Arise and GO

I LOVE the New Testament. There is always so much to glean from the Bible if you are open and ready to learn. I always think of how the Bible tells us that if we ask we SHALL receive and if we seek we SHALL find. When we open the Word of the Living God we need to remember to ask with a humble heart and seek Him with our whole heart as well. He will become the desire of our hearts and He will give us Himself!
I have been praying over my Damascus. We are in a transitional phase as a family right now. Change is coming, but we are waiting for the direction so that we too can ARISE AND GO! I had everything color coded for easy reading and to illistrate the points I make below, but unfortunately it did not copy over. :( I'm sure its all more for my benefit anyway. :) Should anyone happen to read my blog, I thank you for taking the time to allow me to share what God has laid on my heart with you.


Acts 9:1-22:
 1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
 2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
 6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him,Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
 7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
 8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
 9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
 10And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
 11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
 12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
 13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
 14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
 15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
 16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
 17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
 18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
 19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
 20And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
 21But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
 22But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 

Acts 22:6-30

6And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon,suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
 7And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
 8And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
 9And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
 10And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
 11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
 12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
 13Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
 14And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
 15For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
 16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
 17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
 18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
 19And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
 20And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
 21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
 22And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
 23And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
 24The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
 25And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
 26When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
 27Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
 28And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
 29Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
 30On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews,he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Lessons learned:

I love how God provided others to lead Saul by the hand. They SAW the light, but could not HEAR the LORD. God used them anyway.
ARISE AND GO ARISE AND GO ARISE AND GO!!!!!! Right now we (my family and I) are in the days of prayer, God has not given us a vision of what He has next for us, but we want to be ready when the sight comes. Saul saw the light, but did not hear from the Lord until he humbled himself (pictured by him being on the ground and by calling HIM Lord with a capital L).
It is the meat of the word that gives us the greatest strength. :)
The Roman had to work for his freedom, but once paul met the LORD he was free, Christ paid it for him! That was his birth and he was free. I LOVE IT!
Paul had to wait on the Lord, 3 days he waited for sight and he also waited to be loosed. Sometimes we feel like we are walking blind. But when we kneel in prayer as Paul did, we know that God has a plan already in place. He knows what is in the darkness even when we do not. - Daniel 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Spiritual house cleaning

I have decided that keeping house is much like keeping a spiritual walk. The list can go on and on, but this is what I have.

1. It always seems to take longer to clean up the mess than to make it.
2. Making the mess can seem like fun, but cleaning up and be painful.
3. Anything you neglect WILL gather dust that others will eventually notice too.
4. Sometimes we have to help others clean up their messes. It may seem like we get nothing in return, but when we do it righteously it makes us look better too.
5. It is always nice to have it clean, cause you never know when the FATHER will return.
6. You can be cleaning the floors, and leaving a trail a filth at the same time!
7. Just cause you can't see the dirt dose not mean that it is not there, so sweep regularly.
8. When we live carefully, there is far less to mop up.
9. If you keep adding to the pile, it will eventually fall.
10. Spring cleaning get rid of a LOT of junk- some of it we forgot we had!!!
11. Sometimes we need help, but make sure the helpers are mature enough to handle the tasks!
12. The bigger the house the more can fill it and the easier it is to overlook the little things.
13. Dirtiness attracts bugs and unwanted guests! Some are hard to get rid of.
14. It is easier to welcome people in, when things are clean.
15. There is more peace in a clean home.
16. It is hard to share, what you can't find.
17. It does not matter what the job, or type of flooring, it can all be cleaned with the right tools.
18. Once behind, it is hard to catch up.
19. When your focused on the mess and the amount of work, things can seem overwhelming and attitudes can get bad.
20. When attitudes flare, perhaps some cleaning will help.
21. A good attitude makes everything go better. :)
22. PRAYER - there are not enough words to describe how this helps
23. Sometimes it is Dad who makes the mess, but we always learn something form cleaning it up- even if it is just patience.
24. There is always room for improvement.
25. God knows what's in the closet. (or under the bed)

The Redeemer lives- part 2

Luke 24:36-53
36And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43And he took it, and did eat before them. 44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

