~Glenn Beck's The Christmas Sweater pg 207
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Follow The Light: Does Being A Christian Hurt?
Follow The Light: Does Being A Christian Hurt?: "And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend… Matthew 26:49, 50aIf you s..."
Quotes
“ The friendship that can cease has never been real.
— Saint Jerome
“ Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required
— Sir Winston Churchill
“ Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune
— Jim Rohn
“ Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.
— Will Rogers
“ Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.
— Dorothea Lange
“ Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.
— H. Jackson Browne
“ You were born an original, don’t die a copy
— John Mason
“ A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
— Chinese Proverb
“ If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page
— Mark Houlahan
— Saint Jerome
“ Sometimes it is not enough to do our best; we must do what is required
— Sir Winston Churchill
“ Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune
— Jim Rohn
“ Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.
— Will Rogers
“ Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.
— Dorothea Lange
“ Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.
— H. Jackson Browne
“ You were born an original, don’t die a copy
— John Mason
“ A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
— Chinese Proverb
“ If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page
— Mark Houlahan
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Many people have strange and unbiblical ideas about the forgiveness of sins. Some seem to believe that confessing our sins is a kind of universal admission of guilt in all circumstances. It is asking God to make all the bad people good and all the good people better. In truth, confessing our sins involves recognizing our sins and knowing what those sins are.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Forgiveness
Over the past several weeks I have had several people ask me about forgiveness.
I believe forgiveness is a two part process. It must be offered and then it must be accepted.
For example: If someone has wronged me it is my Christian duty to forgive them. Having said that I must also say the they must receive the forgiveness that I have offered. Jesus Christ forgave me of my sins but in order for me to receive that forgiveness I had to repent and accept the forgiveness that Christ offered. So, the person that has wronged me must show evidence of genuine repentance and accept the forgiveness that I have offered.
One of my favorite places to visit on line is http://momof9splace.com/ It is here that I came across the following:
Forgive to Live
Written by Karen
Does the Bible provide any means whereby we can judge ourselves as to whether or not we´re truly in the faith? (We don´t forgive in order for God to save us, please don't misunderstand the two)
Key Text: Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors
When we strive against all thoughts of revenge, when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them. Thomas Watson
This quote can be directly related to Romans 12
1. When we strive against all thoughts of revenge.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
2. When we will not do our enemies mischief
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
3. But wish well to them
Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not
4. Grieve at their calamities
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
5. Pray for them
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer
6. Seek reconciliation with them
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
7. And show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve (come to their aid) them
Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head
These elements of forgiveness that Watson included in his definition are deeply rooted in Scripture.
Don´t seek revenge
Don´t return evil for evil
Wish your enemies well (it can be friend, family. Etc)
Grieve at their misfortunes
Pray for them
Seek reconciliation over a matte of disagreement
Meet your enemy's need with generosity
What if this is not our definition of forgiveness?
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
Matthew 18:21-35Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
What is the message in these verses? One who is truly born again will have a spirit of forgiveness within him.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing
The believer is in Christ, and Christ is in the believer. That which flows out of the believer is a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.It´s impossible to be truly born again and not have the spirit of forgiveness. It may not be completely developed, but it must be there. Thus, whether one has a forgiving spirit or not is a test of whether or not one is genuinely born again. This may be one of the best tests of the validity and sufficiency of our faith. We must forgive to live.
A lesson from Corrie ten Boom:
Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IT WAS IN A CHURCH in Munich where I was speaking in 1947 that I saw him-a balding heavyset man in a gray overcoat, a brown felt hat clutched between his hands. One moment I saw the overcoat and the brown hat, the next, a blue uniform and a visored cap with its skull and crossbones.
Memories of the concentration camp came back with a rush: the huge room with its harsh overhead lights, the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes in the center of the floor, the shame of walking naked past this man. I could see my sister's frail form ahead of me, ribs sharp beneath the parchment of skin.
Betsie and I had been arrested for concealing Jews in our home during the Nazi occupation of Holland. This man had been a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp where we were sent.
Now he was in front of me, hand thrust out: "A fine message, fraulein! How good it is to know that, as you say,, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea!"
It was the first time since my release that I had been face to face with one of my captors and my blood seemed to freeze.
"You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk, " he was saying. "I was a guard there. But since that time, " he went on, "I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein-" again the hand came out-"will you forgive me?"
And I stood there-and could not. Betsie had died in that place- could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking?
It could not have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.
For I had to do it-I knew that. The message that God forgives has has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. "If you do not forgive men their trespasses," Jesus says, "neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses."
Still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. "Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently. "I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling."
And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this jealing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!"
For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adolph Coors IV (yes from the Coors beer name)
On February 9, 1960, Adolph Coors III was kidnapped and held for ransom. Seven months later his body was found on a remote hillside. He had been shot to death. Adolph Coors IV, then fifteen years old, lost not only his father but his best friend. For years young Coors hated Joseph Corbett, the man who was sentenced to life for the slaying. Then in 1975 Ad Coors became a Christian. While he divested himself of his interest in the family beer business, he could not divest himself of the hatred that consumed him. Resentment seethed within him and blighted his growth in faith. He prayed to God for help because he realized how his hatred for Corbett was alienating him from God and other persons. The day came, however, when claiming the Spirit's presence, Ad Coors visited the maximum security unit of Colorado's Canon City penitentiary and tried to talk with Corbett. Corbett refused to see him. Coors left a Bible inscribed with this message: I'm here to see you today and I'm sorry that we could not meet. As a Christian I am summoned by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to forgive. I do forgive you, and I ask you to forgive me for the hatred I've held in my heart for you." Later Coors confessed, "I have a love for that man that only Jesus Christ could have put in my heart."
Applications:
We are not required to feel good about bad things. If someone hurts a member of your family, you are not going to feel good. Neither should you let it destroy you by not giving it to the Lord. Vengeance is His to execute.
1Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
To forgive doesn´t mean to excuse the wrong. This is a common misconception. Look at how God deals with us. On the one hand, He forgets our sin; on the other He chastens us and deals with us as children.
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
If a man commits a crime and is caught, he will serve the time. We need to forgive him and pray for his restoration, but we can´t overlook the fact that his sin will bring judgment, and leave scars. We need to forgive even if the other person does not. Not only did God forgive us, but He forgave us despite the hurt to Himself. We say something like, “I know I should forgive him, but you don´t know how badly he´s hurt me; I just can´t forgive him.”
What is the Scriptural response:
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye
We need to forgave as we have been forgiven. At the cross, Christ paid the price with His body and blood to make possible our forgiveness. It becomes effective only when we believe, but the atonement was completed on the cross at the greatest possible hurt to the Lord Jesus-not just His physical hurt, but that of taking upon Himself the sins of all mankind. Failure to forgive often results in deep-seated anger. And anger can eat away at us like a cancer. It strips us of our ability to function as God would have us to.
In the case of Adolph Coors and Corrie ten Boom, the deeds were very bad. But they were freed from the slavery of anger and bitterness by surrendering them to God and trusting Him to make the wrongs right in His time. They could have easily become prisoners of their own hatred. Instead they learned that “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Are you and I characterized by a spirit of forgiveness in our hearts? That´s one test of the validity all sufficiency of our faith.
I believe forgiveness is a two part process. It must be offered and then it must be accepted.
For example: If someone has wronged me it is my Christian duty to forgive them. Having said that I must also say the they must receive the forgiveness that I have offered. Jesus Christ forgave me of my sins but in order for me to receive that forgiveness I had to repent and accept the forgiveness that Christ offered. So, the person that has wronged me must show evidence of genuine repentance and accept the forgiveness that I have offered.
One of my favorite places to visit on line is http://momof9splace.com/ It is here that I came across the following:
Forgive to Live
Written by Karen
Does the Bible provide any means whereby we can judge ourselves as to whether or not we´re truly in the faith? (We don´t forgive in order for God to save us, please don't misunderstand the two)
Key Text: Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors
When we strive against all thoughts of revenge, when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them. Thomas Watson
This quote can be directly related to Romans 12
1. When we strive against all thoughts of revenge.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
2. When we will not do our enemies mischief
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
3. But wish well to them
Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not
4. Grieve at their calamities
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
5. Pray for them
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer
6. Seek reconciliation with them
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
7. And show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve (come to their aid) them
Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head
These elements of forgiveness that Watson included in his definition are deeply rooted in Scripture.
Don´t seek revenge
Don´t return evil for evil
Wish your enemies well (it can be friend, family. Etc)
Grieve at their misfortunes
Pray for them
Seek reconciliation over a matte of disagreement
Meet your enemy's need with generosity
What if this is not our definition of forgiveness?
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
Matthew 18:21-35Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
What is the message in these verses? One who is truly born again will have a spirit of forgiveness within him.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing
The believer is in Christ, and Christ is in the believer. That which flows out of the believer is a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.It´s impossible to be truly born again and not have the spirit of forgiveness. It may not be completely developed, but it must be there. Thus, whether one has a forgiving spirit or not is a test of whether or not one is genuinely born again. This may be one of the best tests of the validity and sufficiency of our faith. We must forgive to live.
A lesson from Corrie ten Boom:
Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IT WAS IN A CHURCH in Munich where I was speaking in 1947 that I saw him-a balding heavyset man in a gray overcoat, a brown felt hat clutched between his hands. One moment I saw the overcoat and the brown hat, the next, a blue uniform and a visored cap with its skull and crossbones.
Memories of the concentration camp came back with a rush: the huge room with its harsh overhead lights, the pathetic pile of dresses and shoes in the center of the floor, the shame of walking naked past this man. I could see my sister's frail form ahead of me, ribs sharp beneath the parchment of skin.
Betsie and I had been arrested for concealing Jews in our home during the Nazi occupation of Holland. This man had been a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp where we were sent.
Now he was in front of me, hand thrust out: "A fine message, fraulein! How good it is to know that, as you say,, all our sins are at the bottom of the sea!"
It was the first time since my release that I had been face to face with one of my captors and my blood seemed to freeze.
"You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk, " he was saying. "I was a guard there. But since that time, " he went on, "I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein-" again the hand came out-"will you forgive me?"
And I stood there-and could not. Betsie had died in that place- could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking?
It could not have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do.
For I had to do it-I knew that. The message that God forgives has has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. "If you do not forgive men their trespasses," Jesus says, "neither will your Father in Heaven forgive your trespasses."
Still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. "Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently. "I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling."
And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this jealing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!"
For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adolph Coors IV (yes from the Coors beer name)
On February 9, 1960, Adolph Coors III was kidnapped and held for ransom. Seven months later his body was found on a remote hillside. He had been shot to death. Adolph Coors IV, then fifteen years old, lost not only his father but his best friend. For years young Coors hated Joseph Corbett, the man who was sentenced to life for the slaying. Then in 1975 Ad Coors became a Christian. While he divested himself of his interest in the family beer business, he could not divest himself of the hatred that consumed him. Resentment seethed within him and blighted his growth in faith. He prayed to God for help because he realized how his hatred for Corbett was alienating him from God and other persons. The day came, however, when claiming the Spirit's presence, Ad Coors visited the maximum security unit of Colorado's Canon City penitentiary and tried to talk with Corbett. Corbett refused to see him. Coors left a Bible inscribed with this message: I'm here to see you today and I'm sorry that we could not meet. As a Christian I am summoned by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to forgive. I do forgive you, and I ask you to forgive me for the hatred I've held in my heart for you." Later Coors confessed, "I have a love for that man that only Jesus Christ could have put in my heart."
Applications:
We are not required to feel good about bad things. If someone hurts a member of your family, you are not going to feel good. Neither should you let it destroy you by not giving it to the Lord. Vengeance is His to execute.
1Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
To forgive doesn´t mean to excuse the wrong. This is a common misconception. Look at how God deals with us. On the one hand, He forgets our sin; on the other He chastens us and deals with us as children.
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
If a man commits a crime and is caught, he will serve the time. We need to forgive him and pray for his restoration, but we can´t overlook the fact that his sin will bring judgment, and leave scars. We need to forgive even if the other person does not. Not only did God forgive us, but He forgave us despite the hurt to Himself. We say something like, “I know I should forgive him, but you don´t know how badly he´s hurt me; I just can´t forgive him.”
What is the Scriptural response:
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye
We need to forgave as we have been forgiven. At the cross, Christ paid the price with His body and blood to make possible our forgiveness. It becomes effective only when we believe, but the atonement was completed on the cross at the greatest possible hurt to the Lord Jesus-not just His physical hurt, but that of taking upon Himself the sins of all mankind. Failure to forgive often results in deep-seated anger. And anger can eat away at us like a cancer. It strips us of our ability to function as God would have us to.
In the case of Adolph Coors and Corrie ten Boom, the deeds were very bad. But they were freed from the slavery of anger and bitterness by surrendering them to God and trusting Him to make the wrongs right in His time. They could have easily become prisoners of their own hatred. Instead they learned that “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Are you and I characterized by a spirit of forgiveness in our hearts? That´s one test of the validity all sufficiency of our faith.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Quotes
"He who cannot forgive others destroys the bridge over which he himself must pass." -George Herbert
"A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults; who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our face, and laughs at us behind our back."
-Charles Kingsley
"He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day." -John Bunyan
"You can have no greater sign of confirmed pride than when you think you are humble enough."
-William Law
"One of the first things which a physician says to his patient is, 'Let me see your tongue.' A spiritual advisor might often do the same." -Nehemiah Adams
"A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults; who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our face, and laughs at us behind our back."
-Charles Kingsley
"He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day." -John Bunyan
"You can have no greater sign of confirmed pride than when you think you are humble enough."
-William Law
"One of the first things which a physician says to his patient is, 'Let me see your tongue.' A spiritual advisor might often do the same." -Nehemiah Adams
Monday, October 18, 2010
Psalms 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
20 years ago God made me a Mom!! I have not been perfect, but I have done the best I know how.
Jesus Jaime Sanhez II
October 18th 1990
Born @ 12:21 a.m.
Weighed 7lbs 4oz
20 inches long
Jaime (as we call him) has been such a wonderful blessing to our lifes.
He has been a great asset to this family and at times a much needed encouragement to his mama.
God has given him a very postive outlook on life which flows over to us.
Psalms 16:6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Proverbs 4:3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Proverbs 23:25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.
Am I Pilate?
I came across this today and thought it worthy of sharing:
Am I Pilate?
Am I Pilate,
washing my hands,
expecting someone else
to take the blame
when I walk away from what
God asks of me?
HT
I have taken the blame many times in order to uphold the reputation of someone else.....NO MORE!!
Am I Pilate?
Am I Pilate,
washing my hands,
expecting someone else
to take the blame
when I walk away from what
God asks of me?
HT
I have taken the blame many times in order to uphold the reputation of someone else.....NO MORE!!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Whatever Happened to Holiness?
In our culture today, holiness is a word that we hear very little and see in action even less. Sadly many people, including some Christians, don't take God's command to be holy seriously enough and non-Christians could care less about this vital character quality. As Christian women, we should strive daily to display holiness in our speech, attitude and conduct.
As 1 Timothy 4:12 says, Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
In Noah's day, when God saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, He was grieved in His heart that He had made man (Genesis 6:5-6). How much more is God grieved by the evil in our world today?
What is holiness?
Quote, "Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture." In other words, hating what God hates, loving what God loves and measuring everything by the standard of His Word.
A woman who desires to be holy will hate every false way and have a great fear of displeasing God
(Psalm 119:11,120).
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
She will seek after God with her whole heart and strive to be more conformed to Christ's image
(Psalm 119:10,
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
She will bear with and forgive others, even as God also has forgiven her
(Ephesians 4:32).
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
She will aim to be unselfish, humble, faithful and full of love and compassion for sinners, like Christ.
She will deny herself in order to minister more effectively to others, just as Dorcas did (Acts 9:36-42).
Sound impossible? Only by God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit can we ever hope to become holy and even with our best efforts we will never be perfectly holy in this life.
Why is holiness important?
Holiness is essential because God commands it.
1 Peter 1:15-16 says, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Hebrews 12:14 says, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Scripture also says,
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
How much clearer does God need to be?
Another reason to be holy is that holiness shows the world whose we are.
I Peter 2:9 says, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
QUOTE:
"The only safe evidence that we are one with Christ, and Christ in us, is a holy life." We are called to be holy women that give the world proof that we love Christ.
A Christian who exhibits holiness will stand out since holiness is almost non-existent in our culture. Christian women have the opportunity to shine for Christ by choosing to be obedient to Scripture's commands to be holy.
*That means examining our hearts for sins that can keep us from holiness, like carelessness and dishonesty.
*Most of us can resist the big temptations because we fear the consequences, but do we give in to the smaller ones like TO MUCH TIME ON COMPUTER, IN FRONT OF TV, SHOPPING ETC.
What Produces Holiness?
--Holiness begins with the fear of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 7:1 states,
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Holiness is perfected or completed by obedience, which is produced by the fear of God.
"I have thought about it a great deal, and the more I think, the more certain I am that obedience is the gateway through which knowledge, yes, and love, too, enter the mind of the child. "
"My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed!"
Anne Sullivan 1866-1936
Let's look at four conditions that must be present in our lives in order for us to have the quality of holiness:
--There must be a hungering and thirsting after God, His righteousness and His Word (Psalm 42:1-2); As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
--We can never experience holiness without a repentant spirit (1 John 1:9); If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
--The third condition for holiness is an abhorrence of all evil (Romans 12:9A); Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil;
--We must consciously, deliberately and purposefully cling to that which is good (Romans 12:9b cleave to that which is good
It takes time to be holy and there are no short cuts. Unlike oatmeal, there's no such thing as "instant holiness." As we seek to develop a faithful and consistent prayer life and feed on God's Word, the Holy Spirit will begin to produce Christ's holiness in us.
In 1882, William Longstaff, a wealthy Englishman, heard a sermon from 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, for I am holy." This prompted him to write the hymn Take Time to Be Holy. The first stanza says:
"Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord.
Abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Make friends with God's children; help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek."
Robert McCheyne was a saintly man of God, who, in his comparatively short life, won many souls to the Lord. After he died, a letter addressed to him was found on his desk. It was from a person he had led to Christ and said, "It was nothing you said that first made me wish to be a Christian. It was the beauty of holiness which I saw in your face."
May we seek to be holy women in all that we say and do. Then Jesus will be glorified and magnified in our lives and the world will see the beauty of holiness, without which no man (or woman) will see the Lord.
http://momof9splace.com/holywomen.html
In our culture today, holiness is a word that we hear very little and see in action even less. Sadly many people, including some Christians, don't take God's command to be holy seriously enough and non-Christians could care less about this vital character quality. As Christian women, we should strive daily to display holiness in our speech, attitude and conduct.
As 1 Timothy 4:12 says, Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
In Noah's day, when God saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, He was grieved in His heart that He had made man (Genesis 6:5-6). How much more is God grieved by the evil in our world today?
What is holiness?
Quote, "Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture." In other words, hating what God hates, loving what God loves and measuring everything by the standard of His Word.
A woman who desires to be holy will hate every false way and have a great fear of displeasing God
(Psalm 119:11,120).
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
She will seek after God with her whole heart and strive to be more conformed to Christ's image
(Psalm 119:10,
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
She will bear with and forgive others, even as God also has forgiven her
(Ephesians 4:32).
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
She will aim to be unselfish, humble, faithful and full of love and compassion for sinners, like Christ.
She will deny herself in order to minister more effectively to others, just as Dorcas did (Acts 9:36-42).
Sound impossible? Only by God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit can we ever hope to become holy and even with our best efforts we will never be perfectly holy in this life.
Why is holiness important?
Holiness is essential because God commands it.
1 Peter 1:15-16 says, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Hebrews 12:14 says, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Scripture also says,
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
How much clearer does God need to be?
Another reason to be holy is that holiness shows the world whose we are.
I Peter 2:9 says, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
QUOTE:
"The only safe evidence that we are one with Christ, and Christ in us, is a holy life." We are called to be holy women that give the world proof that we love Christ.
A Christian who exhibits holiness will stand out since holiness is almost non-existent in our culture. Christian women have the opportunity to shine for Christ by choosing to be obedient to Scripture's commands to be holy.
*That means examining our hearts for sins that can keep us from holiness, like carelessness and dishonesty.
*Most of us can resist the big temptations because we fear the consequences, but do we give in to the smaller ones like TO MUCH TIME ON COMPUTER, IN FRONT OF TV, SHOPPING ETC.
What Produces Holiness?
--Holiness begins with the fear of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 7:1 states,
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Holiness is perfected or completed by obedience, which is produced by the fear of God.
"I have thought about it a great deal, and the more I think, the more certain I am that obedience is the gateway through which knowledge, yes, and love, too, enter the mind of the child. "
"My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed!"
Anne Sullivan 1866-1936
Let's look at four conditions that must be present in our lives in order for us to have the quality of holiness:
--There must be a hungering and thirsting after God, His righteousness and His Word (Psalm 42:1-2); As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
--We can never experience holiness without a repentant spirit (1 John 1:9); If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
--The third condition for holiness is an abhorrence of all evil (Romans 12:9A); Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil;
--We must consciously, deliberately and purposefully cling to that which is good (Romans 12:9b cleave to that which is good
It takes time to be holy and there are no short cuts. Unlike oatmeal, there's no such thing as "instant holiness." As we seek to develop a faithful and consistent prayer life and feed on God's Word, the Holy Spirit will begin to produce Christ's holiness in us.
In 1882, William Longstaff, a wealthy Englishman, heard a sermon from 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, for I am holy." This prompted him to write the hymn Take Time to Be Holy. The first stanza says:
"Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord.
Abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Make friends with God's children; help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek."
Robert McCheyne was a saintly man of God, who, in his comparatively short life, won many souls to the Lord. After he died, a letter addressed to him was found on his desk. It was from a person he had led to Christ and said, "It was nothing you said that first made me wish to be a Christian. It was the beauty of holiness which I saw in your face."
May we seek to be holy women in all that we say and do. Then Jesus will be glorified and magnified in our lives and the world will see the beauty of holiness, without which no man (or woman) will see the Lord.
http://momof9splace.com/holywomen.html
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Most Important Thing
I read this today on a friends blog and decided to share it with my readers:
If I teach my children to speak Spanish, French, Latin, Greek, and Japanese, but do not teach them to love God, I have nothing.
If they know how to tell time and have their times tables memorized, but do not know the God of time and all eternity, it profits me nothing.
If I teach them all about psychology, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy, but they do not love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, I have gained nothing.
If they are well versed in William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Edgar Alan Poe, but do not delight in the Law of the LORD, their learning has come to nothing.
If they know about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln, but do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD, their knowledge is meaningless.
If they are champions at spelling bees, get perfect scores on their SATs, and get accepted into the best universities, but reject their Creator, I have accomplished nothing.
If they are successful beyond my wildest dreams, if they have huge paychecks, giant houses, and lavish lifestyles; If they gain the whole world, and yet lose their souls, I am an utter failure.
So now I see that reading, writing, and arithmetic are important, literature, languages, and history are all valuable, science and social studies have their place,but if I my children do not become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, I have merely educated them.
I must do more than educate them…I must disciple them.
I must teach them to love the LORD.
Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
If I teach my children to speak Spanish, French, Latin, Greek, and Japanese, but do not teach them to love God, I have nothing.
If they know how to tell time and have their times tables memorized, but do not know the God of time and all eternity, it profits me nothing.
If I teach them all about psychology, sociology, anthropology, and philosophy, but they do not love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, I have gained nothing.
If they are well versed in William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Edgar Alan Poe, but do not delight in the Law of the LORD, their learning has come to nothing.
If they know about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln, but do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD, their knowledge is meaningless.
If they are champions at spelling bees, get perfect scores on their SATs, and get accepted into the best universities, but reject their Creator, I have accomplished nothing.
If they are successful beyond my wildest dreams, if they have huge paychecks, giant houses, and lavish lifestyles; If they gain the whole world, and yet lose their souls, I am an utter failure.
So now I see that reading, writing, and arithmetic are important, literature, languages, and history are all valuable, science and social studies have their place,but if I my children do not become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, I have merely educated them.
I must do more than educate them…I must disciple them.
I must teach them to love the LORD.
Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Hey Teens!
How About Giving 5 for 50? or 10 for 50?
What A Great Deal!
by Pastor Art Kohl
February 3, 2005
If you could give up five of something and get fifty in return would you do it?
If you could give up 10 of something and get 50 in return would you do it?
That is all God is asking in most cases. What do I mean? I am talking about marriage. Something that almost every teenager will be involved in someday (Hebrews 13:4a).
Now what do I mean by giving God five or ten? From the time the average teen becomes interested in the opposite sex till the time they are married is usually five to ten years.
Example: A young man may start to be interested or intrigued by young ladies around the age of fifteen. He will probably be married sometime between 20-25 years old. I was married when I was 22.
Example: A young lady may become interested in young men by the time they are fourteen years old. She will probably be married before her 24th birthday. My wife married me when she was 21.
Now, what do I mean by fifty? The average man in America lives to be about 73 years of age. The average woman lives to be about 78 years of age. If God lets you live an average life (Psalms 90:10) and you let Him lead you to marry the right person you could have 50 years of a wonderful marriage to enjoy.
For five to ten years God requires us to go through a test. A proving grounds. A time when we are to show ourselves real men and women by exhibiting self control towards and respect for the opposite sex. He goes so far as to say we should not even touch each other during that time. (Study I Corinthians 7:1-4; See Ruth 2:9.) He will also equip us in the inner man to live out this temperance by the power of His Holy Spirit which lives us. Please ask Him to help you today! (Ephesians 3:16,20.)
You will never regret letting God help you keep yourself pure for five to ten years so you can enjoy fifty years of living together in Holy Matrimony with your mate.
On the contrary we have all seen boys and girls who did not exercise self control and have probably ruined their future fifty years. It is so sad to see that 97% of all single mothers will live in poverty the rest of their lives. Very few good men want to marry a single mother. They gave up their fifty years for the five. How sad that many of them will never have a good marriage and many will never get married. Some will have to live in loneliness and carry the consequences of their actions for a long, long time.
I know of young men in their late teen years and early twenties who have some of their wages garnished every time they get a paycheck to pay child support. This will be a financial burden they must carry (and rightfully so) for 18-21 years depending on what state they live in. Even if that young man marries another woman he will have to pay the child support which will put a burden on his marriage. Often there are legal battles over visitation rights and custody. It gets very complex and ugly.
Let me take a moment and mention disease. There are over 50 major diseases that can be transmitted by physical intimacy before marriage (fornication.) Some are incurable, a few are fatal. Some of these viruses are so small that a million of them can fit on the head of a pin. Fornication often affects the body (I Corinthians 6:18, Galatians 6:8.)
Young people, it’s not worth giving up 50 years of a good marriage for 5 or 10 years of a good time. Make this season in your life the “years of temperance.”
The “time of love” (Ezekiel 16:8) is marriage, not before. See chart on left. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ... ; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to love, ...” Ecclesiastes 3:1,5,8.
Spend your youth concentrating on friendships not relationships. Pay attention to spirituality, service, education, music, preparation for marriage, work ethics, etc. Stay in church, in the Bible, in prayer, in love with God.
Give five or ten years of your youth to self control and you will prove yourself worthy for God to bring a good mate into your life. After you are married if you will work at it you can have fifty years of a great marriage.
Copyright © 2005
Permission granted to freely copy.
Scripture verses are from the King James Holy Bible.
How About Giving 5 for 50? or 10 for 50?
What A Great Deal!
by Pastor Art Kohl
February 3, 2005
If you could give up five of something and get fifty in return would you do it?
If you could give up 10 of something and get 50 in return would you do it?
That is all God is asking in most cases. What do I mean? I am talking about marriage. Something that almost every teenager will be involved in someday (Hebrews 13:4a).
Now what do I mean by giving God five or ten? From the time the average teen becomes interested in the opposite sex till the time they are married is usually five to ten years.
Example: A young man may start to be interested or intrigued by young ladies around the age of fifteen. He will probably be married sometime between 20-25 years old. I was married when I was 22.
Example: A young lady may become interested in young men by the time they are fourteen years old. She will probably be married before her 24th birthday. My wife married me when she was 21.
Now, what do I mean by fifty? The average man in America lives to be about 73 years of age. The average woman lives to be about 78 years of age. If God lets you live an average life (Psalms 90:10) and you let Him lead you to marry the right person you could have 50 years of a wonderful marriage to enjoy.
For five to ten years God requires us to go through a test. A proving grounds. A time when we are to show ourselves real men and women by exhibiting self control towards and respect for the opposite sex. He goes so far as to say we should not even touch each other during that time. (Study I Corinthians 7:1-4; See Ruth 2:9.) He will also equip us in the inner man to live out this temperance by the power of His Holy Spirit which lives us. Please ask Him to help you today! (Ephesians 3:16,20.)
You will never regret letting God help you keep yourself pure for five to ten years so you can enjoy fifty years of living together in Holy Matrimony with your mate.
On the contrary we have all seen boys and girls who did not exercise self control and have probably ruined their future fifty years. It is so sad to see that 97% of all single mothers will live in poverty the rest of their lives. Very few good men want to marry a single mother. They gave up their fifty years for the five. How sad that many of them will never have a good marriage and many will never get married. Some will have to live in loneliness and carry the consequences of their actions for a long, long time.
I know of young men in their late teen years and early twenties who have some of their wages garnished every time they get a paycheck to pay child support. This will be a financial burden they must carry (and rightfully so) for 18-21 years depending on what state they live in. Even if that young man marries another woman he will have to pay the child support which will put a burden on his marriage. Often there are legal battles over visitation rights and custody. It gets very complex and ugly.
Let me take a moment and mention disease. There are over 50 major diseases that can be transmitted by physical intimacy before marriage (fornication.) Some are incurable, a few are fatal. Some of these viruses are so small that a million of them can fit on the head of a pin. Fornication often affects the body (I Corinthians 6:18, Galatians 6:8.)
Young people, it’s not worth giving up 50 years of a good marriage for 5 or 10 years of a good time. Make this season in your life the “years of temperance.”
The “time of love” (Ezekiel 16:8) is marriage, not before. See chart on left. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ... ; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to love, ...” Ecclesiastes 3:1,5,8.
Spend your youth concentrating on friendships not relationships. Pay attention to spirituality, service, education, music, preparation for marriage, work ethics, etc. Stay in church, in the Bible, in prayer, in love with God.
Give five or ten years of your youth to self control and you will prove yourself worthy for God to bring a good mate into your life. After you are married if you will work at it you can have fifty years of a great marriage.
Copyright © 2005
Permission granted to freely copy.
Scripture verses are from the King James Holy Bible.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Longings for times gone by
Today I have had an abundance of memories fly by and it has caused me to long.
To long for days gone by.........
To have just one memory of my parents together as I was a child (I have none)
To have an older brother (I've always thought that would have been great)
To drive down and then up the 'huge' hill after Maranatha Baptist Church before you get to Ceder Grove
To run through the old barn and smell.....just smell
To sit on the back of a setter and plant tobacco
To see and smell that tobacco hanging in that barn
To see my granny sitting on the front porch drinking a Tab (I want one of those chairs SOOO bad)
To lie on the floor while my papaw watches The Price is Right, Dukes of Hazard or WWF
To ride to the store with that papaw and he will buy me a box of Fruit Loops
To go in granny's bedroom, in the top drawer and get the hymnal that she kept in there and sing with her
To go to 'the cabin' for Memorial Day/Birthday Party
To stay up all night in an old VW van and eat Atomic Fireballs with my cousin
To play and endless game of Monopoly and drink Mountain Dew with that same cousin
To ride dune buggies the the creek beds
To see the train go buy filled with coal
To sit on top of that old gas heat stove in papaw's living room
To see that mantel with the razor strap hanging there
To walk down the worn path from the front porch to the basement (the basement was scary to me but the path was really neat) down on South Main
To pick apples off that apple tree
To smell the motor oil in my uncle's garage and make him grape kool-aid
To eat frog legs with my step-mother's mom
To slip through the electric fence and spend hours wandering through the trees
To open the door to the wood room (which was just off of my room) one more time
To taste the cucumbers that my uncle's mom made
To eat a ham and cheese sandwich with a green onion at my aunt's house
To stand in front of her window unit and smell the air
To sit in that little seat in the Magnolia tree in her front yard
To gather fresh vegetables out of the various gardens (just about everybody had one) one aunt even grew strawberries and another one grew grapes
To taste my granny's chicken and dumplins
To taste my other granny's fried tators
It's amazing how as time passes you long for the things that as a child you thought of as a chore or a burden.
