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

A Family Affair

Genesis 1:1-6
1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.
NKJV

Our Father God created. And it has continued to expand, for you and I continue to hear reports from NASA about another galaxy, and another planet like ours being spotted in the vast universe.

God said and it was so. And He called out LIGHT!

With light shining within our homes, what do we see?

What do we create for our families? What atmosphere do we create when no one is there, when no one is home? Are the beds made? Are the dishes done? How about a meal for that spouse? Or is he limited to the two meals a day and snack for evening, as a purposed plan for his eating habits today? Remember that weight thing has to be considered.

It tells us from the above scripture, that the earth was without form, void and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the deep waters.

And then God spoke:"LIGHT!"

So when we have our beginning with God, do we ask for His light into the 1st part of our early morning time and if we do, what do we start with?

Hopefully it is in praying, asking the Holy Spirit to have His way in us and then move into worshiping the Lord and give voice to His Word by speaking it out!

In the days of "old" the people started on their days before the sun arose. There was water to get from a well or stream. There was wood to gather for a fire. Much activity could be heard, inside and outside of a dwelling place. Remember what might have been used to light a room.
Was it winter or was it summer time? The wife would be starting on the first meal of the day and it had to be a hearty one to get the husband off to do his duty of work for the day. Also in those days, the man worked with the wife to prepare for the family, prepare for the aged members who could no longer see to their needs. So everyone knew how to cook a meal on an open fire. Yes it was a family affair!

Today, much has changed, and I am not certain all for the good. Let God be the judge!
So which one would we embrace, which one do we look like, and which one will expand us in the right direction to make a difference for the kingdom of God?

For both will expand just as God's light has expanded. This whole world is based on that foundation He put into motion.

1st Scenario:
On rising on the 1st work day of week:

Husband works, wife works part-time,  two children, part-time family cat.
They rush around, one makes coffee, another makes sandwiches to fill paper bags. One or two yell at each other. Maybe one is kissed, door slams, and the house is empty!
Looks like Hurricane Sandy went through it! Making a quick walk through, one finds that place in upheaval.
No beds are made, dishes in the sink, pans on the stove, and clothes everywhere.Yikes!
The father gets home, dishes in the sink, pots and pans on the stove. Oh my! What's for dinner, who shopped?
Kids come in, not happy again.
Mom comes in to find everyone arguing, gazing around the room she sees the piles of stuff and nothing put away. Stumbling, and numb from her day, she grimaces at the noise escalating from the kitchen area. "Oh yes, I forgot to shop again."
There is more loud talking, one is sulking, then everyone complains they are "the hungry".
Still have to wash a pan or two, Mom is done. She has vacated the kitchen. She probably had to with no room to really stand in a space with both feet as the boots and shoes cluttered the walking area of the living room. Then she spots an empty box on the living room floor and oh yes, the seldom home cat is demanding something to eat as well! He is meowing loudly and rubbing against her pantsuit leg! Then she remembers speaking aloud, 'oh my", the "cat needs food".
She asks her husband did he not get work off early. He said of course, "it is Monday, right." " It was our bowling day."
She responds, "yes, but the market is right next door." He turns with a scowl and shrugs his shoulders to the "kids".
Dinner is something like ramen noodles. The kid's snubbed their noses at it. Both are off to bed with no dinner. The father kicks the boots out of his way, looks around the room and falls into his chair in front of the T.V.
Mother has gone in to shower and plans on going to bed. She makes a mental note: "PBJ for lunches:kids! She turns off the light!
Who put the kids to bed? Who helped?
When night is done, the day starts again.

2nd Scenario:
Rising on the 1st day of work week:
Husband works, wife works part-time and they have two children. And one dog!
Husband comes in after work to help with meal preparation. He stopped at the market for some special fixings to do up one of his famous burgers. Meats on the grill!
Kids come in from school, hang their jackets up, Mom is on her way home.
Dinner table set, mom arrives, dinner is on the table.
Mom had a meeting downtown and saw some adventure movies on sale and got a couple for the family to watch on "Family Night".

