Challenge for 2022

Rejoicing in the Future

9:20 AM

 

“She is clothed in strength and dignity; she can laugh without fear at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25

Have I told you yet how excited I am that our first challenge for 2022 is dealing with anxiety? I am SO excited, for I truly believe anxiety among women is on the rise!

Today’s culture conveys to women that we must be focused on achievements, higher pay, and external beauty according to the world’s fashions, and youthful appearances that comes from plastic surgery, etc.

But a woman of faith loves God with all her heart, soul, and strength (Mt 22:37). She is filled with the Holy Spirit and lives in freedom because of her faith in Christ Jesus.

Because of her faith she walks with strength and dignity in peace and is able to experience overwhelming joy not anxiety.

Because of her faith she is also fearless about the future, for she is ready to face anything with God, and merely “laughing at the days to come.”

So, let’s break down Proverbs 31:15 so that this freedom that is available to all His daughters is found in us.

 “She is clothed…”

We only need to go into any large department store these days to see how much value women place on clothing, but 1 Peter 3:3 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.” Rather, the godly woman will be clothed with her Christ-like character.

 

More of our attention should be set on the conditions of our heart as opposed to our outside shell that is fading away.

 

 “She is clothed with strength and dignity;”
These two traits fit nicely together, for you won’t find strength of character without the dignity, and you won’t find dignity in a person who is weak.

 

Unfortunately, the culture today seems to be defining a “strong woman” as one who is sassy, disrespectful, insolent and truly un-dignified. Our culture seems to call anger- strength and it’s hurting especially the younger generations in my opinion.

 

But God’s word is clear, meek has never been a synonym for weak and true strength of character comes from strength in The Spirit (Lk 1:80) that comes from our faith in Christ Jesus.

 

 “She can laugh without fear at the days to come.”
_She can laugh because she has lived so wisely and is prepared for whatever may come.

_She can laugh for she knows her God is faithful to His promises.

_She can laugh at the aging that is inevitable because she knows her true beauty is her gentle and quiet spirit within her.  

_She can laugh for she is not running after the things the world is after, but carefully looks to trusting and leaning on her Savior, and encouraging others to do the same.


Blessings,


sue


1 Timothy

Shining From The Beauty Within - The Virtuous Woman

12:00 PM

 



The Virtuous Woman (Proverbs 31: 10-31)



There is no individual story to write, for the Proverbs 31 woman is us all. Or at least the woman God wants to develop in us all. She is everything admirable in both a woman and a wife. And as someone once said, rather than being the yardstick by which all woman are measured, the virtuous woman is the goal we as women should be moving toward. 

When asked to describe true beauty, author Mandy Hale wrote, “There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.” That’s who the Proverbs 31 woman is. Clothed in strength and dignity, her heart is surrendered to thankfulness for all God blesses her with. And out of that thankfulness, comes a character worthy of her family’s praise. For the beauty she exhibits within, shines through in her care for others, sparkling brighter than the largest diamond. And with hearts overflowing with praise her family cries out, “her worth is far above jewels.”


Now that’s not to say we are to be shrinking violets, or are to hide our beauty. After all we are made in the image of God. Each of us is a masterpiece formed by the hands of the Creator of beauty Himself. But as Peter teaches, “Your adornment must not 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” (1 Peter 3:3-4)


These are the qualities that glorify God and honor those around us. Qualities such as humility, caring, wisdom, and goodness. And after all, what could be more beautiful than having the glory of the Lord shining through us for all to see? For as Proverbs 31:30 says,” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” 


Ask yourself whose praise is it that you want. Worldly praise for a beautiful shell, or the praise of God and those around you for a heart surrendered to God? Timothy tells us, better to be adorned “by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim of godliness.” (1 Tim. 2:10), then to be just a pretty face. I love how Wayne Barber says, “There is no makeup that will make you look better than godliness. There is no hairstyle that can hold a candle to holiness. And there is no etiquette that earns respect and honor like righteousness.”


If you’re like me, you have work to do in becoming a virtuous woman. And it’s going take a lot of grace in getting there. But we serve the God of grace. One who knows our struggles, fear, and downfalls. And if we will let Him, in time, God will develop the character traits, found in a Proverbs 31 woman. A woman who is a blessing to all who know her, and one worthy of praise whether it is given or not. 



