Inner Man

It isn't about what we look like on the outside whether than be clothes, jewelry, make up or even our outward actions/behaviors. We are talking about inner beauty. When 1 Peter 3:3-4 notes "hidden person/hidden man" it is talking about something that is concealed. You are not able to see it by dress or ornament. It lies within. Many times behaviors and actions can be shown but disconnected from inner man. Bible notes say that the expression used in 1 Peter 3:3-4 is the same Paul uses in Romans 7:22 referring to the inner man.

Who is this inner man?

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 3:3-4 - Whose adorning let it not be that outward adoring of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (KJV)

 Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] ^[a]interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.(Amplified)

OBSERVATIONS

1. The Hidden person/heart incorruptive and unfading

2. God sows in us a gentle and peaceful spirit

APPLICATIONS

^{Ephesians 3:14-20 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people; to grasp  how wide and how long and how deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that supasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of allt he fullness of God.}

The inner man or the hidden man of the heart as expressed in today's Proverbs verse refers to the part of us that does not decay when we are in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 it says:

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The outward parts of us waste away. Even outward behaviors we learned as a child that may seem good but only hide the inner realities waste away. They willnot last. All hidden will be shown.  Our inward person that God is creating into His likeness is being renewed day after day. God is the one who sactifies and sets us apart to be holy. We cannot make ourselves holy.

Further Reading/Verses:



http://www.olivebranchministries.us/Hidden%20Man%20of%20the%20Heart.htm

Prayer: Father, please create in me a clean heart. I pray that if there are any hypocritical masks I wear that you would take them off. I want to be completely surrendered to you. Lord thank you that you do not judge on my outward looks or outward behaviors but you look much deeper. Thank you that you set me apart and you are taking my ashes and making me beautiful.

The Lord Looks At the Heart

My three and a half yer old son and I  have dialogues like this:
Mommy: Do I love you because you are handsome?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are a good artist?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are smart?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are good at sports?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are sweet and say nice things?
Son: No
Mommy: Do I love you because you are attentive and ask good questions?
Son: No
Mommy: Then why do I love you
Son: Because I am yours (or because I am your son)

Depending on what my son has been praised for, I asked him different questions like the ones above. I don't want him to think he is loved or accepted based on what he does. It is hard at times to parent from the heart or out of grace when I am focusing on rules, morals or character. We need both truth and grace. I want to be gospel centered. My son asks questions about Satan often. He also asks about people like Judas, Goliath and many other "bad" people we may see n the Bible. He understands something I do not. He understand God's love but many times I fear he will identify too much with the "bad" person. Then again maybe that is a good starting point. He understands and knows we all have sinned. He knows about God's amazing love and grace.


Scripture: Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Observations
1. We are not to be praised for our "charms" and outward behaviors or looks but because of what is in our heart in fearing the Lord
2. Charm - any outward behavior that causes us to favor another. I see charm as your "good" qualities, behavior and mannerisms. These good qualities, character traits, mannerisms or moral behaviors can be  affection, honesty, truthfulness, genuine, funny, interesting, reliable, respectable, attentive, supportive, thoughtful. This list can go on an on. These "outward" behaviors can be deceptive because they can be learned behaviors, manners and actions. Everything looks good on the outside but inside full of all manner of evil.
3. Beauty - any outward look/appearance. Outer beauty does not last. We all grow old, get wrinkles, hair turns gray and body decays.


Applications:
Real fear of the Lord is our respect, awe, and honor of the Lord God. Man looks on the outer appearance including looks and behavior, but God looks much deeper tot he heart. Today's Proverb 31:30 verse reminds me of God's interaction with Samuel over the next King. When God told Samuel to go anoint the next King after Saul, Samuel saw differently than God. 1 Samuel 16:6-7 says  When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  

Behaviors can be deceitful. We can act kind, act respectfully, say all the right things but this does not mean that our heart is right before the Lord. It is interesting as I look at the life of Saul and David that they both committed sins. David in fact had an affair with another man's wife and then had the man killed in war to cover up the affair. Saul was told to wait until Samuel arrived 7 days later for Samuel to offer the sacrifice. Saul waited the 7 days but when he didn't see Samuel, he offered the sacrifice. (1 Samuel 13). Saul did not completely obey. Not completely obeying is disobedience. Then in 1 Samuel 15 Saul was told to destroy all the enemies. When Samuel comes, Saul says I have obeyed the instructions. This was not true as Saul had saved some animals as a sacrifice to the Lord. 1 Samuel 15:12 "Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal."

Many are teaching good values, character development and morals but the problem is good values, character development and morals without a child understanding and living in God's grace and truth are just "good behaviors". We don't want our child just behaving well because God's Bible/Word will just be a story about being good. Saul many times looked good and others may not notice the slight act of disobedience since it both instances above Saul was offering a sacrifice to the Lord. These sacrifices of the Lord were disobedience and God took the kingdom from Saul. Moralism is not Christianity.

The gospel is that God saves you by grace and then you obey out of joy and grateful love." He draws a distinction between "religion" and the gospel. "We would say religion is 'I obey therefore God accepts me.' The gospel is 'God accepts me through the work of Jesus Christ and therefore I obey.' Those are two completely different impulses and they create two different kinds of people."

We fear the Lord which is an awe and respect of God not to set up our own monument but for God's glory. We are accepted through Jesus. We are to be praised for our fear of the Lord and not for our good behaviors or good looks. We don't want the cart before the horse and therefore I don't want to teach my child character or behavior. I want to be gospel centered.

