Friend to Friend Friday

“How would you expect to find community while you intentionally withdraw from it at some point? The disobedient cannot believe; only the obedient believe.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship

Titus 2 Tuesday

“A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life.” Prov. 31:10-12

Have a great day

Amanda

Friend to Friend Friday

I found this wonderful devotion by one of my many favorite Pastors, speaker & author John MacArthur.  Enjoy & have a wonderful weekend.

Marriage As It Was Meant to Be

Ephesians 5:22-33, Luke 1:38, Genesis 2:24, Deut. 22:6

July 28, 2009

John MacArthur
Our entertainment-saturated society helps feed all sorts of illusions about reality. The fantasy of the perfect romantic and sexual relationship, the perfect lifestyle, and the perfect body all prove unattainable because the reality never lives up to the expectation.
The worst fallout comes in the marriage relationship. When two people can't live up to each other's expectations, they'll look for their fantasized satisfaction in the next relationship, the next experience, the next excitement. But that path leads only to self-destruction and emptiness.
Marriage is the capstone of the family, the building block of human civilization. A society that does not honor and protect marriage undermines its very existence. Why? Because one of God's designs for marriage is to show the next generation how a husband and wife demonstrate reciprocal, sacrificial love toward each other.
But when husbands and wives forsake that love, their marriage fails to be what God intended. When marriage fails, the whole family falls apart; when the family fails, the whole society suffers. And stories of societal suffering fill the headlines every day.
Now, more than ever before, is the time for Christians to declare and put on display what the Bible declares: God's standard for marriage and the family is the only standard that can produce meaning, happiness, and fulfillment.


Divine Directives for Wives
One of the most explicit passages of Scripture that outlines God's standard for marriage is Ephesians 5:22-33. Wives often bear the brunt of that section, but the majority of the passage deals with the husband's attitude toward and responsibilities for his wife. Nonetheless, here's the wife's responsibility before the Lord:

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything (vv. 22-24).

Submission in no way implies a difference in essence or worth; it does refer, however, to a willing submission of oneself. Wives, submission is to be your voluntary response to God's will--it's a willingness to give up your rights to other believers in general and ordained authority in particular, in this case your own husband.
Husbands aren't to treat their wives like slaves, barking commands at them; they are to treat their wives as equals, assuming their God-given responsibility of caring, protecting, and providing for them.
Likewise wives fulfill their God-given responsibility when they submit willingly to their own husbands. That reflects not only the depth of intimacy and vitality in their relationship, but also the sense of ownership a wife has for her husband.
Keep in mind that the wife's submission requires intelligent participation: "Mere listless, thoughtless subjection is not desirable if ever possible. The quick wit, the clear moral discernment, the fine instincts of a wife make of her a counselor whose influence is invaluable and almost unbounded" (Charles R. Erdman, The Epistles of Paul to the Colossians and to Philemon [Philadelphia: Westminster, 1966], 103).
Elisabeth Elliot, writing on "The Essence of Femininity," offers a fitting summary of God's ideal for wives:

Unlike Eve, whose response to God was calculating and self-serving, the virgin Mary's answer holds no hesitation about risks or losses or the interruption of her own plans. It is an utter and unconditional self-giving: "I am the Lord's servant ... May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38). This is what I understand to be the essence of femininity. It means surrender.
Think of a bride. She surrenders her independence, her name, her destiny, her will, herself to the bridegroom in marriage ... The gentle and quiet spirit of which Peter speaks, calling it "of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:4), is the true femininity, which found its epitome in Mary (John Piper, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood [Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1991], 398, 532, emphasis added).

Divine Directives for Husbands
After giving the divine guidelines for the wife's submission, Paul devotes the next nine verses of Ephesians 5 to explain the husband's duty to submit to his wife through his love for her: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church" (v. 25). The Lord's pattern of love for His church is the husband's pattern of love for his wife, and it is manifest in four ways.

Sacrificial Love
Christ loved the church by giving "Himself up for her." The husband who loves his wife as Christ loves His church will give up everything he has for his wife, including his life if necessary.
Most of you husbands would give verbal assent to that--literally dying for your wife is such a remote possibility for most of you. But I would speculate that it is much more difficult to make lesser, but actual sacrifices for her.
Husbands, when you put aside your own likes, desires, opinions, preferences, and welfare to please your wife and meet her needs, then you are truly dying to self to live for your wife. And that is what Christ's love demands.

