A Woman is to be Valued

A woman is to be valued. She is not the "plaything", an object or the lesser of a man, for God took of Adam a rib and formed Eve.
Yes, woman came from the vision of God and took a rib from man.
Read below:
Genesis 2:19-25
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman,'
for she was taken out of man."

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.   NIV


Adam saw her, the bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh and he called her woman. Adam was to leave the leadership of his father and create a home for his wife. He was to cleave to her. He was to bring security to the woman. As they were to walk together, him leading, they would work together and build the home.
There was no shame (verse 25). With woman arriving on the scene,  the two would glorify God, but satan came to devalue the woman. He came in with intent to stop the glorification to God that man and wife would bring to the Father who created them.
She was to stand beside him, not behind him!

Genesis 3:1
3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"  NIV

The adversary just asked a question, "did God really say.............'you must not eat from any tree in the garden?"

And what did God really say?

Genesis 2:15-17
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."   NIV

And Eve, the woman spoke:

Genesis 3:2-3

2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"   NIV

Proverbs 31:10-12 Amplified Bible

10 a capable, intelligent and virtuous woman---who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.  11 The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. 12 She comforts, encourages and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

Proverbs 31:17 Amplified Bible

17 She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.

Proverbs 31:25-31 Amplified Bible

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it!] 26 She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]. 27 She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity), she will not eat. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her [saying], 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all. 30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!

God has more for women. He desires to enrich their lives with the beauty of Who He is and to see them fulfill what He placed in their hearts when they were first formed in their mother's wombs.

When we have the golden threads of diligence, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.......every woman will be neither barren not unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Read below:

2 Peter 1:5-8.....NKJV......5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The "virtuous" woman from Proverbs 31 put a foundation of knowing God under her. She walked and followed truth. She walked side by side with her husband as the intelligent, and she has the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness. 

There was a report out of Hollywood today, that there are just as many women as men who study to be directors of films and movies. They (women) study all aspects of the field, and yet there are very, very few women considered to direct any movie. They have the credentials, yet they fall short in the eyes of the men in the same field. They are not considered "the qualified".

That is why I love God and His Word. I love His justice and how He makes our paths level and straight. We can plan our futures, but our best is that which God planned for us. A woman is not merely a homemaker and should not be considered to be the "all" in the field of homemaker.

God created the garden of Eden.........brought forth the animals and had Adam name them all! In that moment as well, He brought forth Adam a helpmate. No where do I read that she was to clean toilets everyday and cook that bacon up in a pan. It is a 50-50 thing. Each has what they bring to the table. But if the husband has brought what his family raised him to add nothing but some guy thing, and told him in regards to family and cooking, and work...within that home is just women's work is badly mistaken. One can see why so many families fall apart. Marriage is work and it takes both parties to want to maintain a family and look to the reward of seeing Grand-children and Great-grandchildren grow and become what God planned for them as well. It is a "team work effort" and every one fills a role!

Spend some months reading Proverbs 31. Look into that which God showed as an example of that woman who seeks and loves God. Spend time filling your heart what you really look like!

God did not plan for a woman to be the pin-up of the month. He planned her to walk along side and be just as productive as the man. In the woman, is a beautiful and delightful deposit of God Himself. In her heart is what He purposed for her. It takes a real man of God to uncover that beauty that God placed there in the "woman's heart". Taking from his rib, He took that which would or should be closest to his heart. It was to be a fellowship and unity held together as one.

 But satan devised other plans. The thing is, satan directed it to be played out that God would receive no credit and no praise for the man and woman He created. But God!

Woman had fallen through the cracks. And in the coming of Jesus, we read how it took time to talk with them and tell them what was next.

They knew Jesus, the Friend. He restored women back to that of virtue and christian devotion. (Luke 7:37-50)  Women rejoiced when He blessed their children ( Mark 10:13-16) and when He had raised "the dead". (see Luke 7:12-15)

The women in the Bible at the time of Jesus were those who stepped out to see change come. They chose to be clothed in the beauty and simplicity of the character of Jesus Christ. They exchanged their low estate, and a life of paganism......to worship God,  to see their families cared for, their spiritual life nourished in the words of Jesus and be transformed to live lives that still speak today. 

For the agonies, the pain and activity of today is set on degrading women and bringing them lower than dirt is not good and is not of God.