Prayer:  Lord, please forgive me for the times I want good behavior in myself and others rather than be centered on you and Your Gospel. Thank you God that you always bring me back to your truth. Thank you that I am not accepted on what I do but who you are. Help me to give that same acceptance to my child and to others.

Questions for Application:
1. Are you teaching moralism or the Gospel?
2. Write out the Gospel
3. How do you feel and react when other's behaviors don't look good? What is your focus?

Further Reading:
Read 1 Samuel and the accounts of Saul

http://www.libertyandlove.org/freedom-archives/all-things-are-clean/god-looks-at-the-heart.aspx

http://hopechurchvarsitylakes.blogspot.com/2012/06/veggietales-creator-repents-of-moralism.html#!/2012/06/veggietales-creator-repents-of-moralism.html

http://naytinalbert.blogspot.com/2012/04/gospel-vs-religion.html#!/2012/04/gospel-vs-religion.html

Rest

We are nearing the end of the Proverbs 31 study. As I read today's verse, I was encouraged to hear the words "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." I saw the Lord rejoicing over me. I am the person who always finds one more thing to do or one more thing to work on. Today, this verse reminded me I have peace with God through Jesus Christ.

This is a great description of the Sabbath. I can rest from all my labors as I have peace with God through Jesus Christ. I have been contemplating the Sabbath for years. It is not just a ceasing from activity or work. It is taking delight and love in God and what He has made and done. It is a peace without striving. It is a day of rejoicing. It is more than a physical or mental rest. It is not just a "vacation". It is an abiding. It is trusting God takes care of us and protects us.

I do think of the final rest. In Matthew 25:23 -  His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

I also think of Proverbs 22:29 - Do you see a man skilled (who excels) in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. The word excels in Proverbs 22:29 has been translated as diligent, skilled, efficient and competent. We are to be faithful and diligent in the things God gives us to do. However in all things we need to be reminded that what we have is from Him. We can not do anything apart from Him. It is not just His strength and His power that we obtain. We have Him. It is about Him and not what we can do. We need a deep abiding and remaining in Him.

This abiding in Him has been producing a peace in me. A peace that does not just exist in good circumstances but is especially there in hard circumstances. The application for me is to keep leaning on Him and learning about Him being Lord of the Sabbath and to be at rest and peace in Him.

Passing the Baton

^{Scripture: Titus 2:4 - That they may teach (or train) the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.} 

When I think of the above Scripture, I still see the picture of a race in my mind. I may have mentioned these two verses in yesterday's post about running a race, but I think they apply to today's scripture on the older women teaching the younger women. The first verse is: 1 Corinthians 9;24-27 says " Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." The second verse is Hebrews 12:1 - 12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Do you remember running races in school where you have to pass the baton? They are called RELAY races. People have to come together as a team to run relay races. "Relay racing is the art of running with a baton and passing it from one teammate to the other, and making three exchanges with the fourth runner crossing the finish line with the baton.The most difficult concepts to instill in relay athletes are running away from someone while trying to receive something from that person, and passing within the "zone."

I think the picture of a relay race describes well what we do in our Christian faith. We have to come together as a team. The difficult part is running away from someone while trying to receive something. We all have to keep running with our eyes on the prize of Jesus Christ while yet we still are trying to receive what the generation before us is handing. Likewise, we are to do the same, pass on the baton to the next runner.

Observation of Titus 2:4
1. The older women are to train the younger women
2. Sober used here is similar to word Temperate meaning to have desires and passions well regulated or under control. It is interesting that have being trained to be sober, the older women are to teach younger women to LOVE. Usually men directed to love wives and women to respect but here women instructed and trained to love husbands and children.

 Application of Titus 2:4
It is easy for me to try to pass the baton to next player but I find it harder to be the one receiving the baton while still running forward. I have always enjoyed "older" people. I still do. I find it hard at times to find people sharing their faith and passing on God's wisdom to the next generation. We have young people and middle aged people hungering for wisdom but yet there seems to be a "fear" of doing what God says. I have asked older women for advice and I do find it here and there but for the most part, people seem hesitant in sharing as "each person is different". Although God has made us unique, His Word is true in every place and every situation. God's Word does not change. We need to be Women who pass the baton to the next generation and teach them the things God says we need to do.   In the race verses mentioned in the beginning of the verse, I see temperance, self control, training, discipline and endurance of great importance. Again, we don't just wake up one morning and run a long race. It takes months and months and maybe more of training.
Prayer
Lord, many times I want to run a sprint and have it over, but the longer I run this race of faith I see that it is a long distance run. It requires endurance. Lord thank you that you that Your Spirit is pouring long suffering/patience/endurance into me. You have instructed us to train. Thank you for training even when it is hard.

Train Up Not Down

When I think of Proverbs 22:6 "Train up children in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.", I think about how God says train up and not train down. Many parents are constantly in a state of frustration with their children. If this is the case, it is most likely because you don't have peace yourself. Children sense the reality of actions, feelings and attitudes in the home. Of course, we all get frustrated. We all get tired. We all get tired of training in the same area. I am not talking about moments of frustration but a life of frustration.

