Don't . . .

By Amanda T. (read her blog at withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com)

Compromise:

(from Webster’s New World Dictionary)

       ~an adjustment of opposing principles, systems, etc. in which part of each is given up

       ~to surrender or give up

Choices surround us daily. Darts are thrown at us, tempting us. Will we compromise? Will we swerve from our convictions? Will we surrender to the world? Or will we stand firm where God has placed us?

Image from reusableart.com

Compromise does not happen suddenly, but gradually by small, daily choices. Choices such as:

“My parents used to say we couldn’t watch this, but I’m probably old enough now.”

Don’t!

“This is a special occasion. I don’t dress like this on a regular basis.”

Don’t!

“Maybe this dress is a tad bit too short . . .”

Don’t!

“Oops! This book has a curse word. Oh well, I’m already half-way through.”

Don’t!

“Just once won’t hurt.”

Don’t!

“What would my friends think if I don’t join them?”

Don’t!

“I just couldn’t tell them ‘no.’”

Don’t!

“I don’t feel very comfortable doing this, but that’s just my personality.”

Don’t!

When we are tempted to make a compromise, our choices lead us to do one of two things: be conformed to the image of the world, or be transformed to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.).

As a young girl: stick to the convictions and standards set by your parents. Do not sway from them – even if “everybody else does it this way.” Honor their obedience to God. (see Ephesians 5:1-3)

As a young woman: stick to the convictions and standards that God has placed in your life. Do not second-guess yourself because of what others are doing, but return to God’s Word to see what He says about each issue. (see 1 Corinthians 7:34a)

As a married woman: stick to the convictions and standards that God has led your husband to take. Do not try to persuade him to change, but encourage him to follow what God would have him to do. (see 1 Corinthians 7:34b)

Girls and ladies, let us not be conformed to this world by following the patterns of those around us, but be transformed to our Lord, renewing our minds daily by the Word of God.

Daily Choices

Photography by Amanda T.

By Ana Renee

We have a daily choice before us: Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Daily we must choose between self and Christ. Daily, we must choose whether we will pick up our cross or leave it lying by the side. Daily we must choose whether we will follow the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:17) or follow Christ.

Today, will we deny ourselves?

Today, will we take up our cross?

Today, will we follow Christ?

Promises

There are times when I read a chapter in God’s Word and promise after promise jump out at me and overwhelm me. Psalm 91 is one of those chapters. I encourage you to read through it and think about the promises that God has given you in this chapter.

1 - He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 - I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 - Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 - He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 - Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 -Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 - A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 - Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 - Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 - There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 - For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 - They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 - Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 - Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 - He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 - With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Time Management

By Ana Renee

When we skim through the qualities of the Virtuous Woman, it can almost be overwhelming to see everything she was able to accomplish! The virtuous woman had two qualities that enabled her to manage her time well: she “worketh willingly with her hands” (vs. 13) and “eateth not the bread of idleness” (vs. 27). I believe that by applying these to our lives as well, we can better manage our time. But how do we get there?

When trying to change any area in our life, we should apply two important things: prayer and work. God always hears our cry for help, but He does not always just hand us our desire – He often wants us to work on changing. If we start our days armed with prayer and a mind to work willingly, we will be one step ahead in our day.

Photography by Ana Renee

There are several other things we can do to help us manage our time wisely. Here are just a few ideas:

~Write a list

       In the morning, we should make a list of “things to do today” and check that list for projects to do during free time.

       If we are not a list-writer, we can keep things going by planning the next project to do while we are in the middle of our current project.

~Prioritize

     Before doing fun things first, we should look through our list and realize what must be done first.

~Keep our eyes open                          

       We need to look around and see other needs around the house to do, not being blinded by, “it’s not my job.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 says “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;” Whatsoever includes things outside of “my job.”

~Ask others

       Before doing our pleasure, we should practice a servant’s spirit by asking a parent or sibling, “Can I help you with anything right now?” We will most likely get an answer!

~Schedule pleasures

       Sometimes, our pleasures drown our desire to do what we need to do. If such is the case, we need to set goals (such as: do not check email until ____ is done, do not call friends until after 2:00, etc.). Part of the joy of doing pleasures is knowing that we have all of our duties finished and are truly enjoying “free” time – not stolen time.