Answered Prayer

God' Waiting Room {Proverbs 13:12

12:00 PM

Have you ever sat in God’s waiting room for something you wanted so desperately it was hard to put it out of your mind?

It was always there… a scent, a sound; something would always draw your mind back to that longing. “O, if only…if only, but I’ll trust you, Lord.”

You’re never quite sure if He’ll answer this incredible desire you have. There’s really no Scripture you can find to nail down just why The Lord MUST answer this particular desire of your heart, and even if you could, what about the timing? What if He decided to make you wait for YEARS!? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been great on waiting patiently.

And I didn’t always handle the situation as I should have. 
I was trying to “put my best foot forward”. Trying to leave it all with Him, and go on with all that He had set before me, but as I alluded to before, something would always draw me back to that desire deep within me, until one day, I didn’t think I could go any further.  Nor did I want to.

I’m still not sure what I had planned to do from that moment on as I sat there on my living room floor, but thankfully I didn’t have to sit there long and try to decide! 

 Another wave of reality had just struck that made it seem as though this desire of mine would NEVER come to be, and I didn’t think I could go on pretending to trust Him for the impossible any longer.

And all I wanted to know at that particular moment was, why? Why was I here in this spot and at this time? Why hadn’t He answered? Why had He kept leading me on in this hopeless situation? Why had He taken away most of what I loved in this world? Sounds pretty much like a pity-party doesn’t it?

It was! And I told The Lord I was giving in and up. Finally, I was wholly surrendered; my resources –depleted. And He answered back, “You will get up. But this time in the power of My Son, the risen Savior; who rose to live His life through you.”

And I did! Although not me, but Christ in me. I learned that day the vast difference between me trying to do everything in my own strength, and wholly surrendered to allow Christ to do it all through me! You cannot even compare the two! My circumstances hadn't changed, only Who was in charge!

As to why God was waiting, silent, and allowing me to go through all that I was: He said it was because He was going to bless me! He saw the future; not just the next day, or year, but my entire life, and He knew the blessings that were coming!

My life, has been a living testimony to Ephesians 3:20-21,
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  (Eph 3:20-21)

It was over two years from that day that my longing that had sent me before Him that day desperate, was answered! And on that day it was Proverbs 13:12 that came to life for me, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

If you still find yourself in God’s waiting room. Trust Him that He sees your whole life before Him and does indeed intend to do "far more abundantly beyond all that you could ask or think, according to His power working in you", in His time.

 Blessings,
sue


anger

Scripture Saturday ~ Proverbs 19:11 ~ Take a moment ~ Dealing with Anger

12:00 AM

Saturday, January 26, 2019


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Proverbs 19:11...

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. (NIV)

Live a life of reflective living…it makes us proactive instead of reactive people. Stop. Take a pause. Pray and seek insight and wisdom. The reality is this: What happened happened. How will anger help the problem? Satan believes that it does because he wants to control, to win, to compete, to devour, to get the upper hand, to triumph. Do we really need the anger to drive us to manipulate or to punish? Do we want it to destroy an earthly relationship and injure our heavenly one? When you are filled with anger, promptly seek your Father out. Pray that you and He can look at your heart and find out not only why you feel the way you do, but also how you can go on in a way that brings Him glory.

Identify those areas, situations, or even times of day, where you tend to have a short fuse. Take time to pray about each situation beforehand. (iWorship)

Have a blessed day and week everyone!





iWorship Bible

SoulSearching Sunday~Prioritize

12:00 AM

Sunday, June 24, 2018


Week Twenty-five

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was Proverbs 21 - 31...

 1. What are your priorities? How could you change your daily activities to align them with God’s priorities of godliness and love? Ask God to help you put first things first. Meditate on His promise that “life, godliness, and honor” will follow.

 Whoever pursues godliness and unfailing love will find life, godliness, and honor. (Proverbs 21:21)

 2. List things that you don’t understand about God. For which questions would you be able to find answers? Which questions require submission and trust? Humbly praise God for His unsearchable greatness and His mysterious and wonderful ways.

 Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in His fists? Who wraps up the oceans in His cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is His name-and His Son’s name? Tell me if you know! Every Word of God proves true. He defends all who come to Him for protection. (Proverb 30:4-5)

 3. What people do you regularly encounter who could be described as poor and helpless? In what ways could you speak up for them? How do you feel when you consider the fact that service to others is service to God Himself?

 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. (Proverbs 31:8,9)


Angie Benjamin

Walking Boldly In Your Vision {Proverbs 27:1-29:27}

12:28 AM



Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]- blessed ) happy fortunate, and enviable) is he. [1 Sam.3:1; Amos 8:11,12] - Proverbs 29:18 AMP

It is always good to look forward to a brighter future , especially when things are not going great at the moment. The previous Scripture says where there is no vision, people perish.

Vision is something God plants in us supernaturally or something we see on purpose. It involves thinking about our past, our future and ourselves.

Believing God for a vision can be scary. People believe that they're setting themselves for disappointment. The truth is that, it could be more disappointing not believing. What does believing cost? Nothing. What do you have to lose? Nothing.

God alone can give us the confidence to walk boldly towards our destiny.




The Wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] right are bold as a lion [Lev. 26:17, 36; Ps. 53:5]- Proverbs 28:1 AMP

If we really want to succeed and enjoy our lives, we need the Holy Spirit to lead us. Only God, through His Spirit can lead us and help us to be all we can be.

Being led by the Spirit doesn't mean we won't make mistakes. It's not that the Holy Spirit makes mistakes...but we do. Being led by the Holy Spirit means learning only by "doing". Taking "baby steps"...stepping out believing in whatever we feel God is leading us to do. Following the Spirit is a process that requires experience and wisdom to hear God.

When you step out in faith the outcome could be great or not so great BUT even if it doesn't go as expected, there is no shame in stepping out to find out. If something doesn't work as desired we can always back off and pray some more.

We must be able to be wise and bold enough to pray and learn from our mistakes, for then, determine to go on. We cannot allow condemnation to freeze us with fear so we never reach our destinies.

God is calling us to be as bold as a lion. We cannot hide behind our insecurities, fears and mistakes.



Abide in God. Rely in God.  It is only with His help that we will be able to succeed [John 15:5]. Only by His guidance, that we will be able to get up and dust off when we have made a mistake.

We can be all what God has called us to be. We can have all what God has for us, if we do all what He asks us to do.

Today believe something good will happen to you. 

Let us ask God for a vision to pursue. Let us believe we can do whatever we need to do in life through Christ. [Philippians 4:13]

Enjoy your weekend sisters.



Contentious

Happy Or Right...You Decide {Proverbs 21:1-22:29}

10:51 PM


I remember watching an episode of Dr. Phil where a couple were arguing back and forth. Both of them were intent on making their point, and neither one was listening. Finally after hearing a laundry list of complaints from the wife, Dr. Phil looked at her and asked, “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” That simple question stopped me dead in my tracks. God laid a conviction on me right then and there. He wanted me to take at a look at my own argumentative nature and eagerness to give an opinion.

Throughout Proverbs Solomon warns about women he calls contentious or quarrelsome. And when we read what he says, we may even feel a bit indignant. After all what’s wrong with being a women with an opinion and not being afraid to defend it? But it’s important to know that never does Solomon say that women should be seen and not heard. That we shouldn’t speak our minds, or share our feelings. His point is this. Often times the problem doesn’t lie in the message, but rather the delivery.

“It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman” (Prov. 21:9) In Israel the roofs of the houses were flat. And although they had multi functions, the flatness left the roof without protection and exposed to the elements. Solomon says it’s better to live on this roof, facing all that nature can pelt you with, than live in the warm comfort of a house with an argumentative spouse. 

"It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and vexing woman” (Prov. 21:19) Imagine the lonely existence of living in a desert land. Nothing to see but miles of sand. No one to talk to. Always searching for relief from the scorching heat and constant thirst. Yet again Solomon says this existence is better than living with a quarrelsome and exasperating person.

“A constant dripping on a day of steady rain and a contentious woman are alike” (Prov. 27:19) Is there anything more annoying than the slow and constant drip of a leaky roof or dripping faucet? According to Solomon, a nagging wife is! Boy did this verse have my name all over it. This is the verse that made me change the way I communicated with those around me and especially my husband.

Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you I’m a person with strong opinions, and one who’ll share them without any added sweeteners. I've been like a dog with a bone when I thought I was in the right and can argue with the best of them, including my husband. For some reason when I would share my opinions and thoughts with him, and didn't get an immediate  response, I was sure the answer was to repeat myself again, and again, and again. I took offense to his seemingly lack of interest and didn’t understand that instead of encouraging him to listen, my constant nagging became like white noise that he wanted to drown out.

It wasn’t until God gave me my Dr. Phil “aha!” moment that I really got down to the nitty gritty of my behavior. Through prayer, and the wisdom that comes with age, I’ve learned that being argumentative, contentious, and quarrelsome does nothing but push people away and shut them down. I learned, for me, the need to be right came from a place of hurt. From not being heard or allowed an opinion as a child, which in turn led to feelings of not being good enough or having anything important to say.

But you know what? To God we are all more than enough. He cares about every thought, every feeling, and every opinion we have. He blessed us with the ability to think and to feel and to communicate with others. Yet we are to do so in a kind and gentle way, never quick to argue or eager to quarrel. For as Proverbs 20:3 tells us, “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will argue.” So now when I catch myself being contentious, I ask myself, “Do you want to be right or to be happy?” And my answer is always, “Both!” Because instead of being right in the eyes of others it’s now more important for me to be right with God. And being right with God always makes me happy! 

Daily Seeking God

SoulSearching Sunday~Seek and Patience

12:00 AM

Sunday, June 17, 2018


Week Twenty-four

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was Proverbs 10 - 20...

 1. When did you reap the benefits of discipline or correction? How could self-discipline improve your worship habits? What steps can you take to be more disciplined in your relationship with God?

 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. (Proverbs 12:1)

 2. What goals and dreams are you currently pursuing? How do they fit in with what you understand of God’s purposes for your life? Ask God to help you worship through a life of plans committed to Him.

 Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

 3. When, recently, did you act without taking enough time to think and to seek God? What happened? What would you have done differently if you had waited on the LORD? Ask God to show you how to offer Him your gifts, time, and energy as a sacrifice of praise.

 Zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way. (Proverbs 19:2)



Angie Benjamin

Out of the treasure of your Heart {Proverbs 16:6}

9:00 PM


Have you ever been in a situation where you lost contact with a person you really cared for, because of a misunderstanding? Because of words you or the other person shouldn’t have said? “If I had been wiser…” you say to yourself!

Today I focused in the following verses:
Prov. 16: 6 - “Unfailing love and faithfulness cover sin, evil is avoided by fear of the Lord” (NIV)
Proverbs 17:9-  “Whoever would foster love covers over an offence, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”  (NIV)

To cover means:
 To overspread the surface of (one thing) with another.
 To envelop; to clothe.
To shelter.
To remove from remembrance; to put away; to remit.
To extend over; to be sufficient for; to comprehend, include, or embrace; to solve.  (Websters Dictionary)

God is the fountain of Love who gave His only son for the remission of our sins (John 3:16). God is also the fountain of Wisdom:  “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.”(1Cor. 1:30)  So by the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, our sins are taken away, and the power of sin is broken, and we must forgive as He has forgiven us!

Solomon gives us the following advice:
-“He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,

And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.” (Prov. 16:20 AMP)


-“The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] and adds persuasiveness to his lips” (Proverbs 16:23 AMP)

In these verses we find that in our daily life in our community or in our family, it is very easy to offend those who surround us (especially our loved ones), not only with our actions but by the use of our words:

-Words filled with self-sufficiency; words with self-exhaltation; harsh words, senseless words…hurting words. Words that lack wisdom!

 “For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].” (James 3:2 AMP)
But where do these words come from?  We should be careful about our thoughts: which seed (bitterness, lack of forgiveness, pride, etc.) are you allowing to take root in your heart (mind and soul)? We must remember that not all seeds bear good fruit (Gal. 5: 18-25)
Solomon exhorts us: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” (4:23)


Jesus also warned us: “The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the[intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.” (Luke 6:45)
We can use words to say good things. But we can use words to say evil things, too. Our mouths can praise God, but they can curse other people. We must be careful about our words. (James 3:1-12). 