When I think of train down I think of constantly nagging, constantly correcting, constantly wanting to spank, constantly doing everything for our children, constantly letting the children just play all day by themselves, constantly letting the children do whatever they want and constantly using words and actions that do not bring life. The verse that comes to mind is
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

When I think of train up I think of training up in every area of life not just their spiritual life. Our spiritual life is not disconnected from the rest of our life. Training up involves using words and actions that bring life and blessing. We should be training ourselves as parents for godliness and endurance. We are to live our lives as God's Word tells us. We are to train them each step of the way to do more and more for themselves. They too need their mind and bodies engaged and active rather than just in mindless activity all day. They need grace. They need to be spoken to with love as we speak God's Word throughout the day. We are to train them how to do daily chores like making a bed, bringing dishes to sink, putting away dishes, and taking clothes out of washer. We all need room to make mistakes and learn. The scripture that comes to mind is:
Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Scripture for Proverbs 31 Study: Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.  One of the most important aspects of training up is knowing your own child. God gifted and made each child different. We are to know their specific characteristics, bents, family sin issues, individual sins, what each one can do, and what each child naturally gravitates to.

Observation:
1. To train up: The Hebrew word hanakh means “to dedicate” or “to consecrate.” It’s used only four times in the Old Testament, three times in reference to dedicating a building and once of a child in Proverbs 22:6. A closely related Hebrew word hanakh, pictures the custom of a midwife dipping her finger into a pool of crushed dates in order to massage the palate and gums of a newborn.
2. In the way. Hebrew Derek - way. This is probably the most debated phrase in the proverb. The Hebrew is quite simply “in accordance with his way” or, even more literally, “upon the mouth of his way” (there’s the image of mouth again).

Application: When I first became a parent, I thought I could read a parenting book and then try to get my son to fit that mold. This brought immense frustration and guilt.  My son has always been vocal and he does not do everything as everyone else does. He actually has many Godly leader qualities, and he is only 3 1/2. I have noticed when I live my life as God instructs, my child observes that and wants to do likewise. For many aspects of training, it is doing it and offering it over and over. It reminds me of vegetables. When Nehemiah first started eating, he ate everything. However, as he got older, he decided he did not like certain vegetables. I keep eating them and I keep offering them to him. I ask him to take one bite. I have noticed that the more he takes one bite and spits it out that he is developing a taste for many things he initially said he did not like. We are to guide our children towards God's best in all things.

Recently, my son and I have been reading the Proverbs at breakfast. He asks many questions. Then we draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. We write fool on one side and wise on the other side. We talk about "the way" a fool goes which is always the crooked path. We also talk about "the way" a wise person goes which is always the straight path. We search out the wisdom in God's Word and we discuss it. Then throughout the day in whatever we do and wherever we are, we ask God to help us walk in the way of His wisdom. We want to be wise and not fools.

Many people say that the proverbs are principles not promises. I know God's word never comes back void. There are times that children may turn but if they have been trained and God's Spirit is alive in them and they have Jesus Christ, I believe they will return.

Verses on Training :
2 Timothy 2:1-7
You therefore, my ^[a] son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he ^[b]does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Titus 2:3-5
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you give us strength to keep up training. Thank you for your Word is what trains us in righteousness. May I be faithful in the things you have given me to do.

Blessed are the....

Scripture: Proverbs 31:28

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: (NASB)

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (NKJ)

Observation:

The word rise up could mean to stand (excitedly). Blessed is the Hebrew word Ashar which means to  be happy, blessed. It also means .go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress, and to be led on.

1.  Her children take a stand and they bless their Mother

2. It appears that blessings are observed and given based on what the children see 

Application

 When I hear Proverbs 31: 28, I am reminded of Matthew 5:3-11
(Beatitudes) and the blessed are the ___________. The first one is “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Without being poor in spirit and knowing and receiving everything from God, we cannot be the Proverbs 31 woman. We have to be spiritually bankrupt before God. All of our doing is like filthy rags before God. Everything comes from His hand.  The character mentioned in Matthew 5 speaks of why one would be called Blessed which include: poor in spirit, one who mourns, one who is meek,  one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, one who is merciful, one who is pure in heart, one who is a peacemaker, and who who is persecuted because of righteousness. 
      

My son is only 3 ½ so he is not grown, but I already see fruits of him blessing me. He spontaneously will tell me “You are lovely and beautiful”, “I love you”, “You are the best Mommy”. When I asks him how he knows something that I was surprised that he knew he says “you do that”. There are so many things that my son observes about me that I am not aware. I love how he is attentive and speaks out what he sees. His first reaction when he sees my husband and I not agreeing is to pray for us. If he notices anything that is not love, he prays.  Likewise, Nehemiah sees his Father blessing me and praising me and him. Nehemiah does not speak the words we speak as a blessing but his words of love and praise pour out. I love how they are spontaneous and a true reflection of love. 

Of course when children are grown, you see even more fruit but I don't think children have to be all grown to be a child after God's own heart. Jesus says let the children come to Him. When trained early and God's spirit comes into their life early, they are easily trainable and malleable. This does not mean that there are not frustrating moments and moments of sin. We still have those moments in our own life. However, life is not characterized by those moments in which discipline and correction is needed according to God's word. Sometimes we as parents see something as "sin" or frustrating but we don't take the time to see what our attitudes were like that day. Also, sometimes the child just needs training in that area and we need to do it. Sometimes it truly is sin but it is not personal toward us. They are sinning against God and we have the authority to train and correct. Grace is also important.  I have seen prayer work with regard to peace in our homes. When we put on the armor of God and engage in the battle of prayer, God works His Fruit of Love into our homes and lives.