To continue on from the previous post, I want to point out that the 2 men have returned to Jerusalem (15miles round trip) and are telling the other disciples what had happened to them that day. If we look at John 20:19 we see that the disciples where hiding for fear of the Jews. Their leader was dead, it was rumored that they had taken his body, and they where known followers of someone who had been crucified 3 days prior. They where human and they where scared. They did not understand what Jesus had been telling them, and that lack of understanding led them to fear and disbelief. But here comes Jesus!! He gives the first 2 men time to make it all the way back to Jerusalem and as they are telling the others what happened He appears to verify their words.
Jesus offers the men comfort because the disciples are now afraid that Jesus is a ghost. The human brain is so foolish sometimes. At this point, it was easier for them to believe that the ghost of Jesus had just shown up than to believe that he had risen from the dead. Jesus patiently shows them that he is flesh. Ghost do not have skin and do not need to eat. He washes away their doubts. He is truly a risen savior. A ghost and a dead man have no power to save, but Jesus is neither. He is risen.

These men who where hiding from the Jews for fear of their lives, follow Jesus out to Bethany and then we see them continually in the temple praising and blessing God. The fear is gone! The knowledge of a risen Savior set these men free and filled them with hope and joy in a way that nothing else ever could.

The redeemer lives

Luke 24:13-35
13And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 1
7And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

I love this passage. It is full of pictures about Christ and ourselves. First I would like to point out that these 2 men where out walking, heading to a town called Emmaus. The rest of the disciples where gathered together hiding for fear of the Jews (John 20:19). I looked up the word furlong online. Here is what I found: wiki.answers.com- One furlong is equal to one-eighth of a mile, which is the same as 220 yards or 660 feet. Verse 13 states that this town was 60 Furlongs away. We can assume that they started in Jerusalem, because they heard the witness of the women when they told the disciples of Jesus' resurrection, and of the men who ran to the tomb to see if Jesus' body was really missing. If my math is correct 60 furlongs in equal to about 7.5 miles. I looked up the average walking speed of a human and found statistics varying from 3-4 miles per hour for the human male. So we can figure that if they walked the average speed for todays adult males they would reach their destination in approximately 2-2.5 hours. They had a long journey ahead of them and where already being brave to consider the journey at all considering the rest of the men where all hiding together back in Jerusalem so maybe they walked on the fats side, but I know that when I talk or am sad I walk a bit slower. If I have someone expounding on something very interesting I can easily come to a standstill.

These men where reasoning about Jesus and the things that happened to him. We see in verses 19-24 that they no longer thought of Jesus as the one who would redeem Israel. Not only had they lost a friend, they had lost the hope they felt in seeing the redeemer. Their faith had just taken a blow. I love how Jesus drew near and went with them. Isn't that what he does now. He draws near to us and feeds up what we need and slowly we begin to understand all it is that he fulfills and the purpose and need we have for him. In verse 28 we see that Jesus would have gone further. He met them where they where, on the road they chose to take to get where they wanted to go. He was not going to force himself on them. There came time for a decision on their part. Would they go their own way and allow Jesus to pass on through, or would they invite him in? Verse 29 says they constrained him and asked him to abide with them.

Revelation 3:20- 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Jesus was seeking them, wanting them to learn and believe, to invite him to stay with them. The choice was theirs. When they did invite him he went in and ate with them. He broke the bread and their eyes where opened. The word bread in the Bible is a type of the BIBLE. The bread, or the word, was opened and given to them and they saw Jesus once they chose to accept it.

These men who had just taken a 7.5 mile walk finally realized who they had been talking to. I love how they state that their hearts burnt within them. Deep down they knew, but they where not ready to accept it yet. They where allowing what logic was telling them to push away at the picks in their hearts and to push away faith. Logic said that Jesus died a death of crucifixion 3 days ago. Logic said that Jesus was the one who rose people from the dead, but Jesus was the one dead now. Logic said that because Jesus was dead they had trusted falsely in him to be the redeemer of Israel. Once they took the time to sup with the Savior, their flawed human logic went out the window and was replaced with faith, hope, and joy. That same hour they started back to Jerusalem. They had to tell the others! I can imagine them taking off in a sprint back down that road. The day had been far spent, but they where off! They had seen the Savior and everyone needed to know it. The Redeemer of Israel was alive!!!!!!

Signs we might be doing a bad job

I saw this article on the yahoo! updates. I thought it would be interesting to make a comparison between a boss and a parent. If these signs can show that we are hindering growth and development of those under us in the workplace, how much more would they apply to those under us in our own homes?

1. Are we short when answering our kids or our husbands? Do we take the time to "communicate" with them and give an explanation to the hows and whys? Do we consider how they might be feeling about something? Do we make those feelings a priority?

2. Do we sit and have conversations with our family members or is it mostly passer-by words, or yelling information through the house or car?

3. Is there an atmosphere of joy and excitement in our homes, or of gloom and boredom?

4. Does it feel like everything is rushed and hurried? Like nothing is getting done?

5. Are we yelling? Are we shouting? Even when we are not angry? Will our kids be able to tell the difference?

Should we be yelling even when we are angry? This answer is NO!! Those around us need to be able to listen to "what" we are saying and not "how" we are saying it? Keep the focus on the words and not on the attitude. A bad attitude can change the entire atmosphere of a home faster than almost anything. When a child even senses anxiety in the air, especially from the people who are looked on as their protectors, their whole demeanor and attitude can change. It may seem as if they are not listening to you, but in reality they are having a hard time focusing on anything you are saying because of what has been triggered emotionally inside them and in the atmosphere around them.

People are are told and trained to remain calm in emergency situations. Once panic breaks out, it is hard to provide any sort of safety for anyone. When a building fire alarm sounds, you are to slowly and calmly exit the building. I think of high school. The teachers would remind everyone to be calm- they set the emotion, and discouraged fear by their own attitudes and actions.

We set the emotions in our home. The little ones that are looking to us need to see the calm to help keep their emotions at bay. It should not be, "I did something wrong and now Mommy is angry". Yes, we will get angry. Even Jesus got angry when he saw what was meant for God being used for evil. The Bible says be angry and sin not. First of all, if we are going to get angry it needs to be for a righteous reason. If our children disobey, they need to have a consequence, anger should never be a consequence to their behavior. We should not try and punish our kids by showing that they have let us down and that what "they" have done is making us angry. It is not about us!!!!! That is what we need to show them. We need to show them how God feels about the choice that they have made, and what God tells us as a parent to do about it. It is very easy to forget that ultimately our children are not disobeying us, but are disobeying God.
Here is the article from Yahoo!.

Five Signs You're a Bad Boss

by Diana Middleton
Friday, February 18, 2011

provided by

When the number of employees Matt Kaplan managed at a lab at the University of Arizona in Tucson mushroomed from six to 30, the school called in a management coach to make sure he was prepared. What he learned surprised him -- his employees thought he was distant and didn't trust their work.

"The biggest challenge for me was realizing I couldn't do everything myself," he says. "I had to learn to trust my team, which was a gradual process."

Experts say many bosses are similarly clueless about their appearance to employees. Here are five signals you may be one of them.

1. Most of your emails are one-word long.

It may be efficient, but many bosses don't realize how curt a one-word email -- even a simple "yes" or "no" -- can be, says Barbara Pachter, a management coach and author of several workplace etiquette books. She calls it the "BlackBerry effect."

[More from WSJ.com: Inventing Management 2.0]

"Managers have a tendency to be abrupt, especially when they're answering emails on the go," Ms. Pachter says. "It comes off as an invitation for conflict. A simple addition of 'thanks' goes a long way."

Some managers craft even shorter emails. When Christina Marcus emailed an idea for a project to a former boss, he responded "Y." Thinking he was questioning her idea, she spent 20 minutes crafting a response. Turns out, the "Y" meant "yes," not "why." Ms. Marcus eventually left the firm.

