Genesis 1 vs. 27 “…be fruitful and multiply.”

Having and raising children is a tough job, but consider it an honour that the Lord predestined you to help bring certain souls into the world.  Your number of births and children has been determined by the Lord even before you yourself were born.  My very own mother was born between two boys who both died very young yet the Lord used my mother to bring life to me so I would be able to share this story.  At birth every little girl is born with all the equipment she will need to carry a child.  How it comes forth, miscarriages, stillbirths, healthy and the actual date of conception and delivery is all the will of the Father.  To actually feel and see something grow inside of you come out to be this little person that your body is equipped to feed is simply a miracle and a gift from God.  Once you’ve experienced it or seen it you are never the same.

Apocrypha: 2 Esdras 8 vs. 8-11

“For when the body is fashioned now in the mothers’ womb, and thou givest it members, thy creature is preserved in fire and water, and nine months doth thine workmanship endure thy creature which is created in her. But that which keepeth is kept shall be preserved; and when the time cometh, the womb preserved delivereth up the things that grew in it. For thou hast commanded out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, that milk be given, which is the fruit of the breasts, that the thing fashioned may be nourished for a time.”

 

Benefits of breastfeeding:

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• Most complete form of nutrition for infants, babies find it easier to digest breast milk than formula
• Pre-mature babies tend to develop better with breast milk than formula
• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose pregnancy pounds
• Nursing helps the uterus to get back to its’ original size and reduces postpartum bleeding
• Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation and fertility
• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and cervical cancer
• Breastfeeding saves time and money. Formula is expensive.
• Among breastfeeding women, menstruation will not usually occur for several months after the birth of a child.In fact most breastfeeding women do not ovulate for 4-24 months after delivery. Whereas in non-breastfeeding mothers can ovulate as early as 1-2 months after delivery. The hormone that stimulates milk production decreases the hormones needed to maintain the menstrual cycle.
• For breastfeeding to act as a natural and effective form of birth control, a woman must nurse ten or more times throughout the day and introduce no other foods at that time. Because babies need extra food at about six months; it is not recommended that you rely on this method to avoid pregnancy, although nursing can act as a contraceptive for as long as three years it will not postpone menstruation indefinitely.

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Psalms 139 vs. 13-14

“Thou hast covered me in my mothers’ womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

Physically and emotionally it is a lot of work to raise a child and evolves constantly as we watch our children grow.  Each child is a different spirit and every pregnancy and labor is not the same (I’ve done it four times to date…another sister five, another six and sister “P” nine times!).  Let’s not even begin to talk about the pains of childbirth whether natural, c-sections and stuff in between (ouch!).

As our children grow into young men and women who fear the Lord many challenges arise, such as the pressures of this world.  How do we fight drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, gangs and childhood rebellion?  With the scriptures of course and it’s the only way.  For all of us it is a daily struggle and we need some advice and help along the way.

Apocrypha: 2 Esdras 4 vs. 40

“go thy way to a woman with child, and ask of her when she hath fulfilled her nine months, if her womb may keep the birth any longer with in her.”

Apocrypha: Wisdom of Solomon 7 vs. 2-3

“…and in my mother’s womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, being compacted in blood, of the seed of man and the pleasure that came with sleep. And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.”

Psalms 113 vs. 9

“He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord”

I have been around many sisters that wanted desperately to have a child, or had children already but were waiting for that special boy or girl to arrive.  With faith in Christ, praying and fasting have patience that it will happen!!!

Genesis 3 vs. 16

“…unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”

I called my grandma when I was pregnant with my first child upset because I was not able to afford a Lameze class to help me with labor. She was a midwife back in the day and let me know that our people were birthing babies for hundreds of years without an instructor. Life was the school that trained you. My grandmother used to say having a baby is like having one foot in the grave and the other in the doorway of life…..labor pain and the delivery of a baby is no joke…….thanks Eve

If you are pregnant or know a sister who is expecting please make arrangements to get help, or help her out, especially if this is a first child, although sisters with other children still may need help.. Your turn will eventually come around….maybe more times than you think!!! Some sisters may benefit from a baby shower before the baby is born , so that the new mom is prepared for her baby’s arrival….and if that’s not something that you and your husband care to do, maybe you can plan something afterwards. Realize however there are some basic items you must have before you can bring your baby home from the hospital , if that is your method of choice, along with additional expenses that pop up.

Coming home to a pristine home, prepared meals, diaper changes, a nap, taking care of older siblings, while the mom recovers are all great gifts that outweigh any gift of monetary value. Caring for a newborn has lots of challenges and very little sleep. There are 9-10 months to get ready for a new little person, so plan ahead.

The purification of women ( after childbirth )

Leviticus 12 vs. 1- 7

speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child; then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of her separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean….and in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised….and she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled ( male child = 40 days of uncleanness )

Vs 5…but if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation; and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days…….( female child = 80 days of uncleanness )

Vs . 7…..this is the law for her that hath born a male or female.

