1 Peter 3:3-4 "And let not your adornment be merely external -braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."
Quiet. Let that word resonate in your mind and heart today. There is a powerful strength to a woman who has a quiet spirit. A gentle and quiet spirit should come from a submission to the Spirit of God and a sensitivity to His activity. A woman of real strength does not have to pour out words of anxiety and fear...she is too busy meditating on the truth of scripture that allows her to trust in God and be at peace.
A woman of God does not have to prove herself with what she knows and how she can handle things...she just IS. She is refreshing to be around. She does not bring tension into a room...she knows her place.
Proverbs 27:2 "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your lips."
A woman of God does not have to try so hard. What comes out of her life is simply an overflow of hours spent in the presence of God. She naturally shares with others what she herself is learning as she abides in Jesus.
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing."
A woman of God does not create problems and thinks she has all the answers. The fruit coming out of her life is that of a peacemaker. She doesn't meddle in situations and spread herself out but is an anchor in the home and is faithful with what God has entrusted to her.
1 Timothy 5:13 "And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention."
Maybe you feel you have to work really hard to be what God has called you to be. Let that burden escape you today. God is calling you to walk in the Spirit. This is the way of the New Covenant.
Galatians 5:22-26 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
An Abomination
Hey Everyone! I read a proverb this morning and just thought it was awesome. It put a little fire in me. It's Proverbs 29:27 and it says, "An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked." AMEN! I want to be ABOMINABLE to the wicked! I want the enemy to be afraid and scramble. My God is SO powerful and mighty. He "gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist" (Romans 4:17).
We naturally use our reasoning to talk ourselves out of a life of faith. Why don't we take the truths of WHO GOD IS...think about it, He created the universe with His words...and use our reasoning to talk ourselves INTO a life of FAITH! It is illogical to doubt and not believe God. Really...that's why Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Lord help us today to have FAITH and use the brains you gave us to meditate on WHY we believe you. If we would love God with all our heart, soul, MIND, and strength (Mark 12:30)...we leave little room for a defeated day. Walk today in the "upright way" and be an abomination to the wicked. To God be the glory!
We naturally use our reasoning to talk ourselves out of a life of faith. Why don't we take the truths of WHO GOD IS...think about it, He created the universe with His words...and use our reasoning to talk ourselves INTO a life of FAITH! It is illogical to doubt and not believe God. Really...that's why Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Lord help us today to have FAITH and use the brains you gave us to meditate on WHY we believe you. If we would love God with all our heart, soul, MIND, and strength (Mark 12:30)...we leave little room for a defeated day. Walk today in the "upright way" and be an abomination to the wicked. To God be the glory!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Sweet Freedom
Thank you Lord! Oh the FREEDOM that comes with not taking ourselves too seriously! Hahaha! Let's take a break today from being overly introspective and examining ourselves WAY too much. Let's just take this day and enjoy the Lord. Take a deep breath. Smile. Relax. Pray. How sad it is when we forget to just love Jesus. Reach out to someone. Send them an email or word of encouragement.
Self-focus and self-absorption is death to us and those around us will suffer the consequences as well. Enjoy those relationships God has given you. Be thankful. Be still and know that He is God. We all aren't good enough, wise enough or qualified enough. But we all know the One who is. We all are saved by grace through faith and help us when we think otherwise!
Last night Luke was crying for me and I went up to check on him and found that his little, one year old chubber thighs were stuck in the crib. They weren't really wedged in, but he wasn't in a position to get them out. I then went back to bed and was trying to sleep but was suffering the consequences of magnified self-examination. Oh how I LOVE Colossians 3:2. It's the EASIEST verse to memorize and it immediately puts my mind in the right focus and perspective. It says, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth." I was feeling stuck and I just had to do the same thing Luke did, cry out for help. God was faithful this morning to give me those scriptures that cut to the heart...and though they are painful...they are life and liberty.
Jesus...YOU are awesome.
Self-focus and self-absorption is death to us and those around us will suffer the consequences as well. Enjoy those relationships God has given you. Be thankful. Be still and know that He is God. We all aren't good enough, wise enough or qualified enough. But we all know the One who is. We all are saved by grace through faith and help us when we think otherwise!