To long for days gone by.........
To have just one memory of my parents together as I was a child (I have none)
To have an older brother (I've always thought that would have been great)
To drive down and then up the 'huge' hill after Maranatha Baptist Church before you get to Ceder Grove
To run through the old barn and smell.....just smell
To sit on the back of a setter and plant tobacco
To see and smell that tobacco hanging in that barn
To see my granny sitting on the front porch drinking a Tab (I want one of those chairs SOOO bad)
To lie on the floor while my papaw watches The Price is Right, Dukes of Hazard or WWF
To ride to the store with that papaw and he will buy me a box of Fruit Loops
To go in granny's bedroom, in the top drawer and get the hymnal that she kept in there and sing with her
To go to 'the cabin' for Memorial Day/Birthday Party
To stay up all night in an old VW van and eat Atomic Fireballs with my cousin
To play and endless game of Monopoly and drink Mountain Dew with that same cousin
To ride dune buggies the the creek beds
To see the train go buy filled with coal
To sit on top of that old gas heat stove in papaw's living room
To see that mantel with the razor strap hanging there
To walk down the worn path from the front porch to the basement (the basement was scary to me but the path was really neat) down on South Main
To pick apples off that apple tree
To smell the motor oil in my uncle's garage and make him grape kool-aid
To eat frog legs with my step-mother's mom
To slip through the electric fence and spend hours wandering through the trees
To open the door to the wood room (which was just off of my room) one more time
To taste the cucumbers that my uncle's mom made
To eat a ham and cheese sandwich with a green onion at my aunt's house
To stand in front of her window unit and smell the air
To sit in that little seat in the Magnolia tree in her front yard
To gather fresh vegetables out of the various gardens (just about everybody had one) one aunt even grew strawberries and another one grew grapes
To taste my granny's chicken and dumplins
To taste my other granny's fried tators
It's amazing how as time passes you long for the things that as a child you thought of as a chore or a burden.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
What does it really mean to be feminine?
By Pastor Art Koh
It is absolutely wrong for a man to be feminine. It is so wrong that it is listed among other behaviors that tell us a person isn't really saved.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
If is so wrong for a man to be feminine, isn't it equally wrong for a woman to be masculine?
We live in a day where some women want to work like a man, dress like a man, curse like a man, spit like a man, drink like a man, stink like a man, play like a man, smoke like a man, chew like a man, fight like a man, boss like a man, swear like a man, etc. To be like a man is their highest goal and achievement. The pursuit of masculinity is their highest calling. Anything that man can do, they want to do. There are two problems with this:
First: Most of what man does is wrong.
Second: A woman has to stoop and lower herself to come down to a man's level. She has not achieved, she has demoted herself.
Because the world has come to this, many ladies are afraid to be feminine. After all, who wants to be different. It takes a great deal of courage for a woman today to be all God wants her to be.
The Bible is the textbook on femininity, not the feminists. The feminists are really masculinists. Women who wants to be masculine. Woman who resent being women. Women who want to be men. If you will look closely at them, the result of their pursuit is misery. Misery because their whole life is spent missing God's purpose in life. As a fish out of water or a bird with a broken wing, they cannot enjoy the intended purpose that God has made them for, and are too proud to humble themselves to find it.
Don't be afraid to be feminine, in the Bible sense of the word. These are the happiest, most fulfilled ladies on earth. Beside all that, we will be responsible for, and give an account for what the scriptures teach regarding this responsibility. As we then look forward to, and prepare to face God at the Judgement seat of Christ, ladies, consider these 34 characteristics of Biblical femininity:
1. Virtue Proverbs 31:10, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Virtue means to be clean and pure. To be morally excellent is a good quality.
2. Loyalty Proverbs 31:11-12, "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Loyalty is the opposite of treachery. Jeremiah 3:20, "Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD." A feminine lady is loyal to her husband, her God, her church, her children, her Savior, etc.
3. Industry Proverbs 31:13-16, "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard." Industry is the opposite of laziness and sloth. Her energy is given to her household. The word "household" appears four times in Proverbs 31 as the direction of her industry. Many of the other verses in this chapter speak of her industry. She is not a workaholic hiding from God, she is industrious for God.
4. Strength Proverbs 31:17, "She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms." She is not a weakling. She becomes stronger and stronger in body, intelligence, emotions, spirituality, etc.
5. Ministering Proverbs 31:18-20, "She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy." She is not self-serving. The feminine woman ministers to others. She remembers the poor. She is a giver of alms.
6. Wisdom Proverbs 31:26a, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom ...." Wisdom is the ability to use and apply knowledge rightly. She fills her mind and heart with the word of God, and then uses it appropriately to every situation she faces in life.
7. Kindness Proverbs 31:26b, "... and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Feminine women are kind, in word and action. "Charity is kind," 1 Corinthians 13:4. Thus, they are filled with Charity.
8. Fear for God Proverbs 31:30 "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." Femininity fears God. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Feminine women do their duty.
9. Are Praised Proverbs 31:28, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Proverbs 31:30, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." She is praised by her own husband and by her works. Her works for God are so obvious, that they cry out in praise of her. Only one other being in all of the Old Testament is praised, and that is God!
Now lets leave the Old Testament and look at more characteristics defining Femininity in the New Testament:
10. Benevolence 1 Corinthians 7:3, "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband." She receives benevolence from her husband, and also returns benevolence to her husband. Benevolence means "good will as a conjugal duty; to be well-minded towards; reconciled with."
11. Submission Ephesians 5:22, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Colossians 3:18, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord." With the type of submission that she has to the Lord, she also directs the same submission to her husband. "Submission" means "to be subordinate to, to yield under to." The same word is used in submitting to God in James 4:7 and to government in 1 Peter 2:13.
12. Reverence Ephesians 5:33, "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." She is in awe of her husband. She respects him with fear. This word is usually translated "to be afraid of, to fear." She has a holy devotion to him and fears him similar to her fear for God.
Let's look at more characteristics of Biblical Femininity from the following text:
1 Timothy 2:9-15, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But
(which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."
13. Modest in dress She hides the form of her body. Her clothes are long, loose-fitting and cover all of her nakedness. She does not dress in the "attire of an harlot" as mentioned in Proverbs 7:10, "And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart."
14. Shamefaced She has the ability to blush. Her eyes are down cast unlike a harlot whose face is bold toward impurity. (Proverbs 7:13-23)
15. Her Hair is Simple It is long (1 Corinthians 11:15) and simple. She is not trying to gain the attention of man by her appearance, but the praise of God.
16. Jewelry and Clothes Don't Mean Much to Her They are nice, simple and inexpensive.
17. Good Works She is clothed with good works. She is constantly doing good for her God, her husband, her children, her church, others, the lost, etc.
18. Learns God's Word in Silence She is not a "place seeker" in the church, but a humble student of God's word. She learns God's word and teaches the younger women (Titus 2:4) and her children. (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15-16) She doesn't seek to usurp authority over men when it comes to the public teaching of God's word in the church. She hears the preaching and teaching ministries in silence. She asks questions at home. (1 Corinthians 14:35)
19. Faith She continues in faith and in the faith. She trusts in God and believes in Him.
20. Charity She is a living example of charity as it is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:"
Let's continue to learn more of the characteristics of true femininity by looking at the text in Titus 2:4-5, "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
21. Sober She is intelligent. Being feminine does not mean she is dumb or a "dizzy broad." She is an intelligent woman. Sober means to be of a sound mind. She is ever gaining in knowledge.
22. Loves Her Husband There is a fondness in her heart toward her husband. She gives her life for him.
23. Loves Her Children There is a fondness in her heart toward her children. She does more than just put up with them. They are her life. She gives herself for them.
24. Discreet This is the opposite of being sexy. She does not carry herself about in a "sexy" way. She is modest in her dress and behavior.
25. Chaste She is sexually pure. She keeps herself for her husband and only unto him when married. She does not commit adultery or fornication.
26. Keeper at Home She is not a busybody. She loves to stay home and stays home. Home is where her heart is. She does not work out in the world unless she has no husband to care for her or he can't. If she is business-minded, she works out of her home.
27. Good Feminine women are good women. Good is the opposite of bad or evil. She is not bad in character. She does not do evil in practice.
28. Obedience She is obedient to her husband. Her desire is unto him (Genesis 3:16). He is the head of the family (1 Corinthians 11:3). Anything with two heads is a monster. She allows him to lead.
Our final text on feminine characteristics is found in 1 Peter 3:1-6, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."
29. Subjection She is subject to her own husband. This word is a military term. It speaks of rank. According to 1 Corinthians 11:3, God has the highest rank, then Christ is under Him, then the husband is under Christ, then the wife is under her husband, then last the children are under the parents. The feminine woman doesn't want to be the General.
30. Fears Properly She has a proper fear for the authorities over her. A reverential and holy respect. She is not proud, rebellious or stubborn toward Divine leadership, family leadership or spiritual leadership.
31. Desire Feminine women have a desire toward their husbands. He is the hidden man of her heart. She is not a "looker". She is satisfied with the husband she has. Her desire is unto him. (Genesis 3:16)
32. Meek Spirited Meekness is the inward strength to depend on God to fight our battles, meet our needs, take care of situations, change people, etc. without taking things into our own hands. Meekness is not weakness, it is strength. The inward strength to truly let go and let God.
33. Quiet Spirited She is calm. She rules her emotions and will very well. Proverbs 25:28, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." She is able to sit still and wait on God. She lets patience have her perfect work in her life and situations, James 1:4, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." She is not noisy and demanding.
34. Fearless She is not afraid with any amazement. Nothing amazes her. She is mentally and spiritually prepared for anything. Some things may come up unexpectedly, but she doesn't go to pieces. She doesn't lose her head. She doesn't become an emotional basket case. True feminine women are soft but strong. They have grace and beauty. They mix blue denim with lace. Don't be afraid to be feminine.
Ladies, inventory your feminine character by the Word of God. Only let the Bible be your guide in this matter, not the ways of the women of the world. The Bible will be your judge someday, not them. Notice John 12:47-48 "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
Pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to be the lady God wants you to be. Ask for the grace of God to help you in your time of need, Hebrews 4:16. God's grace will enable you in every good work, including these 34.
Here's His promise:
2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."
Do not try this on your own, ask for the help of the Holy Spirit and the Grace of God. Be feminine and be eternally rewarded!
Copyright © 2004-96
Permission granted to freely copy.
Scripture verses are from the King James Holy Bible.
It is absolutely wrong for a man to be feminine. It is so wrong that it is listed among other behaviors that tell us a person isn't really saved.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
If is so wrong for a man to be feminine, isn't it equally wrong for a woman to be masculine?
We live in a day where some women want to work like a man, dress like a man, curse like a man, spit like a man, drink like a man, stink like a man, play like a man, smoke like a man, chew like a man, fight like a man, boss like a man, swear like a man, etc. To be like a man is their highest goal and achievement. The pursuit of masculinity is their highest calling. Anything that man can do, they want to do. There are two problems with this:
First: Most of what man does is wrong.
Second: A woman has to stoop and lower herself to come down to a man's level. She has not achieved, she has demoted herself.
Because the world has come to this, many ladies are afraid to be feminine. After all, who wants to be different. It takes a great deal of courage for a woman today to be all God wants her to be.
The Bible is the textbook on femininity, not the feminists. The feminists are really masculinists. Women who wants to be masculine. Woman who resent being women. Women who want to be men. If you will look closely at them, the result of their pursuit is misery. Misery because their whole life is spent missing God's purpose in life. As a fish out of water or a bird with a broken wing, they cannot enjoy the intended purpose that God has made them for, and are too proud to humble themselves to find it.
Don't be afraid to be feminine, in the Bible sense of the word. These are the happiest, most fulfilled ladies on earth. Beside all that, we will be responsible for, and give an account for what the scriptures teach regarding this responsibility. As we then look forward to, and prepare to face God at the Judgement seat of Christ, ladies, consider these 34 characteristics of Biblical femininity:
1. Virtue Proverbs 31:10, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Virtue means to be clean and pure. To be morally excellent is a good quality.
2. Loyalty Proverbs 31:11-12, "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." Loyalty is the opposite of treachery. Jeremiah 3:20, "Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD." A feminine lady is loyal to her husband, her God, her church, her children, her Savior, etc.
3. Industry Proverbs 31:13-16, "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard." Industry is the opposite of laziness and sloth. Her energy is given to her household. The word "household" appears four times in Proverbs 31 as the direction of her industry. Many of the other verses in this chapter speak of her industry. She is not a workaholic hiding from God, she is industrious for God.
4. Strength Proverbs 31:17, "She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms." She is not a weakling. She becomes stronger and stronger in body, intelligence, emotions, spirituality, etc.
5. Ministering Proverbs 31:18-20, "She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy." She is not self-serving. The feminine woman ministers to others. She remembers the poor. She is a giver of alms.
6. Wisdom Proverbs 31:26a, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom ...." Wisdom is the ability to use and apply knowledge rightly. She fills her mind and heart with the word of God, and then uses it appropriately to every situation she faces in life.
7. Kindness Proverbs 31:26b, "... and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Feminine women are kind, in word and action. "Charity is kind," 1 Corinthians 13:4. Thus, they are filled with Charity.
8. Fear for God Proverbs 31:30 "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." Femininity fears God. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Feminine women do their duty.
9. Are Praised Proverbs 31:28, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Proverbs 31:30, "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." She is praised by her own husband and by her works. Her works for God are so obvious, that they cry out in praise of her. Only one other being in all of the Old Testament is praised, and that is God!
Now lets leave the Old Testament and look at more characteristics defining Femininity in the New Testament:
10. Benevolence 1 Corinthians 7:3, "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband." She receives benevolence from her husband, and also returns benevolence to her husband. Benevolence means "good will as a conjugal duty; to be well-minded towards; reconciled with."
11. Submission Ephesians 5:22, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Colossians 3:18, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord." With the type of submission that she has to the Lord, she also directs the same submission to her husband. "Submission" means "to be subordinate to, to yield under to." The same word is used in submitting to God in James 4:7 and to government in 1 Peter 2:13.
12. Reverence Ephesians 5:33, "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." She is in awe of her husband. She respects him with fear. This word is usually translated "to be afraid of, to fear." She has a holy devotion to him and fears him similar to her fear for God.
Let's look at more characteristics of Biblical Femininity from the following text:
1 Timothy 2:9-15, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But
(which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."
13. Modest in dress She hides the form of her body. Her clothes are long, loose-fitting and cover all of her nakedness. She does not dress in the "attire of an harlot" as mentioned in Proverbs 7:10, "And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart."
14. Shamefaced She has the ability to blush. Her eyes are down cast unlike a harlot whose face is bold toward impurity. (Proverbs 7:13-23)
15. Her Hair is Simple It is long (1 Corinthians 11:15) and simple. She is not trying to gain the attention of man by her appearance, but the praise of God.
16. Jewelry and Clothes Don't Mean Much to Her They are nice, simple and inexpensive.
17. Good Works She is clothed with good works. She is constantly doing good for her God, her husband, her children, her church, others, the lost, etc.
18. Learns God's Word in Silence She is not a "place seeker" in the church, but a humble student of God's word. She learns God's word and teaches the younger women (Titus 2:4) and her children. (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15-16) She doesn't seek to usurp authority over men when it comes to the public teaching of God's word in the church. She hears the preaching and teaching ministries in silence. She asks questions at home. (1 Corinthians 14:35)
19. Faith She continues in faith and in the faith. She trusts in God and believes in Him.
20. Charity She is a living example of charity as it is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:"
Let's continue to learn more of the characteristics of true femininity by looking at the text in Titus 2:4-5, "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
21. Sober She is intelligent. Being feminine does not mean she is dumb or a "dizzy broad." She is an intelligent woman. Sober means to be of a sound mind. She is ever gaining in knowledge.
22. Loves Her Husband There is a fondness in her heart toward her husband. She gives her life for him.
23. Loves Her Children There is a fondness in her heart toward her children. She does more than just put up with them. They are her life. She gives herself for them.
24. Discreet This is the opposite of being sexy. She does not carry herself about in a "sexy" way. She is modest in her dress and behavior.
25. Chaste She is sexually pure. She keeps herself for her husband and only unto him when married. She does not commit adultery or fornication.
26. Keeper at Home She is not a busybody. She loves to stay home and stays home. Home is where her heart is. She does not work out in the world unless she has no husband to care for her or he can't. If she is business-minded, she works out of her home.
27. Good Feminine women are good women. Good is the opposite of bad or evil. She is not bad in character. She does not do evil in practice.
28. Obedience She is obedient to her husband. Her desire is unto him (Genesis 3:16). He is the head of the family (1 Corinthians 11:3). Anything with two heads is a monster. She allows him to lead.
Our final text on feminine characteristics is found in 1 Peter 3:1-6, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."
29. Subjection She is subject to her own husband. This word is a military term. It speaks of rank. According to 1 Corinthians 11:3, God has the highest rank, then Christ is under Him, then the husband is under Christ, then the wife is under her husband, then last the children are under the parents. The feminine woman doesn't want to be the General.
30. Fears Properly She has a proper fear for the authorities over her. A reverential and holy respect. She is not proud, rebellious or stubborn toward Divine leadership, family leadership or spiritual leadership.
31. Desire Feminine women have a desire toward their husbands. He is the hidden man of her heart. She is not a "looker". She is satisfied with the husband she has. Her desire is unto him. (Genesis 3:16)
32. Meek Spirited Meekness is the inward strength to depend on God to fight our battles, meet our needs, take care of situations, change people, etc. without taking things into our own hands. Meekness is not weakness, it is strength. The inward strength to truly let go and let God.
33. Quiet Spirited She is calm. She rules her emotions and will very well. Proverbs 25:28, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." She is able to sit still and wait on God. She lets patience have her perfect work in her life and situations, James 1:4, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." She is not noisy and demanding.
34. Fearless She is not afraid with any amazement. Nothing amazes her. She is mentally and spiritually prepared for anything. Some things may come up unexpectedly, but she doesn't go to pieces. She doesn't lose her head. She doesn't become an emotional basket case. True feminine women are soft but strong. They have grace and beauty. They mix blue denim with lace. Don't be afraid to be feminine.
Ladies, inventory your feminine character by the Word of God. Only let the Bible be your guide in this matter, not the ways of the women of the world. The Bible will be your judge someday, not them. Notice John 12:47-48 "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."
Pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to be the lady God wants you to be. Ask for the grace of God to help you in your time of need, Hebrews 4:16. God's grace will enable you in every good work, including these 34.
Here's His promise:
2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."
Do not try this on your own, ask for the help of the Holy Spirit and the Grace of God. Be feminine and be eternally rewarded!
Copyright © 2004-96
Permission granted to freely copy.
Scripture verses are from the King James Holy Bible.
Friday, September 24, 2010
IFBKJV.com Blog Directory: God is Clean. Why Shouldn't Your Music Be? The M...
IFBKJV.com Blog Directory: God is Clean. Why Shouldn't Your Music Be? The M...: "THE MESSENGER There are two areas that relate to the messenger of the music. The first is the testimony of the person. The second is ho..."
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