My husband praises me as well. I have been having strangers coming up to me and praising me too. Many times, I need to let this sink in as there were many years of a critical spirit in our home. God is so good to know what we need before we ask. He is so good to provide a good word in due season to encourage us.

I try not to live on praises of my child, husband or others but on what God thinks of me. It is good to be praised by others and it is encouraging but I don’t want to lose heart just because I am not getting outward praise.  I want to be blessed because of the things that God says we are blessed for in Matthew 5.

Prayer: Lord, nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling. I pray that I am a Mother that clings to the cross. May I be blessed because I follow hard after you. Lord, may I continue to do everything heartily onto you.

Perservering Application

Persevering Application

This week’s character or virtue was diligence, the opposite of laziness, slothfulness or idleness. The term diligence is derived from Latin phrases meaning "to choose," and "to love earnestly." To be diligent is to choose to start a project, finish a project, make preparations, follow through and work heartily onto the Lord with whatever work has been assigned or whatever work you see that needs to be done. I didn’t come from a wealthy family in terms of money nor did I grow up in Church, but my family showed me character. We didn’t go on expensive vacations. We camped a couple of times per year. . We spent time at our local river swimming, playing in the sand, we watched the town baseball game between locals, we spent time talking to people in town , we helped others, we played board games together,  we did crafts together, we liked town fairs and town functions.  

One area I became very diligent in was my studies at school because I thought that was an area to help others and to not worry about money. I didn’t wait for others to teach things to me or do it for me, I jumped right in to learn. I became a lawyer and so the word “due diligence” was easy for me. I would always check, research, try, explore, research again everything I read or a client would say. I would use and invest my energies, talents and gifts to complete tasks. God has given me perseverance to withstand troubles and continue at places that are difficult.  Now, I a stay at home mostly and pick up legal work occasionally. Finally, I am back into a mode of working hard in whatever I do for God not to look good, get more, earn more or anything more. I work hard in my home and outside for God’s glory and because he says to. I am learning to be content with what God gives.

Today, I was listening to the rooms of a woman’s heart. I liked how an analogy of building was made to our spiritual home. The first room discussed was the basement and foundation. Many people want to talk about all the precious things and beautiful things we fill our home with to make it “beautiful” but the most important part of a house is the foundation. Without Jesus Christ, we don’t have a firm foundation. God tells us in His word that those that build on sandy foundations are those people who hear the word of God but then do not do what it says. The people who build on the rock of Christ do what he says in His Word. All people experience “storms’ in their life but the one who perseveres and withstands is the one who does what God says to do.

This week, I am pondering many things including building the Church, our spiritual homes inside of us/heart/God’s Spirit residing in us, building our family homes where we live, building my son up to be a warrior for Christ, and building our church up. I am trying to learn more about working on projects more communally with everyone doing their part.

Though None Go With Me

The two books that came to my mind today were The Little Red Hen and The Three Little Pigs. The Little Ren Hen has a very good moral although many in the politically correct/socially acceptable movement may disagree. My only complaint is that we can carry independent overboard and be too independent. God did make us to live in community and work together. God said it was not good to be alone. I am starting to see that doing a lot on your own does not mean you are alone. We meet and work with people as we go. I don’t wait or depend on others where I can do it myself unless the Word  of God says not to do it.
The Little Red Hen
“In the tale, The Little Red Hen finds a grain of wheat, and asks for help from the other farmyard animals to plant it. However, no animal will volunteer to help her.
At each further stage (harvest, threshing, milling the wheat into flour, and baking the flour into bread), the hen again asks for help from the other animals, but again she gets no assistance.
Finally, the hen has completed her task, and asks who will help her eat the bread. This time, all the previous non-participants eagerly volunteer. However, she declines their help, stating that no one aided her in the preparation work, and eats it with her chicks, leaving none for anyone else.
The moral of this story is that those who show no willingness to contribute to an end product do not deserve to enjoy the end product: "if any man will not work, neither let him eat."^[

The Three Little Pigs

• The moral of the story is pretty obvious. when building your future be wise and take your time to build it up right. A good solid foundation and well structured plan can help in times of a storm to prevent financial difficulties. Such as a good savings plan, reliable investments, etc.
• Hard work and enterprise triumphs over evil forces and misfortune
• Don't give up when it comes to your life.
• Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
• Take the time and expense necessary to do things the right way. You may get by for awhile with shortcuts and shoddy work, but in the long run it will cost you.

.

The Bible has many verses like the Little Red Hen saying if you don’t work, you don’t eat. However, the politically correct, socially acceptable story today is that the Red Hen is being unfair by not sharing. I am all for sharing and giving. In fact the verse my son worked on yesterday while we wrote it on lasagna noodles was Proverbs 21:26 – All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. We should give to others. However, in this story the animals had a chance to have food and help and they wanted to play and do what they wanted to it. We are not talking about the disabled, injured, poor who are taking care of young or for other reasons that would prevent someone from working.  Many parents would disagree with me but I did teach my son to work hard, be helpful and take responsibility and care for his belongings. The sharing will come as we work on contentment with what God gives and trusting that God provides and we do not need to worry if someone steals or breaks our things. Sharing comes out of realizing the great gifts our God has given us.

Scriptures for Proverbs 31 Study:

Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be put to forced labor.