We stand together as women, created by God to speak out in faith, "enough is enough". We speak out that our daughters and their daughters will be looked to in high esteem. We believe for the purity of women to be seen, that women will be seen as those with an undaunted heroism to speak out against injustices to women. May we not shrink in fear, but be bold and show that we are the ever loyal to Christ Jesus. It is in HIM, we live and move and have our being. May we rise and take our place. Not with less clothes and spiked heels, but with a virtue that others will see. May we be those who will desire to be a Christian, to receive Jesus as Lord.
May women rise to honor the King. May they be clothed in His beauty, speak with His wisdom and love others that way He does! Shine Jesus in the hearts YOU know of those Who ARE YOURS!

See other blogs pertaining to women: Standing in Line:Order, Order, Order
Love By Subduing, What?

I HAVE A NEW WEB SITE AVAILABLE NOW WITH OTHER CURRENT BLOGS AND YOUTUBE TEACHINGS. I INVITE YOU TOO CHECK IT OUT.  THERE IS A PRAYER REQUEST SECTION ON THE SITE.
www.godsgoodnessandlove.com

Notice:

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published: 

Faith Without Borders: The Experience of Our Faith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTwdUFLmWic

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Spiritual Poetry

How would you define poetry? How about a literary work that is written with intensity....given in ideas....with a distinct flow of a style and rhythm?
I had no idea of how to proceed with this other than the Lord wanted it written out. It was a title given to my husband. So I prayed about it and put it on the list to publish. So here is what I have gotten in prayer.
I thought of this song done in the sixties. It was called "Poetry in Motion".  It was a song sung by Johnny Tillotson. There were two lines of verse that stood out to me........."a flower of devotion, a swaying gracefully."

Spiritually speaking, that is the way the Lord views us. He desires us to be that flower of devotion as we move through life ever so gently swaying gracefully in His plan for our lives.
Did you know that when you hold the Bible in your hands to read, you have poetry before your eyes? Did you know that 1/3 of the Old Testament was in poetry form?
But today we look at the New Testament.

In the New Testament, we see it in written form as the Beatitudes. (also Luke 20-26)
Matthew 5:3-10.....
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. NKJV

Poetry in motion. Mary, the mother of Jesus responded to Elizabeth with a poem. It is known as the "Magnificat".

Luke 1:46-55

46 And Mary said: 

"My soul magnifies the Lord, 

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 

48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 

49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name. 

50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him 

From generation to generation. 

51 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 

52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly. 

53 He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty. 

54 He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy, 

55 As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever."  NKJV

Yes, even the New Testament has some listed poems: like in Luke 2:14, and in Luke 1:68-79.

When God the Holy Spirit spoke through Jesus in the beatitudes, He was wrapping up the package of beauty the disciple of the Lord and how the disciple would look like now and for tomorrow. In looking over Matthew 5:3-10, Jesus was giving details of how the disciple's character and lifestyle would be different than walking in ways of the world. Anyone, an whosoever, would be a person with attributes that was distinctive of the "kingdom of God".

In Mary's poem, we see praise and worship toward God! She said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."
Her spirit was rejoicing in knowing truth of God Who was the Savior!

For both of these two given,Jesus and Mary both endured pain and heartache. Jesus was the Ultimate Sacrifice and was the example of the "Believer".  He, though, was the pure without sin or blemish. He gave His all for us. He was the example who knew that the Word of God, that scripture was power and saw change for Himself and for others. His was one that spoke of the Father and the kingdom of Heaven.

Mary saw many come against her after these words were spoken. She saw some to want to cast her out and yes, throw rocks, because of what she was going through. But that is for another time. Right now we look at the beauty of how these spoke to encourage others, and breathe life into mortal souls.
Psalm 150:6.............6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
NIV

We, too, can speak like these two spoke. We can take the Word and speak that spiritual poetry to see our lives change and the lives of others as well. 

1 Peter 3:4.....4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. NKJV

When we speak His word there is beauty! We can pray the prayer that He would give us the “incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious” in His sight.

We can pray and worship making Him the Lord in any situations, whether for male or female, that 

where anyone in our past has convinced us that we are less than who He made us to be, that He would show us how to replace those lies with His truth. Even though hurtful words  have been spoken to us, we deny their right to continue playing over and over in our minds. 

Our value is far above rubies. 

Proverbs 31:10-12...10 Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies. 

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain. 

