deception or truth?

 "And he said to the woman, 'Has God indeed said?. . .So when 

the woman saw that the tree was good for food, 

that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, 

she took of its fruit and ate." ~ Genesis 3:1, 6

As I was praying about what the Lord wanted me to write about, I couldn't help but to share and encourage you with some things that I have been struggling a lot with, lately. I came home early December from school, and I had an incredible semester. The Lord really opened a lot of doors for ministry opportunities that I never saw coming. With a semester that taught me obedience, faithfulness, and devotion to Jesus, I was astonished at all He had for me in the weeks and months ahead. One continual theme in my life this semester was the topic of Martha and Mary. I remember first semester I was everywhere. I wanted to serve, but I wanted to people please. I wanted to love people, but I wanted to do a million things at once...my mind and body were everywhere. I couldn't just sit still and glean from the Lord, I had to always be doing something. Yet the Lord began to show me very quickly that I had a problem. I wasn't choosing that good thing...I wasn't choosing to sit at Jesus' feet and hear His word. I wasn't choosing to worship Him, or sit and wait upon Him. I was too busy thinking of things and doing other things that I forsook the one good thing in my life.

I was miserable, too. God quickly showed me that sitting at His feet, getting away with Him, waiting upon Him, and gleaning from His words were the things I needed most in my life. But I also knew that doing those things would result in Satan being angry at me. And it was true. I began to grow more passionately in love with Jesus day in and day out, but once I came home...something weird happened.

I remember the week of Christmas I was extremely oppressed. I was battling fear, anxiety, depression and worry. It was as if every single thing God blessed me with, Satan tried to turn it around and make me feel so worthless, pointless, and hopeless. I remember questioning the ministry, questioning the good things God had for me, wondering if I was even cut out for the work He had for me, but God quickly began to show me that the fear and worry I was experiencing wasn't coming from Him, but from Satan. I think it's super important that we can determine the lies from the truth. I know that even I struggle sometimes with this, but I don't always catch the lies before they spiral out of control. In fact, most of the time, I believe the lies and feed on them. That isn't good. As women in the Lord we are going to be fed multiple lies but we must realize when to refute them, and how.

Satan will try and trick us into lies every single day. That is why it is so important to CHOOSE the way of truth. I love Psalm 119:30, it says, "I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your testimonies." We have a choice, ladies. We can wake up in the morning choosing to sway easily to the ways of the world, or we can choose to purify our hearts before the Lord and to walk in His truth. I have found a few specific things that Satan uses to try and make us doubt the goodness of our God. Here's a few:

1. Fear
2. Worry
3. Anxiety
4. Doubt

These four things Satan has tried to use so heavily in my life to sway me away from believing the truths of Jesus. Let's take a look at the first one: fear. This is a typical one. I know the week of Christmas I was battling fear so bad, that I began to realize it was crippling me. I no longer wanted to speak to anyone, think of anything good, or take care of myself because of fear. It's awful. The Lord gave me a few verses on fear but I think one huge one I took to heart was from 2 Timothy 1:7 it says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, of love, and of a sound mind."

Right there it tells us that fear DOES NOT come from God. Fear of of the enemy. 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." If God loves us so much, and has hope for us, why would He ever want to instill in us fearful attitudes? On Christmas eve I was beginning to become crippled by my fear. It was so bad that all I wanted to do was lock myself in my room, crawl in bed, and cry all day. I decided to get on my face before God instead. The words of Jesus rang so clear in my mind. All I could hear Him speak was, "This fear does not come from the One who calls you." And I knew it. The fear I was feeling was obviously fear from the enemy. How can we discern when we are going through spiritual warfare? We obviously know fear isn't from God. But also, when you're dealing with these things, do you have a peace? More than likely, if you're becoming depressed, crippled, and completely depleted it is NOT FROM GOD. God, like it says in 2 Timothy gives us power, love, and A SOUND MIND. I love that. God gives us a sound mind. When we are walking in obedience, clinging to the word of God, and desiring to honor Him with all we are, He gives us a peace and a sound mind. If you're struggling with the opposite, ask yourself, where are you with the Lord? You may not have walked away from Him, but maybe there's something in your heart that's hindering that peace. Be still before the Lord and ask Him to reveal it to you.