 Everyone eats. Dog looks for some kind of meat from the table. But alas, he returns to find his bowl full of dog munchies and his water bowl filled to the brim as well.
Dad and kids wash dishes, Mom prepares lunch boxes with sandwiches for the next day. She pours milk into thermos for the kid's, put in their favorite peanut butter cook with chocolate chips. Laughter is heard throughout the house.
Dad goes in to turn back the bed covers in the kids rooms for the kids. Mom checks how the bath is going for the younger child. "Is that too much bubble bath in the water?" She checks their clothes for school the next day, but knows she has no choice in what they will wear.
Dad helps the eldest kid with homework, it is some new "math".........and when done sends him off to think about their plans for Saturday for the whole family in the park for the big game of baseball.
Mother and Father visit: each child in their room, they pray, and tuck them in. The eldest complains, "ah, I am too old for that "kid stuff" dad!"
Mom and Dad smile and exit quietly........in the living room over a cup of tea, they
 talk about their day at work, check on their bank account, all bills paid, they go over any goals for the end of the year.
She tells him about some things at work and they pray together over the situation. They ask the Lord's direction for the day and week ahead.
She readies for bed, and he then follows. He checks to make sure all is in place. And that every door is locked is his final look at the security of his family. He prays over the family again, pleads the Blood of Jesus. Turns out the light!
When the night is done, the day starts again.

Seems scenario 2 would be the best solution for a thriving and growing family, yet I think the 1st is what a lot of people see and experience.

The important thing to remember is that our Father God created. And when He is in it, there is light, life, and a place to really thrive and grow in Him. It is joyous and maximizing the God- kind of life. It is ease when everything and everyone is in their place and fulfilling their roles.

Also understand this: both of these families know God. They have accepted Jesus as Lord. But only one family is truly living under the leadership of Jesus. The other is floundering!

Now this is really pointed or directed to the men who read this.
Since we are made in the image of God, we are to imitate Him and follow what He has written to us for our good.
Ephesians 5:1-2
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
NKJV

So husbands, what did you sacrifice for your family today? Did you shop for groceries? How about some special berries or chocolate for your wife?
Could you have done the dishes, put them away and have the counter ready to prepare another meal later?

God created the garden of Eden and he created man. He gave him the garden and gave him the animals to name. What a job, right? How many is there and how long did that take? I know it took about a day to come up with a name for our little poodle. You know that name has to fit!

But seriously, God gave Adam some jobs to do and it was TO take dominion in that garden and do it with a walk with the Father Who created him.

Genesis 2:18-25
18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said:

"This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man."

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.   NKJV

That helper is "ezer" (ay-zer) OT 5828...5826 .....aid, help....to succor
I like what the definition states:to provide with what is useful in achieving an end.
I think this one is amazing.........."and is liken to something that one does or gives to help another..........in a situation that is often difficult and can be one of suffering."

Remember that Adam came from the dust of the ground! He was a man of mind, will and emotions.
And then Eve came along. And they lived in a garden that God provided. It had every kind of tree and what beauty must have been in that garden!
Yes, she came along to help Adam in a situation. It might be something of a difficulty...........some hard work.........and even (Yikes) some suffering!
The helper---the helpmate---- had come to assist what Adam was doing. Well, he had named the animals........but what else.......well, he was to tend the garden........take dominion and rule!
But the serpent came in, and Adam was not taking his right in dominion. It was that chaos again........and much like Hurricane Sandy! It looks that way in the lives of families who are to be led by the Father, Helpmate Mother, children achieving an end that is useful.

 God said this in Genesis 3:16.........

Genesis 3:16
6 To the woman He said:

"I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
In pain you shall bring forth children;
Your desire shall be for your husband,
And he shall rule over you."  NKJV

When they had fallen from sin, they were given God's thoughts on their lives.
And He stated that Adam would rule over his wife Eve.
That word  " rule " is 4910 in the Strong's Greek/Hebrew definition.

It means to be in good condition. Even though they had now fallen into sin, God was stating, "Adam, your wife will be in good condition."

 In searching further, we find it means to "feast" together. It is to revel in each other's company! Dancing together through life seeing after the other's need. It was to be done in a joyful attitude, and done together............not husband on one rail of a train track and the wife on the other rail of a train track, never meeting together except to produce a child. Yikes!
I like what the Webster's Unabridged Dictionary says about ruling: to indulge without restraint.
What if they worked together without restraint.........not putting up signs...........like:" me Tarzan", " you Jane"?
What if they worked in union together as say 2nd Scenario family?

They were to work together in preparation...........an agreement of life together, working together for the meal preparations, preparing for child/children.........and moving forward in their lives that was achieving an end. Every member of that family would prosper when the head, followed Jesus, and kept his watch over his garden, his family. Each doing, learning and prospering in the doing: like cooking, like shopping, like working in the yard, like painting a fence and like cleaning a dirty toilet?

Did our Lord prepare fish for His disciples when He was the RESURRECTED? YES!

John 21:9-12
9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast."  NKJV

Wow! The man, the God from Heaven, Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Lord of Lords prepared fish!

In leading the home, the leader, the man, the husband is to lead in every area. The wife, a leader in that understanding that her husband still leads. She is to assist him in that which to give assistance, and often times be one of a difficult situation that has some suffering in it. Ah, but who is it that suffers?
Jesus got the fish to prepare and not for just a couple of the "guys"! No He held a feast for them with bread added!  It was to be one of joy, reveling as a dance together that Jesus was the RESURRECTED and was sending His disciples out to be "those fisher's of men"!



As the nurturer, both husband and wife are to nurture as God nurtures. The Garden God created, He designed for someone to oversee that garden. He had to care for it.
So too, the father of the family is to nurture his family. He is to brood over it as God does. He is to look to the future for those who will become his family. He is to talk about, but also do the things listed within the living quarters of the home. Today, families have a whole multitude of electronics and gadgets that help out in the cooking of meals, keeping in touch throughout the day, and also caring for those things of our mind, will and emotions.

Some families I have met over the years I recall the amount of effort a husband will do for the family when the mother becomes so ill that she requires help.
I remember one such woman I met back in Ranchester, Wy. many decades ago. What I saw, was a man who cleaned the house, bought the groceries and talked much with his ailing wife. She passed some five years later, but I remember that love he gave, the love he so vigilantly displayed that was without restraint. He had someone to come in to help with her meds and someone to help with the laundry. But he did the rest! And God bless his heart for the love that was displayed toward his wife.

In closing: If our days start out like "Croods" then we probably need lots of help. We would need lots of prayer time and not just five minutes a day. Let's see now, it has taken how many years to get in this condition? So, yes, it will take more than just a quick "5" minutes to get things right and in order.

What is it the Bible says........Romans 15:5-6
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  NIV

Our lives requires what we can bring to the table for others. If your son or daughter never sees you cook a meal, wash a dish or take out the trash, then why should they do it, right? If everything is done for them, then how will they be productive in their lives? You will either still be taking care of them when they turn 30 years old or you will have millions of dollars to pay out for the butler and the maid they will require!

My husband loved to take us out for a camping trip. His focus was to travel to the country, and generally the mountains was his preference and to prepare food. He was great at cooking out of doors and the food tasted so rich and delicious.
I believe he gave everything within him to be what God planned for him. He still loves to be outdoors and cook outside, but it is closer to the house. He showed our daughter what productivity meant. And in turn, both she and her husband are showing it to their own.
We truly want to be the family God created and that is to share all our experiences in living, in preparing food for another, help with math, praying with children at night, spending time at the park and paying bills takes team work. And when we work together..........love one another, without restraints, without the labels like "wife in the kitchen only" or "husband only brings in the bacon", or "housecleaning is woman's work", then we have missed the mark of what I believe God desires for His family to be. We must look back at what God spoke even when they were leaving the Garden of Eden..........and see what God purposed for Adam to do for his wife and his family.

Jesus came to serve. He was the true Servant! I have seen my husband do the same. In truth he does a better job at cleaning a bathroom than I ever did. He always tells me to leave something, so that he will do it when he gets home. And he does it. He makes a list to do for me and I am not to do them!  I have truly seen what the love of God can do and how it can cause a whole family to flourish. When it starts in our homes, it will invade the "church" the body of believer's where unity will prevail, Jesus will return, and we will be with Him, in His family without restraint! Amen.

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

Loving by Subduing, What?