We are God’s children and each of us can trust God and learn to be wise. We can all wear wisdom’s crown. Jesus said, ‘God will give honor to anyone who serves me.’ (John 12:26).
Are you about to give up in a family relationship, or with a friend?  What is keeping you from concealing with that person? 
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Remember, a person is wise when he lives in a permanent communion with God and lives by His precepts.  Jesus Christ is the Word, and He has the last Word in our lives, so let us abide in Him! (Prov. 16:20)
Blessings!
Mari




building up

Great Women Aren’t Born – They’re Made... {Proverbs 14}

8:00 PM


A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” Proverbs 14:1

Great women aren’t born – they’re made, and a great woman must choose to work at becoming great.

A wise woman will set the right priorities for her life; she will seek to gain wisdom, be disciplined and seek to have her family and home prosper. BUT the foolish woman is rebellious, preoccupied, and yes, even lazy and her family and home will fall into ruin during her lifetime and for generations to come.

Have I got your attention? Good, for this is serious girls!

Proverbs 14:1 packs a powerful punch! Here, we’re offered both encouragement and a warning not to be overlooked. We have an incredible opportunity to build up our family and home that will not only honor God, but may benefit others in the future. It is our choice to be wise and build or foolishly tear down what God has started. In this one verse you can see the battle lines being drawn and we as women must decide which side we will be on.

But hold on, we also know our enemy is very cunning and crafty! He will do his utmost to make it appear that we’re on the right side, when in truth we’re on the wrong. He can make it appear right until it’s too late to turn back. So how can we know for sure which side is the right side? What should it look like …exactly?

I grew up in the era when women were burning their bras and choosing to have a career over marriage and family. We were being told we could have it all, and still today, thousands of women are marching with pink pointed hats on their heads, but how can we be sure their cause is right, for this chapter also warns us, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but in the end leads to death.” (14:12)? The consequences are too great, therefore we have GOT to be certain that the path we’re on is the right path and we haven’t deviated from it in any way!  

I’ve come up with a few ways of discerning which path we’re on, but I’m sure there are more and should you think of others, I hope you’ll share them with us.

A Wise Woman:

1.      Fears the Lord.  God’s Word is pretty clear that this is the place to begin our quest for wisdom, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) Matthew 4:4 also tells us, “[Wo]man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” She knows charm is deceptive and outward beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears God will be the one gaining the praise! (Pr. 31:30) We’re on the right path when our thoughts, words, actions and advice are based on the God’s Word and not ours or others orpinion.
2.       Possesses a teachable spirit.  “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” (Proverbs 8:33)  “Give instruction to a wise [wo]man, and [s]he will be yet wiser: teach a just [wo]man, and [s]he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:9)  A wise woman is constantly taking in Biblical knowledge and applying it to her life. She is also focused on gently teaching others through both sharing the Word and through her action; “She speaks with wisdom, and kindness and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26)
3.      Plans ahead.  “She carefully watches over the affairs of her household, and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.” (Proverbs 31:27). “[S]he that gathers in summer is a wise: but [s]he that sleeps in harvest causes shame.” (Proverbs 10:5)  Several other verses in Proverbs 31 describe the virtuous woman as one who is organized and prepared.
  1. Maintains a calm and quietness of spirit. “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:4) She isn’t frantically wringing her hands when unforeseen things occur, but knows The Lord has it all under control. As a godly woman she has an inner peace of the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and teach her when things seems out of control, for she has learn to lay her concerns at the foot of the cross and leave them there.
  2. Is relentless in prayer, for she, “prays continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) The Lord needs women who fervently grab hold of Jesus just like the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28 and refuse to let circumstances dictate the final outcome over faith. She will never give up praying for the hardest hearts, the deepest needs, and waits with great anticipation to rejoice over seeing her prayers answered!
  3. Confess her faults, “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” -Psalm 38:18. She is careful to resist the devil and draw nearer to God; cleansing her hands and striving to purify her heart, humbling herself before God that He and only He will lift her up! (James. 4:7-10) She understands that she is forgiven and is quick to confess her sins to God on a regular basis, to keep her humble and tender towards others who fall into sin.
  4. Forgives as easily as she has been forgiven. “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) She knows her forgiveness must be unconditionally given to others as she was unconditionally forgiven by God. She must choose to forgive in spite of her feeling, knowing it won’t always be easy, but trusting God to heal all her hurts in His perfect timing.
  5. Is generous to others. “She opens her arms to the poor, and extends her hands to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:20) and “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” (2 Corinthians 9:11). With the help of the Holy Spirit, she keeps in tune to the needs of others. She will give of her time, energy, gifts, and finances in days of feasting or even famine. She has learned it’s more blessed to give than receive and resists the fear of holding back because of her strong confidence in God to meet her family’s needs according to His riches in glory. She leans only on the Lord’s directives.
  6. She prays God will set a guard over her mouth (Psalm 141:3) so that the words that she speaks to other will always be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable—for she wants all she says to be worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8) in order to encourage and build up her family and others. (1Thessalonians 5:11)
  7. Finally she prays that she will do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility she will consider others (and their needs) more important than herself. (Philippians 2:3). She understands she is a bond-servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has no rights apart from Him. She prays she is wholly surrendered each moment of each day, so that He is free to love others through her.

