Sarah's Daughters

The Ivy League Devotional

2007-09-03T18:51:00.000-05:00

Psalm 119:9-16
Ivy League Bible Study Fellowship
Week of September 3, 2007

Hallelujah! “Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name.”
God is so good and it is so wonderful to know Him. I am rejoicing in the Lord and in spite of any challenges; I pray that you are rejoicing as well.

The ILBSF has begun our study of Psalm 119! Even though we are only in the second stanza of the Psalm; it has already been an overpowering experience. Per our Bible study lessons, as well as the wonderful study guides that our sister Jamie Love has prepared; we are being blessed with a wealth of information to meditate over as well as to guide us in spiritual growth.

When reading many of the psalms including Psalm 119, I often feel the urge to respond to God in my own “psalm”. I have heard of different church organizations assigning their members the task of writing their own psalm. In our bible study lessons a couple of weeks ago we were challenged to give a response to each stanza of Psalm 119.

This is not necessarily a response to each stanza, but an expression of some of the thoughts and emotions that I experience when I read God’s Word:

The day awakes with praises to the Lord. The grass and the dew bend
as the beast search for their breakfast. The birds fill the air with their
melody and the skies are colored with the shades of dawn. The breeze guides the eagles to their nest. The earth is rejoicing in the artistry of the Lord. Where is the creature that the Lord has given dominion over the labor of his hands? Are they submitting to the will of the Lord? Are they celebrating obedience in praise to the Lord? Are they as wise as the Lord’s other creatures and spending their days in worship?
Look at the daisy so bright and yellow. Blessing our
senses exactly as the Lord has commanded. It does not choose shade when the Lord tells it to feast in the warmth of the sun. It does not choose shelter when the Lord tells it to feed in the nourishment of the rain. Over my shoulder is protection and righteousness, yet I choose the disgrace of sin that always seems to be a nagging presence in my face. Give me wisdom oh Lord to hunger after your word.
You have given man a higher intelligence over all the works of your hand. Yet where is man? I want to be found in the study of your Word. Though the lessons may often reflect my weaknesses, I will be made whole through the strength of your guidance.
My life should be a sacrifice of praise to you Lord.
I can only learn the steps of my praise dance through the earnest pursuit of your Word.

How would your psalm read? Write one. No one has to see it but you and the Lord. This journey through Psalm 119 allows us into the heart of the psalmist to experience his earnest pursuit after righteousness and his great love of the Lord.

I pray that we will all be changed when the journey is over and that we all will have a new found devotion to be obedient to the law of the Lord.

To God be the glory! Be blessed in the Lord my Sistas. Use each day as another opportunity to show someone the love of God.

Jesus loves you and so do I!

Michelle
Indianapolis, IN

The 'Ivy' League Devotional

2007-08-21T20:40:00.000-05:00

Again we are blessed to be able to hear from our sister Michelle. The Ivy League Bible Study Fellowship started their study on Psalm 119 on last Friday. It was a powerful time in the Word of God. So for the next four months we will be gleaning from the 119th Psalm. May we all seek to hide the Word in our hearts. "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11

Psalm 119
Ivy League Bible Study Fellowship
Week of August 20, 2007

God is good and worthy to be praised. We are blessed with yet another day to lift our voice in praise.

As many of you are aware, over the next several weeks the ILBSF will be studying the 119th Psalm. As we have discussed in a previous devotion this is the longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. The Psalm is 22 stanzas long; one stanza for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

No one is 100% sure who wrote Psalm 119. Some say that it was David; some say that it was Ezra, or Daniel or even King Hezekiah. Who ever the author of the Psalm was, there is one thing for sure; the author wrote it as praise to the glory of the Truth of God’s Word.

I am not sure if you have ever read the entire psalm; but in my readings I found myself amazed at the author’s commitment to be obedient to the Word of God. I will be honest with myself and with all of you. There are many passages in the Bible that challenge me to the point of discomfort, and the 119th Psalm is one of those passages. It made me uncomfortable in the fact that the author is so dedicated to the living of the law and the commandments of God and it seems that we often find ourselves doing just the opposite.

We read the Bible. We study the Bible. We love the Bible, but are we committed to living our lives according to His Word? In our relationships, in our conversations, in our habits, in our jobs, in the things that we pick for entertainment or the way we choose to spend our leisure time. Are we persistent in the pursuit of the statues of God? My answer would unfortunately be “no”. How would you answer this question?

The author of Psalm 119 makes a promise to not only memorize the Word of God, but to live the Word of God. He loves the Word of God and will forsake all others for the precepts of our Lord. The writer recognizes that God’s love is steadfast and that the Lord is constantly blessing His people. The psalmist is able to offer praise to the Lord by passionately seeking after the Lord and his counsel.

Though hardships and trials may come, the writer knows that there is hope in the Word of God! Though evil may come and try to distract us and try to draw us away from God, the author of Psalm 119 assures us that there is freedom and deliverance in God’s Word. Can we, when being tempted by evil or challenged by others for the love of the Word of God, still be faithful to the Word? When facing persecution for love of the law, the psalmist clung more tightly to the Word of God.

God’s way is not easy for us to understand. As a matter of fact, we are not even capable of understanding God’s Word without the Lord’s guidance. The Lord gives us detailed instructions on how to pursue His way and His testimonies. God’s words have been true and good from the beginning of time and they are true and good today. His testimonies are eternal! If we follow the way of the Lord we will be blessed to gain wisdom.

God has given us His Word since the beginning and since the beginning we have been disobedient to His Word. But even in the Lord’s discipline; we are still blessed. As the psalmist states; our discipline is used to draw us nigh unto God.

Our daily lives are full of struggle and sin, but God’s law is a refuge from our daily struggles. Go to the Word and it will offer comfort and strength. I mentioned earlier that I was not doing a very good job in my dedication to the Word of God. Even in our short- comings and our sins, God’s judgment is full of grace and mercy! His judgments are always just.

