Attributes of a Virtuous Woman - 4

I think....no, I know one major thing Satan tries to attack us with as believers, especially women, is fear. I've gone through periods in my walk with the Lord where I feel completely safe and secure in Christ, then all of a sudden, for absolutely no reason at all I'm overcome with fear. About a year ago, Satan tried attacking me with fear, in the area of my health. It wasn't like anything was even wrong with me at the time. Now, I face certain health issues, but the Lord has been so continually faithful through it.

I all of a sudden became so fearful of death. It was like Satan kept trying to tell me I wouldn't live long, that I would suffer from illnesses and all sorts of things....and I literally had anxiety attacks over it. But why? I understand that fear can creep up and grab us, yet at the same time, God is in control. I was actually headed to the Midwest Worship Leaders Conference the weekend I was dealing with this (figures, right?) and I remember that very day I struggled the sermon that night was all on Psalm 91. Needless to say, God poured His abundant mercy, truth and love on me that night. I couldn't help but to have faith and confidence in HIM that He was the One who was sustaining my health. And now, although I do have health issues (none fatal or near fatal praise Him..) I can trust in Him abundantly to get me through all the tests, and hospital visits and so on. He is the One true and living Healer.

Yet, on and off throughout my time going to Bible College and now, over this break being home, I seem to struggle with fear again. It's like Satan creeps in and tries to lie to me about my ministry, my future, my time at Bible College...and it's only because he's ticked off that God wants to do a tremendous work in and through me (to Him be the glory). So, how do we handle fear?

I think as women, there are so many things that fear can do to us, and we can get attacked with fear in so many different areas. If you're married, your spouse, your children, your jobs, your ministries, your health, your thoughts...all these things can affect you either good or bad. Fear is something that Satan will try to use and continue to use until we give in to believing the lies.

In the beginning of this semester at Bible College, the Lord taught me a lot about my circumstances. I began to realize more and more that I was changing my attitude, my thoughts, my countenance based on my circumstances around me. Well, if we always changed our feelings because of our circumstances wouldn't we all be all over the place? It doesn't matter what is going on in your life, it's HOW you are handling the situations that arise. What happens to your relationship with the Lord when bad things come your way? When good things come your way? It's easy to praise God in the good things...and to keep steady and faithful in our walks when these good things happen, but what about the bad things? The Lord gave me 1 Corinthians 15:58 over the Summer and starting out this semester, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain of the Lord." I knew that the things going on around me SHOULD NOT change my attitude, heart, or countenance. I should always remain faithful to the Lord, my ministry, and my relationship with Him. One thing that I believe makes a godly woman beautiful is exactly this.

She's ESTABLISHED in her walk with God.

When I think of the word, 'established' I also think of, settled, fixed, planted, grounded, firm, immovable. These words mean loads when it comes to our relationship with the Lord. As women, let's get serious, it's easy to sway one way or another when circumstances arise in our lives. I won't lie, women are very moody. We have the tendency to let something as stupid as our hair in the morning, to ruin our day. And why? Who cares? I've learned that I must ask myself this question, "Is this an eternal matter? Will this matter once I get to heaven?" I really don't think my hair style, the gossip I hear about me, or spilling milk on myself will matter in eternity. Yet it's how I handle the situations that will matter. If we take a look at anger, we see many times in Proverbs that a contentious woman is not one to become. Here's just a few:

Proverbs 21:19, "Better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman."

Proverbs 27:15-16, "A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand."

As women, we have a tendency to allow our circumstances to affect the way we are. It's super easy to get grumpy, annoyed, angry, or tense when something hinders our moods. I know for me, I catch myself lately thinking something, and then letting it get to me, and then ruin my whole day but not just my day..everyone's day! That isn't godliness...that's just contention and it isn't something we should be attaining. I love again what it says in 1 Peter 3:3 that we are to have the gentle and quiet spirit. No where does it say we should allow our emotions and circumstances to get the best of us.

And that's why Satan tries to use fear so often, because he knows that it can grip at our minds and hearts and tear us up inside. For some odd reason, ever since I've been home from school, I have been super crazily spiritually attacked. Fear has continued to grip me in every area of my life. You name it, I'm terrified. As I was really struggling yesterday I had to literally just get away from my family and lock myself in my room and fall on my face before God to pour out my heart before Him. So clearly I heard that still small voice, "This fear does not come from the One who calls you...." I knew it. I knew that my fear was NOT of God. What does the Bible have to say about fear? So many things. Here are a few verses the Lord has given me in regards to the fear I've been experiencing.

1 John 4:18, "There is NO FEAR in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

Psalm 118:5, "I called on the LORD in distress; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear."

Romans 8:15, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but your received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'"

2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of FEAR; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Isaiah 26:3-4, "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength."

I have been continually reminded that fear DOES NOT come from God. We should not make the mistake of mixing up fear and discernment. Sometimes, I know for me, the Spirit will give me discernment about something, and if I am rebellious and refuse to obey, I become fearful, but why? Because I'm disobedient, and because I know it isn't the Lord's will. Rather, when I am walking with the Lord, obeying Him, following His law, and seeking Him wholeheartedly, and fear creeps in in regards to ministry, future, ect ect... I know it isn't discernment..it's spiritual warfare. I knew this, and I know this. I know the fear I have been feeling is NOT from the Lord. God doesn't give us that spirit of fear.

What have I let my fear do to me? Cripple me, literally. It causes me to just sit in my room, all alone, crying, and sleep. Seriously! And that's exactly where Satan wants me to be. Yet, I know, that God has huge plans for my life....and that's why Satan's angry.

Ladies, it is so important that we do not let our outward circumstances dictate our actions, our motives, our thoughts, our hearts. We must SET our hearts on things above! I always fall back on that verse, because I know that this life will always let me down someway or another. I'll get sick, someone close to me will pass away, I'll get hurt by a friend..whatever it may be... life WILL let me down, but where's my heart lie? What have I set my heart upon? If you're allowing your outward circumstances to dictate the feelings or emotions of your heart, that tells me where your heart truly lies. And honestly, I see the ugly truth about my heart every day! When I'm being a little brat, I need to pinpoint the starting of it all...and see why I am being that way. It all goes back to the heart. It's a heart issue.

I'm not saying that we won't grieve or be upset when our family members pass away, or a spouse ends up divorcing us, or our best friends come down with terminal illnesses...or those types of things. Ecclesiastes 3:4 is clear when it says, "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance..." It is OK to be grieving over circumstances that are truly detrimental to our every day lives. Yet I'm talking about the little things in life. 

I know a woman in our church who honestly, is the most wonderful woman of all. Her life has left her with many losses, heartbreaking circumstances, continual sadness, and yes she cries, she wonders why, but her heart is continually and always planted in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other believers. And you know something? The joy I see in her heart because of Christ tells me that her outward circumstances may cause her pain, but it doesn't allow her ministry to be hindered because of them. And it is simply beautiful to see. What an example she is to me.

I want to take a look at Esther. Esther was a woman of confidence and hope in the Lord. When her circumstances seem to look pretty grim she turns to God...and she gives herself over to prayer. In a time when she was chosen by the King among all the royal women to be Queen, Esther was faced with a pretty hard task. Her people, the Jews, were going to be annihilated unless she went into the King and talked with him. In those days, to go before the King without being asked to come was against the law. Anyone who dared to go into the King without being asked could be killed immediately. I bet Esther had no idea what God had in store for her life when she was chosen as Queen! If only she knew that the well being of the entire Jewish people at that time lay in HER hands! It was up to her to talk to the King in order to save her people. It says in Esther 4:16, "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" 

No doubt Esther probably felt worried, scared, and a little perplexed! But what did she do with her situation? She gave herself over to PRAYER AND FASTING. And, she also had for her other workers to pray and fast for her too. It was as if Esther knew where to turn. I know for me, I don't always turn to God right away, I often times turn to earthly sources or the wisdom of my friends or parents.  But Esther was wise in her decision to give everything entirely over to the Lord. It showed in her heart that she TRUSTED God, SURRENDERED to God, and BELIEVED that God would help. No doubt Esther had faith in her heart as she interceded on behalf of her situation. If we look ahead to chapter 5 of Esther, it says in verse 2, "So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of his scepter." The King automatically found favor in Esther as she was standing there. God was super faithful and gracious. He knew that He had brought Esther to that position, in that place for 'such a time as that' as it says in Esther 4:14. 

What an example to us as we see God's faithful hand of provision all over Esther's life. Ladies, I just want to encourage you with this: God KNOWS what He's doing! If He brings you to something that seems impossible, difficult, unbearable, He is going to bring you through it! Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts I think toward you,' says the Lord, 'thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.'" God has GOOD for you! He has allowed things in your life to continue to grow you, strengthen you, and fix you more into the woman of virtue He's called you to be! 

Isaiah 64:8 says, "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand." 

God is at work in the regularness of our days. He fashions things in our daily plans that allow us to trust Him more, and rely on Him more. Think about it. If we never had any issues, how would we grow in trust? In reliance? Dependency? God doesn't want us relying on our own selves to get through things....we NEED Him, and we must realize that unless we wake up morning by morning dying to self, we will never be able to survive a day. I love what it says in 2 Corinthians 7:11, "For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner; What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter." When we cling to the cross in times of desperation, sadness, loss, worry, anxiety, depression or discouragement...God is every faithful to pour upon us His goodness and rest. He will never leave us desolate or empty. God doesn't desire to see us wallow our in circumstances, but He has come to DELIVER US from our circumstances, and why? Because He IS love. He loves us so much that He pursues us continually. He doesn't get some sort of joy and satisfaction from seeing us hurt or going through trials. Yet trials produce so many wonderful things. James 1:2-4 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." 

The fruit that will come out of your trials will be incredible if you handle them with Jesus. We can try so hard to take matters into our own hands, or to fix our problems, or try to rush the things God has planned...but just simply lay them at His feet. It doesn't mean He'll make them go away in two days, or that they'll get easier...but He promises to carry you through them.

This is what is most important: regardless of your circumstances, cling to the Word of God. Dive into it. Saturate yourself in the scriptures. Make sure your first priority in the morning is Jesus, your only source of help is Him throughout your day, and your only remedy to bedtime is Him as well. He must must must be your first priority, your main priority, and your last priority....your EVERYTHING. Because if He isn't, you will find yourself in a heap of trouble. I've continued to learn this more and more. Now, more than ever do I see myself saturating myself in prayer and the word when I'm feeling the teeniest bit discouraged or broken down. When I know Satan's trying to attack me with lies, I fall on my face and give it to God. No, it doesn't always go away, and sometimes it comes to hit me in the face even harder, but I know and trust that God is at work in me. He won't leave me desolate or wondering. He has my entire life figured out.

I was finding that my fear was even beginning to cripple my endurance. I quickly remembered what it said in Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every WEIGHT and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." I needed to realize my one goal in life was to glorify God, serve Him, and run swiftly after Him every moment of every day...but I was hindered and why? The weight, the burden of my fears. Let them go! I needed to lay them aside and continue running as much as I possibly could in faith, confidence, trust and assurance that God is the Author and Finisher of my faith. He knows what lies ahead and He will get me there regardless.

Fear is no match for God. Fear is something that comes from utter darkness, and God is the Light of the world. He WILL quench the darkness if we allow Him to take hold of our situations. Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." 

Go to Jesus. Look unto Jesus. Fix your eyes on things ABOVE. Allow your heart to be established in the heavenlies. Begin to realize you are a sojourner, a pilgrim, passing through on a more beautiful and eternal home. Have your hands diligent to work for the Lord, and He will establish your thoughts. When fear, or any other type of warfare tries to trickle in...run to Jesus. Chase after the scriptures. Dive yourself into prayer. Ephesians 6:10-11, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." 

Our armor must be put on daily. We will never overcome spiritual warfare unless we are continually giving ourselves over to God, dying to self, and clinging to His word. 

Ladies, have your heart set on Him, and Him alone. He will never fail you, leave you empty, desolate, hurting...He always fulfills, always supplies, always lifts up, always sustains....He is our suffiency. One verse that really really stuck with me over the past few days was 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5, "But the LORD is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." 

The Lord is FAITHFUL! He is in the process of establishing you, and He will continue to. It's a beautiful thing when your heart is set on Him. It shows where your strength lies, your hope lies, your confidence lies, and your trust lies. There's no greater place to be than right in the center of where God has you.... good OR bad.

Proverbs 4:23-26, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established."

James 5:8, "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

Colossians 2:6-7, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."   

Attributes of a Virtuous Woman - 3

Throughout high school and beginning of college I always admired women in my life who seemed to have that 'something' that I didn't. God brought me a few wonderful, super godly women in a time when I truly needed it most. I was living life half for me, half for the Lord, not fully surrendered, still falling into my sin...and I knew that something needed to be done, a change needed to be made. God brought me my mentor, and what a sweet godly example she's been the past four years. I am amazed at how God's has woven her friendship and I so beautifully. She always had something that I didn't, and even those older women in my church had something I didn't either. They were completely, sold out, 100% for the Lord. I mean, nothing...and I say nothing held them back from exactly what God wanted them to be, and for what God commanded them to do. It was like their lives were completely unhindered.

I saw the difference in them, and truly, I wanted that beauty. It was a trait that I seriously needed so much work on...and I know even today I still need work on it! Yet, God began to show me throughout the years that it wasn't earthly things I needed to be chasing after, or friendships, or possessions, or anything other than simply seeking God. He kept showing me that my heart wanted to be swept away by Him, and in Him, but I was either holding onto worthless things, or simply not surrendering everything I had unto Him. When you see women of godliness around you, they have that precious beauty. They have that 'something' that other women in Christ desire...that sold out, unhindered, wholly surrendered, completely devoted, wonderfully captivated heart for Jesus. That's what I want. Not just once a week, twice a month, or at some random points in between...no. I want that every, single moment of the day. This is the third attribute I want to just talk about a little bit, and it's:

A Captivated Heart 

The term captivated came into my mind just the other night. I have been so super blessed to see how God continues to work in my heart those little details that I know He needs to prune, strengthen and continue to grow. I always have work that needs to be done in me, and quite frankly, my heart isn't always captivated. But the hunger, the yearning, the desire, the passion I have in my heart to know His word, to seek Him out, to simply grow in Him and love Him whole heartedly...I don't want that dying out in a few weeks. I want it to last for a lifetime. Captivated was the word I could think of. 'God, make me captivated daily in Your love.' Truly... it rung so true in my heart. 

Captivated (v): To influence and dominate by some special charm, with an irresistible appeal

I look at that and I can't help but to think of the love of Jesus. Truly, His love is so captivating to me. I think back upon all He's done for me. I knew that even walking in my sin before fully surrendering, He was pursuing me so beautifully. I was convicted every time I fell, and I knew in my mind and heart what the right thing to do was...I was simply being disobedient. God was, and is so so so patient with me. His love never fails me...I am amazed by that. It says in Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

His faithfulness continues to grow in my life, even in those times when I'm being disobedient. Now, a woman whose heart is captivated by God is one who willingly surrenders everything in order to obey Christ. She is able to look at her circumstances, regardless of what they are, and walk in obedience, in humility, in uprightness, and most of all in joy. I have been convicted lately at not giving thanks and praise to God enough for all He's done. In our prayers it seems so easy to ask for things, spill our guts on what we struggle with, tell Him the things we need (as if He doesn't already know...) yet when do we simply just stop... sit... hush... listen... and THANK HIM for all His goodness? I love the story of Mary and Martha in the gospel of Luke. It says in Luke 10:39, "Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word." She just sat there. She heard Him, listened to Him, and sought Him out. While Martha on the other hand, was too busy doing a million things at once. Women have busy schedules throughout the day. Whether it's work, classes, cleaning, cooking, whatever the case is...we're busy. Yet there's a fine line between working and doing what God has called us to do, and simply sitting at His feet and resting in Him as we seek Him.

I was convicted of this lately. Being home over winter break is definitely different. I can't truly say there's a whole lot for me here at home, but I knew that in this season of my life, the Lord called me home for a short time. Yet the Lord began to show me that my time here at home, was for me to simply serve my family. Help them out. Go above and beyond what I used to do, and love them, serve them, clean for them, cook for them, ect. So I would wake up in the mornings, have my devotional time, and clean house. Yet some days I thought to myself, 'Well, I want to clean the house, but I have to do my devos first.' 'Well, maybe I'll just spend all day cleaning.' I was torn. I didn't know how to balance my time, and the Lord quickly reminded me of Mary and Martha. He calls me to do both: to take care of duties, and to seek Him. Splitting the time up wisely is something I need to learn, and I continue to learn it. And it wasn't like I was spending my free time watching hours and hours of television, or shopping, or doing anything else...I was doing what the Lord called me to do. Study and work, study and work.

Now, I do lose track of time and get caught up in the random things...but they're not important. It isn't wrong to take time to go shop, or to watch some TV, or do whatever...but where are the priorities? I'm learning that a woman whose heart is captivated by God and for God is a woman who learns to balance her time. And what is she doing with that time she has? Are they things that edify, build up and continue to grow her in the Lord? Or, are they things that don't necessarily do any of that stuff? Sure, shopping isn't wrong and it can't damage our relationship with the Lord (unless it's an idol), but how do you want to be truly spending your time?

I love what it says in Proverbs 31:15-16, "She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard."

Man, I love that! Not only does she rise while everyone is still asleep to get the day started for her family, but she helps others. And I love verse 16. The virtuous woman CONSIDERS BEFORE SHE DOES SOMETHING. Ha! I have to laugh at my own stupidity with that one, because seriously 90% of the time I do NOT consider before I do anything! The Lord is working on me with that, but she considers something before she even buys it! This can go along with other things too. Like, considering your words before you speak them, considering your thoughts before you act on them, considering your decisions before you make them, considering what you want before you run after it and cause problems..... us woman have a problem NOT considering things before we act on them. It's huge. Proverbs 18:15 says, "The heart of the prudent considers knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."  The heart of the prudent...the disciplined one. Ladies, we must DISCIPLINE ourselves when it comes to certain matters! Thinking things, acting on things, impulse buying, spilling our guts, allowing our emotions to be worn on our sleeves....these things are awful once the world sees them. Proverbs 18:2 says, "A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart." I love that, too. We must consider the things we are doing BEFORE we do them! The virtuous woman considered, THEN she bought. And what did she do with the things she gained? She worked MORE with them! She didn't get money and then go spend it on her own selfish pleasures. No, she used it for the better of her household. Spending is a huge issue in homes. It's good to learn NOW how to be wise with money, careful with income, and how to balance it all wisely.

The woman whose heart is captivated by the things of God is one who is willing to be wise and cautious when she does things. Our aim as women of God should not be (like I've said a trillion times) the things we can gain, the attention we can get, or the possessions we can attain...but our desire should be to know His word, to know Him through prayer, and to walk obediently with Him. Those things have all been said before..but truly, they're the things we have to grasp.

Psalm 119:97 says, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." Is God's word the one thing you go to every hour of the day for advice? Do you run to God to find wisdom? Or do you go to family and friends? Do you fall on your face in prayer when you're in anxiety or do you rush to talk to someone else? Who is your first option? I know mine isn't always God. I can easily call my girlfriends, or talk to my mom, or try and even seek the 'wisdom' of the world instead. Why? I have the One who can give me an abundance of things I need, and a plethora of answers that I'm looking for. But honestly, half the time I don't receive the answers is because I don't go to Him for them. When our hearts are not so concerned with seeking counsel from above, why would God freely give us the things we are looking for? Why would He show us if we don't come to Him and diligently seek Him? I firmly believe one thing women lack to seek after is wisdom. Wisdom from God is one of the most precious attributes we can seek after. Women whose hearts are captivated by God YEARN for His wisdom. They can't get through the day without it!

I'm going through the book "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George...and she made an excellent point. One that's pretty common sense, but when I read it I was like, wow. She said that she learned throughout her years in ministry to never ever make a decision without praying about it first. That means, should she lead that homegroup study? She prayed first. Should she drop her house cleaning time to spend an afternoon with her friends? She prayed first. Should she allow her son to go play at his friends house for a little while after school? She prayed first. Should she travel across country to speak at a women's retreat? She prayed first. Some of these decisions big, others not so big..but regardless of the SIZE of the circumstance, prayer was her forefront. God was the One she sought after for answers. Make NO decision without prayer first. It seems sensible, but it's something we always forget. I'm quick sometimes to say yes to something, whether it's a Bible study or coffee with a friend, before even praying or considering it. Then I look at those past situations, and 90% of the time I backed out and went back on my word, because I didn't pray first. Both awfully wrong. As a woman of God, our 'yes' needs to be 'yes' and our 'no' needs to be 'no'. No wishy washy business.

I loved my first semester at Bible College...sometimes. I knew I needed to grow so much (and still do..) but I would see certain girls around campus who had this peace, this tranquility, this love, fervor, passion, and contentment that I just lacked. I was always anxious, always needing something. I learned quick that my heart wasn't captivated by the things of God. My heart was taken by the things going on around me. Whether it was my grandma's cancer, or my dad's surgery, or my sudden illness, or the person who didn't treat me well, or whatever it was...my heart was drawn and taken by circumstances. I found myself completely uneasy, anxious, restless, and uncomfortable. I couldn't find myself to be at rest in Christ, even when I tried, because my heart wasn't fully captivated in Him. My heart sought after other things.

What is your heart seeking after? Trust me, no high paying job will offer you eternal fulfillment. No relationship with a guy will give you the filling in your heart you're desiring. No party or socializing will fulfill what you're looking for. When our hearts are completely surrendered, wholly devoted, ultimately captivated by the things of God...it is THEN can we experience the abundant life.

Esther was a woman of incredible strength. Even in the midst of her crazy circumstances she was content with where she was at. She trusted in her God, and she knew that she was brought to the palace for such a time as this. Her exact words were, "If I perish, I perish!" (Esther 4:16) She had that beauty about her, that strength and confidence...but not in herself. She had it in the Lord. Ladies, where does your confidence lie? Your strength? Your hope? If you find yourself waking up with low self esteem, self-conscience thoughts, thoughts that you'll already have a bad day....ask yourself where your heart lies. What is holding your heart at that moment? Clearly, it isn't Jesus. It says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." If you're feeling that way, chances are your heart isn't on the altar yet. You're obviously carrying baggage you shouldn't be, or resting your hope in something that isn't of the Lord. Either way...get it right before God. He already knows, but you need to be willing to surrender it and say that it's His, not your own.

I was reading Matthew tonight and I love what it says in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your TREASURE is, there your HEART will be also." 

So wonderful. Where's your treasure? Where's your heart? You can't have them in two separate places. God desires ALL of you, ladies. Not just the bits and pieces...but all of you. I've seriously found, that by thriving on His word, in communion with Him, and simply serving those around me in love, I am completely captivated by Him. He blows me away. His love continues to make me fall on my face in complete adoration, pure devotion, unhindered heart, surrendered life.... I mean, what else IS there? What else could POSSIBLY bring that much abundant joy? 

I'm going through the gospel of John, and I just love love love chapter 15 of John. In John 15:9-17 it says, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you jeep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in You, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another."

There it is. Love. It is love that will allow us to serve, pray, and be diligent in seeking Christ...but not our own love. The love of Christ. We must pray that God would send His Spirit upon us to show us how to love those around us, to love His word, to love prayer, and to love serving others. It isn't easy..but it's part of the basis of our ministries. And let me tell you, wherever you are, whatever you're doing...IT IS A MINISTRY. Whether that's sitting in a cubicle all day, cooking and cleaning, Bible studies, going to rough parts of town witnessing...whatever it is, IT IS YOUR MINISTRY. God has called you there for a specific purpose, to fulfill His purposes, and wherever He places you...be there wholeheartedly.  That's what He's called you to, so don't wish you were somewhere else. It's so easy to say, 'Lord, once you hand me into the ministry full time in the church I'll definitely be sold out serving you.' What about NOW? Where are you NOW? It's not easy to learn! I've had seasons where I did absolutely nothing and had to just sit, wait, and fold laundry...but that's what He gave me. Be faithful NOW. It starts...NOW.

I pray that your hearts would continually be captivated by the beauty of the Lord. Man...He is so beautiful. Have you just sat down, opened the Word, and gleaned from Him? Some of you may be thinking, with your schedules it's impossible...but if you're thinking that, again, reconsider your priorities. Your relationship with Jesus is THE MOST IMPORTANT relationship you will ever have. It begins everything else. It starts it all. It is the driving force to all that you do. It controls everything you think, feel, act upon, desire, and say. It is so important. We seem to forget that. Write down DAILY what time you're meeting with the Lord, and keep it. Don't break it. Your life depends on it.

May our hearts continually grow for His love, His wisdom, and His word. May we yearn to praise Him in our prayers, in our actions, in our thoughts...in the deepest parts of our hearts. May we CHASE after His heart....and I mean chase after it! Look at what you're chasing after. If it's a thought, a desire, a hope...stop it. Chase after God's heart, chase after His law, His truth, His righteousness, His hope. It says in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be FILLED." 

Be filled with the deep things of God. Yearn to know Him. Desire to seek after Him. Love Him unconditionally...because unless you do, all other things in your life won't be stationed right. Once you get right with God, He will get your life in right order.

Praying our hearts would continually be captivated by His beauty, enraptured by His love, enthralled by His holiness, and drowning in His presence. Because truly....there's nothing better.

"Honor and majesty are before Him; 

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary." Psalm 96:6

"Your testimonies also are my delight

and my counselors." Psalm 119:24

"I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord

is my rock and fortress and my deliverer;

My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, 

my stronghold." Psalm 18:1-3

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the

word of our GOD stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

"But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of

the king's delicacies." Daniel 1:8

"Turn to Me with all your heart. . ." Joel 2:12

The Attributes of a Virtuous Woman - 2

One of my favorite verses would have to come out of 1 Peter 3:3-4 which I actually chose as the theme of my blog. It reads, "Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--rather, let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."

That verse has been used so many times in my life throughout the past few years. The Lord has shown me through brokenness that life isn't about beauty, popularity, or being the one noticed...but through quietness, gentleness, sweetness, and a humble heart. The second attribute of a virtuous and godly woman I want to study and take note of would have to be:

Quietness:

(n)-in a secretive manner; in secret; tranquil

It may seem kind of strange to think about...quietness. And I know for me, this one is constantly hard to learn. I am quite outgoing, in fact, back in high school I got in trouble a lot for talking too much...ok it actually started in kindergarten. No joke! Yet, the Lord has shown me over the past few years and months, that like I've said, popularity is nothing. And there is much fruit that can go along with godly women knowing the goodness of being quiet.When I read the definition of quiet I thought it was interesting. It can literally mean to be secretive. Not in a cunning, deceitful or sneaky way. But I think as women we have a few issues with being quiet and quiet in spirit, as it says in 1 Peter 3:4. 

Women in our world today are notorious for telling us to follow our hearts, speak our minds, and 'go for it' when it comes to guys or promotions in the work world. All those things, to me, are against biblical standards of a virtuous woman. First of all, we've talked about following our hearts before. It is wrong, unbiblical and dangerous. It is quite clear in the book of Jeremiah that our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked, and that NO ONE can understand it. It's so true. I've had many situations in my life where when I followed my heart, I brought more heartache upon myself. Yet when I surrendered those things unto the Lord, regardless of what my heart felt, I yielded peace, and comfort because God was the One who led my heart...not myself. But seriously...when we 'follow our hearts' we only end up in destruction. Through prayer and consideration in the Spirit can we be sure that the Lord will lead us and guide us.

Speak our minds? This one is a pretty big one, especially in a world where feminists are on the prowl constantly. They look at the Bible and think of it as sexist, because women are told to submit under their husbands, submit under the authority, and to be gentle and quiet in spirit. Now, do I think it's biblical that a woman sit back and not stick up for herself? No, of course not. We are called, in the Spirit, and lovingly, to stand up for righteousness. Yet, it is NOT our place to be higher than men, demand benefits above men or authority, or to be outgoing enough where our hearts are worn on our sleeves.

That one is a big one. I know for me, I used to be notorious for wearing my heart on my sleeve. But truly, it's so unattractive.  A godly woman doesn't need everyone to know her deepest darkest thoughts, secrets, and faults. It says in 1 Peter 3:4, that what is precious in God's sight is a gentle and QUIET spirit. When we look at the Proverbs 31 woman, we see that the only time she opened her mouth was with WISDOM and KINDNESS (Proverbs 31:26). She was a woman who had excellent things poured upon her lips, she was careful with what she said, and she didn't speak up a whole lot. Throughout the entire chapter of Proverbs 31 we see that the virtuous woman mainly worked and tended to the house. She gained strength, and she only opened her mouth a few times, but when she did, she spoke beautiful things. I can't picture the virtuous woman opening her mouth with hateful words, her hearts lustful desires, her brazen attitude, or contentious words. The entire book of Proverbs talks about the contentious woman. It says in Proverbs 27:15-16, "A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; Whoever restrains her retrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand."

Angry, brazen, women who have awful attitudes...why would we want to be like that? It only causes strife, and our households won't be glad to have us around. I think it's a sweet and precious honor that God has given women the privilege of tending to the house. We get to set the mood for our families, we are the ones who take care of it, nurture it, and create a sweet atmosphere for those who live in it. It's never good to throw your emotions around any time you feel like it. Our emotions change on the drop of a dime. We're happy one moment, angry the next. We fight with someone, and then ten minutes later talk of how we're best friends with the person. I'll be the first to say women are very emotional, and kind of crazy! I won't lie! Yet, how do we handle those situations? Are we making sure that our outward circumstances don't change our hearts? Our countenance? Our foundation? It's true...our outward circumstances have the power to change our entire moods. Something as simple as a bad hair day can cause us to be annoyed and take it out on everyone around us, but ladies, it is NOT wise, attractive, or godly to be wearing our emotions on our sleeves like that.

What happened to the beauty of mystery? This goes with relationships too. Don't tell every guy you have a crush on that you like them. Don't be the pursuer. Do not let yourself fall to the standards of the world in the way of men. Be gentle and quiet in heart and spirit. Seek out the Lord, and let the Lord lead the right man to you, who will PURSUE YOU, who will pray and be led to YOU. It isn't old fashioned, or ridiculous, it's biblical! It's never a beautiful thing when you let the entire world know every intricate detail about your life. It is GOOD for women to profess a gentle and quiet spirit. 

The other lie we're told is to just go for it. Don't wait around, grab what you want, take what is rightfully yours! That's just another dangerous way of getting hurt, and going against what God has clearly spoken when it comes to authority. I love the Psalms. Over and over again do I read the term, 'Wait on the Lord!' 

The Lord taught me, and is teaching me a lot lately, what it means to simply wait on Him. It's so precious. No greater comfort, peace, joy, contentment and satisfaction do I find than sitting at His feet and simply waiting there. It's the quiet, still, beautiful place. When we are anxious, needy, it's so important that we bring our cares before God and just wait on Him. It says in Proverbs 28:20, "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."

It's clear that being hasty to go after what you want isn't necessarily a good thing. The world will tell you to be bold and go for the things you desire, but it isn't wise.

Being secretive in a godly way is great gain. It's good to intercede with things that are on your heart, but it's dangerous to go around telling everyone about what you're feeling inside. The only place you can go to know that your prayers and hearts desires are safe and sound, is to the Lord. He is the One who will hear you, keep your requests quiet and safe, and He'll never go telling other people. You may have the best friends who keep secrets, but truthfully, go to God first..always. Let your requests be made known to HIM, then His peace will comfort your hearts.

Often times I think we go to other people with our worries, concerns, and needful advice because we think they can help us solve our issues. But, why don't we just simply go to God? It is through God we have our prayers heard, answered, and kept safe. It is through God that we can accomplish the impossible. It is only through God that we can trust Him with everything we have. Man will fail you. They will let you down and often times betray your trust. So, why not just go to God? Now, I think it's wise that we seek godly counsel from older, wiser godly women. Discipleship groups and Bible studies are wonderful, and we should get involved! But, when we're hanging around with our girlfriends, what are we spilling? Gossip kills, and truthfully it isn't a beautiful quality trait to be attaining.

I know girls are famous for gossip, and I know for me the Lord has continually been showing me that speaking ill of a person is super sinful. My thing is this: If you can't walk up to the person and tell them to their face what you're thinking, then you shouldn't be thinking it at all, let alone SAYING it! Gossip has the possibility of destroying families, relationships, and reputations. Let's not fall victim to that.

Ladies, I just want to encourage you. I'm not smart, wise, or know much of anything...and I'm sorry if none of this made sense to you. But, my heart is for a spirit of quietness and gentleness. I am a firm believer that what makes a woman beautiful is her quiet spirit.

I actually heard it from a few guys this semester that the one HUGE turn off in a girl is her brazen attitude. That means, her desire to be seen, heard, noticed, and popular. A few guys at school told me that they couldn't believe what they saw this semester. One guy told me, "I've never seen it like this before...some of these girls are alllllllll over the guys." 

Really, ladies? It saddens me. Yet, I'm to blame, too! I fall short of this. It isn't YOU, or HER, or the other person, it's all of us and we need to be sure that our conduct is modest and upright.

I guess it all goes back to humility too. But it remains, a woman of a gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in God's sight. So, let's pray for kindness, gentleness, quietness, and self-control. I love what I read in Galatians 6:22-23 tonight, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Let's pray that the Lord would continue to teach us of these fruits in our own lives. That we would daily, and continually yearn to walk in the Spirit, and not go near any of the lusts of the flesh.

"...to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." Titus 2:5
 

"Be still and know that I am GOD; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10

"He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly." Luke 1:52

Attributes of a Virtuous Woman - 1

I am so thankful that the Lord has given women the wonderful examples of virtuous women in scripture. There are countless women in scripture who I look up to dearly. Mary, Abigail, Elizabeth, Esther, Ruth, Rachel...the list goes on. These women attain virtues that I find so beautiful. Their hearts were completely enraptured in the love of Christ. Their reputations didn't matter, their safety didn't matter, their desires didn't matter, they were able and willing to surrender to the Lord regardless of the outcome or circumstance that arose. One of my favorite stories would have to be of Mary in Luke 1. I just love how God chose her, above all women, to bear the Son of God. When she was perplexed and asked how it could be, she continued with replying, "Let it be done to me, according to your word." Mary bowed her knee to the One true God. She trusted in His plan, and even though she couldn't fully understand why, or how, she was willing to do whatever the Holy Spirit spoke of. To me, that is a godly virtuous woman.

There are so many attributes to being a virtuous woman. Most we will not be able to attain apart from the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives, yet we as women in Christ ought to be praying daily to be conformed more into the image of Jesus. We should yearn to grow more in the grace and knowledge of Christ. We should desire to grow into godly women, women of virtue, excellence, honor and strength. Every day is a learning process, and each new day gives us new abilities to have our eyes open to what God wants to do in and through us.

I really want to write the next few blog posts about different attributes the virtuous woman attains. I love this, because for me, I know I need to learn these things over and over again. I am yearning to grow more into a woman of excellence. A woman of holiness, righteousness, honor, humility, and so on. I know that I fail every day. I don't attain these, I struggle with keeping a pure heart, and I fail at walking a lifestyle of godliness all the time. I have to honestly sit in awe at the wonder of who God is. Knowing that He chose me, foolish, wretched, sinful and awful as I am..to love others, encourage others, pray for others, and be held accountable for the work of the ministry. I love what it says in 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." When I think about that, I can't help but to think of where the Lord has brought me up out of. So many things He saved me from, then used for His glory to put me into the ministry. It's incredible. My heart is for the women. My heart is to encourage, pray for, build up, and exhort them. I love that as women and sisters in Christ, we can grow in each other's burdens, love one another, encourage one another, pray for one another. I can only pray that the Lord would continue giving me a heart to grow more into a Titus 2 woman. A woman of respect, humility, honor and virtue.

So, as I study up and continue growing in whatever the Lord wants me to write about (which, I'm so thankful any of you even READ these! hahaha) I pray that you are encouraged, challenged, convicted, comforted, loved, peaceful, restful, and I, too, will pray for the same for me.

The first attribute of a godly woman I want to take note of is: Humility.

 The Lord taught me huge lessons in humility this semester. I learned a few things. Humility isn't always an easy lesson to learn. Sometimes, it can be learned easily, other times, you may have to kick and scream in order to fully learn the value of it. I know this semester I went through both.

In the dictionary, the word humilty  means: Expressing, reflecting, or offered in a spirit of submission; ranking low in hierarchy or scale; Not costly or luxurious

I thought those definitions were interesting. We first see that humility reflects submission. That was a huge one for me this semester. In order to walk the abundant life God had for me this semester, I was called to submit under His authority in a huge way. One that I had to kick and scream before hand. Yet, as I clung to the Lord through it, and submitted under what He was commanding me to do, I reaped huge blessings. I reaped the fruit of joy, peace, comfort and love. My issue with it all was that I was being disobedient in the first place. So naturally hurt and pain would be the cause of being obedient to Christ. Sometimes, obedience requires everything. I remember when I was being submissive to the Lord, He comforted me with so many verses. One passage of scripture He gave me came out of Luke 14:25-33. If we are disciples of Christ, sometimes we are called to forsake everything we have in order to take up our cross and follow Him. We must sit down and count the cost. In verse 33 it says, "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." I knew that laying these things aside in obedience to the Lord was exactly what He wanted...but I was kicking and screaming. He didn't relent until He had it all, and when I finally became obedient, wow was He patient, gracious, and merciful to me. Man, don't you ever think of how lame you are for delaying your responses to God? I know I do. And I can't help but to glorify God in all His patience towards me. I am so undeserving, yet He continues to pursue me in such a beautiful way, and His patience reaches far beyond what I can even fathom. It's incredible.

I eventually reaped blessing after blessing once I was willing to surrender these things to the Lord. It was so hard at first. I questioned, wondered, pondered, Satan tried to make me double think my decision, but God was gracious to continue to comfort me with scripture after scripture, and He even used random people to confirm things He had spoken to me in quiet. Our God is incredible. I knew that forsaking all my own desires and wants for the Lord was going to be a bigger blessing later on, and He really made that clear.

Humility is learning to be submitted, surrendered, and forsaking all we have in order to glorify Christ. There was a sweet precious quote I heard once... it said, "To learn humility is to learn contentment in all circumstances. Humility is not in what we own or achieve, but in maintaining a teachable attitude, a willingness to bend to the will of the Father." I love that. In order to be a woman of humility we must be teachable, but most importantly WILLING. Willing to surrender, sacrifice and submit under anything and everything God requires of us. 

 The second definition was ranking low in hierarchy or society. Think about that. You rank low. In our world's eyes, ranking low is something they don't favor. The world is constantly trying to teach people to push forward, be the best, be first. Pride is huge, and I believe that's why it's one of God's abominable sins. Pride is destructive, and a woman of God resists proud people and proud attitudes. This is so true in the ministry. There is no way God will place you in the ministry unless your prayer is to be invisible and brought low. I've had to learn this lesson a few times, the hard way and the easy way. This semester was one huge blessing after another. I sought after humility with all my heart. The Lord has shown me that this attribute of a Godly woman is so precious. I began to realize that my prayers were no longer wanting to be popular, social, or out there, but I prayed to be brought low so that HE can be exalted in my life. I prayed to be invisible. I prayed to be hidden, unseen, so that I could just truly focus on Him and His word. Then things began happening that I never expected. I got asked to be discipled by an amazing godly woman on staff, women's Bible study opportunities opened up, I got asked to serve on student services next semester, I got asked to be a dorm steward...one thing after another opened. I got the blessed opportunity to help teach Sunday school at our home church. I mean, one thing after another, and each one so unexpected. I was in awe at what God did. I was confused too, thinking, 'How do these people even know who I am? I'm not around often.' Then the Lord reminded me of my prayers. It was because I didn't want to be seen, or noticed, or popular. God will never use popular, haughty or pride people in the ministry and why? Because glory always seems to g back to them, never the One who is robbed of it. Glory belongs to GOD and Him alone. How dare we try and strip Him of the glory He deserves. Humility comes with precious blessings. Ones that I didn't even see coming. And I realize that I, too, can fall at any time. I am not immune to sin, yet I'm prone to wander. My heart is constantly having to look at itself to see whether or not it is pure and acceptable in the sight of the Lord. It's rough sometimes, but it's so needed.


The third and final definition is that humility is not costly or luxurious. I just so love this. Think about the things you desire, the things you own, the things you want in the up coming years. Are they costly? Are they material possessions? I think of clothing as one. I love clothes, and the Lord has taught me over the past few years that buying costly clothing is not necessary. I am just as happy purchasing shirts at Wal Mart than I am going to Express or Gap. Because, truly, I don't need those things. It says in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, "in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or COSTLY CLOTHING, but which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." Women do not need costly clothing. If you're out shopping and you see a shirt that costs over $50, really, re-consider your options. Even $40 is a bit pricey. Every one has different convictions. I know for me, it just isn't practical to be spending that kind of money on clothing. I never used to be that way. Oh man I used to be spoiled. I'd ask for $200 jeans, $80 dresses, ect. Yet the Lord convicted me, and honestly, I can't stand shopping now. Don't ask me to go to the mall because I won't enjoy myself. And truly, unless I need to go buy something necessary then I'm not going. I probably haven't spent money on clothes in over a year, and I'm okay with that. The Lord had to show me what was truly important. I'm so thankful He did. But it's true...being a woman of humility means you're willing to say no to the luxurious items. You're willing to forsake those costly things in order to do work for the kingdom.


Sometimes it's hard...but it's worth it. One main picture I have in my mind when I think of the word humility is a picture of someone bowing down, lowly, feeble, and weak. I guess it's because as a woman of the Lord, I want to be able to come to Christ in humility, needing His grace, needing His sufficiency and needing His strength. Again, I can't do anything apart from Him. I was feeding on Psalm 16 today and I just love the second part of verse 2. It says, "My goodness is nothing apart from You." That rings true in my life. I can do no good apart from Jesus Christ. I can't even have a civil attitude towards someone unless the grace of my Lord is poured upon me that day. It's crazy how our hearts and minds work apart from the Lord. It's scary. But a woman of humility attains the things that pleases the Lord. She desires that He be first and foremost. She's willing to be molded, shaped, chiseled at, broken down, built back up, torn apart, glued together. I have to continually understand that my days are numbered, and the great God of this universe owns them. It would be a shame, and utter waste for me to live them as if I run them. My heart must be abandoned, surrendered, devoted, unhindered, undivided, and completely on the altar of sacrifice in order for me to glorify Him hour by hour. My prayer must be that I be brought low in order for HIM to be exalted, to be hidden, unseen, set apart from the world and from the craziness of it to spend time with Him, seek Him, love Him, and commune with Him.

I said this over the Summer at our purity conference and I'll say it again. God has given us the most beautiful gift.. communing every day with Him. Seriously, what better relationship could we have other than the one we have with Him? Communing with God shouldn't be just something we do ten minutes out of our day, but rather, every hour of every day. Go to God in prayer in regards to everything. Seek Him out on the deep matters, the little things, the huge things, the miniscule things, the ginormous things...He cares, and it matters.


Your days will pan out so much better with a humbled heart, a willing heart, and a submitted spirit. I love the picture of Mary when she gets word that God has chosen her to be the one who carries Jesus. She bowed her knee and proclaimed, "Let it be to me according to your word." Pure submission, right there. What about Esther as she was called to go to King Ahaseurus and reason with him? Her words were, "I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish! (v.16)" What about Ruth? When deciding to go with Naomi wherever she went, she declared, "For wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried." She was willing to go to great heights in order to submit and obey.

Ladies, we must learn this lesson daily. Humility is a beautiful, precious thing to attain. No one loves a proud look, and those who do are usually of the world, so why would we want to gain favor from the ungodly? A few verses to leave with that I think are precious are: 

James 3:13, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom."

1 Peter 5:5-7, "Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility for, 'God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Colossians 3:12-13, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."  

James 1:21, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

My prayer as women in the Lord, would be that with hearts bowed, lives surrendered, we would come to a daily realization that to be a woman of godliness means we are to be willing to submit and humble ourselves to whatever the Lord requires of us. These things may be rough to let go of, others may be easy to say goodbye to, but regardless of what God is calling us to do, shouldn't we obey? 

Praying for each and every one of us, to be women who seek out humility daily. For the Lord is the One who desires for us to wear it around us daily. 

 

walk in liberty.

Liberty (n): The quality or state of being FREE; 

An action going beyond normal limits; 

Unoccupied

Let's face it, there's something in every persons life that requires letting it go. There's always something that seems to hold us back, keep us down, haunt us over and over again, or suck us back in. Who's fault is it? Do we blame God for the things in our lives that ensnare us? Or do we look to ourselves?

Lately I've been going through Psalm 119. The Lord has given me such a strong burden for that passage of scripture. I read it over and over again and become amazed each and every time. It's incredible to see how liberty is shown all throughout that portion of scripture. As I think back on my life before knowing the Lord, I was in bondage to so many things. I tried clinging to the material things of this life in order to feel contentment and joy. There's the problem though. I was trying to FEEL those things, not attain them. There's a huge difference.

I hate the fact that our society has robbed little girls of their innocence. They've tainted their minds, and shown them false love in movies, music, and television. This is the common theme of today: Follow your heart, you won't go wrong. It's sad, because our hearts usually allow us to 'feel things'. In the Christian life, we have NO business feeling anything worth saying it's from the Lord. It says in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?" Don't follow your heart...instead, LEAD IT to Jesus, the cross, and to holiness. 

It's a dangerous thing when you tell people, "I feel as though this is right." But is it? Our Christian walk shouldn't be based on emotion, because if that was the case you'd be all for Jesus one day and not for Him the next. Look how wishy washy your relationship with Him would be. But instead, it should be based on TRUTH. Liberty, along with all sorts of different attributes, shouldn't be something we feel but we attain. In Christ, because of His death on the cross and the blood shed we have beautiful liberty. We are free from sin, no longer subject to bondage. 

One huge thing the Lord taught me this semester was that when I woke up every morning I had 2 choices. I could easily begin my day down, discouraged, and walking everywhere, clinging to the lies of Satan OR I can choose truth, walk in truth, and faithfully know that God is on the throne and in Him I am complete. Psalm 119:30-31 says, "I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me, I cling to Your testimonies." 

 

Every morning we have a choice, ladies. We can choose to give in to the lies of Satan and this world, or we can easily choose abundant life in Christ. I know for me, I struggled for a few years with body image. I was daily walking in the lies that I wasn't thin enough, pretty enough, tan enough, bla bla bla...the list goes on and on. So for so many days and weeks and months I wasted my energy, my heart, my thoughts on trying to be better. I did so many things that I thought would alter me and 'make me a better person'. So self focused. This semester at Bible College the Lord really showed me that I was basing my feelings off my circumstances way too much. I had to realize that I had two choices. I could easily believe the lies, or forsake them to be free and chain free. I realized it this way: Jesus took my sin upon that cross, my failures, struggles, things that held me back, they were nailed at the cross on Calvary and He didn't desire for me to walk in them anymore. So, why do I? Why should I? I have the gift of liberty because of what He willingly did for me... what could be better than that? I can easily walk in the paths of truth and righteousness. I'm not saying temptation won't arise, because it will. Satan will try anything and everything he can to kick you when you're seeking the Lord. But that's why diving into the scriptures and saturating yourself in them is so so important. Refute the lies with truth. Light always conquers darkness. 

I came across this verse in Psalm 119 today. Verse 45 says, "And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts." I love that. I will walk at liberty because of Your word, God! His word gives LIFE. It gives FREEDOM. It gives BLESSING. It gives OPPORTUNITIES. It gives REFRESHMENT. It gives..everything good we could gain from Him. Everything. So, why don't we seek Him more? Why don't we cling to the Word when those lies flood in? Why is it we try and reason in our minds when lies come, or try to argue with the enemy. Flee! Flee far away from that. Any time a lie from Satan tries to enter your mind being praying, meditate on scripture, and recite scripture.

A few nights back I was at my grandma's house and I was all of a sudden so burdened, so discouraged, so heavy hearted. I just cried out to God and began praying. It was way past midnight and I felt like I needed to get up and just pray. He quickly gave me Psalm 16:7, "I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons." God was right there with me, late at night, giving my heart comfort and delight. It's because His word is proven and sure. It doesn't return void.

When we are faced with struggles, temptation, lies, or past sins, we must must must cling to the Word and pray. It's the only defense mechanism that will work. Don't try to reason with the lies, don't try to ponder them, rather, flee from them.

It made perfect sense to me when I came to that realization of two paths in this life. The pathway of truth and the pathway of lies. Common sense right? Yet the Lord really allowed it to hit home to me this semester. I needed to realize that I had two choices, and why not simply choose truth? 

Choosing the truth over the lies has obviously brought rich fulfillment. The Lord has blessed me in this season of my life beyond measure.

What are you giving into each day? Lies? Struggles? Truth? Jesus? Our God is not a God of confusion, nor is He a God who causes anxiety or unrest. The peace that surpasses all understanding will guard us! Seek His peace and pursue it as Psalm 34 says. It brings great delight.

God wants for you to be abundant. He knows your struggles, temptations and past sins. Don't walk in the past, walk on to what He has for you. He has freedom. Don't let the past hinder you, and any sin you are living in now must be abolished before you can walk righteously and abundantly in Christ Jesus.

I'm so thankful that God has freed me from alcohol, self-dependency, abusive relationships, unhealthy relationships, self-worth, sexual sin, and so many others. I can now say I walk in liberty because of what Jesus Christ came to do for me and for my sins. They are no more. I am abundantly blessed that He took them, nailed them, forgot them, and now chooses to use me to minister to those who struggle with the same thing. Our God is mighty, and He is greatly to be praised.

 

"And I will walk at liberty,

For I seek Your precepts."

~ Psalm 119:45 

 

abundant life.

The Lord is so faithful to have brought me my mentor in the midst of walking in darkness. I remember when I just started college, I was probably at my lowest point. I was in a horrible, abusive relationship, seeking material and fleshly desires/lusts, yet I knew that in my heart I was completely empty. I was struggling with so many worldly things, and at that time I felt like I had gone too far. I felt as if there was no hope for me. I think that's one huge thing satan uses in the lives of people who backslide or struggle with sin... It's too late for you. God will never accept you anymore. Such a bold face lie. I knew back then that I was in 'so deep' and that there was no way I could come back to Christ. Yet, deep inside my heart I desperately wanted to. There was always the lie of, What will your friends think of you? What will the world think of you? They'll think you're a Jesus freak...you don't want that. Truly, that's another awful lie that he tries to get us with. Isn't it super crazy how the world can so easily darken our perspective? That's why we need to be so sure to dive into the Word, and get to know Jesus. That way we can refute the lies with scripture and truth.

The Lord is so faithful. I love how He continually pursued me even when I was in the world, and I knew it. Every time I fell into sin I was convicted. I felt guilty, unclean, not right. I knew that I had grieved the Lord, yet I felt so stuck. Entering my freshman year of college the Lord brought my mentor, Katie into my life. Her and her husband moved to our church without knowing anyone. Yet when I met her I knew there was something definitely different about her. She was such a godly woman, and I immediately looked up to her. With only knowing her for a few short weeks, the Lord put it on her heart to start disciplining  me, and my close girl friend. At the time I thought, 'Ok, that would be cool.' Even though I was mixed about it.I was in sin, so sometimes it was fun, did I want to know the truth and feel convicted? Of course not. I didn't want to know the truth. Yet, I knew I needed a change in my life. I knew that I needed SOMETHING more than what I was doing already.

Katie was the biggest blessing at the time. Little did I know the Lord would use her at the perfect time, to bring me back to the Lord, surrender my life completely over to Him, getting called into full time ministry, and then growing in my heart for the Lord and for women's ministry. Katie and I had similar, if not weirdly exact testimonies. The struggles she faced growing up, in high school and college, I too faced and was facing at the time I met her. She was able, through the Lord, to minister to me, pray for me, and be there as an encouragement. To this day we are best friends. I've seen her grow in her marriage, have now 2, beautiful wonderful baby boys whom I love...and it's been a huge blessing for her to know me before Christ, and now walking in Christ.

All throughout our times in Bible studies and discussions, the theme of her life had been "the abundant life". She spoke at a few purity conferences, and always talked about the life she has in Christ, in abundance because of the cross. I guess I never truly pondered that. The abundant life. But now, as I finished my second semester of Bible College, being halfway done, the Lord hit home, hard...to show me what living the abundant life truly is. Yet the Lord showed me this semester true abundance. I have never before understood fully what the abundant life was all about. I am so blessed and thankful that the Lord shows me different things in different seasons in my life. Here's one thing that really hit home to me this semester: Contentment brings abundant life.

All my life I had struggled so much with being discontent. Whether that was with where I was living, in being single, in not understanding the plan the Lord had for me...whatever it was, I knew that I was never fully content in Christ and in Christ alone. This semester the Lord showed me what contentment truly was. I had been praying that my reason for existence, my entire satisfaction would be based on being alone, studying His word, and speaking with Him. For those of you who may not know me real well, I'm super out going and I love being around people. Growing up in high school and college if I didn't have plans on a Saturday night, I needed to make some. God-forbid I was actually relaxing. I never knew the definition of the term 'relax'. Yet, when I came to Bible College, the Lord had to break me of that. It was no longer how many friends I could have, what social groups I could be apart of, the popularity level...but it was all and ONLY about Him. This semester I kept praying the Lord would make me satisfied with Him, just Him, only Him, and studying Him, getting to know Him. I remember walking into Bible College this semester and the Lord pressed it hard upon my heart to remind me that I needed to be diligent in seeking Him this semester. Not seeking anything else out...just seeking Him. He kept putting the story of Mary and Martha onto my heart. How Mary sought that better thing that wouldn't depart from her...even though Martha loved the Lord, she was still too busy all the time. I learned through that story time in and time out that rest, diligence, and simply seeking the Lord is truly abundant.

This rang so true in my life this semester. I have never been so thrilled, joyful, content, and satisfied in the Word of God. I found that the Lord continued to show me the true meaning of abundant life. I found myself this semester desiring to spend more time in the Word than with others socializing, or going out. The Lord had to do a lot of work in my heart this semester, but it was so good. I can now fully say I've found the key to abundant life. He totally opened my eyes...I am exceedingly blessed.

I was convicted a few weeks back. As I was reading the scriptures, I came to a point in my devos where I was unsure of what I was to read next. I didn't know which book to start with, or where to go...so I just prayed. I realized that a lot of my devo time was all about me. Lord, what do You want me to read so I can relate to the scriptures? Which things can I read that will speak to me? Not that hearing from the Lord is wrong, or that reading the scriptures to be spoken to is wrong, BUT, what is the motive? The Lord quickly revealed my heart. I came to realize that, why does it always have to be about me me me? Simply study the scriptures, learn about the Lord, and grow in His grace and knowledge. So, where did I start? Genesis 1. And honestly...I've been growing SO MUCH, learning so much about the Lord, and having my eyes opened to things I didn't even realize before. God is so good. Our personal time with the Lord doesn't always have to be about us us us. What about just simply studying the scriptures to get to know Him? Or praying for others? I know I've been convicted of this. The Lord so sweetly breaks me in these areas constantly.

As I was going through scripture, I came across a few verses about abundant life. In the dictionary the word 'abundant' literally means: more than adequate; present in great quantity; oversufficient; richly supplied.

I love looking up definitions so we can see the truth even more in scripture. One of my favorite chapters in the New Testament is Isaiah 55. It says in Isaiah 55:2 says, "Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance." I love that. One huge thing the Lord showed me with the key to abundant life is that feeding on the scriptures, eating and basking on those things that are good, on His word that is true...that brings abundant life. When you're diligently seeking the Lord, and desiring to walk righteously in Him...He won't steer you wrong. You will be abundant if you are continually seeking after the Lord in all things. The other verse the Lord gave me in this season was Psalm 36:8-9, "They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house , and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures, For with You is the fountain of life, in Your light we see light." My God is so incredible...I have found that even seeking Him alone, in the stillness, and on my bed, I am abundantly satisfied. I can't help but to think of this verse. The fullness of His house.... I am abundantly satisfied. Truly, there is nothing else that can fulfill my joy.

This semester has been an incredible one. As I looked at the one main thing the Lord taught me this semester (and is still teaching me) is that the key to abundant life is simply: contentment in the Lord. Girls often times find fulfillment in ALL the wrong things. We seek money, clothing, men, personality, intelligence, and so much more...but even in my time growing in the Lord, I've truly found that nothing else can satisfy. The only real reason we have abundant life is because of the cross of Christ. It is because of the sacrifice He paid for us, the Word He gave us, the blessing of having daily communion and fellowship with Him. That is abundant life. Walking in Him, seeking Him, and resting in Him. I have found godliness with contentment to truly be GREAT gain in my life. The abundance of satisfaction I find in Jesus Christ just can't ever be replaced. I yearn for Him in the morning, seek Him in the day, and have to be with Him before bed. My life depends on our relationship. My heart relies on His love.

May my eyes be fixed, my heart be steadfast, my feet be established, my hands be diligent, and my life entirely glorify Him in all I say and do. The key to abundant life? Contentment in Christ. He alone is the satisfaction and abundance. Purely beautiful.

"Indeed I have all and abound, I am full. . ." ~ Philippians 4:18

"Now godliness with contentment is GREAT gain!" ~ 1 Timothy 6:6