We may not score a perfect 10 in all the above every day or hour. We will all fall short at times, for these are goals that can’t be done in our own strength alone. Our first step is trusting in God’s Spirit to come in and take over each day, step-by-step, and then we’ll begin to see and sense a deeper maturity in Christ, and our family will be blessed because of it.


Beauty

Lipstick On A Pig {Proverbs 10:1-1:31}

12:00 AM



If there ever was a man who knew about women, it was Solomon. 1 Kings 11:3 tells us, “He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines”. Talk about a harem! And from his experiences with these many women, he came to this conclusion, “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a beautiful women who lacks discretion.” (Prov. 11:22) That's quite a statement since pork was utterly detestable to the Jewish people! But unflattering as Solomon’s simile may be, it reiterates the message found throughout the Bible. God wants our beauty to radiate from within.

We all know how precious and valuable gold is. Could you imagine taking something of such worth like a golden ring and sticking it in the dirty, stinky, nose of a pig? There it will be shoved in garbage, caked with mud, and rubbed in feces! No one in their right mind would be so wasteful. Yet this is just what Solomon says about beauty that is bestowed upon a women without discretion. But what does he mean by discretion? 

Discretion can be defined as the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information. Synonyms for discernment include judgement, taste, discrimination, refinement, cleverness, intelligence, sharpness, and wisdom. The Bible has much to say about discretion. “Discretion is part of wisdom, the power of right judgment, a part of understanding, and the power of right discernment (Prov. 1:4, 2:10-17; 3:21; 5:1-2; Gen. 41:33,39). Discretion is generous to others (Ps.112:5). It rejects wicked conduct by others (Prov. 2:10-17). It rules the spirit to defer anger (Prov. 19:11). It knows how each situation calls for different conduct (Is 28:23-29)” (letgodbetrue.com)

That’s not to say we are to be shrinking violets, or are to hide our beauty. After all we are made in the image of God. Each of us is a masterpiece formed by the hands of the Creator of beauty Himself. But as Peter teaches, “Your adornment must not 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” (1 Pet. 3:3-4) These are the qualities that glorify God and honor those around us. And after all what could be more beautiful than having the glory of the Lord shining through us for all to see?

Physical beauty is overrated, and those who count on their looks to get through life will be sorely disappointed when those same looks are lost to old age. Better instead to develop the characteristics that time can not erase. Sharon Hodde Miller described it this way it, “A woman’s beauty might open some doors for her, but it is her character that will be her ultimate success. Beauty may attract a man, but faithfulness and respect is what will enable her dating relationships, and ultimately marriage, to last. Beauty may get her a job opportunity, but her work ethic will allow her to keep it, if not excel. Beauty may give her attention and friends, but it is her trustworthiness that will determine whether they stick around.” 

Proverbs 31:30 says,”Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Ask yourself whose praise is it that you want. Worldly praise for a beautiful shell, or the praise of God for a heart filled with love and obedience. Better to be adorned “by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim of godliness.” (1 Tim. 2:10), then to be all show and no substance. For no matter how you patch it, paint it, or plump it, a pretty face can never hide an ugly soul. The truth always has a way of coming out, and as the expression goes, you can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig.