To Do List, What's # 1?

Thinking about all the directions we can feel pulled in in this life...
With our own passions or interests and then with those of people who are in our life...
We need to be mindful that we are not trying to juggle too many things at once. 
There are only so many things God expects us to do in a day and in our life.
We need first and foremost to put that special time with Him as #1 on our "To Do" list.
 I know each day has different needs and we don't always get to spend that still quiet one on one time with Him that we'd like to. As long as we don't allow that #1 priority to be set to the side too often, and we can maintain union with Him while we meet the needs in front of us; I believe we will still be able to prosper.
When presented with all the things we'd like to do and could do with our time we must examine our hearts and seek His face to discern what is most profitable for His Kingdom and accomplishing His will for our life.
I believe our adversary would love to use good desires to keep us too busy for step #1.
And, so busy doing good things that we are not even aware that we are failing to do the actual will of God in our life.
If we are a wife then we have certain duties we should be faithful to fulfill as wives. If we have children there are also certain duties we must fulfill. Fulfilling the needs of our husband and children should come after #1. 
Then if we still feel capable of doing more than seek Him for what that looks like... Just don't neglect the God-given duties you already have. It may seem not as exciting to serve the husband and children... Or it may seem less spiritual, or it may feel like you aren't even serving God by serving them. 
But the reality is God made you a wife and mother so He expects you to glorify Him by serving your husband and children as you would want to serve Him if you had the opportunity. And by doing so you glorify His name in these dark days where women put their duty as a wife on the back burner and they give their duty as a mother to others.
When we live our lives according to God's order we magnify Him because the Truth bears witness to itself. God's ways are prosperous.
And for you SINGLE LADIES after you fulfill #1 you need to discern what gifts God has given you and how to best use them without overdoing it as well. If we try to take on too many things at once, one or more of the things we do will not be as prosperous... It's like the idea that we can't serve 2 Masters... We will end up despising something we are trying to accomplish because it will become more of a burden than a blessing. In time God can show you the gift He wants you to use for His glory. Sometimes it takes trial and error to find how you are most useful to His Kingdom. 
To those who are married, we must be sure that we are not putting other goals and desires before our husband and children... So that we end up despising them because their need for us takes us away from something else we are trying to accomplish... Of course, this all has to be rightly divided wherein we meet their needs as God would have us to; yet we are not a slave to their every whim.
So if you feel overwhelmed, take a moment even in the bathroom if you have to and take a deep breath and ask Him for His Spirit to fill you and remind yourself that the most important things you need to do are to respond Christ-like to every situation you face. 
This is why we seek first His Kingdom... It's those spiritual virtues that matter the most each day...
Did we respond to that situation with love, with patience, with humility, with grace, with joy, with kindness, with meekness?
If not what is preventing the fruit of the Spirit from manifesting through us?
Are we serving 2 Masters?
Are we taking on more than we should?
Are we not seeking first His Kingdom?
I pray we can all get the victory. 
Be encouraged sisters victory comes in time... If we fail we get up and keep moving forward.

39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. ~Luke 10:39-42

Obedience

Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

 Hey everyone, sorry I am not more active on this blog...please know you are free to email if there are any topics of interst you'd like me to share:
( holywomenofold@gmail.com ).
Thankfully, the Lord has kept me busy doing good things, so a good reason not to have time to post more often. Although, I am not always as pressed in as I should be with time management, therefore I could possibly get more posts out.

We recently were helping a family in Romania. The wife has a zeal that is inspirational. She is in her 50's but runs to & fro serving others like a lively 20 year old. She was teaching me some Romanian and one word she taught me that well defines her is "Haideti" sounds like "Hi-dets" it means, "Let's go!, Let's do it!"
You can see her lesson for me in the above picture. It says, "Let's build a house." We were there to help her build a larger home that the Romanian government required of her because she has been adopting orphans with heart conditions.

The topic that is on my heart today is obedience whether it be to an earthly husband, God himself, mother or father (if they are overseeing you). Sadly these younger generations are being taught complete independence: you are your own boss, you don't need nobody, ain't nobody gonna tell me what to do, it's all about ME, I'll do whatever I want, whenever I want, etc...
When I was a young lost teen unfortunately I had a "boyfriend".
I remeber one day telling him, "You aren't my father!" as if that really meant anything, seeing how I didn't even want to obey my dad either. So, now that I am in my 40's it has been a struggle for me in my marriage to respect my husband as I should. He is worthy of the respect, but sadly I was raised amidst a rebellious generation. And as the generations continue they have only gotten worse. I remeber how the things I used to do & say shocked my parents. Now I am feeling shocked even moreso by what I have seen coming out of younger generations. I remember when the term "lame" became popular slang, it was no big deal among teens to say, "Man, your so lame!" Well, one day I said it to my mom, "Mom, your so lame!" My dad could not believe his ears, I was reproved by them both. But, I couldn't relate to why it was such a big deal. Today it is much worse, and very few children have a good example to compare and see how wicked their actions are.
We can not blame our parents and the circumstances we were raised in for our rebellion. There are examples of people who suffered so much, yet love much, have much grace and wisdom. Truly their help came from the Lord. We all need to do our part to draw near to God and be cleansed from the world that took root in our hearts before we came to the Lord. God is able to give us new hearts & cleanse us from our wrong ways. Sometimes it takes falling and standing to brush off the dirt, and faith to keep trying to walk forward, just like children learning to walk. We can't stop getting up and trying; if children did that they'd never learn to walk properly. So, I have failed time & time again when it comes to speaking properly to my husband & to others....so please know I press onto perfection, but I have not arrived. But we must STRIVE to enter in....we don't see God's commands as mountains that are too hard to climb, we take courage knowing if we have a faith the size of a tiny mustard seed we can MOVE MOUNTAINS.

So, recently my husband made a Facebook post emphasizing the need for women to OBEY, he wrote it in all caps and he left Titus 2:5 as the reference. I was amazed by the many responses that were emotional and negative. So many woman took his word of encouragement as a beating. Like he was some wicked woman abuser. Some even wanted to say the Word does not say "obey" but rather submit and they built up some wordy idea that there is a difference between submitting and obedience, as if obedience was a negative abusive word. Seems so many women have had negative experiences with men that they assume the command for obedience to man is wrong. What does the Word say?

Titus 2:5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

See the word "obedient"? I don't think we need to learn Greek or anything to rightly divide this. This verse is simple instructions for married women. It should not offend us...but sadly we too often comprehend and interpret things through our own life experiences & emotions. If you read these words plainly there is no reason to think, oppression or abuse, or manipulation or any other negative idea that so often weighs the minds of women who hear these instructions. There are also instructions given to the husband; they are to love their wives respect their bodies as they would their own, honor their wives, etc. Notice the reason for these instructions to women:
"...that the word of God be not blasphemed."  
When the unbelievers see believers acting just as proud, irritably, belittling, disrespectful to their husbands as they do, this is shame to the name of the Lord who willinging obeyed the Father and layed His life down to deliver us from such sinful acts. There is no inspiration or motivation to believe like you, because they do not see the power of grace in your life. This is why we must recieve instruction and have the faith and humility to apply it to our lives that our Savior will be magnified and all men will be drawn unto Him seeing the power of His grace in our lives.

So, yes, these instructions are much easier to recieve for women who have husbands that are also in obedience to God. Nevertheless, a wife must do her best by God's amazing grace to honor and respect the husband even if he does not honor and respect her. Now a controversial topic: if one has an unbelieving husband , or a husband that requires a wife to commit sin..... The Word says we are to obey God over man. God is always first. What we need to learn is what would God have us do. Just beacuse He is first doesn't mean we ignore our husband's requests of us because we want to spend our days sitting at the Lord's feet instead of doing things the husband has asked us to do. God first can mean we yield to our husband's request to get the laundry done, the children's room cleaned, the garage cleaned, etc. even though we'd rather be sitting at the Lord's feet all day instead. This is because obedience to the husband glorifies God. The husband is strengthened by the wife's faithfulness, and if he is not strengthened or thankful, God is still glorified and the wife is blamless amidst a wicked and perverse generation. Now, this is not to say we should never take a day to spend being still before the Lord instead of being busy with the cares of this life, but we need to be discerning of what would best glorify God at the given time. Sometimes we need to muster up faith and trust if we do the duties the husband has instructed us, or expected us to do, that God will minister to our needs as we lay down our life to serve others. We shouldn't excuse ourselves from reasonable services because we want to be so "spiritual". Oftentimes the spiritual thing to do is serve others, work hard, deny ourself. The Word says, it is more blessed to give than recieve.....have you ever ministered to someones need and found that God ministered to your need while you ministered to someone elses? I hope dear ladies that you will learn to rightly divide these things and forget about all this "woman power" the world is preaching that teaches women to be their own boss and belittle & disrespect their husbands. A woman of true strength knows how to cleave to the Lord, trust in Him, obey Him & glorify Him even when she must suffer in the flesh doing so. The Word speaks of a divine nature that we are to have....it is a nature that seeks the Glory of God above it's own comforts. A nature that can endure gracefully much hardship. A woman of true strength can endure by God's grace the reproach of her own family when she stands alone for the right ways of God. God does not contradict Himself; people simply do not rightly divide His word, thus there appears to be contradictions. When God commands women to be in obedience to their husband's it is not unto sin, but as unto the LORD. Let me give some examples:
If a husband says, "Wife your clothes are dull, put on those tight jeans and that tank top." Here the husband is commanding the wife to do something sinful, to wear clothes that appeal to the lust of the flesh and likely create a stumbling block for other men to commit adultery with their eyes. Would the Lord command such a thing? No, He would not. And this is where the wife must obey God over man. But not pridefully, or arrogantly, on the contrary with that divine nature God can give a woman in this situation who earnestly seeks Him. She can simply say, "Dear husband, I am happy to obey you in all good things, but this thing you have asked of me is sin & therefore I cannot consent." Remember the couple in the book of Acts that fell dead? The wife would not have fallen dead with her husband if she had not yielded to his sinful plan to decieve the brethren. We all stand alone before God on the judgment day. We can not point a finger at others and say, "He made me do it!" God does not expect us to yield to sin.
Many try to use the example of Sarah obeying Abraham to say she was his sister when it put her in jeopardy of being taken by another man to say "we must obey the husband even unto sin."
I highly disagree, seeing how it contradicts God's word and the example we see under the New Covenant teachings which we are to live by. Jacob obeyed his mother to decieve his father and what happened to Jacob? He was decieved by his father in law and suffered much. We will pay a consequence for knowingly doing wrong. Ladies, you are not obligated to obey your husband unto sin.
I would also like to caution not to take your "obedience to God" out of context and justify your will by telling your Husband "God does not want us to eat white rice, therefore I will not make it..." or I do not believe it is God's will for us to live in Arizona, etc. These are things that could be called into question; but issues of morality are more clearly defined and therefore we know God does not want us to do them, such as lie, watch movies with wicked contents, swear, dress immodestly, help take your children to a school that will teach them anti-christ practices,etc.

Let's look at another part of Titus 2:5, it says, ...."good"....married women are being exhorted to be GOOD. How does that make you feel? Does it bother you like the word "obedient"? Think about it this way.....we want children to be good, and sometimes we tell them, "be a good boy." What do we mean when we say that? Do we mean DISOBEY me or do we mean OBEY me. Do we consider the child good when they obey or disobey? Do the children give us peace and joy when they disobey?
3 John 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
God has created an order that we would all do well and be pleasing to God and all mankind (even ourselves) if we simply obey that order. Everyone is required to obey: the men must obey Christ, the women must obey their husband and Christ, the children must obey their parents and Christ. And when we all willing do this there is peace and harmony.
Ok, so the husband doesn't obey, this makes life harder on the wife. And when the wife dosen't obey, this makes life harder on the man who has been placed with the responsibility of overseeing his wife and children. Ladies who have been abused by men & husband's you will not heal from this by rebelling against God's order or by seeing obedience to the husband as oppressive. Remember, it is as unto the Lord we are called to serve our husband. We must love the husband regardless if he loves us. If he is an enemy to the faith, God calls all people to love even their enenemies. But this does not mean we yield to sin. Sin is not love. It may cost some women their marriage to live in obedience to Christ if they have an unbeling husband. In such cases the woman should obey all her husband requiers that is not immoral/ sinful and she should labor to respect him even if he is not walking worthy. Christ layed down His life and died for us when we were yet sinners and this is what won our hearts to Him; His amazing sacrificial love. This is what has the chance of winning the unbelieving husband to Christ, loving him selflessly. Marriage is a sacrificial love, Christian love is a sacrificial love & true love. Without God, love does not exist, "God is love".
Eternity without God is eternity without love, indescribably painful. And this is where all will end up who despise God and His ways. The husband that despises God and abuses his wife will have an eternity without love; wives you have the opportunity to save your husband from such an end, and to enable him to experience the only love he will ever experience if he does not repent. Your life on the altar for God glorifies God as did the life of Christ.
So to this call to obedience I say, "Hi-dets!"  = "Let's do it!" for this is wisdom to obey God and His high calling, and this is how a woman can build her house on a sure foundation; but she that lives in self-will & rebellion will tear her house down with her own hands.

Reverence & honor for God & Man

 Then spake Y'shua again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. -John 8:12

 Recently I have been considering the idea of honor. Reverence goes hand in hand with honor. Years ago as I studied Scripture I was particularly edified by Bathsheba's reverence for David. It says in  1Kings 1:16  "And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king..." She showed him reverence. He was not only the King at that time but he was her husband.
 Unfortunately he was her husband due to his sinful yielding to temptation. Bathsheba's original husband died in battle because King David purposely put him on the front lines so he could pursue his covetous desire for her. King David was in transgression of the Just One's Law of Love. Nevertheless, a prophet was sent to him, & he was rightly chastened of God for his transgression. God's law is love & it is certainly not loving to covet your neighbor's wife.
Since Bathsheba's husband was dead she was no longer bound by the marriage covenant; thus King David could rightly have her as his wife.  It is an encouragement to me to read that she had a reverence for her husband (King David). She showed him respect & honor. These are two words that are greatly lacking in action in this time we are living in. I am 40 years old & I was taught to respect my parents (to a certain degree & the elderly). A majority of the children that have been raised by my generation apparently are not being taught these profitable acts. When a wife respects her husband, the two of them can teach the children to respect them. They can also teach them to have respect for those who are aged among them such as: Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles, older cousins & siblings & adults in general. Touching on these thoughts can easily get us in a ball of tangled yarn so to speak. What I mean is, that so much in life is connected to these basic principles & has an effect on many aspects of life.
It seems that the lack of respect for husbands, has created a lack of respect for wives, which has created a lack of respect in children for their parents, which I believe is also linked to a lack of self respect through-out society. You can see the lack of self respect in the way people choose to walk around in public. I have seen a dad & his son wear pj's to the grocery store ( some may think this is cute...) this teaches children a sense of carelessness. "Let's not care what people think of us walking around in bed clothes" and thus you have women with the same attitude walking around in  something that should only be in the bedroom. 
I understand the mentality of not wanting to care what others think, but in order for that thought process to really be sound it needs to be influenced by what is just, good & honorable. Such as: "I do not care" (i.e. will not be stopped/hindered by the thoughts of others) what people think about the fact that I am choosing to wear modest attire when everyone else here is walking around in bathing suits, "I do not care..." that they are staring at me as I stop to talk to this homeless person that smells & looks awful (not all homeless people smell & look awful, I am just making a point); "I do not care..." that people give me unkind looks because I veil my head out of  reverence for God & man.

What we often see today is a lack of respect for self & others; many say: "I DON'T CARE!" (who also lack sound reasoning for their lack of care) ...what people think about me having purple & green hair, 2 nose rings & a tattoo in the middle of my forehead! ..."I don't care if people can see my breasts in this see-through shirt, or this v-neck shirt that reveals all but my nipples. "I don't care that when I bend over my pants fall below my bum-crack & everyone sees it. "I don't care what people think about me being tattooed from head to toe & that I hardly have any clothes on." I don't care"
what people think about me turning up my stereo so the whole neighborhood can hear it. "I don't care" if everyone on Facebook see's SELFIES of me in my underwear. "I don't care what people think of my public display of intimacy with my "partner"/friends/same gender. The list could go on  & on. Many could read this & go off  madly lecturing their justifications for these vile, irreverent, public displays. "Don't judge!" The truth is when we look in the mirror of the Law of true liberty & we see the prior things mentioned in our lives, we have already been judged by ourselves. We condemn ourselves when we choose things contrary to virtue & light. But with Y'shua there is hope through repentance. Y'shua (Jesus) said (as recorded in John 3:19)  "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."  He also says as recorded in Jonh 8:12  "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
God's ways are light & life. They bring true liberty. We can say, "I don't care" & continue to display dark actions, Or, we can be free from the care God wants us to be free from, repent, & shine the light.

We read in 1Corinthians 11:3  "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." This is the Apostle Paul sharing with us the light he received from God. This statement of his clearly sets forth God's ordained order for life on earth. This order is good & those who abide in it will prosper. Anyone who takes an honest look at the history of society can clearly see the more the general public has forsaken this order the more chaos has prevailed. Society has become like Nineveh; a people that know not their left hand from their right. They are taught that evil is good & good evil. So much so that it is common to hear the exclamation, "Wicked!" when people like or esteem something.

I think I have shared this before...for those who have not considered this... God created fish to be able to live & breathe under water. He designed them with special qualities that enable them to be able to live in water. He also created birds that are able to fly. Birds can do things that fish can do, & fish can do things that birds can do; for example eat & rest. Yet, if a fish was able to be unsatisfied  with what it was created to be & tried to be a bird, it would terribly fail & eventually die. The fish wasn't designed to breathe as a bird does. And vice versa. You can apply this to women who are (I believe rebellious & influenced by a base society )to be discontent with who they have been created to be. As a fish has wonderful abilities that it would be ridiculous for it to be discontent with, so does the woman. 
To have man in reverence as our lord & guide in this world is not a thing to war against or despise!!! As a matter of fact this rebellion has much to do with the awful state of our present society. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. (1Samuel 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry..." You do not have to be a witch to cast a spell over people. Rebellion will have the same effect. Have you ever heard your child make excuse for their bad behavior by telling you their sibling does it? "But, Johnny does it!" Do not be influenced by rebellious women to dishonor your husband. When women learn to respect men & their husband (if they have a husband) there will be a good effect in their life. Young women who show respect will be a light to siblings & others who see they abide in Truth & order. Married women will be a light to their children who will in return respect their dads. Respect, reverence, honor, go hand in hand and make for peace in the home & in society.
The Law of Liberty teaches us to honor: Father & mother (Matthew 15:4), the old (Leviticus 19:32), widows (1 Timothy 5:3) ...Honor all (1 Peter 2:17)
We need to have honor for all things created, people, and even animals. Respect for the living. Respect for life.
How do we honor our husband?
Unfortunately many of us were raised without an example of a mother who had true reverence for her husband. Some of our mothers may have had more respect for their husbands than others. Yet,sadly many do not have their biological parents raising them at all. Many lack godly role models. We need to labor to restore this to the future generation. For those of us that desire to labor for God's kingdom a very important need is for respect & reverence & honor to be restored among families. Mother's & wives, you  may not realize what a high calling you have & how much the future will be effected by your choice to reverence your husband or not. The way you choose to interact with your husband will leave a lasting impression for generations to come if the Lord delays His coming.
I myself have miserably failed in this area, but I will not make excuses for my bad choices. I want to redeem the time and lay a hold of this forsaken virtue that many women of old possessed such as Bathsheba. I am thankful for the few women of our time that shine as precious jewels as they sincerely honor their husbands. They should drive us to emulation, in the sense that we should earnestly desire to attain/imitate the virtue they display.


A Heart that Sees husband as lord 
Consider this:
Ephesians 5:21-24  "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.   For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.   Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."
The chapter goes on to say how husbands need to love their wives. They have their part and we have ours. However, our part is not contingent (dependent) on whether or not they are doing their part. If we love truth & want to please our LORD in heaven who created us all, then we will seek to reverence our husbands as we would want to reverence the LORD. If you have a husband who is not obedient to the faith I believe your relationship with him will be bettered & possibly healed if you remain faithful to honor, reverence & respect him. I believe we can experience greater peace & joy even in hard circumstance when we are being faithful to fulfill God's will in our life. It is His will for women to honor men and reverence their husband's as lord.
 If you are single you should seek to honor your biological dad; even if he is not a believer. If you are without a dad honor a grandfather, or godly men, if you are part of a fellowship. You should also honor your mother. There are many people we can practice this virtue of showing honor to. The more we exercise ourselves in honoring others, the more natural & a part of our character it will be. Honoring someone can simply be: looking upon them with respect, not interrupting their conversation, asking for their input in decisions you are making & respecting their input. Of course if they are not seeking to be Christian their input may not be something you should follow; but you can still hear them out and share the truth with them in love as to why you'd prefer not to heed to their counsel.  All who live godly will suffer persecution, & some times that persecution comes from loved ones (2Timothy 3:12  "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." ) Those who will be as Christ, & called by His name should not expect to live comfortably in this world. There is a cross to bear. The reward of eternity in peace with the true God who suffered on earth & knows our infirmities is worth the pain of the cross in this temporary world. 
As for the married, we can apply the same as the single would but with our husbands. Although, the difference would be, a need to obey your husband.[Obedience to anything that isn't contrary to God's will; God would not have you obey your husband if it meant stealing, killing, lying,and such like things.Read Acts 5 where Sapphira was judged when she lied as her husband had.]
 We should seek to do our husband's will even when he is not at home to oversee. Our hearts desire should be to fulfill the will of our husband. To prefer his will above ours, because we were created to be his helper, not he ours. Many husbands do help their wives and this is good. But we must not burden/manipulate the husband into being our servant. A godly husband will naturally desire to serve his wife in that which he sees as good & profitable. We need to cleanse our hearts of the worldly mindset of living happily ever being served by prince charming in a cute home with a white picket fence. That is not what Christ has called us to. Unfortunately many who profess Christ have painted this picture & shamed the name of Christ. We need to remember, in order to honor God we must honor the husband. Godly joy will fill our hearts when we surrender to a life of servitude. All of God's creatures are servants. We have all been created for God's pleasure. And peace comes when we do what we were created to do. The husband has a big responsibility in serving his family by seeking God & Truth making sure his family is fed & clothed & washing them with the Word of God.
Consider Genesis 3 :
 Adam & Eve were created & given a perfect world. They were given simple & reasonable instructions to follow. Due to the fact that we are created with free will (for the sake of not being robots & especially for the sake of True Love). Love could not be love if there was no choice/free will involved. It is when we freely make choices that True Love has meaning. The consequence of their sin: Genesis 3:16  "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." One man states, "She shall be subject, but it shall be to her own husband that loves her, not to a stranger, or an enemy: the sentence was not a curse, to bring her to ruin, but a chastisement, to bring her to repentance. It was well that enmity was not put between the man and the woman, as there was between the serpent and the woman."
Approach your husband as you would imagine approaching God the Father. I believe the heart would have a healthy, holy fear. Not a light & careless attitude. Discern the time with your husband, is this a good time to share this thought, or concern, or blessing, etc.? Be ready to deny yourself & wait until the time is right for him. When the husband is respected as the head of the wife, God is still God. We must keep God as our first love. We can look to our LORD in heaven throughout the day. Speak with God in our hearts. He fills what the husband can not fill. Honoring husband as Lord does not diminish God as Lord.


Do You Speak to Your Husband as You Do to the Children?  
This is a big "no, no" so to speak. Have you ever witnessed this?  A wife that corrects or scolds her husband as she does the children is very unseemly. Especially when she does it in front of children. How can they possibly respect a man that gets scolded just like they do? And if they are teenagers, beware of the disrespect it will breed in their hearts for you & your husband. We must learn to approach our husbands with great respect & honor. We must tame our hearts when provoked by grievances that would cause us to speak out of season to our husband. When Bathsheba had a concern to voice she came to her husband & bowed to honor him. She did not allow herself to carelessly approach him. She didn't place her hand on her hips, and say "What are you doing! Do you realize what is going on?!" It seems to me there was more restraint in old times when speaking in general, that we lack in our present time. Her conversation with her husband was well thought out. She wasn't rash with her words. James a disciple of Christ sheds light on our path when he says, James 1:19  "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" 
I believe if we were slower to speak this would help us to speak with respect.
 It is hard to imagine a wife in our times bowing to her husband. I am not suggesting we need to actually bow in body but rather to take on the mind that would do such a thing. Sarah, Abraham's wife called her husband Lord 1Pe 3:4-7  "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.   For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:   Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife,..." 
God is good & right in His ways. 

Do You Shame Your husband?
It seems to be a common error for women to get together & make light of their husbands faults & or imagined faults. Beware & guard the tongue when it comes to exposing your husband's deeds to others. Even if it is in a sincere desire for help or prayer. You can request prayer for hardships without exposing the issue.

In closing:
 I hope you will be encouraged to examine your heart in these areas (Respect for others). DO  Not be discouraged when you see your failures. Rejoice that God has opened your eyes to see your need & start putting into practice what you know to be the good & right way to treat others (regardless of how others treat you). Honor the Father in Heaven by honoring others.
"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;"- 1Peter 3:1 
                 "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light."   Psalm 36:9 

Pre New Testament Writting

           

                                   ~ A Good Wife ~

•     Happy is the man that hath a virtuous wife: for the number of his years shall be double.   An honest woman maketh her husband a joyful man, and she shall fill the years of his life in peace.   A virtuous woman is a noble gift, which shall be given for a good portion unto such as fear God:  Whether a man be rich or poor, he may have ever a merry heart, & a cheerful countenance.   

• There be three things that mine heart fears; and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation: all these are worse than death. But a grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous over another woman, and a woman that tells out all things, is a scourge of the tongue. An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

•    A drunken woman is a great plague: for she can not cover her own shame.   The whoredom of a woman may be known in the pride of her eyes and eye lids.  

 If thy daughter be  shameless, keep her in straightly, lest she abuse her self through over much liberty.   Beware of all the dishonesty of her eyes, & marvel not if she trespass against you. As a way faring man that is thirsty, when he hath found a well drinks of every water: so will she sit down by every hedge, and make her self common to every man that passes by.  (Another translation reads;

She will sit down before every tent peg And open her quiver to any arrow. {So sadly true this is.}

                          

                                  ~A Blessed Wife~

•   The grace of a wife delights her husband, and her wisdom will fatten his bones. A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed. (another translation reads: A woman of few words is a gift of God: to all nurtured minds may nothing be compared.) An honest and mannerly woman is a gift above other gifts: and there is no scale adequate to weigh a self-controlled soul. 

  Like as the sun when it arises, is an ornament in the high heaven of the Lord: so is a virtuous wife the beauty of all her house.  Like as the clear light is upon the holy candlestick: so is the beauty of the face upon an honest body.   Like as the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver: so are the fair feet upon a woman that hath a constant mind.  Perpetual are the foundations that be laid upon a whole stony rock: so are the commandments of God upon the heart of an holy woman. ...

                                   ~ Evil vs. Good ~

•    An harlot shall be accounted as spittle; but a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.   A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man: but a godly woman is given to him that fears the Lord.  A dishonest woman contemns shame: {She doesn't discern the blessedness of having a sense of shame; she scorns the idea of feeling shame} but an honest woman will reverence her husband. A shameless woman shall be counted as a dog; but she that is shamefaced will fear the Lord.  A woman that honors her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonors him in her pride shall be counted ungodly of all.

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

4/22/2015

All of us as children of God need milk, life sustaining ingredients. Have you ever seen the teeth of children who are given Kool-Aide? If we are to live, live for Christ, let not your belly be your God.

   My husband recently preached a sermon encouraging believers to press into perfection. He specifically addressed topics of men's modesty, our words, selling what we have to give to poor, laboring not for food that perishes/doesn't sustain. Christ has called His followers to a life of self-denial. If more of us took this leap of faith & put it to practice we would see that the self-less life truly is an abundant life. There is much joy to be had when we forsake ourselves & seek the good of others. It is an under practiced principle in this modern "ME, MYSELF, & I" generation. Selfish practices reap dis-contentment, ungratefulness, depression, etc. As Saint Frances said, "It is in dying that we are born to eternal life." Recently we were selling many of our things. Seeking to simplify our lives for the kingdom of God. We are moving on to a Brother's land & living in a small wooden wagon.