God’s testimony is true and not capable of lying. Draw nigh unto His Word my Sistas. As the psalmist instructs; meditate on God’s laws day and night. God’s instructions give us peace and comfort and life and joy.

I pray that through this journey of Psalm 119 we all find ourselves making a vow to live by the precepts of our Lord. By being loyal to God’s laws we will gain a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Be blessed and spend your days finding ways to make God smile.

Jesus loves you and so do I!

Michelle
Indianapolis, IN

Vacation Time!!!

2007-08-21T20:23:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. I am sorry I have been absent for the past week. Things have been CRAZY!!! My family and I are preparing for our family vacation. It will be our last trip before school starts and we want to make a memorable one.

I will be returning on next week. I have several things I'll be posting once I return. Pray for our safety and also that we'll be examples of the most Holy One, so that those in our families who don't know Him might see Him through us.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him

with the whole heart. Psalm 119:1-2

The 'Ivy' League Devotional pt.2

2007-08-09T07:52:00.000-05:00

1 John Chapter 4

My dear sisters in the battle; do not be fooled by the latest charismatic speakers. If they are not clearly confessing that Christ came in the flesh, they are not of God. They are “that spirit of the antichrist.” We need to be lead in the Word by men and women of God. By men and women that love His Word and that teach according to His Word. We do not need motivational speakers, with need Bible teachers.

We need to be taught the love of God. Taught how God loved us so much that He allowed His precious Son to suffer and die for us. What parent has not nearly lost their minds with the concept of having to watch a child suffer or struggle? God did that for us. Not because we deserved it, but because He loves us that much.

We cannot say that we love God, whom we have never seen but struggle to show love to our brothers and sisters whom we see everyday. We cannot only love those we choose to love, but love those that God told us to love.

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Be blessed women of God and may all your tomorrows be filled with the desire to show someone the love of Christ.

Loving you always,

Michelle

The 'Ivy' League Devotional pt.1

2007-08-09T07:38:00.000-05:00

1 John Chapters 3 & 4
Ivy League Bible Study Devotion
Week of August 6, 2007

Praise the Lord Women of God!!!! “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

God is good and worthy to be praised! He continues to bless our study group as we grow in number and in the Spirit.

This week we will continue our meditations in the book of 1 John. Last week our devotion covered chapters 1 & 2 and this week we will cover Chapters 3 & 4.

“BEHOLD, What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; there fore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1.

1 John Chapter 3

They will know we are Christians by our love. We should be in awe and humbled by the concept of the almighty God calling us His children. His love for us is that great. We should be excited about showing love toward each other in a way that is strange to the world. We should realize that we are not worthy to share the title of “strange” with our Savior. They do not know us as they did not know Him, they will not understand the way that we love.

Our motivation for showing this unworldly, uncommon love is an eternity with Christ. Seeking after righteousness, turning the other cheek and praying for our enemy; these challenges are well worth the struggle. Our reward is to one day, be face to face with our Savior!

Do not be surprised if the world hates you as you seek after righteousness. Cain killed his brother because Cain himself was evil and his brother was seeking after righteousness. Why are Christians always portrayed as weird or as fanatics? Because the world hates that the light of our love reveals their wickedness.

Love one another. Not just with our mouths, but with our actions. I have been blessed to be the recipient of an uncommon love. I have been loved by others in a sacrificial way. I have been loved in a manner that makes me yearn to daily show others the love of Christ. Once we commit to blessing others with a Christ like love we are not only blessing that one individual, but we are loving our God.

Happy Anniversary!!!!!

2007-08-07T07:51:00.000-05:00

Today marks my 14th year of marriage. It seems that just a short time ago, I was walking down the isle to meet my beloved, the one whom God had specially designed for me. I often thank the Lord for being so gracious to me, in the giving of a gift that is priceless. My husband.

When one understands the sovereignty of God, you gain a perspective on the things that happen in your life. It amazes me that before the beginning of time, God's sovereign plan was to specifically shape, mold, and fashion my husband for me and me for him. And through the years the Lord continues to water and prune us both, so that we will continue to grow in love with Him and with each other.

I praise the Lord that our season of life together is not over. My prayer is that our love for one another would be reflective of His great love for us and that it would be pleasing in His sight. Using the words of the Shulamite woman in the Song of Solomon, I'd like to say this of my husband,

My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand.
His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.
His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels.
His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. His lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh.
His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires.
His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars.

His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Song of Solomon 5:10-16

Praise the Lord for 14 wonderful years.

Dew Drops from Heaven

2007-07-31T08:39:00.000-05:00

I posted this last year in July. As I was reading over this post, I found it to be just as encouraging now as I did then. My prayer is to encourage and love those who are dear to me with the words of my mouth. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer" Psalm 19:14 May our words be a sweet sound in the ears of our Lord and a refreshing drop of dew on the hearts of those we love.

How often do we take the time to encourage the people we love? How often do we make an effort to tell them how much they mean to us, how we were moved when they did or said a particular thing? Well this evening I saw the importance of verbally encouraging the ones we love and in this particular case, our spouses.

We had some good friends over and we enjoyed a game of Win, Lose, or Draw, but with a twist. Each clue that was to be drawn was associated with a virtue. (Love, humility, etc.) As we unfolded each one some marvelous things were brought to the light. We had the opportunity to tell our spouses things we never thought to say and maybe things they thought they would never hear. It was such a beautiful thing to see. The encouragement that came from a few words. The air seemed easier to breathe and the future was something we could look forward to.

I would beseech thee to take the time to encourage your spouse. Let him or her know about the little things they do, or the qualities they possess, how those entities encourage you.