What about worry? Satan is the master of this one. We know God has good for us. We can walk in faith that He has our steps planned out, our futures mapped out, and everything in order. Does that mean that everything will be great and wonderful? Not necessarily. But when we are in the center of God's will, we are in the perfect place. So, if you're rent money hasn't come in yet, give it to God and pray. If you don't have enough money to buy gas for your car or food for the week, give it to God. He promises to provide for our every NEED. It says in Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 

All that we need, God has already provided or He WILL provide. He will never leave us begging. Matthew 7:9-11 says, "Or what man is there among you who if his son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"  God knows that you need specifics. He will never leave you completely desolate. He doesn't always give you what you WANT, but He most certainly always gives you what you NEED. Remember ladies, what you WANT and what you NEED are two specific and different things. If something you WANT isn't given to you by God that's only because He has something way better for you that you NEED! So be encouraged and comforted. A famous one is Matthew 6:25-26, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" God takes care of the birds of the air. And you're you! He knows exactly what He's doing. Don't give into the lie that you won't be provided for, or that God doesn't have His best in mind for you...because He does!

Anxiety is a big one. This one doesn't happen to me a whole lot, but in those times I do get anxious I know that I'm being attacked by the enemy. What's one thing I do when I get anxious about something? I pray. Philippians 4:6 says, "Be anxious for NOTHING, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. Girls, this one is so so important. I can't reiterate it enough. PRAY! Why do we not pray as often as we should? Pastor Chuck said something neat that stuck with me. As he was going through the book of Mark, he pointed out the fact that even JESUS Himself went to a solitary place to pray. If Jesus, who is the Author and Creator of this entire universe, needed to go out and pray, how much more should we?! It's that serious of a matter! Do you wonder why you haven't found answers? Pray more. Do you feel as though God doesn't understand you? Pray more. The more you pray, the more He works. He wants to. But you need to be willing to have a relationship in communication with Him. He knows everything, but spend time with Him. He desires it. God has pressed it heavily upon my heart lately to pray. And to pray A LOT! I never really had an expanding prayer life. I prayed, but only for necessities and things like that..never to just talk with the Lord and seek His face. But this past year He has shown me how powerful and how important prayer really is. Especially if you're actively in full time ministry, the most important thing you can do is PRAY! So pray pray pray pray. Not JUST in the confines of your home, but driving in the car, brushing your teeth, doing your laundry, working out. Have a constant, ever flowing channel of communication with your Jesus. You won't be sorry, and you'll begin to realize how much His peace has really flooded into your life.

Doubt. Oh the stupid doubt. This, to me, goes back all the way to the Garden of Eden. Why do we doubt so much? The fall of man. When God told Eve not to eat of that fruit, the serpent came in. What did he do to her? He made her question God's authority and words. She became confused and began doubting. THAT is where it all started. And it's no wonder that doubt plagues the minds of women everywhere...Even was the first to doubt God's goodness and faithfulness. But ladies, DO NOT DOUBT OUR GOD. His word is proven, sure, and whatever He says, goes! 2 Samuel 22:31-32 says, "As for GOD, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven. He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?" His words are PROVEN! Job was an astounding man. Through all that came in and out of his life, he trusted in God's words, in God's faithfulness and in His sovereignty. He was a blameless man. Job 22:13-14 says, "But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such things are with Him." When God promises to provide and take care of you, He will! Whatever His soul desires, that He does. No lie from Satan can thwart His plan, and no one around you can make Him change. He is GOD, and there is no one like Him in all the earth! God has given me Isaiah 44:8 a lot lately when I begin to doubt His promises to me. It says, "Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one." Isaiah 46:11, "Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it." When God speaks...He acts. When He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself. That's how promising our God and His words are. Just trust in Him.

Satan will try these and many more to sway us from believing the truth of God. But ladies, one thing I can tell you to do so that you will stand firm in Him is dive into the Word and saturate yourself in it. The biggest tool we can use to refute the lies of Satan is God's word, and prayer. Those two things are huge. If we have the word hidden in our hearts, we can meditate on it whenever Satan tries to sneak up behind us. We will be armed and guarded from the sway of the evil one. Get to know God's word. I love this saying: "Know the word of God, and love the God of the word." Those two things are perfect in walking closely in fellowship and communion with our Lord. Know Him. Love Him. Seek Him out like precious diamonds. Mary chose that good thing that would never depart from her. Sit at His feet. Glean from His word. Sit in silence before Him. Be still and KNOW that He is GOD. Truly, you will be protected. But know His word, ladies. Take His word seriously, and don't ever take it for granted. If the government came and took all our Bibles away this week, would you know enough of it to refute the lies and the ways of Satan? I know I wouldn't. I want to get to know Him as much as possible before He decides to take me home. I want to be able to memorize His word. Note cards are good too. I love sitting in my bed and writing verses on note cards to memorize. Take one scripture a day and memorize it. You'll be amazed at what you've accomplished in a whole year! But the Word of God is proven, it is sure, it is unchangeable. We can never and will never be moved if we hide it in our hearts!

When you find yourself thinking thoughts like, "I'm just not good enough", "I'll never experience abundant life," "Nothing good will ever happen to me," "I may as well give up," "I feel hopeless," "I have no faith, and I never will" Ladies... seek the face of Jesus! These are NOT from Him! They come from the master of all lies...Satan. And of course he wants to try and trip you up with depleting thoughts about yourself, because he's angry that you love the Lord. As I was wallowing in my self pity this whole entire week, God began to reveal the truth behind it all. I was so self focused, self centered, and too greedy for my own selfishness. God quickly gave me James 3:14-18, "But if you have bitter, envy, and self seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." 

That was my issue. I was all of those things in verse 16. I began to realize that my heart wasn't entirely right or pure before the Lord. And you know something? When He revealed the truth to me, I began to be overflowed with His peace again. But I allowed Satan to enter thoughts in my mind and then entertain those thoughts. Run away from them, ladies.

I encourage you and pray for each of you! Satan wants to diminish the good work that God is doing...but DO NOT LET HIM! Allow the word of God to drench your every being. Sit at His feet regularly, and sometimes hourly! Saturate yourself in His presence and in His word. With those two things you will always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).

He loves you so much, ladies. Mary knew that. She decided to choose that good thing that wouldn't depart from her. Don't let the world, or the lies slip you away from that good thing.

Attributes of a Virtuous Woman - 5

So, I've come to the conclusion that I could write forever and a year about different attributes of a virtuous woman. There are so many things I believe women must pray for, as they yearn to grow more into the woman God's created them to be. As I was trying to decide and praying about what I wanted to talk about last, I couldn't help but to think of one that many women don't like hearing about, but it is one of the most important attributes of a godly woman.

Submission

This is something the Lord has been teaching me a lot lately. It doesn't matter if you're married or single...submission begins before you even meet your spouse. We must learn to be submissive in many different revenues of our walks, and relationships with others. When we learn to be submissive, we are not only obeying God and walking by His commandments, but we are also respecting those who are in authority over us. I learned a really hard lesson in submission over the Summer. Not something I'm proud of but I'll share my story anyway.

Growing up I was the only girl in the family, aside from my mom. I have two older brothers, so naturally my dad used to spoil me a lot. I still look back on my childhood, and in those times when I get selfish, greedy, or needy I just think back to how much I was spoiled...NOT a good thing! My dad is the most wonderful man there ever could be. He loves his children and his wife so much, he would do anything for them. I remember getting punished when I was little. Mom was the enforcer, and dad was the, "Oh, just let her off.... give grace" type of man. Gotta love him for that one... haha. As I've grown in the Lord I have seen how ugly my heart really is in the area of submission to my parents. I just expected things from them. When they told me no, I would fight back. And if I didn't always get my way I would pout and annoy them until they broke just a little bit. Let's get serious...girls are notorious for this type of attitude. It's called manipulation. It's ugly, vicious, and as godly women we must learn when to keep quiet, respect those over us, and learn the word NO. It's a good word to accept! Trust me! Well, this past Summer I had a friend who was willing to do a photo shoot of me! She was charging $40 and I was super excited considering I had never done a photo shoot, and always wanted to! I was sitting in the doctors office with my dad that day and we were waiting on the doctor to come in. We were just chatting and I told my dad (note the word: TOLD) that I was doing a photo shoot with my friend and I needed $40 (note the word NEEDED). His response was just as any good father would be, "$40?! No. I don't have that kind of cash and you're not doing it!" I don't know what came over me... but all I knew was my flesh flared up. I fought back for a while and my dad just kept telling me, 'NO'. Finally I lashed out and blurted.. "Well I don't care WHAT YOU SAY I'm DOING IT ANYWAY." Ever had one of those moments where you say something and automatically your mind freaks out and you wish you could take it all back? Yepp that was me. Tears welled up in my eyes, half because of anger, but mostly because I was absolutely appalled at what I just said. The doctor came in and I could barely speak. God was so firm with me that moment. I was NOT respecting my father, loving him, or submitting to him at all. I was so in the flesh. On the car ride home I knew I needed to apologize. Yet I didn't want to. I was embarrassed. I hate my pride. Finally I blurted out that I was sorry and that I was seriously WRONG in the fact that I didn't submit to his commands. I just kept crying. I was like, dang...who was that girl? Being the wonderful man my father is, he was so loving about it. "Oh honey, I know you are sorry. I know you didn't mean it. You're so sweet. Don't cry." Just like Jesus.

But ladies, when we refuse to submit to those who are over us, we are not obeying the commands of the Lord. The Bible is so clear on the area of submission. First and foremost, we are to submit to GOD. It says in James 4:7, "Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." I think it's neat that we were told to submit to God AND resist the devil..in the same passage of scripture. I believe it's because when we don't submit to God, or to those over us, we are allowing our flesh to take hold.. and Satan is having his way. Yet we are to submit to God..in everything. We are to lay down our wants, our desires, our plans, our actions...we are to let God take firm hold of everything in our lives and why? Because He knows best. Do you really think God would command us to submit because His ways aren't good? I know that the Lord commands us to submit, because it is for our GOOD! Submission is not evil, and it isn't something that we should think of as punishment but it is a precious privilege. Look at feminists all around the world today. They are trying to tell us that women should be above men, that we should go to work while the man stays home and takes care of house, I mean...do you see functioning families this way? What has become of our generation? Women no longer want to be homemakers and raise their children, but they'd rather be in the workplace making tons of money while other people raise their children for them. It's not ok, ladies. Now, I understand sometimes there are drastic measures and women need to get babysitters and use daycare centers and that's okay. But when I see a family whose wife refuses to stay home with her children and would rather go work while her husband is the one at home...it saddens me. Or when I see a woman who refuses to learn to cook, refuses to clean the house, or claims she doesn't like doing the dishes... if that's you... get with it girls. Because our duties are beautiful and wonderful and we should hold them in high respect and honor. Again, your husband can help you, you guys can take turns..but I've heard of some women who refuse to cook because they don't like to. They won't even try to learn. That to me, is wrong. Learn! It's fun, creative, and not that hard! If I can cook, anyone can..believe me. But when we understand our roles in society, in the church, and in the home, we come to a better understanding of peace, joy, love, and obedience to Christ. Refusing to submit DOESN'T give you the power you want, ladies. It only gives you more area for the flesh and Satan to work its way in. When you submit, you're not only obeying God, but you are happier.

1 Peter 2:13 says, "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. . ." It is  because the Lord loves us, that we are to obey Him by submitting to Him.

Now, why should we as women submit? Well, I think we should take a look at one of the most prominent passages in submission, out of Ephesians 5. It says in Ephesians 5:22-24, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the LORD. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in EVERYTHING." I love how it talks about God and the church. Ultimately, while we're single, we are to submit under God's authority and those in leadership over us in the church. That's where it starts. And as the Lord brings you your spouse, you will begin to see (that hopefully) he is a man who represents Jesus in his character. Therefore when you are married, just as you submit to God in all things, you submit to your husband as is fitting to the LORD. I love that. Why do we submit? Because it's fitting unto the Lord. Simple and plain. We submit because it's what God has commanded, and He is honored by doing so.

Submission obviously isn't only in marriage. It's in the work place, in our families, our churches, in society. When we are working, we submit to our bosses, unless they command us to do something unbiblical. In the home we submit to our parents, or our spouses. In society we submit to those older than us. I mean, we learn it earlier on in life. The world views submission as nothing. Instead of submitting to authority everyone is trying to race to BE the authority. Ladies, there is no joy, no abundance in being the authority figure over those whom the Lord gives us. No functional family is blessed when the wife is leading the home, whereas no business booms if someone doesn't obey or listen to the rules of their boss. What happens? Well you could get fired. Or, as a child, if you disrespect your parents, you could get punished. So likewise, if we refuse to submit to our husbands, or those placed in authority over us, God will not bless us. 

Our prayer should be that we seek humble hearts, not contentious and demanding hearts. That flesh will try and creep up as much as possible...but it is our responsibility to be gentle, quiet in spirit, and willing to submit to those over us. God is still teaching me to be submissive, and it's hard. My flesh often times wants to take over. I sometimes think that I know it all, have it all, and can control it all...but it's in those times when my heart is outwardly showing ugliness. 

I know that submission goes right along with RESPECT. If you respect your father and mother, you'll obey them. If you respect your husband, you'll gladly submit to him. If you respect your boss, you'll be joyful in abiding by their rules. Yet if you have no respect for someone, why would you want to please them? This is a hard lesson to learn. And we should look at it biblically. Do you truly love the Lord, ladies? Do you really strive to abide by His commands, love Him wholeheartedly? If so, then you must know that submission is a key essential aspect of your daily walk. In everything. I've talked to you about learning to submit to God in areas of my life that weren't easy....but afterward it yielded fruit and abundance. I have never found greater joy than in submission. When I try to take control, or try to talk back, I've only found ugliness, not joy. Running to be in a position of leadership over authority is not something that we should desire.

We submit because it's God's precious desire for us, girls!! It is NOT a punishment, it is NOT sexist, it is NOT old fashioned...it is BEAUTIFUL! Be the one whom the guys chase after, be the one who accepts her dad's command, be the one who lays down her life for the sake of the Gospel. These are beautiful! Why do we insist on being brazen and 'out there'? Why do we think we can plow ahead and be the best? Humility is a beautiful thing. Submission is precious. I love what it says in 1 Peter 5:5-6, "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."

When we submit under those over us, we are submitting unto God. It is a beautiful privilege, and an honor. I'm gladly reading "God's High Calling for Women" by John MacArthur. His sermons on the matter blow me away, too. I'm currently in the section about submission. I want to end with a quote from the book. We are going through 1 Timothy 2. It says:

"Women must stop believing the devil's lie that the only role of significance is that of leadership. People usually desire places of prominence--not to humbly serve others, but to boost their own egos and gain power and control. Leaders, however, bear a heavy burden and responsibility, and the subordinate role often is one of greater peace and happiness. Subordination is not punishment, but privilege." John MacArthur

Girls...what an honor and privilege we have to be submissive! We will radiate Jesus and shine as beautiful women if we do so. There's a reason God created Adam FIRST! God knew what He was doing! He knew that the man would be the leader, and that in doing so, he would help guide the women. So, why do we try and fill the role of man? It goes AGAINST what God intended. If He wanted men and women equal, He would have not created woman FROM Adam's rib! He would have made the two at the same time, but He didn't, and He chose to create women OUT OF Adam. So amazing to me. 

I know for me, I view submission as one of the most beautiful privileges we have as women. I didn't say I found it to be EASY, haha, but I find it to be precious. Why would I want to trump the ideal and perfection of the home, the way God created it to be? May we learn as single women to submit to those over us, but more importantly, to God. When we bow our hearts morning after morning, let us take a look at ourselves and make sure we are allowing God to have FULL CONTROL of our wills. May we learn that submission is not something we do once and we attain it forever, but it is a daily thing we must pray for. Once you learn the value of submission you can begin to see the beautiful role and responsibility we have as women. Not something to be hated, but something to be extremely treasured.

"Your dedication to honoring people honors God and brings beauty to your life that reflects your heart after God." - Elizabeth George, 'A Woman After God's Own Heart'