Purifying Love
Christ loved the church sacrificially with this goal in mind:

That He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless (vv. 26-27).

Love wants only the best for the one it loves, and it cannot bear for a loved one to be corrupted or misled by anything evil or harmful. If you really love your wife, you'll do everything in your power to maintain her holiness, virtue, and purity every day you live.
That obviously means doing nothing to defile her. Don't expose her to or let her indulge in anything that would bring impurity into her life. Don't tempt her to sin by, say, inducing an argument out of her on a subject you know is sensitive to her. Love always seeks to purify.

Caring Love
Another aspect of divine love is this:

Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church (vv. 28-29).

The word translated "cherishes" literally means "to warm with body heat"--it is used to describe a bird sitting on her nest (e.g., Deut. 22:6). Husbands, you are to provide a secure, warm, safe haven for your wife.
When your wife needs strength, give her strength. When she needs encouragement, give it to her. Whatever she needs, you are obligated to supply as best you can. God chose you to provide for and protect her, to nourish and cherish her, and to do so "as Christ also does the church."

Unbreakable Love
For a husband to love his wife as Christ loves His church he must love her with an unbreakable love. In this direct quotation from Genesis 2:24, Paul emphasizes the permanence as well as the unity of marriage: "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh" (v. 31). And God's standard for marriage still hasn't changed.
Husbands, your union with your wife is permanent. When you got married, you had to leave, cleave, and become one with your wife--never go back on that. Let your wife rest in the security of knowing that you belong to her, for life.
Just as the body of Christ is indivisible, God's ideal for marriage is that it be indivisible. As Christ is one with His church, you husbands are one with your wives.
Paul goes on to say, "This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church" (v. 32). Why is submission as well as sacrificial, purifying, and caring love so strongly emphasized in Scripture? Because the sacredness of the church is wed to the sacredness of marriage.
Christian, your marriage is a testimony to the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. Your marriage will either tell the truth about that relationship, or it will tell a lie.
What is your marriage saying to the watching world? If you'll walk in the power of the Spirit, yield to His Word, and be mutually submissive, you can know that God will bless you abundantly and glorify His Son through your marriage.
Adapted from Different By Design by John MacArthur

Titus 2 Tuesday

Your refusal to forgive one who has sinned against you is a manifestation of hypocrisy--a telltale sign that either you have not experienced God's forgiving grace, or that you take such grace for granted.

Colossians 3:12-13

Hi

 I found this amazing blog by Jennifer @ "Getting Down with Jesus"  I was inspired  and renewed  by her love of Christ.  Go over and visit her.

Why I’m Not Reading Fifty Shades of Grey

May 31st, 2012

A person can count a lot of things. Over the years, humankind has counted up:

50 ways to leave your lover;

20,000 leagues under the sea:

seven ways to Sunday;

and now, Fifty Shades of Grey.

I’m counting on one thing … this one thing only: I’m counting on God.

I will rest in the shade of One, not the shade of fifty.



I delight to sit in his shade,

and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

He has taken me to the banquet hall,

and his banner over me is love.
- Song of Songs 2:3-4


{I shall sit in the shade of my Beloved.}


(I do not ordinarily post on controversial topics, and I do not intend to sit on a moral high horse, or criticize any author, or any reader who has decided differently. But I have been asked to offer my opinion on this bestselling book, and my opinion is this: I have chosen not to read it. For a thoughtful post on the book, please visit Dannah Gresh at TrueWoman.com.)

Friend to Friend Friday

So, as my husband Rob gets ready to head out with our church missionary group to the Dominican Republic & Haiti on Monday, we have been reflecting on the calling the Lord has placed on his heart.   See, my husband has been walking with the Lord for only 5 years, and he shared with the boys & I a few days ago, he would of never imagined 5 years ago he would be traveling the world  to spread the Word of Jesus.  The Lord is so "Awesome."

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."  Mark 16:15

We are so proud of Daddy, his heart is open to the Lords voice. John 14:15

I found this great devotional below via Spreading Light Ministries that says it all.  Please pray for our team as they spread the awesome news of Jesus Christ in places that there is not Hope.

  

Gift of Missionary

People with the gift of missionary or missions have a heart for evangelism but desire to bring God's word to another culture. This is sometimes known as the gift of apostleship which literally means sent with a commission.