I want to leave you with a quote from the beloved author John Bunyan. He says so wonderfully:

"The doctrine of the gospel is
like the dew and the small rain that distilleth upon the tender grass, wherewith
it doth flourish, and is kept green (Deut. 32:2). Christians are like the
several flowers in a garden, that have upon each of them the dew of heaven,
which being shaken with the wind, they let fall their dew at each other's roots,
whereby they are jointly nourished, and become nourishers of one another. For
Christians to commune savourily of God's matters one with one another, it is as
if they opened to each other's nostrils boxes of perfume."
As the dew drops from heaven, may we nourish the roots of the one we love.

The 'Ivy' League Devotional Pt. 2

2007-07-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

1 John 2 picks up where chapter 1 left off and tells us how we can be forgiven of our sins. “But if anyone does sin we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins-and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” 1 John 2:1-2. Glory hallelujah!!!!! Thank you, Father for your grace and mercy. Once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, he’s got our back! He is our attorney and we will not be condemned!

The next part of 1 John 2: 7- 12; really challenges us. It gives us a new commandment that is old. It calls us to simply love one another. So if we say that we love Christ and go to church and won’t speak to Laneeqa because she rubs us the wrong way, we are still living in darkness (1 John 2:9).

From there John really starts to step on toes. He tells us not to love the things of the world more than God. Not to be caught up in or to take pride in our possessions and achievements. (1 John 2:15-17) If you can’t say “amen” say “ouch”! That’s smart. Take a deep breath, say a prayer and continue.

The last part of 1 John 2, teaches us about the antichrist. To test the spirit by the Spirit. When I first read this passage some years ago I was very confused about what it was directing us to do. “And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father.” 1 John 2:22-23. You cannot love God and deny Jesus. You cannot love Jesus and deny God. They are one.

We have the Holy Spirit in us that allows us to discern what is good from what is evil. When Christ sent the Holy Spirit that lives within us and the Holy Spirit teaches us what is true. The moment that we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts. When we get caught up in a movement or on the latest dynamic speaker to hit the airwaves, yet something deep inside is tugging at our hearts and no matter how hard we try to ignore the feeling, it still persist. That’s the Holy Spirit. My Bible commentary recommends the following Scriptures for more on the Holy Spirit and what He does: John 3:6, Acts 1:5 and Ephesians 1:13, 14.

John definitely stretches us in our Christian walk. The book of 1John also blesses us in assuring us in our relationship with our precious Lord and Savior.

Until next week, women of God. "May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 6:24.

Yours in Christ,

Michelle

The 'Ivy' League Devotinal Pt. 1

2007-07-30T22:00:00.000-05:00

This is a word from our Sister Michelle on I John chapters 1 & 2.

1John Chapter 1 & 2

Praise the Lord Women of God!!!! How is it with your soul today? I pray that you find yourselves overwhelmed in the presence of the Lord.

Welcome to all of our new members! God is truly blessing the “Ivy” League Bible Study Fellowship. Counting the day and evening groups combined, I think that we are nearing the 30 mark in number, as well as being spread out all over the U.S.! I am looking forward to our study time together and know that we are going to not only enjoy an incredible spiritual voyage, but a lot of laughs as well.

The ILBSF have been studying the book of 1 John for the past several weeks. My devotion assignment for the next two weeks, for the benefit of all of our newcomers, is to attempt to summarize our journey through the book of 1 John. This week I will ask for God’s guidance in covering 1 John Chapters 1 & 2. For next week’s devotion I will cover 1 John Chapters 3 – 5.

1 John was written by the apostle John, one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. This man walked and talked daily with our savior. John’s motivation for the book was to educate early Christians in regards to their faith and to help them discern false teachings. In 1 John, as with much of the Bible; it is astonishing how much of what applied then still applies today. Many of today’s Christians find ourselves confused about where we stand in our faith and who to believe or not to believe in regards to preaching the gospel versus false teachings. Well my sistas, John explains all of that to the early Christians as well as to Christians of today. John also provides assurance in regards to our relationship with Christ.

1 John Chapter 1 is only 10 verses long but full of power. The main concept is that God is light. “…God is light and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.” 1 John 1: 5-6. Either we are in relationship with God or we are not. We cannot say that we have a relationship with God and continue choosing sin. Sin is darkness and there is no darkness in God.

Because we are sinners; we have to confess our sins to God. God is faithful so He will forgive us. The challenge here for us my sistas, is admitting our sins. We have to ask God to convict our hearts of our sins so that we will seek repentance. I know that all of us do things that we know full well in our hearts are not of God and that we try to justify with those sins with excuses. “I was not gossiping, I was calling her so that she would pray for Sister Smith.” Remember ladies, if we say we have not sinned we are calling God a liar. 1 John 1:10.
So….. since this is via email, and we can’t see each other, all of us that have sinned and tried to justify the sin, raise your hand. No one sees but you and God. Confess and repent. Didn’t that feel good?!!!! I know I feel better already.

The 'Ivy' League Devotional

2007-07-23T23:35:00.000-05:00

I shared with you earlier that I am venturing to memorize Psalm 119. I've learned the first eight verses and I am working on the next eight. I pray that there are many who are joining me and are experiencing the joy of engraving the Word of the Lord on our hearts.

My dear sister Jamie Love is apart of the Ivy League Bible Study Fellowship. It is a group of ladies from Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, Virginia,and New York. They are currently meeting, via the telephone, weekly and are going through the book of I John. Upon completion of I John they will begin studying Psalm 119. Jamie's niece, Michelle, will be writing a weekly devotional on this Psalm and I want to share her insights with you. Lord willing, I'll post it every Monday. Here is the first of her devotions. "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart." Psalm 119:2

Psalm 119: 1-8

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statues! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statues: O forsake me not utterly.

Welcome women of the “Ivy” League Bible Study to the meditations of Psalm 119. I have been blessed with the awesome task of writing weekly devotions over the course of our study of this beautiful poem. I am by no means a Bible scholar. I seriously considered extensive study and research of the scripture before I began the devotions. Considering the “Ivy” League Bible Study consist of minister’s wives, Bible study teachers, deacons and elders. Bishop anyone? I felt I better do my homework. However, after further prayer and leading by the Holy Spirit, I will write straight from the heart and pray God’s blessings over my thoughts.

