Christian Paradigm Shifts

Dawn over at Beneath the Surface: Breath of Faith  has nominated me for this award. Liebster means beloved or dearest. Dawn has become a dear friend to me in bloggy world. She intereacts with me on my blog and facebook page. She enourages me to keep pressing on. There are some rules that accompany this "award". I certainly do not want to be ungrateful for such thoughtfulness so I will play by the rules. Here are the rules that accompany this award: 1. If you are nominated and accept it, then you have won! 2. Thank the person who nominated you by linking back to their blog. 3. Nominate 5 blogs with less than 200 Followers. 4. Let the nominees know by leaving a comment on their blog. 5. Add the award image to your site. So I would like to pass this award to these Beloveds:     Julieann at http://ministrymomma.com/  (recently found this blog) Meredith at http://myjourneytoauthenticity.com/  (blogger I "met" at

Scripture: Proverbs 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.KJV When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. NIV She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. NLT Proverbs 27:23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. KJV Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds. NIV Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds. ESV Observation: ESV Study Bible ~ Her careful preparation of necessary clothing in advance means that she is not afraid of sudden changes in weather, for they will not catch her unprepared. Wesley's Notes ~  Not afraid - Of any injuries of the weather. Are clothed - She hath provided enough, not only for their necessity, but also for their delight and ornament. The Lutheran Study Bible ~ Due to her indu

This week we looked at the good works of the Proverbs 31 woman. We saw such works as: Industry Good Will Charity Kindness All of these characteristics are not for ourselves or to bring us glory. If we do our good works in order to be seen by men, then we have our reward already. But if we do our good works in secret, our Heavenly Father who sees in secret, will reward us. Because our goal is to bring Him glory. Today, as you go about your day, think of ways that you can do good works and so glorify your Father.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11 ~ And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you...KJV Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you...NIV Also, make it your goal to live quietly, do your work, and earn your own living, as we ordered you...GWT Proverbs 19:17 ~ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. KJV He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. NIV If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD--and he will repay you! NLT Observation: Barnes' Notes on the Bible ~ We give to the poor. Have we lost our gift? No, what we gave, we have lent to One who will repay with usury. Compare the yet nobler truth of our Lord's teaching Matthew 25:40. Gill's Exposition on the Entire Bible ~ A man, whose

Scripture: Proverbs 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy KJV She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. NIV Deuteronomy 15:7-8 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother. But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. KJV If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. NIV Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. KJV A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. NIV

 photo credit Scripture: Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; KJV Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, NIV Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. NLT Ephesians 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: KJV Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, NIV Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people NLT Observation: Precept Austin ~ H. A. Ironside , the late beloved pastor of the historic Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, Illinois, used to tell his students of the maid who was asked how she knew she had really become a Christian. She replied, “I know I’m a Christian because I sweep under the rugs now!” The new aspect (Col 3:9,10) about the Christian ethic and personal relationships is that all relationships are in

wpclipart.com Scripture: Proverbs 31:19 ~ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. KJV In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. NIV Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. NLT Observation: ESV Study Bible ~ A distaff is a staff with a fork at the end that holds flax or wool that has yet to be spun, from which thread is drawn when a person is spinning thread or yarn on a spinning wheel. A spindle is a rod with tapered ends on which thread is wound once it has been spun by hand. The point of this and several other verses is the remarkable range of manual, commercial, administrative, and interpersonal skills at which this woman demonstrates excellence. Clark's Commentary on the Bible ~ She gives an example of skill and industry to her household. She takes the distaff, that on which the wool or flax was rolled; and the spindle, that by twisting of which she twisted the thread with

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Where there is a will there is a way.... Points of action from this weeks reading: Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me Be ready to work whatever the time of day may be Don't just talk about doing something, but actually do it Implementation of the points of action: Find one thing in your house which needs your attention and do it Pray while doing the above activity If you are reading this in the morning, afternoon or evening, do the above activity Don't just read this post, put it into action Have a wonderful and blessed weekend everyone!!

Scripture: Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. KJV All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. NIV Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! NLT 1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you... KJV Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you...NIV Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. NLT Observation: Clark's Commentary on the Bible ~ In all labor there is profit - If a man work at his trade, he gains by it; if he cultivate the earth, it will yield an increase; and in proportion as he labors, so will be his profit: but he who talks much labors little. And a man words is seldom a man of deeds. Less talk and more work