12 She does him good and not evil 

All the days of her life. NKJV

Our value whether, the husband or wife, when looking at this scripture, it all is pointed toward the heart. We should have our trust in our mates and do them only good and not evil all the days of their lives. Our value should be something others will notice. Knowing God and His word, and speaking it with confidence, gives us the edge, that ingrained capacity for meeting the "storms", and "the bad report" with courage.

God's wisdom enhances the beauty He has for us is to the full and it always glorifies Him. May we truly reflect His image in us.

Jesus spoke only what He heard the Father speak.  John 8:47.......47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God."  NKJV

As Kingdom Citizens, we were shown what each category looked like. As His disciples, we were to have them before our eyes and understand. We were to imitate His life and tell others within our circle or community of people about Jesus. ( I have heard that it is within 15 feet where you stand, work, or live as in your home.) (so who is within 15 feet of you right now?)

That beauty goes hand in hand with His power and His honor. That quality always emphasizes His greatness and His authority!

Jesus and His mother Mary moved through life allotted them. They kept their vigil on the Word of God and exuded God's Presence and His glory! It is true Spiritual Poetry when we keep that Word and move though in this journey of life into life eternal. May it be to God's glory forever!

Father, it is in Jesus' name that we pray today. Set a guard over our mouths according to Psalm 141. Please keep watch over our lips and do not incline our hearts to any evil thing as those who practice wicked works with men who work iniquity. Lord, we pray that we do not eat of their delicacies.

Father, it is YOU we seek with our whole heart. We know that YOU are not in the" let's scare mankind today business." No, YOU are the One who gives life. Today we deliberately choose to behold the beauty of You the Creator who made the heavens and the earth. It is You Who made the forests, the rocks, and the rivers. YOU created the ice- caped mountain ranges, the birds that fly and sing, blue skies with clouds of white, and children to sing and dance. You created Jesus with the plan of Redemption. In all this we closely guard Your Word. We take it to our hearts for though things are coming on the earth, You will keep us in Your bosom. Though others may experience wrath, we take comfort and are encouraged that You will care for us even in times of trouble.

Like Mary we sing today. From Psalm 59:16-17...we will sing of Your power, yes, we will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been our defense and refuge in the day of trouble.  To You, O our Strength, we will sing praises; for God is our defense, our God of mercy.

Father, it is Your wisdom that enhances the beauty YOU have for us! May we be those with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 
May we truly reflect YOUR image in us. Amen and Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV 

Raising our Eyes to See the Horizon

Do we raise our eyes to see the horizon and look with "supernatural" eyes to see?
Or are we consumed with all that is going on around us and keep our focus on "me, myself and I"?
Seriously, do we just keep our eyes on the little around us to keep us occupied, you know, like buying groceries, paying the bills, keeping the kids in school and healthy, and making it to church this weekend? Or do we seriously look with a focus toward life that is in God and what He planned for us?  Is the everyday, filled to the brim and running over with agendas, the mundane, the things void of life and bring no meaning to our lives or anyone else's?

David said of the Lord; “My times are in Your hand;” (Psalm 31: 15). “Times” here means in the Hebrew; event, experiences, fortunes, occurrences, occasions, permanency, a continuing future, ancient (used in reference and in regard to the past time), forever (for future time; used of continuous existence)..forever (in reference to and of God's existence)

Are our times in His hand? Are our adventures, the events of life, that is nothing more than vapor.........for awhile we are here and then are gone truly in the Master's Hand?

James 4:14-17
14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. NIV

I tried my way for many years and it did not work. Besides, it is hard to live one's life continually as a control tower of an airport for other's lives. It is like being a dictator without having a country. And who would really wants to be around a "dictator" all the time? Right?

Are we caught up in other people's lives and not our own? Yeah, Shelley, but we are to love our neighbor as ourselves! Yes, but we are not to be the busy body who lives next door! You know, the lady who knows more about other people's lives than she does her own, her husband's or even her children's lives. As the wife and mother, we are to be the " prayer warrior" who seeks God's plan for our family members and even our neighbors. ( loving others as ourselves) As the father figure, he too must also look over the welfare of his family and pray!

What has God placed before you ( man or woman) to keep reaching for Him and His plan? What will you see? And when you do see it, keep it in your heart, like Mary, the mother of Jesus kept all the sayings ever spoken about her son. She pondered truth spoken by two different people in the first few days He was born.

Luke 2:25-40

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 

29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word; 

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel."  

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. NKJV

Two different people, yet similar in their walks of life, and both were seekers of God and "sensitive" His plan, not only for themselves, but for a Nation!

Ask the Lord to show you the horizon and what lies ahead. Believe Him to show it to you and when you see it, keep it, and hold it in your heart. Keep the dream (the future) in your heart. Do not try to take someone else's dream or future. YOU have a place to STAND in history and eternity! Choose God and His plan. Raise your eyes from the everyday and even the mundane. Yes, by all means, pay those bills, and buy those groceries. Feed your family, pray over them and send them out. Help each of them to become what God planned for them. 

Pray: your husband will stand at the gate of the city with business men........Proverbs 31:11

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain. NKJV

Proverbs 31:23

23 Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land. 

NKJV

Pray: your children will..Prov 31:28

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her: NKJV

Psalm  127:3-5

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from him. 

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior 

are sons born in one's youth. 

5 Blessed is the man 

whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame 

when they contend with their enemies in the gate. NIV

BE THE EXPOSER to anything that is of the negative and darkness..........for God's word is LIGHT and will expose that which not exist in your husband or children's lives.

That is expose it, and address it in God's love and wisdom. As the Lord directs, bring it into the open or the wrong way of doing something...........you are not the "judge". YOU are the "prayer warrior" and the Holy Spirit will show you things coming to you and your family.

DEMONSTRATE A REVERENCE FOR GOD. Always speak of the goodness of God around your family, friends, and even in church. As you speak, you will give revelation to your family as well.

EXPECT A GREAT CHANGE. You will be the world changer and history maker to you your own family.

Now, I speak to men and women alike. When we read of "sons", this means daughters as well. It just applies the word to that written "the sons of God". We truly are "sons of God" when we follow Him and His plan, being obedient and seeking to please the Father!

Do not be "crippled" by former successes! God can and will always go "beyond " the last thing we saw HIM do in and for us!

Don't set your sights just on reality shows. Don't look for another soap opera.  If we watch the negative type of show that which depicts fighting, words that defame a person's character will bring the same into your home and family. It is sowing into that environment. What you focus  on, is what you will become! You have reality going on all around you. Life is HAPPENING RIGHT NOW! Engage in life today and not another agenda! Engage in life, participate and expect a glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Expect to fulfill all He has planned for you and hear HIM say, "well done thou good and faithful servant"!

Be expectant that He will be a part of seeing you experience being a parent, a grand-parent, and even a success where He has planted you. He will be on 'Hand' to see all that He planned is coming to pass, being demonstrated for your good and my good!

He is never surprised by what we say or do, but He is aware when we refuse to obey and hear His plan. Raise YOUR EYES TODAY, AND LOOK.....WITH SUPERNATURAL EYES........ and expect to see what "EXPERIENCES" HE HAS PLANNED FOR YOU TO ENJOY AND BE A PART OF IN HIS PLAN FOR LIFE!

Father, today I pray for all who read this, that everything that has been, everything that is and all that will be is in YOUR hands. I know nothings escapes YOUR watchful eye. (Hebrews 4:13). Father, YOU are familiar with everyone who reads this blog. Before a word is on our tongue You know it. (Psalm 139:4) Our past, our current and future are in Your capable hands. Yes, all is in YOUR eternal hands. As we bow our hearts before You today, we believe for a harvest in righteousness and it to be demonstrated in our families and communities. Father, it is YOU who takes the tattered and the torn to bring glory for all to see that YOU have us safe in YOUR bosom. Even as I pray for each today, I know You are already aware of what will be done to bring it to pass for each..........so right now I give thanks for each man, woman or youth who may read this. It is the Mighty Potter who mends the broken and brings out of that brokenness a changed and charged life for the Lord's glory. I pray that as we wait on YOU and confess Your word over our families that we will gain new strength. We will certainly be those to mount up with wings like eagles to run and not tire...........that when we walk. we will not become the weary. Today YOU are our strength, and the glory of our heads. Thank YOU for Your goodness to us. I pray for those eyes to see and ears to Hear YOU SPEAK and declare the horizon is filled with YOUR glory for their lives. Be unto Your name all honor, glory and praise. Today we move forward and it is BECAUSE OF YOU THE LORD OF GLORY. I have prayed and believed in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at (http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV)