Every WISE woman buildeth her house...

"A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness to his bones." Proverbs 12:4

This past week I've been dwelling much on the roles of wives in the home. 

And because I've been reading through the Proverbs, I thought to stop a bit and do a quick study. I need God's guidance in my own home. I need God's guidance in the words I speak to a friend in distress.

What is the role of a wife in the home? What is my role? How do we keep the home from being destroyed? Can we even build the home? I can only go to the WORD for answers.... because God's WORD is truth.

" Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:"

 Psalm 127:1

There's wisdom ... and there's folly. And God differentiates between the two quite clearly.

" Every WISE woman buildeth her house, but the FOOLISH plucketh it down with her own hands." Proverbs 14:1

But first and foremost... in order for a home to survive the wind and the storms, a solid foundation needs to be applied.

A couple of verses in Matthew lays it out clearly.

The WISE will hear and apply God's word: 

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a WISE man, which built his house upon a rock. " 

Matthew 7:24

The FOOLISH will not apply God's word:

"And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand." 

Matthew 7:26

And if the LORD JESUS CHRIST is our rock, then we are to walk in HIS ways by imitating Him in our lives... in our homes.    

It sounds easy right? Well, then why the troubled homes, separation, divorce? Do we not hear? Do we not apply God's word? Do we not let go of self and allow God to fill us with His LOVE? I'm not sure...

My thoughts may be rambling... but GOD'S WORD is direct.

Just reading through Proverbs, I'm simply amazed with the wealth of knowledge found... in just 1 book of the bible! And so I'm reminded clearly of how we ought to behave as women...

A woman must NOT: be clamarous, a brawler, angry, contentious, do evil, be strifeful, have hatred...

A woman MUST BE: gracious, virtuous, guard her lips, answer softly, open her mouth with wisdom, have the law of kindness on her tongue...

The list can go on. But LOVE covereth a multitude of sins. And PLEASANT words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones.

O Lord, give us godly homes where YOU dwell...  keep us from folly.

" Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge... be thou in the fear of the LORD, all the day long. " 

Proverbs 23: 12, 17

May you build your house on the SOLID rock... and hear the instruction of the LORD. 

~Ellie                           

He appeared to put away SIN, by the SACRIFICE of HIMSELF...

" How much more shall the BLOOD OF CHRIST, who through the eternal SPIRIT offered HIMSELF without spot to GOD, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the LIVING GOD. Hebrews 9: 14

My thoughts are on the sacrifice of my LORD today. How often I neglect to stop and thank the LORD for HIS  sacrificial love that brought salvation to my soul. His sacrifice can sometimes become of little importance... way too often.

Reading through the gospels, I stopped to meditate on the passage where the LORD JESUS CHRIST  was in deep agony... for the hour was come to drink the cup of wrath.... and be condemned to death.

HE was alone. The  disciples asleep. HIS soul was exceeding sorrowful. There in the garden of Gethsemane, the LORD  falls on the ground... and prays to the FATHER.

Could it be possible?

" Let this cup pass from me..."

" Abba, Father, ALL things are possible unto THEE, take away this cup from me..."

Who could save Him from the  the cross, knowing what He must endure? Only the Father.

" He offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto HIM that was able to save HIM from death..."

Hebrews 5:7

And yet HE prayed, " Not my will but Thine be done ."

The LORD... in deepest agony. The FATHER... strengthens.

"And there appeared an angel unto HIM from heaven, strengthening HIM."

Luke 22:43

For it was the Father's desire that Jesus Christ should drink that cup. To be that offering for sin. For our sins. For mine.

Thank you LORD... for your obedience to the FATHER... for your blood spilt on my behalf. For eternal salvation.

" Though He were a SON, yet learned HE obedience by the things which HE suffered; And being made perfect, HE became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey HIM."

Hebrews 5:8-9

How can I thank you?  My debt was paid. Purge my conscience from dead works... that I may serve you... and glorify THY name.

MY SAVIOUR SET ME FREE

*

Do you know my Saviour? 

Have you heard HIS love for you?

How HE came to live a sinless life

And shed HIS blood for you.

*

A sinless man, the SON of GOD

Come down to save the lost.

To die a shameful death upon the cross,

That we might live at HIS dear cost.

*

My LORD, How hard it was for you,

To take the cup of agony on THEE.

In deepest sorrow you asked the Father,

'Tis possible may this cup pass from me.

*

The three you took with you to pray

Could not keep watch not e'en an hour.

Twas Peter, James and John

Who fell asleep and had no power.

*

With tears and strong crying THOU didst pray again

And sweat like drops of blood did shed

"Not my will but Thine be done."

Was what you prayed instead.

