30-Day TRUE WOMAN Make-Over Day 30

WEHOO!!! Welcome to DAY 30... it's the end, yet it's just the beginning!!

Today's topic is - A LASTING KINDNESS
Today's Bible verse is Proverbs 31:30 (& I guess 31, because there is no day #31) - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

We've made it to the end... and that is what we want, being a woman of virtue with a lasting kindness. Each characteristic we have been through in the last 29 days (and today), we want to be lasting in our lives. We don't just show it once, and then move on... it is to be a part of our lives forever. This 'Make-over' doesn't just stop today. We need to keep living out what we have learned.

"LASTING" by definition is:

–adjective

1.continuing or enduring a long time; permanent; durable: a lasting friendship.

–noun

2.a strong, durable, closely woven fabric for shoe uppers, coverings on buttons, etc.

3.Archaic. the quality of surviving or continuing and maintaining strength, effectiveness, etc.

"KINDNESS" by definition is:

–noun

1.the state or quality of being kind: kindness to animals.

2.a kind act; favor: his many kindnesses to me.

3.kind behavior: I will never forget your kindness.

4.friendly feeling; liking.

Kindness is one of the 'fruit of the Spirit'. We want a kindness and love to endure a long time, and to continue permanently. A kindness and love that survives through it all, and maintains strength and effectiveness. WOW!

I love how the dictionary defines some words with the actual word... that is just silly. "The state or quality of being...____". What indeed does 'quality' mean? A quality is a 'distinctive characteristic' (dictionary.com). Therefore this kindness is something we have to portray or show in our character. It helps people to distinguish you from others of the world. The Bible does say that Jesus told His disciples "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 

Most women of the world think that outer beauty will distinguish them from others, yet it's the 'inner beauty' that makes us set apart. The Spirit living inside of us, makes us more delightful. This leads us into our verses for today, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." (Proverbs 31:30 & 31) An outer charm and beauty can be deceiving, for on the inside the beautiful person can be anything but beautiful. Outer beauty can fade and be 'fleeting' as the Scripture says, as we all get older and wrinkly, etc... but inner beauty can never fade away as long as we stick with God and His Holy Spirit. A woman who fears the Lord (not in the scared aspect of the word, but more of a reverance) is to be praised. The gate of a city, is where the prominent people are revered and praised. The praise of others, encouraging her to continue in her walk will be uplifting to her, and also to others who can follow her example. She however, does not need the praise of man, her reward in Heaven is much greater. This is what she is living for... why she has become and lived out the life of a 'virtuous woman'.

Each of these characteristics, each on their own are marvelous, but together give the 'whole package' that God desires each of us to walk in. We are His daughters, and we need to walk in ALL that He has given us. The power from the Spirit, the Blood from the Son, and the authority from the Father. When we are obedient in walking these out, and delighting ourselves in the Lord, He indeed will grant the desires of our hearts.

NOW... go walk in it! BE DIFFERENT! BE DISTINCTIVE! But above all, BE YOU (the You God desires you to be)!

Be 'THAT KINDA GIRL' - Check out 'old school' fun... with DC TALK...


Be blessed and be a blessing!!
(This may be the end as I said, but it's just the beginning... MORE FUN TO COME! Don't leave me now... continue with me on your own journey!)

30-Day TRUE WOMAN Make-Over Day 29

WOW... so much catching up to do... but praise the Lord for an eventful week...

Today's topic is - THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS
Today's verse is Proverbs 31:29 - "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

"The goal of being pure of heart is not to make us look good. That's self-righteousness. The goal is to make God look good." ~Nancy Leigh DeMoss in today's devotional.

How 'beautiful' are you? I am not talking physically, I am talking spiritually. Holiness is something that is developed on the inside. Is holiness what you long for and need? Remember that holiness is what God wants from us.

Are you a 'good girl gone bad' or a 'bad girl gone good' ? This world is full of wild women, who are living by their fleshy desires. We however, as our friend the 'virtuous woman', need to live by our spiritual desires. Our spirit desires should link up with the desires that God has for us as well.

Holiness by definition is:
Wait, let me guess... 'the state or quality of being holy'... LOL!
–noun

1.the quality or state of being holy; sanctity.
2.(initial capital letter) a title of the pope, formerly used also of other high ecclesiastics (usually prec. by His or Your).

Ha! Ha! The quality or state of being holy. What then is 'holy'?
–adjective

1.specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated: holy ground.
2.dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion: a holy man.
3.saintly; godly; pious; devout: a holy life.
4.having a spiritually pure quality: a holy love.
5.entitled to worship or veneration as or as if sacred: a holy relic.
6.religious: holy rites.
7.inspiring fear, awe, or grave distress: The director, when angry, is a holy terror.