Some of you already know that Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. I feel that the Psalms are a collection of poems of praise, poems crying out to God for help and poems of advice. In the first eight verses of Psalm 119 we are being charged with sincere obedience of God’s law. If we are passionate about our search for God and his laws we will not stray from their paths. In this world of negotiations of principles and scruples; God has given us a book of instructions in which there is to be no deviation. As we draw nigh unto God and seek to please Him, we will spend more time honoring God and less time regretting some of our decisions. We can offer God our own psalm of thanks by obeying his laws. God in His awesome endless grace and mercy will always love us and as the writer pleads; the Lord will not give up on us.

Sisters; in the struggle of day to day living and as the wicked pleasures of gossip, nagging, envy and other sins try to over take us, hold fast to the law of the Lord and know that our treasures lie in heaven. Let us seek to be God pleasers.

Be blessed women of God. May the peace of our Lord reign over you until we meet again.

Michelle

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

2007-07-23T21:36:00.000-05:00

There is a hymn that says, "Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved can stand, build your hope on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand." I take comfort in knowing that the hand of our LORD does not change. With the many things we tend to face each day, which reminds us of the transition the world is making, it is with the unmovable, unchangeable hand of God that we are able to stand and accomplish the things set before us. Amen!!!

Over the past couple of weeks, almost a month, things have been moving in a, "I don't have time to slow down!" fashion. There have been trip after trip, loads of laundry to wash, dry, fold, pack, unpack, and wash again. As a result of that, my blogging has come to a 5 mile per hour crawl. (Not a complete halt) I am praising the Lord for this moment where I can share His faithfulness and goodness with you all.

My family and I just returned from Lecanto, Fl. My husband was the speaker for Seven Rivers family Bible conference. The conference was on the Pilgrims Progress. We all had a powerful time journeying through this book which depicts the christians life so vividly. I encourage all to visit www.sevenrivers.org to download the messages. I had a sobering time sitting under the preached word and I know that you'll, too, have one.

It's good to be in the swing of things again. Stay tuned there is more to come!!!

I Finished!!!

2007-07-10T09:47:00.000-05:00

The 38th annual Peachtree Road Race has gone down in the history books. And praise the Lord, my name went down in it. The Peachtree was an event one cannot easily forget. I didn't realize how big the Peachtree was until I crossed the start line. There were people every where. Bands and radio stations lined the streets, along with families and friends with coolers full of cool drinks, something to eat and for some beer and wine. Little girls were on the side walks cheering on all of the participants in the race. I mean folks dressed in costumes, people from local churches, and volunteers. It was a sight to behold.

While the onlookers relaxed and soaked up the rays of the sun and for some the coolness of the shade, those who were actually participating had other things on their minds. Finishing!!!! As I was waiting for the announcers "On your marks, get ready, go!!!" I was asking myself, "What have I gotten myself into?" The start line was a long ways away from the finish line. I couldn't believe I was about to start a 6.2 mile race. Well, once the race began, there was no time to think about how far I had to go, but taking each step with the confidence that I was getting closer to the end.

Isn't that true of our walk with the Lord? How much time do we spend worrying about how much further we have to go? Or what obstacles may be in our way? I kept reminding myself that each step I take in this life is just a step closer to the life I'll spend in eternity with my Lord. In Hebrews 12:1 it says, ".... and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...." Everyone there had a unified goal, and that was to reach the finish line and get the coveted T-shirt. However, I wanted to do more than just finish. I wanted to endure. That race was hard. There was a hill that was called "Cardiac Hill". It seemed as if that hill would never drop. Jesus also walked a road that probably seemed like it wouldn't end. Hebrews goes on to say, ".....who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." How awesome is that picture. Christ endured all the way to the cross and on the cross. I knew I could endure 6.2 miles which withers in comparison.

Jesus Christ was my inspiration and my strength. I can say with Paul "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7 emphasis mine) Praise the Lord, I finished!!!!!

The New Life Conference

2007-07-03T10:11:00.000-05:00

My dear beloved friends, have you ever eaten at Golden Corral or Ryans? Did you find yourself trying to figure out what to chew on first? That was my experience at the Godly Life conference in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. There was a buffet of God's Word, but this time I knew exactly what to chew on. Pastor Louis Love, Pastor Thaibiti Anyabwile, and Pastor Anthony Carter cooked up a serious dose of protein. I walked away full and satisfied. I thank the Lord for these men who are speaking boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:19)

The fellowship was great!!! We spent alot of time laughing and eating. Each year I look forward to this conference. And each year I come back well nourished by the powerful Word of God. I highly recommend all to visit New Life's website and order the cd's from the conference. I guarantee you'll never be the same.

Continue to pray for next years conference. I'll keep you posted on dates as well as the conference theme.

Be sure to visit their site at http://www.newlifevh.org. (Click on Conferences, then Messages on CD.)

Hiding the Word In Our Hearts

2007-07-02T21:34:00.000-05:00

The challenge has been set. Our next set of memory verses are from Psalm 119. Yes, my friends we will be taking a trip through the whole of Psalm 119. Now let us not fret, we will take the next six months to work on this. Each week we will memorize a section. (eight verses) As you go through this Psalm, take note of all the references to God's word. Just about every verse speaks of His word.

May the Lord be glorified as we seek to know Him through the study of His word.

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart."

Preparing for the Peachtree

2007-07-02T20:09:00.000-05:00

In an earlier post I spoke of participating in the Peachtree Road Race, here in Atlanta, on the 4th of July. Friends, that time has come. More than 50,000 people, including me, are two days away from the anticipated event. Over the past couple of days I've been asking myself, "What have I gotten into?" :) Well, as I train for physical stamina, I've also been training for spiritual endurance. Memorizing and studying God's word has helped me tremendously. I am trusting and believing that His word will see me through. Hebrews 12:1 says,

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

My prayer is that I will run with endurance, just as Jesus Christ endured on the cross. The word of God has sustaining power!

Hiding The Word In Our Hearts

2007-06-10T21:37:00.000-05:00

I pray that you all were blessed by last weeks scripture memory verse. I know that I was. I was reminded of the importance of keeping our minds stayed on the things of the Lord. Remembering also to "wait for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ...." (Titus 2:13)

Our next verse comes from I John 3:1-10

We will take the next two weeks to memorize these verses. I pray that the Holy Spirit will be with you, to help you engraved the word of the Lord on your hearts. Be blessed!!!!

It's All In A Word

2007-06-07T17:15:00.000-05:00

Isn't it amazing when one sits down to contemplate all that God knows? The most amazing thing, however, is we will never really comprehend the vastness of God's knowledge. In Our Perfect God Shenton says, "
"God's knowledge is his intellectual apprehension of truth and can be described as one eternal, all-comprehensive, indivisible act of intuition. It is that perfection in God whereby he, in an entirely unique manner, knows himself and all things possible and actual in one eternal and most simple act."

In other words, God knows what has happened, what will happen, when and where it will happen. And get this, He knew before the world took on any form. "Known to God from eternity are all His works." Acts 15:18

In our humanity, we must work to obtain knowledge, however, God does not obtain His. He doesn't depend on anyone or anything to gain knowledge. Shenton says, "He depends solely and absolutely on his own infinite knowledge, which he possesses within his own mind and will." This should cause all to fall to their knees in awe. Oh, how little we know and understand when it comes to the mind of our great and glorious God. I am finding out how little I know and understand.

I praise the Lord for His omniscience. For no matter what I have gone through, are going through, or will go through HE knows it altogether.

Foreknowledge - In one simple and eternal act of cognition God knows all things.

AMEN

Modesty

2007-06-05T11:33:00.000-05:00

I just read a great article concerning modesty at http://www.reviveourhearts.com. The article is entitled, "Does God Really Care What You Wear?" Nancy Leigh Demoss gives great insight on the subject. Check it out and pass it on.

Hiding the Word In Our Hearts

2007-06-04T20:39:00.000-05:00

"With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Ps. 119:10-11

One of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year was to memorize more scriptures. Along with that I sought the face of the Lord and asked Him to place someone in my life to hold me accountable for it. The Lord has graciously answered my prayer. I have been blessed with two sisters, of the faith, who have welcomed me in their pursuit to learn a passage of scripture each week.

Every Monday, I will post the scripture we are learning. We are memorizing text that deal with our thought life. I encourage all to join and pray that all would be so led to start memorizing the word of God.

The scripture for this week: Titus 2:11-14

Finding Joy in Hair

2007-06-01T08:44:00.000-05:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that through the strength of the Lord I can do all things, which included doing hair. God has graciously blessed me with four beautiful daughters and between Friday and Saturday we spend quite a bit of time sifting through lockes of hair.

It is truly a joy and a priviledge to honor God in caring for my children, even though, it is sometimes a struggle to pull myself together, pull out the comb, brush, spray bottle, and the blue magic, the old school hair grease=), to venture into territories unknown. (I will have you know, each hair day is a different experience) However, in I Corinthians 10:31 I am reminded, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

So, with every strand of hair, every tear that may be shed, I will do it all to the glory of God.

Trusting in God

2007-05-31T13:02:00.000-05:00

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

It is sometimes a difficult thing to trust the Lord. When we face things that are out of our control, we have a tendency to worry and waiver in our faith. I know I sometimes struggle with this, so I was excited to see that our sisters in Christ, Carolyn Mahaney and her three daughters were blogging on this subject. (from May 21-May 25) I am encouraging all to visit their site at http://www.girltalk.blogs.com. I pray we all seek to trust the Lord at all times, for all things.

" Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart

before Him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8

Holy Ambition

2007-05-30T11:09:00.000-05:00

My husband has posted a great blog concerning Holy Ambition. John Piper gives a thought provoking sermon on the subject. It is something for the whole family. Check it out by just clicking on the link to his blog at Non Nobis Domine. It is truly something to think about. What are our holy ambitions? What are our children's holy ambitions?

It's All in A Word

2007-05-30T10:46:00.000-05:00

Periodically, I will be posting words and their definitions. For the next couple of weeks I'll be using words from the book Our Perfect God . Tim Shenton, defines these words as they relate to what he has written.

ABSOULUTE- God is the first cause of all existing things, the ultimate

ground of all reality and the one self-existent, eternal Being.

He is free from conditions, limitations and restraints, and

sustains no necessary relation to any other being.

Running the Race

2007-05-30T09:23:00.000-05:00

In August of last year I embarked on a mission of exercising and eating right. I was never really serious in years past, but a dear friend of mine encouraged three other ladies and myself to join with her in this venture. We began walking/jogging 3-4 times a week and kept a log of meals and snacks. Things were going great, until she challenged me to sign up for the Peachtree Road Race. The Peachtree is a 6 mile race held in Atlanta every July 4. I accepted, however I was not sure what I was getting into.

On May 12, I signed up for a 3.2 mile race, which raised money for breast cancer awareness. This race gave me a small glimpse of what to expect in July. This was no cake walk. Everyone I knew, had taken off and I couldn't catch them. I had to make it on my own. My legs were burning like fire and I wanted to stop!! However, constantly quoting the verse found in Ecclesiastes 9:11a "The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong..." and Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" gave me the push I needed. I immediately began likening the race to my, our, walk with Christ. Is not our lives, as servants to the Almighty, like a race? We must endure to the end remembering that, it is only through Him that we are able to stand.

Every since that day, I have been telling myself that I can do all things through Him. Washing the dishes, cleaning the house, combing hair, (with four girls, that's alot of hair) loving my children, submitting to my husband. I can daily seek the face of God and stand on His word, because it is His strength that allows me to do it. I may not have finished first in the race, but I finished. And in this life we may not finish first, but we will meet our Saviour at the finish line.