Proverbs 19:15 - Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Proverbs 20:4 - The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Observations:

1.    Slothful, lazy and idle are interchangeable

2.    Slothful/Lazy/Idle person shall be put to forced labor, suffer hunger and have nothing in the harvest.

3.    The diligent on the other hand will be in places of authority and will be filled.

Applications:

Since a young teenager, I have been identified as a “leader” or one that rules. I would come up with ideas and plans and go forward. I have been called “tenacious”. This quality of endurance that I give praise to God for is not a bad thing. It is a good thing.  Following what God says has kept me from being hungry in the spiritual and physical sense. Proverbs 10: 3 says “The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked.” Righteousness comes from being clothed with Jesus Christ’s righteousness. We then fear God and depart from evil ways. We are full of thanks for His sacrifice and our lives become the living sacrifice of saying “Yes Lord.”  When I think of a deep sleep, I think of a person with no or little discernment. Their conscious  has been darkened and they can not see right from wrong many times. They are on auto pilot. Their minds, hearts and emotions are not engaged. They are lifeless devoid of the Spirit of God. A person like this will crave, crave and crave and never have.  Also, people that are cast into a deep sleep and have nothing will eat off other people’s emotions, work, and kindness. The sluggard can drain everyone not just of material blessings but of spiritual blessings.

Before becoming a Mother, I was constantly helping everyone. I would work all day, have prayer and accountability groups 3 times a week. I served faithfully in Church as a counselor and small group  leader. After becoming a Mother and sensing my true purpose, I gave up a lot of work outside the home. I didn’t have the stamina to do it all. I wanted to train my son as God directed me. During these three and a half years, I have learned a lot. I have learned that I did many things for people that they could have done for themselves. Many times, I helped people come up with plans and directions from the Word of God that were never implemented. This use to upset me but now I do not take it personally. I am learning to ask questions when they come again for help. I ask what they have done since the last time I spoke. I ask them what plan they have for the future.

I think many times I think summer is for fun, camping and trips. I forget that a lot of projects need to do be done in the summer like certain pain jobs, cleaning the garage, planting crops. I have not been diligent in summer time many times. I still think it is the time we should have off for relaxing. I think this applies to spiritual harvest as well. It is important to be investing into lives of others. It doesn’t always have to be a formal role. It can be when we are at the store, at a museum, getting a haircut. Seeds are planted by the lives we live. I am trying to be diligent in teaching my son about God and it is amazing for me to hear account after account of how he stands out. I believe God has a calling on all of our lives and he created us for a purpose to glorify Him in the gifting He gives us. We are not to hide these talents or just spend them on ourselves but to work hard unto Him with every gift He gives.

I am thinking of the song


Verse 1
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.

VERSE 3
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
No turning back, no turning back!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that you give us eternal perspectives. I hear you saying the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Lord, I do want to be a worker but with the right motives. I don’t want to work to look good but unto you for your Glory. Lord, I thank you that knowing you and having others come to know you intimately is a desire on my heart. Lord, use our family and my life wherever I am and whatever I do. God may we work together in and for You. I have decided that even if none want to make break or help with the bread (though none go with me), I still will follow. You are the bread of life and I want to follow you all my days.

Filled with Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge

We are being fashioned for a palace. We are God's spiritual house. Psalm 144:12 -  Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace. God is growing us priests in His Kingdom to accomplish His purposes not our own purposes.

Scripture for Week 10, Day 3 is: Proverbs 24:3-4 - Through wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Observations:

1.      Built – Hebrew word banah means fashioned, fortifying, have children, restored.  Some say it is the same word God uses when he took the rib from Adam to fashion Eve. Wisdom is seeing with God’s discernment.God’s wisdom restores physical and spiritual house. The verbal root for this word is חכם (hhakham) and means to separate between good and bad, right and wrong, left and right, up and down, etc.

2.      Established – Hebrew word I believe is amad meaning to set up or lay the groundwork for, establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment. Also it means to set in order that which is cluttered and to set up straight that which is fallen down. It can also mean to remain or endure.  God brings Order out of chaos.

3.      3. Filled – Hebrew word male or mala meaning consecrated, dedicated, completed, accomplished. We as a spiritual house are consecrated, dedicated to God. Likewise our house (family) is too.

Application:  If you read through all the Proverbs starting with Proverbs 1, God shows us the difference between wisdom and foolishness. Just as an example, to be wise is to hear and increase learning, to fear the Lord, keep God’s commands, restrain lips, listens and heeds instruction, uses knowledge rightly and attains Godly counsel. The foolish person does not listen to instruction, does not like counsel, pours forth foolishness from lips; despises wisdom and instruction, hates knowledge, does not seek God diligently and does not fear God.  I like how in Proverbs 3:13-15 we see why the Proverbs 31 is far more precious than rubies because this same wording is used for wisdom. In Proverbs 3:13-15 it says “happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies and all the things you may desire can not compare with her.”  We are told in Proverbs 2 that we are to receive God’s word, treasure His commands, incline our ear to wisdom, apply your heart to understanding, cry out for discernment, lift up voice for understanding, seek for wisdom as silver, search for as hidden treasures then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom and From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Apart from Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, we can not be wise. Foolish are wise in their own eyes but God says that “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30. A fool has no delight in understanding but in expressing his own heart (Proverbs 18:2).

Some Scriptures in addition to those mentioned in Application:

 Colossians 1:9 – For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

1 Peter 2:5 - You also, as living stones, are built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 11:2 - the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship," (-- Exodus 31:3)  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for building us up a spiritual house to bring praises to you. Thank you that if our homes on not built on you and your word with Christ being Lord and Savior over all of it that it will be like building on sinking sand. I pray that you make what is fallen and crooked stand upright and straight. Fill our family, home and individual temple of our body and life as a living sacrifice to you. Thank you for the great work you are doing.

Watching the Ants

Above link copied from:
http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/go-to-the-ant-lesson-plan/

We started the ABC I Believe curriculum in September, two months before my son's Third Birthday. The first lesson was the ANT and the verse from today. Ten months later he still recalls the verse and the whole lesson.

Proverbs 9:1-2 - Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table

Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Observations:
1. Proverbs 9:1-2 - It is important to build on wisdom. Seven Pillars providing stability. It involves preparations and then setting everything in order.
2. Proverbs 6:6-11
a. one way to be wise is to observe the ants
b. they don't have a guide or ruler telling them to do their work. They just do it.
c. they don't take summers off  - they work in summer so they can gather in harvest
d. sleep leads to poverty

Applications: In the May 21, 2012 post, I wrote about the possible seven pillars mentioned in Proverbs 9:1-2. As for Proverbs 6:6-11, I am learning that it is step by step. The ants just keep going forward carrying their food, carrying one piece of dirt at a time. Diligence does not mean we get it all done in one day. I was reminded this weekend of the important of looking to the future and not just day after day of what was accomplished. We can become discouraged if we think everything has to be instantly done.

One way that I am idle and not like the ants is that I start things I don't finish. I start projects, crafts, binders for preschool, Bible studies and many other things that sometimes I start and then stop. I then do it years later as I had to many things started. I am reminded in Proverbs 14:23 that we should do what we say we are going to do rather than just talk about doing it.
I am also realizing the importance of preparation. The Ants don't just wait until winter harvest and say "let's get to work". They work all summer. Many times, I want to accomplish everything all at once. I play all at once. Then I want to work all at once.  Instead of step by step preparations.  For me, I love to camp in the Summer but then Winter comes and we didn't do many things that are needed in the Summer.  Many times I see house projects and I get overwhelmed. We need new cabinets, new counter tops, new roof, bathroom walls falling in, shower area is duct taped, sidewalk falling apart, basement floor not finished, walls need insulation, things need painting, windows need replacing, attic needs help and the list goes on. This is just our house and not my Mom's house that we take care of and our rental property. It is important to lay out the preparations and do each step by step as we saved money and work toward each project.

These projects lead me to my next issue that I learn from the ants. My husband has wanted "barn raising" in our community where people gather and redo our roof. Then we go to their house and do a project. We all pitch in serving where we can. Some may be good at roofs while others can clean up the mess and make food for the workers. Some of us can take care of the children and go buy supplies if we run out. The ants live in a community. They are communal workers. They each have a job to do it and they do it for all the other ants. I, on the other hand try to accomplish everything on my own. I tend to have an independent mindset rather than how can we accomplish this together.

I could write on and on about observing the ants like the army ants who fight the common enemy. My son likes army ants. I could talk about how ants can lift way more than their size. I could write about their not giving up even though they can only take a grain of sand at a time to build their colony. What about the oldest ants sent to battle while the young ones stay home to take care of food and the young babies?

Many times I give in to hopelessness and despair when I don't see everything done. Many times I forget to wait on the Lord and just keep doing what I know He told me to do one step at a time.

Prayer: Lord thank you that you want us to be diligent like the ants rather than like sluggards. Thank you that you are our strength. Lord, I pray I finish the tasks you give and that I learn to love being with others as we accomplish your work together.

Bread of Idleness

Bread. The Bible speaks figuratively, as a term for something of which people “partake.”  Here are examples of The types of Bread we can partake of:

Partake of                                                    Scripture Reference

Bread of Adversity                                        Isaiah 30:20

Bread of Sorrows                                          Psalm 127:2

Bread of Wickedness                                    Proverbs 4:17

Bread of Affliction                                       1 Kings 22:27

Bread of Tears                                               Psalm 80:5

Bread of Idleness                                         Proverbs 31:27

Bread of Deceit                                             Proverbs 20:17

Bread of Life                                               John 6:35

Scriptures for Proverbs 31 Study (Week 10)
Prov. 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Prov. 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
Observations:
1. When we don't watch over the affairs/ways of our household, we are eating the bread of idleness.
2. Heeding what God says is important in wise living.

Application:  When I think of bread of idleness, I think of its opposite which is eating the bread of life which is Jesus Christ. When I think of idle, I think of lazy, opposite of diligent, using time for unproductive, useless activities. God's Word directs our steps.

There are many who say that if you are outside your home for errands or fun activities for your children more than once a week that you are being idle. I would say that there are many women who are staying home all day that are idle too. Either account could be idle. I am still growing in being a homemaker/nest builder. There are weeks, I do too much outside the home with our son. There are weeks, I am home too much. It is not whether or not you are home or not at home that makes you idle.

We have found for us that if we have a set routine for when we are outside the home it works best. For me, it is usually around 10:30-1:30. We pack a picnic lunch and go to our zoo, discovery center, musical program, reading programs.  This time is intentional for many reasons: (1) to have really focused play time outside the home with my child; (2) for my son to be in the community with others; (3) meeting others and sharing the light of Christ in the way we live and speak. We are making relationships and sharing love. (4) to expose my son to activities and learning experiences that he may have an interest in. We also practice Bible verses and discuss lessons as we walk through our Discovery Center or Zoo. We do educational activities based on programs we attended in our Community. More importantly, we are building relationships and letting Jesus' light shine wherever we go.

 However, if things in my house are not getting done, then it is important for me to decrease activities for a time. If I am outside the house and not using things as learning experiences but always just for entertainment the I know I have turned to bread of idleness. Another area for me that is idleness is reading facebook updates. I try to do that only once or twice a week and set a very short time limit. I mostly go on to send a message or post something.  Lately, I stopped reading so many books as I realized I just want to keep learning and then I stop doing. I also tend to type schedules and search for new activities so I try to set limits as too much time starts to make it the bread of idleness.

Prayer:  Lord let me make good use of the time allotted as time is short. May I learn to number my days and rejoice in them. May my days be fruitful and may you be glorified. Thank you Lord that you are the bread of life that gives abundant life in Jesus.

Fruit of Wisdom

" But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." James 3:17
The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. God says that against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 

God uses "fruit" many times in the Scriptures. Jesus tells us that if we do not abide in Him that we will not produce fruit. A branch cannot produce fruit without the vine.

Today as I think upon God's Word about the words we use, I am asking Him to produce His Godly fruit out of my mouth so that others can feast abundantly.

SCRIPTURE:
~Prov 10:31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
~Prov 4:24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
... ~Prov 10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

OBSERVATIONS:
1. When we are right with God with His breastplate of Righteousness over our hearts (His Righteousness and not our own), the fruit of wisdom will come out of our mouth.
2. We are not to use our mouth for perverse and corrupt talk
3. To be prudent is to exercise good judgement; and showing care and thought for the future.
.

APPLICATION:
A prudent person does not just show care for today and what is happening. Many times the words we speak today produce a bad harvest in the future. We many not see the effects today. As Women of God, we need to not do and say whatever we feel today. We are told that what we sow, we will reap. Many times I am sowing "wheat and tares" at the same time. God says that we should not bless Him and curse our fellow brother. There have been times, I have not spoken well of my husband or others. God's Holy Spirit has convicted me, I repent and God produces His fruit in my life as I obediently remain in Him.

There are times, I see fruit that is the direct result of things I said and did. Of course, it brings me pain when I see that a good harvest didn't come in. Many times, I have to confess that my motive was to have a good harvest rather than just being obedient and loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

Questions to ask before I speak - Fruit of Wisdom
Is what I am speaking full of love?
Is what I am about to speak full of purity/cleanness?
Is what I am about to speak showing joy?to pass on?
Is what I am about to speak showing patience?
Is what I am about to speak kind?
Is the manner in which I am about to speak gentle?
Is what I am about to speak showing God's goodness?
Is what I am about to speak contain self control in amount of words and content to be spoken? Is this the right time and place?
Is what I am about to speak showing God's faithfulness?
Is what I am about to speak hypocritical? Do I think one thing and say another? Resolve this with God first.

Questions to ask before I speak - Perversity
Definition of Perverse -

1. Directed away from what is right or good; perverted.

2. Obstinately persisting in an error or fault; wrongly self-willed or stubborn.

3.

a. Marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict.

b. Arising from such a disposition.

4. Cranky; peevish.

---

Is what I am about to speak full of envy, jealousy?
Is what I am about to speak boasting?
Is what I am about to speak full of confusion?
Is what I am about to speak contradicting someone? Pray first
Is what I am about to speak spreading a cranky attitude?
Is what I am about to speak full of self?

Examples of Corrupt Talk
Is what I am about to speak showing a lack of moral values?
Is what I am about to speak destructive?


Prayer:  Lord, may I be found faithful in abiding with you. I can not produce the good fruit without you. You, Spirit of Truth, examine my heart and reveal any wicked way that is in me. Remove transgression, corrupt talk and perverse talk from me. Thank you that you took these unclean lips and made them pure to declare your praises.

Are my Fig Trees Bearing Berries?

After Adam and Eve ate of the fruit that God told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings."

I have been known to sew fig leaves together.  I have not literally sewed fig leaves together but I have tried to make my own coverings when I feel "naked".
As I ponder what makes the virtuous wife worthy. I am reminded that her worth is far above rubies because she is a child/daughter of King Jesus. She is worthy because of His sacrifice on the cross in laying His life down for her. He died while we were yet sinners. She is not worthy because of what she does but of Who He is and what He has done.

Out of the worth as a child of Jesus in her heart, the good she does overflows. She has reverence and thanksgiving for the God who made her. Her worth does not depend on:
-  how great her marriage
- how "her ministry" as church is going
- how many friends she has
- how many people she brought to Christ
- how well behaved her children are
- how "successful" she is
- how clean her house is

Her eyes are on the Lord and the cross He carried for her. She just keeps working willingly with her hands and does everything onto the Lord for Him. She is faithful to what God has called her to do. Her confidence is in him and not her accomplishments.

Many times, we as women feel great and are joyful when are marriages seem ideal and going well, our children are well behaved, our house is clean, we have a good friend to talk to and listen to...etc. When marriage issues come up, children are misbehaving we feel miserable. Our worth goes up and down based on the circumstances and responses around us. 