Once we had our things packed up it was overwhelming to see how much stuff we really had!! We didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the yard sale. I really wish I would have put more things out for sale. I have moved many times in my life. There is less time, energy, & stress involved when we have less material possessions. I'm looking forward to reducing our belongings even more. Sometimes our hearts make excuses to keep the things we posses. I was really surprised how much money we made off of things we really didn't need or care much for. All that money can now be spent on things more profitable for God's Kingdom Work. Y'shua/Jesus was sent to do His Father's business. What are we really doing with our lives? Is Y'shua/Jesus really an example to follow? He made Himself poor for our sakes. Should we not be willing to do the same for each other & this dying world that needs salvation? Dear Sisters, set the example for your children. Kool-Aide may taste good, but does it do good for the body? Do we need to make desserts with every meal? The time & cost that goes into these dainties/luxuries, yes, dessert can be a luxury.

                 noun: luxury 

                 the state of great comfort and extravagant living. 

Do you realize how many people in the world go without water, let alone dessert? 

(scroll down to see answer)

Do you know that I learned how to spell the word dessert by this little saying, "Dessert has 2 "S'S" because you always want more!" Is this really what we want to teach our children, gluttony & self indulgence.

noun: gluttony
habitual greed or excess in eating. 

We may take these things lightly in our hearts. Putting an importance on eating desserts everyday is not the mind of Christ. We are to gird ourselves with His mind. Think about how much time it would free up & how much money we could save for more profitable things if dessert was not a daily occurrence. Here's some quick facts to stir your conscience:


These excerpts are from an article from FOODBUISNESSNEWS :


"Packaged Facts estimates ice cream and frozen dessert sales topped $25.5 billion in 2013, a slight improvement of about 1% over the previous year’s sales of just under $25 billion..." “We introduce new flavors for each season to give consumers additional reasons to indulge."


verb: indulge;
allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of


"We remind them throughout the summer of all the flavors we offer, which is 75-plus items available just for ice cream stands,..."

"Packaged Facts projects that the total market for ice cream and frozen desserts will near $27.4 billion by 2018,..."

Compare those statistics with these from The Hunger Project:

• 1.7 billion people lack access to clean water.
• 805 million people – or one in nine people in the world – do not have enough to eat .
• 1.4 billion people in developing countries live on $1.25 a day or less.

22,000 children die each day due to conditions of poverty.

Let's take a good look at our lives & consider what we do with money; are we being faithful with what God gives us? Many people use excuses that "we can not save the world"; so they see no point in denying themselves the pleasures of this life that are so easy to them to come by. We may not save the world, but we can be the change we'd like to see in the world. We can set examples to our children, neighbors, family, and friends & the many people who's path we cross. One person came up with the idea that a person who lives to 90 will have either made eye contact, or met, or waved to about 100,000 people. That's not counting all the people that your heart can reach through technology/internet media. We underestimate how many lives we can change simply by changing our-self.

The simple steps we as individuals can make. One thing we can consider changing = how much we spend on "treating" ourselves.

"Americans (and humans, in general) have a healthy appetite for frozen desserts. Collectively, we spend nearly $25 billion on the good stuff and down some 1.5 billion gallons a year." [source: Grit.com].{Quoted from Andy's frozen Custard}

Many consider this a "Healthy Indulgence," Indulgent none the less. If Americans didn't spend 25 BILLION a year on Ice cream & frozen Desserts, guess what they could spend it on?


"How much does it cost to solve world hunger?

World hunger can be eradicated. A price has been set and estimated by the United Nations to solve this crisis – $30 billion a year. It may seem like a large sum of money, but when compared to the U.S. defense budget – $737 billion in 2012 – $30 billion seems more attainable.Feb 15, 2013" (OR WHEN WE COMPARE IT TO OUR FROZEN DESSERT SPENDING) 

Quoted from-borgenproject.org/the-cost-to-end-world-hunger/

"The Borgen Project has become an influential campaign platform aimed at

reducing global poverty through public mobilization and political advocacy,

and serves as a testament that one man and a laptop can change the world."

And He's not even claiming to do it in the name of Christ!

We as individuals have the power to stop world hunger. We as individuals can stop self indulging and start feeding a hungry person.

"March 1, 2012, the meals of Feed My Starving Children will be priced at 22¢ each."--(FMSC.Org) That is about $20 a month to feed a starving child 3 meals a day. "The average American household spends approximately $75.46 per year on ice cream."--(pamallison.com) 

That's about 3 months of food for a starving child. A difference you can make by simply denying yourself the pleasure of ice-cream. This is not just some humanitarian speech I'm delivering to you. This is to inspire you to follow the spirit of Christ and practice that truly pure religion James exhorted to nearly 2,000 years ago. Not only James but Christ himself. Christ calls us to love our neighbor as our-self.

(Luke 10:29 "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?")

If you are further interested in these kinds of inspirations, here is the link to my husband's sermon {click title} Press on to Perfection.


Some days after the sermon I was reading Martyr's Mirror and came across this woman's admonishment to her young children before she was to be put to death for her faith in Christ. It was a very timely testimony for me to read. Soetgen Van Den Houte lived in the mid 1500's. It seems that it was very clear to her what was profitable for the children of God & what wasn't concerning this world. I have recently been surprised to learn that today those who profess the faith have such confusion as to what is profitable & unprofitable as becometh saints. This world is full of vanities, cares & snares that Saints of the Lord must learn to guard their hearts from. We are strangers & pilgrims here. We should not be seeking to be acceptable to the social norms of the godless societies we live in. We are to be Holy as the Lord is Holy, we are to be set apart, not mingled in. There is nothing wrong with standing out in a crowd if it is due to you reflecting the beauty of holiness.

Soetgen is a good example to mother's, women, children, & all who call upon the Lord in Truth. She was an example to her children not only in word, but in the fulfilling of the Truth she knew. I firmly believe she practiced what she taught her children. Please take time to read her letter & be edified in the ways of the Lord.

MARTYRS MIRROR

  SOETGEN VAN DEN HOUTE, AND MARTHA, A. D. 1560

At this time also a pious woman named Soetgen van den Houte fell into the hands of the persecutors of the truth, so that after severe assaults and imprisonment she testified and confirmed the faith of the ever enduring truth with her death and blood, on the 27th of November, 1560, in the city of Ghent; and with her another woman, named Martha. Soetgen van den Houte also states that her husband had previously likewise valiantly trodden the winepress of suffering and fearlessly testified the truth, and gave his life for it, as the following testament clearly shows.