Are YOU specially recognized or declared sacred? Are YOU dedicated or devoted to service of God, the church or religion? Are YOU saintly, godly, & devout? Are YOU living a life that is spiritually pure? WOW... this is alot to undertake as a 'Christian'. Some people only think God is holy, and that we as humans can never be holy. But as we have said, GOD DESIRES THAT WE BE HOLY, just as He is holy. "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV

When we live a life of holiness, we become an heir... and when we become an heir we gain nobility. This leads us to our verse, "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." We can DO all kinds of noble and good things in this world, but LIVING a LIFE of HOLINESS will allow you to surpass all others. God is pleased with us when we choose to do His will instead of our own. Religion and Christianity is not about DOING... it's about BEING! Christianity itself is a religion, however being a Christian doesn't make you religious. A Christian walk is based on relationship rather than religion. We walk out a relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit/Ghost. All three of these are n



HOLINESS by SONIC FLOOD...

30-Day TRUE WOMAN Make-Over Day 16

Day #16... a day set apart for God... a day where I can corporately join other believers in worship, prayer and the Word... another day to live out all that I learn here in these devotionals, and all that I teach to the next generations!

Today's topic is: TRAINING OUR DAUGHTERS

Today's verse is Proverbs 31:16 -- "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard." (In the Amplified it reads, 'She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]')

"In Titus 2:3-5, we are told to 'Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.' Older women, is a term used loosely here, and in most cases we don't want to see ourselves as the 'older women' in this verse. However, we all have a generation behind us, which we are 'older' than, so we all fit into this category. The 'younger women' category most of us fit into as well, although in seldom cases those 'older' than us may no longer be living to share the truths they have learned (but hopefully you gleaned something from them before they left the earth spiritually.) Therefore we are all 'teachers' and 'learners'." (Taken from DAY #1's devotion found here)

Some of us are not 'mothers' by name, meaning we have no children of our own (yet), but we have the role of teaching and training the young women of the next generations... I am blessed beyond belief to be a part of imparting the truth into the lives of the next generation. I love children, t'weens & youth, and love to impart into their lives and watch them 'blossom' into who God has designed them to be. I also however love the 'older', mature women in my church, who are imparting into my life as well. I know that some of them don't know how or that they have an impact in my life, so that I why I always want to be 'real' and 'practice what I preach', so that the young women watching me may be blessed as well.

Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it." Early education (school or church) is important. We need to reach them before the world reaches them, and takes their innocent faith-filled hearts trying to conform them to the image of the world. We need to help God transform their young pure hearts, and minds to the knowledge of Him. ("Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 NIV)

Our 'daughters' need to learn exactly what we are learning through this 30-day Make-over. Each of these life principles and Spiritual principles need to be lived out, so that they may see and experience the JOY of knowing Jesus as King. If we do not live out our faith joyfully, they will not want any part of it. Nancy worded it like this in today's devotional... "One of the killers of the faith of Christian young people is that they do not see that their parents’ faith has joy in it. Your kids will most likely reject your religion if it is a joyless religion." To me, it's not religion, it's a relationship! But that's another topic of discussion...

This teaching/training/living out the truths is important at ANY age. It does not matter that your 8 year old is not worried about having kids, but if they have a dream/vision from the Lord about their future children, we cannot laugh it off, and not train them NOW, we need to take our responsibility serious, and show them now how to treat their husband, how to train their own children, and how to make life and Biblical principles real in their own lives. They learn by our example... There is an old poem that was written regarding how children learn what they live.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves

and in those about them.

If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.

If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to live.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with friendliness,

they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

We have to show them the example, we cannot let the world teach our daughters about modesty, honesty, purity, etc... because the world does not believe in it. They allow our 'girls' to wear tight clothes (tighter than a school bag full of books); short dresses, skirts & shorts (shorter than a english paper); and low, revealing shirts or dresses (lower than the Grand Canyon)! (examples taken from today's devotional) The movies, tv shows and magazine ads all portray these 'awful' images to our young ladies, and they begin to think they have to dress like this, or act like that to be accepted in the world today. WE HAVE TO STOP THIS BEHAVIOUR, DRESS & ATTITUDES NOW! We must lead by example... especially if the young ladies in our 'circle of influence' do not have a mother, or a mother-figure who is a Christian/true woman of God.

The 'virtuous woman' in Proverbs 31 is just that... she is leading by example (for all of us who read about her). In verse 16 today, we see that "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard." This woman 'considers' a field... she doesn't just take and spend her earnings on something the world offers, she inspects, closely examines and weighs her options before buying this land.