How do we stay on level ground?  Each day I need to be reminded that the ground at the cross is level. It is not my good works that earn favor with God. I have favor with God because of Jesus' sacrifice for me. Out of the free gift, I can sing, praise and worship my King. Each act out of love and whole hearted obedience is my living sacrifice of praise. God does not delight in burnt sacrifices but a broken and contrite heart.

Fig leaves will not last. They are just leaves. We continue to try to hide our "nakedness" before God and others. God had to clothe us with the first sacrifice - an animal. Blood had to be shed so we had adequate clothing. Sin did bring death. Eventually the ultimate death was Jesus on the Cross so that we could be covered with His righteousness.

Adam and Eve were not just covering their physical nakedness. They were covering their shame and guilt. They were hiding from each other and God. Hiding brings aloneness which we know God already says is not good.

Scriptures For Proverbs 31 Study:
~Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
~Prov 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
... ~Prov 10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

Observations:
1. The mouth speaks what is stored in the heart. If heart is full of good things, good comes out of the mouth. If heart is full of evil, evil things come out of the heart.

2. Guarding our heart is essential for right living and right talking. I am thankful God guards our heart with His Righteousness.

3. We are not to speak everything we think or feel

Application: 
I love how Jesus spoke in parables. He spoke in "mysteries". He spoke in everyday lessons about gardening, trees, and fishing. There were times Jesus called people whitewashed  tombs clean on the outside but filthy inside with bones of dead and every unclean thing. He called people broods of vipers, snakes,and  hypocrites.  Jesus talked to the Pharisees who put burdens on people but did nothing to help them.  Jesus, as God, could see through this hypocrisy. He knew their "right words" were not "right living". Eventually what they believed and their motives would come out. They did things to be seen by others.  They did not have Jesus' breastplate of righteousness but their own right doing.  Lord, you are pure. My figs cannot bear berries.

Matthew 7:16 says "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?" When I see figs on my grape vine then I know I have tried to be something on the outside that I am not on the inside. We should not be blessing our Lord and Father and cursing our fellow man. This is inconsistent. I am reminded of  James 3:7-10 which says "for every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can NO MAN TAME; it is an unruly evil full of deadly poison. Therewith bless God, the Father and curse men which are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not so to be.Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."

Prayer: I have been beautiful on the outside only to be full of dead things on the inside. I thank you that you took this dying creature and made me alive in Christ. Thank you that I can lay all my dead bones at your feet because you care for me. Thank you that you have been faithful to show me my dead bones. Thank you that right words and right living are only in You.


Application Questions:
1. What fig leaves do you try to sew together for covering?
2.  What is God's covering for us?
3. How can we stand free before others and God?
4. Do you feel great when your marriage is going well, house is clean and children are behaving? How do you feel when they are not? Do you feel it is your fault and you are exposed? What is the remedy?

Trust and Obey

Many times, in our culture and in our own life, we think that we are to read scripture and think of ways to apply it. Sometimes, we try to come up with crafty ideas and methods. I am starting to see in my life all I have to do is trust and obey. The first part of the song is
"Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey."

The Christian life really is that simple - TRUST AND OBEY. When we trust and obey His Word, we will be women who areself controlled and trustworthy. We will speak wholesome talk and have gentle answers upon our lips.

SCRIPTURE:~Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
~1 Ti 3:11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
... ~Prov 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

OBSERVATION:
1. unwholesome as I observe it in context seems to say not whole. Merriam Webster defines unwholesome as: detrimental to physical, mental, or moral well-being : unhealthy  or corrupt, unsound.
2. We should speak what is: 1. helpful for building others up and 2. be a benefit to those listening.
3. We should be self controlled in what we speak and do.
4. We are to speak in a gentle manner even when we disagree with what others are saying.

APPLICATION: 
There area of unwholsome talk I struggle with is being critical of my house. I constantly say " I just cleaned that.", "It is messy" and "I am tired of cleaning". If my house is messy, I feel organized and "out of control." At times, I have trouble concentrating if my house is a mess. There are times, I am trying to put away things as I use them, play with my son and do work around the house and things still get messy. Therefore there is no condemnation to those of us in Christ Jesus. However, there are times where my messy house reflects my "unwholesome" heart. There are times where my mind and heart are scattered in many directions. I make up lists (in my head and in writing) that I think I have to accomplish.  If my motive is anything other than faith in Jesus Christ and his sufficiency, things start to unravel.  When I start thinking "oh I didn't get enough time in the WORD", then I know I have started to believe a suble lie. The lie is that I am having time in the WORD because I want my day to go well. I want my son to behave well and grow up to be like Jesus. I want a "perfect" marriage. I want to learn, share, grow and pass on the blessings. Whatever it is, the focus gets on myself rather than SEEKING HIM FIRST AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. The breastplate of righteousness I wear is not what I do that covers and guards my heart. The breastplate of righteousness  is that what Christ did on the cross make me right before God. Jesus is our mediator and His righteousness guards my heart. When our heart is covered by his righteousness, then we can be self controlled in the way we behave and the words we speak. Our heart is whole when protected by Jesus not our own doing. Obedience is different than doing.

PRAYER:  Father God, many times what you want most if for us to rest and trust in you. When I need to rest and trust in you is when I want to do the most. My inadequacies make me want to "sew fig leaves" to put on rather than rest and trust in you. Please forgive me for applying the word to MY life rather than just listen to your WORDS and doing what you say. Lord, you are life. Thank you for guarding my heart in Christ Jesus and that I am right based on what you did. I love you Lord and may the words of my heart be pleasing to you.