~Keep the top priority

       Above all other projects, pleasures, and duties, we must remember to give part of our day to God. Bible reading, Bible memorization, Bible study, and prayer are all necessities that must never be neglected. If we are having a hard time squeezing them into our schedule, then we need to rearrange our schedule.

What are some things that have helped you to manage your time more wisely? Please share them in a comment!

Before Our Eyes

By Ana Renee

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

Deuteronomy 6:6, 8

God’s Words, God’s laws, God’s commandments, and God’s precepts are given to us throughout the Bible. They are not there merely for us to skim through in our daily reading or devotions and set aside, but for us to carry with us throughout the day and meditate (think) on.

“Thou shalt bind them” is an act that we are responsible to do. We must make an effort to have God’s Word before us throughout the day.

What's a Girl to Be?

 By Ana Renee

As we grow up, we begin to see the opportunities of life unfold. Some of our dreams wander to college, working in an office, teaching an instrument, teaching children, babysitting, writing, starting a home business, working in a restaurant, and the list goes on. God’s plan for each girl is different and is manifested in many ways. However, I believe that the Bible clearly shows us the route that each girl should take spiritually to become the woman God wants us to become.

Photography by Amanda T.

Titus 2:3-5

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed.”

Let us take a look at what we are supposed to learn:

     1. Sober

               Sober means “to make of sound mind” (Strong’s Definition) This is the only time that this particular word of “sober” is used in the New Testament.

               Are we sober? Do we have a “sound mind?”

     2. Love their Husbands

               “Fond of man, affectionate as a wife”

               Instead of asking “How can we apply this verse, if we are unmarried?” ask, “How can we apply ourselves to learning this for when the time comes?”

               Are we loving our husband when we dedicate our time to any young man that crosses our path? Are we loving our husband when we spend our unmarried years without preparing?

               A few applicable things we can do while unmarried: stay pure for our husbands, save our heart and first kiss for our husband, teach our tongue not to gossip, learn to serve others, and pray for our husband (even though we may not know him!).

     3. Love their children

               “Fond of children, maternal”

               How maternal is it to constantly push aside “nagging” little brothers, sisters, cousins, or friends? Is this helping or hindering our attitude towards our children?

               I have seen many examples of young women with their children who see them as a bothersome package instead of a blessing. Begin now to bond with the children that you know, loving them, and serving them. Begin now to learn how to raise children – whether it is changing a diaper or bandaging up a “boo-boo.”

     4. Discreet

                “Safe, sound in mind, self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion)”

               Are my opinions quickly formed, or do I form them based on sound, Biblical doctrine? Do I have complete control over my tongue, or do I sometimes talk and offend?

     5. Chaste

                “Properly, clean, innocent, modest, perfect.”

               Are my actions and attitudes in check? Do I act towards young men in a proper, clean, innocent, modest, and perfect way? Do I act towards my family in a proper, clean, innocent, modest, and perfect way? Are my thoughts proper, clean, innocent, modest, and perfect?

     6. Keepers at Home

                “A stayer at home, domestically inclined (a “good housekeeper”)”

               Am I content with staying at home? Do I know how to keep house? To cook, clean, mend, etc.? Am I diligent with the tasks set before me? Can I be trusted to keep a house in order?

     7. Good

                “Good”

               Do I constantly fight with others? Do I gossip? Do I enjoy things that are not pleasing to the Lord? Am I content with being ‘good’?

8. Obedient to their own husbands

               Obedient – “reflexively, subordinate, obey”

                (Note: reflexively means automatic, immediate, and involuntarily)

               Their Own – “private, separate, one’s own”

               Husbands – “A man, husband”

               Once again, being unmarried, we should not neglect the practice of this phrase. Until God places a husband to be our leader, our focus to please should be given to our father. Do we immediately obey the wishes of our father? Does he have to ask us to do something? And when he does, do we reply with an “I don’t want to” attitude? Do we submit to his authority, or do we buck his authority? Remember: the way we treat our father (and brothers!) will eventually funnel down to how we will treat our husband.

Other passages a young lady can look at as she begins this journey of preparing her heart for service to the Lord and men are Proverbs 31:10-31 and 1 Peter 3:1-6.