Our Perfect God

2007-05-29T13:07:00.000-05:00

Over the past couple of months I have been reading the book Our Perfect God by Tim Shenton. It is the summary of the attributes of God. In this book Shenton breaks down each attribute with the idea that :

a. The perfections of God are, in both fact and idea, essential
to and inseparable from, the nature of the divine Being, which in itself is
infinite, eternal and unchangeable.

b. The perfections of God can only be known in the way and as far as he
has condescended to reveal them.

c. From eternity God possessed these attributes in all their fullness,
for they are co-existent and eternally unchangeable qualities of the divine
Being.

d. Although each attribute will be dealt with separately, they must
never be thought of as 'parts' of God's being or disassociated from his other
perfections, for God is one and indivisible.

This has been an eye-opening experience for me. I will be sharing, on occasion, some of my thoughts as well as words and their definitions. If you would like to join with me on this journey, please do. I would love to know your thoughts as well.

The Busy-ness of Life

2006-10-26T13:28:00.000-05:00

It is amazing how things can take up so much of your time. I often feel like 24 hours just isn't long enough to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished for the day. Well, the other day I came to the oh- so- obvious conclusion that God knows better than me, that 24 hours is more than enough time. Immediately after that thought, the word "Priority" popped into my mind. Go figure!

The reason most of us may feel like we don't have enough time is because things that are not priorities are crowding the space that should be allotted for home, church, and time with the Lord. I quickly stopped complaining and started to look at what was taking up so much of my time. I realized that there were things clogging up precious time that belonged to my family and to the Lord. I asked the Lord to show me how to put those things where they belonged and put the important things/people where they should be. Praising the Lord was my next course of action. I began praising and thanking him for how He created this world and the boundaries of time.

With that said, I will be allotting time in my schedule to blog more. :-) I know some time ago I said I was back, but school was back, children's choir rehearsal was back and all the demands of putting a Christmas program together were too. I am working on several post which I am praying to have up in a couple of weeks.

I am currently reading a book called "Heaven at Home" by Ginger Plowman. It's book that speaks on making our home a place of joy and peace. A refuge. Our women's ministry are presently reading "Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free". It is a powerful book that opens the eye to things that are holding us captive and keeping us from experiencing the fullness of God's presence. Several of my posts will come from them.

May God's grace be with you as you are seeking to serve Him on this journey.

The Right to Kill?

2006-10-04T22:08:00.000-05:00

Scripture speaks a lot of children. It tells us that "children are a heritage of the Lord". (Psalm 127:3) It also tells us that we are to be as little children when coming to the Lord. (Matthew 18:2-5) Scripture tells us that "children are a gift from God." To give birth is a most glorious and marvelous gift that could ever be given to a woman. It amazes me that people are fighting for the right to kill an unborn child. There was an article that came out in Ms Magazine that spoke of women who chose to abort their baby. They wanted to show the world that these women were not ashamed of the decision they had made. They wanted people to know that it was their right. (read article at http://www.msmagazine.com/fall2006/abortionmag.asp) Now, are we suppose to applaud these individuals? Are we to feel sorry for them or pick up our banners and join in the fight with them? What?!?

I have five children and every single one of them are precious in the sight of the Lord. It was such a joy to know that the Lord chose me to be a mother. It's a high calling and an invaluable gift. When are the many thousands of women and young girls going to stop playing God? When are the people in government, who are riding on the band wagon, going to stop trying to keep laws from passing that would put an end to the ugliness of abortion? If you look at the picture above you can see the awesomeness of God's grace. No matter how small, that child is created in His image.

Ladies join with me in prayer. Let's pray for God's mercy to engulf those who don't see the awfulness of abortion. Share your thoughts and prayers. I would love to know what you think.

The Power of the Cross

2006-09-05T21:40:00.000-05:00

How often do we consider the cross? How often do we consider the power of the cross? Over the past few weeks I've been constantly reminded of what Christ did for me. Each time I am more amazed and more aware of my sin. My sins are what nailed him to the cross. In Isaiah 53 it tells us that He bore our grief and carried our sorrows. Yet through it all He never opened His mouth. What an awesome thought. In Acts, Luke tells us that Jesus Christ was delivered by the purpose and foreknowledge of God. God knew we needed a savior and sacrificed His Son for us. That alone should cause all to shout, "Hallelujah!! What a Savior."

There's a song that captures the essence of what I've been experiencing over the past month. It's called The Power of the Cross. It's written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend. I pray that through these words the power of the cross will become as real to you as it has to me.

Oh to see the dawn, of the darkest day

Christ on the road to calvary

Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten then

Nailed to a cross of wood

This the power of the cross,

Christ became sin for us

Took the blame, bore the wrath

We stand forgiven at the Cross

Oh to see the pain, written on your face

Bearing the awesome weight of sin

Every bitter thought, every evil deed

Crowning your blood stained brow

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath

Quakes as its maker bows His head

Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life

Finished the victory cry

Oh to see my name, written in the wounds

For through your suffering I am free

Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live

Won through your selfless love

This the power of the cross

Son of God, slain for us

What a love, what a cost

We stand forgiven at the cross

May we all be blessed today and everyday by the power of the cross.

I'M BACK!

2006-09-01T08:27:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone!!! It has been a busy summer. I have so much to share about God's goodness and faithfulness. He has blessed me with opportunities to travel to several different places over the past few months. I had an opportunity to travel with my husband to Chicago where he was one of the speakers at a conference that centered around the attributes of God. (I don't even have to tell you how powerful that was!) Also I was blessed by the Lord in celebrating 13 wonderful years of marriage. My husband and I had a fun filled and romantic time in Gatlinburg TN. Shortly after that I traveled to Gaithersburg, MD with our praise team to the Sovereign Grace Ministries, Worship06 conference at Covenant Life Church where Bob Kauflin and others opened our eyes to Christ-centered worship. It was so awesome.