*

And as your hour was come

To Caiaphas you were led

Betrayed by Judas with a kiss

Forsook by all, as all had fled.

*

Are you the Christ, the SON of GOD? 

You spoke no word, Thy peace you held.

With two false witnesses against THEE

You answered, " Thou has said."

*

And with those words you were condemned,

To die the death 'twas meant for me.

Upon the cross at Calvary,

You took my guilt and set me free.

*

So now I ask you yet again,

Has Christ been merciful to you?

Is HE your SAVIOUR, LORD and KING?

Then give Him praise in all you do.

    Ellie 5/30/2014

May you dwell on God's sacrificial love for you today... and praise Him for the gift of salvation.

~Ellie

You are the GOD of heaven, not?

" Praise the LORD; for HIS mercy endureth forever."  2 CHRONICLES 20:21

While  meditating on the 20th chapter of second Chronicles, I was deeply touched at God's provision for His people. Even when the people were in the midst of fear from their enemies, God was merciful. At first glance, victory over the enemy was quite impossible... the numbers were against them. How often I find myself in the same situation... fearful in the hand of the enemy. But God reminds us to be still. He will fight for us... and win the battle!

In my thankfulness to God, I decided to jot down a poem of sorts. He is the God of heaven, is He not? He can do ALL things!

YOU ARE THE GOD OF HEAVEN, NOT?

*

When everything around us seems to sway

And fears arise within our hearts.

We see our strength can sometimes falter,

From many swift and flying darts.

*

And thus we find ourselves no longer strong

With things that come and cloud our way.

Amidst it all we lift our eyes on thee O Lord,

And bow accepting what ever may.

*

You are the God of heaven, not?

And in Thine hand is there not might?

We cry to Thee and Thou wilt hear

For we by faith shall live, and not by sight.

*

In our affliction Thou art always near,

You ask  of us to  just be still.

In truth , salvation comes from Thee,

And so we kneel and  bow before Thy  will.

*

You have  a plan to rescue us

Thy Word is true, we can be strong.

"The battle is not yours, but mine."

O Lord forgive, for we've been wrong!

*

We praise your name, O Lord

Our way's  established from all ill

To Thee be glory, praise and honor 

As we abide before Thee still.

*

In Thee is victory indeed,

Our battle has been won.

We put our trust and hope in Thee

To find all  fear is slowly gone. 

~Ellie 5/6/2014

May you know the God of heaven and rejoice that we have victory  through Him.

~Ellie

Thou art GOOD and doest GOOD...

" Thou hast dealt WELL with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy WORD." Psalm 119: 65

This past week I "stumbled" upon a few verses in my daily Bible reading... verses that have made me think.

Do you ever wonder about God's goodness to you when you are afflicted? I'll admit it is quite hard to see what God is doing in my life when I feel afflicted in one form or another. No one likes afflictions.

But affliction is good for us, even though  it hurts. And yet the affliction is not in vain... it causes a marvelous work in us. It causes us to be more like Christ.

" For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ."

2 Cor. 4:17 

If we are not afflicted, we naturally go astray. (Psalm 119:67). Our hearts need the discipline of the Lord, to keep us on the right path... and to please Him.

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8

Yes, it is difficult to be afflicted... to feel pain. One may say God isn't loving, or good or faithful when He sends afflictions. Because why would a loving God afflict us? Yet without affliction, our lives would never learn the statues of the LORD. And we would never  desire the WORD of God to dwell richly in us. We would be most miserable!

And if God says that it is good for us to be afflicted, then it must be GOOD. (Ps. 119: 71).

And we can have peace that HE is most loving:

" I know, O LORD, that THY judgements are right, and that thou in FAITHFULNESS has afflicted me."

(Psalm 119: 75)

I may not fully understand God's dealings with me. But one thing I know. He loves me enough to discipline me in faithfulness. And what assurance to know that HE never leaves HIS own.  Even when HE disciplines and afflicts us. Even then. He cares about each of His children. So much so, that a price was paid for our redemption. He bought us with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And that is enough to trust Him.

" THY hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments."

Psalm 119:73  

May you know God's goodness to you... even in affliction.  May you delight in HIS word today, trusting Him.

~Ellie

Praise Ye the LORD... Praise the NAME of the LORD.

 "Blessed be the NAME of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore." Psalm 113:2

These past several weeks my husband and I have been reading through the Psalms. We like to read  the BIBLE in order, it's something we've always done. So throughout our marriage we've read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation a few times. But I am always blessed to see how the WORD of GOD is always new... there's always something new the LORD reveals.  If only we have ears to listen.

While reading through the Psalms this time around, I've especially noticed how God desires that we praise HIM. Many, many psalms start out by exhorting us to praise  GOD'S HOLY NAME.... urging us to give thanks to God: " Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord."