[More from WSJ.com: Chief Reboots After H-P Scandal]

2. You rarely talk to your employees face-to-face.

Relying on email may be convenient, but bosses are increasingly using technology to avoid having tough discussions, says Robert Sutton, professor at Stanford University and author of "Good Boss, Bad Boss."

"No one wants to do the dirty work, but it's a boss' lot in life to deal with difficult issues," Mr. Sutton says. Face-time engenders trust with employees, adds Ms. Pachter.

3. Your employees are out sick -- a lot.

Employees will fake sickness to avoid a bad boss, says Mr. Sutton. But there's evidence that a bad boss may be bad for your health. A 2008 Swedish study that tracked more than 3,000 men over 10 years found that the men who said they were poorly managed at work were 20%-40% more likely to have a heart attack.

[More from WSJ.com: Banks Push Home Buyers to Put Down More Cash]

4. Your team's working overtime, but still missing deadlines.

New bosses are particularly prone to giving unmanageable deadlines to staffers, says Gini Graham Scott, author of "A Survival Guide for Working with Bad Bosses."

A human resources executive at a New York firm who declined to be named because she's currently looking for a new position, says that she began working 15-hour days after her new boss came on board. Her boss' first order of business: Promising more aggressive deadlines to clients. "She would tell the client, 'We can have this for you in three days,' which was impossible," says this woman.

5. You yell.

Even if you aren't screaming angrily at your employees, speaking loudly can damage workplace morale, says Ms. Pachter, the management coach. "Employees will constantly feel like they're being reprimanded, and they'll avoid you if there's ever a problem," she says.

At one of Ms. Marcus' former jobs every debate was a public forum, she says. "My bosses would shout freely across the office, even when they weren't necessarily angry," she says. "It charged the atmosphere and really killed productivity, especially when you were trying to figure out who you should be listening to."

more on women

Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is rottenness in his bones.

Genesis 2:23- And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

I like this comparison so I thought I would post it.

Women

Eph 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.

The word reverence used in this verse, comes from the word Phoheo, meaning to frighten, to be in awe of, revere, fear. This is the only time in the Bible that the word reverence is translated from the word Phohea.

1 Kings 11:2- Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

The word turn here comes from the word natah- To stretch or spread out, bend away (including moral deflection).

What are we giving our husband's hearts to cling to, things of God or things that will turn him from God?

Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Subject comes from the word hupotasso- subordinate; reflectively to obey: be under obedience, put under, subdue unto, submit self unto.

Rom 7:2- For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

The word bound means: bind, in bonds, knit, tied

Gen 2:22-23 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. ²³And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

1 Tim. 2:9-15 ⁹In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; ¹⁰But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. ¹¹Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. ¹²But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. ¹³For Adam was first formed, then Eve. ¹⁴And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. ¹⁵Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Titus 2:3-5 ³The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; ⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

In Titus 2:4 the word husband somes from the combination of 2 words which put together speak about THE 1 MALE FRIEND. This male is above all others and is to be viewed differently than all others to the wife.

I find it interesting every time I read about it that women must be taught to love there husbands. Men are commanded to.

Also in Titus 2:5 the word keepers means to guard, stayer at home, domestically inclined. Are we guarding our home? Are we working hard to keep it clean spiritually and physically. What are we letting the the doors of our homes? What are we letting come in on our TV's and on the radio? As the Casting Crowns song says, “It's a slow fade, when you give yourself away”. We must be on our guard because our minds, hearts and bodies are not our own. They were bought with a price. That is a lot to give away!!!!

1 Timothy 5:5-7 ⁵Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. ⁶But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. ⁷And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.

1Timoty 5:10-14 ¹⁰Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. ¹¹But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; ¹²Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. ¹³And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. ¹⁴I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

These verses are speaking about widows, but I still think there is much to gain from them for every woman. First, verse 6 says if we live in pleasure, after our own wants and desires, we are dead while we live. Verse 12 says that when we do that we are casting off our first faith. When we live for ourselves we toss Christ out the window. When we let the “THINGS” we think we want and sometimes feel we “need” dictate our decisions, behaviors and schedules we are lifting them above Christ in our hearts and end up falling in shame.

Verse 13 speaks of learning. It seems that we will always learn something. We do not have a choice in that, but we do have a choice in what we learn. Titus 2:5 had a list of what God would have us learn. We must surround ourselves with godly women who can be an example and teach us how to live righteously, otherwise we learn, NOT how to be blameless, but how to give ourselves over to the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16)!!!

1 Peter 3:1-7 ¹Likewise, 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; ²While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. ³Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; ⁴But 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. ⁵For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: ⁶Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. ⁷Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Verse 1: It is talking to wives here, not girlfriends!!! If you are dating someone, you want to show respect and Christ in everything you do, but you are not under submission to that man until you are married. You have under your Father and/or your pastor, and most importantly God. Once you are married you receive your new role.

We do not have to be in subjection to others husband, only our own!!!! What our husband tells us to do is what we do, not matter what “So and So” says or thinks. We should never feel any pressure to side with anyone over our husband, unless it is God!!!! Even if your husband is wrong, you are to submit!! It does not say anywhere that wives are to submit only when they know for sure that their husband is 100% correct!!! Only if your husband asks you to go against a clear teaching of the Bible do you have the obligation (NOT RIGHT) to say NO.

Our husbands can be won by our conversation! The word conversation here basically means behavior. How we behave will impact our husbands! Our husbands will be beholding us, what our husbands see can impact how they live their lives. It is funny how much men seem to really want to impress their wives. To do things that will make their wives see how “wonderful” and “manly” they are. They want our attention, they seek it!!! WE can build them up or tear them down with our behavior. If we behave righteously than we will build them up and show them vertue at the same time. They will see us a more valuable than ever before. We will learn to reverence them!

Verses 4-5: WE are not to be overcome with vanity and worry about the physical beauty. When the inner man is beautiful the outside will be too. We can adorn ourselves by being in subjection to our own husbands.

Subjection: means to obey, or to submit. It is a combination of 2 words, the first means under and the second means to arrange in an orderly manner.

When we try to claim authority over our husbands we are going against our purpose and our place in the marriage and it becomes disorderly. When the woman wears the pants, no matter what some may argue are benefits, the relationship between the husband and wife will always be under a great burden.

Verse 7: We ARE the weaker vessel!!

The word weaker is translated from a word meaning more feeble, without strength. It comes from 2 words. The first speaks of UNITY, the second speaks of GAINING STRENGTH!!

We must unite with our husbands in order to gain strength!!!!!!

1 Cor. 7:2-5

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. ³Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. ⁴The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. ⁵Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Consent: sounding together, agreement

Incontinency: want of self restraint, without self control

We always seeking more. I think that we American's are some of the most pathetic people when it comes to exercising self control. Unless forced by some kind of restriction we do not feel we can get around, we have a tendency to just go with what feels good, or looks good, or sounds like fun. How often do we spend our money on meaningless things. As long as the money is there we go ahead and spend, once it is gone we wine internally about not being able to get things or do things or have things. Why is it JESUS is not enough for us????

1 Cor. 7:13-16

¹³And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. ¹⁴For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. ¹⁵But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. ¹⁶For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

Once again, the way we behave ourselves can have a huge impact on our spouse.

1 Cor. 7:34

⁴There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

As a married woman pleasing your husband should be very important to you. You are to CARE about PLEASING HIM, not pleasing yourself!!!!

The word please here comes from a greek meaning: exciting emotion, to be agreeable.

That greek word comes from a word meaning to lift, and to take up. We are to be uplifting to our men, to excite their emotions and to be agreeable. Don't gripe and sulk when he wants to drive around aimlessly, when he wants to take a late night trip to Home Depot just so he can walk around. Show him you care, PLEASE him by submitting. Instead of grumbling about how much his flighty ideas or laid back attitudes annoy you, find ways to smile about them. Think about things that will calm you if you want to have a bad attitude. Remember the special times you have shared in your relationship. See ways to make this moment another special time, instead of ways to wallow in misery.

1 Cor. 7:39

³⁹The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

I wanted to put this verse in here just to show again that there is a difference in the areas of wife verses girlfriend. And to simply remember how very important it is to remain pure in our relationships. When we are married we enter into a special bond and relationship that is not to be taken lightly.

Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. ¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. ¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. ¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. ¹⁴She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. ¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. ¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. ¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. ¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. ¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. ²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. ²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. ²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. ²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. ²⁵Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. ²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. ²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. ²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. ²⁹Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. ³⁰Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. ³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Verse 11: I love that we can be the type of woman that our husbands can trust with their whole hearts.

Verse 12: Key words here are WILL, DO, GOOD, ALL, HER- a virtuous woman will continue to do her husband good all the days of her life, even if her husband is dead!!!

Verse 13: She works willingly with her hands.

Verse 14: goes out and does not return empty handed, she brings necessities

Verse 15: Takes care of the house, no matter what time it is. She redeems the time and uses it wisely to build up her house and the people in it.

Verse 16: She CONCIDERS, then BUYS, then PLANTS- She is thoughtful about how she spends her money. Not a wasteful spender. She gets things that will be beneficial for her family.

Verse 17: She does what is necessary to stay strong

Eph. 6:14- The truth of God- His promises are her strength

Eph. 6:16- Strong in faith- She is prepared to quench the fiery darts of the Devil.

Rom. 10:17- She spends time in the word of God

Verse 18: She perceives who God has made her, sees it as good. She sees what God has given her to offer her husband and her family as good. She is not overcome by doubt or discouraged by the words of others.

Verse 19: If something needs to be done she does it.

Verse 20: She cares for and helps the poor and needy

Verse 21: She does not have to fear for the provisions of her family because she has spent money and time wisely to provide for them with what God has given her. When hard times press in on them, she is not anxious, because she trusts in the Lord.

Verse 22: She covers herself. Dresses to honor her husband. She does not wonder around like a slob because she seeks to please her husband. What she has is precious.

Verse 23: People see something in her husband. He is an honorable man. Able and ready to lead.

Verse 24: Helps provide with the talents that God has given her.

Verse 25 Clothed with strength and honor. People notice ti when they see her.

Verse 26: When she speaks she says wise things and Godly things. She does not waist her words on gossip, being contentious, or angry words. When she opens her mouth it is to edify and draw people to the wisdom of God's word and not things that will lead them away.

Verse 27:She KNOWS what is going on in her household, she is not idle.

Verse 28:Her children call her blessed. Her husband calls her blessed and praises her.

Verse 30: Having the fear of the Lord will bring her praise.

Verse 31: If we are virtuous our work will bring us praise, but if not, than we will receive shame.

The Bible list both good and bad traits of women. Here are some verses for each. There are a few that have already been listed above I think.

GOOD

Proverbs 11:16- A gracious woman returns honor

Proverbs 11:22- Fair woman without discretion is com paired to a jewel of gold in a pigs snout

Proverbs 14:1- A wise woman builds her house.

Proverbs 31:10- The price of a virtuous woman is far above rubies.

Psalms 113:9- God wants us to be a JOYFUL mother of children. To keep a house is a blessing from the Lord. PRAISE THE LORD for that!

BAD

Proverbs 6:24- Will flatter with her tongue- evil and strange woman

Proverbs 6:25- Beauty and eyes- her physical lures can bring a man down

Proverbs 6:26- A whore can bring a man to a piece of bread- an adulteress will hunt for the precious life

Proverbs 6:34- Jealousy is the rage of a man- Don't act in ways or get yourself into situations that will provoke jealousy from your husband. (They can get jealous over the time you spend with you kids and how you treat him verses they way you treat your family)

Proverbs 9:13- A foolish woman is described as clamorous, simple, and knowing nothing.

Proverbs 9:14-18: Entices men and guides them to the paths of hell.

Proverbs 14:1- foolish woman plucks down her house with her own hands

Proverbs 21:19- It is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a contentious and angry woman

Proverbs 25:24- It is better to dwell in a corner than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 27:15- Contentious woman is like a continual dropping on a very raining day.

Proverbs 30:20- An adulterous woman says she has done no wrong

Proverbs 31:30- Beauty can lead to vanity- it will not bring glory to God or yourself in the end.