These are just a few things that went on this summer. I will share more with you on how God transformed my heart through these events. I will also be sharing thoughts on homeschooling. I am getting ready to jump head first into my 5th year. I am really excited. My prayer is that the Lord will open the windows of heaven and pour out many blessings. And for all of you who are homeschooling, my prayer is the same for you. May we seek to honor the Lord through the training of our children. May the Lord reveal himself in a mighty way this year.

Let us continue to praise God for his gifts of love to us, in that He sent His son to die for sinners. Praise him for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the bountiful supply of grace and mercy.

Don't forget to check out our church's web site. We just finished up Pilgrims Progress and each session is available to for you to enjoy and glean from. It was an awesome journey. http://www.scfi.org

Certain Death or Life Everlasting

2006-07-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

At my church we are currently studying The Pilgrims Progress. It has, thus far, been an eye opening journey. It is a magnificent portrait of the perseverance of the saints. On Wednesday night I was so encouraged by Christian's understanding of why we should endure in this life.

When Christian ran into Timorous and Mistrust they were in pursuit of fleeing from difficulty and danger. They were imploring Christian to do the same. Christian's next words should be a banner in our lives. He says,

"If I go back to my own country,
which faces fire and brimstone,
I shall certainly perish there.
If I can get to the
Celestial City, I am sure to be
safe there. I must go
forward, facing the risks and
dangers. To go back is nothing
but death; to go forward is fear
of death, and life everlasting beyond it.
So I will go
forward."

There is nothing this world could offer that will alleviate us from difficult times, trials, heartache and pain. There is no easy way. In this life we will run in to a Timorous or Mistrust. We will run into people whose lives are gripped by fear. Even people we love and trust will try to persuade us to return to the City of Destruction.

Remember Lot's wife, don't look back, keep moving ahead and let the words of Christian resonate in your hearts and minds, so that when you are faced with those who desire to veer off of the way of the King say to yourself, "To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. So I will go forward."

If you are interested in joining us through our study of The Pilgrims Progress please go to Southwest Christian Fellowship's website where the sermons are available.

Created to be Feminine

2006-07-10T19:50:00.000-05:00

A couple of days ago I was sitting in McDonalds play land watching my children enjoy a game of hide-and-seek. While I was being entertained I noticed a woman and her two children enter the play area. I began to admire the cuteness of one of her offspring. As I watched them I found myself wondering whether or not this child was male or female. At first glance you would think "female". The little one's hair was braided, had beautiful almond shaped eyes and a "pretty" smile. However, the child was dressed in big and baggy clothing, and I was left wondering.

All too often young ladies are mistaken for young men. And more frustrating to me, young girls are seeking and striving to look more masculine. Where have we gone wrong? Why are our young girls so displeased with the way the Creator, created them to be? Why are we so accepting?

In Genesis 1:27 it says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (emphasis added) Oh, how beautifully sculptured we are. Designed perfectly by the Master. As I look at the discontentment in this world it reaffirms the depravity of man. Everyday we see men and women, young and old shaking their fist in the face of God. Yet I am reminded that without the mercy and grace of our loving Father we would do the same.

I would encourage us all, to train our daughters up with the understanding and the joy of knowing and honoring the beauty in which God created us. If we are training our daughters to bask in the rays of their femininity then God will be glorified. If you know a young lady who strives to be the opposite of what she is I implore you to admonish them. Turn their thoughts to the divine order, the order which was established at the beginning of time.

I Need Thee, O I Need Thee

2006-07-02T18:43:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me from friend. I pray that it shows you how much We need grace and the One who supplies it. Be blessed.

Truth ForLife Devotional
June 29, 2006
AND SO IN THE MATTER OF THE ENVOYS OF THE PRINCES OF BABYLON, WHO HAD BEEN SENT TO HIM TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE SIGN THAT HAD BEEN DONE IN THE LAND, GOD LEFT HIM TO HIMSELF, IN ORDER TO TEST HIM AND TO KNOW ALL THAT WAS IN HIS HEART. 2 Chronicles 32:31

Hezekiah was growing so inwardly great and priding himself so much upon the favor of God that self-righteousness crept in, and because he trusted in himself, the grace of God was for a time, in its more active operations, withdrawn. If the grace of God were to leave the best Christian, there is enough sin in his heart to make him the worst of transgressors. If left to yourselves, you who are warmest for Christ would cool down like Laodicea into sickening lukewarmness: You who are sound in the faith would be white with the leprosy of false doctrine; you who now walk before the Lord in excellency and integrity would reel to and fro and stagger with a drunkenness of evil passion. Like the moon, we borrow our light; bright as we are when grace shines on us, we are darkness itself when the Son of Righteousness withdraws Himself.

Therefore, let us cry to God to never leave us. "Take not Your Holy Spirit from me! Do not withdraw from us Your indwelling grace! Have You not said, 'I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day'?1 Lord, keep us everywhere. Keep us when we're in the valley so that we do not grumble against Your humbling hand; keep us when we're on the mountain, so we do not lose our balance by being lifted up; keep us in youth, when our passions are strong; keep us in old age, when becoming conceited in our wisdom, we may therefore prove greater fools than those who are young and silly; keep us when we come to die, in case at the very end we should deny You! Keep us living, keep us dying, keep us working, keep us suffering, keep us fighting, keep us resting, keep us everywhere, for everywhere we need You, O our God !"1 Isaiah 27:3

Amen!

A Gift From the Father

2006-06-21T16:23:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday was Father's Day. All over the country people were out in the stores buying last minute gifts and cards. I found myself out there with them. While I was in the store trying to squeeze my way through the card isle, it hit me, there are no cards or poems that could capture the essence of the type of father my husband is. I stand amazed each day as I watch him love and care for our children and the tender way he loves and cares for me.