And why should we praise HIM?

Because HE is GOOD ... and HIS mercy endureth forever!(Ps. 106:1). That's enough to praise HIM all day long!

But can we praise HIM all day? I mean, even when we are going through trials, or when discouraged? God says we can... because we are to give thanks in ALL things. But not of our own strength. For when we are weak HIS strength is made perfect in us.

I know it's hard to apply a thankful attitude and to have praise on our lips even when... deep in hurt, deep in discouragement, deep in pain, deep in loneliness, deep in abandonment. But He is our strength even when our flesh and heart faileth! Psalm 73.

Blessed be HIS name, for:

" HE raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill."

PS. 113:7

And God doesn't just stop there:

" That HE may set him with princes, even with the princes of HIS people" 

Isn't it beautiful where He places us? Oh, that I might praise HIM in ALL things!

Today was such a beautiful reminder for me. To PRAISE HIM... ALL day long. I don't know about you , but when I take a hymn and sing, I find my heart at peace. There is something that happens when we sing a song of praise to our GOD almighty... it brings wonderful peace.

And today this verse in Psalm 113:3 made me aware of praising GOD even more so than before.... because He desires praise... for our good and HIS glory!

" From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name IS to be PRAISED."  

May you praise our Heavenly Father today... trusting that HE is at work even when we are deep in discouragement or when we are full of joy.

~Ellie

That ye might be PARTAKERS of the DIVINE nature....

 

" For if these things be in you, and ABOUND, they make you that ye shall NEITHER be barren NOR unfruitful in the KNOWLEDGE of our LORD JESUS CHRIST," 2 Peter 1:8

Last week I visited an older sister in the the Lord and we had a wonderful time reflecting on God's word. One day a week we like to get together and share scripture with one another... it may be a verse or chapter that we have read in the course of the previous week, or it could be a passage form a devotional or  even a hymn that has brought praise in our hearts. But we always manage to encourage each other through God's WORD... and it's always a delight to stop and think on the things above...  in the process, God blesses, and we are always uplifted .

So this past week we managed to read from 2 Peter chapter 1. What a joy and encouragement the passage was for me. I have meditated on it these past several days. And I've been most blessed.

Did  you ever realize that we can be partakes of the DIVINE nature of God?  When I read verse 4, I was just overwhelmed at our position in Christ. I mean, we have been given GREAT and PRECIOUS promises that we can call our own! We are equipped with a divine nature. How wonderful is that!

We have the HOLY SPIRIT dwelling in us... and we are to abound in the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is not enough, rather we are to add to faith: 1) virtue 2) knowledge 3) temperance 4) patience 5) godliness 6) brotherly kindness and  7) charity.

And so, if these things are in us.... and we abound in them(that is key).... then they will make us so that we be: neither 1) BARREN nor 2) UNFRUITFUL.... in the knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. We can truly know HIM as HE is!

You know, sometimes we may wonder why we don't know God's will for our life... well, we may simply lack knowledge of Him. His ways are not our ways.... however, we know God desires our good. So if we abound in the character of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, well, it would mean that we would be in HIS will.... and that HIS will would be good, acceptable and perfect . (Romans 12:2). Of course that would mean that we would be transformed by the renewing of our mind... bearing the character of  our LORD.

It's not always easy to show brotherly kindness, to have patience, to have godliness or show charity. But we know know that he that lacketh these things is:

1) BLIND, 2) CANNOT SEE AFAR OFF, and 3) HATH FORGOTTEN THAT HE WAS PURGED FROM HIS OLD SINS.

We can see that for our own benefit we ought to give diligence to make our calling sure: " For if ye do these things, YE SHALL NEVER FALL." vs.10.

And abiding in Him will reward us with an entrance into God's kingdom. What a joyous reward! Verse 11 says it so beautifully,

" For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you ABUNDANTLY into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD JESUS CHRIST."

LORD, help me to abound in a Christ-like character! 

May you, too, abound in the knowledge of the SAVIOUR today... and be fruitful for HIS kingdom.

~Ellie

The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man...

 

" In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul." Ps. 94:19

Do you ever have sleepless nights? ... or days when you are overwhelmed with a multitude of thoughts. Maybe, there are days and nights when you are  sorely burdened. I've had my share of those days and nights. Days where I've felt my feet slipping from under me... giving way to fear. Fear of a loved one dying from a sickness, fear of being all alone, fear of losing all hope.

But in those darkest moments my Saviour never lets go! He always understands... He always knows our thoughts.  For when our feet slip, His mercy holds us up.(PS. 94:18)... Blessed be HIS name!

And even during the darkest of moments, God teaches us lessons that can only be learned when we are at the end of our rope. To learn full dependence on Him.... and ultimately accept His perfect plan. Isn't it interesting that we tend to seek God and cry out for mercy mostly when we are empty ... and in need.