Genesis17 vs.10-14

every man child among you shall be circumcised….and ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you….and he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, everyman child in your generations……and the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

So you’ve just given birth to this beautiful baby, and if you gave birth to a boy, you need to make sure you have informed your doctor beforehand along with hospital staff that you would like your son circumcised . During this time period , the reality is that most of us do not have the medical resources to have this procedure done outside of the hospital as the so-called Jew-ish people do. We need more doctors and pediatricians ‘ to wake up in faith to help perform this holy ritual. Under these circumstances it is advised to have the procedure done prior to leaving the hospital. You may ask why not just go back to the hospital on the eighth day to have it done? Insurance companies , some doctors do not want to perform the procedure and have given many families the runaround , delay tactics which have resulted in additional costs and longer healing process as the male child gets older. If you can have it done on the eighth day, ALL praises!!!!

Typically most doctors will recommend that a woman abstain from having intercourse before her 6-week check-up , because the body needs time to heal and the amount of blood that is lost during labor. The Lord has given us instructions on when and how long to wait before intimacy . If you have a boy child you must abstain from sex for 40 days , if you have a girl it’s 80 days. That is the law of uncleanness….it also applies to your monthly cycle as well …you are unclean for 7 days…starting on the day you start your period and are clean on the eighth day (able to have sexual relations again with your husband )…

It is not permitted ever to have sex when you have an issue of blood, whether it be during a regular menstrual cycle or after childbirth in the days of your uncleanness.

Leviticus 20 vs. 18

and if a man lie with a woman having her sickness, and uncover her nakedness ( sexual relations ); he hath discovered the fountain of her blood; and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.

Leviticus 15 vs. 19-28

and if a woman have an issue, and her issue be blood, ( menstrual cycle ) she shall be put apart seven days

Every woman knows when she sees her period , and when it starts… for some it could be a spot, for others a gush only you know the moment. Whether it be first thing in the morning, in the middle of the day or at night.

Remember that a day starts from sundown to sundown ….the evening starts the next day

Genesis 1 vs. 4,5

And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness…And God called the light Day and the darkness Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

So here are some examples….

If I start my menstrual cycle on December 1^st, I would not be able to deal with my husband sexually until December 8^th….let’s say that my period lasted longer than 7 days,( this would include any spotting of blood) I would have to add an additional seven days and then would not be able to be with my husband until December16th

If I gave birth to a male child on December 1^st I would be deemed clean 40 days later, on January 9^th.

If I gave birth to a female child on December 1^st, I would be deemed clean 80 days later on February 18^th

If I gave birth to twin boys, the days of uncleanness would still be 40 days; twin girls it would be 80 days…. however if I gave birth to fraternal twins ( 1 boy and 1 girl or any other multiple combination involving the birth of a daughter. Triplets, etc. ) the days of uncleanness would be 80 days….the birth of the female child would determine the # of days regardless. This just further edifies that the Most High placed men and women on different levels from the moment you enter this world.

Leviticus 15 vs. 31

thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness , when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.

Currently in our various lands of captivity, we are gathering together to worship in homes and buildings that are obviously not the holy tabernacle. The tabernacle in Jerusalem was destroyed, we no longer have to keep the levitical law of animal sacrifice. Christ did away with that. When you have an issue of blood, you can fellowship. Do not make the error of comparing your home or building with the tabernacle that the MOST HIGH established with Moses. Obviously, be aware of your own personal comfort level and be wise regarding weather, travel, etc. in making your decisions to be around people when you have a newborn.

Matthew 9 vs. 20-22

and behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: for she said within herself, If I may touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Matthew 14 vs.36

John 15 vs. 3…now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Ezekiel 11 vs. 16…

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

Please take time to go over the scriptures with your children formal and informal lessons are a fact of life. It could as simple as reviewing school homework, a stroll around the block, food at the supermarket, people on the street, a topic on the news or something personal just for them.

Deuteronomy 6 vs. 7

and thou shalt teach them ( commandments )diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up

Proverbs 22 vs.15

for foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him

Proverbs 23 vs. 13

withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with the rod , he shall not die

Proverbs 22 vs. 6

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he shall not depart from it.

Apocrypha Ecc. 16 vs. 1-3

desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons….Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them. Trust not in their life, neither respect their multitude, for one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die without children, than to have those that are ungodly.

Apocrypha Ecc. 30 vs. 1-13…

He that loveth his son, causeth him oft to feel the rod ,that he may have joy of him in the end……..an horse not broken shall become headstrong: and a child left to himself shall become willful……..bow down his neck while he is young, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee, and so bring sorrow to thine heart…….chastise thy son, and hold him to labour lest his lewd behavior be an offense unto thee.

As your children get older, you need to give them chores and responsibilities around the home. In our various states of captivity, for example.. if you didn’t chop wood….you had no heat in the winter. Start small, and make sure it is age appropriate. Chores are preparation for what responsibilities are to come, whether it be , cooking cleaning, changing diapers or shoveling snow……put them to labour!

Apocrypha 30 vs. 13

chastise thy son, and hold him to labour, lest his lewd behavior be an offence unto thee.

Do you see how no labor / chores will result in lewd behavior?

Children need something to do and have good, solid values, structure and discipline behind them. In communities where crime is high, it is often because the youth have no supervision, no resources or programs as an outlet. So it shows up on the street as selling drugs, gang violence, murder, robbery and much other evil.

Teach your child early on to keep the commandments…. Honor your father and mother…..thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not covet…….wicked & troubled kids don’t care about consequences of jail or death because they don’t fear the Lord.

You can find the basic ten commandments , which are the foundation and base for a repentant life at Exodus 20 vs. 1-17