Last night Luke was crying for me and I went up to check on him and found that his little, one year old chubber thighs were stuck in the crib. They weren't really wedged in, but he wasn't in a position to get them out. I then went back to bed and was trying to sleep but was suffering the consequences of magnified self-examination. Oh how I LOVE Colossians 3:2. It's the EASIEST verse to memorize and it immediately puts my mind in the right focus and perspective. It says, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth." I was feeling stuck and I just had to do the same thing Luke did, cry out for help. God was faithful this morning to give me those scriptures that cut to the heart...and though they are painful...they are life and liberty.
Jesus...YOU are awesome.
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Humble Opinion
Here is an excerpt from Thomas a Kempis that is very direct and challenging. I encourage you to read it thoughtfully and let it's message direct you into the reality of our call as believers.
HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF ONE'S SELF by Thomas a Kempis
Everyone has a natural desire for knowledge but what good is knowledge without the fear of God? Surely a humble peasant who serves God is better than the proud astronomer who knows how to chart the heavens' stars but lacks all knowledge of himself.
If I truly knew myself I would look upon myself as insignificant and would not find joy in hearing others praise me. If I knew everything in the world and were still without love, what advantage would I have in the eyes of God who is to judge me according to my deeds?
Curb all undue desire for knowledge, for in it you will find many distractions and much delusion. Those who are learned strive to give the appearance of being wise and desire to be recognized as such; but there is much knowledge that is of little or no benefit to the soul.
Whoever sets his mind on anything other than what serves his salvation is a senseless fool. A barrage of words does not make the soul happy, but a good life gladdens the mind and a pure conscience generates a bountiful confidence in God.
The more things you know and the better you know them, the more severe will your judgment be, unless you have also lived a holier life. Do not boast about the learning and skills that are yours; rather, be cautious since you do possess such knowledge.
If it seems to you that you know many things and thoroughly understand them all realize that there are countless other things of which you are ignorant. Be not haughty, but admit your ignorance. Why should you prefer yourself to another, when there are many who are more learned and better trained in God's law than you are? If you are looking for knowledge and a learning that is useful to you, then love to be unknown and esteemed as nothing.
This is the most important and salutary lesson: to know and to despise ourselves. It is great wisdom and perfection to consider ourselves as nothing and always to judge well and highly of others. If you should see someone commit a sin or some grievous wrong, do not think of yourself as someone better, for you know not how long you will remain in your good state.
We are all frail; but think of yourself as one who is more frail than others.
HAVING A HUMBLE OPINION OF ONE'S SELF by Thomas a Kempis
Everyone has a natural desire for knowledge but what good is knowledge without the fear of God? Surely a humble peasant who serves God is better than the proud astronomer who knows how to chart the heavens' stars but lacks all knowledge of himself.
If I truly knew myself I would look upon myself as insignificant and would not find joy in hearing others praise me. If I knew everything in the world and were still without love, what advantage would I have in the eyes of God who is to judge me according to my deeds?
Curb all undue desire for knowledge, for in it you will find many distractions and much delusion. Those who are learned strive to give the appearance of being wise and desire to be recognized as such; but there is much knowledge that is of little or no benefit to the soul.
Whoever sets his mind on anything other than what serves his salvation is a senseless fool. A barrage of words does not make the soul happy, but a good life gladdens the mind and a pure conscience generates a bountiful confidence in God.
The more things you know and the better you know them, the more severe will your judgment be, unless you have also lived a holier life. Do not boast about the learning and skills that are yours; rather, be cautious since you do possess such knowledge.
If it seems to you that you know many things and thoroughly understand them all realize that there are countless other things of which you are ignorant. Be not haughty, but admit your ignorance. Why should you prefer yourself to another, when there are many who are more learned and better trained in God's law than you are? If you are looking for knowledge and a learning that is useful to you, then love to be unknown and esteemed as nothing.
This is the most important and salutary lesson: to know and to despise ourselves. It is great wisdom and perfection to consider ourselves as nothing and always to judge well and highly of others. If you should see someone commit a sin or some grievous wrong, do not think of yourself as someone better, for you know not how long you will remain in your good state.
We are all frail; but think of yourself as one who is more frail than others.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Esther
"Esther couldn't do everything, but she could do something; and what she could do, she did." -Warren W. Weirsbe
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established."
Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps."
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established."
Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps."
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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