Many times God has to apply chastisement  so we can be brought back into the "fold"... "we all like sheep have gone astray".  How often when out of the "fold" we take matters into our hands... trusting NOT the Lord , NOR relying on Him.

We try working things out with our own reason, we seek the advice of friends or family, or we look to other means for deliverance. But how gracious our LORD is with us! What may be chastisement for the moment, is later rewarded as a blessing. We are blessed through the chastisement. Yes, through chastisement we are blessed! It may sound contrary to what we feel when chastised, but God's word never lies...

" Blessed is the man whom THOU chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law." Ps. 94:11

Isn't it beautiful?... To know the Father knows best. Help me LORD to accept THY will ... and not my own.

May you know the blessings of the HEAVENLY FATHER today!

~Ellie

Blessed be the LORD who DAILY loads us with benefits...

 

" But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before GOD; yea, let them EXCEEDINGLY rejoice." Ps. 68:3

Today, I'm dwelling on God's faithfulness to me and rejoicing that  He ALONE gives me strength. I've been blessed to be reading through the Psalms again. The psalms have always been of comfort to me throughout my growing up years. I can always find words that speak to me in times of rejoicing... as well as in times of trial.

But as  I am growing older and rereading  the Psalms, I'm finding new "treasures" that speak to me... treasures that are needed for  today. Today is different than yesterday. I'm different than yesterday. Life is different than yesterday. Nonetheless, God's WORD is still the same. And that's what's beautiful, each new day brings a different set of  verses that are seen in a new light as we grow in HIS strength.

God's word is always new and fresh... the wonderful part is that it NEVER gets old. That's enough to make us delight in reading the scriptures daily... for the God of our salvation daily LOADETH us with benefits . "Ps. 68:19.

This particular psalm had loads of benefits for me as I was reading it... God sends plentiful rain , even when we are in "drought"... and confirms our inheritance in HIM, even when we are weary. vs.9.

I was especially blessed when reading that HE commands our strength... Yes, HE commands it for us!

"Thy God hath commanded Thy strength; strengthen, O God, that which though hast wrought for us. " Psalm 68:28

So when we were without strength, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6)... and when our strength is weak, HIS power is made perfect (2 Cor.12:9)... and we can do everything through HIM who strengthens us (Phil 4:13).

I'm grateful for HIS reminder... that God alone does the work in us... HE alone!

The last verse of the Psalm really solidifies this fact:

"... the God of Israel is HE that giveth STRENGTH and POWER unto HIS people. Blessed be GOD. " Vs. 35  

May you know the benefits of HIS strength in your life today.

~Ellie

REST in the LORD, and WAIT patiently for Him...

" Be anxious for NOTHING, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6,7

Today is a hard day for me. And yet it has been good for me. How can the two go together... ?

I've been anxious, fretful, and fearful. My husband needed to make a long drive for work... under very cold temperatures, lots of snow and ice. I wished he didn't have to drive these days.  I let him go this early morning... fearful, fretful and quite anxious. I'm always nervous that he'll have an accident. One might think it's silly of me to think that way. But 16 years ago my husband and I went through a terrible accident on our honeymoon... black ice was involved, and my husband was critically injured.

That memory of seeing an 18 wheeler slam into us will never go away for me.  And the long recuperation  that followed will always be a part of me. Yet besides those memories, I will never forget  GOD'S FAITHFULNESS and seeing His hand of healing and deliverance. That I will treasure most... for HE alone healed us and placed us on a solid foundation from the beginning of our marriage. I will always be THANKFUL to my heavenly Father who always watches over HIS own.

Today is a day when God is testing my faith in Him... and mercifully continues to show me HIS love. After reading through the scriptures  today,  He again has given me peace... peace which surpasses ALL understanding.  GOD will take care of us today... as He did yesterday... and will take care of us tomorrow.

So far, as I am writing this today, my husband has made it safe for half the trip... am waiting patiently on the LORD to fully take care and protect him on the way back.

Lord, increase my faith... and let me see your hand at work, that your name might be glorified in our lives!

The refrain to this song came to me as I was praying for my husband's safety; What a blessing it has been to me! It has been good for me to trust in my Father's wise bestowment... even in my anxious thoughts.

Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Refrain

Moment by moment I’m kept in His love;
Moment by moment I’ve life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Never a trial that He is not there,
Never a burden that He doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that He doth not share,
Moment by moment, I’m under His care.

Never a heartache, and never a groan,
Never a teardrop and never a moan;
Never a danger but there on the throne,
Moment by moment He thinks of His own.

May you feel encouraged to WAIT patiently for the LORD.

~Ellie