Psalm 115:16-18..................16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's;
But the earth He has given to the children of men.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD,  Nor any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD
From this time forth and forevermore.        Praise the LORD!    NKJV

The LORD God gave us the earth to subdue. In thinking on scripture I had thought on it for awhile. I took it to heart. I found some teachings on it. And then prayed over it..........wow, Lord, subduing!

Well, the years have come and gone and still I meditate this word.

Oh, well, I have to get down to business here:

WAS thinking on what I needed to do for the day. I like to plan out the week in regards to cleaning THE HOUSE, LIKE ONE DAY FOR THE LIVING ROOM, ONE DAY FOR THE OFFICE, ETC.
Was working on this project today and it really wore me out! Seriously, all that moving of the rugs and wiping and cleaning! But we just cleaned in here and it needed it again. Yes, it is something that must be done.
We had done some spring cleaning awhile back, but I sensed we needed to clean the carpets again. So I started moving one thing out, and the next, and the next!

We could see the weather warming up, and that triple number in measuring the heat, is more than I want to think about. Today, seemed like the best day because of the cooler temps. Okay, let's get moving here on some carpet cleaning and furniture moving. As I was moving things around, and wiping the dust, I had this thought. Or I should say, I know the Lord gave me the thought. This is how you love each other! SUBDUING!

SERIOUSLY, LOVE IS SUBDUING THE EARTH, REALLY?

Now, I had never thought of it in those terms. I always thought of it as just doing "my duty" for those of my family and those I know. But it is more than that according to what I am hearing from the Lord. Every time I killed a spider in the bathroom, and every time I shampooed the carpet I was expressing love. What? Well, our grand-daughter does not like spiders, not in the house or in the bathroom she chooses to use! Every time I wiped a spill off the floor or removed a light bulb that burned out was an act of subduing.

Well. that seems simple, right? And then He talked more about every time we move a piece of furniture, every time we clean up a mess, every time we prepare something for others, as in food or sewing or repairing, we are expressing love to another. Every time we make a pitcher of ice tea, or a pot of soup, we are subduing!  It is not just about eating or washing dishes, but actually doing something for someone and not expecting to receive anything back. As the Lord spoke to me while I was cleaning and doing, I saw the magnitude this represents in His kingdom. So I gained wisdom from God and see with new eyes.  It is something to me that gives me a smile on my face  and  that my family will have a sanitized home tonight!

Yes, how much do we love those closest to us?
Well, how much clutter do you see around you? Is the place spotless? How about that office space at work or in the home? Does it look like someone moved in and is setting up housekeeping with things that belong in a "kitchen"?
How about the rest of the house....does it look like a bomb went off in it?

The earth has been given to you and me. This small piece of reality is located on a block, on a street, in a town. Within all this I (we) have a car, a truck, and a small pet! Although our pet is family, we regard her care as we do ours.
Yes, this ruling in the earth is an exact place where I reside. It has been given to me since birth. When I was given life, I had a room that I shared with a sister. My mother was prompting us always to dust, to keep our clothes picked up and and keep the bed made up. Yes, we got the idea pretty fast and our mother was one who would look at the drawers of the dresser and make sure every thing was neat and in its place. In regards to cleaning, we always saw our parents cleaning the vehicles we owned. That outside of the vehicle was as clean as the inside was! Those white walls on those tires looked like showroom beauty!  You could give it the "white glove test" and it would win 1st place!
As a rule, we could not eat in that vehicle unless at a drive-in movie. Can anyone remember those?  Then each of us were responsible for whatever mess we made. That is one teaching that has carried me through life. WHAT MESS HAVE I MADE? How much do I love my husband or my neighbor?

In regards to their dressing, my parents looked like they stepped from the cover of magazines. Seriously, my mother reminded me of a model. She cared for herself and she looked good doing it. My dad looked like a "Country Style" theme. He wore the nicest western shirts and jeans. Anyone who knew him, knew he would have on Tony Lama boots. He did not own a faded pair of jeans nor a faded shirt or wore out boots. His wear for the barn certainly looked better than some I have seen in the past. Their shoes had a shine whether they just came from the store or were three years old. They cared for everything they had bought.
Our home was one that was remodeled and it look wonderful and was kept in immaculate shape. Yes, I had many examples to follow when I was growing up.

IN writing this, I think of so many who go places to rule and they cannot clean their car! I always think of Pigpen from the Charlie Brown cartoons.
HOW many want to rule in other places and their car looks like the dump ground or their bathroom looks like hurricane Andrew went through it? Well, Shelley, I was not here when Hurricane Andrew went through Florida! Well, you are here right now.  And you have now heard of Hurricane Andrew. And you are responsible to subdue the earth, right?

Genesis 1:28-31.................28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

29 And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. 30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. 31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.    NKJV

And God blessed them.........."be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
SUBDUE!
Be fruitful and produce! I believe that means more than children. I believe it means we are to care for this earth as God did when He created it in beauty! I believe the more we care for something............that means "KEEP IT CLEAN" AND "TAKE CARE OF IT", THEN fruit is multiplied on that one thing. The more we work in caring for our pet "poodle", the more God brings to us in information in caring for her. The more we put into caring for our bodies, the more God brings information on good foods and those which bring energy and long life to them. The more I focus on the Word of God, the more Word He gives me pertaining to life, and godliness.



Genesis 2:18-25...................18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." 19 Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said:

"This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man."

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.  NKJV

In scripture we find God assigning men to have a "helpmate". Her worth was to be his help, assist him in accomplishing goals in subduing the earth.......to encourage him, and partner with him in producing children to populate the earth they would subdue.
God did not want Adam to be alone.
Is the man subduing, as to working in the field, the place he is called? If he is taking his role seriously about being the man God created to be, then are you and I, as women, taking our role seriously and filling it?  In working alongside our husbands, we find a relationship and not only that, but we find a man who leaves his mother and father.......joins with his new wife, his partner for life in the grace of God and fulfill the assignment given to them. They join forces! They join together what God had always planned to do. He does not bring along all the ideas or thoughts his folks had...........no, he joins forces to find what God planned for him and his "helpmate"...........they join together. He knows his wife and her family. THE HUSBAND LEADS LIKE JESUS LEADS!

Proverbs 31:10-11............10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  NIV

A wife of noble character........who can find?

She is not the woman found on a "stripper pole". She can be found at that Bible study, that prayer meeting, or in church worshiping God.

Where are you the, man looking? Do you have your "helpmate"?

Then give thanks for the helpmate of noble character! If you do not see that "noble character" then profess and confess that you will see it. We must always remember that everything in life begins with us. Life and death are in the power of our tongues!  We have to make the effort, take that step into following God and His commands.

We take those little steps at first and see them grow. We grow and become those men and women of God that follow His instruction and hear His voice when He speaks.

In perseverance, we prove our appreciation to God and for His saving grace.

1 Corinthians 15:56-58............56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. NIV

Our character is revealed the more time we spend with God. We gain strength the more we hear Him and obey. In that intimacy, like the husband and wife, our intimacy with God proves our faithfulness to do all that He commanded from the beginning. It is in that intimacy and connecting, that we find we can speak and be heard. But if I walk around just speaking and not hearing, then I miss everything God is speaking to me. If I think I am right, and just keep mouthing my opinions or thoughts, then I am going to be in a big mess!

I believe that in marriage, we should always reflect on the day we said, "I do", and remember that it is about a relationship of people and of a God. If we understand that the love displayed for all to us came at the darkest time of history, should not our light shine at this darkest time as well?

We can think we have all the answers, but ONLY GOD HAS THEM! OUR faith cannot be in ourselves. It has to be placed in God! His leadership demands us to obey to eat the good of the land.

 Isaiah 1:19-20................19 If you are willing and obedient,

You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel,

You shall be devoured by the sword";  For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.     NKJV

So where you stand today, in a house, on a block, in a town or city, what are you doing to subdue the earth? Have you gathered the clutter and removed it to the trash or the "recycle"?

As the wife, are you available to your husband? Do you seek peace and pursue those things which make a place of comfort for him to come to? (or are you just hot and bothered by everything? ....and just speak your mind?) Remember God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours!

As the wife, do you hear and listen and communicate daily with God and your husband?

As the husband, do you seek that peace with your wife?

Do you hear her and listen by communicating with her daily?

As a couple, a team, do you work together to overlook each other's faults and weaknesses?

Are you goal setters?

Are you together, those worshipers of God?