The word 'consider' by definition means:
–verb (used with object)

1.to think carefully about, esp. in order to make a decision; contemplate; reflect on: He considered the cost before buying the new car.
2.to regard as or deem to be: I consider the story improbable.
3.to think, believe, or suppose: We consider his reply unsatisfactory.
4.to bear in mind; make allowance for: The arrest was justified if you consider his disorderly behavior.
5.to pay attention to; regard: He considered the man for some time before speaking to him.
6.to regard with respect, thoughtfulness, honor, etc.; esteem.
7.to think about (something that one might do, accept, buy, etc.): to consider a job in Guatemala.
8.Obsolete. to view attentively; scrutinize.
9.Obsolete. to recompense or remunerate.


–verb (used without object)
10.to think deliberately or carefully; reflect.
11.to view carefully or thoughtfully.


She thought carefully, deliberately, and with attention before purchasing this land. Now this land purchase was not for herself, but for the betterment of her family. She didn't just rush into the decision, she carefully and thoughtfully planned out every detail. After she purchased the land, she went on to use her earnings and plant a vineyard as well. This vineyard would provide for her family and herself. She would gain more out of what she reaped and sowed, than the cost of the property to begin with.

This example shows us that we need to be deliberate, careful and attentive in our thought processes, our purchases, etc. If we are so, then the ones watching us will learn from us and continue the process. For example, I don't tell Bible stories/Historical events just for the joy of telling them, I tell them so that I can also help those listening to apply it to their own lives as well. I carefully and deliberately study the story, so that I can get out of it what I believe (through Holy Spirit's wisdom and guidance) they need to hear. (Even if it is for JUST ONE!) This also proves the same with 'special occasion art' that I like to do with the children I teach. (Special occasion meaning, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc...) I try to have the thing we are making be useful, to be something the parents will not just hang for the moment (like a picture), but something they can keep or cherish for a lifetime. It is sad to me when I see children working really hard on paintings, or crayon pictures, only to show their parents, and then watch or know their parents throw them in the trash. Now I do know that you can't keep EVERYTHING that your child makes, or WOW what a mess of papers you would have... but sometimes I know the art gets left in their cubby, only for us to throw it out later. That child sees that their parent is not really interested in their work, and therefore may stop trying, or continuing to make pictures, or whatever the case may be.

They (the younger generation) are also ALWAYS watching us. Sometimes we think they may not be 'looking', but they are. (Like I said above, some women do not know that they have impacted my life, because I see or hear things from them just in passing sometimes that have meant a lot to me, or that I have taken to heart to pass on to the next generation as well.) There is also another poem regarding this... "When You Thought I Wasn't Looking".

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,

and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you feed a stray cat,

and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw you make my favorite cake for me,

and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I heard you say a prayer,

and I believed that there was a God to talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I felt you kiss me goodnight,

and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw tears come from your eyes,

and I learned that sometimes things hurt,

but it's alright to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I saw that you cared,

and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking,

I looked....

and I wanted to say thanks for all the things

I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

~Author Unknown~

 
So be on the lookout for those who are looking to you as an example. They may be your own kids, someone else's kids, or even those in generations above you.
 

BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING!

 

30-Day 'True Woman' Make-over Day 10

Today's topic is: THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS
Today's verse is Proverbs 31:10 - "Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character -- A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."

WOW! We have made it through the first 9 verses of warnings from Lemuel's mother, and now we are starting to learn about the wife of noble character, the 'virtuous woman'. Some women see her as the 'virtual woman', something or someone that cannot be attained by the ordinary every-day woman of today. But as our topic today states, any woman can lead a life of noble character and have a fruitful life as well. Unfortunately, too many of us try to strive, perform, struggle and even try to outdo other women in our lives, like this 'virtuous woman' found in Proverbs 31:10-31. We are not to become exactly like this woman, we are supposed to become the M.E. that God has called us to be individually. Our M.E. is our MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS (or in other words our potential). We have to live up to our potential, not that of another woman. This 'virtuous woman' found in Scripture is just a 'pattern' to follow. Nancy Leigh DeMoss also quotes, "The purpose of this picture, in part, is to help us see that we can’t live up to it, that we cannot measure up to it." (You can read more of Nancy's devotion here). We cannot do this alone in our own strength, each of us are not called to be seamstresses, or to have ALL the domestic characteristics of the 'woman of noble character'. We need God! All we need is more of God, and He will help us become who He created and called us to be. There is a quote that says something like, "God has hand-crafted each one of us, not mass produced us."


Today's verse, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies", is where Lemuel's mother is admonishing her son to look for a wife that is as noble as she is trying to train him to be. Somewhere in the world there is ONE woman who will fulfill the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs just for HIM.


to be continued... gotta go back to work!!


When we surrender and submit our lives to God, He can and will do the miraculous in our lives. The last verse in our study, Proverbs 31:31 says this, "Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates." We will be rewarded, and basically reap what we sow in the end. If we sow into our lives, and others lives with the same spiritual characteristics that this 'virtuous woman' did, then the 'fruit of our hands' or the fruit of our labour will bring forth an amazing harvest!

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!