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 15

Wehoo.... 2 weeks!! I DID IT! I am also basically 1/2 way through the 'Make-over'...

Today's topic is: REFLECTING GOD'S GLORY

Today's verse is Proverbs 31:15 -- "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls."

To 'reflect' means:
–verb (used with object)

1.to cast back (light, heat, sound, etc.) from a surface: The mirror reflected the light onto the wall.
2.to give back or show an image of; mirror.
3.(of an act or its result) to serve to cast or bring (credit, discredit, etc.) on its performer.
4.to reproduce; show: followers reflecting the views of the leader.
5.to throw or cast back; cause to return or rebound: Her bitterness reflects gloom on all her family.

We have to have God inside to be able to reflect it back to the world... we have to be filled with God's glory before we can 'reproduce' it to others. Reflecting God's Glory also goes along with yesterday's message regarding humility and modesty. We have to live our lives to glorify God in all that we do and say, not just out to be self-proclaimers. We do not need 'praise', and if we are living our lives to receive the praise (that is only due our Father in Heaven), then we have some self-searching to do.

We need to be able to do the 'little things' that people around us know get done, but they don't know how they are getting done. We need to be able to step 'behind the scenes' and perform anonymously, and complete tasks that need to be accomplished for our home, our work, our church, and our community to thrive. Not ALL giftings are up on stage in front of everyone, for the whole world to see you 'perform'. Most giftings, we don't know about, because they are either done in secret, or done without anyone knowing who did it, how they did it, when they did it, etc... Sometimes in a church setting, people just go to church knowing for example the church pews will be clean, when they go to sit on them, and know that the communion cups are clean when they take communion. They receive a neatly folded bulletin, and are greeted by a beautiful reflection of God's love as they enter the church foyer. All these little things, are just as important in the 'body', as the worship leader, the Sunday School teacher, the Children's Church workers, and even the Pastor. Intercessors are also an important part that not too many people know are working 24-7 behind the scenes. Most people step into church and see the worship team, and wonder why that can't be them sometimes... they strive to be 'seen' in their giftings and praised by men. God wants us to desire to receive the praise from Him. (Strangely enough, he wants to sing over us, and praise us and give us the Heavenly reward -- sometimes even when we don't want to sing to or praise Him.)

Again, I haven't read the 'devotional today' from Nancy Leigh DeMoss... but these are my thoughts, and actually things that have been in my prayers, and thoughts, and even teachings in Children's Church, and messages in Sunday's sermons/teachings. There is not anyone in the 'body' that is more important than anyone else... now obviously the Pastor is the Shepherd, and he/she is leading the others and teaching the others, but his job has a higher amount of responsibility too. There are things 'behind the scenes' that Pastors do as well. Their job is just not on Sunday mornings and a possible Sunday night... it is an around-the-clock job too. The old saying (seen in Spiderman), "With great power comes great responsibility"... can also be fit as 'With great gifts comes great responsibility'. Jesus also quoted, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." (Matthew 25 - Parable of the talents) There are too many people who want the 'noticed' gifts, but they are not willing to do the work that goes along with them. Too many people want to do the 'noticed' gifts, and are not even faithful in acting in the 'smaller' gifts they have been given. God wants us to be faithful with the talents and gifts he has given us... we each have been given the right amount that God knows that we can handle. When we are faithful in using the gifts, He will grant us a larger responsibility and put us in charge of many things. IF WE DO, then HE WILL DO... but if we aren't doing our part, then the 'body' is lacking too. God didn't create us all to be 'eyes' having the vision and insight... nor did he create us all to be 'feet' to travel around the globe in missionary work... Nor did He create us all to be 'mouths' to go out and evangelize and speak/teach the world... BUT, He did give us all eyes, feet and mouths to use in the areas that we are to be used in. HE CREATED US TO BE WHO WE ARE FOR A REASON... and we have to live up to that calling. We do not have to live up to the 'goals and dreams' of others. We are not all called to be 'Billy Graham' or 'Mother Teresa', or even 'Newsboys'... God wants us to step up and deliver the goods that he has equipped us with, to the dying world.

Now in our verse today, it says, "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." She gets up while it is dark... therefore she is not seen by anyone. She could get up, and finish the tasks at hand, and return to bed and have no one know that she is the one who completed these 'behind the scenes' tasks. She is not doing these jobs to receive praise, she is doing them to provide for her family, and even her servant girls as well. These portions are available each day when her family awakes, and when her servant girls arrive at the home to start the day. It is one less thing that the family and the girls have to worry about... it is finished. She humbly sacrifices herself, her sleep and her plans to awake early (in the dark is before the sun rises... so here in Canada it rises usually around 5:00 AM depending on the season I guess.)

Here is TODAY'S SUNRISE/SUNSET report...


May 15
Nautical Twilight Start : 3:48
Civil Twilight Start : 4:29
Sunrise : 5:02
Local Noon : 12:21
Sunset : 19:41
Civil Twilight End : 20:14
Nautical Twilight End : 20:55
(taken from the website, http://app.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/cgi-bin/sun-soleil.pl)


Anyway, this woman is arising before 5:00 AM... something that is really hard for me to do (seeing as I go to bed sometimes around 1:00 AM)! =) But this is NOT saying that to be a Godly woman, I need to arise before 5:00. This is saying that she is 'dedicated'... she is making herself available to complete a task without question or complaining, and she is sacrificing her sleep and comfort to ensure that her 'family' is taken care of.


As a GODLY WOMAN... or a woman on the steps to becoming a 'Virtuous Woman' I need to dedicate myself to performing tasks, no matter how menial or uninteresting to provide and care for the ones I love. A home (and a church for that matter) does not just clean itself... I was in my local Christian Bookstore, CREATION and I noticed a book on the shelf, and laughed when I read it. I told my husband that I want this book... "The House that Cleans Itself"... and he replied, "no we just want that House". LOL! Too many times unseen tasks are completed by different family members (or in the sense of the church, members of the 'body') and when someone is looked down upon as they perform menial tasks, it hurts them, and in tail hurts the body.


There are a couple short stories I read in one of the "Stories for the Heart, by Alice Gray" about this exact thing. One is called "The Toe Tapper", and one is something like "The Keeper of the Spring"... (you may want to turn your volume down a little as a song plays in the background while you read the story.) And here is one version (download) -- In each situation the one who was performing the 'menial' task in the 'body' was performing their duty, but they weren't getting respected for the work being done. In the end of each they were both needed for the others to perform their tasks to the best of their ability. WE NEED the LORD, and WE NEED EACH OTHER!! We should not be out to do 'better' than each other, and to seek 'higher praise' and 'better rewards' from the Lord, we should be striving to do our part, so that others in turn can do their part, and we can complete the desired goal of the Father.

To read more on our "HIGH & HOLY CALLING" and being faithful in the little things, click the link to read DAY #9's devo.


"oh oh we need each other, what are we fightin' for?"


Be blessed and be a blessing as you REFLECT God's glory, and use your gifts and talents to the best of your ability, so that you may receive the glorious inheritance from our Heavenly Father. I close with those Scriptures found in Ephesians 1:17-23 -- "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."