A TESTAMENT OF SOETGEN VAN DEN ROUTE, WHICH SHE LEFT HER CHILDREN, DAVID, BETGEN AND TANNEKEN, FOR A MEMORIAL, AND FOR THE BEST, AND WHICH SHE CONFIRMED WITH HER DEATH, AT GHENT, FLANDERS

In the name of the Lord:

Grace, peace and mercy from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, this I wish you, my dear little children, David, Betgen, and Tanneken, for an affectionate greeting, written by your mother in bonds, for a memorial to you of the truth, as I hope to testify by word and with my death, by the help of the Most High, for an example unto you. May the wisdom of the Holy Ghost instruct and strengthen you therein, that you may be brought up in the ways of the Lord. Amen.
Further my dear children, since it pleases the Lord to take me out of this world, I will leave you a memorial, not of silver or gold; for such jewels are perishable: but I should like to write a jewel into your heart, if it were possible, which is the word of truth, in which I want to instruct you a little for the best with the Word of the Lord, according to the little gift I have received from Him and according to my simplicity.
In the first place, I admonished you, my most beloved, always to suffer yourself to be instructed by. those who fear the Lord; then you will please God, and as long as you obey good admonition and instruction, and fear the Lord, He will be-your Father and not leave you orphans. For David says, "What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose." Ps. 25: 12. He also says, "The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them. that, hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death. The angel; of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Ps. 33:18, 19; 34:7, 9; 111:10.
Therefore, dear children, learn to fear the Lord, and you will receive wisdom. The wise man says, "A wise son heareth instruction. Whoso loveth correction and instruction loveth knowledge., A wise son feareth and escheweth evil. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son putteth his mother to shame. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but the companion of fools shall be like them. He that refuseth correction and instruction destroyeth his own soul; but he that heareth reproof will become wise."
O my most beloved, depart not from correction. The wise man says, ",Chasten thy Son while there is hope." Prov. 19:18.
Hence, my most beloved, grieve not when you are corrected, and speak not crossly to those -who correct you. A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger. Prov. 15:1. If
_{Page 647} you are crossly, spoken to, learn to answer kindly, and you will be loved by all men; for humility and meekness are acceptable to both. God and men.
Furthermore, my dear children, I admonish you, to beware of lying; for liars have no part in the kingdom of God. Rev. 21:8. It is also written, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, and he whose mouth lieth, his soul shall die." Prov. 12:12; Wisdom 1:11. Therefore, my dear children, beware of it; for he that deals in lies is loved by no one.
My dear children, keep this in your hearts; my dear lambs, guard your tongue, that it speak no evil; neither practice deceit with your lips; nor be guilty of backbiting, for thereby come contention and strife,; but Paul teaches us, to live peaceably with all men if it be possible. I Pet. 3:10; Romans 12:18.
My most beloved, keep this sent you from your mother; and obey your parents; and those whose bread you eat, and all who admonish you to virtue. Eph. 6:1. Always be diligent to do your work, wherever you be; for Paul says that if any. will not work, neither shall ,he eat. I I Thess. 3:10.
It is also written, "Be diligent to labor, that you may have to give to him that needeth." Eph. 4:28. Hence, turn not your face away from the poor. "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard." Prov. 21:13. Tobit taught his son, saying, "Son, if thou hast abundance, give alms accordingly: if thou have but little; be not afraid to give according to that little." Tob. 4:8. Alms given of one's labor is acceptable to God. The wise man says, "Alms purge out sin." We also read of Cornelius and Tobit that the angel said, "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God, whom thou didst beseech with tears, and didst leave thy dinner to go and bury the dead." Acts 10:4; Tob. 12:13.
Therefore, be diligent in prayer, and love the poor; for Christ also was poor for our sakes. . II Corinthians 8:9. Be therefore also merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful; for such shall be blessed, and shall obtain mercy. Also learn to be meek and lowly in heart; for such are blessed and shall inherit the earth. Luke 6:36; Matt. 5:5. And blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
Hence, my dear children, let no impure thoughts remain in your hearts, but engage yourselves with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and evil thoughts will have no room. Neither let filthiness proceed out of your mouth; for of this an account will have to be given. Eph. 5:19, 4; Matt. 12:36.
Furthermore, my most beloved, wherever you be esteem yourselves as the least, and be not wise in your own conceit, but always suffer yourselves to be instructed by those who are above you, and always be silent when others speak. Humble yourself beneath all men; for whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; but he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matt. 23:12. For Christ, who is the greatest, made Himself the least, for an example unto us. Ps. 8:6; John 13:13. And, as is written, "The greater thou art, the more humble thyself and thou shalt find favor before the Lord; for the power of the Lord is great, and he is honored of the lowly." Sir. 3:18, 20.
My children, be also just in all your dealings; for in the way of the just there is life, and in the beaten path there is no death. It is joy to the righteous to do that which is right, but fear to evildoers. Further, choose to earn your bread by the labor of your hands, and to eat your bread with peace. Seek not to be a merchant, nor be anxious for great gain. Better is little with the fear of God, than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dry morsel, and quietness, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. Prov. 15:16; 17:1.
My children, love not dainties, nor wine. He that desires costly feasts will not become rich; but be content with the labor of your hands. Overtax no one, but be satisfied with what is reasonable, as you have seen of me. Be burdensome to no one, as long as you can obtain the things needful. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35. And Paul says, "If ye have food and raiment, be therewith content." I Tim. 6:8.
Hence, my dear children, take an example from this, and always go on in the ways of the Lord with sobriety and thankfulness, as you have heard me read of Daniel, of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were selected by the king of Babylon, to be nourished with the same wine and meat which the king drank and ate at his table, in order that they might be beautiful, to serve the king. But they would have nothing but pulse and water; they wanted to observe the law and commandments of their fathers with sobriety and thankfulness in the fear of God, and they were fairer and fatter than those who ate of the king's dainties. Dan. 1.
Thus faithfully they walked in the ways of the Lord, with prayer and supplication made themselves acceptable to Him; therefore God did great things through them, and delivered them from the den of lions, and out of the fiery furnace. And Joseph; when he was sold into Egypt, desired no dainties, nor wine, because the Egyptian women sought to seduce him; but he feared God, and God preserved him. He pleased God by sobriety and prayer, so that he was appointed ruler over Egypt. Gen. 37, 39, 41.
My dear children, take an example from this, in your youth, and you will please God, and He will keep you from all seduction.
O my lambs, you are still in your youth, in your infancy; you have yet your part in your Father's kingdom; see that you keep it well and do not as Esau did, who gave his inheritance or birthright for a mess of pottage; not regarding his father's blessing. he gave it away for perishable food. Gen. 25:33. But Jacob chose the better part, and was
_{Page 648} obedient to God and his father, walking the ways of the Lord with all righteousness.
My most beloved, seek instruction, so that you may be taught, and know which is the true way; for you may now choose life or death, good or evil; whichever you desire, shall be given you (Sirach 15:17); namely, if you delight in evil, so that you choose the pleasures of the world (from which springs all unrighteousness), namely, lying and cheating, gambling, playing, swearing, cursing, backbiting, hatred, envy, drunkenness, banqueting, excess, idolatry, covetousness, lasciviousness, vanity, filthy conversation, dancing, and so forth; which things, though the world does not consider them sins, but amusements, are nevertheless abominations in the eyes of the Lord. I Pet. 4:3.
Therefore, my dear children, take heed; if you take pleasure in these things, you sell your birthright or the inheritance from your father, for a mess of pottage, namely, for a few temporal pleasures, which lead you to damnation. See whether all the great multitude do not choose to walk. this way. Hence Esdras has truly said that there is much more earth found, to make earthen vessels, than gold, to make golden vessels. And as the wave is greater than a drop, so there will be more that will be damned. II Esd. 8:2, 3; 9:15, 16. For many are called, but few are chosen, for they do not heed their call; as Christ says, "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but these follow the great multitude of the ungodly and false prophets." John 10:27.
Hence Isaiah says, "Hell hath opened her mouth wide, to receive the proud and all that do unrighteousness, and all that will not repent." Isa. 5:14.
Therefore, behold, my most beloved, if you suffer yourselves to be instructed in virtue, you will follow the voice of the Lord, as from the time of Abel until now many who suffered have done; they were rejected, despised, persecuted and killed because they would not follow the wicked world and her false prophets.