A Fountain of Words

By Ana Renee

The heart of the righteous studieth to answer:

but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 15:28

Which character do we most often represent? Do we think and "study" before we answer, as the righteous? Or do we take on the character of the wicked and "pour out" whatever we want to - good or bad?

As I pondered this verse, the image of a watering hose came to mind. If we simply turn on the water and allow the hose to do whatever it wishes, water will gush out and rapidly flood the surrounding land. If, however, we direct the hose, using our finger to intensify the stream of water, we can manage the water pattern more easily and get much more accomplished. Less water is used, but more profit is done.

Photography by Amanda T. used by permission

Perhaps that is the case with our words. We can resemble the wicked and let our words flow without guidance or restrictions and cause great damage to those around us, or we can be like the righteous and use our words carefully, directing them with prayer to be most effective.

Which way are we choosing to use our words today?

~~~

This was originally posted on our 52-verse challenge blog ( http://52weeks52verses.blogspot.com/ ). A handful of girls/women are working to memorize 52 verses in 2012. If you would like to join, it is not too late!

Perspective

By Gail Purath (view her blog here)

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sypathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these."*

George Washington Carver (1864-1943)

African-American inventor and educator

Image from reusableart.com

We cannot fully understand the difficulties of others unless we experience those same difficulties ourselves. But kindness involves trying to understand others and giving them the benefit of the doubt.

The young may envy the free time of retired people; retired people may envy the health and energy of the young. It's easy to see things from our perspective, much harder to see things from others' perspectives.

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." 1 Thessalonians 5:14

If you're having difficulties with someone, ask God if there's something lacking in your perspective.

*Site: About.com

url: http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventors/ss/Carver_pictures_3.htm

About Gail Purath:

Gail Purath has been married to her best friend for 41 years, has two married children and seven grandchildren. Her blog, Bible Love Notes (http://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/) features one-minutes devotions each weekday.

A Bright Light in the Darkness

By Bethany Davies (read her blog here)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

As Christians, God has called us to be lights in this very dark, sinful world.  We are like the moon—reflecting the light of the Son to those looking on.  We may not always let our light shine as brightly as it should.  Sometimes our “glass” gets dirtied by sin, and the only way for that to be cleansed is by asking the Lord to forgive us and He will clean our “glass” for us.  The cleaner the glass, the brighter the light shines.

Light comes in many different containers and holders.  Some are big and regal, some are small and not very noticeable, and many vary between the two.  Likewise, God has made each one of us different.  Each Christian’s job is different, but the light inside it is the same—the unchangeable Christ.

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Those of us who are small, not very noticeable light-holders might think that we’re of no use to God.  We might start wishing that we were big and regal and had something important and noticeable to do, but God needs small, not very noticeable Christians as well as the big, important ones!

The only important job that every light is asked to do is just simply to shine.  We need to shine wherever we are–at home, at school, at work.  Whether we’re shopping, or whether we’re playing, we can still have a Christ-like attitude in all we do, and that is what God requires of us to do.  True, there are some who are called to be missionaries in foreign countries, or preachers, or church musicians, or some other praiseworthy task, but God also desires those who are willing to serve in the background.  We might not be missionaries, but we can still pray fervently for those who are!  We might not be a preachers, but pray for those who are!  If we’re not in a notable spot, we should pray for those who are, that they might remain faithful.

Shining and praying are what every Christian is called to do, with every part of their being!  “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31; emphasis added)

So, I encourage you dear sisters and fellow-lights, don’t let anything dirty up your glass.  Keep shining in every part of your life—it speaks more than words ever could—and keep praying.  God will bless you for shining, even though it might not seem much.  We will never know how many people have been impacted by our shining until we get to eternity, and I assure you, it will be worth it!  So shine with all your might!

Food For Daily Living (Part 6)

By Amanda T. (read her blog here)

Conclusion

Have you “eaten” recently? Has God’s Word been your daily nourishment?

Photography by Ana Renee

 “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

TODAY . . . have you

    ~Read God's Word?

    ~Meditated on God's Word?

    ~Studied God's Word?

    ~Memorized God's Word?