She Does Him Good...

I have found that society has done no justice in teaching women how to properly care for her husband. Some of our mothers, grandmothers and aunts may have not done a superb job of it either. However, I'd like to try and shed a little light on the subject of caring for the delicate needs of our men.

If your husband is anything like mine, he is a provider and protector. He the strong. He is courageous and he is always willing to shield his family from the storms of life.

He is everything we want in a husband, but do you know what his vulnerability is?...

YOU!

Our husbands are quite vulnerable to us as wives. We have the POWER to keep him or push him away. We have the POWER to build him up or tear him down.We can use that ability to make him better or to make him worse.

The POWER of our words can cause our husbands to want to cleave or to leave. If we are the argumentative type that always has to have our way, then you will surely drive him away. He may not be gone today but with each argument, you will slowly wear away at the bond that holds you together.

Foolish Wife~ Proverbs 9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

Wise Wife~ Proverbs 31: 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

The POWER of our behavior can cause our husbands to trust or distrust us. Are we honest and upfront about what we spend out if the family budget? Are we honest about what we do with our time? Do we hide things from our husbands or lie to them? This includes what some call little lies like sneaking an ingredient into a meal that he said he does not like?

Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

It does not matter if he knows or not. When our children watch us do things that go against our husbands wishes we are teaching them that it's o.k. to disregard authority as long as you don't get caught. Dishonesty destroys bonds. How can you be made ruler over the greater tasks when you cannot be faithful with the little tasks?

Proverbs 31:10-12 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 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.

The Power of our appearance can influence or husbands to be better men of God. Our husbands are very much influenced by our carnal; appearance but I want to bring to light a more eternal appearance. Let us put on the apparel of obedience to our husbands.

We must choose to put this on each day. It is not a once and for all choice for most of us, but it is none the less...a choice. It is one that is made out of love and a willingness to yield to the will of God.

A husband can be encouraged in his personal walk with Christ to see his wife put on the characteristics of holiness, mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and forgiveness in our interactions with him and your children.

We all have areas where we are still learning and growing in Christ. Let us encourage one another towards excellence through the word of God.

Proverbs 24:3-4 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

What Do I Do Before the Storm?

Facing the storms of life can be one of the hard, yet they have the potential to empower us. In order for us to become successful at exiting the storms with our faith still intact, we must train during the times when we are experiencing peace in our lives.

Make it a habit to read the Bible daily. Find a time during the day or night that you can devote to reading a minimum of one chapter of the Bible each day. The word of God is a weapon and not reading the Bible leaves you defenseless.

Meditate on Gods word daily through memorization of scripture. Choose verses of the Bible that encourage you and think on them daily. If you are bold enough write them on your bathroom mirror and windows throughout your home. Use a dry erase marker which can easily be wiped clean. Imagine being able to meditate on His word while you wash your face and brush your teeth. How much more peace would you have reading his word on the window above the kitchen sink? If you store His word in your heart during times of peace, they will be easier to recall during life's trials.

Learn how to pray with power and faith. To obtain prayer that brings about resolution you must have faith in God. Your faith must lie in the belief that God is able to do what He promises in His holy scripture. You must also pray the will of God and not your own expectation. God will not operate outside of His will. In order to pray the will of God, you must have a relationship with God. This relationship is developed by reading the Bible, meditating on scripture, being obedient to the word and praying for an outcome that glorifies God. You must pray for Gods will even when the outcome is one that you do not desire.

Pray constantly and consistently. Prayer is not just for bedtime. Satan is banking on you not praying. He is hoping that you look at prayer as a redundant chore rather than an ongoing conversation with God. Please do not be fooled. It is Gods desire that we communicate with Him all of the time.

If you have been struggling in any of these areas pray and ask the Lord to remove those things that are drawing your attention away from Him. Make your desire to rekindle the relationship known to Him. God loves you and is waiting for you to come back to Him.

Your Labor is not in Vain

I sometimes find myself cringing at that messages that I believe God sometimes asks me to convey. For one I, like most people, on some level fear rejection and persecution. However, the fear does not run deep enough for me to refuse to be God's messenger.

Not only does the thought of rejection and persecution make me apprehensive but, so does the feeling of not being worthy. Nobody knows more clearly than oneself all of the sinful and reproachable things that they've done yet to still have God look at you and say "You are the one that I have chosen" is beyond comprehension.

Paul says it like this "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and HIS grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain...I Corinthians 15:9-10"

My spirit was burdened this evening with the thought of how passive we have become as believers. We have become passive in regards to Gods standards. We have brushed aside many fundamental Biblical principles by labeling them "Old Testament Legalism". We have strayed so far from the will of God that we have the audacity to scowl at God's word whenever it infringes on our acceptable status quo.

For instance, why do some "Christian" women become defensive when the word submission is spoken aloud? Is this not a biblical principle found all throughout scripture?

And why do some "Christians" give you the death stare at the mention of Halloween being a holiday that does not glorify God. I've had some "Christians" try to convince me of how they are not celebrating Halloween but, that they are celebrating "All Hallows Day" or "All Holy Day". Nothing I've seen in the way that "Christians" celebrate Halloween differs from the way in which unbelievers celebrate Halloween.

What if an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and told you that the reverencing of the "day of the dead" is repulsive to God, would your family fore go Halloween this October?

We, as believers, have formed some habits over the years which I will refer to as "worldly customs". These habits have become so normal for us that we are not even disturbed by there existence.

I flipped through the channels this evening and landed on the J.K. Rowling's special. The reporter stated that the first three Harry Potter movies grossed somewhere around 4 billion dollars. I silently wondered how many "Christian" dollars were included in that number.

The reporter then went on talk about the hours of research that went into choosing the spells, sorcery and witchcraft material included in the books and movies. I hear some "Christians" talk of how they must get the latest book for their children and I wonder if they've overlooked the fundamental biblical principle that says:

"When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.There shall not be found am long you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer". Deuteronomy 18:9-11 (KJV)

"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in a fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead". Deuteronomy 18:9-11 (NIV)

We must get past the lure of worldly pleasures and get back to the "Good Works" of God. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies...of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-20(KJV)

We are in a dangerous place as believers when we read the word of God and not be compelled to conform to it. This is an indication that we have accepted the ways of the world as normal. Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

That good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God is what I desire, so much so that I am willing to die for it I Cor 15:31. I mean that both physically and spiritually. I pray that I don't have to experience a physical death for my faith however, I do understand that in order for me to grow and change into the image of Christ that I must die spiritually.

If you are upset by what I have written and refuse to change, don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. The word of God is what it is. I will tell you that, I am not concerned with your hurt feelings. I am more concerned with your salvation.

God has given us the power to be victorious over the sin in our lives. If you realize that there are some habits that you have picked up that do not glorify God, begin by telling HIM that you have messed up. Next, tell him that you want to do better and that you need HIS help. Finally, implement and accountability partner. It could be your spouse, a friend or family member. You will need to surround yourself with support and encouragement.

This subject matter may be a touchy one for many believers and unbelievers alike. You may not all agree with what I have written however, this is my blog and if what I write is offensive to you in anyway feel free to disagree in the privacy of your own home.

I am not open to any confrontational comments or debates. I will not participate in vain disputes over faith. Either you agree or you don't. I will on the contrary, address civilized questions and or comments.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Children...Mama's Helper's

When our children were younger I devoted countless hours to their care and comfort. I attended to their cries and was readily available to shower them with attention.

As they grow older they learn to care for themselves more and more. My children range in age from 5-15 are able to operate the mechanics of our home short of the financial aspects.

From the first time that I see my children demonstrate a desire to take responsibility for themselves and their surroundings, I've taken advantage of that desire.

I have always raised my children as though I may not be around tomorrow.

I cultivate a desire in my children to be responsible for their property and areas.

I teach them how to make basic meals for them selves. The (2) younger children should know how to pour drinks, set a table setting and prepare a simple snack like crackers and peanut butter. They are taught to clean up after eating. The older children learn to prepare side items for meals and then the main courses.

The benefit of allowing children to take responsibility for the day to day operation of their home life gives them a sense of responsibility. The best part is that it gives mom a reprieve from caring for the basic needs of the entire family.

Spiritual Warfare

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

This is a passage of scripture intended to encourage warriors. Oh...did you not know that a warrior is one of your duties as a woman of God?

Yes, you are a warrior...one who is willing and able to do battle. However "we fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places".-Ephesians 6:11-12

In other words our battle is against satan. Satan wants to steal your hope, your joy, your peace and your salvation amongst many other blessings given to you of God.

Not only does satan desire to take from you, he also wants to destroy you, but God in His infinite wisdom has already made a way of escape. -Luke 22:31-32, I Corinthians 10:13

Paul uses the phrase "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection" as a way of describing rigorous training and discipling of the flesh. The spirit can be willing yet the body weak which is why we must study the word of God daily. In order for us to win any battle in our lives we must be prepared for spiritual warfare. The only way to be prepared is to be equipped with the word of God.

One of the most powerful weapons a women of God can posses is faith in HIS word. When satan tries to burden you down with financial woes, speak the word of God. As a result your outlook on the situation should improve. If it does not than you must consider whether or not you believe that God is able to perfrom. When we speak God's word in our circumstances we allow God to fight our battles.

That is the result of faith in God's word. Arguing with your spouse over troubles is not going to defeat satan. Choosing discord as a response to trouble gives satan the victory over your life. You must learn to speak the word of God into your life until it becomes alive.

God's word is a living word and it has the power to overcome any trial.

Ornaments of Meekness and Quietness

I Corinthians 6:11

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.

Have you ever found yourself doing the very thing you vowed you didn't want to do anymore?

You said you wouldn't fuss at your children any more. You said that you'd be more submissive and less argumentative towards your husband from now on.

All would go well...for a while and before you knew it you were back to yelling and rebelling.

You desire to have a meek and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4) yet somehow the ability to perform it eludes you.

Why is it that no matter how many times we vow that these are the characteristics we desire do they still evade us?

When we yell at at our children and argue with our husbands it is not good for us or for our families. It causes everyone physical, mental and emotional damage.

It is not so much the raised voice when speaking to our children, or the fact that we may disagree with our husbands that is the problem. Calling a child in a loud voice from one end of the house to come and clean his room is not damaging to his metal and emotional health. Telling your husband your opinion regarding a pressing decision is not what causes cracks in the foundation of your marriage.

The yelling and rebellion that cause the damages are the one motivated by frustration, irritation, disdain and malice.

When we go beyond sharing our opinion in a situation to nagging we begin to wear away at our husbands focus and ability to lead.

When we use yelling as a form of discipline we begin to tear down the fibers of our children's metal and spiritual health. We require that our children show self control yet we lose control of ourselves with every shriek and shrill.

We are the rebellious and riotous ones. (Exodus 4:1, 16:2, I Sam 15:23, I Cor.. 6:10). This behavior that displease the Lord.

How do we begin to become better......?