Behold, my most beloved, choose rather to suffer affliction with the children of God, so that you may be rewarded with them; for they are the ones to whom belong all the beautiful promises, but they must suffer much, for the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matt. 11:12. It is also written, "Ye must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven." For David says, "We are led to death as sheep for the slaughter." And Paul says, "We which live are always delivered unto death." It is also written, "Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Ye shall have tribulation for a little while, but be of good cheer and be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life." Revelation 2:10. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. We further read, "The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." Rev. 19:7-9."Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father." Matt. 13:43.
See, my most beloved, this is the better part and reward of all those who fear the Lord, walk in His ways and keep His commandments. These are they to whom the Lord says, "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye few men of Israel: I will not leave you orphans; but I will be your God, and ye shall be my people; and I will keep you as the apple of mine eye; yea, if ye keep my commandments, though ye were cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather you from thence, and will bring you unto the place that I have chosen." Isa. 41:14; 51:7; Zech. 2:8; Deut. 30:4; Neh. 1:9.
Oh, who would not love such a Lord and Father, who has chosen us, as He chose Israel, and has given us His commandments and laws, namely, His Gospel, which teaches us to do His will, and His pleasure; and such He has made heirs of all the riches of heaven. Isa. 49:7.
O my dear children, I have written this in tears, admonishing you out of love, praying for you with a fervent heart, that, if possible, you might be of this number. For when your father was taken from me, I did not spare myself day or night to bring you up, and my prayer and solicitude were constantly for your salvation, and even while in bonds my greatest care has always been that my prudence did not enable me to make better provision for you. For when it was told me, that you had been taken to Oudenarde, and thence to Bruges, it was a hard blow for me, so that I never had a greater sorrow. But when I thought that my coming or providing could not help the matter, and that for Christ's sake we must separate from all that we love in this world I committed all to the will of the Lord, and I still hope and pray constantly, that He in His mercy will preserve you, as He preserved Joseph, Moses and Daniel in the midst of wicked men. And He will do this, if you give diligence to follow the truth; then the angel of the Lord will be with you, even as He was with Tobias, guiding him until He brought him to his father's house, where he rejoiced with his father and his friends, thanking God for His great goodness. Tobit 7:11.
Thus also, if you will follow good instruction, it will guide you safely through every danger, and bring you to your Father's house, where there is such joy prepared, that ear has not heard, nor eye seen, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what joy is prepared for the elect; but to the elect God has revealed it by His Holy Spirit. Isa. 64:4; I Corinthians. 2:9, 10.
_{Page 649} May the word of the Father bring you to this, through the mercy of the Son, and may the wisdom of the Holy Ghost;strengthen you, that you may apprehend it. Amen.
David, my dear child, I herewith commend you to the Lord. You are the oldest, learn wisdom, that you may set your sisters a good example; and beware of bad company, and of playing in the street with bad boys; but diligently learn to read and write, so that you may get understanding. Love one another, without contention or quarreling; but be kind to each other. Let the one that is wise bear with him who is simple, and admonish him with kindness. Let the strong bear with the feeble, and help him all he can, out of love. Let the rich assist the poor, out of brotherly love. Let the younger obey the older in that which is good. Admonish one another to be industrious, so that people may love you. Exhort one another to good works, to modesty, honorableness and quietness. Always care for one another; for the time has come, that love shall wax cold; yea, if it were possible, the very elect would be deceived. Matt. 24:12, 24. Hence, take heed and learn diligently to search the Scriptures, so that you may not be deceived; but always hold to the first and second commandment, which will teach you aright. Do not easily believe it, when evil is told you of another, but examine the matter; and make no commotion when you are slandered, but bear it for Christ's sake.
Love your enemies, and pray for those who speak evil of you, and afflict you. Rather suffer wrong, than that you should grieve another; rather suffer affliction than that you should afflict another; rather be reproached, than that you should reproach another; rather be slandered, than that you should slander another; rather be robbed, than that you should rob another; rather be beaten, than that you should beat another, and so 'forth.
Behold, my most beloved, all this is wrought through brotherly love, and is all comprehended in the second commandment; hence, you must constantly see that you do not seek solely your own profit, but always care for those with whom you have dealings, whether they be young or old.
Further, my dear children, Betgen and Tanneken, my beloved lambs, I admonish you in all these same things, as that you obey the commandments of the Lord, and also obey your uncle and aunt, and your elders, and all who instruct you in virtue. To those whose bread you eat, you must be subject in all that is not contrary to God. Always diligently admonish yourselves to do your work, and you will be loved wherever you live. Be not quarrelsome, or loquacious, or light minded, or proud, or surly of speech, but kind, honorable and quiet, as behooves young girls. Pray the Lord for wisdom, and it shall be given you. Diligently learn to read and write, and take delight therein, and you will become wise. Take pleasure and engage in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Seek for the only joy. Learn to please the Lord from your youth, as did the holy women and virgins, as Judith. Judith 8.
Esther also was a virgin who feared God; she was adorned with humility, was gracious, honorable, kind, and humble of heart; hence she pleased King Ahasuerus above all the other virgins. Esther 2:17. But in her high estate she was not proud; though she shone in royal apparel, she humbled her heart, with fasting and prayer to the Lord, for her brethren, that they might be delivered out of the hands of their enemies; she did not esteem herself better than one of the least of her brethren.
See, my most beloved, when you have attained the years of understanding, see that you adorn yourselves with good works, namely, the works of the Spirit, that is, with all manner of goodness, gentleness, meekness, humility, obedience, long suffering, righteousness, modesty, honorableness, purity, peaceableness, steadfastness, mercifulness, wisdom, diligence in good works, faith, hope and love; to love God above all that is in the world, and to do to your neighbor as you would have men do unto you, on which hang all the law and the prophets. Gal. 5:22, 23; Matt. 22:37, 40.
Behold, my dear children, this is the adornment of the saints, etc.
O my most beloved, labor for such a wedding garment, so that you may enter in among the number of the children of God to the marriage of the Lamb, where they shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Rev. 19:7; Matthew 13:43.
May the strong hand of the Lord bring you to this; may He lead you as He led Israel out of Egypt, and bring you to the New Jerusalem, that we may see each other with joy in the day of the resurrection.
Herewith I commend you to the Lord, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; may He keep you to the end of your lives. Amen.
My dear children, this I leave you as a memorial or testament. If you put it to good use, you will gather more treasure by it, than if I had left you many riches, which are perishable; for the riches of this world may be lost through fire, war, or misfortune.
Hence, he is not wise who sets his heart upon anything that is perishable, since we have no assurance of it for an hour; we must leave it all behind; therefore, grieve not, though what we had is scattered or lost, as the prophet says, "We are a prey to every one." Isa. 59:15. Hence you are to thank the Lord yet, that He let us have it until I have brought you up so far: and if you walk in all righteousness, the Lord will give you enough. Take an example from Tobias. Tob. 4:19. David also says that the righteous shall not want, nor his seed go begging bread. Ps. 37:25.
Therefore covet no one's property or treasures; nor envy any one because he has more than you. Neither regard any person for his gifts. but follow
_{Page 650} the little flock, who walk truly in love; for love is the bond of perfectness, and the command of love is superior to all others. Luke 12:32; Col. 3:14. Therefore; see constantly that you follow those who walk most in love; for the tree is known by its fruit, though these are hid from all men; .but Christ was too, and the servant is not better than his lord. Matt. 10:24.
Herewith I will bid you adieu: adieu my dear children, and adieu all my dear friends.
My most beloved, though our adversaries tell you, that your father and I are not of the same faith, do not believe them; for he confessed the truth concerning baptism and the incarnation, of Christ, in all that he was able to comprehend, and he valiantly testified to righteousness, giving his life for it, pointing out to you for an example, the same way which the prophets, the apostles and Christ Himself went. He had to go before through the conflict with much tribulation and suffering, and leave his children behind for Christ's sake; hence do likewise, for there is no other way.* Give diligence to read the Testament. Amen.

A LETTER OF SOETGEN VAN DEN HOUTE TO HER BROTHER AND SISTER, AS ALSO TO HER CHILDREN

Written out of love:

The peace of the Lord be with you; my dear brother and sister, know that I have received two letters, with their contents, and I thank you most cordially for all the friendship you have ever shown me, and shall yet show me, I hope, in my three lambs whom I leave behind, commending them to the Lord and to those whore He shall direct thereto in His grace.
Herewith I take leave once more; I think it is now the last time. We are of such good cheer to offer up our sacrifice that I cannot express it. I could leap for joy when I think of the eternal riches which are promised to us as our inheritance, and to all who persevere in what the Lord has commanded us. Matt. 10:22.
I know not how I shall praise the Lord that He has chosen Martha and myself ,to this estate, its who are such poor, simple lambs, for we have. never been esteemed in the world, except as outcasts; and that God has chosen such rejected, miserable, simple worms of the dust, that He will work through us, that we should be His witnesses, we who are not worthy of ourselves to receive the very least gift which the Lord might bestow, etc.
Oh, who can comprehend the power of God, that He should be most merciful to those who are here the most rejected, if they call upon Him with confidence and firmly place their hope in His grace unto the end; it were impossible that the Lord should reject them. Hence I pray all that love the, " From what is related here, it appears that also Soetgen . van den Houte's husband died for the truth, as a valiant witness of Jesus; although we have not been able to learn the time, place and manner of his death.
Lord, that they humble their hearts, for the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah " I will dwell with him that is of a contrite Spirit, and of a broken heart, and trembleth at my word." Isa. 57; 66:2.
Yea, those who thus humble themselves before the Lord, and do not think themselves to be something before God, and before men, them shall God exalt and enrich with heavenly riches. Matt. 23:12. Remember how Christ chose humility, when He left the glory of His Father and descended into the lower parts of the earth. From obedience to His Father, and out of great love He became man; with great humility He came to serve us, suffered pain and reproach, enduring it with patience and longsuffering, out of obedience to His Father, even unto death, until He had finished all, so that He might save us. Phil. 2:8. Oh, what love did He show us by His anxiety and sighing, when He said, according to His humanity, "How am I straightened till it be accomplished!" Luke 12:50.
O my most beloved, consider our Leader, Jesus Christ, how He regarded the humility of Mary, that He would be born of her. And though she was chosen to such a high estate, she humbled herself, saying:, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. For God bath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; therefore, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation; for he bath scattered the proud. He bath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He bath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich bath he sent empty away. To the poor the gospel is. preached. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." Luke 1:38, 48; etc.; 7:22; Matt. 5:6.
O my dearest, my heartfelt desire and request is, for the last time, that you give diligence to walk in love, simplicity, and harmony among yourselves, always in the fear of God, that you may be filled with the heavenly good things, and satisfied now and forever. Amen.
Herewith I commend you to. the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. May He comfort, strengthen, stablish you all with His Spirit, that you may finish that whereunto you are called, to the praise and glory of the Lord, so that you may rejoice together, and set down at the Lord's table, where he shall serve us with new wine, in the kingdom of God, His Father.
This was written when we had eaten our last supper, as far as we know. Herewith I 'bid adieu to all my brethren and sisters. I and Martha, my sister in the Lord, salute you much with the peace of the Lord, for the last time all who are known to us or not, wherever they be. We rejoice in the Lord, we bid adieu till we meet above, in the New Jerusalem. Heb. 12:22.
Read this last farewell to all who desire to hear it, before you send it away; and then send it to my sister Betgen.
_{Page 651} Further; my dear child Betgen, I rejoice greatly that the Lord spared me so long, that I was made glad before my death through your letter, by which you have strengthened me. I pray the Lord to strengthen and confirm you with His Spirit, that you may go on thus, and follow that which is best, as you wrote to me.
O my dear lambs, see that you do not spend your youth in vanity, or pride, or drinking, or gluttony, but in sobriety and humility in the fear of God, and diligence in every good work, that you may be clothed with the adornment of the saints, so that God may make you worthy through His grace, to enter in to the marriage of the Lamb, and that we may see you there with joy. Your father and I, and many others, have shown you the way. Take an example from the prophets and apostles, yea, Christ Himself, who all went this way; and where the head has gone before, there the members must certainly follow.
Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. This is my last farewell, my dear lambs; always remember each other in love; diligently learn to read and write, and obey everyone in that which is good. When your brother David and Tanneken come to you, greet one another with a friendly kiss of peace, in my name.
Herewith I bid you adieu, my dear child Betgen; adieu, my dear children David and Tanneken; adieu, all my dear brethren and sisters, and friends everywhere.
Once more we say adieu; greet uncle and aunt much with the kiss of peace, in my name.
Written by me Soetgen van den Houte, your mother in bonds; written in haste (while trembling with cold), out of love for you all. Amen.

 I'd like to inspire you women reading this to seek the Lord for ways you can change & be more zealous for our Father's business. If you have sibling, nephews, nieces, children, that your example effects, take the opportunity to make them aware of the poor & suffering of this world & how they can live to reduce the suffering in this world, to be imitators of Christ.
One more fact:

Agroforester

"FAO calculates that around half of the world's hungry people are from smallholder farming communities, surviving off marginal lands prone to natural disasters like drought or flood. Another 20 percent belong to landless families dependent on farming and about 10 percent live in communities whose livelihoods depend on herding, fishing or forest resources.
The remaining 20 percent live in shanty towns on the periphery of the biggest cities in developing countries. The numbers of poor and hungry city dwellers are rising rapidly along with the world's total urban population".--(http://www.wfp.org/hunger/who-are)

 Luke 10:36 -37

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?   And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The United Nations has warned that without swift aid, up to half a million children could starve to death. -https://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/photo-gallery-a-half-million-children-face-starvation-in-east-africa-fotostrecke-70951.html- SPIEGEL ONLINE


These thoughts and statistics are written to bring about an awareness and a consideration....I do not want readers to feel condemned to enjoy tasty food or feel condemned for eating at a restaurant or even ordering a dessert...
This post is not to condemn others in what they eat and don't eat.

 We are all to work out our salvation with trembling and fear before the LORD and be honest with God and ourselves. We are to make necessary changes if we find ourselves to be gluttonous, or lacking moderation, etc.

Philippians 2:12 
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."