Are you walking together in unity? Do you look good and sound like God speaking?

If you cleaned the house, take a look at the garage, since that is his domain! What will you find?

If your garage looks great, but your house looks like something from "Gone With the Wind"......then some changes must occur!  As for our family, my husband easily moves from the garage to the house at will. He certainly helps in the cleaning of the carpets and moving furniture. I have always said, "you can eat off the floors in our garage"....... as my husband is meticulous about keeping everything spotless. I have to work at it! Yes, I do. I am a work in progress, indeed! 
I better check the office again, and make sure it does not look like a second kitchen in this house!

Where you rule begins at birth? Have you or I graduated yet? 

Take this time to reflect on your marriage or maybe your future marriage. Take into your heart all that needs to be in your heart to receive a good thing. Consider the marriage with no distractions, but quiet time together. Expect to laugh and talk and remember every anniversary. As a person looking to marriage, think on what you desire that this woman/man of noble character would look like. Speak out loud about what you desire today in that godly new wife/husband. Profess those words of life in God for this marriage, whether a future one or an existing one. Profess to the importance of it and ask the Lord how to care for it. Talk about the disappointments you may have had in the past, but remember that you are not ruled by past hurts. Give thanks for your wife/husband or future wife/husband!

Consider these points: should consider to spend time together talking, where it is quiet with no distractions…………just two people…..to laugh and talk, a time to get acquainted again

        To have every anniversary together and remember why you married in the first place and give than always for all the memories you have together as a couple For each to know the kinds of foods and movies each person likes or dislikes………to always be asking questions and to get a reply…………..not JUST a nod of the head!

           To always attend church and pray for each other as well as for others ( pray for other couples as well, knowing they may have problems like you have or have had in the past)

    To do something for someone else that is in your power to help them out

          To minister to other couples the importance of marriage and how to care for it

   To always be open about affection for each other! (to always put away any hurt, anger or disappointment away from you)

          Thanking God for the gift of a wife/ husband and to bless her/him daily with words of power in prayer!

Father, thank You for the opportunity to subdue the earth. We cannot do that without loving the other person. In Jesus' name, we pray to be men and women who will diligently look in faith to hear YOU speak our directives from Your Word of truth. We want to be led in YOUR power and wisdom. We desire to search the Word of Truth and find that place YOU have for us to dwell. We desire not to be the complacent fool, but one who dwells in safety and ease without fear of harm.  We understand that we must subdue the earth and that means where we live, sleep and walk. Our subduing the earth starts with each of us and how we take instruction and how we care for that which You have given us.

Father, our obtaining favor from the Lord and walking in unity is done with NO COMPROMISE! It is our union with YOU is, that we speak as YOU speak, and to do as YOU have done!

Today, we choose to know Your ways and thoughts. They are higher than ours.  YOU created a vast universe that YOU look over, but the earth YOU gave to us to subdue. Father forgive us for thinking that if we cannot clean a commode, or empty out the trash, or take our pet to the vet,  then how can we take our community in prayer and expect YOU to hear. How can we possibly expect to rule in any place if our home looks like a mess, and the garage looks like storage unit for the city! Forgive us for being complacent where we needed to be fire to clean our homes, care for families, clean the garage and focus on taking our community and state in prayer.

It is YOU who sees the hearts of all who read and pray this out. Our desire is to be in unity with our mate, with our God. For those who have no mate, then Lord bring them according to YOUR plan for their lives. Help them receive that new "mate" You are bringing to them. For those of us who have a spouse, we desire that our union would be one that brings glory to God forever!

 WE know that You have given us Your Holy Spirit and according to John 3:34,35 “for since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God’s own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit! The Father loves the Son and has given (entrusted, committed) everything into His hand.” By this Holy Word, You gave to Us Your Holy Spirit without measure. I loose HIM now into our lives. Holy Spirit spark our lives with the match of faith. Show us where we have failed and show us how to love by doing good to others even in cleaning our homes, garages, and that car! Show us where we may improve that which we know will bring more favor to us and subdue the earth.

May our lives be dominated by YOUR truth that sets captives free! May we be couples in unity that hold up that Word of God as a standard. We are expectant God to have His will and way in our lives. In Jesus's name, amen and amen!

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