30-Day TRUE WOMAN Make-Over Day 18

Today's topic is -- MORE THAN A LIST

Today's verse is -- Proverbs 31:18 -- "She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night."

"IF WE DON'T TEACH THEM, WHO WILL?" This motto in my own life, leads us into our devotional for today. Training and teaching our children regarding 'Modesty'. These thoughts continue from Day #16 (which can be found here).

Some women find it helpful to make 'checklists' to go about their daily routines, and I do like lists, but sometimes I forget them, or I forget to check things off of my list, or I get frustrated because I cannot check some things off my list. LOL! Others make lists, to list rules, 'do's & don't's', etc. Modesty, and other items are not just something we can write a 'list' of rules for... it's something that has to be lived out in our own lives, if we want others to follow.

To go along with today's verse, "She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night", I realize that one has to take seriously their giftings & talents (in this sense, 'trading') and how they fit into the Kingdom. We are ALWAYS being observed by others, day and night. The way we live, our reactions, our words, our dress, our witness is constantly under watch, and we think we are living one way, but sometimes the things we get stuck in push us to say or do things that aren't really what we want others to see of us. (Like the TV Show, 'True Beauty', which I have also written about here.)

The TV show 'TRUE BEAUTY' was on before, and is now on again, with a twist of course (or else the contestants would know what to do). For those of you who have never watched, or never heard of it, it's a reality-based show where contestants compete to see who was the most beautiful. However, they thought they were only being tested on outer beauty. The first show was hosted by three judges: Nolé Marin, Cheryl Tiegs, and Vanessa Minnillo who judged the contestants on their inner beauty as well. The show that is on now is secretly hosted by Vanessa Minnillo and on-screen by Carson Kressley and Beth Ostrosky. (see here for more info too) It was funny to see them competing with each other, and actually judging each other in the house. There were usually tests/secret challenges during the photo shoots, or activities that they were involved in; simple things like helping a girl who is really upset, to helping an older man who fell and dropped his groceries. Others this season were like not cheating, or sharing a magician's secret. Most of the contestants didn’t help in the first season we watched, this season was 'a little' better. Sometimes they even got irritated at the person, and it was really disheartening to see that they were so consumed in their own outer appearance and life, than to take time to help others. Most of them were more interested in themselves and the mirror, then others around them. Some of the 'secret challenges' are technically un-fair, because even if you are caring and 'beautiful on the inside', you may not stop to do because of repurcussions or consequences in today's world. For example, the contestants {this past week} [editor note: I edited this devo on July 17th incase you are wondering how I knew this show so early] were 'BlackJack Dealers', and they had to take training of course. Now the people involved are all in on it, and are told to 'act' either like the mean, overbearing Pit Boss or the insignificant, quiet trainer. The boss obviously acted his part, and was quite rude and disheartening, I wanted to punch him out. The trainer did there job and sat there like a petty, helpless kitten. The boss was told to 'down-talk' or 'complain' about the trainer. The contestants were judged on whether they helped or stuck up for the trainer. In some cases a person would be afraid to speak up to a Las Vegas Pit Boss, but still able to console a quiet trainer (someone who would be considered a peer). I know I would want to help, and I would want to 'punch the guy out' (as I said above), or at least put him in his place, but I don't know what I actually would have done in the situation, as this was supposed to be 'my job' for the day. So I need to submit and show respect to the Boss, even if he is disrespecting me or fellow employees. Only ONE contestant spoke up to the Pit Boss directly, the others (who passed) spoke kindly to the trainer. Funny part was, the contestant that spoke up, was in full mind capability as he was intoxicated (in midst of a hangover). I was super proud of him. {THIS IS NOT A SPOILER - sorry if you are watching the show. We watch it on ON DEMAND.} Anyway, the Boss (a different one) picks the bottom 2, and they go into the elimination room with Carson and Beth. The bottom two (which I will not name, incase someone out there hasn't seen this episode yet) both give little speeches saying why they should be 'the face of Vegas'. Carson and Beth (& Vanessa) all judge who should stay and who should go. The one that was eliminated (again not mentioning names) had said in {their} speech that they love people and have a heart for people, etc... which was funny because {they} had JUST failed the secret challenge, which was to help a mother who had a baby and lots of luggage, and needed help getting things into the car. Seriously, {they} even stopped to look at the mother who was obviously having trouble (acting of course), and then went on their way. The other contestant surprisingly stopped to help. When it came time for Vanessa to come out, and surprise the contestant going home, she asked of course 'Do you think you are a TRUE BEAUTY?' and then they show a video clip of different scenes from the show depicting the 'no so beautiful' parts of the person during the show. This contestant was hurt... you could sincerely see that {they} (and the contestant that left previously) were truly hurt by their actions and words that were spoken. They both commented that 'that's not me'... I knew that I would be hurt by different actions and words that I have spoken, and it shows the contestants and even we as the viewers that we need to be more careful in what we say and do, and portray about ourselves.

Going back to the verse, as I side-tracked a little... "She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night". As I started saying above, I realize that one has to take seriously their giftings & talents (in this sense, 'trading') and how they fit into the Kingdom. We have to realize that God made us exactly who we are to help out others in the Kingdom. Some of us may only have one measly gift, whereas others around us seem to have lots. We have ALL been given ALL of the gifts, but some of them we choose not to utilize. Some of us are only meant to use some of the gifts when absolutely necessary... God will grant us the use of a gift for only a time. Others are gifts we can use everyday. This is something that I am learning. I am much more 'gifted' than I thought, which is kind of cool and crazy all at the same time, because I myself have gifts in many areas. God is bringing more of the 'GREATER' ones to light in my life which is exciting for me. But it all takes you back to 'IF YOU DON'T USE IT, YOU LOSE IT' which basically comes from the "PARABLE OF THE TALENTS" in the Bible (Matthew 25:14-30).

Here it is in the MESSAGE translation;
""It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.

19-21"After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
22-23"The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
24-25"The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'
26-27"The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
28-30"'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.'"

We need to utilize our gifts, or 'see that our trading is profitable', so that we can be fully used in the Kingdom. Some of us may be gifted with 'smaller-sized' or 'behind-the-scenes' gifts, but they are still important. Those of us with 'in-your-face' gifts cannot fully do the job which we've been called to, without the work being done by those with 'behind-the-scenes' gifts. Nevertheless, there are those who have 'in-your-face' gifts, and they are not walking in humility, and it sometimes takes the character of the 'behind-the-scenes' one to bring them out. Take for example the story of "The Millionaire and the Scrub Lady" by William E. Barton. (Found in the book 'Stories for the Heart' Compiled by Alice Gray (page 79-80))



"There is a certain Millionaire, who hath his Office on the Second Floor of the First National Bank Building. Andn when he goeth up to his Offices he rideth in the Elevator, but when he goeth down, then he walketh. And he is an Haughty man, who once was poor, and hath risen in the World. He is a Self-made man who worshipeth his maker. And he payeth his Rent regularly on the first day of the month, and he considereth not that there are Human Beings who run the Elevators, and who Clean the Windows, hanging at a great height above the sidewalk, and who shovel Coal into the furnaces under the Boilers. Neither doth he at Christmas time remember any of them with a Tip or a Turkey. And there is in that Building a Poor woman who Scrubbeth the Stairs and the Halls. And he hath walked past her often but hath never seen her until Recently. For his head was high in the air, and he was thinking of More Millions. Now it came to pass on a day that he left his Office, and started to walk down the Stairs. And the Scrub lady was halfway down; for she had begun at the top and was giving the stairs their First Onceover. And upon the topmost Stair, in a wet and soapy spot, there was a Large Cake of Soap. And the Millionaire stepped on it. Now the foot which he set upon the Soap flew eastward toward the sunrise, and the other foot started on an expedition of its own toward the going down of the Sun. And the Millionaire sat down on the Topmost Step, but he did not remain there. As it had been his intention to Descend, so he Descended, but not in the manner of his Original Design. And as he descended he struck each step with a sound as if it had been a Drum. And the Scrub Lady stood aside courteously, and let him go. And at the bottom he arose, and considered whether he should rush into tthe Office of the Building and demand that the Scrub lady should be fired; but he considered that if he should tell the reason there would be great mirth amonth the occupants of the Building. And so he held his peace. But since that day he taketh notice of the Scrub lady, and passeth her with Circumspection. For there is no one so high or might that he can afford to ignore any of his fellow human beings. For a very Humble Scrub Lady and a very common bar of Yellow Soap can take the mind of a Great Business Man off his Business Troubles with surprising rapidity.


Wherefore, consider these things, and count not theyself too high above even the humblest of the children of God. Lest thou come down from thy place of pride and walk off with thy bruises aching a little more by reason of thy suspicion that the Scrub Lady is Smiling in her Suds, and facing the day's work the more cheerfully by reason of the fun thou hast afforded her. For these are solemn days, and he that bringeth a smile to the face of a Scrub lady hath not lived in vain."

We can always use our gifts, day and night... and we need to SHINE our lights/lamps to the world. Be sure that the LIGHT/LAMP inside of you does not go out at night! Even as we sleep, God and Holy Spirit can reveal great things to us regarding our 'trading'.

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

30-Day TRUE WOMAN Make-Over Day 8

Today's topic is "WHAT DOES YOUR HOME COMMUNICATE?"

Today's verse is Proverbs 31:8: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."

Communication is the key! Speaking, listening and a lot of both is all a part of communicating. But did you know that your home can also communicate. Not all of us have the wonderful gift of hospitality, but our homes should be welcoming, and people should sense the love & spirit of God as they enter. Just having a 'welcome mat' (as pictured) at your door, does not mean your home is welcoming. When your home is tidy, organized, clean, sweet smelling, and basically in order, people see that you care. However, there are times that dusting, vacuuming, etc take the 2nd seat to your family. It's been said that the dust will always be there, but family will not. Children grow up, and move out, and then you wonder if you should have spent more time with them, rather than dusting and cleaning house.

However, God wants us to 'clean house' spiritually and physically. Our home is pretty welcoming, and I would hope that it welcomes people in, and that they experience the love, spirit and presence of God when they enter... yet, sometimes I let 'piles' accumulate, and they take over my steps, my dining room table, etc... I have learned to just 'put it here for now', and then try to move it eventually into it's rightful spot. My husband is very helpful and does indeed help out a lot with household chores, yet we like to clean areas of our home that we know people will be seeing. We move the 'mess' from those rooms, and put them into other rooms upstairs or in the basement, so that they cannot be seen. God wants our homes to be like our hearts, and he wants it clear of 'garbage'. We cannot just clean up what we think people can see... we need to clean it all. Soon, on my holidays I hope to get a tackle on some of MY mess... as it has overtaken a few rooms in our home. I have clothes, shoes, papers, books, children's ministry stuff, ECE teaching stuff, stamping/craft stuff, and more to go through in several parts of our home. Our spare bedroom was getting cleaned up months & years ago, so that we could make it more 'inviting' for someone to visit us and stay over, or for a youth who needed to 'get away from it all'. However, now the bed frame is covered, and I mean covered with 'junk'... some good, some who know's. I know that God is desiring my husband & I to get to a place spiritually and physically where we are ready and prepared for what He has in store for us in our future... and in obedience I have to get at it... and 'get er done'! Later in Proverbs 31:27 we read, "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. " Idleness is basically laziness, and I don't want to be seen as the 'lazy' by the Father. We are studying Matthew 25 and the parable of the talents in Sunday School, and in the historical event, Jesus (the Master) has given talents to 3 of his servants. The first servant was give 5 talents, and while the master was gone had doubled the amount, and the master was pleased, and congratulated his 'good and faithful servant'. The 2nd servant was give two talents, and while the master was gone he had also doubled his amount, and again the master congratulated him, and said "Well done thy good and faithful servant". However the 3rd servant was only given one talent, and he buried it, and when the master returned, he gave it to him. "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant!" Matthew 25:26 NIV I don't know about you, but I would rather be seen as 'faithful' than 'lazy'! This encourages me to get moving... and I try to do little bits here and there, but know that I need to focus on cleaning my physical home, just the same as I do with my spiritual home of my heart. We can't just suffice spiritually with 'little bits here and there'. The Word also says that "If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks." Ecclesiastes 10:18 NIV I want our home to leak with the love and presence of Jesus!



Our home speaks volumes, same as our actions speak volumes... our verse today says, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." This verse first makes me think of child sponsorship programs like COMPASSION CANADA (or COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL for those of you who are not Canadian.) My husband and I became Child Advocates, who are those who speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We have only been involved in the actual sponsorship of ONE child... sometimes that again I feel really bad for, but I don't press in with that as I should either. It also makes me think of the children and the people whom I met and saw when I travelled to Rwanda, Africa last September on a mission trip. The 'destitute' of the world do need us. They do need us to speak for them. By definition (according to Dictionary.com), the word 'destitute' means:
–adjective

1.without means of subsistence; lacking food, clothing, and shelter.
2.deprived of, devoid of, or lacking (often fol. by of): destitute of children.

So actually 'destitute' ones are those who are lacking something... it doesn't just have to be 3rd World children who are lacking food, clothing and shelter. We have people here in Canada, & in our own communities (wherever you live) who are lacking... they may lack food, clothing, shelter, love, family, jobs, peace, &/or  most importantly (and unfortunately) there are those that lack (or their life is void of) God and His Spirit. We need to speak up for those who cannot, will not, & do not speak up for themselves. This also goes along with today's theme, 'What Does Your Home Communicate?" because our home, and our hearts should communicate to others that we care for them, and truly love them. Jesus told his disciples, and us as believers today, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)

MAY YOU BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

30-Day TRUE WOMAN Make-Over Day 2

Welcome to DAY #2~ Today's topic is "The Virtuous Woman"

The verse today is PROVERBS 31:2 -- "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows..." (or in other words, 'the answer to my prayers'.


Lemuel was a King, and these teachings that follow in Proverbs 31 are from his mother, whom we learned yesterday in verse 1, loved him enough to teach and train him up in the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the Lord. Again, we wonder why these verses are important. We don't know much about King Lemuel other than this proverb. His name is not mentioned anywhere else in Scriptures, other than in verse 4 of Proverbs 31 where his story continues.


According to serveral 'name meaning' sites, and other sites that have given messages on King Lemuel's life, the name Lemuel means "Devoted to God"; "To God"; "Towards God". The boy's name 'Lemuel' is pronounced LEM-yoo-el. It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "belonging to God". Some have made reference to Lemuel being a poetic version of King Solomon, whereas others have believed him to be King Lemuel of Arabia (a descendant of Ishmael). Others just believe his name to be a poetic reference to a 'man/King of God', that leads into our lesson on the 'Virtuous woman'. Neither of which may be real people in the earthly sense, yet with God, became so much more. No matter what story you choose to believe, we are not to take anything from, nor add anything to the Word of God.


So just looking at Lemuel, as a man, and a King (as it is written), that has obviously been devoted to God, by his mother, we see that she cared enough about him, to dedicate his life to the Father, and to go on and teach and train him in the ways of the Lord. In the Bible, there are many women who have cried out to the Lord for children. In most cases, God does the miraculous, and gives them more than they had even asked for. Sarah became a mother when she was 99 years old; Hannah cried out to the Lord for a child, and Samuel was born, and he was dedicated and devoted to the Lord and His work, and he became a GREAT man of God; Bathsheba & David were promised a miracle... and received Solomon, who became a GREAT King and Man of God. (which is another reasoning why people believe 'Lemuel' to be Solomon, and the wise mother to be Bathsheba.) Lemuel, was himself an 'answer to prayer', and being his mother was not something that his mom was not taking lightly.


We as parents, or spiritual parents (those in leadership/teaching positions over nieces, nephews, cousins, and other children in their circle of influence) have to be devoted to God ourselves, yet we also want to be in prayer for children. Especially in today's society, where the world throws many obstacles in our children's ways of serving Him to the fullest. Sometimes, we get carried away in church, in the presence of God, and the Spirit moves, and His power and presence is so strong that we immediately kick our children out to Junior Church or Children's Church. God has a plan for the children! It is in His Word many times that 'CHILDREN ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD'. He also says, "... and a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6) If we want to truly dedicate our children to the Lord, to the working of the Lord, then they need to be a part of our church as a whole. We cannot continue sending them away when the Spirit begins to move. The Lord wants to and needs to use them as well. They are important parts in the body mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. Their eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc are needed to function properly as well. Did we ever think that is one of the reasons we are not seeing true revival? Not just our own 'adult problems' - our self-absorbed ideas to why revival is not happening... but maybe we have to let go and let God have His way with our 'kids'?! As a teacher, and a trainer/equipper it's hard to teach the Word and different topics of the Christian walk when our kids don't get to 'experience it' for themselves. It's fine to have the 'head knowledge', but I want the children in my sphere of influence, to move that to 'heart knowledge' too. The only way they can move it from their head to their heart, is to experience God in His fullness and power. Now understandibly some things may be too much for a child to understand, yet God does not give us more than we can handle. Some children desire and long to be used by the church, therefore being used by God. Some desire to go deeper with Him, and see their parents worship and God move in their home and family, yet are held back themselves because they 'are too little'.


I was wondering where this verse would lead me, and I figured it wouldn't be a long message today, as it was just on a saying from his mother that he was an answer to prayer... yet that is also a prayer that is in the hearts of many women in the world today. Somehow, there are mothers and fathers who have children, who hurt them, abuse them, neglect them and treat them poorly. This breaks my heart, because God has given us this life to take care of, train and nurture. A child is given 'life' at conception, not at 'birth'. This life is also to be used to worship the Creator. With love and nurturing, this child can & will grow to become one of the GREAT men &/or women of God like was spoken of in the Bible. Sometimes, I know that children can be little 'monsters', and it's hard to think of them as the 'precious gifts of God' that they are, but that is something we ALL need to do. Lemuel's mother decided long before Lemuel was born that her children would be set apart for God. She had learned these lessons that follow in verses 3-31 in her life, (maybe even from her own mother or father) and treasured them in her heart to one day teach her own children. It's hard to be a parent or a teacher and train children (your own or in your sphere of influence), when you have to live it out and learn it in your own life first. Your desire no longer is for your own spirituality and needs, you are now responsible for the lives, hearts & souls of others in your care. These lives are also a "good" or "property" that God has entrusted each of us with... (Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30 -- Verse 14 says, "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them." NIV)


(* Editor's Note: If we have been entrusted with the lives of these children (and others in our lives), what are we doing with that gift? Entrusted is a word that needs digging into deeper... and I will do so in a devotional here. -- Not completed yet, so no link.)

A mother or father has a responsibility beyond all else to "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it". (Proverbs 22:6) We as the church also have the responsibility to come alongside them and assist them in this task, which is what the body is for.


May you find out what YOUR PIECE of the puzzle is... where you fit in the BODY of Christ... cause we ALL fit somewhere... and may you be able to flow and be used in that area. Where your strengths are, I may be weak in. Where I am strong, you may be weaker. We all NEED each other! We have all been given different gifts and talents, and entrusted with different things, yet we all have the same Spirit and same Lord. "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." 1 Corinthians 12:4-6


BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!