 Scripture: Proverbs 31:18 ~ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. KJV She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. NIV She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. NLT She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. NASB Observation: ESV Study Bible ~ Her lamp does not go out at night . (See v.15), “She rises while it is yet night”; if the verses are taken to a literal extreme, they would imply that she never sleeps at all! But surely that is not true, nor is it intended (see Ps. 127:2). Rather, this is an idealized picture of a woman who is diligent to complete her work both in the morning and in the evening. Application: Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible ~  her lamp of profession, which is always kept burning, Luke 12:35; or the glorious light of the Gospel, which always continues in the darkest times the church ever has b

americanbible.org Scripture: Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. NIV This is the day the LORD has made. Let's rejoice and be glad today! GWT This is the day that Lord Jehovah has made; come, we will leap for joy and rejoice in him! Aramaic Bible Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. NIV I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. GWT Because I master all things by The Messiah who empowers me. - Aramaic Bible Observation: Barnes' Notes on the Bible ~ I can do all things - From the experience which Paul had in these various circumstances of life, he comes here to the general conclusion that he could "do all things." He could bear any trial, perform any duty, subdue any evil propensity of his nature, and meet all the temptations incident to any condition of prosperity or adversity. His own experience in the various changes of life had warranted him in arr

I am reading this book along with The Book Club at Desiring Virtue. It is a wonderful introduction to the study of biblical theology. This book will help you get a grip on the unity of the Bible and its central message - Jesus Christ. I would like to share with you some quotes from the book which have grabbed my attention ~ "Have you ever heard a person say (particularly in the middle of a discussion about the Bible), I'm no theologian, but...? My answer to that is, 'Yes, you are!! All Christians are theologians, but some are more able theologians than others" - pg. 29 "The Christian position, to be consistent, accepts that the Bible is God's Word, and that it says what God wants it to say in exactly the way he wants to say it." - pg.44 "The gospel centers on the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus as God's way of saving us from death and of making us members of his eternal kingdom." - pg.47 "The gospel

Proverbs 31:17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. NIV She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. NLT She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. NASB Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." NIV [ I read this yesterday. It's context is the exiles returning to Jerusalem. They were sad when they heard the Law of Moses and that they had not kept it. But Nehemiah encouraged them to rely on the Lord for strength to keep God's commands.] Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. NIV Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. N

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 A Woman of Purpose

Submitting to God's Will The things we learned: Spending time with God prepares us for our day We should not do things rashly or impulsively but give careful thought to all matters We need to commit and submit our plans to the Lord We need to ask God for his guidance as we make our plans God's word reveals His will for our lives. The more time we spend reading and studying the Bible, the more we get to know God. As we know Him through his Word His will becomes more and more clear to us. He has not hidden His will from us. He has revealed it to us. His will is not an enigma wrapped in a riddle. It has been clearly revealed to us. The following prayer is from The Lutheran Study Bible. It is a prayer for obedience to the Word: O holy and merciful God, You have taught us the way of your commandments. We implore You to pour out Your grace into our hearts. Cause it to bear fruit in us, that being ever mindful of Your mercies and Your laws, we may always be directed to

Scripture: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  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.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” NIV Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.”  How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.   What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” NLT Come now, you who say, “ Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appe

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. NIV Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. NLT Show your works to Lord Jehovah and he will establish your thoughts. Aramaic Bible Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. GWT Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. NIV Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. NLT The thoughts of the elect one are trusting and those of the evil one cause want. Aramaic Bible The plans of a hard-working person lead to prosperity, but everyone who is [always] in a hurry ends up in poverty. GWT Observation: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good. 2. Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery ren

Book By Nancy Wilson (Canon Press) Before I begin today's post I'd like to recommend a book to you. The book is " The Fruit of Her Hands: Respect and the Christian Woman " It is by Nancy Wilson, wife of Doug Wilson who is the editor of Credenda Agenda. It is available at  Amazon for $9.50. I read this book six years ago and it radically changed by view of my role as a wife. The focus of the book is a wife's respect for her husband and how everything she does flows from her respect or lack thereof. A quote from the book ~ "So what is your perspective when you think of your husband? When you think of him, when you speak to him, when you pray for him, what is your view? Is it a biblical view? Or is it a humanistic view, tainted by the modern world's views on marriage and homemaking and husbandry?" Nancy gives a biblical foundation on the topic of respecting one's husband. Then she takes it a step further and gives very practical advice

Amy Deanne Scripture: Proverbs 31:15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. NIV She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls. NLT She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. NAS Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. NIV Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. NLT In the morning, O LORD, hear my voice. In the morning I lay my needs in front of you, and I wait. GWT Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. NIV Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. NLT In the morning, long before sun

Service This week's theme has been service. Working with eager hands, going afar to find goods, and going beyond the minimum. Sometimes we can feel like the woman in the above picture. Sometimes we feel as if our work is never done. Sometimes we feel the work we do is not appreciated. But we must remember that it is all for the Lord. We work for Him and not for men. Our reward is not in this life alone. There will come a time when we will receive it. The question we need to ask ourselves is this ~ Is our work wood, hay and stubble or is it gold, silver, and precious stones? Only one group of works will survive through the refining fire of the Lord. I want to be able to hear the words of my Savior say "Well done, my good and faithful servant  Let's celebrate together! [Matthew 25:23]" Remember, that even if no one is watching, there is Someone who is and that Someone who sees in secret will reward you [Matthew 6:4].