This is not a post about 2012, though I did go see it while I was in SC and it was a sore loser, save “most” of the effects.  Flee from the deception to come surrounding the return of Christ!

I have been in this flesh long enough to know I don’t know much, but what I do know is what the Father says in His Word about it.  He gives us instructions on planning our paths, seeking, planting, and much more.  All this of course, is to be mingled with the counsel of the Father (in Word and Spirit).

Here are some tips for your planning and seeking:

• take 5-10 minutes every day and read verse by verse the bible.
  • “Proverbs” is a great place to begin if you have never read the bible.
  • Read in a place by yourself.
• spend 5-10 minutes every day in prayer (speaking in your mind) to the Father.
  • Be alone and meditate when you pray.
  • Repent, Ask, Find, Triumph  (RAFT)
• if you have more time, or find yourself bored, do one of the above.

By blocking out time and following your plan, you will find yourself more at peace and connected in the spirit than ever before.  Obviously, some people will have a larger appetite, so just schedule more time in and commit to it.

If it be in the Father’s will, I plan to be bringing you weekly bible studies, networking and video tutorials in January 2010 via GoChrist.org and other venues.  I will keep you posted as things progress!

So what are you doing differently next year?

What is your plan to glorify the Father?

I look forward to keeping in touch as we draw near to the conclusion of the matter concerning 2012 and many other things.  Don’t get too excited or hyped up over any “good news” to come, save the good news of Jesus Christ.

Joshua Jones shares his thoughts about parenting with some no fluff parenting advice and tips for new parents.

In day to day life, I try to think about things from the Father’s perspective. I’m not talking about a flesh and bone father, but the Father of our souls. It’s a battle though.

The flesh is continually at odds with the spirit – but one thing always helps bring me back to focus.

My Kids

Being a father myself, I tend to be a very loving yet strong and stable helper for my children. Just like the Father who wrote His law for man and for the spirit, whereby we could rest sure in the eternal salvation presented therein.

They whine and complain when I tell them they can’t have something. They try to ask my wife for something I’ve already said no to. Much like when the Father is trying to guard us from harm, but “WE WANT IT!”, or we try to go about getting it “our OWN way”.

They demand so much and yet, when they show the smallest act of love and charity, or they speak with clarity and respect in public, I’m reminded of just how much I love them and how long I am willing to suffer for their sakes. So too does the Father smile down on us when we present Him with these works.

When my kiddos mess up, I require that they repent to whomever the offense was against immediately. So also, when Christ paid the price for our sins, He required us to acknowledge our sins and repent.

There is so much wisdom to behold as a man in the role of a father. We all fall short, but at least do your very best to set forth a good example, encourage and love on your spouse and children and enjoy the fruits the Father has given you.

I hope you got a chance to lift up a father on Father’s Day and I hope you took a moment to give thanks and praise to the Father of our souls.

Joshua Jones

To all the husbands out there, I implore you – if you are not comfortable with your marriage now, or if you happen to be recently engaged – take heed.

I talked before about being unequally yoked in marriage – you’re going to need to set some ground rules, and if it be possible, rules according to the Father’s recommendations.

Take a look at some passages here – I recommend you go look these up for yourself to gain the context of each passage:

Jeremiah 31:22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.

1Co 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

These aren’t harsh or irrational, though the programming we have received via the education system, religious systems, economic and political systems have told us otherwise.

The fight for women’s rights was certainly justified in it’s time, the Father never intended that only men make decisions, just that the man be the leader in the team, so long as he serves and loves the Father above all else.

It’s quite interesting to see the types of relationships scattered all throughout the scriptures. There is much wisdom to be had therein. For example, Christ mentions this passage from Micah, and husbands – you will be wise to keep this in mind:

Mic 7:5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. 7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Matthew 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Listen to the love there – it’s not your spouse that’s going to save you – they are not your salvation, but rather a help mate and lover. A thing to be cherished and if the man be bold in Christ, let him rise to the occasion and lead his wife by the spirit and grace of God in Christ, and love his wife as Paul taught us to love them (this whole chapter was just too good to leave to your imagination):

Ephesians 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Wives, my prayer is your husband loves the Father more than you, so that he is pleasing to the Creator of you both and leads you into good pastures.

Husbands, my prayer is that God send encouragement to your soul that you may lead your wife in love and in Christ to the glorifying of the Father through you both.

Thank you for reading, I welcome your comments!

Joshua Jones

I’ve been working with my daughter, Kamille, helping her practice riding her bike since she was 3.  She’s been getting really good at it and just yesterday, she actually took off all on her own, multiple times and rode over 150 feet in all!

Talk about a sense of pride coming from a daddy!  Here’s the video:

Kamille Riding Her Bike!

I made this with my new flip video!

When we get married, we’re literally joining up our spiritual energy.  In this process we begin to war even more with the carnal things of this world and specifically our flesh.  This is especially the case when a new couple finds that they are unequally yoked (another subject altogether, reserved for another post).

These flesh desires are the most common reasons for separation and divorce, so they warrant some discussion.  These include, but are certainly not limited to: finances, status, security, possessions, etc.

My wife and I started experiencing this battle about 3 months into our marriage and, thankfully at that time, we were reading the Word together on a regular basis.   As a result, we would remind each other, with particular sayings, to “snap us out” of the flesh and back into our spiritual walk.

I wanted to share a few in hopes that you can open up with your spouse, be certain that your yoke is indeed equal and ensure that things of this world will not tear down that which God has put together in your marriage.

“We are about inwardly things, not outwardly things.”

“Who are you fighting?”

“We are in the world, not of the world.”

“We walk in the spirit.”

“Faith is belief in things unseen, but hoped for.”

“You are my gift from the Father.”

“The beginning of wisdom is to Love God.”

“Acknowledge God and He will direct your paths.”

“Your soul is precious.”

“This flesh is only temporary.”

“We already have the victory in Christ.”

Never forget, it is the things that come out of our mouths that defile us.  So, be sure that you repent to your spouse for the negative words you utter.  Our egos need not participate in this exchange.

One more note about my marriage in particular, that I pass on as a recommendation for newlyweds.  Get on the same page early on in your marriage, even if you have semi-heated discussions about your differences.  Once you are both in agreement that you love God and His Christ more than each other, it will lay a foundation that can always be restored with humility, repentance and the subsequent forgiveness.

I hope this has been a help to you in you marriage.

Joshua Jones

I know.. some of you may think I’m just off in la la land – but that’s ok.

I’ve seen the damage it’s done: the toll it’s taken on our youth.

I’m not just sitting here complaining about it though. I’m not even judging or condemning people for going through a public institution. My kids just won’t be attending a public education institute as long as I walk this earth. God called us to instruct our children in the way and keep them in the knowledge of God. That entire principle has been utterly stripped from our public education system. I remember when I was a youth in school reciting the pledge of allegiance. It was an allegiance to “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. Bah! Where did all that noble lip service get us?

Stop... and think!

Take God out of the school! He’s religious.. ohh please!

I’m just sick of the system that turns out ignorant drones by the droves. Granted they have some knowledge of the world (though, only a tiny bit about how it actually works), but what is that worth in the grand scheme of things? Absolutely nothing. Zero, zilch, nada… when compared to the knowledge of God!

Anyhow, off my soap box I go for now… and as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord!

In Christ,

Joshua Jones