I don't know how many women are able to identify with me. It is a gift from the Father above to have a man who loves you, but loves the Father more. Through his service to the Lord he has faithfully and unconditionally given himself to our family. It is a joy to love him and be loved by him.

Tony is truly a gift from the Father. I thank and praise the Lord,daily, for my husband. We've been married for almost thirteen years and they have been the best years of my life. May the Lord be praised.

Our Road Map

2006-06-20T20:44:00.000-05:00

"Your word is a lamp unto my feet

and a light unto my path."

Psalm 119:105

Last week I had the privilege of serving as counselor at Cedine Bible Camp. Our theme for the week was "The Bible: Our Road Map". Each day during devotion time we talked of several men of faith who stood on the path of righteousness, men who stood for the Lord. For many of my campers the story of Elijah resonated in their hearts.

As young ladies they face many temptations at school and home. Daily they find it difficult to be the lone ranger, especially when it's so easy just to blend in with the crowd. However, we can praise the Lord for examples like Elijah. He was up against 450 prophets, but was not moved. From sun up to sun down the prophets of Baal cried out their god and received not a word. Elijah, knowing he served the ONE true God, received fire from on high.

Young or old, we must understand there will be times in our lives when we must stand alone. We must stand with the assurance that our eternal reward will be much greater than the applause of those who dwell on temporal things.

The infallible word of God is our road map. It will keep us on paths of righteousness. It will give us the strength when we are weak, it comforts when sad, it gives us the confidence we need to fight for truth and for a Savior who is alive and is coming back to take us to our heavenly home on high.

"Lead me O LORD in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face." Psalm 5:8

Christ Is All

2006-06-06T09:05:00.000-05:00

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He

may have the preeminence." Col. 1:18

On Sunday morning I was reading a devotional that lit torches in the crevices of my soul. Heather Olford brought home the fact that Christ is the preeminent one and the head of the church. Thus, He should be the head of our lives. Our being and very existence is for the worship and adoration of our Savior and God. We are to worship Christ with the understanding that He deserves all of our love and devotion. Those who don't comprehend this well, will ask "Why do you worship Him?" In his book, The Air I Breathe, Louie Giglio says, "You've been created by God. And if that wasn't enough, you've also been created for Him. As a result, there's an internal homing device riveted deep with your soul that perpetually longs for your Maker. An internal, God-ward magnet, pulling your being toward Him. That's why we come from the womb equipped for connectivity with God, prewired to praise."

Christ, who was sent by the Father, must reign supreme in our hearts. Having the Savior as the preeminent one in our lives will produce waterfalls of praise and adoration. In Matthew 12:34 it says, "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Heather ended the devotional with this, "When Christ is Lord of all, the Holy Spirit fills our lives and we can't help but overflow in witness."

I had to take a moment and go into the recesses of my mind and examine whether or not Christ is all in my life. No thing or person should take precedence in our lives. Is Christ all in yours?

Where are Your Roots?

2006-06-02T09:04:00.000-05:00

This past April I had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of a dear friend, Pamela Baker. God used her in a tremendous way. Over a two-day span, God opened my eyes and lead me to ponder where my roots are.

Let us imagine two trees. The first tree is a tree that bears good fruit unto life. The second tree bears fruit that rots and decays unto death. The second tree represents life in the flesh. At the root we unearth disbelief in God's sovereignty and His goodness. As a result of this we discover pride, discontentment, covetousness and idolatry. This unhealthy and ungodly nourishment goes deep and produces fruit that causes one to be unloving, fearful, ungrateful, unforgiving, bitter, impatient, lustful and merciless.

My friends, it is a dangerous and deadly journey when one does not yield to the sovereignty and goodness of God. Our life becomes a life of disobedience and legalism. Living in the flesh offers no hope at all. However, in this case we can say that the grass is greener on the other side, where there is life in the Spirit.

The first tree has roots that dig deep into God's sovereignty and goodness, which is seen through faith. It produces humility, contentment,and a desire for God, that is the pinnacle of worship. Taking of this fruit causes one to be loving, peaceful, faithful, forgiving, patient, merciful, and self-controlled.

My sisters which tree are you drawing from? Is your life a reflection of a life lived in the flesh or in the spirit? Dig deep and see if there are areas of bitterness, discontentment, pride, idolatry or unbelief.

There is a way to the tree of life. Come to the cross and trust the Lord to open your eyes to life in the Spirit.

True Beauty

2006-06-02T08:22:00.000-05:00

As women we are often caught in the world's grip of discontent and self-indulgence. Society is constantly telling us that we should not be satisfied with who we are. With every click of the television channels, the radio stations, and the turning of pages in popular women's magazines, we find offers for books on the latest diets, articles that reveal the secrets of how to look beautiful in minutes, or how to look like the stars. Television shows like Americas Top Model says that you're beautiful if you're long and lean and can wear the latest fashions by top designers. I think the worst of all may be the cosmetic surgery that allows women to change their body image and their looks with a few months of agonizing pain and bruising.

Ladies, we are drowning in an ocean of propaganda, and some of us don't even know it. However, by the grace and mercy of God, He has given us "THE" one and only guide book to TRUE BEAUTY. In Peter's first epistle, he gives women a solid foundation to the beauty God intends for every believing woman.

Peter tells us that women are to be submissive (to their husbands), chaste, and God-fearing, not focusing on the outward adornments, but making sure that daily, we are especially concentrating on developing reverent Christ-like character, which is a beauty that is incorruptible, a beauty that is gentle and quiet. This is what God deems to be precious and invaluable in His sight. (I Peter 3:4)

So, who are we trying to please? Are we trying to keep up with the latest styles? Are we trying to be the next "Top Model"? Or are we trying to obtain a beauty that is pleasing to God and is so deep in the abyss of our souls, that it flows out through the pours of our being. Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."

Ladies, join with me in striving, today and everyday for a beauty that is deep and everlasting.