the Words of Jesus to receive the truth and healing He offers. 3. Write and read a self-love journal – Again, your children can write as many messages to themselves as they desire. But what the Bible teaches God says about His creation and reading about the sacrifice Jesus made for them will build the only foundation that will hold and transform feelings, emotions, and thoughts and bring them back to the truths of God. If they want to journal, they can let feelings, ideas, and thoughts flow. However, just as we should do, I think it’s important to teach our children to think about what they’ve released on paper and analyze whether it reflects God’s truths. 4. Make a personal manifesto - so your child can manifest the character and life they want. Instead of trying to manifest what your children dream of (which is not biblical, but is a new age practice), teach them the importance of being mindful of the talents and interests God formed within them when they were created. Remind and encourage them that they (and each person) is unique and on this earth for purposes ordained by God . They matter deeply to Him. Teach them to seek His guidance on how to use the talents and interests He crafted within them in ways that bring Him honor, glory, and pleasure. It’s one of the keys to lasting and godly confidence. During this episode we’ve examined multiple ways secular parenting coaches and therapists recommend you build self-esteem in your children. Are you seeing how unbiblical that advice actually is? Now we’re going to look at several ideas to help you raise children who know Jesus. Remember, knowing Jesus is the first step in forming identity , godly esteem , and confidence through Christ. Let’s look at nine steps. 1. Personally Seek God – If you lovingly show your children that God is a priority in your life, He will likely become important to your children. If you live a life that seeks more of self or worldly values and desires, your child probably will, too. 2. Read God’s Word - Study God’s Word together . Worship Him together. Make Him known so they will seek Him. If God is a priority to you, the way you lovingly follow Him, mature your walk with Him through relationship with Jesus, and model a godly lifestyle to your children by making time to study the Bible and apply it to your lives will influence your children more than anything else can. A purposed, consistent lifestyle focused on Christ will build a solid foundation and connection. 3. Communication – Communication with God and each other is vital. Praying to God alone, with your children, with your husband, and as a family is very important. Praying over your children while they are present, especially in the moments they are concerned about something or ask you to pray for them is a vital part of growing their faith. Teaching them that through Jesus we are able to come straight to God is a basic Biblical truth that will bring them nearer to Him. 4. Bring them to Bible-believing and preaching church so your family will belong to a community of believers who will pray for your children, grow together, and serve together. 5. Model humble praise and gratitude – As you humbly submit to Christ as your personal Savior and model a life that praises, submits to, obeys God, and lives with gratitude – even through trials, you breathe a sweet fragrance of Christ in your home and into your child’s spirit. 6. Teach them to go to God first . If they love, obey, and follow Him, they will love and obey you. Show them that you are accountable to God, so they will understand the importance of honoring their Heavenly Father. Teach them that you love and honor God, that you are submitting to Him as your Heavenly Father. Let them know God has entrusted them to you, and it is your duty to teach them how to chase Christ. 7. Live a set-apart life so they will see you strive to be more Christlike moment by moment. Let them know you live in the strength of Jesus , not your own. Live a life of integrity that follows God’s Word in the way you live, think, speak, act, and react. Let them know that you are actively asking God to change your desires and words moment by moment to make you more pleasing to Him. Let your children see you live this lifestyle. 8. Teach about sin, repentance, and forgiveness . When you live a lifestyle that honors Christ and follows His loving guidelines, you model a life that will show your child the way to the Father. 9. Live with eternal perspective . Teach your children that this world is not their final destination. Show them the way to God and how to prepare to live with Him in Heaven for eternity . Your children belong to the Father who has entrusted them to you for this season . What a privilege and honor you have been given. Luke 12:42-43 says, “And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes .” Your children can tell whether the words you teach about God match your actions, words, desires, and reactions. They are able to see the joy in your eyes and body language as you speak of Jesus and speak to them. Matthew 22:37 says, “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ’” Is this what your children see you do? Matthew 7:24-27 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash .” God is not mocked. The Bible tells us we will reap what we sow. As the old saying says, the years can feel long, but days pass too quickly. Your best of plans amount to nothing but lost opportunities unless you purposely put them in place and act upon them moment by moment. 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. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness is overwhelming when we pause and consider all You have done and are doing for us. Thank you for allowing us to parent Your children for this brief time we have on earth together. Please help us to raise children who chase Christ over culture and build godly esteem through Your truths and ways. We know You love the children. You tell us we must become like children to enter heaven. They are so special to You, yet You entrust them to us. What a holy privilege. Help us parent in Your power. Please help our children fulfill the plans You have created within them because we have led them straight to You. May they see You in us and never turn from You. Please help our children not to follow self, but to set their mind and heart on what You say about them. 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. 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 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. 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Do you feel like you say the wrong things to your kids? Or maybe you say the right things, but you're frustrated at how your tone sounded. Here's the thing: A lot of mothers struggle with this. How can we discipline kids, while also making sure every word disciples them to Christ? This FREE resource will help you: Absorb Scripture to shift your mindset about the words you choose Understand why yelling doesn't help in the long run Help you break the habit of yelling Understand why your children aren't listening Build a stronger connection with your kids Pray intentionally about your words GET YOUR FREE RESOURCE First name* Last name* Email* I WANT GODLY WORDS SPOKEN IN MY HOUSE

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #038 – Who Masters My Emotions? 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. This has been one very busy week! I am in the midst of writing resources for the new Live With Eternal Perspective website that is about to launch! I look forward to listeners seeing many free resources to help you grow your walk with Jesus intentionally. I’m truly excited and feel very blessed at how God obviously put everything together for this to happen. As I am definitely in a season of busyness, I usually work early morning and at night, leaving time through the bulk of the day for our homeschool lessons. But the one activity I have to do before we go to school each day is play with my youngest. I think it is her favorite time of day. Last week we were playing with her favorite toys, the Lego Ninjago Ninjas and their ship Destiny’s Bounty. The whole week of playtime had revolved around the storyline of the Ninjas going on vacation together. But, of course, what do you think happened? While they were on vacation, trouble found them and the gang was smack in the middle of a disastrous plot line full of adventure! On this particular day, Brooklyn had planned for a dinosaur to attach an invisible chain around the top of the Destiny’s Bounty sails and begin slowly and sneakily pulling the ship full of Ninjas farther out to sea. After attaching tiny Lego chains around the ship mast, she gently pulled and moved her dinosaur so that the ship would begin to turn. Except each time she did it, the chains burst off the ship one time after another. As I watched, I wondered how many times she would reattach and try again. I lost count. Each time, she adjusted her technique slightly, but in turn, received the same result. Most people would have been upset by that point, or at least given up. Not her. I was intrigued. I know at that age, I probably would have expressed some frustration and changed my storyline to do something else. Each it happened to her, she responded with joyful enthusiasm. I finally asked her how she stayed so encouraged without growing frustrated. She was genuinely surprised and asked, “Why would I be frustrated?” We began to laugh and I left her to continue with her plans. She finally found a method that worked for the storyline she created and joy was the only emotion she ever exhibited. Every disappointing result gives us an opportunity to choose what will master our emotions. My precious girl remarked that Jesus wouldn’t want her to get frustrated. It honestly seemed like such a foreign reaction to her. I was impressed that she had such control over her emotions. Most adults cannot master their moods. It was because her heart was directed upwards at how she felt Jesus would have her react. Out of anyone I know, my protective heart felt that she is the one who deserved to be able to get agitated. Most of her life has been very hard, filled with neglect, disappointment, and sorrow. But as I sat and watched her reactions that day, I realized that I don’t remember ever seeing her become defeated or angry. My mama heart was buoyed by her godly example of release to our Heavenly Father. Just because we think we deserve to receive – or someone offers us a “pass” to express frustration or negativity, it doesn’t mean that it is God’s best for us. Obviously, we are human, we feel emotions and need to be able to express them. God gave us feelings. Yet this world teaches and models for us to think of ourselves first, without thought of how our moods or rants affect others or portray Christ within us. God provided a way for us to look Up and He sent us Jesus as the perfect model who showed us how to handle emotions and feelings. Our merciful Heavenly Father wants us to admit and address our feelings and also what is driving it. Often, it is actually something else, often unaddressed, that causes us to explode or act in ways that magnify what we are experiencing. God gave us emotions. He expects us to use them wisely. Five basic steps to help us do that are to: 1. Reflect. Think about what we are feeling and why the emotion is so strong. 2. Stay calm. Do not react in ways that cause distress or danger to others. 3. Pray. Seek God, who understands our emotions and gives us the avenues to handle them properly. Ask Him to forgive and guide us. 4. Allow God to work inside us for transformation of thoughts and actions. 5. Get help. Sometimes we need to find a trusted family member, friend, pastor, or Christian counselor to help us get to the root of what we are experiencing and help us deal with and get through it. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” What makes some of us unable to withstand extreme hardship and simply crumble, versus others who rise up with even more joy? The Bible gives us many verses that show us the attitude and temperament God desires for us to carry. Although we can read study, memorize or write the words, real change won’t occur until we allow Jesus to penetrate our hearts and minds. When we follow Him, we aren’t miraculously changed into a carbon copy of Him. But day by day, actually moment by moment, we allow Him to transform us to become more and more like Him. Gradually, intentionally. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “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.” God cares about even the smallest details of our lives. He pays attention to and knows all we think and do, and desires us to seek Him and please Him. He wants us to rely on Him so that we can experience fullness of joy. Just like my girl did, despite the circumstances around her. 1 Peter 5:8-10 says, “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.” Satan would love nothing more than for us to experience hardship, failure, or disappointment and become angry at God. He would like us to make a scene and steal our power in being a Christian or make our lifestyle look less powerful to others around us in an attempt to make God appear weak and out of control. He wants us to strain our relationships with others and shatter our walk and dependency on God. James 1:19-20 offers beautiful wisdom. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Or listen to what Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.” Such wise advice doesn’t only apply to anger or frustration. It’s also perfect for social media. Many opinions and thoughts are better left unsaid. Modern technology allows fools to vent and attack others with the touch of a few buttons and in record time. Words, once unleashed hold wicked pain and power over the speaker and the receiver. Many relationships have been ruined by not heeding the advice of these scriptures. Also, words spoken in frustration or anger to many as children still carry deep pain and hurt in their adult years that only God can fully heal. Just as actions we viewed as children can negatively influence our responses and emotions for many years. Remember the words of Psalm 34:18, which says, “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” The Lord sees and hears all our hurts. He knows the many afflictions we face and will deliver us out of them all. If we trust in Him. 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.” As we face trials and heartaches each day, let us lift our faces to the only One who understands. Seek God in all matters. He cares. He does not want us to carry burdens alone. In fact, listen to what Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” This passage of verses is relevant and timeless. Jesus offers such a merciful, compassionate command to us in His invitation to come to Him. No matter what is ailing us, no matter what is oppressing us, no matter what heavy burden afflicts us, Jesus invites us to lay it down and allow Him to shoulder it. When a believer takes the yoke of Jesus, as He offers, we are placing ourselves under his dominion. Are you ready for relief from daily stresses? The only way to find whole and true peace and live without frustration is to accept Jesus’s offer and accept His yoke. It is the true method God has given us to live stress-free. The first step is release. Strive to live with the faith of a child and let your burdens be lifted from your shoulders by Jesus. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” How like God to remind me of how powerfully He is working in our family through routine playtime. A little girl who never heard of Him five years ago beautifully shows the patience and joy that many of us take years to learn. I see the work He is doing in her special life. With her never having the opportunity to just be what we consider a normal child before she came to us, playing together has been a perfect way to bond and attach with each other and allow us both to mature our walk with Jesus and experience spiritual lessons at the same time. Remember, every disappointment gives us an opportunity to choose what will master our emotions. When we choose to release thoughts and emotions to God, despite trials and hardships, we will be brought to our knees, but drawn closer to God. It is only then that we build responses that model our Savior’s heart. Father God, I humbly ask You to help me address the areas of my life that are not pleasing to You. Help me to recognize where I need to allow You to craft better thoughts, emotions, feelings, and guide me in the ways I handle them. Let me use the times I mess up and react in ways unpleasing to You as a catalyst for lasting and eternal change. Help me to resist handling mistakes on my own and humbly bow to You and Your wise ways. Shape me to be more like Jesus each moment. In His precious name I pray. 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 038 Who Masters My Emotions Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #038 – Who Masters My Emotions? 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. This has been one very busy week! I am in the midst of writing resources for the new Live With Eternal Perspective website that is about to launch! I look forward to listeners seeing many free resources to help you grow your walk with Jesus intentionally. I’m truly excited and feel very blessed at how God obviously put everything together for this to happen. As I am definitely in a season of busyness, I usually work early morning and at night, leaving time through the bulk of the day for our homeschool lessons. But the one activity I have to do before we go to school each day is play with my youngest. I think it is her favorite time of day. Last week we were playing with her favorite toys, the Lego Ninjago Ninjas and their ship Destiny’s Bounty. The whole week of playtime had revolved around the storyline of the Ninjas going on vacation together. But, of course, what do you think happened? While they were on vacation, trouble found them and the gang was smack in the middle of a disastrous plot line full of adventure! On this particular day, Brooklyn had planned for a dinosaur to attach an invisible chain around the top of the Destiny’s Bounty sails and begin slowly and sneakily pulling the ship full of Ninjas farther out to sea. After attaching tiny Lego chains around the ship mast, she gently pulled and moved her dinosaur so that the ship would begin to turn. Except each time she did it, the chains burst off the ship one time after another. As I watched, I wondered how many times she would reattach and try again. I lost count. Each time, she adjusted her technique slightly, but in turn, received the same result. Most people would have been upset by that point, or at least given up. Not her. I was intrigued. I know at that age, I probably would have expressed some frustration and changed my storyline to do something else. Each it happened to her, she responded with joyful enthusiasm. I finally asked her how she stayed so encouraged without growing frustrated. She was genuinely surprised and asked, “Why would I be frustrated?” We began to laugh and I left her to continue with her plans. She finally found a method that worked for the storyline she created and joy was the only emotion she ever exhibited. Every disappointing result gives us an opportunity to choose what will master our emotions. My precious girl remarked that Jesus wouldn’t want her to get frustrated. It honestly seemed like such a foreign reaction to her. I was impressed that she had such control over her emotions. Most adults cannot master their moods. It was because her heart was directed upwards at how she felt Jesus would have her react. Out of anyone I know, my protective heart felt that she is the one who deserved to be able to get agitated. Most of her life has been very hard, filled with neglect, disappointment, and sorrow. But as I sat and watched her reactions that day, I realized that I don’t remember ever seeing her become defeated or angry. My mama heart was buoyed by her godly example of release to our Heavenly Father. Just because we think we deserve to receive – or someone offers us a “pass” to express frustration or negativity, it doesn’t mean that it is God’s best for us. Obviously, we are human, we feel emotions and need to be able to express them. God gave us feelings. Yet this world teaches and models for us to think of ourselves first, without thought of how our moods or rants affect others or portray Christ within us. God provided a way for us to look Up and He sent us Jesus as the perfect model who showed us how to handle emotions and feelings. Our merciful Heavenly Father wants us to admit and address our feelings and also what is driving it. Often, it is actually something else, often unaddressed, that causes us to explode or act in ways that magnify what we are experiencing. God gave us emotions. He expects us to use them wisely. Five basic steps to help us do that are to: 1. Reflect. Think about what we are feeling and why the emotion is so strong. 2. Stay calm. Do not react in ways that cause distress or danger to others. 3. Pray. Seek God, who understands our emotions and gives us the avenues to handle them properly. Ask Him to forgive and guide us. 4. Allow God to work inside us for transformation of thoughts and actions. 5. Get help. Sometimes we need to find a trusted family member, friend, pastor, or Christian counselor to help us get to the root of what we are experiencing and help us deal with and get through it. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” What makes some of us unable to withstand extreme hardship and simply crumble, versus others who rise up with even more joy? The Bible gives us many verses that show us the attitude and temperament God desires for us to carry. Although we can read study, memorize or write the words, real change won’t occur until we allow Jesus to penetrate our hearts and minds. When we follow Him, we aren’t miraculously changed into a carbon copy of Him. But day by day, actually moment by moment, we allow Him to transform us to become more and more like Him. Gradually, intentionally. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, “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.” God cares about even the smallest details of our lives. He pays attention to and knows all we think and do, and desires us to seek Him and please Him. He wants us to rely on Him so that we can experience fullness of joy. Just like my girl did, despite the circumstances around her. 1 Peter 5:8-10 says, “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.” Satan would love nothing more than for us to experience hardship, failure, or disappointment and become angry at God. He would like us to make a scene and steal our power in being a Christian or make our lifestyle look less powerful to others around us in an attempt to make God appear weak and out of control. He wants us to strain our relationships with others and shatter our walk and dependency on God. James 1:19-20 offers beautiful wisdom. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Or listen to what Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.” Such wise advice doesn’t only apply to anger or frustration. It’s also perfect for social media. Many opinions and thoughts are better left unsaid. Modern technology allows fools to vent and attack others with the touch of a few buttons and in record time. Words, once unleashed hold wicked pain and power over the speaker and the receiver. Many relationships have been ruined by not heeding the advice of these scriptures. Also, words spoken in frustration or anger to many as children still carry deep pain and hurt in their adult years that only God can fully heal. Just as actions we viewed as children can negatively influence our responses and emotions for many years. Remember the words of Psalm 34:18, which says, “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” The Lord sees and hears all our hurts. He knows the many afflictions we face and will deliver us out of them all. If we trust in Him. 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.” As we face trials and heartaches each day, let us lift our faces to the only One who understands. Seek God in all matters. He cares. He does not want us to carry burdens alone. In fact, listen to what Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” This passage of verses is relevant and timeless. Jesus offers such a merciful, compassionate command to us in His invitation to come to Him. No matter what is ailing us, no matter what is oppressing us, no matter what heavy burden afflicts us, Jesus invites us to lay it down and allow Him to shoulder it. When a believer takes the yoke of Jesus, as He offers, we are placing ourselves under his dominion. Are you ready for relief from daily stresses? The only way to find whole and true peace and live without frustration is to accept Jesus’s offer and accept His yoke. It is the true method God has given us to live stress-free. The first step is release. Strive to live with the faith of a child and let your burdens be lifted from your shoulders by Jesus. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” How like God to remind me of how powerfully He is working in our family through routine playtime. A little girl who never heard of Him five years ago beautifully shows the patience and joy that many of us take years to learn. I see the work He is doing in her special life. With her never having the opportunity to just be what we consider a normal child before she came to us, playing together has been a perfect way to bond and attach with each other and allow us both to mature our walk with Jesus and experience spiritual lessons at the same time. Remember, every disappointment gives us an opportunity to choose what will master our emotions. When we choose to release thoughts and emotions to God, despite trials and hardships, we will be brought to our knees, but drawn closer to God. It is only then that we build responses that model our Savior’s heart. Father God, I humbly ask You to help me address the areas of my life that are not pleasing to You. Help me to recognize where I need to allow You to craft better thoughts, emotions, feelings, and guide me in the ways I handle them. Let me use the times I mess up and react in ways unpleasing to You as a catalyst for lasting and eternal change. Help me to resist handling mistakes on my own and humbly bow to You and Your wise ways. Shape me to be more like Jesus each moment. In His precious name I pray. 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.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #062 – Helping Children Handle Emotions 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. Before we start the podcast today, I’d like to mention the upcoming Who Is Carter Foundation third annual Gala fundraiser on April 9th at 6:00 PM. The Brain Possible Podcast is fully funded and operated by this wonderful, nonprofit organization. Who Is Carter would love for you to be there in person or online! Your support at the gala ensures the ability to continue to bring you their podcasts, resources, and more into the coming year. There are two ways to attend: If you live in the Kansas City area, attend in person at The Bardot Luxury Event Space at 1616 Grand Avenue in Kansas City, MO. There will be great food, an inspiring program, live music, and unique auction items such as a stay at the Ritz Carlton, Cancun or a Guatemala fishing resort trip, and even a VIP meet-and-greet with Chiefs’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill! Of course, every available COVID-19 precaution will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. If you don’t live in the Kansas City area, or are more comfortable staying in, you can join the activities virtually! Tune in online on the evening of the 9th; you’ll even have full access to bid on silent auction items online! Visit whoiscarter.org/gala for more information and to purchase tickets. This wonderful organization I have mentioned on the podcast before looks forward to being with you on April 9! Thank you for considering attending the Who Is Carter Foundation Gala. Now, on to this episode about helping our children manage emotions. By the way, this topic was suggested to me by my youngest child, who has experienced that having the assistance of loving parents to help her learn proper behavior and emotional control is one of her biggest blessings. Each of us, who are living, continue to grow in the Lord’s wisdom and grace daily as works in progress. Who hasn’t witnessed a mother dealing with a stressed, emotional child in public? Everyone has probably empathized with either the child or mother at one time or another. Here’s an important question. Have you been that mother? I have. It was one of the most embarrassing situations I have encountered. However, after the wave of humiliation passed, I felt desperate and helpless to control the situation. Next, I was empowered by realizing the truth that what my child deals with is not the business of anyone else. Strangers don’t know or understand the complexity of what my child has lived and I do not have to explain anything. Helping my child should be the very first thought that guides me. When most parents see that their child is uncomfortable or hurting, we immediately want to make things better. Emotions are complicated and tricky; they don’t usually get resolved quickly or easily. Humans are unique and complex. Emotional outbursts can occur for a variety of reasons. Many adults have not learned to manage feelings. Children, especially those who have come from hard situations or who have special needs, must be coached on appropriate behavior and have suitable emotional release modeled for them. On the second day we had our youngest daughter, we went to the hotel restaurant to partake in the enormous breakfast buffet served daily. On that day, I was carrying our tiny girl, who looked the absolute picture of innocence in the silky pastel pink dress and tiny jeweled sandals that the orphanage had given her to come to us in. Later, after she learned English and was able to converse with us, she told me she loved that dress and shoes so much because it was the only fancy dress someone had ever given her and the only pair of shoes that were truly hers alone. As we walked into buffet hall full of people filling their plates with almost anything you can imagine, our child, who signified the illusion of angelic charm and temperament decided she couldn’t cope anymore. Hunger was surpassed by raw fear. Screams so primal and megaphone loud emerged and turned every face our way. Our daughter struggled to break free of my grasp, her satiny dress hurrying her escape as I could not keep hold of her squirming body as it was fueled and strengthened by terror. Since I was in a foreign city, didn’t speak the language, and what seemed like every disapproving face in the room was on us, getting back to the safety of our hotel room was the only option that seemed attainable. When a child acts out there is an underlying reason. As parents, we are privileged to be the detective that puts pieces of their unique puzzle together. Helping our child find the best way to mature with godly attitude and actions is one of the important responsibilities God has allowed us. Emotions, whether from an adult or a child, are a reaction to something we feel, think, or experience. We all need to release emotions, but when they are wildly discharged, with all control lost, it is what I call a “melt down.” The only permanent and healthy way to reduce or eradicate these is by identifying the trigger. Parents, as well as children, have to understand that emotions and triggers must eventually be realized and released. Some people naturally discern this and it actually helps us process. I sometimes don’t care whether I have a conversation with myself or another person; I just need to understand and let go of what I am feeling so that I can take the next step. Most of the time, I don’t need input; I just need to have that time to speak thoughts and put my plan into place, so to speak. Other people find it difficult to express what they are going through. Sometimes they don’t yet understand, or maybe they are very private and are not ready to expose that area yet. Often, our children need to be trained to be able to talk. When this is the case, the first way we prep them to acquire the ability to release their feelings is by listening. I have learned over the years that my first response when someone expresses problems or difficulties is to try to make them feel better. If you are like this, many times, this type of response has the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve because we are not validating what they are feeling. Instead of helping our child, we may be perceived as covering up what they are trying to express, of ignoring their feelings, or of not hearing what they are saying. Listening without speaking, then validating or repeating back how they feel goes a long way toward helping our child feel comfortable in expressing more of what they think and how they feel. We are enabling them to process at the same time as we are also building a stronger connection with them. As we listen, we show empathy by maintaining eye contact. Show your child you care by stopping other activities and allowing undivided attention to be your gift to them. Acknowledge their pain, loss, or whatever feeling they are sharing. Help if you are able, in the ways they need. Remember that even if what they share is hurtful to you, their emotions are not about you. Your child is entitled to their feelings. After they have shared, ask to pray together and allow God to work through both of you. Your child was gifted to you by God, who never makes mistakes. He allowed them to be yours for the time you are both on earth. You are not good or capable enough to raise this tiny human on your own. Ask God to show you and gift you with the ability to allow Him to work through you to reach the needs your child has and to enable them to flourish in their relationship with God and you. As God works in your child, He will create a good work in you, as well. It is so easy for the reactions of children to create triggers in parents. When we brought our youngest home, it would have been easy for our relationship to turn sour. I am incredibly thankful I did not attempt to parent her when I was much younger. God, in His perfect timing allowed me to be with her when I was much older and hopefully a little more filled with God’s wisdom. The meltdowns that lasted for hours are not something easily handled in my own strength. I truly had to allow God to work His grace, love, and understanding through me in ways that I can only explain as supernatural. Her pain was not a reflection of me or my husband, but had to do with all that she had and was experiencing. Without knowing our language, communication was challenging, yet God reminded each of us that a smile, laughter, and music is universal. Through Him, we found ways to make feelings known and develop connection. Nowadays, it is popular for mothers to express the need for self-love and care. Through my experience, I have come to believe that instead of focusing on the “self” part, we should direct our desires and needs to the Lord. He alone can fill the intimate needs we carry and enable us to love in the ways our child desires. Most people need some alone time. Many people crave people, and need lots of them around, but others, like me, need down time. Through making time to reflect on God’s words and truths and to allow those to process our emotions, feelings, and needs, then pray for God’s guidance, our outlook can reflect what God would want our heart and mind to inhabit, then enable Him to shine from us. However, I don’t care for the “me” culture that has permeated our society. Time alone with wine, craving others instead of family, and needing more and more solitude leads to hurt and bitterness. There must be a balance. As we focus on our personal needs in godly ways, we allow ourselves to find the best methods to personally cope and function when life inevitably throws curves and bumps. Remember that when dealing with an out of control child (or adult), we sometimes need to walk away for a cooling off time. Or we need to allow our child to have one. I don’t send my child away for a time out; I keep her near. When she came home, the only thing she needed when she was unable to express emotions was to have me silently sit with her. While all I wanted to do was talk and help her get through the pain, she needed quiet time to express what she was feeling through tears, yet desperately wanted me with her, no matter how long her crying spells took. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” As I shared, sometimes our children need ample time to process emotions as we sit in the pain with them. Silently. I have learned through the years that each child is different from each other – and from me. Thank God for making each of us so uniquely, however, we must respect that individuality. One of my four children takes time with any question. This child needs time to express what they think without a word from me. I have learned that usually about the time I think they are not going to respond because it seems so long to me, they are just beginning to speak. Over the years, I have been so grateful that God has taught me to hold my tongue. Responses and thoughts this child has expressed have been beyond what I thought they would say and filled with wisdom and love. Had I interfered and not given the time they needed to process, deep connection and bonds would have been destroyed. James 1:19-20 says, “My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.” When our youngest came home, she had never experienced true family life or connection. Besides not knowing our language, she was uneducated and did not have the slightest idea of how to express what she was thinking or feeling inside. Relaying stories of other children (such as myself or my husband, even made-up stories) and how they cope or resolve situations, reading books, and drawing pictures on paper or a whiteboard helped her to understand that feelings such as anger, sadness, happiness, joy, confusion, and more are real and necessary for everyone. Our precious girl also began to understand that each of these emotions are gifts in that we are able to feel and experience life so uniquely. The key is in learning to name, handle, and express them appropriately. We also acted out emotions and situations, made “choose the best answer worksheets” about how to express emotions and make wise choices, made expressive faces in the mirror and identified them with each other, and practiced observing and identifying emotions in the faces and actions of other people. One of the best investments I have is making the commitment to play with my girl daily. Our goal is to begin each day playing together, unless we have to go somewhere special such as church or a doctor appointment, etc,. I make sure to ignore my phone during that period of time and devote my attention to whatever she wants to play. This proves that my daughter is worthy of my time and attention. It also allows me an excellent opportunity to observe and experience her attitude, words, reactions, and interests every day. I am able to see if something seems to be bothering her as she unintentionally makes the toys we play act things out. Honestly, this time usually enables her to work through whatever is occurring in her heart and mind. I have found this to be the absolute best gauge of her feelings and something that has enabled us to connect in a deeper way as we grew our relationship together. If you notice that your child has outbursts during play time with you or others, calmly speak to them and model the type of behavior they need to acquire. If your child seems to be detached or unable to respond, use patience and empathy to help them see your acceptance of and love for them despite their behavior. If you feel you need outside professional help, seek a Christian counselor who specializes in working with children. An important note to remember is that children, as well as many adults, are most likely not able to process or control our emotions when we are upset. However, we must teach our child that we can choose and model how we respond to others when they are upset. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can continue to work through and toward what is right for our child and ourselves, in God’s eyes. Remember Romans 8:28, which says, “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.” Another important fact to remember and teach our child to trust is that our thoughts and feelings do not always carry truth. Feelings, thoughts, or emotions we express come from what we store in our heart. So do our responses to those attitudes. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” When we are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit inside us desires to do good work. As we draw nearer to God and seek His wisdom and strength, He will enable us to discover what is controlling our emotions, attitudes, and actions as He helps us react as He calls. How do we learn to handle emotions in a biblical way? God’s Holy word, the Bible helps us deal with and overcome ungodly or difficult emotions. Earlier I spoke of one of the best investments I’ve made with my youngest. When speaking of investments, the one that tops the value list is definitely sharing Jesus and spending time in His word together, as well as praying together daily. 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.” We must learn to do the following: 1. Take issues to God. Don’t leave Him out of our life. As your children see you depend on God and handle your emotions and reactions in godly ways, they will also learn to do the same. 2. Pray. Spend time alone with God and also pray with your child. 3. Quote scripture. When you are having a difficult time, it always helps to remember and rely on scripture. What did Jesus do when he was tempted? He quoted scripture. Simply spouting scripture is not the key. Living a life that seeks to know Jesus intimately and letting Him flow from within us is what captures the heart of our children for Him. 4. Becoming or remaining active is always very helpful. God designed our bodies for physical activity to help manage emotions, make us strong, and keep us healthy. We also experience enjoyment when we find a physical activity we like. Perhaps you and your child can experience an activity together, or you may use one to enable you to use that time alone to fuel up to prepare for the demands your personal life entails. 5. Friends are also another way to help us relax and energize. God created us for fellowship. 6. Knowing which triggers to avoid is always wise. Often, time alone with personal reflection and prayer can help us identify the areas in which we need to focus and grow. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Methods to use with our child benefit them, while also growing and stretching us in new ways as we also become more pleasing to God and more appreciative of what we have been entrusted by Him. 1. Role play, as well as some of the tips I mentioned earlier in the podcast episode can be an important and fun way for your child to learn and grow. 2. Study Bible scripture and practice memorizing and or writing scripture together. Make it fun and personal to the interests of you and your child. Write in sand, on white boards, in special journals, on Playdoh; whatever the two of you will remember and enjoy is perfect. 3. Teach God’s word and His views on the condition of our heart. 4. Practice controlling your emotions and reactions. Observe your self through the heart and eyes of God’s eternal perspective. Remember that everything you model may be accepted and repeated by your child. 5. Practice attachment with your child. Make time to know them and show them how important they are to you. Find their personal love language and make time to spend together doing the activities they enjoy most. 6. Always find natural ways to bring God into your times together. God is not a separate compartment of our life. He is the air we need to survive. Your child also needs to learn to turn to Him first and allow God to regulate emotions. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Remember that God desires our success with His children. Nothing is more pleasing or honoring to God than laying our trials and burdens at His feet and mentoring our children to do the same. As we allow Him to create a good work through us, we will be more equipped to create a lifetime of precious memories with children who seek Him, allow Him to work through them, and help them craft godly coping skills and reactions. Father God, how we need You. Nothing we attempt on our own is remotely good or acceptable. Only through You are we able to grow a life that models Your light. Help us to manage our emotions, thoughts, feelings, and reactions in godly ways that honor and please You, then model and mentor our children in ways that are even higher and closer to what You desire. Help us to seek You every moment so that clinging to You is a natural response for our children. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I pray you find the peace and hope only Jesus can deliver through the words in each episode. 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 062 Helping Children Handle Emotions Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #062 – Helping Children Handle Emotions 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. Before we start the podcast today, I’d like to mention the upcoming Who Is Carter Foundation third annual Gala fundraiser on April 9th at 6:00 PM. The Brain Possible Podcast is fully funded and operated by this wonderful, nonprofit organization. Who Is Carter would love for you to be there in person or online! Your support at the gala ensures the ability to continue to bring you their podcasts, resources, and more into the coming year. There are two ways to attend: If you live in the Kansas City area, attend in person at The Bardot Luxury Event Space at 1616 Grand Avenue in Kansas City, MO. There will be great food, an inspiring program, live music, and unique auction items such as a stay at the Ritz Carlton, Cancun or a Guatemala fishing resort trip, and even a VIP meet-and-greet with Chiefs’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill! Of course, every available COVID-19 precaution will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. If you don’t live in the Kansas City area, or are more comfortable staying in, you can join the activities virtually! Tune in online on the evening of the 9th; you’ll even have full access to bid on silent auction items online! Visit whoiscarter.org/gala for more information and to purchase tickets. This wonderful organization I have mentioned on the podcast before looks forward to being with you on April 9! Thank you for considering attending the Who Is Carter Foundation Gala. Now, on to this episode about helping our children manage emotions. By the way, this topic was suggested to me by my youngest child, who has experienced that having the assistance of loving parents to help her learn proper behavior and emotional control is one of her biggest blessings. Each of us, who are living, continue to grow in the Lord’s wisdom and grace daily as works in progress. Who hasn’t witnessed a mother dealing with a stressed, emotional child in public? Everyone has probably empathized with either the child or mother at one time or another. Here’s an important question. Have you been that mother? I have. It was one of the most embarrassing situations I have encountered. However, after the wave of humiliation passed, I felt desperate and helpless to control the situation. Next, I was empowered by realizing the truth that what my child deals with is not the business of anyone else. Strangers don’t know or understand the complexity of what my child has lived and I do not have to explain anything. Helping my child should be the very first thought that guides me. When most parents see that their child is uncomfortable or hurting, we immediately want to make things better. Emotions are complicated and tricky; they don’t usually get resolved quickly or easily. Humans are unique and complex. Emotional outbursts can occur for a variety of reasons. Many adults have not learned to manage feelings. Children, especially those who have come from hard situations or who have special needs, must be coached on appropriate behavior and have suitable emotional release modeled for them. On the second day we had our youngest daughter, we went to the hotel restaurant to partake in the enormous breakfast buffet served daily. On that day, I was carrying our tiny girl, who looked the absolute picture of innocence in the silky pastel pink dress and tiny jeweled sandals that the orphanage had given her to come to us in. Later, after she learned English and was able to converse with us, she told me she loved that dress and shoes so much because it was the only fancy dress someone had ever given her and the only pair of shoes that were truly hers alone. As we walked into buffet hall full of people filling their plates with almost anything you can imagine, our child, who signified the illusion of angelic charm and temperament decided she couldn’t cope anymore. Hunger was surpassed by raw fear. Screams so primal and megaphone loud emerged and turned every face our way. Our daughter struggled to break free of my grasp, her satiny dress hurrying her escape as I could not keep hold of her squirming body as it was fueled and strengthened by terror. Since I was in a foreign city, didn’t speak the language, and what seemed like every disapproving face in the room was on us, getting back to the safety of our hotel room was the only option that seemed attainable. When a child acts out there is an underlying reason. As parents, we are privileged to be the detective that puts pieces of their unique puzzle together. Helping our child find the best way to mature with godly attitude and actions is one of the important responsibilities God has allowed us. Emotions, whether from an adult or a child, are a reaction to something we feel, think, or experience. We all need to release emotions, but when they are wildly discharged, with all control lost, it is what I call a “melt down.” The only permanent and healthy way to reduce or eradicate these is by identifying the trigger. Parents, as well as children, have to understand that emotions and triggers must eventually be realized and released. Some people naturally discern this and it actually helps us process. I sometimes don’t care whether I have a conversation with myself or another person; I just need to understand and let go of what I am feeling so that I can take the next step. Most of the time, I don’t need input; I just need to have that time to speak thoughts and put my plan into place, so to speak. Other people find it difficult to express what they are going through. Sometimes they don’t yet understand, or maybe they are very private and are not ready to expose that area yet. Often, our children need to be trained to be able to talk. When this is the case, the first way we prep them to acquire the ability to release their feelings is by listening. I have learned over the years that my first response when someone expresses problems or difficulties is to try to make them feel better. If you are like this, many times, this type of response has the opposite effect of what you are trying to achieve because we are not validating what they are feeling. Instead of helping our child, we may be perceived as covering up what they are trying to express, of ignoring their feelings, or of not hearing what they are saying. Listening without speaking, then validating or repeating back how they feel goes a long way toward helping our child feel comfortable in expressing more of what they think and how they feel. We are enabling them to process at the same time as we are also building a stronger connection with them. As we listen, we show empathy by maintaining eye contact. Show your child you care by stopping other activities and allowing undivided attention to be your gift to them. Acknowledge their pain, loss, or whatever feeling they are sharing. Help if you are able, in the ways they need. Remember that even if what they share is hurtful to you, their emotions are not about you. Your child is entitled to their feelings. After they have shared, ask to pray together and allow God to work through both of you. Your child was gifted to you by God, who never makes mistakes. He allowed them to be yours for the time you are both on earth. You are not good or capable enough to raise this tiny human on your own. Ask God to show you and gift you with the ability to allow Him to work through you to reach the needs your child has and to enable them to flourish in their relationship with God and you. As God works in your child, He will create a good work in you, as well. It is so easy for the reactions of children to create triggers in parents. When we brought our youngest home, it would have been easy for our relationship to turn sour. I am incredibly thankful I did not attempt to parent her when I was much younger. God, in His perfect timing allowed me to be with her when I was much older and hopefully a little more filled with God’s wisdom. The meltdowns that lasted for hours are not something easily handled in my own strength. I truly had to allow God to work His grace, love, and understanding through me in ways that I can only explain as supernatural. Her pain was not a reflection of me or my husband, but had to do with all that she had and was experiencing. Without knowing our language, communication was challenging, yet God reminded each of us that a smile, laughter, and music is universal. Through Him, we found ways to make feelings known and develop connection. Nowadays, it is popular for mothers to express the need for self-love and care. Through my experience, I have come to believe that instead of focusing on the “self” part, we should direct our desires and needs to the Lord. He alone can fill the intimate needs we carry and enable us to love in the ways our child desires. Most people need some alone time. Many people crave people, and need lots of them around, but others, like me, need down time. Through making time to reflect on God’s words and truths and to allow those to process our emotions, feelings, and needs, then pray for God’s guidance, our outlook can reflect what God would want our heart and mind to inhabit, then enable Him to shine from us. However, I don’t care for the “me” culture that has permeated our society. Time alone with wine, craving others instead of family, and needing more and more solitude leads to hurt and bitterness. There must be a balance. As we focus on our personal needs in godly ways, we allow ourselves to find the best methods to personally cope and function when life inevitably throws curves and bumps. Remember that when dealing with an out of control child (or adult), we sometimes need to walk away for a cooling off time. Or we need to allow our child to have one. I don’t send my child away for a time out; I keep her near. When she came home, the only thing she needed when she was unable to express emotions was to have me silently sit with her. While all I wanted to do was talk and help her get through the pain, she needed quiet time to express what she was feeling through tears, yet desperately wanted me with her, no matter how long her crying spells took. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” As I shared, sometimes our children need ample time to process emotions as we sit in the pain with them. Silently. I have learned through the years that each child is different from each other – and from me. Thank God for making each of us so uniquely, however, we must respect that individuality. One of my four children takes time with any question. This child needs time to express what they think without a word from me. I have learned that usually about the time I think they are not going to respond because it seems so long to me, they are just beginning to speak. Over the years, I have been so grateful that God has taught me to hold my tongue. Responses and thoughts this child has expressed have been beyond what I thought they would say and filled with wisdom and love. Had I interfered and not given the time they needed to process, deep connection and bonds would have been destroyed. James 1:19-20 says, “My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.” When our youngest came home, she had never experienced true family life or connection. Besides not knowing our language, she was uneducated and did not have the slightest idea of how to express what she was thinking or feeling inside. Relaying stories of other children (such as myself or my husband, even made-up stories) and how they cope or resolve situations, reading books, and drawing pictures on paper or a whiteboard helped her to understand that feelings such as anger, sadness, happiness, joy, confusion, and more are real and necessary for everyone. Our precious girl also began to understand that each of these emotions are gifts in that we are able to feel and experience life so uniquely. The key is in learning to name, handle, and express them appropriately. We also acted out emotions and situations, made “choose the best answer worksheets” about how to express emotions and make wise choices, made expressive faces in the mirror and identified them with each other, and practiced observing and identifying emotions in the faces and actions of other people. One of the best investments I have is making the commitment to play with my girl daily. Our goal is to begin each day playing together, unless we have to go somewhere special such as church or a doctor appointment, etc,. I make sure to ignore my phone during that period of time and devote my attention to whatever she wants to play. This proves that my daughter is worthy of my time and attention. It also allows me an excellent opportunity to observe and experience her attitude, words, reactions, and interests every day. I am able to see if something seems to be bothering her as she unintentionally makes the toys we play act things out. Honestly, this time usually enables her to work through whatever is occurring in her heart and mind. I have found this to be the absolute best gauge of her feelings and something that has enabled us to connect in a deeper way as we grew our relationship together. If you notice that your child has outbursts during play time with you or others, calmly speak to them and model the type of behavior they need to acquire. If your child seems to be detached or unable to respond, use patience and empathy to help them see your acceptance of and love for them despite their behavior. If you feel you need outside professional help, seek a Christian counselor who specializes in working with children. An important note to remember is that children, as well as many adults, are most likely not able to process or control our emotions when we are upset. However, we must teach our child that we can choose and model how we respond to others when they are upset. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can continue to work through and toward what is right for our child and ourselves, in God’s eyes. Remember Romans 8:28, which says, “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.” Another important fact to remember and teach our child to trust is that our thoughts and feelings do not always carry truth. Feelings, thoughts, or emotions we express come from what we store in our heart. So do our responses to those attitudes. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” When we are a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit inside us desires to do good work. As we draw nearer to God and seek His wisdom and strength, He will enable us to discover what is controlling our emotions, attitudes, and actions as He helps us react as He calls. How do we learn to handle emotions in a biblical way? God’s Holy word, the Bible helps us deal with and overcome ungodly or difficult emotions. Earlier I spoke of one of the best investments I’ve made with my youngest. When speaking of investments, the one that tops the value list is definitely sharing Jesus and spending time in His word together, as well as praying together daily. 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.” We must learn to do the following: 1. Take issues to God. Don’t leave Him out of our life. As your children see you depend on God and handle your emotions and reactions in godly ways, they will also learn to do the same. 2. Pray. Spend time alone with God and also pray with your child. 3. Quote scripture. When you are having a difficult time, it always helps to remember and rely on scripture. What did Jesus do when he was tempted? He quoted scripture. Simply spouting scripture is not the key. Living a life that seeks to know Jesus intimately and letting Him flow from within us is what captures the heart of our children for Him. 4. Becoming or remaining active is always very helpful. God designed our bodies for physical activity to help manage emotions, make us strong, and keep us healthy. We also experience enjoyment when we find a physical activity we like. Perhaps you and your child can experience an activity together, or you may use one to enable you to use that time alone to fuel up to prepare for the demands your personal life entails. 5. Friends are also another way to help us relax and energize. God created us for fellowship. 6. Knowing which triggers to avoid is always wise. Often, time alone with personal reflection and prayer can help us identify the areas in which we need to focus and grow. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Methods to use with our child benefit them, while also growing and stretching us in new ways as we also become more pleasing to God and more appreciative of what we have been entrusted by Him. 1. Role play, as well as some of the tips I mentioned earlier in the podcast episode can be an important and fun way for your child to learn and grow. 2. Study Bible scripture and practice memorizing and or writing scripture together. Make it fun and personal to the interests of you and your child. Write in sand, on white boards, in special journals, on Playdoh; whatever the two of you will remember and enjoy is perfect. 3. Teach God’s word and His views on the condition of our heart. 4. Practice controlling your emotions and reactions. Observe your self through the heart and eyes of God’s eternal perspective. Remember that everything you model may be accepted and repeated by your child. 5. Practice attachment with your child. Make time to know them and show them how important they are to you. Find their personal love language and make time to spend together doing the activities they enjoy most. 6. Always find natural ways to bring God into your times together. God is not a separate compartment of our life. He is the air we need to survive. Your child also needs to learn to turn to Him first and allow God to regulate emotions. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Remember that God desires our success with His children. Nothing is more pleasing or honoring to God than laying our trials and burdens at His feet and mentoring our children to do the same. As we allow Him to create a good work through us, we will be more equipped to create a lifetime of precious memories with children who seek Him, allow Him to work through them, and help them craft godly coping skills and reactions. Father God, how we need You. Nothing we attempt on our own is remotely good or acceptable. Only through You are we able to grow a life that models Your light. Help us to manage our emotions, thoughts, feelings, and reactions in godly ways that honor and please You, then model and mentor our children in ways that are even higher and closer to what You desire. Help us to seek You every moment so that clinging to You is a natural response for our children. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I pray you find the peace and hope only Jesus can deliver through the words in each episode. 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 #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 #080 – Do You Love Jesus? 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. What do you feel when you think of love? Possibly intense feelings of affection or a great interest in someone (or something)? Love affects us emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually. This is exactly what a relationship with Christ does; Jesus alters our life in every way. I find it fascinating to consider that the extent to which He changes me lies in my hands. For example: Am I clinging to Him? What good work am I allowing Him to cultivate? Am I clay in His capable hands, or am I an unyielding stone that must endure years of living water dripped and poured over me? Culture tries to downplay the significance of relationship with God through Christ. This world places high hopes and expectations on experiences. Feelings and emotions have become the new cultural foundation. We easily share “our truths” and “ways we identify” and expect it to become instantly validated by everyone as fact. Even when the Bible says differently. God’s word also proves that no one is an afterthought. Our Heavenly Father lovingly and intentionally planned each person, and knew the days of our life before any of us existed. Through His holy and sacred instruction to us, we can come to know and honor Him with devotion and love, patterned by a relationship with His son, Jesus. The Bible often teaches and instructs us to live completely opposite of what the world teaches or indoctrinates. Instead of basing truth on experiences, opinions, or agendas, God desires that we establish hope, faith, and trust through scriptural living. God’s holy word presents a living storehouse of wisdom, principles, and revelation breathed directly from the Father of creation. Through His word, God penetrates our core, confronts, challenges, convicts, and carries us as we release self and sin to our Savior. 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.” Unblemished, authentic love was established by the Father and fulfilled by the Son. No other measure of love should exist or be accepted but what His word instructs. Yet, our selfish, foolish, ignorant lifestyles seek and receive imitation love through various forms, and in our emptiness, we wonder why we never experience fulfillment, purpose, or joy. Because God desired and first sought us with purposed grace, we know He plays a very active role in our relationship with and understanding of Him. John 6:44 says, “No one is able to come to Me unless the Father, the one having sent Me, draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.” John 6:65 says, “Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.” Through the sacrificial love of Jesus, the Holy Spirit of the Living God exists within us! Without the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us, first initiating connection, then miraculously and gradually transforming us, we would never recognize the need for new life or spiritual renewal. Only God can reveal and pierce our spirit with His truth and prompt us to respond by faith to the mysteries of His truths. Our relationship maturation with God heavily relies on whether we allow the Holy Spirit to truly penetrate the core of our being. I believe the difference is largely explained as experiential versus scriptural faith. Do we rely on the experiences and history of our life on earth or believe the truths found in God’s word? Do we dig into what the Spirit reveals when we know and follow Jesus? Do we ask God for, and receive His wisdom, understanding, and discernment? Once we understand that God first pursued us, how will we respond? Do we continue living as usual, or do we allow the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit to shift our intentions, thoughts, actions, and beliefs? Do we pursue Him with relentless abandonment of self? Luke 12:31 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.” Such easy words to read and hope for. How hard that verse can be to believe in the course of daily life, schedules, and plans. The words of Jesus speaking to Martha about her sister, Mary touch my heart and free my soul to yearn for more, to intentionally cultivate a deep desire for Jesus. Luke 10:42 says, “But one thing is needed: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” There is nothing more important than abiding in the presence of Jesus. Strive to be more engaged with Jesus than engaged for Him. Relationship with Jesus, constructed on the foundation of His love and sacrifice for us builds a devotion for Him that discerns and withstands what this world might call us to accomplish or believe and instead, awaits the calling He places within us. Psalm 63:8 says, “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” When we allow our fleshly desires, plans, or failures to pull us away from the heart of Jesus, distracted by the shallowness of this world, we lose sight of the weighty destruction of sin and forget the joy of sweet fellowship with our Savior. God has created us for fellowship with Him. Never ignore the depth of the fruits of the Spirit God graciously deposits within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Remember the promise of the Spirit of the Lord Himself is resting within us—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. Such solemn, holy endowments should be examined with a heart set for Him and an attitude of reverence at the work He is completing within us because of His love for us. How will you respond? Will you love Jesus or be in love with Him? Proverbs 16:20-21 says, “Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.” As we use discernment from the Lord, we understand that we increase the depth of our relationship with Him when we intentionally love Him more than this world. We cling to Him because we discover He is the only rock that stands firm. We move Him into the center of our world and pursue Him with an eagerness that although imperfect, is genuine and consistent. We believe the solid truths, promises, and instructions of the Bible because we trust and adore the Source more than the deceitful wisdom of this world. Once our hearts are soothed with the balm of His love despite the heartaches of this life, we understand that God has graciously and permanently lifted the veil once separating us from Him, and we never desire to leave His Holy and loving presence. After we discover that we have been the stumbling block keeping us from eternity with Him, we allow ourselves to begin preparing now to abide with Him in our eternal home. We must build the structure of our life upon the foundation only God can provide. Do not base your construction of beliefs, attitudes, actions, or love on what this world offers or the experiences you have suffered or endured. God is enough. His strength and grace are more than sufficient and are tailor-made for your every need or desire. As we deepen our relationship with Him, He shifts desires to truly satisfy our heart and fulfill wishes we often never even knew we had. At the same time, God also shifts our aspirations into alignment with His in beautiful and miraculous ways. Develop the courage and stamina to live for Christ by delving into His word with a desire for truth and fulfillment, allowing your faith and trust to grow scripture by scripture and prayer by prayer as you learn of, speak to, and listen for the Lord. The mindset of this world is in direct opposition to God because they are not in love with Him. As we seek to know, follow, and love Him completely, we recognize inconsistencies and lies that threaten society and entrap our culture. Through Jesus, we are able to escape the snares and live with grace and faith that guides us to deeper truth and fuels us with a holy desire to know and show Him to an empty world. Father God, You are good. Your righteousness and faithfulness to us are unimaginable. No one can completely understand Your ways, yet You still surround us with Your beautiful and loving gifts. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but Your word stands forever. Help us develop a true desire for You and Your word. Allow us to recognize our need for You, then step aside to enable You to work mighty miracles within us that will honor and glorify You. We have come to know and believe the love that You have for us, for You are love; and Your word tells us that whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Abide in us, Father, when we passionately, relentlessly pursue You because we not only love you, but are in love with You. In Your holy and precious name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I invite you to visit terrihitt.com to access additional 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 as You rely on God to direct your steps because you are in love with Him. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to the Lord 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 080 - Do You Love Jesus? Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #080 – Do You Love Jesus? 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. What do you feel when you think of love? Possibly intense feelings of affection or a great interest in someone (or something)? Love affects us emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually. This is exactly what a relationship with Christ does; Jesus alters our life in every way. I find it fascinating to consider that the extent to which He changes me lies in my hands. For example: Am I clinging to Him? What good work am I allowing Him to cultivate? Am I clay in His capable hands, or am I an unyielding stone that must endure years of living water dripped and poured over me? Culture tries to downplay the significance of relationship with God through Christ. This world places high hopes and expectations on experiences. Feelings and emotions have become the new cultural foundation. We easily share “our truths” and “ways we identify” and expect it to become instantly validated by everyone as fact. Even when the Bible says differently. God’s word also proves that no one is an afterthought. Our Heavenly Father lovingly and intentionally planned each person, and knew the days of our life before any of us existed. Through His holy and sacred instruction to us, we can come to know and honor Him with devotion and love, patterned by a relationship with His son, Jesus. The Bible often teaches and instructs us to live completely opposite of what the world teaches or indoctrinates. Instead of basing truth on experiences, opinions, or agendas, God desires that we establish hope, faith, and trust through scriptural living. God’s holy word presents a living storehouse of wisdom, principles, and revelation breathed directly from the Father of creation. Through His word, God penetrates our core, confronts, challenges, convicts, and carries us as we release self and sin to our Savior. 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.” Unblemished, authentic love was established by the Father and fulfilled by the Son. No other measure of love should exist or be accepted but what His word instructs. Yet, our selfish, foolish, ignorant lifestyles seek and receive imitation love through various forms, and in our emptiness, we wonder why we never experience fulfillment, purpose, or joy. Because God desired and first sought us with purposed grace, we know He plays a very active role in our relationship with and understanding of Him. John 6:44 says, “No one is able to come to Me unless the Father, the one having sent Me, draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.” John 6:65 says, “Then Jesus said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has granted it to him.” Through the sacrificial love of Jesus, the Holy Spirit of the Living God exists within us! Without the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us, first initiating connection, then miraculously and gradually transforming us, we would never recognize the need for new life or spiritual renewal. Only God can reveal and pierce our spirit with His truth and prompt us to respond by faith to the mysteries of His truths. Our relationship maturation with God heavily relies on whether we allow the Holy Spirit to truly penetrate the core of our being. I believe the difference is largely explained as experiential versus scriptural faith. Do we rely on the experiences and history of our life on earth or believe the truths found in God’s word? Do we dig into what the Spirit reveals when we know and follow Jesus? Do we ask God for, and receive His wisdom, understanding, and discernment? Once we understand that God first pursued us, how will we respond? Do we continue living as usual, or do we allow the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit to shift our intentions, thoughts, actions, and beliefs? Do we pursue Him with relentless abandonment of self? Luke 12:31 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.” Such easy words to read and hope for. How hard that verse can be to believe in the course of daily life, schedules, and plans. The words of Jesus speaking to Martha about her sister, Mary touch my heart and free my soul to yearn for more, to intentionally cultivate a deep desire for Jesus. Luke 10:42 says, “But one thing is needed: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” There is nothing more important than abiding in the presence of Jesus. Strive to be more engaged with Jesus than engaged for Him. Relationship with Jesus, constructed on the foundation of His love and sacrifice for us builds a devotion for Him that discerns and withstands what this world might call us to accomplish or believe and instead, awaits the calling He places within us. Psalm 63:8 says, “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” When we allow our fleshly desires, plans, or failures to pull us away from the heart of Jesus, distracted by the shallowness of this world, we lose sight of the weighty destruction of sin and forget the joy of sweet fellowship with our Savior. God has created us for fellowship with Him. Never ignore the depth of the fruits of the Spirit God graciously deposits within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Remember the promise of the Spirit of the Lord Himself is resting within us—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. Such solemn, holy endowments should be examined with a heart set for Him and an attitude of reverence at the work He is completing within us because of His love for us. How will you respond? Will you love Jesus or be in love with Him? Proverbs 16:20-21 says, “Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.” As we use discernment from the Lord, we understand that we increase the depth of our relationship with Him when we intentionally love Him more than this world. We cling to Him because we discover He is the only rock that stands firm. We move Him into the center of our world and pursue Him with an eagerness that although imperfect, is genuine and consistent. We believe the solid truths, promises, and instructions of the Bible because we trust and adore the Source more than the deceitful wisdom of this world. Once our hearts are soothed with the balm of His love despite the heartaches of this life, we understand that God has graciously and permanently lifted the veil once separating us from Him, and we never desire to leave His Holy and loving presence. After we discover that we have been the stumbling block keeping us from eternity with Him, we allow ourselves to begin preparing now to abide with Him in our eternal home. We must build the structure of our life upon the foundation only God can provide. Do not base your construction of beliefs, attitudes, actions, or love on what this world offers or the experiences you have suffered or endured. God is enough. His strength and grace are more than sufficient and are tailor-made for your every need or desire. As we deepen our relationship with Him, He shifts desires to truly satisfy our heart and fulfill wishes we often never even knew we had. At the same time, God also shifts our aspirations into alignment with His in beautiful and miraculous ways. Develop the courage and stamina to live for Christ by delving into His word with a desire for truth and fulfillment, allowing your faith and trust to grow scripture by scripture and prayer by prayer as you learn of, speak to, and listen for the Lord. The mindset of this world is in direct opposition to God because they are not in love with Him. As we seek to know, follow, and love Him completely, we recognize inconsistencies and lies that threaten society and entrap our culture. Through Jesus, we are able to escape the snares and live with grace and faith that guides us to deeper truth and fuels us with a holy desire to know and show Him to an empty world. Father God, You are good. Your righteousness and faithfulness to us are unimaginable. No one can completely understand Your ways, yet You still surround us with Your beautiful and loving gifts. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but Your word stands forever. Help us develop a true desire for You and Your word. Allow us to recognize our need for You, then step aside to enable You to work mighty miracles within us that will honor and glorify You. We have come to know and believe the love that You have for us, for You are love; and Your word tells us that whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Abide in us, Father, when we passionately, relentlessly pursue You because we not only love you, but are in love with You. In Your holy and precious name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I invite you to visit terrihitt.com to access additional 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 as You rely on God to direct your steps because you are in love with Him. I pray this podcast draws you nearer to the Lord 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 033 - What is Better Than Reading Scripture to Your Children? Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #033 – What is Better Than Reading Scripture to Your Children? 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. With each child I have raised, I have learned more about being a parent and a person submitted to God. I’ve shared on the podcast before that I have always been a good mom. Through the graciousness and mercy of our Heavenly Father, I’ve become a godly mom. There is such a difference! If we pay attention to the needs of our children, strive to be with them daily, discipline when needed, and so on, this world allows us to be good parents. We take pride in the fact that we are good parents. When we discover the difference between good and godly, a lifetime opportunity for discipleship extending toward eternity awaits us and our children! In order to arrive at the understanding between these types of parenting, we must begin with seeking the Lord. Of course, many agree that reading Scripture to your children is the best way for them to come to know Christ. I disagree. It is so much deeper than simply reading the Bible. As a young mother, I thought that if my children knew I loved Jesus and I talked about Him, imparting knowledge of and love for Him that my children would come to follow the same faith. As I grew in my wisdom and understanding of God, I came to understand that there is so much more! Parents can’t be held accountable for whether our children decide to follow Christ, but we are responsible for growing them in the fullness of knowledge of the Lord . We are called to lay a strong foundation built on the solid ground of Christ. We are the tillers of the ground before the foundation is laid, and we are the carpenters that will carefully examine the construction of the house and quickly seek to address any repairs that must be made. Our walk with God through Christ and the way we allow Him to carry and create us anew daily is the sweet aroma that will attract and guide our children toward Him. In order for our children to have an interest in Jesus they must see Him clearly in us and desire the same relationship. What a joy and privilege we have been gifted! Where is the best place to start to ensure that we are God-driven in your pursuit of Christ and your desire to resemble Him in life and parenting? A strong passage of guidance is found in Matthew 4:1-11, which says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him .” In this short passage much is revealed about Satan’s tactics and the faithfulness and holiness of Christ. The devil knew who Jesus was and intended to sway Him from the task He was to carry out. If Satan knew who Jesus was and the power He carried, yet still attempted to distract and sway Him, the devil will certainly attack our children ! At Satan’s urging, Jesus could have proven Himself and turned stones into bread, but Satan wasn’t the one Jesus followed. His eyes remained on the Father. Jesus had intentionally gone into the wilderness to fast. In Scripture, the wilderness has typically meant a time of preparation. This was an important and crucial time for what was to come with Christ. Satan desired to ruin the mission Christ was on. Testing and tempting Jesus was a targeted attack, and the devil had nothing to lose. For Jesus to succumb to such an easy temptation to take the chance at having food would have ruined what God was about to do through Christ. Think about the significance. Just as in the garden of Eden, the devil tempted with food. However, Jesus, fully God and fully man, did not take the bait. Through the power of Christ within us, we also do not have to take the bait when temptation arises. Guess what? It is within our strength, and it is our duty as parents to teach our children to rely on the same power. Next, the devil tries to cause Jesus to throw Himself from a temple in order to cause angels to rescue Him. Satan saw that Jesus had trusted God in the first test of temptation, so now he twisted his ploy to try to force Jesus to jump in order to show that He still trusted God. In his appeal, Satan even quotes Scripture in his tempting speech. But Jesus used godly wisdom, knowing well that God promises protection for His own, but also crafted us with common sense and wisdom from Him. Just as many people quote the Bible out of context and false preachers twist passages into something they are not, Jesus recognized the devils tactics. We are wise to teach our children more than just words from God. They need to learn and trust depth and context . The last temptation from the devil seems more desperate. Calling for Jesus to worship him, Satan offers all the kingdoms of the earth and promises them to Jesus if He would only bow down and worship him. It is as though Satan believes he can tempt Jesus to forgo the suffering of the cross and just take all that is His already. Although many have easily believed the great deceiver, Jesus did not. Christ knew that He must continue to follow God in complete obedience and focus . It was His privilege and birthright to do so. Christ would never follow or serve Satan. Just as He remained focused on truth , we have the task of embedding the truth of God and the love of Christ into our children . Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can complete our privilege and birthright to be the guiding force of godliness for our children . While parenting, it is almost like we are in a time of roaming the wilderness. So many trials and triumphs surround us. We can feel alone, but we never are. Just as Jesus was tempted, we are tempted. Our spouse is tempted. Our children are tempted. But as Christ kept His eyes and mind focused on the Father, drawing strength and fortitude from Him, we can trust and rely on God to guide us through the wilderness years of parenting and guard our children as we direct them to Him time and time again. Our source of spiritual , mental , physical , emotional , and parenting strength is God’s Holy Word. It serves as the answer to every need and question we have. The key is reading and studying the Word so that we know the resources available to us. The Bible is the life manual we wish for, yet forget we have . God’s Word: 1. Imparts Truth – John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth .” 2. Saves – 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 .” 3. Sanctifies – John 17:19 says, “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified .” 4. Protects – Psalm 94:22 says, “But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge .” 5. Blesses – Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night .” 6. Enlightens – Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter .” 7. Guides – Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.” 8. Rewards – 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules .” 9. Provides Life – Matthew 4:4 says, “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” What are 5 ways to do more than simply read Scripture to your children? 1. Establish a routine to read and study God’s Word together . In order for you or your children to know and grow in the Lord, you must make Him a priority. It’s hard, but well worth the time and energy it takes to establish a consistent schedule. Study God’s word on your own to build and shape your character, knowledge, and trust. Study it with your children and family. 2. Write or memorize Scripture together . Any time spent memorizing or writing Scripture carries benefits and blessings. To teach your child this habit is a beautiful goal that will bring lasting blessings if they continue in it. 3. Pray together . Use God’s Word in your prayers. Encourage your children to do the same. Ask God to teach and enlighten you and your children through studying and living His Word. 4. Teach and Practice Critical Thinking . Children must learn to effectively approach and analyze information and form godly discernment. They must know how to defend their faith in order to make it their own as they grow, mature, and make important decisions. 5. Live Your Beliefs. Show your children that it is important and honoring to God for each of you to live what He commands through words, actions, reactions, attitudes, etc. What are some tips to help you do more than simply read Scripture to your children? 1. Be age appropriate . Purchase age appropriate Bibles for your child to use in personal reading time. Also break verses or passages down to an age appropriate level. You can get the meaning and importance of the Word across even when you change words you use to explain Scripture. Using drawings, music, poems, skits, and toys to enact Bible scenes is very helpful with younger children. I used a white board often with my youngest. The drawings enabled her a deeper level of understanding than just using words as she was learning a new language. 2. Vary lesson lengths . Make your lessons shorter or longer, depending on the ages of your children and the subject matter you are studying. Stretch your children, but do not exasperate them. Make time to answer questions. When questions arise that you cannot answer, find the answers together. It’s wonderful when you both grow in the Lord together. 3. Remember that God’s Word is applicable to every age and season of life . Allow your children to experience God’s love, grace, and mercy, as well as learn His commands. The Bible is for your children, but is not simply about them. Teach them it is about the love of God and encourage them to find Him in the Words. 4. Teach and grow the basics you’ve imparted to them as your children mature and life situations arise. Use Scripture to guide daily events, as well as the praise and the discipline you give them. Pray that your growth in God and guidance through Him will allow you to see and grasp opportunities to illustrate what you and your child have learned and are learning together in the Bible. Remember, the wilderness years of parenting allow us to continuously and prayerfully connect with God to renew our mind and heart through Him, His Holy Word, and the wisdom He imparts to us through both and the Holy Spirit alive within. The closer we draw to Him, the closer we are to those we love and carry a greater ability to draw them nearer to the One who holds the key to a life of love and godliness that leads to a beautiful eternity with Christ together. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness to entrust children to us is astounding. We are so thankful and filled with gratitude at Your lovingkindness and mercy toward us. Thank you for allowing us to raise Your children and showing us the ways to direct them to You if we only choose to do so. Enable us to please You more and more daily as we strive to draw nearer to You and make You clearly known to Your children. May their hearts and souls cry out for You and find You through the godly instruction we impart to them. May they grow to be faithful followers of You and continue longing for You and obeying You throughout their life on this earth. Equip us to be the parents You created us to be and please don’t allow us to stray from Your desires or will. 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 #050 – Jesus, Our Constant Hope 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. Christmas 2020 is over. Did it meet your expectations? Was it everything you hoped for? Or was your holiday a disappointment? Unfortunately, in our human condition, we sometimes place expectations on our life that unless met, ruin our joy. The older I get, the more I try to live with the purpose of following and maturing in Jesus each day. Any difficulties or “unexpected blessings” that come in the course of the day are a way to help me accomplish that goal because they force me to look up, even when I may not feel like it. Have I arrived? Do I live perfectly? No. Definitely not! I’m human and I never want to leave the impression that I think I have all the perfect answers and responses to life. Yet, I strive to humbly bow to the Father with intention and purpose daily and I deeply desire to be altered moment by moment as I look and cling to Him. During my life, I’ve experienced holiday plans that didn’t work as I hoped, disappointment over not receiving a gift I desired, or worse, not seeing someone dear to me on a holiday. I’ve grieved loved ones who should have been at our dinner table or sitting around the tree with us. I’ve been pierced by the deep pain that comes from decorating the Christmas tree with unique ornaments full of memories that once belonged to deceased loved ones and continue to hang the stocking of a child who will never be with us again. You have no doubt experienced some or all of these things, too. Our human experience contains many pains that only Jesus can heal. I’ve found after many years, that when I purposely release expectations and place my hope in the Lord, I find true peace, joy, hope, and calm through His plans. When things don’t work out as I wanted or thought they should, I find I already have everything I really needed. Even in my darkest moments of life, when situations have been out of my control and there seemed to be no hope, I learned that when I keep my gaze locked on God and remain steadfastly hoping in Him, His grace and provisions are perfect and sufficient for my needs. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” Amen! I have found this verse to be so accurate! I consider myself to be a strong person, but as I have matured in my faith and relationship with God through Jesus, I have learned that my true strength is His. My confidence, strength of mind and character, anything worthy in me is a result of the Holy Spirit living inside me and the transformations have come from that. When I make mistakes, it is the result of following my own flesh or letting my eyes slip from Him. Psalm 39:7 gives the best response we can offer in life. It says, “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You.” Did you know that the word, hope is used over 140 times in the Bible? Of course, it depends on which translation you use, but the fact is that God knew we would need assurance and encouragement to remain hopeful. He lovingly provides it through His word. Our Heavenly Father always walks ahead of us, and we recognize Him if we remain focused on Him, study and remember His words and guidance, and accept the provisions He places before us. We use the word, hope as something we believe strongly on, or put trust in, it means something we rely on, or feel will happen. Hope lifts us when we are down, gives us comfort and trust for the future, changes attitudes, helps us to envision a better future, or enables us to accomplish tasks because we see a chance for improvement. Hope is a powerful word that, like love, is defined by God, the author of life. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Anyone can hope, but those who put their faith in the Lord access authentic and omnipotent faith, confidence, and optimism. Our Heavenly Father is the author of hope. When we are His, we are able to rise above mere hope as the world sees it. The greatest hope you and I have is the assurance offered through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the mechanism that allows the things we hope for to become fact and allows us to carry bold confidence about our future. Because God is perfectly holy and unchangeable, we have assurance that His promises are true. Our hope becomes faith, which develops assurance in our faithful God. Because of the assurance we receive from God through Jesus, we can live with constant and unshakable hope. The book of Romans clearly shows us the righteousness of God, how He reveals His righteousness in this world through Jesus, and why that good news must be shared. Jesus is our hope in this broken and dark world. In Him we place our trust, hope, faith, and find our assurance. Although this is a long passage of scripture, I want to read the truths found in Romans, Chapter 8, verses 1-39. In this, we find all we need to infuse us with the true and lasting hope, assurance, and confidence required to complete the glorious life we have been gifted in this world and live with confident joy. As I read, please listen for many glorious truths and promises, which include: 1. There is absolutely no condemnation for those who are saved through Jesus Christ – we are free from the power of sin and death! 2. Our hope has become assurance. Jesus offered us with secure salvation through His sacrifice. 3. We are no longer slaves to our flesh. Our sinful desires have no control over us any longer. 4. Through Jesus, we stand unafraid before God as adopted sons and daughters of our Father. We are now God’s children and heirs. This spirit of adoption also releases us from the spirit of bondage to sin. 5. Now sharing in glory, we also share suffering, as Jesus did. 6. Our suffering is only for a time, as we eagerly await the day we are released from sin and suffering forever. 7. We have received the Holy Spirit within us as a deposit toward future glory with Christ. 8. Within us lives a helper who constantly searches our heart and intercedes when we have no words to express our thoughts and needs. 9. God is for us, causing all to work for good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose, despite what happens in this world and despite how we feel. 10. If God is for us, no one can be against us. Jesus Himself is at the Father’s right hand, pleading for us. 11. Absolutely nothing will ever separate us from the love of God. Let’s savor and reflect on these words from Romans 8 together now. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as His own children Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children including the new bodies He has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. 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. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even his own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Father God, thank you for the truths You pack into Romans 8 for us to ponder and treasure. Thank you for Your sacrifice and the release and relief we receive through Jesus, Your Precious Son. Help our mind remember and our heart be transformed to become more like Yours each day. May we look toward eternity with eager anticipation of what is to come and make choices now that prepare us to meet You face to face while living with fullness of joy and shining You to all we meet where we are right now. Thank you that Jesus is our constant hope, our joy, our assurance. May we become more like Him daily. In Your precious name we pray. 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 050 Jesus, Our Constant Hope Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #050 – Jesus, Our Constant Hope 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. Christmas 2020 is over. Did it meet your expectations? Was it everything you hoped for? Or was your holiday a disappointment? Unfortunately, in our human condition, we sometimes place expectations on our life that unless met, ruin our joy. The older I get, the more I try to live with the purpose of following and maturing in Jesus each day. Any difficulties or “unexpected blessings” that come in the course of the day are a way to help me accomplish that goal because they force me to look up, even when I may not feel like it. Have I arrived? Do I live perfectly? No. Definitely not! I’m human and I never want to leave the impression that I think I have all the perfect answers and responses to life. Yet, I strive to humbly bow to the Father with intention and purpose daily and I deeply desire to be altered moment by moment as I look and cling to Him. During my life, I’ve experienced holiday plans that didn’t work as I hoped, disappointment over not receiving a gift I desired, or worse, not seeing someone dear to me on a holiday. I’ve grieved loved ones who should have been at our dinner table or sitting around the tree with us. I’ve been pierced by the deep pain that comes from decorating the Christmas tree with unique ornaments full of memories that once belonged to deceased loved ones and continue to hang the stocking of a child who will never be with us again. You have no doubt experienced some or all of these things, too. Our human experience contains many pains that only Jesus can heal. I’ve found after many years, that when I purposely release expectations and place my hope in the Lord, I find true peace, joy, hope, and calm through His plans. When things don’t work out as I wanted or thought they should, I find I already have everything I really needed. Even in my darkest moments of life, when situations have been out of my control and there seemed to be no hope, I learned that when I keep my gaze locked on God and remain steadfastly hoping in Him, His grace and provisions are perfect and sufficient for my needs. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” Amen! I have found this verse to be so accurate! I consider myself to be a strong person, but as I have matured in my faith and relationship with God through Jesus, I have learned that my true strength is His. My confidence, strength of mind and character, anything worthy in me is a result of the Holy Spirit living inside me and the transformations have come from that. When I make mistakes, it is the result of following my own flesh or letting my eyes slip from Him. Psalm 39:7 gives the best response we can offer in life. It says, “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You.” Did you know that the word, hope is used over 140 times in the Bible? Of course, it depends on which translation you use, but the fact is that God knew we would need assurance and encouragement to remain hopeful. He lovingly provides it through His word. Our Heavenly Father always walks ahead of us, and we recognize Him if we remain focused on Him, study and remember His words and guidance, and accept the provisions He places before us. We use the word, hope as something we believe strongly on, or put trust in, it means something we rely on, or feel will happen. Hope lifts us when we are down, gives us comfort and trust for the future, changes attitudes, helps us to envision a better future, or enables us to accomplish tasks because we see a chance for improvement. Hope is a powerful word that, like love, is defined by God, the author of life. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Anyone can hope, but those who put their faith in the Lord access authentic and omnipotent faith, confidence, and optimism. Our Heavenly Father is the author of hope. When we are His, we are able to rise above mere hope as the world sees it. The greatest hope you and I have is the assurance offered through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the mechanism that allows the things we hope for to become fact and allows us to carry bold confidence about our future. Because God is perfectly holy and unchangeable, we have assurance that His promises are true. Our hope becomes faith, which develops assurance in our faithful God. Because of the assurance we receive from God through Jesus, we can live with constant and unshakable hope. The book of Romans clearly shows us the righteousness of God, how He reveals His righteousness in this world through Jesus, and why that good news must be shared. Jesus is our hope in this broken and dark world. In Him we place our trust, hope, faith, and find our assurance. Although this is a long passage of scripture, I want to read the truths found in Romans, Chapter 8, verses 1-39. In this, we find all we need to infuse us with the true and lasting hope, assurance, and confidence required to complete the glorious life we have been gifted in this world and live with confident joy. As I read, please listen for many glorious truths and promises, which include: 1. There is absolutely no condemnation for those who are saved through Jesus Christ – we are free from the power of sin and death! 2. Our hope has become assurance. Jesus offered us with secure salvation through His sacrifice. 3. We are no longer slaves to our flesh. Our sinful desires have no control over us any longer. 4. Through Jesus, we stand unafraid before God as adopted sons and daughters of our Father. We are now God’s children and heirs. This spirit of adoption also releases us from the spirit of bondage to sin. 5. Now sharing in glory, we also share suffering, as Jesus did. 6. Our suffering is only for a time, as we eagerly await the day we are released from sin and suffering forever. 7. We have received the Holy Spirit within us as a deposit toward future glory with Christ. 8. Within us lives a helper who constantly searches our heart and intercedes when we have no words to express our thoughts and needs. 9. God is for us, causing all to work for good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose, despite what happens in this world and despite how we feel. 10. If God is for us, no one can be against us. Jesus Himself is at the Father’s right hand, pleading for us. 11. Absolutely nothing will ever separate us from the love of God. Let’s savor and reflect on these words from Romans 8 together now. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as His own children Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children including the new bodies He has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. 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. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, He gave them His glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even his own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Father God, thank you for the truths You pack into Romans 8 for us to ponder and treasure. Thank you for Your sacrifice and the release and relief we receive through Jesus, Your Precious Son. Help our mind remember and our heart be transformed to become more like Yours each day. May we look toward eternity with eager anticipation of what is to come and make choices now that prepare us to meet You face to face while living with fullness of joy and shining You to all we meet where we are right now. Thank you that Jesus is our constant hope, our joy, our assurance. May we become more like Him daily. In Your precious name we pray. 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 #071 – Alarming New Age 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’ve seen many changes in the world in my lifetime. One of the most alarming trends for me is the indoctrination of ideology contrary to God’s truths. Although a great majority of people profess to be Christians, some don’t realize that the term “Christian,” means, “little Christ.” In fact, the term supposedly originated with pagans in Antioch because they could very clearly see a difference in the lifestyles of those following and emulating Jesus. Without the full understanding that to be called a Christian, one must have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because of the work He did on the cross to redeem us from sin, and that afterward we live with the faithful duty to seek Him and allow Him to transform our life to reflect His, many continue to live in ignorance or rebellion. Sadly, sometimes even after some have professed Jesus as Savior, their life remains unchanged visibly and without proper discipleship, they are deceived by the culture and fleshly desires of self. Romans 5:6-8 says, “For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Some may profess to be a Christian simply because they believe there is a God, not because they have experienced the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit at work within them. That is a sad and scary statement. Simply believing there is a God or attending church does not make a person a follower of Christ. Ephesians 4:18 says, “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” Despite the fact that many people claim and believe themselves to be Christians, a growing number of people also claim no religion and instead follow a “new age movement” that began spreading wider in the 70’s and 80’s, and seems to be growing a somewhat larger following now. Even people who profess to be followers of Jesus practice some form of new age fundamentals, many without realizing it. It may be argued that if “religion” can be defined as something a person believes in and follows devotedly, the new age movement can be explained as a type of religion. Honestly, following your flesh could be defined in the same way, which is essentially what this movement does. It could be argued that the foundation of what this belief system focuses on is self-awareness, heightening personal feelings and pride, and believing themselves able to attain equality with God. Unfortunately, a person can purposely choose to follow this sort of lifestyle or easily follow it without intending to, by not purposely choosing to make each moment count for Christ. The truth is that there are only two religions: follow Christ or self. Just as we read in Genesis 3:4-5, “The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The lies of the new age movement remind me of the beginning in Genesis with twisted deception and the prideful sin of humanity. God’s word teaches us that feelings cannot be trusted. No matter what we think or how we feel, truth can only be found when we seek and follow God’s truths. Our omnipotent God is the compass on which we should process and discern good and evil, right or wrong, no matter what our pride or emotions cause us to feel. Self-love and self-actualization have become pedestals to idolatry in our culture. New age ideology is penetrating the minds of Christians and non-believers, as well as educational institutions and churches. Although the idea of loving yourself and reaching your full potential can be made to sound harmless, worthy, and needed, we must remember that the Bible teaches that every single person has inherent value because we were planned for and made in the image of God. Our Heavenly Father is also very clear that without Him, and His holiness, we are completely sinful. We only have the ability to love because He first loved us. The Creator of love instills and completes perfect love that casts out fear in us. Once we follow Him through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are fully able to find our true potential as the One who planned, made, and completes us is free to work through our submission. How has the church of all places, the ground that should be holy and alive for those who follow Jesus, been deceived into subtly proclaiming belief in or practicing concepts from the new age movement that clearly offend and go against what God has chosen for us? In fact, God has clearly instructed and warned us to stay far from it. Belief in psychics, reincarnation, astrology, and communication with the deceased are just a bit of what has subtly been twisted into what is becoming part of everyday routines for many, even some of whom claim to follow the Lord. A life of devotion for Christ is one that seeks Him first, dies to self - moment by moment, and follows Him, even when the cost of obedience is high. Personal transformation through Christ is completely different that the personal transformation of one who seeks to follow self and heightened personal enlightenment. Claiming our personal glory over what Jesus has sacrificed for us happens in subtle ways daily, even when we already feel we love Jesus with a whole heart. Carefully sift what the world offers through the filter of God’s guidelines and guardrails. New age mysticism is evil and demonic at the core. Surprisingly, there are many who fall victim to subtle branches of the following: meditation, reincarnation, astrology, psychics, and the belief that spiritual energy can reside in rivers, trees, or mountains. Any practice can become warped; we must carefully and biblically discern what occupies our time. Anyone who believes that people, who were created by God, have the ability to make their own choice about who or what God is or how we can worship Him, as the new age movement believes, is wrong. Do not be deceived. God gives us the opportunity to choose whether to believe in Him, but if we make the choice to follow Him through Jesus, the Bible, (God’s authoritative and holy word) makes everything clear. We are not equal to God; we are not even close. As Jesus said in Luke 23:34a, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” But we should know. We need to know. We have to pay attention. Those who follow and practice beliefs taught by the new age movement believe in a holistic form of divinity that penetrates the universe and creatures. This way of thinking strengthens their thought that a supreme spiritual self may be obtained, forming a type of self-religion, and explores the belief that there partially divine, non-human forms, such as angels that may be communicated with through channeling. Although, they reject traditional forms of religion, they admit to accepting “spirituality.” Main ideals of this professed spirituality seem to be what they believe to be “better,” ideals of emerging humanity, and include trends, or belief systems which include social change, the occult, which focuses on channeling and contact with spirits, (and we know God clearly instructs us to stay away from this), and a middle ground that desires a sort of individual development focusing on both. What I have touched on are very limited explanations into this belief system. I do not wish to linger explaining because we know that the Bible clearly instructs us to stay away from these practices. As with many topics, it is a slippery slope when we stray from the word and expectations of the Lord. Communicating with spirits and pushing self-reliance and spiritual awakenings apart from God leads to confusion, corruption, and chaos in our lives. Psalm 119: 133 says, “Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.” 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.” While many who do not know Jesus think that following Christ is restrictive or that God wouldn’t authorize only one way to Him, His word proves that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to provide one clear path to Him. Contrary to the opinion that life under the direction and authority of Jesus is demanding or strict, Christ offers freedom and realizations far deeper and greater than anything we can find by ourselves or in this temporary home. Mark 13:22-23 says, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.” Anything that leads to practices or habits that are rooted in religions or ceremonies that heighten self-glorification and strip God from His rightful place have no place in the life of a follower of Christ. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” Remember that you do not have to be a follower of the new age movement to be deceived by practices that lead away from God. There are several, but I will list a couple of them here. Please carefully research these that I mention for yourself and prayerfully make your own decision about what you will allow in your life. I am not an expert and I have myself and my own family to protect and watch over, but I love Jesus and I care about the listeners God has sent to this podcast. I want to boldly walk where I feel He is calling. I would be remiss if I did not mention these in this episode as I believe the roots of these seemingly innocent practices are very dangerous. Over the years, transcendental meditation has been allowed in some public schools. Those educational institutions use this practice with students who need extra help calming down at school. Did you know that transcendental meditation was introduced to the western world as a scientific way to reduce stress and find peace within self? That should alert and caution us. Anything that seeks to perform an act within us that relies on self over God should prick our attention. Although this form of meditation is said to provide medicinal benefits and is supposedly used as a way to relax, the fundamentals of Hinduism are rooted in its approach. Instead of attaining a consciousness of God, and seeking and believing on Him to perform a work within us, transcendental meditation calls for a person to cleanse and empty their mind to obtain a state of consciousness called unity. As a person follows this practice, they see that a ceremony is performed that worships Hindu deities and offers sacrifices to them. After this ceremony, the person involved receives a personal mantra to meditate upon that is supposed to be used as a weapon to ward of reasoning, thinking, and conceptualization. The mantra is actually a group of sounds to be repeated over and over to draw the mind to a specific level of essentialism and as it is uttered, the mantra is supposed to invoke spirits from the spirit world. There is much more information about this topic, but followers of Christ should stay very far away from anything that has these evil roots and practices that so clearly go against what God instructs. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.” God never calls us to completely clear our mind to think of ways to elevate our own consciousness and self-awareness. In fact, God calls us to fill our mind with Him and to meditate on His truths. Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.” Psalm 10:4 says, “In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.” Leviticus 19:31 says, “You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” We do not need to chant mantras to be used as weapons. We have the truth and instructions of God to protect us. Ephesians 6:10-17 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. 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.” I know this next one will be a sensitive topic to many. Even yoga, which is practiced by many who love God, is said to be united with eastern metaphysics. In a very basic definition, this means that there is no separation between the physical world and the unseen. However, although many people innocently begin yoga as a way to relieve stress and muscle aches, every subtle action in yoga was created to be a prayer to the Hindu gods. Each tiny movement is a gentle symbol designed to speak to spirits and reach a state of union with God. In practical words, when a person practices yoga, they are unknowingly participating in a Hindu ritual. I understand that many people find relief and mobility through the practice of yoga. As I stated earlier, I am not an expert, but I have heard enough about it that I urge you to research for yourself and see what you find or what alternatives are available for you, if you desire to find them. As I close this podcast, remember that new age practices believe that personal transformation will take place after a human being recognizes his oneness with all things. New age beliefs teach people how to find their own values. They do not look to scripture or even parents, (if a student is studying the new age beliefs), because they practice the belief that there are no absolute truths or values (which is back to the moral relativity we discussed a few podcast episodes ago). People are free to discover and create their own values within themselves. Humans are also free to create their own reality through mindfulness practices that are even taught in seminars, public schools, in children’s programs, and at churches and in trainings for corporations. New agers believe that the Bible is to be read by looking for secret spiritual meanings and they twist scripture to suit their beliefs that God is all and all is God, and He certainly is not divine, but humans can be. It is certainly evident that as followers of Christ, we must be on guard to protect our heart, mind, and families against the new age philosophies and practices infiltrating our communities, institutions, corporations, and churches. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 says, “But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” Be aware of the ungodliness in this world coming in various forms and beliefs. Take everything back to the grid of God’s truths, based on His word. Know His word so clearly so that you recognize the untruths of this world. Much is clothed in subtle deceptiveness that we must carefully seek to uncover and expose for others to see. I will touch on a few more popular teachings and practices that fall into this category in future episodes. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 says, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Heavenly Father, our precious, holy God. You alone are omnipotent and righteous. We need You much more than we realize. Please cause the scales to fall from our eyes and enable us to have Your sight. Give us Your ears to hear what the Spirit says so that we may not stray or be led into anything that is against You. Father, we need You. We know that we are easily deceived and fall victim to our flesh and the world. We need Your careful instruction and guidance to safeguard us. May we be mindful of Your word because we read and treasure it in our heart, hold it in our mind, and speak it from lips that please You. Cover and protect us with Your feathers. Shelter us with Your wings. May Your faithful promises be our armor and protection as we choose to follow and obey You. In Your precious name 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 071 Alarming New Age Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #071 – Alarming New Age 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’ve seen many changes in the world in my lifetime. One of the most alarming trends for me is the indoctrination of ideology contrary to God’s truths. Although a great majority of people profess to be Christians, some don’t realize that the term “Christian,” means, “little Christ.” In fact, the term supposedly originated with pagans in Antioch because they could very clearly see a difference in the lifestyles of those following and emulating Jesus. Without the full understanding that to be called a Christian, one must have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because of the work He did on the cross to redeem us from sin, and that afterward we live with the faithful duty to seek Him and allow Him to transform our life to reflect His, many continue to live in ignorance or rebellion. Sadly, sometimes even after some have professed Jesus as Savior, their life remains unchanged visibly and without proper discipleship, they are deceived by the culture and fleshly desires of self. Romans 5:6-8 says, “For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Some may profess to be a Christian simply because they believe there is a God, not because they have experienced the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit at work within them. That is a sad and scary statement. Simply believing there is a God or attending church does not make a person a follower of Christ. Ephesians 4:18 says, “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” Despite the fact that many people claim and believe themselves to be Christians, a growing number of people also claim no religion and instead follow a “new age movement” that began spreading wider in the 70’s and 80’s, and seems to be growing a somewhat larger following now. Even people who profess to be followers of Jesus practice some form of new age fundamentals, many without realizing it. It may be argued that if “religion” can be defined as something a person believes in and follows devotedly, the new age movement can be explained as a type of religion. Honestly, following your flesh could be defined in the same way, which is essentially what this movement does. It could be argued that the foundation of what this belief system focuses on is self-awareness, heightening personal feelings and pride, and believing themselves able to attain equality with God. Unfortunately, a person can purposely choose to follow this sort of lifestyle or easily follow it without intending to, by not purposely choosing to make each moment count for Christ. The truth is that there are only two religions: follow Christ or self. Just as we read in Genesis 3:4-5, “The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The lies of the new age movement remind me of the beginning in Genesis with twisted deception and the prideful sin of humanity. God’s word teaches us that feelings cannot be trusted. No matter what we think or how we feel, truth can only be found when we seek and follow God’s truths. Our omnipotent God is the compass on which we should process and discern good and evil, right or wrong, no matter what our pride or emotions cause us to feel. Self-love and self-actualization have become pedestals to idolatry in our culture. New age ideology is penetrating the minds of Christians and non-believers, as well as educational institutions and churches. Although the idea of loving yourself and reaching your full potential can be made to sound harmless, worthy, and needed, we must remember that the Bible teaches that every single person has inherent value because we were planned for and made in the image of God. Our Heavenly Father is also very clear that without Him, and His holiness, we are completely sinful. We only have the ability to love because He first loved us. The Creator of love instills and completes perfect love that casts out fear in us. Once we follow Him through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are fully able to find our true potential as the One who planned, made, and completes us is free to work through our submission. How has the church of all places, the ground that should be holy and alive for those who follow Jesus, been deceived into subtly proclaiming belief in or practicing concepts from the new age movement that clearly offend and go against what God has chosen for us? In fact, God has clearly instructed and warned us to stay far from it. Belief in psychics, reincarnation, astrology, and communication with the deceased are just a bit of what has subtly been twisted into what is becoming part of everyday routines for many, even some of whom claim to follow the Lord. A life of devotion for Christ is one that seeks Him first, dies to self - moment by moment, and follows Him, even when the cost of obedience is high. Personal transformation through Christ is completely different that the personal transformation of one who seeks to follow self and heightened personal enlightenment. Claiming our personal glory over what Jesus has sacrificed for us happens in subtle ways daily, even when we already feel we love Jesus with a whole heart. Carefully sift what the world offers through the filter of God’s guidelines and guardrails. New age mysticism is evil and demonic at the core. Surprisingly, there are many who fall victim to subtle branches of the following: meditation, reincarnation, astrology, psychics, and the belief that spiritual energy can reside in rivers, trees, or mountains. Any practice can become warped; we must carefully and biblically discern what occupies our time. Anyone who believes that people, who were created by God, have the ability to make their own choice about who or what God is or how we can worship Him, as the new age movement believes, is wrong. Do not be deceived. God gives us the opportunity to choose whether to believe in Him, but if we make the choice to follow Him through Jesus, the Bible, (God’s authoritative and holy word) makes everything clear. We are not equal to God; we are not even close. As Jesus said in Luke 23:34a, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” But we should know. We need to know. We have to pay attention. Those who follow and practice beliefs taught by the new age movement believe in a holistic form of divinity that penetrates the universe and creatures. This way of thinking strengthens their thought that a supreme spiritual self may be obtained, forming a type of self-religion, and explores the belief that there partially divine, non-human forms, such as angels that may be communicated with through channeling. Although, they reject traditional forms of religion, they admit to accepting “spirituality.” Main ideals of this professed spirituality seem to be what they believe to be “better,” ideals of emerging humanity, and include trends, or belief systems which include social change, the occult, which focuses on channeling and contact with spirits, (and we know God clearly instructs us to stay away from this), and a middle ground that desires a sort of individual development focusing on both. What I have touched on are very limited explanations into this belief system. I do not wish to linger explaining because we know that the Bible clearly instructs us to stay away from these practices. As with many topics, it is a slippery slope when we stray from the word and expectations of the Lord. Communicating with spirits and pushing self-reliance and spiritual awakenings apart from God leads to confusion, corruption, and chaos in our lives. Psalm 119: 133 says, “Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me.” 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.” While many who do not know Jesus think that following Christ is restrictive or that God wouldn’t authorize only one way to Him, His word proves that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to provide one clear path to Him. Contrary to the opinion that life under the direction and authority of Jesus is demanding or strict, Christ offers freedom and realizations far deeper and greater than anything we can find by ourselves or in this temporary home. Mark 13:22-23 says, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.” Anything that leads to practices or habits that are rooted in religions or ceremonies that heighten self-glorification and strip God from His rightful place have no place in the life of a follower of Christ. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” Remember that you do not have to be a follower of the new age movement to be deceived by practices that lead away from God. There are several, but I will list a couple of them here. Please carefully research these that I mention for yourself and prayerfully make your own decision about what you will allow in your life. I am not an expert and I have myself and my own family to protect and watch over, but I love Jesus and I care about the listeners God has sent to this podcast. I want to boldly walk where I feel He is calling. I would be remiss if I did not mention these in this episode as I believe the roots of these seemingly innocent practices are very dangerous. Over the years, transcendental meditation has been allowed in some public schools. Those educational institutions use this practice with students who need extra help calming down at school. Did you know that transcendental meditation was introduced to the western world as a scientific way to reduce stress and find peace within self? That should alert and caution us. Anything that seeks to perform an act within us that relies on self over God should prick our attention. Although this form of meditation is said to provide medicinal benefits and is supposedly used as a way to relax, the fundamentals of Hinduism are rooted in its approach. Instead of attaining a consciousness of God, and seeking and believing on Him to perform a work within us, transcendental meditation calls for a person to cleanse and empty their mind to obtain a state of consciousness called unity. As a person follows this practice, they see that a ceremony is performed that worships Hindu deities and offers sacrifices to them. After this ceremony, the person involved receives a personal mantra to meditate upon that is supposed to be used as a weapon to ward of reasoning, thinking, and conceptualization. The mantra is actually a group of sounds to be repeated over and over to draw the mind to a specific level of essentialism and as it is uttered, the mantra is supposed to invoke spirits from the spirit world. There is much more information about this topic, but followers of Christ should stay very far away from anything that has these evil roots and practices that so clearly go against what God instructs. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.” God never calls us to completely clear our mind to think of ways to elevate our own consciousness and self-awareness. In fact, God calls us to fill our mind with Him and to meditate on His truths. Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.” Psalm 10:4 says, “In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.” Leviticus 19:31 says, “You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” We do not need to chant mantras to be used as weapons. We have the truth and instructions of God to protect us. Ephesians 6:10-17 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. 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.” I know this next one will be a sensitive topic to many. Even yoga, which is practiced by many who love God, is said to be united with eastern metaphysics. In a very basic definition, this means that there is no separation between the physical world and the unseen. However, although many people innocently begin yoga as a way to relieve stress and muscle aches, every subtle action in yoga was created to be a prayer to the Hindu gods. Each tiny movement is a gentle symbol designed to speak to spirits and reach a state of union with God. In practical words, when a person practices yoga, they are unknowingly participating in a Hindu ritual. I understand that many people find relief and mobility through the practice of yoga. As I stated earlier, I am not an expert, but I have heard enough about it that I urge you to research for yourself and see what you find or what alternatives are available for you, if you desire to find them. As I close this podcast, remember that new age practices believe that personal transformation will take place after a human being recognizes his oneness with all things. New age beliefs teach people how to find their own values. They do not look to scripture or even parents, (if a student is studying the new age beliefs), because they practice the belief that there are no absolute truths or values (which is back to the moral relativity we discussed a few podcast episodes ago). People are free to discover and create their own values within themselves. Humans are also free to create their own reality through mindfulness practices that are even taught in seminars, public schools, in children’s programs, and at churches and in trainings for corporations. New agers believe that the Bible is to be read by looking for secret spiritual meanings and they twist scripture to suit their beliefs that God is all and all is God, and He certainly is not divine, but humans can be. It is certainly evident that as followers of Christ, we must be on guard to protect our heart, mind, and families against the new age philosophies and practices infiltrating our communities, institutions, corporations, and churches. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 says, “But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” Be aware of the ungodliness in this world coming in various forms and beliefs. Take everything back to the grid of God’s truths, based on His word. Know His word so clearly so that you recognize the untruths of this world. Much is clothed in subtle deceptiveness that we must carefully seek to uncover and expose for others to see. I will touch on a few more popular teachings and practices that fall into this category in future episodes. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 says, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Heavenly Father, our precious, holy God. You alone are omnipotent and righteous. We need You much more than we realize. Please cause the scales to fall from our eyes and enable us to have Your sight. Give us Your ears to hear what the Spirit says so that we may not stray or be led into anything that is against You. Father, we need You. We know that we are easily deceived and fall victim to our flesh and the world. We need Your careful instruction and guidance to safeguard us. May we be mindful of Your word because we read and treasure it in our heart, hold it in our mind, and speak it from lips that please You. Cover and protect us with Your feathers. Shelter us with Your wings. May Your faithful promises be our armor and protection as we choose to follow and obey You. In Your precious name 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 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 035 - Should Your Child's Conscience Be the Guide? Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #035 – Should Your Child’s Conscience Be the Guide? I did so many things I shouldn’t have done when I was a child. My goodness! I was very mature for my age and carried responsibilities I shouldn’t have had to shoulder, but when I look back at my largely unsupervised childhood, I see so many things I wish I had done differently. Yet I was just a child who didn’t know better. When I compare my childhood to the way I raised two sets of children, I see even more clearly how important it is for children to have supervision and direction as they grow up. Most importantly, godly instruction. If you are a working mom listening to this episode, I ask you to prayerfully consider the type of care your children receive while you are away. I promise this is not intended to make you feel guilty or cause turmoil in your life. I worked outside the home when I raised my first set of children. However, I do want to caution you to be proactive and consider that children are just that – kids. They need godly adult guidance to show them the way to act and respond and to keep them protected. So many things happen when adults aren’t around to supervise and guide decisions children are faced with. When I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, the world was considered a lot safer than it is now. The world wasn’t accessible through a keyboard or phone. We were able to play outside all day without parents worrying unless we didn’t come in by dark. There weren’t sexualized pressures like today and generally speaking, most children were free to be kids who followed imagination and adventure. Some of my best memories are highlighted by time spent outside riding my bicycle, playing in the woods, creating forts and clubs, and using creativity. By the time I began raising my first two children, the world had changed some, but children could still play outside for hours without anyone thinking something had happened to them. The personal computer was introduced into homes during their lifetime, but it wasn’t as easily accessed as it is today. Their lives were affected by the internet, but not during younger years. Now that I am raising my second set of children, everything has changed. My children didn’t grow up with the freedom to roam outdoors for hours. We’ve certainly discovered the dangers of internet accessibility. All children can be very easily influenced by many forms of media and advertisers. Even though my last two have been homeschooled, interactions through activities, events, jobs, and friends still allow the dangers of the 21stcentury to penetrate the walls of our home. It’s called life. We can’t keep the wolf from roaming the world, but as parents, we can work to keep it from harming our children. All this is to say that children are influenced by a multitude of means. Each time one of them penetrates their mind and heart, it shapes thoughts, actions, reactions, words, feelings, and emotions. Many people use these feelings or instincts formed by experiences and emotions to guide them through what they call their conscience. The dictionary defines conscience as “an inward sensibility of wrongdoing .” I do believe that God places a special knowledge of Himself within us, and we will talk more about that, but without directly seeking Christ and following God to discover Him, His will and ways, and His desires for them, your children will freely choose to follow the world that directly affects them. The world, or culture, and the distractions, influences, deceit, and sins will be what shapes your child the most. Romans 9:1 says, “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit -.” Human beings are created with an instinctive knowledge of right and wrong. That inner sense, however, might produce a sense of wrong at first, but if left ignored, becomes quieter until it is imperceptible. What people experience or feel in this world shapes and deceives. Even when one listens to the inner warning of guilt or conviction, our minds are bombarded with so much garbage, so many deceitful images and messages that we must always measure what we feel against Scripture, which is God’s truth. This is what you must teach your child to do. Romans 1:18-21 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them . For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened .” In this passage we see that God has sovereignly and mercifully ingrained proof of His existence in each human being. As the verse says, “what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them .” Whether or not each person acknowledges what God has implanted is free will and choice, also given by God. Every person, which includes your children, have knowledge of God alive inside them. They may not recognize that what they hear or feel is from and of God, yet He is made manifest to them. Some call this inner sense their conscience, yet whoever does not acknowledge, accept, and act in obedience to God is addressed in the following passage of verses. Romans 1:28-32 says, “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done . They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them .” As this passage shows, those who “did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done .” Although God places a sense of right and wrong within each person, they will not heed His warnings unless they submit to Him. Your child cannot make a lifetime of consistent choices to live in submission and obedience to God unless they decide to follow Christ in humble relationship. Then they will recognize Him because they know Him through His Word. In order for the conscience of your child to work as God has designed it to, you must intentionally mentor the heart and mind of your child to submit to Christ and follow God’s Holy Word. The Bible is the only source of truth and contains godly wisdom that builds holy strength reliant on Christ . Wisdom derived from the mind of your child (or any earthly wisdom) will be self-centered, limited to the wisdom of man (which is poisoned by unsanctified hearts), and led by the devil’s devices. What is the best way to ensure your child heeds the will of God and submits to His leadings? Relationship. With you and Christ. The time with your child is gifted by God with the purpose of making Him known to your child. Daily, loving instruction and mentorship as your child sees you live a life devoted and submitted to following the voice and Word of God, and Bible study and prayer with your child in the home are key. Your lifestyle and walk with Christ are what will impact your child the most. Your training and mentorship must be purposed and consistent . Do not simply rely on church or youth groups to build the foundation you are privileged to supervise as a blessing from God. Romans 2:12-16 says, “For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus .” Don’t let the childhood of your children be wasted by following the world. View your time with them with a holy reverence. If your children are already older and you fear time is short because they aren’t walking with the Lord, do not give up. It’s never too late to influence your child for Christ. Your godly lifestyle may not be evident to them quickly, but you may still remain prayerful for them and continue to show them Christ at work within you. Dear Heavenly Father, we are nothing without You. May you fill us more completely each day. Enable us to continue to submit to Your callings, Your truths, Your Words, and Your desires. Please allow our children to see You clearly through us and correct mistakes we have made so that our children see, trust, and pursue You with gladness and humility. Help them to listen to Your voice in this noisy world and never let a conscience altered by the deceit of this world to guide them. 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 #074 – Brandon Janous Interview 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. Believers in Christ often think we live with an eternal perspective, yet we don’t comprehend the depth and weight of eternity until we face death in some form. Whether it is through the passing of a loved one, or the impact of an illness, we each encounter moments where we must confront the truth of our mortality. On today’s podcast, I share a conversation with Brandon Janous. Because Father’s Day is coming soon, I knew this was the perfect time to introduce you to Brandon. As you hear the story of his family, you will meet a man who made the choice to allow God to carry him through the most difficult season of his life. Brandon is living the definition of what a godly and committed father practices. Placing his family before himself and allowing God to have center place in his life. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” A believer does not grieve as one without hope. I think you’ll be encouraged by this episode and see the difference the faith of one woman made in the lives of those left to navigate this uncertain world. Because of his relationship with Jesus, Brandon is continuing the legacy left by his wife, Rachel and allowing others to be drawn nearer to Christ by his testimony. The truth is that we are here to point the way to Jesus. You’ll hear that in the podcast today. ----------------------------------- Interview with Brandon Janous --------------------------------------- I hope you enjoyed this episode and that you will ponder the words of Rachel Janous, “I know that I’m dying, and I’m at peace with that. At this point, all I have left to give is Jesus and that’s more than enough.” Rachel’s words are a truth that we each need to intentionally put into perspective each moment of our life. Allow the viewpoint she shared with Brandon to remind you of the basic fact that Jesus is more than enough and our focus should never stray from striving to live in ways that point others to Him and allow us to be ready to meet Him in eternity. Life is full of heartache and beauty, mixed with pain, grief, and suffering, but a peace that passes understanding is available any time we look to Him and release our burdens into His capable and willing hands. 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 074 Brandon Janous Interview Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #074 – Brandon Janous Interview 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. Believers in Christ often think we live with an eternal perspective, yet we don’t comprehend the depth and weight of eternity until we face death in some form. Whether it is through the passing of a loved one, or the impact of an illness, we each encounter moments where we must confront the truth of our mortality. On today’s podcast, I share a conversation with Brandon Janous. Because Father’s Day is coming soon, I knew this was the perfect time to introduce you to Brandon. As you hear the story of his family, you will meet a man who made the choice to allow God to carry him through the most difficult season of his life. Brandon is living the definition of what a godly and committed father practices. Placing his family before himself and allowing God to have center place in his life. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” A believer does not grieve as one without hope. I think you’ll be encouraged by this episode and see the difference the faith of one woman made in the lives of those left to navigate this uncertain world. Because of his relationship with Jesus, Brandon is continuing the legacy left by his wife, Rachel and allowing others to be drawn nearer to Christ by his testimony. The truth is that we are here to point the way to Jesus. You’ll hear that in the podcast today. ----------------------------------- Interview with Brandon Janous --------------------------------------- I hope you enjoyed this episode and that you will ponder the words of Rachel Janous, “I know that I’m dying, and I’m at peace with that. At this point, all I have left to give is Jesus and that’s more than enough.” Rachel’s words are a truth that we each need to intentionally put into perspective each moment of our life. Allow the viewpoint she shared with Brandon to remind you of the basic fact that Jesus is more than enough and our focus should never stray from striving to live in ways that point others to Him and allow us to be ready to meet Him in eternity. Life is full of heartache and beauty, mixed with pain, grief, and suffering, but a peace that passes understanding is available any time we look to Him and release our burdens into His capable and willing hands. 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.instagram.com/brandonjanous/ https://www.facebook.com/brandon.janous

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast - Episode 062 - Do You Parent to Prepare or Repair? Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 62 – Do You Parent to Prepare or Repair? I still remember that morning. Of course, the day seems more vivid, I’m sure, because as I prepare this episode, I’m coming up on the 15th year anniversary of the day my oldest daughter passed away. Now that she’s gone, memories are either sweeter than before or my thoughts are pensive because there’s no going back. When you’ve lost a child, you tend to view events through a different lens. With maturity and hindsight, I think I still would have handled the situation differently, but of course, it’s easy to say because I don’t have the pressures of having to be at work early every day. When my first two children were young, I worked outside the home in a pretty strict business. Of course, we were expected to be on time, but most people weren’t very understanding if you had to call in sick for yourself or a child. I carried a lot of mom guilt for leaving my kids, especially when I could tell they needed a little extra time on certain mornings. Just like the day I’m about to share with you. My oldest child, Jaime, was about 9 years old or so. She was always mature for her age, so it seemed she was older, but when I look back now, she still seemed so young. On this particular morning, she was trying to get me to let her stay home from school. After checking her temperature to see if she had a fever, which she didn’t, and talking to her and sitting with her for a little bit, I convinced her she needed to get ready to go to school. I didn’t have much time to spare in the mornings as I got ready for work. When she was that age, I had to leave the house before 7:30, which would get me to work with no extra time. My gut feeling told me that my daughter just wanted time with me, and I wanted it with her, too. But I had to leave. Now, as a mature mom, I’d like to believe I would have called in and told my boss I was going to be a little late, but while it’s easy to feel that way now, back then it felt impossible to do. It also didn’t help that my two kids were sick often. In fact, they had both experienced a year or so in which the two of them had strep throat numerous times. My husband and I had to take both of them to get their tonsils removed at the same time before they stopped getting sick. I remember backing out of the garage the morning my daughter was so clingy. It was directly beneath my daughter’s bedroom. Before I drove away, I looked up and saw her watching me leave with her sad expression piercing my spirit. Of course, my mind was on her all day. I expected to get a call from the school saying she needed to come home, but I didn’t. Guess what? That evening at home, my daughter seemed fine. But there were several other mornings that were just as difficult to leave her. In fact, one time she actually placed the thermometer on my curling iron so that it would appear that she had a fever. I could tell by the temperature reading that she had done something, because her coloring looked good, her skin wasn’t clammy, and her eyes were clear. However, the temperature reading was the highest number on the thermometer. Calling her bluff, I placed the thermometer on the bathroom counter and calmly told her I was going to call 911 because her temperature was so high that I was afraid she was going to have a seizure. Then she quickly admitted what she had done and said she just wanted to stay home with me. I also often felt behind as a working outside the home mom. Or I felt like I wasn’t doing enough of what she needed me to do. It made me feel like my daughter needed more from me than I was able to be home to give her. I knew the short time we were together at night helped, because she was always with me, talking about her day and thoughts. But as I look back as a more experienced mom whose daughter has passed away, it’s easier to think about what I’d like to have done differently. Now, as I remember my parenting days with her, it makes me ponder a particular feeling. Did I set myself up to parent to repair , not prepare ? What do I mean by that? All those years I felt like I was a good mom, and I’m sure that anyone who saw or knew me parent would say the same. My grown son testifies to the fact. It’s not something I dispute or feel guilty about. However, I don’t want to be known as a good mom. I now strive to be a godly mom. What’s the difference? Well, a good mom works hard to do the right things, but is hindered by circumstances and her own human flesh. I tried to give my daughter the attention she needed when I was home, but also had to meet commitments that affected the care she wanted from me. I remember praying that Jaime would understand that I had to leave, that she would understand I wanted to be with her, but couldn’t. I remember our talks about my job and how I didn’t want to leave her. At those times, she seemed fine, said she understood, and wanted to be in the moment. A godly mom would hear the words and interpret them another way. A godly mom would definitely pray different prayers. If I were in the situation now, I would pray with her before I left, I would remind her that whatever was making her want to be with me could be comforted by her Heavenly Father. I would set time with her when I got home, no matter how “fine” she seemed so we could read Scripture together and she could share what was bothering her. Was something happening at school? Did she just need extra time with me? Was she not feeling good, although she seemed fine? I would be in the Word with her daily, leading her to lay her feelings, thoughts, and fears at the feet of Christ. I would pray for God to reveal what Jaime needed so that I could reach her exactly where it would help her to feel secure when I had to be away from her. I would probably take a day off work, regardless of the money I would lose, or the trouble it would cause when I returned. I certainly did spend time with her every night, and I did pray for her, but I know my prayers would be different now. How? Because my attitude would be different. Although I was a good mom, I wasn’t a godly mom. A godly mom takes all things, every aspect of life captive for Christ. Her decisions, desires, and dreams are different because of Him. Instead of pressing forward with what I had to do financially, I would carve that time at night, despite my busy schedule, to have family Bible and prayer time. That was a missing piece during those years. One that would have helped me raise children with identities tied to Jesus as children and teens, helping them navigate the world and culture with His Truth. A Biblical worldview and a personal relationship with Christ that is maturing moment by moment would have taken the sadness from the face of a young girl and comforted her during the moments she missed her mom. Despite having a lot of time together at night to talk, my words and wisdom can only carry her so far. I don’t want you to miss what I am saying. We talked a lot about Jesus. In fact, she had accepted Him as her Savior as a young girl, but I didn’t know enough about actually crafting a purposed parenting plan that enabled her to grow wisdom, strength, identity, and desires through Him. Only God’s wisdom and understanding builds a foundation for her life to stand secure and strong. Mothers, you must have a purposed plan that does not sway or stop. So, when I say I feel like I was parenting to repair, not prepare, it probably sounds more obvious now that I’ve included good versus godly parenting. When we rightly place Jesus at the center of everything, and our mind is always focused on Him and the eternal outcome of our parenting years, we are changed. We become a different woman, a different wife, a different mom, daughter, sister, grandparent, friend, or follower of Christ. When a mother is parenting to prepare, she is proactive. Parenting should always be proactively productive for Christ. Your motherhood mindset, desires, and actions should be prepping your children for a lifetime of dependence on and submission to Him. It should teach them that He is always with them. He will care for them, teach them, and carry them. In contrast, when we parent to repair, we are not teaching reliance on Jesus, but self . I call it parenting to repair because training our children (whether we do it intentionally or not) to rely on self (or us) will never be enough. There will always be issues to deal with later, whether it be relationships, habits, beliefs, etc. Of course I prayed with her and talked about Jesus, but the biggest difference is the mindset I now carry and the way I purposely and patiently parent for Him in all ways. Like drawing and releasing breath, I think about how I am affecting my child for Christ and eternity. Not just about the situation we are currently in. Proverbs 22:6-7 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Sometimes parents read this verse and believe that if they tell their child about Christ and take them to church every week all will be well. It’s just not the case and so many parents are hurting. Children are hurting. Mothers have stopped believing God because they believe they trained their child in the way they should go, but their child grows up to walk away from God. Raising a child for Jesus is so much harder than we think. It is a lifetime of training, prayers, laughter, work, and tears. It is a sacrificial lifestyle that brings us to our knees and keeps us there. It is humbly submitting to transformation through Christ moment by moment so we can become the follower of Jesus that we need to be in order to model Him well to our children. It is admitting the ungodliness in ourself that allows us to accept and love the ungodliness in our children, but striving to move each of us into Christlikeness. It is recognizing the privilege and honor of raising the children God entrusted to us, but remembering that they have a choice. Just as we did. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior. No matter how well we may parent for Christ, we cannot force them to choose Him. We cannot make every day perfect. So, we prayerfully place our beloved children in His hands and trust that He will harvest the seeds we have sown. That is when we know we have truly parented to prepare, not repair . My favorite passage of parenting verses come from Deuteronomy 6:5-9 which 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. 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 .” What are some ways parents can look to Scripture to practice “prepared parenting ?” 1. 1 Corinthians 9:16 says, “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” Evangelism starts in the home. Our children are tiny sponges that are so eager to know Jesus. What an honor to bring their open hearts straight to Him. 2. 1 Corinthians 9:27 says, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified .” Just as Paul speaks of himself and his service for others under Christ, parents have a God-given, ordained obligation to raise children for Him. In order to do so, it is imperative to have relationship with Jesus, to regularly and prayerfully study the Bible to draw nearer to Him. We cannot teach our children to submit to someone we do not follow and mentor well. Remember, He chose you for each child under your influence and care. 3. 2 Corinthians 5:9 says, “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him .” As believers, our top goal, or aim , should be to honor God. “Aim” comes from the Greek word that means, “to love what is honorable .” It is, therefore, the duty of mothers, to aim to achieve the high goal of maturing our Christian walk, and of prayerfully developing the relationship of our children with Jesus, with full reliance on Him. Once we have experienced the life-changing and life-saving power of God’s merciful gift to us through Christ, we must commit to be accountable to the trust He bestowed to us when He purposed to us the children we have. Parenting is truly a privilege entrusted to every mother. We are expected to be a prayerful, maturing mentor of Jesus to each of the children in our care. As 1 Timothy 3:1 says, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task .” As overseers of God’s children, we carry the worthiest task of all. 4. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love .” These were words given to the Corinthians by Paul, but it also shows how we should plan our parenting. Paul was watchful of the world, which I call culture, and the dangerous, ungodly influences on our children. Mothers, we must submit to Jesus daily, humbly seeking His direction and transformation. Without doing so, we cannot mature our personal faith or nurture the faith of our children. As we stand in the strength and courage of the Lord, praying for the guarding guidance of the Holy Spirit within us, we will invite His merciful, abiding love for our children to direct our mind, heart, and steps. I appreciate the beauty in hindsight. Thankfully, my kids grew up to tell me that they thought I was a good mother. However, as one now much more mature in my relationship with Christ, I wish they had grown up to tell me how thankful they are to have had a godly mother. Those are the words my younger set of children use and it doesn’t reflect on me. All the glory goes to Christ, without whom I am nothing. What a gracious God I serve that He allowed me to raise a second family for Him. Being a godly mother has been the biggest difference in my parenting style the last nineteen years. I’m thankful to share parenting tips and godly advice with you. I hope you will be an even godlier mother than I can ever be. Dear Heavenly Father, how merciful and loving You are. How blessed we are to parent for You. Thank you for entrusting Your children into our incapable hands. Thank you for flowing Your goodness and mercy through us as we imperfectly parent Your children. What a privilege and honor You have bestowed on us! Show us the way to Your heart. Allow us to see our children with Your eyes, love them with Your heart, and raise them with Your wisdom. Carry us and our children and allow them to come to a full and lasting relationship with Jesus. Help us to view every moment as opportunities to draw ourselves nearer to You and model godly love and grace to our children, bringing them to Your feet. In His precious name 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. 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 all the details, as well as a special discount code if you decide 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 I’d be honored if you choose a friend to recommend the show to. Imagine the change we could see in the way mothers parent for Christ. 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 Purposed Parent/Comnected Child Podcast Episode 013 - As in the Days of Noah Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #013 – As in the Days of Noah Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. This summer I am doing regular podcasts mixed with scripture readings. This episode is a blend of the two. On the last “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” podcast episode we discussed values in a world of immorality and how we must stand firmly on God’s truths in order to build and maintain godly values. 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.” Scripture promises that God offers wisdom to any who seek it from Him, yet our Heavenly Father desires that we receive His wisdom and use it for His glory, as well as the good of others . But what happens when we do not seek the wisdom of God? What happens when generations do not abide by or teach God’s truths and morals to those behind them? The immorality, chaos, and disorder we see in our culture stems from the absence of God’s morals within the hearts and minds of society. What kind of future do you want to leave your children? The heart of man has been exposed from the earliest of creation. Beginning with Adam and Eve, we saw deception infiltrate mankind and seize control. Think back to the days of Noah, which were filled with great evil and moral corruptness. In fact, Genesis 6:5 states, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually .” This line of Scripture offers a clear and precise description of human depravity in the days of Noah. There is no way anyone could misunderstand what the times were like – every heart was continually evil . Do you notice the days we are living in? Do you ever feel that destruction is upon us? Are you comfortable with the state of the world and what it will be like when your children and grandchildren are adults? I recently learned an interesting fact. Did you know that there is not a biblical Hebrew word for “heart?” When the Bible speaks of matters of the heart , the word represents the emotions , will , and mind . I believe the absence of a specific or assigned word is very appropriate, and I know it was purposeful for the Bible to speak of heart as it does. As believers, we understand that the heart is the center or the driving force of our actions. When society chooses to contribute to evil and destruction, it exposes the condition of our heart. A heart that does not know and follow Jesus will be taken over with chaos, confusion, and lies. Let’s examine all of this book in Genesis more closely to see the lessons we can learn and teach to our children as they watch us navigate life with faith. Genesis 6:1-22 says, “When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that He had made human beings on the earth, and His heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” Noah did everything just as God commanded him .” At the beginning of this passage of verses, we read about the “sons of God” and “daughters of men,” which in the most common explanation of this passage most likely means that fallen angels came in the form of human men and then married human women. Because this is not a union in accordance with God’s holy order of reproduction according to one’s kind, this was an egregious offense to God. Next, we read that God’s spirit “shall not strive with man forever.” This area of scripture is the second time the Spirit is mentioned outright in the Bible. This time, the Spirit is linked to destruction of man. I’m unsure whether this meant that the Spirit will not strive with man forever and that his days shall be 120 years, meaning either God is referring to an actual age of man, showing he will not live forever, or that God is saying the flood will arrive with destruction in 120 years. Regardless, when we do not walk with the Spirit, we know that God will stop convicting us; we may not hear or receive the discerning, guiding prods or whispers that our Heavenly Father sometimes uses to attract our attention to Him. As we touched on earlier in this episode, the days of Noah were filled with evil continually. For the Bible to use such exact words shows us the infiltration of depravity at the time and the sorrow weighing on God’s heart. Was this wickedness a surprise to God? Certainly not! Yet, our holy Father grieved with heavy pain for what his earthly children caused. That sin issue is still present and prevalent today. Only through the sacrifice of Christ can any of us be removed from the stain of sin and begin to live as God intended as we allow the Holy Spirit to move and cleanse us from within. It is imperative that we read, study, and know God’s words and commands so that we can teach them and model obedience to them for our children. This passage of scripture, although it exposes the depravity of man through God’s eyes, also allows us to see that God was greatly grieved in his heart by the immorality of man. Why did Noah stand out to God during this rebellious, wicked time? Just as each of us are able to receive the unmerited grace of God, God viewed Noah’s heart and saw that he was what God considered “just.” Was Noah perfect? Most definitely not. Each of us is so far from the holiness of God that we will always fall far short of where He desires us to be. Yet God granted Noah grace and found a man who would be obedient to His call. God saved Noah and his family and worked through their obedience to assemble and act on His next plan. During the course of history, God’s eyes have roamed the earth seeking those who will love, honor, follow, and obey Him. In Noah, God saw the person who would humble himself before the Lord and follow His instructions without question. Despite the devastating immorality infiltrating his day, Noah heeded the voice of God. Are you teaching your children to cherish God and His commands so much that they honor and obey God? My desire is for my children to love the Lord so much and have a growing relationship with Jesus so that they will be aware of His expectations and hear His calls and act promptly in loving obedience. Can you imagine the ridicule Noah would have received from peers? From scripture, we estimate that it took Noah approximately 100 years to complete the ark. Noah had no idea why God had commanded him to build this ark, but still, he stepped out with faith that he must act exactly as God had commanded, enabling God to credit him as righteous. People often choose to pick which command they want to obey. Some never hear the quiet voice of God directing them in various ways. Noah, however, chose to hear and act on exactly what God revealed for him to do, even though he did not know God’s ultimate plan. Noah was attuned to His Heavenly Father and ready to obey. Through obedience to God, Noah’s family and future generations were protected and saved. Imagine the world we would live in if those who confess to follow Christ would study scripture and follow the voice of God in humble obedience. As our children see us walk with God, joyful in obeying His commands and calls, they will learn to desire and do the same. The immorality, chaos, and disorder we see in our culture would no longer exist if individuals and families adhere to the standards of God and lovingly teach our children to do the same. When we see others who do not have families and step in to show them the way to Jesus and help them to know Him, the schemes of Satan can be thwarted as chaos and confusion are diminished and erased. Our world is growing closer to the days of Noah. Without the steady hand of our Father guiding us with His love, grace, mercy, and discernment, our children do not have hope for the future that could await them. What can you do today to change the course of history for your child and the generations to come? Dear Heavenly Father, great is Your name. Thank you for your constant love and care, even when we do not recognize or deserve it. You have given us so much that we take for granted and we live in desperate times where some take what they desire without thought. Days are becoming more like the days of Noah and the only way to cleanse the wicked hearts is through the saving mercy and grace of Jesus. Help us, Father to seek You, to follow You, and to show You to others. May our children be a greater faith generation than we are. Cause us to respect Your authority with joy so that our children do the same. Help us to respond with anticipation when You call us to obedience. May our children listen to You and live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm because they are walking in step with You. May their hearts be wise in Your eyes and their hearts full of the light of Christ as they navigate this world. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you would like to hear more about the condition of our heart, the root of all issues, please listen to the Live With Eternal Perspective podcast episode 001, Heart Conditions or episode 046, Maturing Character Like Christ. If you pray for your child, please look for my free ebook, “Prayers for My Child,” available on the website under the “Resources” page and is designed to guide the heart of your child to the feet of Jesus through scripturally-based prayer. The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast is now available at terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, receive access to blog posts, read transcripts, and find additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence connected children through Him. God knows that we are not capable of successful parenting on our own. As we rely on Him, releasing doubts and expectations, and humbly bow to His guidance and experience, we find greater clarity in parenting and a wondrous walk with our Creator that will extend to our children and those around us for generations . I pray this podcast helps you parent with purpose and deepen your connection to Jesus and your children as you intentionally place Christ above culture or self. Allow Him to work through you for true connection that will draw your children to Him and build a maturing relationship with Christ and your child that lasts for eternity. Previous Next

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #060 – Communication With Passed Loved Ones 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. Today we are going to discuss a topic that will most likely catch the attention of every listener. I pray that God will take each of my words captive for His truth. Two questions are routinely asked after people hear that I have lost a child. 1. How I kept joy after such a depth of pain and grief? 2. Have I received signs from my daughter after her death? I’ve never tackled the topic of life after death or receiving signs from loved ones. Honestly, it is an enormous and very important subject and I’ve had to pray for God’s great discernment and guidance. For those who have experienced loss, I am deeply sorry for your pain and heartache. Grief is extremely personal and demanding. Heartbreak can alter a person at the core. Loss takes our breath away. Mourning changes our present, as well as future, steals dreams, and rewrites plans without our consent. No one will experience loss the same; sorrow is as unique as fingerprints. I offer my sympathy, hope, and prayers to you. Through my journey of losses, I have found that even at the deepest and most distressful level, God was waiting there. He carried me, ministering to me in supernatural ways that tenderly express His love and personal care before and after my loved ones left. God placed the ability to love and grieve within us; He understands the immense pain and heartache we suffer once those we love are gone. Losing someone we love is complex and agonizing; bereavement is intense. It can be very tempting to seek any connection we can continue. Sometimes, after the loss of a loved one, people look for any sign of communication from the one they are grieving. It makes many feel comforted to imagine their precious one watching over them or that they have become a guardian angel tasked to protect them. Believers must strive to understand what God’s word has to say about this topic. Just because we can be comforted by what we wish to be true does not mean our perceptions are true. Although I cannot profess to know all of the answers, I am going to carefully seek what we can glean from God’s word because we don’t know exactly what happens to loved ones after death. The Bible doesn’t specifically tell us everything. It is certain, however, that we do not become angels. Many times people will attempt to offer comfort to those grieving by stating that their loved one will now watch over them as a protective angel. The Bible, however, clearly states that humans and angels are different beings. Psalm 8:4-8 says, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3a says, “Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels?” Another topic associated with death that the Bible offers clear instruction on is to not look for contact from dead loved ones. There is no information that tells us they are willing or able to message us. God’s word is also clear that we are not to attempt to communicate with the dead through any means. Although we cannot correspond and we don’t know all details about loved ones after they die, scripture does contain interesting clues in several verses and parables throughout the Bible. One of the most informative Bible passages to read regarding the life of loved ones after death is found within Luke 16:19-31, which contains the story of Lazarus and the rich man. This is what it says: “Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” It is believed that Jesus actually spoke these words to expose the way the Pharisees were living with a religion based on status, laws, wealth, and appearance, not a true and lasting faith. The Pharisees believed that wealth was a sign of the righteousness of a person. When Jesus spoke this story, it startled those listening because the poor and diseased beggar receives the reward and comfort, while the rich man is thrown into hell with eternal separation. Jesus’s story teaches about wealth versus poverty and compassion for the poor and needy. The Lord was not speaking to specifically instruct or teach what the afterlife would be like, yet I believe this passage offers details that carry meaningful hints. The Bible clearly teaches that everyone will go to one of two places after we leave this earth. Each of us will either experience a joyful eternal life of fellowship with God or we will brutally suffer through affliction and live in agony forever in hell. As we study the passage in Luke, we read that Jesus tells us the two men are eternally separated by an extensive, insurmountable gulf. The rich man is bound forever in hell while Lazarus has immediately been carried to heaven. In the story, the rich man can see Lazarus. He cries for mercy and asks if the poor man can assist him, but is rejected and told that there is a great chasm with no way for anyone to pass in either direction. Next, the rich man pleads to have Lazarus sent to his father’s house to testify so that the rich man’s brothers may be warned and not end up in the place of torment. He is told that Moses and the prophets have already issued warnings and that his brothers have not heeded them, thus they would not pay attention to one raised from the dead." Now when we study verse 26, we see that the great abyss is fixed. No one passes from one side to the other. This passage of scripture demonstrates that although we yearn to continue some type of communication with the deceased, death separates us. At least for now. Some could argue that the rich man and his family did not know or follow God during life, so that could be why they were not allowed to communicate. Perhaps if the rich man had obediently known and followed God in his lifetime, he would be able to warn relatives about their eternity and convince them to change their ways. Scripture never says or addresses this point specifically. However, with many strong scriptural warnings throughout the Bible that clearly instruct and forbid us against attempts to communicate with the dead, it is highly likely that if our loving Heavenly Father desired us to receive communication from loved ones, He would provide clear information telling us how in the Bible. Yet, God does not offer that instruction. What is offered in the Bible is the truth that none of us are given a second chance at what our eternal future holds after death. Listen to these reminders from Hebrews and Romans. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Romans 14:11-13 says, “For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 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.” Another area in which to completely steer clear of is those who proclaim to be able to speak to the dead or who encourage you to take part in seances, Quija board sessions, or other items and activities of this nature. God’s word warns that if someone claims to communicate with the dead they are not. In fact, they may be associating with evil spirits. Leviticus 19:31 says, “Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.” 2 Corinthians 11:14b says, “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 1 Chronicles 10:13 says, “So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord's command, and he even consulted a medium.” 1 John 4:1 says, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” 1 Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” There is no place in scripture that states loved ones, even when present with the Lord, can communicate with those they left behind. Non-believers are cast into hell and eternal torment, where they will await their final judgement. We read in 2 Peter 2:4, “For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.” Revelation 20:12-15 says, “I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” What we do know through scripture is that our loved ones remember us. This knowledge does not reveal whether they can see us, and the passage we read from Luke does not say whether the rich man could see his family. Yet, what a comfort to know that loved ones remember us and we will remember them. We also learn in Mark 9:2-6, that the disciples were even able to recognize Moses and Elijah, even though they had never met. The passage says, “After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For they were all so terrified that Peter did not know what else to say.” Peter, James, and John had known enough about Moses and Elijah to recognize who they were. I find this extremely interesting! How many people will we automatically know in Heaven? Isn’t that thought exciting? I believe the best lesson we can learn from the verses and passages we have discussed today is to ensure that we do not look for assurance in the wrong places. Life should be centered around God, just as death should be. Any assurances about life and death should be found in Him alone. Eternal life found through Jesus Christ should be the comfort we seek and the treasure we hold dear. John 8:12 says, “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Many people have earthly experiences in which they feel that their loved one is connecting with them. I am not making this podcast to credit or discredit them. Their walk is individual and they are accountable to God, not me. I appreciate knowing they feel peace and joy from what they believe comes from their loved one. However, I want to emphasize that everything we need to know or understand is found in God’s Holy Word. As we read and study what He has divinely left for us to search, we find nothing that encourages us to place hope and faith in our loved ones, but rather everything points to Him as the only one who can fill that role for us. Perhaps our reasoning is distorted when we believe loved ones are reaching out to us. I believe our Heavenly Father knows the exact times and ways we need reassurance, love, faith, and light in our hearts and He absolutely delights in giving us those pure and good gifts. God knows how to reach us in intimate, unique ways that prove we are not forgotten and that He understands the pain we are experiencing. Rather than claiming that those we grieve carry the ability to minister to us, we should acknowledge that God is there, as He always has been, and always will be. James 1:17 says, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” Our Heavenly Father gave us the ability to connect with others and to love incredibly deeply. As strong as our connections are, they are shallow compared to what He feels for us. We only love because He first loved us. God placed the ability to care, feel, and love into us when He formed us. Varied are the ways He proves His love for us. Each one of us is blessed to have the hope that one day we will be reunited with those we love. If we submit to Jesus now as we live our life on earth, we have the certainty that we will be with Him eternally and have the ultimate reunion with our loved ones who made the same choice to follow Jesus. Because humans often look for sensory experiences, it is easy to be persuaded to search for reassurance with something we can understand, touch, or hold. Sometimes it is doubt or guilt that can cause us to try to connect with those passed on. Most of the time it is simply grief. We miss those we knew and loved, shared life and dreams with. Flesh is weak. As we battle grief, we may yearn for instant connection instead of relying on faith and the hope and trust of the unseen. I pray we each recognize that God is in the details of every moment of our life. As we seek God in the ordinary, He proves Himself in the extraordinary. Although we believe our loved ones will remember us when we see them again, I don’t think our loved ones are pining over us, but rather, they are enjoying the only One who ever fills spaces within us with exactly what we need. All of life and death is about Him. God is calling us to mature our thought process and live with an eternal perspective that seeks Him through each detail of life. Perhaps this verse from Luke 24:5, is the best example. “The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?” We are the dead ones, while our loved ones soar with eternal life. Why would they be found among us? Loved ones who chose to follow Christ are alive in ways we can only imagine. As God’s word makes so clear in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, how we long for You. Thank you for the people You so lovingly place in our life with purpose. Comfort us as we grieve for them, carry us when we are overwhelmed with the intensity of pain born of separation. We know You understand. Fill us with the hope of Your promise of resurrection. May we long for You as we do our loved ones and seek to follow You in this life we have been granted for such a short time. We know all of our days are numbered, but we have the hope and promise of eternity with You and a blessed reunion with those we grieve. May we please You in the ways we live without them and may we draw nearer to You as we recognize the gifts You place before us in the midst of our pain and grief. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I pray you find the peace and hope only Jesus can deliver through the words in each episode. 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. My latest resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” has released! This free 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 and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective. Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 060 Communication With Passed Loved Ones Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #060 – Communication With Passed Loved Ones 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. Today we are going to discuss a topic that will most likely catch the attention of every listener. I pray that God will take each of my words captive for His truth. Two questions are routinely asked after people hear that I have lost a child. 1. How I kept joy after such a depth of pain and grief? 2. Have I received signs from my daughter after her death? I’ve never tackled the topic of life after death or receiving signs from loved ones. Honestly, it is an enormous and very important subject and I’ve had to pray for God’s great discernment and guidance. For those who have experienced loss, I am deeply sorry for your pain and heartache. Grief is extremely personal and demanding. Heartbreak can alter a person at the core. Loss takes our breath away. Mourning changes our present, as well as future, steals dreams, and rewrites plans without our consent. No one will experience loss the same; sorrow is as unique as fingerprints. I offer my sympathy, hope, and prayers to you. Through my journey of losses, I have found that even at the deepest and most distressful level, God was waiting there. He carried me, ministering to me in supernatural ways that tenderly express His love and personal care before and after my loved ones left. God placed the ability to love and grieve within us; He understands the immense pain and heartache we suffer once those we love are gone. Losing someone we love is complex and agonizing; bereavement is intense. It can be very tempting to seek any connection we can continue. Sometimes, after the loss of a loved one, people look for any sign of communication from the one they are grieving. It makes many feel comforted to imagine their precious one watching over them or that they have become a guardian angel tasked to protect them. Believers must strive to understand what God’s word has to say about this topic. Just because we can be comforted by what we wish to be true does not mean our perceptions are true. Although I cannot profess to know all of the answers, I am going to carefully seek what we can glean from God’s word because we don’t know exactly what happens to loved ones after death. The Bible doesn’t specifically tell us everything. It is certain, however, that we do not become angels. Many times people will attempt to offer comfort to those grieving by stating that their loved one will now watch over them as a protective angel. The Bible, however, clearly states that humans and angels are different beings. Psalm 8:4-8 says, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3a says, “Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels?” Another topic associated with death that the Bible offers clear instruction on is to not look for contact from dead loved ones. There is no information that tells us they are willing or able to message us. God’s word is also clear that we are not to attempt to communicate with the dead through any means. Although we cannot correspond and we don’t know all details about loved ones after they die, scripture does contain interesting clues in several verses and parables throughout the Bible. One of the most informative Bible passages to read regarding the life of loved ones after death is found within Luke 16:19-31, which contains the story of Lazarus and the rich man. This is what it says: “Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” It is believed that Jesus actually spoke these words to expose the way the Pharisees were living with a religion based on status, laws, wealth, and appearance, not a true and lasting faith. The Pharisees believed that wealth was a sign of the righteousness of a person. When Jesus spoke this story, it startled those listening because the poor and diseased beggar receives the reward and comfort, while the rich man is thrown into hell with eternal separation. Jesus’s story teaches about wealth versus poverty and compassion for the poor and needy. The Lord was not speaking to specifically instruct or teach what the afterlife would be like, yet I believe this passage offers details that carry meaningful hints. The Bible clearly teaches that everyone will go to one of two places after we leave this earth. Each of us will either experience a joyful eternal life of fellowship with God or we will brutally suffer through affliction and live in agony forever in hell. As we study the passage in Luke, we read that Jesus tells us the two men are eternally separated by an extensive, insurmountable gulf. The rich man is bound forever in hell while Lazarus has immediately been carried to heaven. In the story, the rich man can see Lazarus. He cries for mercy and asks if the poor man can assist him, but is rejected and told that there is a great chasm with no way for anyone to pass in either direction. Next, the rich man pleads to have Lazarus sent to his father’s house to testify so that the rich man’s brothers may be warned and not end up in the place of torment. He is told that Moses and the prophets have already issued warnings and that his brothers have not heeded them, thus they would not pay attention to one raised from the dead." Now when we study verse 26, we see that the great abyss is fixed. No one passes from one side to the other. This passage of scripture demonstrates that although we yearn to continue some type of communication with the deceased, death separates us. At least for now. Some could argue that the rich man and his family did not know or follow God during life, so that could be why they were not allowed to communicate. Perhaps if the rich man had obediently known and followed God in his lifetime, he would be able to warn relatives about their eternity and convince them to change their ways. Scripture never says or addresses this point specifically. However, with many strong scriptural warnings throughout the Bible that clearly instruct and forbid us against attempts to communicate with the dead, it is highly likely that if our loving Heavenly Father desired us to receive communication from loved ones, He would provide clear information telling us how in the Bible. Yet, God does not offer that instruction. What is offered in the Bible is the truth that none of us are given a second chance at what our eternal future holds after death. Listen to these reminders from Hebrews and Romans. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Romans 14:11-13 says, “For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 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.” Another area in which to completely steer clear of is those who proclaim to be able to speak to the dead or who encourage you to take part in seances, Quija board sessions, or other items and activities of this nature. God’s word warns that if someone claims to communicate with the dead they are not. In fact, they may be associating with evil spirits. Leviticus 19:31 says, “Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the Lord your God.” 2 Corinthians 11:14b says, “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 1 Chronicles 10:13 says, “So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord's command, and he even consulted a medium.” 1 John 4:1 says, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” 1 Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” There is no place in scripture that states loved ones, even when present with the Lord, can communicate with those they left behind. Non-believers are cast into hell and eternal torment, where they will await their final judgement. We read in 2 Peter 2:4, “For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.” Revelation 20:12-15 says, “I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” What we do know through scripture is that our loved ones remember us. This knowledge does not reveal whether they can see us, and the passage we read from Luke does not say whether the rich man could see his family. Yet, what a comfort to know that loved ones remember us and we will remember them. We also learn in Mark 9:2-6, that the disciples were even able to recognize Moses and Elijah, even though they had never met. The passage says, “After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For they were all so terrified that Peter did not know what else to say.” Peter, James, and John had known enough about Moses and Elijah to recognize who they were. I find this extremely interesting! How many people will we automatically know in Heaven? Isn’t that thought exciting? I believe the best lesson we can learn from the verses and passages we have discussed today is to ensure that we do not look for assurance in the wrong places. Life should be centered around God, just as death should be. Any assurances about life and death should be found in Him alone. Eternal life found through Jesus Christ should be the comfort we seek and the treasure we hold dear. John 8:12 says, “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Many people have earthly experiences in which they feel that their loved one is connecting with them. I am not making this podcast to credit or discredit them. Their walk is individual and they are accountable to God, not me. I appreciate knowing they feel peace and joy from what they believe comes from their loved one. However, I want to emphasize that everything we need to know or understand is found in God’s Holy Word. As we read and study what He has divinely left for us to search, we find nothing that encourages us to place hope and faith in our loved ones, but rather everything points to Him as the only one who can fill that role for us. Perhaps our reasoning is distorted when we believe loved ones are reaching out to us. I believe our Heavenly Father knows the exact times and ways we need reassurance, love, faith, and light in our hearts and He absolutely delights in giving us those pure and good gifts. God knows how to reach us in intimate, unique ways that prove we are not forgotten and that He understands the pain we are experiencing. Rather than claiming that those we grieve carry the ability to minister to us, we should acknowledge that God is there, as He always has been, and always will be. James 1:17 says, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” Our Heavenly Father gave us the ability to connect with others and to love incredibly deeply. As strong as our connections are, they are shallow compared to what He feels for us. We only love because He first loved us. God placed the ability to care, feel, and love into us when He formed us. Varied are the ways He proves His love for us. Each one of us is blessed to have the hope that one day we will be reunited with those we love. If we submit to Jesus now as we live our life on earth, we have the certainty that we will be with Him eternally and have the ultimate reunion with our loved ones who made the same choice to follow Jesus. Because humans often look for sensory experiences, it is easy to be persuaded to search for reassurance with something we can understand, touch, or hold. Sometimes it is doubt or guilt that can cause us to try to connect with those passed on. Most of the time it is simply grief. We miss those we knew and loved, shared life and dreams with. Flesh is weak. As we battle grief, we may yearn for instant connection instead of relying on faith and the hope and trust of the unseen. I pray we each recognize that God is in the details of every moment of our life. As we seek God in the ordinary, He proves Himself in the extraordinary. Although we believe our loved ones will remember us when we see them again, I don’t think our loved ones are pining over us, but rather, they are enjoying the only One who ever fills spaces within us with exactly what we need. All of life and death is about Him. God is calling us to mature our thought process and live with an eternal perspective that seeks Him through each detail of life. Perhaps this verse from Luke 24:5, is the best example. “The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?” We are the dead ones, while our loved ones soar with eternal life. Why would they be found among us? Loved ones who chose to follow Christ are alive in ways we can only imagine. As God’s word makes so clear in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, how we long for You. Thank you for the people You so lovingly place in our life with purpose. Comfort us as we grieve for them, carry us when we are overwhelmed with the intensity of pain born of separation. We know You understand. Fill us with the hope of Your promise of resurrection. May we long for You as we do our loved ones and seek to follow You in this life we have been granted for such a short time. We know all of our days are numbered, but we have the hope and promise of eternity with You and a blessed reunion with those we grieve. May we please You in the ways we live without them and may we draw nearer to You as we recognize the gifts You place before us in the midst of our pain and grief. In Your precious name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode. I pray you find the peace and hope only Jesus can deliver through the words in each episode. 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. My latest resource, “Scattering Seeds: Planting Character and Faith in Your Child” has released! This free 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 and find new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.

Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #026 – Mind Fixed On Eternity 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. This episode is beginning a little differently. I want to start with a specific request. Right now I want you to concentrate on where your mind is focused. Search beyond this podcast to what was on your mind before it started. Have you ascertained what is engaging your attention? Now think about what is attracting your heart. Deep questions, I know. But ponder your conclusions. Do your answers cause you to fumble or to seize opportunities to draw nearer to God today? We know it takes concentrated effort to live a life pleasing to God. What about a life protected for God with a mind fixed on eternity? Proverbs 4:20-23 says,“ My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.” The springs of life. Some Bible translations say the “wellspring” of life. What does that mean? A wellspring is the head or source of a river, stream, or a spring. It is the source or supply of something that is considered inexhaustible. Who is our wellspring of life? Our Heavenly Father. Does your heart contain what the Father’s would? What He desires for you? Now let’s look at water that flows from a wellspring. Have you ever thought about the purpose of a river? From the mountaintop down to the delta where the river flows into a lake, ocean, or reservoir, the river doesn’t just flow. It changes the surface of the earth as it moves. Just like Jesus did and still does. The water cuts rocks, moves boulders, and permanently changes the land in its path. The river continues on to create a wide and flat valley where it can flow smoothly toward the ocean. Water movement has purpose. Our lives must be as intentional, not just flowing along without a course. As we stay connected to God, our wellspring, life has purpose. We access mighty strength and abilities through the Lord as He works through us, permanently altering and influencing not only us, but those we come into contact with as they witness Him alive and flowing through us. Deuteronomy 11:18 says, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” If we are to fix His words in our hearts and minds, and bind them on our foreheads, it means we must diligently keep our heart with all vigilance, we are to guard it. To place barriers around it. When we think of protecting something precious to us, we imagine setting a barrier that keeps the item far from harm. Imagine if you lived next to a cliff with a drop of 500 feet. Your curious two year is toddling around the yard. You are distracted and take your eyes off them for just a few moments. As your toddler heads toward the cliff, you continue with your task, unaware that they are almost to the edge. At the last second you look up. Are you devastated that you can’t reach them before they plunge off the side? Or are you relieved that you had the foresight to place guardrails to protect from disaster? Did you build your fence at the edge of the cliff? Or did you build an extra tall, secure, and strong barrier many hundred feet away from the cliff so that your child would never be at risk? Examining our heart inclinations and desires, then placing proper guardrails to protect and nourish our relationship with God is essential if we wish to stay connected to the wellspring and maintain a healthy passage. Instead of feeling restricted, as we place godly boundaries on our heart and mind, we draw nearer to God. We become more sensitive to His heart, ways, and desires for us, and expose ourselves to become attuned to what God is showing and speaking to us. We are to keep God’s words, instructions, and promises to us within our heart and on our mind. We are to be attentive to them, to see and listen to them as we complete our days. They are healing life to us when we obey. Our heart, the feelings we hold in it such as what we love or desire, will govern how we live because we always make the time to do and follow what we think about and enjoy. In Proverbs, Solomon instructs us to make sure we concentrate on what will guard our heart and keep us directed toward God. We are to keep our focus fixed above, with blinders on to what would distract us, and not be sidetracked or detoured by the sin that so easily rules and entangles us in this world. In order to positively influence others for the Lord, we must be living with a mind fixed on eternity, focused with the purpose of making each moment we experience now count for eternity. We live in the present, but our motives are not fixed here. We know our life is a fast blink compared to everlasting days with God. Christians understand that we are supposed to live our lives and manage our priorities in ways that honor God and take each moment captive for Him. Jesus could return at any moment! It’s easy to be caught in the rush of the world we live in and allow the thought of eternity to be shoved into the recesses of our mind, never becoming a thought that causes us to act. Or change. How do we ensure that we purposely seize our moments and days captive for the Lord? How do we make them matter for eternity? How do we ensure that all we experience draws us nearer to Him? How do we focus on living with a mindset fixed on eternity? How do we set on minds on things above, not on earthly things as instructed in Colossians 3:2? We must release ourselves in order for God to transform and revive us. 1. Focus our heart on Jesus. He is the destination and the way simultaneously. 2. Accept God’s sovereignty. 3. Own a study Bible and absorb His word. 4. Follow the Spirit of the Living, Holy God inside us. 5. Pray. 6. Live with an abundant gratitude attitude. 7. Serve Jesus by serving others. Each one of these steps serves a very important purpose in building a strong foundation for living with an eternity-focused mindset and growing and deepening our walk with God through Jesus. Self-evaluation is crucial when we truly desire God to lead our life. Some live with the mindset of having additional time to do what we want and reflect on God later. Or often we think we have released expectations, desires, unforgiveness, bitterness, heartache, dreams, plans, and more to God, but our Heavenly Father is a Master at knowing what is deep within our heart. He understands exactly what we need to surrender and the timing and actions in which He must allow us to do so. One question we need to be brave enough to regularly ask ourselves is, “What am I clutching that I need to release?” Seek the ways you experience emotions or feelings that are contrary to God’s. Feel them and surrender them to Him. Once they are removed, fortify your mind to keep them out. We simply cannot draw nearer to God in a deep and full relationship without trusting His supreme power and authority. While it is beneficial to know that He is good, capable, and in control, it is different than trusting absolutely everything in our life by yielding to God and His dominion over us. We must choose to place our confidence in God in order to fully release our life to Him. It is the only way to begin living with minds fixed on eternity rather than what we experience now. What steps can we take to enable us to surrender ourselves to Him? 1. Read His word. Take that best-selling book off the shelf and invest precious time learning His commands and promises. We cannot recognize deceit and imposters if we do not know the truth. God’s truth. We cannot prepare, strengthen, or protect our mind without modeling His. 2. Pray. Talk to our Heavenly Father. He allows us to call Him father for a reason. He intentionally created each of us and deeply desires intimate relationship with every single one of us. Listen for Him to respond and instruct you. Listen for His discipline. We need both. 3. Pray His words. Mighty power flows through the words of our Father as we pray scripture back to Him with trust and faith. 4. Live with gratitude. Doesn’t it feel good to gift someone and receive their grateful acceptance? Our Father offers us so much, even blessings we fail to see, and we can never give Him enough credit for all He does or has sacrificed for us. Living with gratitude despite circumstances prepares our heart and mind to consistently live with an attitude of gratitude that He richly deserves. 5. Visualize the relationship you want with God and the eternity you would love to share with Him. We must keep our mind focused on what truly matters to create and sustain the lifestyle we need to achieve it. If you want to live a life that will please the Father, you must create and live it today. 6. Seek and Share Him. As we live in ways that honor God and we grow and deepen our walk with Him, He will automatically make a difference in the way we live, speak, and react. He will shine through us in ways that attract others to His light and love and He will direct us to step outside the safety of our comfort zone to serve Him and discover His strength flowing through us. Psalm 143:8 says, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” How much joy each new morning should bring when we commit our ways to Him. Though the days be harsh or afflictions in this life press against us, we can still choose to place our hope and trust in Him. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” God is our shelter, our protection from danger. Run to Him. Cry out to Him. Place your hope in Him. Trust Him. Even when we perceive what is happening in our life as good or bad, right, or wrong. Remain full of hope and confident that the Lord is present through any emotion or feeling that may feel otherwise. Recall past faithfulness of God or seek His trustworthiness from His word or the testimony of others. He loves all of us the same. He will be just as steadfast to you. Work to build trust just as you would with any other relationship. It takes effort and desire to grow healthy communication and faith. A person growing a strong relationship with God finds joy in viewing eternity as our final destination and perceives this world as one piece of their life journey. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We cannot live in true freedom through Jesus if we do not view every moment through our Father’s eternity-driven motives. Even on the cross, Jesus was not centered on Himself, but His Father’s will. He was focused on our eternity. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 says, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” Most of us believe we are alive and here for a purpose. We must remember the purpose should be centered in God’s will. We must strive to know and obey what He directs for our life. Pivot is such a popular word in our culture right now. Let’s use it for eternity-driven lives. Shift or pivot your mindset and heartset to pattern the life of Jesus and what He came to model for us. Allow Him to teach you how to follow the eternity-driven purposes God has tailor-made for you. If we authentically, with our wounds, scars, pivots, and heart pursue God, then we will also develop the ability to authentically show Him to others. As we deepen and grow our love for Jesus, we are able to genuinely serve Him through the gifts and talents He graced us with for the purpose of serving Him and others. We don’t have to say, “yes” to everyone or everything in order to serve, but a close and obedient relationship with God prompts our response for Him to be, “yes.” Living with eternal perspective encompasses every aspect of our life, as well as those around us. Absolutely everything we do or say, our attitude, gratitude, and mind or heartset, impacts those others for eternity. Our heart, whether purely fixed on following Jesus or corrupt through our flesh and this fallen world, will direct our life. We must guard our heart, allow God to set boundaries, and follow Him through faith, trust, and obedience. Our mind and thoughts become our will and affections. Where are yours directed? How are you affecting others today? How is your life affected by Jesus today? Where are you placing your boundaries? How far are you from the ledge? Where is your mind fixed? Luke 9:25 says, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” Jesus calls us to crucify this temporary life to gain eternal life with and through Him. 1 John 2:15-17 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. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” This verse is speaking to three important ways the word, “world” is used in the Bible. We have the system of this world, which opposes the Lord and follows Satan. We see the world of creation, which would mean false gods or idols that this world serves so well, and we know the love of the world, meaning human beings, which might mean that a person has never experienced salvation through Christ. Guard your heart and fix your mind beyond this world. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of 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 reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.” God is so clear in these verses. Our Heavenly Father urgently instructs us to fix our minds upon Him and to teach of Him diligently at all times. Our thoughts are to remain fixed on Him, through Him, in every way, safeguarding and preserving our minds for Him while we live in this temporary stopping point. Isaiah 40:6-8 says, “The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” His word stands forever. John 12:24-25 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” We must fix our minds and hearts on eternity. Revelation 21:1-4 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Our present will pass away. He will dwell with us. Will our hearts and minds be ready? Build your security now. Fix your mind for eternity and drive your actions and attitudes with it. Build that fence far from the cliff. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement to learn how to live with more of an eternal perspective? Right now, because the podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media and 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 026 Mind Fixed On Eternity Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #026 – Mind Fixed On Eternity 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. This episode is beginning a little differently. I want to start with a specific request. Right now I want you to concentrate on where your mind is focused. Search beyond this podcast to what was on your mind before it started. Have you ascertained what is engaging your attention? Now think about what is attracting your heart. Deep questions, I know. But ponder your conclusions. Do your answers cause you to fumble or to seize opportunities to draw nearer to God today? We know it takes concentrated effort to live a life pleasing to God. What about a life protected for God with a mind fixed on eternity? Proverbs 4:20-23 says,“ My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.” The springs of life. Some Bible translations say the “wellspring” of life. What does that mean? A wellspring is the head or source of a river, stream, or a spring. It is the source or supply of something that is considered inexhaustible. Who is our wellspring of life? Our Heavenly Father. Does your heart contain what the Father’s would? What He desires for you? Now let’s look at water that flows from a wellspring. Have you ever thought about the purpose of a river? From the mountaintop down to the delta where the river flows into a lake, ocean, or reservoir, the river doesn’t just flow. It changes the surface of the earth as it moves. Just like Jesus did and still does. The water cuts rocks, moves boulders, and permanently changes the land in its path. The river continues on to create a wide and flat valley where it can flow smoothly toward the ocean. Water movement has purpose. Our lives must be as intentional, not just flowing along without a course. As we stay connected to God, our wellspring, life has purpose. We access mighty strength and abilities through the Lord as He works through us, permanently altering and influencing not only us, but those we come into contact with as they witness Him alive and flowing through us. Deuteronomy 11:18 says, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” If we are to fix His words in our hearts and minds, and bind them on our foreheads, it means we must diligently keep our heart with all vigilance, we are to guard it. To place barriers around it. When we think of protecting something precious to us, we imagine setting a barrier that keeps the item far from harm. Imagine if you lived next to a cliff with a drop of 500 feet. Your curious two year is toddling around the yard. You are distracted and take your eyes off them for just a few moments. As your toddler heads toward the cliff, you continue with your task, unaware that they are almost to the edge. At the last second you look up. Are you devastated that you can’t reach them before they plunge off the side? Or are you relieved that you had the foresight to place guardrails to protect from disaster? Did you build your fence at the edge of the cliff? Or did you build an extra tall, secure, and strong barrier many hundred feet away from the cliff so that your child would never be at risk? Examining our heart inclinations and desires, then placing proper guardrails to protect and nourish our relationship with God is essential if we wish to stay connected to the wellspring and maintain a healthy passage. Instead of feeling restricted, as we place godly boundaries on our heart and mind, we draw nearer to God. We become more sensitive to His heart, ways, and desires for us, and expose ourselves to become attuned to what God is showing and speaking to us. We are to keep God’s words, instructions, and promises to us within our heart and on our mind. We are to be attentive to them, to see and listen to them as we complete our days. They are healing life to us when we obey. Our heart, the feelings we hold in it such as what we love or desire, will govern how we live because we always make the time to do and follow what we think about and enjoy. In Proverbs, Solomon instructs us to make sure we concentrate on what will guard our heart and keep us directed toward God. We are to keep our focus fixed above, with blinders on to what would distract us, and not be sidetracked or detoured by the sin that so easily rules and entangles us in this world. In order to positively influence others for the Lord, we must be living with a mind fixed on eternity, focused with the purpose of making each moment we experience now count for eternity. We live in the present, but our motives are not fixed here. We know our life is a fast blink compared to everlasting days with God. Christians understand that we are supposed to live our lives and manage our priorities in ways that honor God and take each moment captive for Him. Jesus could return at any moment! It’s easy to be caught in the rush of the world we live in and allow the thought of eternity to be shoved into the recesses of our mind, never becoming a thought that causes us to act. Or change. How do we ensure that we purposely seize our moments and days captive for the Lord? How do we make them matter for eternity? How do we ensure that all we experience draws us nearer to Him? How do we focus on living with a mindset fixed on eternity? How do we set on minds on things above, not on earthly things as instructed in Colossians 3:2? We must release ourselves in order for God to transform and revive us. 1. Focus our heart on Jesus. He is the destination and the way simultaneously. 2. Accept God’s sovereignty. 3. Own a study Bible and absorb His word. 4. Follow the Spirit of the Living, Holy God inside us. 5. Pray. 6. Live with an abundant gratitude attitude. 7. Serve Jesus by serving others. Each one of these steps serves a very important purpose in building a strong foundation for living with an eternity-focused mindset and growing and deepening our walk with God through Jesus. Self-evaluation is crucial when we truly desire God to lead our life. Some live with the mindset of having additional time to do what we want and reflect on God later. Or often we think we have released expectations, desires, unforgiveness, bitterness, heartache, dreams, plans, and more to God, but our Heavenly Father is a Master at knowing what is deep within our heart. He understands exactly what we need to surrender and the timing and actions in which He must allow us to do so. One question we need to be brave enough to regularly ask ourselves is, “What am I clutching that I need to release?” Seek the ways you experience emotions or feelings that are contrary to God’s. Feel them and surrender them to Him. Once they are removed, fortify your mind to keep them out. We simply cannot draw nearer to God in a deep and full relationship without trusting His supreme power and authority. While it is beneficial to know that He is good, capable, and in control, it is different than trusting absolutely everything in our life by yielding to God and His dominion over us. We must choose to place our confidence in God in order to fully release our life to Him. It is the only way to begin living with minds fixed on eternity rather than what we experience now. What steps can we take to enable us to surrender ourselves to Him? 1. Read His word. Take that best-selling book off the shelf and invest precious time learning His commands and promises. We cannot recognize deceit and imposters if we do not know the truth. God’s truth. We cannot prepare, strengthen, or protect our mind without modeling His. 2. Pray. Talk to our Heavenly Father. He allows us to call Him father for a reason. He intentionally created each of us and deeply desires intimate relationship with every single one of us. Listen for Him to respond and instruct you. Listen for His discipline. We need both. 3. Pray His words. Mighty power flows through the words of our Father as we pray scripture back to Him with trust and faith. 4. Live with gratitude. Doesn’t it feel good to gift someone and receive their grateful acceptance? Our Father offers us so much, even blessings we fail to see, and we can never give Him enough credit for all He does or has sacrificed for us. Living with gratitude despite circumstances prepares our heart and mind to consistently live with an attitude of gratitude that He richly deserves. 5. Visualize the relationship you want with God and the eternity you would love to share with Him. We must keep our mind focused on what truly matters to create and sustain the lifestyle we need to achieve it. If you want to live a life that will please the Father, you must create and live it today. 6. Seek and Share Him. As we live in ways that honor God and we grow and deepen our walk with Him, He will automatically make a difference in the way we live, speak, and react. He will shine through us in ways that attract others to His light and love and He will direct us to step outside the safety of our comfort zone to serve Him and discover His strength flowing through us. Psalm 143:8 says, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” How much joy each new morning should bring when we commit our ways to Him. Though the days be harsh or afflictions in this life press against us, we can still choose to place our hope and trust in Him. Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” God is our shelter, our protection from danger. Run to Him. Cry out to Him. Place your hope in Him. Trust Him. Even when we perceive what is happening in our life as good or bad, right, or wrong. Remain full of hope and confident that the Lord is present through any emotion or feeling that may feel otherwise. Recall past faithfulness of God or seek His trustworthiness from His word or the testimony of others. He loves all of us the same. He will be just as steadfast to you. Work to build trust just as you would with any other relationship. It takes effort and desire to grow healthy communication and faith. A person growing a strong relationship with God finds joy in viewing eternity as our final destination and perceives this world as one piece of their life journey. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” We cannot live in true freedom through Jesus if we do not view every moment through our Father’s eternity-driven motives. Even on the cross, Jesus was not centered on Himself, but His Father’s will. He was focused on our eternity. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9 says, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” Most of us believe we are alive and here for a purpose. We must remember the purpose should be centered in God’s will. We must strive to know and obey what He directs for our life. Pivot is such a popular word in our culture right now. Let’s use it for eternity-driven lives. Shift or pivot your mindset and heartset to pattern the life of Jesus and what He came to model for us. Allow Him to teach you how to follow the eternity-driven purposes God has tailor-made for you. If we authentically, with our wounds, scars, pivots, and heart pursue God, then we will also develop the ability to authentically show Him to others. As we deepen and grow our love for Jesus, we are able to genuinely serve Him through the gifts and talents He graced us with for the purpose of serving Him and others. We don’t have to say, “yes” to everyone or everything in order to serve, but a close and obedient relationship with God prompts our response for Him to be, “yes.” Living with eternal perspective encompasses every aspect of our life, as well as those around us. Absolutely everything we do or say, our attitude, gratitude, and mind or heartset, impacts those others for eternity. Our heart, whether purely fixed on following Jesus or corrupt through our flesh and this fallen world, will direct our life. We must guard our heart, allow God to set boundaries, and follow Him through faith, trust, and obedience. Our mind and thoughts become our will and affections. Where are yours directed? How are you affecting others today? How is your life affected by Jesus today? Where are you placing your boundaries? How far are you from the ledge? Where is your mind fixed? Luke 9:25 says, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” Jesus calls us to crucify this temporary life to gain eternal life with and through Him. 1 John 2:15-17 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. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” This verse is speaking to three important ways the word, “world” is used in the Bible. We have the system of this world, which opposes the Lord and follows Satan. We see the world of creation, which would mean false gods or idols that this world serves so well, and we know the love of the world, meaning human beings, which might mean that a person has never experienced salvation through Christ. Guard your heart and fix your mind beyond this world. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of 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 reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.” God is so clear in these verses. Our Heavenly Father urgently instructs us to fix our minds upon Him and to teach of Him diligently at all times. Our thoughts are to remain fixed on Him, through Him, in every way, safeguarding and preserving our minds for Him while we live in this temporary stopping point. Isaiah 40:6-8 says, “The voice said, “Cry out!” And he said, “What shall I cry?” “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” His word stands forever. John 12:24-25 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” We must fix our minds and hearts on eternity. Revelation 21:1-4 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Our present will pass away. He will dwell with us. Will our hearts and minds be ready? Build your security now. Fix your mind for eternity and drive your actions and attitudes with it. Build that fence far from the cliff. Did you enjoy this episode? Would you like others to hear weekly encouragement to learn how to live with more of an eternal perspective? Right now, because the podcast is new, listeners can’t find it unless they specifically know the name to search for. You can help by leaving a quick review and rating for the show and by sharing about the podcast on social media and 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.

Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #069 – In Pursuit of Godly Truth – Interview with Professor William Wagner - Part 2 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. Last week I began a conversation with Professor William Wagner, President of Salt and Light Global Ministry. If you listened, you know we were just getting started. This week we continue where the conversation left off and delve much deeper into the concerns of culture, not only in America, but through the world. If you are a believer of Jesus and a follower of Christ, I urge you to listen to this conversation with a prayerful heart that calls out to God to open your eyes where they may be blinded and to open your heart where it may be closed from His truths. As we continue our journey with the Lord, we must desire to be changed by Him moment by moment, to access the ability that comes from Him, to readily recognize deceit in the world. The battle of contending for the faith God desires for us will require those who profess Christ as Savior to keep ourselves centered in our love and obedience to Him, despite the costs. He is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless through His wisdom and power. We must keep our minds and hearts focused on Him. Three verses come to mind as so promising and critical in maintaining our godly walk through Jesus. Psalm 53:2 says, “God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.” 1 Chronicles 22:19a says, “Now set your heart and soul to seek the Lord your God.” 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.” Let’s begin Part 2 of my conversation with Professor William Wagner, a man who loves Jesus and strives to honor, obey, and please Him. I pray that as you listen to us speak the words of the Lord become clearer to you and empower you to follow and shine Him even more closely. ---------------------------------Interview with Professor Wagner--------------------------------------- In my conversation with Professor Wagner, he said, “If we’re going to win this battle, it’s going to be in the pews.” I agree. Our hearts must be so entwined with God’s that deceit and ploys of Satan are perfectly clear. Throughout history, God has worked through ordinary men and women who obediently followed His calling for them. Where is God calling you? What is He allowing to become more clear in your life? Just as we spoke about today, God always leaves a remnant. Are you part of it? Boldly and humbly move where He calls and continue using His discernment to guide and grow you. Terms may have been redefined in this world, but God never changes. Commit to reading His word and maturing in your walk with Him so that the moral relativity of culture does not confuse or sway you from the truths He so clearly sets before us. Precious, Holy, Heavenly Father, we bow before You, humbly acknowledging our distance from You and ask that You build up a most holy faith within us. As we pray by Your Holy Spirit, please show us mercy and keep our focus on our Lord Jesus growing. We have strayed so far from where You would have us be. Snatch us from the fires of this fleshly world. Please keep us from stumbling even more greatly, and make us able to stand in the presence of Your glory blameless and with great joy as we face You, our God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we shine and proclaim Your glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Turn us away from the filth, lies, and apathy of the culture of this world and cause us to crave You and Your truths and break the bonds of deception we have allowed to entwine and captivate us. In Your glorious and merciful name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to listen to the first episode of my interview with Professor Wagner – Part 1 of our conversation that aired last week. You can find it at terrihitt.com, where you can listen or read transcripts of episodes and find several free resources specially designed to mature your walk with Jesus and influence children to choose Jesus over culture. I pray that this podcast always 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 069 In Pursuit of Godly Truth Part 2 Listen to Episode Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #069 – In Pursuit of Godly Truth – Interview with Professor William Wagner - Part 2 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. Last week I began a conversation with Professor William Wagner, President of Salt and Light Global Ministry. If you listened, you know we were just getting started. This week we continue where the conversation left off and delve much deeper into the concerns of culture, not only in America, but through the world. If you are a believer of Jesus and a follower of Christ, I urge you to listen to this conversation with a prayerful heart that calls out to God to open your eyes where they may be blinded and to open your heart where it may be closed from His truths. As we continue our journey with the Lord, we must desire to be changed by Him moment by moment, to access the ability that comes from Him, to readily recognize deceit in the world. The battle of contending for the faith God desires for us will require those who profess Christ as Savior to keep ourselves centered in our love and obedience to Him, despite the costs. He is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless through His wisdom and power. We must keep our minds and hearts focused on Him. Three verses come to mind as so promising and critical in maintaining our godly walk through Jesus. Psalm 53:2 says, “God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.” 1 Chronicles 22:19a says, “Now set your heart and soul to seek the Lord your God.” 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.” Let’s begin Part 2 of my conversation with Professor William Wagner, a man who loves Jesus and strives to honor, obey, and please Him. I pray that as you listen to us speak the words of the Lord become clearer to you and empower you to follow and shine Him even more closely. ---------------------------------Interview with Professor Wagner--------------------------------------- In my conversation with Professor Wagner, he said, “If we’re going to win this battle, it’s going to be in the pews.” I agree. Our hearts must be so entwined with God’s that deceit and ploys of Satan are perfectly clear. Throughout history, God has worked through ordinary men and women who obediently followed His calling for them. Where is God calling you? What is He allowing to become more clear in your life? Just as we spoke about today, God always leaves a remnant. Are you part of it? Boldly and humbly move where He calls and continue using His discernment to guide and grow you. Terms may have been redefined in this world, but God never changes. Commit to reading His word and maturing in your walk with Him so that the moral relativity of culture does not confuse or sway you from the truths He so clearly sets before us. Precious, Holy, Heavenly Father, we bow before You, humbly acknowledging our distance from You and ask that You build up a most holy faith within us. As we pray by Your Holy Spirit, please show us mercy and keep our focus on our Lord Jesus growing. We have strayed so far from where You would have us be. Snatch us from the fires of this fleshly world. Please keep us from stumbling even more greatly, and make us able to stand in the presence of Your glory blameless and with great joy as we face You, our God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we shine and proclaim Your glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Turn us away from the filth, lies, and apathy of the culture of this world and cause us to crave You and Your truths and break the bonds of deception we have allowed to entwine and captivate us. In Your glorious and merciful name we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to listen to the first episode of my interview with Professor Wagner – Part 1 of our conversation that aired last week. You can find it at terrihitt.com, where you can listen or read transcripts of episodes and find several free resources specially designed to mature your walk with Jesus and influence children to choose Jesus over culture. I pray that this podcast always 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. Professor William Wagner holds the academic rank of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Prior to joining academia, he served with distinction in all three branches of the federal government, including as a federal judge. https://www.facebook.com/SaltLightGlobal/ https://www.slgwitness.com/

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 014 - Finding Identity Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode #014 – Finding Identity Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms. Many parents I talk to question the job they’ve done with their children. Not one mother finishes raising a child and thinks she was a perfect mom. Why? Perfection doesn’t exist. Except of course, in our Heavenly Father. Think about that truth. Perfection exists only through the Lord, and as believers, we carry His power within us! Does that mean we suddenly become perfect? No, but it does guarantee we have His truths, discernment, and guidance to direct us. So many variables play into parenting. Sometimes we make mistakes that need to be addressed or corrected; sometimes events happen that are beyond our control. Then there’s also free will. Just as our Heavenly Father allows each of us free will and the power to choose whether we will come to Him, our children have that same choice. Mothers, as we are transformed moment by moment, our children gain the opportunity to witness the changes Christ makes through our surrendered life. As we pray for and with our children daily, as we read and study God’s word together , change is guaranteed. Ideally, this relationship with our children and the Lord is started from our earliest time together. Am I saying that just because we’re working for the Lord life will be perfect and our days will be, too? Unfortunately, no. Jesus warned us that we would have trouble in this world. Sometimes it’s harder just because we are working for the Lord. That’s what parenting is. Hard work. Holy work. We are raising children to know, honor, love, and obey Him. That’s not easy and it is not completed quickly. What happens if we invest in the work, yet our children leave our home as adults who don’t love or follow the Lord? We continue praying. We tilled the ground, planted the seeds, watered them, and brought them to the Source of Sunlight – Christ, to nourish them. The more we allow Christ to work in and through us, altering us into the person He created us to be, the better opportunity our children will have for Christ to work in them. In fact, I trust that He is always at work, even when we cannot see or cooperate, but when we freely and lovingly ask for His hand in our life and the lives of our children, a sovereign and holy power is unleashed. Remember when we spoke about free will earlier? It can be a tangly mess! Choice means there’s a multitude of issues that are totally out of our control and can affect our children in both good and harmful ways. Our child could see wonderful fruits of Christ in our life, but be touched by something entirely out of our, or even their control. Since we and our child have free will, that means the whole world does, too. You can bet Satan is playing that card well. Look around at the culture we are raising or influencing children and grandchildren in today. The devil has free reign and is making the most of it. This is certainly not an age most of us would have chosen to raise children in. Yet God chose it for us. It’s certainly not a surprise to Him that we are parenting the exact children we have at this very moment. He is able to work through willing mothers in any time period and through any trials. He has each of us exactly where we are meant to be. Christ is where we find our hope. In Him we trust. As we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, not our parenting trials or our weaknesses, moment by moment, we gain His strength for another day. One of the areas in which the devil has focused great attack in this generation is through gender and identity. I believe humans have always struggled with this area, yet right now, the children we are raising have many more questions and live with more confusion than we ever had to ponder. One look at this culture filled with deceitful groups, movies, shows, books, magazines, music, games, education, and social media with obvious agendas makes the truth of this situation indisputable. Society tells us to look within for identity and validation. We hear that our feelings matter and that truth is subjective . When will these people pushing this lie realize that when there is flexible truth, there is no truth ? As believers, however, we know that there is absolute truth found through God. His word tells us all our Heavenly Father desires for us to know and live by. Scripture is clear. God is the Authority of Truth because He established truth. Often, instead of relying on the truth of God , people craft identity through feelings or experiences. Obviously, what happens to us can shape our thoughts and personality, leading us to believe they form our identity. Sometimes we can also attempt to fashion identity by the way our parents or spouse treat us, through friendships, jobs, financial status, appearance, or gender. Nothing we have chosen through earthly wisdom to be used as markers or validators of our identity is permanent unless is what God has already established. Only our Creator and Heavenly Father, who intimately fashioned us with great thought and purpose can truly define our identity. Once we understand that truth and allow it to counteract the lies of this world, we build a strong foundation on which we can confidently stand and navigate this world of confusion and deceit. Once parents can firmly stand in the identity they receive through Christ as Savior, we are able to mentor truth and confidence for our children to emulate. As we raise them to find identity, not in who this world tells them who or what to be or believe, but through Jesus , our children develop resiliency, faith, hope, trust, and confidence that will carry them through life and enable them to live the fullness of God’s truths . What are the barriers parents must look out for and safeguard against in order to enable our children to live in freedom through true identity rooted in Christ? 1. Culture – The world our children are being raised in tells them that they can choose whatever sex they want to be. It also teaches that they may choose to identify as a cat, a dog, a unicorn, or any other object they desire. Will this give them contentment and peace? Not at all. In fact, studies prove depression and confusion are usually the result of believing and traveling this route to identity. In the moment, the person may feel satisfaction in diverting attention to something different, however, just as happiness is fleeting, the high they receive from a perceived change of character or gender dissolves and the issues they struggled with inside are still present and in many cases have worsened as time passed. Scripture tells us in Genesis 1:27 , “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them .” Another excellent verse to teach your children about identity is found in Jeremiah 1:5a , which says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” God knew every single one of us before we were in existence. 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 .” Scripture is clear that identity is known before we are even created. That means our sex and how we identify is already set and seen at birth . Remember how we feel is not an indicator of truth – God’s word is. When we live outside of His guidelines, (whether we are believers or not), we do not experience joy and peace, as well as other fruits of the Spirit that Scripture reveals. God also crafted specific details within each person that include interests, talents, gifts, intelligence, and more. Some people like to justify things they do by saying, “God just made me this way,” but God never makes anything or anyone contrary to what His word says. Sin in this world causes the evil and confusion, not God. If it is not in alignment with His word, don’t do it or believe it. That is why it is vitally important for us to teach our children God’s truths and equip them to be in God’s word from as young as we have them. It also means we must be diligent in maturing our personal walk with Christ daily. Remember Ephesians 6:1-4, which says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Simply teaching our children what religion we believe, but not living it before them daily will do nothing. A loving, humble, maturing, obedient walk with Christ is what makes our children pay attention and helps them to choose to live the same lifestyle of humble love for and obedience to God. 2. Peers – Indoctrination through educational institutions, books, magazines, television shows, movies, music, games, and social media is worse than ever. It has been building for years and will continue to cripple and destroy the future of our children or grandchildren unless we see the destruction taking place before us and decide to change it. Peers have an incredibly powerful effect on children, especially when they are also being indoctrinated, yet a strong family centered on and growing in Christ together is still much stronger, because it is built on and operating on the strength and promises of God. Colossians 3:1-3 says, “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God .” Isaiah 64:8 says, “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Remember we do not have to fight in our own strength. We must stand in faith with our Heavenly Father, claiming the victory Christ promised to those who believe. God has given us everything we need to stand in His power and allow Him to do the work. Ephesians 6:10-18 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from 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. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” 3. Deceit - Satan will do all he can to disarm, distract, and dissuade us from fixing our eyes on the Lord and staying connected to Him through prayer, praise, and God’s Holy Word. When we listen to self and world instead of God, we are unknowingly choosing to be deceived. Emotions and feelings are valid because they are a part of us, but they are based on experience, peer pressure, ignorance, confusion, and more, but not God’s truths. Seek scripture or be confused. Don’t believe or act on what is contrary to God’s word. Teach your children the same guidelines. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth .” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work .” 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 .” John 8:32 says, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free .” 4. Sin – Since the beginning of our existence, man has easily fallen into sin. Our desires, wants, pride, ignorance, and jealously war against what God has for us or calls us to do. Again, the way to combat this within ourselves and our children, is to develop a faith walk through Christ that leads us to honor our Heavenly Father and to make the right choices and believe the right thoughts, because what we think, do, and say is based on the truth of Scripture. In order to help our children live without sin, we must set a godly example and also teach them to love and honor God so that they desire to honor and obey Him. When we train them in Him and His truths, their worldview is transformed to be as Christ’s as Scripture becomes their compass. They learn to value and expect God’s truth in life and will strive to walk in alignment with His callings, as they are less likely to be deceived by culture or society. John 16:13 says, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come .” 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ .” Psalm 119:160 says, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal .” 5. Feelings – Just as we discussed in point # 3 – Deceit, our feelings, thoughts, and emotions are not a gauge to trust. We must be diligent in the Word so that we believe and act upon this truth and make it evident to our children through our actions, reactions, and words. They must learn early to view self and world through God’s eyes and truths. Continue to value their opinions, thoughts, emotions, and feelings, but always compare them against Scripture to see whether they are in sync with God’s will and ways. Colossians 2:8 says, “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. ” Have you noticed the recurring themes? Jesus , God’s Word , and Truth as established by our Heavenly Father. Mothers, we must teach our children by example and through God’s word that because of the sacrifice of Jesus, and what our Heavenly Father says about us, they have a secure identity that no one can steal or change, ridicule or deny because it has already been established with ultimate authority . Our children have power over indoctrination, culture, peers, deceit, sin, and self through Christ and the Holy power of God’s Word. Identity is confirmed by our Heavenly Father. Our world lives in sin and needless pain, suffering, and confusion because we do not read, study, and recognize God’s truths. We do not stand in His power and allow Him to combat the evil and deceit that plague us. Don’t let that be the legacy your child inherits. Today is the day to study God’s word more clearly, pray more consistently, hear with ears ready to listen, and move in humble obedience to the calling of God. Today is the day to lovingly and patiently mentor your child to do the same so that they will live the identity God has ordained for them. Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness overwhelms us. Your faithfulness gives us joy. Thank you for Your long-suffering and kindness. Thank you for Your Son, Jesus, for He makes all things new. He gives us eternal life. He gives us the way to You. He enables us to teach our children Your ways and makes You known as never before. Father, we praise you because we know we are fearfully and wonderfully made; our children are fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, we know that full well. Help us to remember and teach our children all You desire so that they grow in the fullness of Your truths. Stop the indoctrination that has overtaken our society. Help our children to find respite in and through You. Help us and help them to put on your new nature, help them understand that they were created to be like You—truly righteous and holy. Help them claim all You have for them. We know You have engraved them on the palms of Your hands; You say that if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! We claim that for our children and the generations to come, for we know that You have made us and our children Your handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You have prepared in advance for us to do . We praise Your name, Dear Father and we thank You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to this podcast. The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast is now available at terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, receive access to blog posts, read transcripts, and find additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence connected children through Him. God knows that we are not capable of successful parenting on our own. As we rely on Him, releasing doubts and expectations, and humbly bow to His guidance and experience, we find greater clarity in parenting and a wondrous walk with our Creator that will extend to our children and those around us for generations . I pray this podcast helps you parent with purpose and deepen your connection to Jesus and your children as you intentionally place Christ above culture or self. Allow Him to work through you for true connection that will draw your children to Him and build a maturing relationship with Christ and your child that lasts for eternity. Previous Next

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 089 - Addressing the Top Fears of Christian Mothers with Godly Faith and Wisdom Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 089 – Addressing the Top Fears of Christian Mothers with Godly Faith and Wisdom 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. Motherhood can bring out the best and worst in you. Would you agree? Many emotions push to the surface when a woman becomes a mother. Fear can be one that rises above others to the front of a woman’s mind once she’s responsible for the life of her beautiful, helpless child. So many pressures come with being a wife and mother – or even more, as a single mom. Psalm 94:19 says, “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” Praise God for this verse! It is a reminder that His consolations cheer our soul. There are times in life when every person needs The Father, our loving, sovereign God, to reach within our mind and lift fears or anxieties. Most believers understand that fear doesn't come from God, but there are times when fear pops up quickly and unexpectedly. When an accident occurs, a job loss hits, or a death occurs, fear can quickly consume thoughts, if you let them. God desires a different way of life for you than living with fear. He calls you to look to Him for release and guidance. He wants to guard you as a parent, providing a perfect peace that passes understanding. Where are you in this season of life? Whether you have no fears or you are battling many, know that where you are - will not be where you stay. Of course, you may be walking a beautiful and dependent relationship with Christ. You may have surrendered fear or anxieties and live in perfect peace. However, you are human. You live in an imperfect world. Never forget the guard that surrounds you is your strength. You alone are not capable of living in perfect peace. You must keep your eyes, mind, and heart fixed on God. 1 Peter 5:5b-11 says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. ” Women face many pressures in today’s society that cause fear, anxiety, or stress. Working moms often face little time for self-interests or exercise. Perhaps you desire to get to church or to volunteer, but can’t find a way to shift your schedule to do so. Or it may be challenging to get time alone with your husband. At times you may feel like you can’t manage time to do what you want to at all. It seems the weekend is over before it even starts. Will the busy work week always manage your life? Time at home is short. Often husbands don’t help around the house. Frustration can build and turn into anxiety that often becomes anger. As much as a mom loves her man and children, it can be difficult to feel like there’s enough time to spend with him or the kids. Quality over quantity loses its charm when you know a few minutes at night between greeting them after work, fixing and eating dinner, cleaning the kitchen, homework, and getting ready for bed simply isn’t enough. Real connection seems to be a fleeting fantasy. Between managing technology and keeping kids safe online and in the “real world,” navigating phones, gaming, and social media rules with kids, finding time to communicate with pre-teens and teens when you’re not ready to head to bed, understanding what your kids are exposed to by peers, helping your children navigate teasing and bullying, helping your children learn to be kind and not go with the kids who bully, and how to maintain a sense of worthiness, esteem, and identity in your children in a shifting world, can be exhausting at the very least. Then to top things off, sometimes a mom feels bullied by other women, mom-shamed, or betrayed by people she thought were her friends. Stay-at home and work-from home moms face many of the same worries and distractions in their days. Time may be shifted and activities different, but all Christian moms face similar concerns about raising safe and godly children. Without a purposed plan for parenting that provides a mother with strength that comes from Christ, life can be difficult, lonely, and fearful. Unless a woman seeks God first, builds a strong identity in Christ, and intentionally becomes a woman set-apart for Him, she cannot raise godly children who pursue the Father. She is without the strength, wisdom, insight, and understanding she needs to navigate the concerns she carries in this 21st century. Did you know that when fear, anxiety, or stress flows through you, it means you have taken your mind and eyes off of God? Instead, you have unknowingly centered them on self or surroundings instead of Savior . 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 for daily use because He knows our thoughts can easily be distracted. He knows how easily we move from His sovereign holiness and perfect provision and protection. Do you want to feel the perfect peace that can only come from God despite what you are facing in life? I’ll share seven steps you can use to help conquer fears with godly faith and wisdom: 1. Pause People Pleasing – Sometimes fear comes from the expectations others place on you . You have the power to stop them from placing demands on you. Remember, the only one you need to focus on pleasing is God. He will direct your steps and light your path with His will, purpose, and perfect plan. He desires good, not evil in your life and home. He will never lead you astray as you put your hope and trust in Him. Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble .” Ask God to erase expectations of others that are not in His plan. Pray for Him to show you ways to take yourself out of the demands of others and strive to please Him. 2. Break Rules – Sometimes fear forms when you attempt to follow every rule laid out for you – whether it be self-imposed or by a husband or employer. Praise God! He freed you from following the old rules through Jesus. Don’t be entrapped by new ones. As long as you mature your walk with Him and follow His desires for you, He will not lead you astray. Often, women are harder on themselves than anyone else could be. Prayerfully check to see if there are rules you’ve imposed on yourself that need to be lifted or adjusted. Psalm 118:6 says, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me ?” Maybe you’ve been told you have to cook every meal in your home. Maybe you think you can’t take time to play with the kids or enjoy a walk with your husband. Do you think your home has to be perfectly clean? Break those rules and enjoy life. You only get one. Your kid will grow up before you know it. Make the memories they take with them be the ones full of life and love with you. 3. Be Unique – Often fear can come from trying to be someone other than you were created to be. Are you trying to please everyone but God? Are you attempting to follow every identity you think must be imposed on you because you’re a wife and mother? Instead, look at your life and prayerfully seek where you may not be being “you.” Maybe you’re making life harder by trying to be what others expect instead of who you can excel at being – yourself. Job 11:18-19a says, “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid .” Sometimes dreams have to wait until your kids are a little older, or perhaps God will make a way for that desire you have to happen now. Lean into your relationship with Him and seek what He calls for you. His Word never lies and it tells us that what He has planned for you is greater than anything you can imagine on your own. 4. Eliminate Excuses – Often fear arises when you feel you can’t handle what is expected of you. Maybe you think you’re not talented enough, smart enough, brave enough, experienced enough, etc. Or maybe you aren’t getting enough support from your spouse, parents, friends, or employer and you may be correct. If after sharing your feelings, things aren’t changing in ways that benefit your needs and the needs of your family, know that there truly is one who cares. God. Have you cried out to Him? Are you placing trust in His capable hands? Are you praying Scriptural prayers about your situation? Is your attitude godly with those who are disappointing you? Forget blame and forge ahead with faith that no matter what happens, you will get through in the Father’s strength. 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 .” Have a heart to heart with your husband and let him know your feelings. Pray together and seek how he can begin to help. If he refuses, seek a good friend or family member who can step in when needed to alleviate some of your burdens. Be creative and ask God what changes He would desire you to make. 5. Don’t Dawdle – Do you find yourself frozen with fear or anxiety? Get help. Sometimes women hide that they need help because they don’t want to be seen as weak, incompetent, or a failure. Typically, women are hardest on themselves. Confide in those you trust and allow them to help. First, confide in God and seek His direction. Ask Him to help you change the areas and mindset you need to - and see yourself and your situation as He does. Ask for His direction in areas of parenting that may be worrisome. He know your children, your home, your limitations, and the crazy culture we live in. He knows the way. Listen for His voice and take obedient action. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” God knows the situations you face. Whether it be parenting questions, marital issues, or job/home concerns, He has the answers you seek. God created you and your family as unique individuals. Your children are not the same as each other or anyone else’s children. Make the time to learn what makes them tick. Discover how God made them. Don’t be afraid to tell them no when needed. They need you to make decisions that will guide them in a godly upbringing. Teach them through relationship with Christ, it is good to be different - to be set-apart. In fact, God requires it. 6. Pursue Positivity – As a mom, you always have little ears, eyes, and hearts following and watching you. Your reactions and habits form theirs . Obviously, you can’t be perfect, but through Christ working within you, He will give you the ability to be transformed moment by moment. Submit to Him. Call on His mighty power to craft a new attitude and mindset within you that recognizes fear or anxiety the moment it rears its ugly head in your life. Psalm 115:11 says, “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.” Protect and preserve the faith of your children as they see the way you lift fears, hurts, anxiety, and the like to their Heavenly Father. Help them trust in Him and know that He is real. Help them believe His power and call on it as they mature. 7. Form Flourishing Faith - Above all, no matter what you feel, remember that you need to process those feelings, not stuff them down or hide them. Present them to God and humbly submit to what and where He leads. You may find that you are already in alignment with God and He will carry you through. Or you may see that you are far from His desires for you and need His guidance and growth to get you where you need to go. Your feelings and emotions are powerful, but sometimes they can be powerfully incorrect . Let God help you see where you are and where you need to go. Let Him carry you there as you form a faith that flourishes. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You .” Seek God first. Even when you feel you don’t have time. He carries the answers you need. Breathe Him in. Trust in and rely on Him. You can’t exhale what you haven’t inhaled. As you navigate life, place God first and family second. God honors the one who correctly prioritizes life by honoring Him. When you are with your husband and children, remember that even when time is short, the intentionality of your interactions matter. Your children and spouse need to see joy in your eyes, reactions, tone of voice, and body language when they enter the room. God has gifted you with a family to grow with and to love as He loves you. Honor them by learning to be a set-apart woman with eyes, mind, and heart centered above. As your children grow, do you want them to live with fear or faith ? Show them the example they need to grasp the hope and peace that is in Christ. Help them find faith that carries them past fear while they are young. If you feel frustrated that you don't have time alone, remember God's direction in prioritizing Him, then spouse, then kids. Let Him know the desires of your heart and ask Him for a way to reeive the self-care you need. Put Him first and see the ways He intimately provides for you. Dear Heavenly Father, You alone are Lord. You alone are our sustainer and rock, our guide and guard. Oh, Father. How we need You. While our humanness seeks to go on our own, our soul cries out for You. Help us step into and remain in the palm of Your mighty hands. Cradle us against Your chest so we never want to leave. Show us the way to raise safe and godly children who know, pursue, and love you. Help us not to fear, but to rest. Help us not carry anxiety, but trust in Youi. Make us more like You each moment. We thank you for your grace, mercy, and everlasting love. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Have you heard me talk about the Set-Apart Collective in this podcast? Do you wonder why I share it so often? It’s simply because I know the program works . Through 8 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. 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 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. 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. Time is short. Make your matter for eternity. 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

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 093 - Why Good Isn't Enough for God Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 093 – Why Good Isn’t Enough for God 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. I can’t believe most schools are already back in session! When that happens, it feels like summer is over. Ahh. It breaks my heart. This time of year is certainly the most challenging for me. No other season holds my heart quite like summer. Even though I don’t find the heat and humidity easy to handle anymore, I’m always disappointed when summer days move out and are replaced with crisper, cooler air. Although I realize I’m in the minority, I desire summer days to make up most of the year. Since we know nothing lasts forever, seasons are a beautiful reminder of why we must live with eternal perspective . Have you had days, weeks, or years of life that you want to last forever? Or maybe right now you feel the opposite. Do you wonder how much longer you have to endure the season you’re experiencing? Everyone knows change can be good. Change can become the catalyst that moves us to be in sync with the next transformation God has for us. I distinctly remember a time I’m glad I experienced a shift in thoughts and actions. There was a period in my life when I wanted to make sure I was a good person. A good woman. A good wife. A good daughter. A good mother. As my relationship with Jesus matured, I understood that limiting myself to “good” was “ungodly.” God calls believers to a much higher standard than good. Good isn’t good enough for God. It’s true that in the beginning when God created, He exclaimed that what He made was good. However, God proclaimed His creations to be good, not that we individually or collectively are. What I mean is that what God created is by His intelligent and perfect design. Of course, anything He makes is good. Yet, in this sinful, fallen world, it didn’t take long for God’s creations to choose what appeared to be good – when it reality it was sin . Without Christ indwelling us, we continue to move farther from God. We shift farther away from what God defines as good . What the Creator of heaven and earth calls good must actually be godly . Without the Holy Spirit within us, there is no perfection or godliness. In fact, we are unable to claim the status of “good,” let alone “godly.” So how do you and I move away from desiring a good life to building a godly life ? Only through Christ . Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God .” Once we realize our need for God, we begin to understand the need for His perfect Son, Jesus to pay the price for our sin. Once we realize our need for a Savior , and accept the free gift Jesus offers, we are able to live with His Holy Spirit within us. We are no longer bound to the world and sinful temptations. Through relationship with Christ, the Holy Word, and prayerful conversations with God, we can experience a shift from good to godly . That is, if we are intentionally seeking Him in a humble, obedient, close connection moment by moment. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast .” Every world religion, except Christianity, teaches that eternal life comes through good works of some sort. As the verse I shared from Ephesians shows, salvation is a gift from God extended through His son, Jesus Christ. When we ponder the question of how to move from good to godly, we must assess who or what defines godliness . Only the Creator of all things can define what is good or godly. God’s standard is holy . Godliness , not goodness is His desire . He is the One who sets the definition. He set the price of eternal life. He is the One who extends salvation, allowing each of us a choice. Our motives and what we desire must be held up to a mirror, so to speak, as we look at how our goals are reflected against what God calls for us in His holy Word. We must take what we call good and measure it to see if it may be called holy . Until we reconcile with what God sees as godliness , not goodness, we continue to fall short of what He calls. My heart fills with joy when I remember when my first set of children were raised and before my husband and I knew that God was calling us to adopt a sweet baby from China. We didn’t know yet that we had a baby daughter waiting for us. At that time, I was experiencing much deeper growth in my spiritual walk with Christ. Slowly by slowly, I had allowed God greater access to me. I wish I could profess to be one of those people who surrender fully in the moment they accept Christ, but the truth is that each of us have varying degrees of surrender throughout our lifetime. We never reach that finish line in this life. We are so very far beneath God, so far from Him, that our lifetime must be focused on pursuing deeper relationship with Him and continuing to surrender self. As my relationship with Jesus deepened and widened, I thought back to when my husband and I had raised our first two children. I was not a Christian when my first two were born. Although I came to follow Jesus when they were young, I wasn’t well discipled. I wasted so many years trying to make “good” choices, but not striving to be godly . Would you like to know my deepest regret? Although my children always heard about Jesus, and knew I loved and followed Him, I did not know to intentionally disciple them moment by moment in the everyday process of life. I didn’t yet understand that the Christian walk is a beautiful relationship between God and man. I didn’t understand the command in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 , which 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. 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.” I assumed that what I was doing to teach my children about Jesus was enough. In reality, they were learning my limited faith, since I was not growing as well as I should have been. Since they weren’t being discipled well, they modeled a portion of my faith instead of chasing Christ and forming a growing personal walk with Him. How are you pursuing Christ? Is He directing every aspect of your parenting – whether your children are young or grown? The story I share about raising my first set of children is common. Be sure it doesn’t become the story you give your children. As my husband and I grew our walk with Jesus, we knew with certainty that God was calling us to travel to China to bring home the baby girl He had waiting to be ours. Before we went, we prayed together daily for the girl she would grow to be. Our heart desired that she be a light for Jesus, that she pursue Him with a pure heart, and that she would be an inspiration for others to follow Him. We asked God specifically for that result. I remember the days I worked backwards to formulate a plan to raise her with very godly goals. Ten years later when we returned to China to bring home our last child, the “master plan” for raising our girls for Christ had been practiced, and our youngest enabled us to continue the course with another beautiful soul to nourish for Jesus. Although there are so many important details I’m not including here, this story is so important to me, because our second step into parenting with a new generation of children was very intentional. My mind and heart were anchored on Christ through all obstacles. My husband and I committed to stand on that firm foundation. When deep waters swirled around us, when tragedy and troubles plagued our home, we tightened our grip on that three-fold cord that kept God in the center of all. No matter what happened, we remained committed to raising our girls and influencing our grown son and grandson for Christ. Each of us must continue to examine our lives, seeking more of Him and less of self. We must make Him known to our children in ways that cause them to pursue godliness over goodness . We must knit together that close relationship with us and Jesus. A relationship that enables them to pursue with eagerness a life that makes godly over good choices because they love and respect God and want to honor Him . It doesn’t matter how good a parent you want to be or are. God calls you and me to be holy, godly mothers. There is nothing greater we can do than fix our heart and mind above. Focus on the methods given by God to raise children for Him. If we don’t purposely lead our children to Christ, the world will sway them away. We must be focused on living godly lives through Christ so our children clearly see Him through us and desire Him for themselves. We must deepen our connection with our children through Christ and enable them to seek His approval over ours or peers. Remember, your child’s deep connection with Christ begins with your personal walk with Jesus. God’s holy, perfect Word tells us that we don’t earn grace through works or anything we do on our own. Our children must also be taught this truth. They must see us live with joyful expectation of pleasing God and growing our walk with Christ moment by moment. They must be shown how to do so. They must see how to make godly life choices instead of what society calls good. We know good isn’t enough for God. We can’t reach His heart through good works or thoughts. Set your children up for a lifetime walk with God through Jesus by the way you mentor Him with godliness and truth. Think of the end of your life, the end of your children’s lives. What will they look like? How are you going to get there? Is the route you’re taking a good one? Or are you living and leading a godly life for your children to follow to the Father’s feet? Dear Heavenly Father, You alone are holy. You alone are greater than the good we desire. Move us from good to godly in the ways You know we need. Help us to be more and more pleasing to You each moment. May our heart and mind be in sync with Your desires for us as we move ever nearer to You. Father, I thank you for Your Word, Your perfect guidance. May we understand You better and please You more as we read and act in obedience to it. May we stop trying for good and strive to be godly. May we end each day more Christlike than the one before as we remember the words Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” May His godliness influence every act and decision we make and the way we mentor You to our children. 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. 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. 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 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. 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 no obligation, strategic 15 minute call to chat about your needs to see if the program is a right fit for you. 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. Because you’re a podcast listener, let me know if you’re ready to invest in the future of your children. If you tell me you heard about the special price I offer on this podcast, I will give you a big discount because I want you to experience results. 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. Also, if you appreciated this episode, would you please rate and review the podcast on Apple or Spotify? It only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference in whether people are able to find the podcast. Also, you and I know that the best reviews are by word of mouth, so please choose a friend to recommend the show to. Imagine the changes we will see in the way mothers parent for Christ if they learn to be intentional, too. 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 #043 – The Art of Conversation 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. Conversation. That’s my topic today. More specifically, dialogue. The ability to communicate with others, giving us the means to exchange ideas or opinions. I enjoy talking to others; I love especially hearing their life stories. Do you? I believe many of us have more in common with one another than we think or imagine we do. Yet, I don’t feel that is reflected in the way we respond to, or act toward, others in our society today. What disappoints me most is when we don’t search for connection or look to see commonalities in those we meet. Most often, those special similarities are hidden beneath the surface like jewels under the rough sand still polishing them. When our youngest came home from China, she had spent most of her life in isolation, did not know English, knew little Mandarin because she had not been spoken to most of her life, and due to neglect, was almost entirely deaf. We had a focused road ahead of us to teach her to socialize, yet as each day passed and our relationship with her deepened and blossomed, we knew she was a perfect fit that completed our family. We each have a past, a chronicle of events that shape and define how we view and interact with the world. Stories define us – our personal tales of hardships, trials, heartache, joy, pain, loss, and love. The most impactful way to recognize or respect the narrative of another is through true, authentic dialogue. Unfortunately, the culture and society of this time leaves conversation to quickly-jotted texts and emails or small blurbs on a social media screen that most often feel and sound like attacks. When I meet someone, I usually wish for the opportunity to sit and talk to them for an extended period, sharing life tales and honestly connecting. Have most of us lost the desire to slow down and connect, to see another human for who they are? I don’t care about what society tells me I need or should be. I honestly get confused when I hear people say they want others to be themselves. I guess that is because I am who I am and I don’t expect fakeness from others. But in reality, I can understand that when we don’t have a grounded relationship with the One who shapes our identity, we do not know who we are, so falseness prevails as we flounder in finding, and in vulnerably, as well as honestly, exposing ourselves. The fast-paced, false society we live in has stolen the gift of discussion, and we have not yet conceived the full damage. Our children do not have the opportunity to experience life and relationships the way we did growing up. As adults, are we making time to teach them how to form authentic relationships? We must be making time to mentor our children through the way we develop those true relations ourselves. If we examine deeper, we see that what has most hurt our society, culture, and relationships is the condition of our hearts. As we move farther away from Jesus, the selfishness of our soul is exposed. Arrogance is born from this self-absorption, we become easily deceived, and we begin making justifications for anything we desire. Through social media, it is easy and convenient to lash out at others in ways most would not do in person years ago, and because of the current political climate driven by the media and much misinformation, many are now fueled by money, rage, hurt, and misunderstandings to begin attacks in person. After taking actions on beliefs, many look for others to agree with the decisions, no matter what they are, then get offended and angry when others dare to disagree. Are people truly looking to understand the viewpoint of the “opposing” thoughts from the person they are speaking to? Many times, no. The art of dialogue is fast diminishing from our culture. At this point, many people just want to be understood and agreed with. Much of the time all this “conversation” is spoken through written forms of communication that I spoke of earlier. No one can hear the tones of the other person and we cannot see or experience compassion or understanding that may be in the heart or eyes of those involved. I’ve been the victim of this type of communication attack and I’ve seen it happen to others. Even when you desire to speak to someone in person, if they choose not to, any hope of resolution fades. So, how do we expect communication to improve? It can’t and won’t, unless we decide to bring back old-fashioned heart to hearts and the ability to respect the opinion of another without taking it personally. Even among those who profess to be believers. What can we do to restore the art of communication? Shift our hearts to abide in the words and thoughts of our Heavenly Father. When we come to know God in an intimate way through Jesus, we are radically changed. Becoming a Christian is not the end, however. It is actually when the work begins. Until we release and commit ourselves to Jesus, we are only spouting personal beliefs and opinions. Once we abide in Christ, we begin a lifetime journey of allowing Him to transform our heart and mind to reflect and shine His thoughts and actions. A personal relationship with Jesus causes us to say and do things that we typically would not think of and would not have the ability to complete in our own free will. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Have you seen much grace on social media? Most people have deep-seated beliefs and do not desire to be persuaded to change. For example, I know no one is going to change my beliefs. They are rooted in what I believe God would have them to be. No one will shift that foundation, except Him, as I mature daily. Still, I respect that others have differing views. I respect that they also have a right to believe what they desire. I’m interested in why they believe as they do, because I like to hear their life story. Quite often, it shows me where there heart is and also exposes new ways I need to move mine more in alignment with Jesus. My desire is that we all have hearts in sync with where He would have us to be, but God gives free will to each of us. People who are seeking to abide in Him and grow daily will come into new viewpoints as they mature. Those who reject Christ will allow a greater chasm to divide them from godly viewpoints and actions. Instead of judgement, we must pray for godly discernment to lead us and form our reactions to others. If the person we are interacting with is not in the place to react in the same manner, we can shake the dust from our feet and nicely move on. God does not expect us to allow attacks to torment us. Remember to pray for the person or people and let God deal with them. The only way to do that is to know Jesus because we are involved in a personal and maturing walk with Him. When we are rooted in and through Him, and we spend time in His word regularly, also studying and applying the wisdom God extends to us through it, we are transformed. Our thoughts become His. His thoughts drive our actions, and then we can better discern what is good and acceptable to Him. 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.” I am deeply saddened by the viewpoints and arguments I have seen on social media in the last several months. I am weary. I am grieving what I thought I knew about others. Although it sounds as if I am judging others. I assure you, I know my own heart. Judgement is not my job. Only God can judge. My Heavenly Father does, however, allow me the ability through knowing Him and intentionally growing in Him daily, to use discernment. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” I have so much to learn to ever be the person I know the Lord created me to be, but I have matured much in Him and I can recognize when things grieve His heart, because they now grieve mine, as well. What I am wholly interested in is whether my beliefs and actions are in alignment with scripture. If you truly follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I pray that you believe the same for yourself. Hebrews 5:12-14 says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” What does this passage mean? Believers and followers of Jesus should be actively seeking to know Him, and be transformed to resemble Him. The word Christian means “little Christ.” How we let Him down daily. We are so far from where He desires us to be, yet loves us where we are. We have lost that ability in our society. We must look to the example of Jesus to love others where they are, yet not condone their sin. Just as we cannot make excuses for the sin we carry, but seek to be transformed and moved out of the sin through Jesus. I believe the difficulties arise because we are imperfect humans and even in the best of our attempts, we have room for error and those we interact with who do not know Jesus intimately through a personal relationship, simply do not understand our attempts and mistake them as judgement. We must continue to look Up and seek truth and direction from the Lord and allow Him to flow His responses into and out of us. When we do not advance in our maturity as we should, however, we are not able to advance to solid food, but remain ingesting milk, as a baby. If we never progress beyond an elementary relationship with Jesus, how can we discern what He desires? How are we to expect to understand and view the world as He does? How are our opinions and judgements to be trusted? Through our deep and purposeful progression of our personal relationship with Jesus, we gain skill in applying His principles to all areas of life. What a stark difference they are from what we would exercise on our own. My own life included. James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” Our thoughts affect our beliefs, which fuel our actions. As we have seen by the looting and other examples of crime and misconduct this year. Or with the anger, animosity, and fabrications exhibited on social media. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” The more time we spend with Jesus, we begin to shine in the same way that He does. We begin to emit the scent of our Lord, either attracting others to Him or repelling, depending on where their relationship and loyalties stand. As believers, it should be our goal to know Jesus, to recognize and understand God’s word, to carry the same mindset as Jesus so that we cannot help but shine Him in our thoughts, words, and actions. In our attitude and conversations. Those in our presence should have no question that we carry the wisdom of God in our daily life. We do not want to attract others to ourselves, but to the Lord, so that they will also rest in His peace, abide in His love, and shine His wisdom and grace for others. So that they will follow Him and His desires and commands. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Doesn’t this make you want to shout, “Hallelujah!” Consider this passage from Exodus 34:29, which says, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.” This verse is so beautiful it brings me to tears. The experience Moses had with God transformed him. He came away shining the light of our Heavenly Father. How can we look like Moses, with face and life aglow from the living God shining upon our appearance and heart? 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” One day each of us will stand in front of God. Our Heavenly Father sees what we do and desires to guide us in the ways that are pure. He deeply loves each one of us. Galatians 6:7 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” We reap what we sow. Oh, how I have learned this the hard way at various points in my life. Have you? God’s word always proves true. The decisions we make must be in alignment with God. There is only one way to know if they are. Each day must bring us closer to Him. We intimately recognize the One we are close to. We must value the things God values in this life. We must make decisions based on God’s guidance and wisdom, always going back to His word. We must be humble enough to seek Him and follow Him, humbly bowing to His whispers and commands, and seeking forgiveness when we sin. Sometimes the hardest sins are the ones we never knew we were making because we lived in ignorance instead of pursuing God as we should have. God is always waiting to forgive us when we repent, and His mercies and grace are ever-lasting. How do we move on with the gift of communication, especially through electronic form? We must remember that adversity should not rip us apart. Hardships and miscommunication should push us closer to Jesus and cause us to rest securely in His arms as He carries and provides for us. What if we, as a group believers (and individuals) decide to use adversity, even that experienced through communication, in new ways in our personal life and through social media? 1. Decide that difficulties will be used to progress the gospel. Not that we need to share every personal piece of our life, but use the attitude with which we deal with life and hardships, the disagreements we may feel because of differing opinions, to fuel us to focus on how Jesus would have us prove He is within us. Our attitude and words to others show whether we allow Him to work within us. We don’t have to keep talking to try to persuade someone else to understand our viewpoint. We need to remember that people do not and will not ever agree on every point, at least not this side of heaven. 2. Decide to use adversity to purify our motives. When we feel pain or hurt from what someone says to us in person or on social media, we can choose to release it to God or lash out as if we don’t know Christ. What if we decide to allow others their opinion and stop always trying to get others to understand us or agree with us? There is nothing wrong with respectfully expressing our opinions, especially when they are in alignment with Jesus, but none of us will ever receive agreement from all people, including other believers because we are all in different phases of our Christian walk. In fact, often the closer we get to Jesus, the more opposition we will receive from some people, just as Jesus experienced. 3. Decide that difficulties provide opportunities to witness. Especially through the way we handle opposition. People notice our responses more when times are tough. Dealing with difficulties also thrusts us deeper into the arms of God, when we let them. Testimonies are birthed or grown from these times. 4. Decide to allow adversity to mature our faith and reliance on Jesus. We may feel hurt and misunderstood by others, and our opinion or belief may be correct, (yet are being persecuted unfairly), but we can rest assured that Jesus understands us like no one else ever will. He was scorned and hated, misunderstood and ridiculed. He is available to comfort and guide us. 5. Decide that trouble proves the character of our friendships. Difficulties can deepen friendships or destroy them, depending on where and how hearts are directed. Sometimes we need our eyes opened that a person is not the right choice in our life any longer. Other times, we develop stronger ties with friends or relatives through the trials. 6. Decide that complications and obstacles allow us to see life and eternity through God’s eyes. Each day should thrust us closer to viewing life moments as God sees them. We will never have the complete understanding God carries in His infinite wisdom. He is God! We know, however, that everything we do has eternal consequences. Our actions and words should drive us to desire that others would know Him and be influenced through what they see in us. We will not be perfect, but can be perfected as we mature our relationship with Jesus with our eternal mindset daily. God can change our thoughts, words, and actions in a holy, miraculous, and beautiful way. Father God, we need you more than we can conceive. Thank you for Your infinite wisdom and for allowing us this life to know and grow in You. Thank you for the opportunity to know you and be saved through Your astounding gift of Jesus. May we cling to You more and more each moment and truly live in ways that reflect You and attract others to You. Help us to navigate the rocky times our country is traveling, and not be dismayed by this temporary world. Enable us to communicate in ways that honor You. May our journey please You as we move more and more into alignment with Your purposes for us, especially in our thoughts, words, and actions. In Your mighty and loving name we pray. Amen. I deeply desire to allow God to cultivate a strong community of women through the work He has given me. I pray you will be inspired and equipped to live with an eternal perspective and influenced to raise children with purpose for, and identity in, Jesus. If you enjoy the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast, you might like to hear that the terrihitt.com website has launched! Please visit and subscribe so that you gain access to all episodes housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to transcripts, blog posts, and free resources that will be added to regularly. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to my new website and also plays on Apple Podcast and Spotify. 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 043 The Art of Conversation Listen to Episode Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode #043 – The Art of Conversation 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. Conversation. That’s my topic today. More specifically, dialogue. The ability to communicate with others, giving us the means to exchange ideas or opinions. I enjoy talking to others; I love especially hearing their life stories. Do you? I believe many of us have more in common with one another than we think or imagine we do. Yet, I don’t feel that is reflected in the way we respond to, or act toward, others in our society today. What disappoints me most is when we don’t search for connection or look to see commonalities in those we meet. Most often, those special similarities are hidden beneath the surface like jewels under the rough sand still polishing them. When our youngest came home from China, she had spent most of her life in isolation, did not know English, knew little Mandarin because she had not been spoken to most of her life, and due to neglect, was almost entirely deaf. We had a focused road ahead of us to teach her to socialize, yet as each day passed and our relationship with her deepened and blossomed, we knew she was a perfect fit that completed our family. We each have a past, a chronicle of events that shape and define how we view and interact with the world. Stories define us – our personal tales of hardships, trials, heartache, joy, pain, loss, and love. The most impactful way to recognize or respect the narrative of another is through true, authentic dialogue. Unfortunately, the culture and society of this time leaves conversation to quickly-jotted texts and emails or small blurbs on a social media screen that most often feel and sound like attacks. When I meet someone, I usually wish for the opportunity to sit and talk to them for an extended period, sharing life tales and honestly connecting. Have most of us lost the desire to slow down and connect, to see another human for who they are? I don’t care about what society tells me I need or should be. I honestly get confused when I hear people say they want others to be themselves. I guess that is because I am who I am and I don’t expect fakeness from others. But in reality, I can understand that when we don’t have a grounded relationship with the One who shapes our identity, we do not know who we are, so falseness prevails as we flounder in finding, and in vulnerably, as well as honestly, exposing ourselves. The fast-paced, false society we live in has stolen the gift of discussion, and we have not yet conceived the full damage. Our children do not have the opportunity to experience life and relationships the way we did growing up. As adults, are we making time to teach them how to form authentic relationships? We must be making time to mentor our children through the way we develop those true relations ourselves. If we examine deeper, we see that what has most hurt our society, culture, and relationships is the condition of our hearts. As we move farther away from Jesus, the selfishness of our soul is exposed. Arrogance is born from this self-absorption, we become easily deceived, and we begin making justifications for anything we desire. Through social media, it is easy and convenient to lash out at others in ways most would not do in person years ago, and because of the current political climate driven by the media and much misinformation, many are now fueled by money, rage, hurt, and misunderstandings to begin attacks in person. After taking actions on beliefs, many look for others to agree with the decisions, no matter what they are, then get offended and angry when others dare to disagree. Are people truly looking to understand the viewpoint of the “opposing” thoughts from the person they are speaking to? Many times, no. The art of dialogue is fast diminishing from our culture. At this point, many people just want to be understood and agreed with. Much of the time all this “conversation” is spoken through written forms of communication that I spoke of earlier. No one can hear the tones of the other person and we cannot see or experience compassion or understanding that may be in the heart or eyes of those involved. I’ve been the victim of this type of communication attack and I’ve seen it happen to others. Even when you desire to speak to someone in person, if they choose not to, any hope of resolution fades. So, how do we expect communication to improve? It can’t and won’t, unless we decide to bring back old-fashioned heart to hearts and the ability to respect the opinion of another without taking it personally. Even among those who profess to be believers. What can we do to restore the art of communication? Shift our hearts to abide in the words and thoughts of our Heavenly Father. When we come to know God in an intimate way through Jesus, we are radically changed. Becoming a Christian is not the end, however. It is actually when the work begins. Until we release and commit ourselves to Jesus, we are only spouting personal beliefs and opinions. Once we abide in Christ, we begin a lifetime journey of allowing Him to transform our heart and mind to reflect and shine His thoughts and actions. A personal relationship with Jesus causes us to say and do things that we typically would not think of and would not have the ability to complete in our own free will. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Have you seen much grace on social media? Most people have deep-seated beliefs and do not desire to be persuaded to change. For example, I know no one is going to change my beliefs. They are rooted in what I believe God would have them to be. No one will shift that foundation, except Him, as I mature daily. Still, I respect that others have differing views. I respect that they also have a right to believe what they desire. I’m interested in why they believe as they do, because I like to hear their life story. Quite often, it shows me where there heart is and also exposes new ways I need to move mine more in alignment with Jesus. My desire is that we all have hearts in sync with where He would have us to be, but God gives free will to each of us. People who are seeking to abide in Him and grow daily will come into new viewpoints as they mature. Those who reject Christ will allow a greater chasm to divide them from godly viewpoints and actions. Instead of judgement, we must pray for godly discernment to lead us and form our reactions to others. If the person we are interacting with is not in the place to react in the same manner, we can shake the dust from our feet and nicely move on. God does not expect us to allow attacks to torment us. Remember to pray for the person or people and let God deal with them. The only way to do that is to know Jesus because we are involved in a personal and maturing walk with Him. When we are rooted in and through Him, and we spend time in His word regularly, also studying and applying the wisdom God extends to us through it, we are transformed. Our thoughts become His. His thoughts drive our actions, and then we can better discern what is good and acceptable to Him. 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.” I am deeply saddened by the viewpoints and arguments I have seen on social media in the last several months. I am weary. I am grieving what I thought I knew about others. Although it sounds as if I am judging others. I assure you, I know my own heart. Judgement is not my job. Only God can judge. My Heavenly Father does, however, allow me the ability through knowing Him and intentionally growing in Him daily, to use discernment. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” I have so much to learn to ever be the person I know the Lord created me to be, but I have matured much in Him and I can recognize when things grieve His heart, because they now grieve mine, as well. What I am wholly interested in is whether my beliefs and actions are in alignment with scripture. If you truly follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I pray that you believe the same for yourself. Hebrews 5:12-14 says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” What does this passage mean? Believers and followers of Jesus should be actively seeking to know Him, and be transformed to resemble Him. The word Christian means “little Christ.” How we let Him down daily. We are so far from where He desires us to be, yet loves us where we are. We have lost that ability in our society. We must look to the example of Jesus to love others where they are, yet not condone their sin. Just as we cannot make excuses for the sin we carry, but seek to be transformed and moved out of the sin through Jesus. I believe the difficulties arise because we are imperfect humans and even in the best of our attempts, we have room for error and those we interact with who do not know Jesus intimately through a personal relationship, simply do not understand our attempts and mistake them as judgement. We must continue to look Up and seek truth and direction from the Lord and allow Him to flow His responses into and out of us. When we do not advance in our maturity as we should, however, we are not able to advance to solid food, but remain ingesting milk, as a baby. If we never progress beyond an elementary relationship with Jesus, how can we discern what He desires? How are we to expect to understand and view the world as He does? How are our opinions and judgements to be trusted? Through our deep and purposeful progression of our personal relationship with Jesus, we gain skill in applying His principles to all areas of life. What a stark difference they are from what we would exercise on our own. My own life included. James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” Our thoughts affect our beliefs, which fuel our actions. As we have seen by the looting and other examples of crime and misconduct this year. Or with the anger, animosity, and fabrications exhibited on social media. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” The more time we spend with Jesus, we begin to shine in the same way that He does. We begin to emit the scent of our Lord, either attracting others to Him or repelling, depending on where their relationship and loyalties stand. As believers, it should be our goal to know Jesus, to recognize and understand God’s word, to carry the same mindset as Jesus so that we cannot help but shine Him in our thoughts, words, and actions. In our attitude and conversations. Those in our presence should have no question that we carry the wisdom of God in our daily life. We do not want to attract others to ourselves, but to the Lord, so that they will also rest in His peace, abide in His love, and shine His wisdom and grace for others. So that they will follow Him and His desires and commands. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Doesn’t this make you want to shout, “Hallelujah!” Consider this passage from Exodus 34:29, which says, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.” This verse is so beautiful it brings me to tears. The experience Moses had with God transformed him. He came away shining the light of our Heavenly Father. How can we look like Moses, with face and life aglow from the living God shining upon our appearance and heart? 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” One day each of us will stand in front of God. Our Heavenly Father sees what we do and desires to guide us in the ways that are pure. He deeply loves each one of us. Galatians 6:7 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” We reap what we sow. Oh, how I have learned this the hard way at various points in my life. Have you? God’s word always proves true. The decisions we make must be in alignment with God. There is only one way to know if they are. Each day must bring us closer to Him. We intimately recognize the One we are close to. We must value the things God values in this life. We must make decisions based on God’s guidance and wisdom, always going back to His word. We must be humble enough to seek Him and follow Him, humbly bowing to His whispers and commands, and seeking forgiveness when we sin. Sometimes the hardest sins are the ones we never knew we were making because we lived in ignorance instead of pursuing God as we should have. God is always waiting to forgive us when we repent, and His mercies and grace are ever-lasting. How do we move on with the gift of communication, especially through electronic form? We must remember that adversity should not rip us apart. Hardships and miscommunication should push us closer to Jesus and cause us to rest securely in His arms as He carries and provides for us. What if we, as a group believers (and individuals) decide to use adversity, even that experienced through communication, in new ways in our personal life and through social media? 1. Decide that difficulties will be used to progress the gospel. Not that we need to share every personal piece of our life, but use the attitude with which we deal with life and hardships, the disagreements we may feel because of differing opinions, to fuel us to focus on how Jesus would have us prove He is within us. Our attitude and words to others show whether we allow Him to work within us. We don’t have to keep talking to try to persuade someone else to understand our viewpoint. We need to remember that people do not and will not ever agree on every point, at least not this side of heaven. 2. Decide to use adversity to purify our motives. When we feel pain or hurt from what someone says to us in person or on social media, we can choose to release it to God or lash out as if we don’t know Christ. What if we decide to allow others their opinion and stop always trying to get others to understand us or agree with us? There is nothing wrong with respectfully expressing our opinions, especially when they are in alignment with Jesus, but none of us will ever receive agreement from all people, including other believers because we are all in different phases of our Christian walk. In fact, often the closer we get to Jesus, the more opposition we will receive from some people, just as Jesus experienced. 3. Decide that difficulties provide opportunities to witness. Especially through the way we handle opposition. People notice our responses more when times are tough. Dealing with difficulties also thrusts us deeper into the arms of God, when we let them. Testimonies are birthed or grown from these times. 4. Decide to allow adversity to mature our faith and reliance on Jesus. We may feel hurt and misunderstood by others, and our opinion or belief may be correct, (yet are being persecuted unfairly), but we can rest assured that Jesus understands us like no one else ever will. He was scorned and hated, misunderstood and ridiculed. He is available to comfort and guide us. 5. Decide that trouble proves the character of our friendships. Difficulties can deepen friendships or destroy them, depending on where and how hearts are directed. Sometimes we need our eyes opened that a person is not the right choice in our life any longer. Other times, we develop stronger ties with friends or relatives through the trials. 6. Decide that complications and obstacles allow us to see life and eternity through God’s eyes. Each day should thrust us closer to viewing life moments as God sees them. We will never have the complete understanding God carries in His infinite wisdom. He is God! We know, however, that everything we do has eternal consequences. Our actions and words should drive us to desire that others would know Him and be influenced through what they see in us. We will not be perfect, but can be perfected as we mature our relationship with Jesus with our eternal mindset daily. God can change our thoughts, words, and actions in a holy, miraculous, and beautiful way. Father God, we need you more than we can conceive. Thank you for Your infinite wisdom and for allowing us this life to know and grow in You. Thank you for the opportunity to know you and be saved through Your astounding gift of Jesus. May we cling to You more and more each moment and truly live in ways that reflect You and attract others to You. Help us to navigate the rocky times our country is traveling, and not be dismayed by this temporary world. Enable us to communicate in ways that honor You. May our journey please You as we move more and more into alignment with Your purposes for us, especially in our thoughts, words, and actions. In Your mighty and loving name we pray. Amen. I deeply desire to allow God to cultivate a strong community of women through the work He has given me. I pray you will be inspired and equipped to live with an eternal perspective and influenced to raise children with purpose for, and identity in, Jesus. If you enjoy the “Live With Eternal Perspective” podcast, you might like to hear that the terrihitt.com website has launched! Please visit and subscribe so that you gain access to all episodes housed in one convenient location, as well as receive access to transcripts, blog posts, and free resources that will be added to regularly. The Live With Eternal Perspective podcast is currently linked to my new website and also plays on Apple Podcast and Spotify. 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.

Do you desire deeper intimacy with God, but need direction? Download the "10 Steps to An Intimate Walk With God" resource today. 10 Steps to an Intimate Walk With God Do you desire deeper intimacy with God, but need direction? Download the "10 Steps to An Intimate Walk With God" resource today. Download

Do you ever get frustrated, angered, or hurt by the behaviors of your children? Is busyness reflected in your relationships and reactions? You may have unknowingly built identity on self, rather than Savior. The way you build identity will likely be passed to your children. Remember, little eyes and ears know your identity is exposed through all you do and say; how you act and react. If you'd like to learn more about how your identity could be sabotaging your child, this resource is a sample of my Set Apart Collective program for mothers who desire to parent with eternity in mind. When you discover how identity in Christ equips you to be the set-apart mother God created you to be, you'll be equipped to teach your children to be set-apart in Christ with identity built on Truth. Discover How Your Identity is Sabotaging Your Children Do you ever get frustrated, angered, or hurt by the behaviors of your children? Is busyness reflected in your relationships and reactions? You may have unknowingly built identity on self, rather than Savior. The way you build identity will likely be passed to your children. Remember, little eyes and ears know your identity is exposed through all you do and say; how you act and react. If you'd like to learn more about how your identity could be sabotaging your child, this resource is a sample of my Set Apart Collective program for mothers who desire to parent with eternity in mind. When you discover how identity in Christ equips you to be the set-apart mother God created you to be, you'll be equipped to teach your children to be set-apart in Christ with identity built on Truth. Download

< Back Purposed Parent Connected Child Podcast Episode 125 - Should Kids Get Paid for Chores? Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast – Episode 125 – Should Kids Get Paid for Chores? 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 with an interesting question many moms wonder… should I pay my child to do chores? Most women with children want to be wise mothers, able to discern what to teach their children (and when), what to tell them about their own childhood and growing up years, and whether they should spank or pay their children to complete chores around the house. There are so many responsibilities when you’re a mom. One of the topics important to my husband and me was giving back to God. When our daughter Marissa was one year old we were already teaching her to tithe. At that time she didn’t have an income, so we would give her change to put in one of three different jars marked: spending, saving, and tithing. At that young age, we kept the concept simple. After all, we were really teaching her a habit at that point, and she would grasp the meaning behind the action in time. Since we gave the coins to her to tithe, save, and spend, the money was hers to place the coins into whichever jar she wanted to. Studies have shown that children comprehend basic money concepts by age three, and can establish money habits by age seven. Because we began instilling the responsibility of stewarding her money as far back as she can remember, Marissa has never questioned tithing to God and she has never been careless about how she spends money. Granted, this could be due to many things, but the early preparation we did with her concerning money, combined with her basic personality and character, and watching what we do made a positive impact on her beliefs and actions. Regardless of which of those had the biggest impact on our daughter, teaching children the concept that money carries responsibility is always a good lesson for children to learn as early as possible. Once birthdays started rolling around, Marissa began receiving money from friends and family members. Since the idea of tithing, saving, and spending already became ingrained her mind and habits, she also brought tithes to church from money received on cash gifts from holidays and special occasions. As an older child, she began earning money from odd jobs for neighbors, garage sales, lemonade stands, or selling paintings, and continued to use her jars. While it’s fun to think back at how our daughter views and handles money as a twenty year old young woman, and how that responsibility was taught from such a young age, it made me consider how differently parents choose to teach about money and how people differ on whether children should be paid for completing chores. In our family, we don’t pay our daughters to complete chores. Our girls are a part of the family, and as responsible members, we want them to take part in caring for our home and one other without expecting something in return. We’ve taught that chores are privileges and responsibilities that makes each family member a caretaker of what God has bestowed to us. We didn’t want to teach our children that they only need to be responsible when they get payment or a reward. Our desire is for them to carry integrity and purpose because they want to please God with all He has given, even when completing certain tasks like cleaning or laundry may not be what they would automatically call “enjoyable.” One example of how our family takes care of chores and activities together is that we purposely went without a dishwasher for years. During that time we were able to complete cleaning the kitchen as a family. Most of the time my daughters and I worked together while listening to the radio, the Bible on audio, or simply talking and laughing while we washed, dried, and put the dishes away. Even though it took longer to clean than it would have if we could have placed them in a dishwasher, we enjoyed our time together and were thankful for dirty dishes that signified we had food to eat and people we loved to work alongside. Having children help care for the house and be responsible with belongings makes them a steward of the family blessings. As my girls work alongside me they also learn how to care for our home and possessions. While doing so, they develop integrity, honesty, and responsibility. Recently, when my youngest was completing the task of daily laundry she came to me with a concerned expression. When I asked what was going on she shared that she wondered if she should wash the load again. She asked me to follow her to the laundry room, where she showed me the detergent had hardened in the bottom of the plastic detergent box in the washer drawer. I helped her get the brick-hard residue out and checked the amount of soap she used. Then, after a sniff test, I told her that she should rewash the quilt she had just removed from the washing machine. Of course, she didn’t wish to wash that load again. It ended up that she had to rewash several loads that day while we worked to troubleshoot what was happening with our washing machine. Together, we went through several steps that taught her how to think critically when issues arise. I thanked her for being honest and wanting to do the job correctly. How easy it would have been to throw those items into the dryer each time and be done with laundry on time instead of extending her work time by about five hours that afternoon. I made sure to compliment her integrity, honesty, and loyalty to God and me by doing the very best job she could and for asking for help when needed. Honestly, it was a little frustrating that the machine was acting up because who wants to purchase a new washer or be inconvenienced when one isn’t performing well, but we made memories yesterday as we worked together. I even gained a little appreciation from her for knowing little things she’d never discovered how to do like emptying the water from the tube at the bottom of the machine. Such a lover of learning new things, we had fun times that gave her a greater respect for me and a thankfulness for the days the washer performs well. Some parents believe differently about paying children for chores. They’ve determined that rewarding kids for chores teaches them appreciation for the value of hard work. Additionally, some families don’t pay for regular chores, but will reward kids with money for doing chores outside daily expectations. For example, they believe that helping a neighbor or grandparent or completing harder chores around the home such as mowing or raking leaves should come with a financial incentive. While my husband and I don’t pay for chores or the extras, we do give our girls a lot already. Because they look for ways to help around the house and don’t expect rewards for simple or large contributions to the home, we like to take them for treats, surprise with gifts, and give money for particular items they might want or need. We also make simple tasks fun by stopping for frozen yogurt or going to the park. As a give and take of mutual respect and appreciation, we strive to instill appreciation for what God has gifted to us as well as show that we appreciate them, too. We desire that our children acquire integrity, thankfulness, and relationship with us, but most importantly, with God. We don’t want them to develop an attitude of entitlement or to stop contributing around the house, with school work, or in the community because they don’t see a pay-off. Because of that, we’ve never really used the word chores, but call it “contributing” or “doing what needs to be done.” Working alongside my girls to clean the house and take care of what we own has helped us develop deep bonds with each other. As we work, we sing, chat, dance, and speak of what God is doing in our lives. We use the time to appreciate moments, even if we have five other things we need to be doing other than scrubbing a toilet or bathtub. Also, instead of just showing my girls how to clean and leaving the room while they complete the task, I enjoy being there with them to answer questions and doing work alongside them. It makes time pass much quicker and we enjoy the opportunities to share what lays on our heart. Of course, they’re old enough now that they also do many things that need to be done on their own. For example, today Brooklyn saw a dirty shelf in the refrigerator where it was obvious soy sauce had spilled. Many kids would either not even notice the mess or leave it for someone else to clean. Brooklyn started taking items out of the refrigerator so she could clean the bottoms of them, then clean the shelf. Instead of swiping with a paper towel, she took the shelf out and washed it with soap and dried it before returning it to the refrigerator. In the same way, Marissa will vacuum and mop floors for me without me saying a word simply because she knows running the vacuum is hard on my back. I honestly don’t know that they would be so willing to go above and beyond to help with family chores if we had started paying them in the beginning. All in all, each family has to seek what God calls for them. Even though the Bible is the perfect manual for any parenting question we have, that doesn’t mean God addresses each one exactly. In order to know how to parent the individual children He has gifted to us, we must seek Him, know Him and His character through His Word, have prayerful communication with Him, listen to His voice, and obey His calls and commands. Because each parent, family, and child is unique, He is the one to let you know the best course for your parenting adventure and family. May God bless every decision because you are moving ever closer to Him each moment. Dear Heavenly Father, how great You are. Thank you for Your presence in our life. We need You so desperately. Carry and equip us because we have invited You into our heart and home. Allow us to make wise and insightful decisions for our children and family that come from Your hand, mind, and will for us. May we move ever closer to You daily and show our children how to do the same in each parenting decision we make. Enable us to parent not only for this moment, but for the future and eternity. 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