Missionaries must do as Paul did, learn the culture they are trying to reach and attempt to fit in and embrace the culture. They don't come in telling everyone how stupid and ignorant they are for not doing things the right way and worshipping the true God.

Paul lived this when he went to Athens in Acts 17. There he saw that the people were very religious, even having an altar to an unknown god so as not to offend any they might have missed. Rather than tell them how wrong their polytheistic ways were, Paul used the opportunity to tell them about the God they were missing.

Although missions is often thought of as overseas, people can have the gift of missions and use it locally as well. These people reach out to a culture that is different from their own whether it is through a teen pregnancy center, prison ministry, or multicultural church.

Have a great weekend

Amanda

Titus 2 Tuesday

HELPFUL SCRIPTURES FOR A TITUS 2 WOMAN

1) Titus 2 : 3- 5 (King James Version

The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, caste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their husband, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

2) Isaiah 50 :4 (New Living Translation)

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, sh that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.

3) Romans 15 : 14 (New International Version)

I myself am convinced, my sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

4) Proverbs 18 :13 (King James Version)

She who answers a matter before she hears it, it is folly and shame to her. 

Enjoy your day,

Amanda



Friend to Friend Friday

Our Separation from God

Christian Accountability - Biblical Guidance
Open Bible.com

Does the Bible speak of Christian accountability? First of all, the Bible says that God holds us accountable. Romans 14:12 says, "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." This is personal accountability.
Christians are also accountable to one another. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, we read that Christians are all part of the same body - the body of Christ - and each member needs or belongs to the other. This Scripture suggests the importance of strong accountability between Believers. It is important for every Believer to have at least one other person in which to confide, pray with, listen to, and encourage.

Galatians 6:1-2 gives a helpful principle, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." If your accountability friend has done something contrary to the Bible, you are called to confront him gently, forgive him, and comfort him. It also admonishes you to consider yourself because no one is above temptation.

Another aspect of Christian accountability is encouraging each other to grow in their spiritual maturity. Hebrews 10:24 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to, "…encourage one another and build each other up…"

Are you accountable? Do you have a friend to whom you can go? Will that person hold you accountable in your spiritual walk? Are you the type of person that people can come to when they need accountability? Do you want a Christian accountability partner?

So this is my story on accountability.  Unfortunately, in the Christian community of women & men.  There has been a big interest in reading "unbiblical" smut books.  One in particular that has come to mind is a book called, "50 Shades of Grey."

Now, I have never heard of this book until a friend of mine said a group of women in the church had been reading this novel.  So of course I never take conversation at face value.  I pray for guidance and do research. And "BAM" in my face that same day a post on "Face Book" from a sister in Christ in  regards to the main character being "Hot" or something to that affect.

So I thought can this book  be that bad?  Yep!  Can a girl shout out, "wow!" It is xxx rated.  I was reading stuff like this before I began a relationship with our Mighty Savior Jesus Christ.  I call it "BC" (Before Christ) 

So I confronted this friend on the choices of reading material she was choosing. I was taken back by the answer I received.  She said " Christians cant take themselves completely out of the world & reading or watching something isn't the same as actually doing the act."  She also stated other Christian "wives, mothers & Pastors daughters" she knew had or are reading this book currently.  So, does this make it OK, because other Christians are doing it.  No! we should not be doing this because God commands us to be "Holy" Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:15.

I thought to myself, "Can this be happening?"  And I thought, of course it can.  We all fall short of the Glory of God & the adversary packages up things very nicely to entice people with there flesh.  And distracts us from reading God's Word. 

Is there in fact in church today accountability or not?  Does anyone say anything when we see sisters or brothers in the Faith stray off the path of Gods word.  Are we afraid of being criticized of being called a Jesus Freak or a radical for Jesus.

We are commanded by our Lord to be "The Salt of the Earth" Matt 5:13, "The Light of the world" Matt 5:14.

How is the world going to see Jesus in our lives when we don't live any different than the world does. 1 Thessalonians 4: 7-8

Ladies! Gentleman, this is real! Are we living for our Mighty Savior or the lust of the world?

The world hungers for something different & Jesus Christ is that difference. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, with all our hearts, soul & mind. We were & are new creations in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17

God (separated from us) sent His only Begotten Son (without sin) to die a horrible death for us, our sins, so He could have a wonderful relationship with us. Praise God!

1 John 2:15-17

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁵ Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].

¹⁷ And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.

 I pray for you to have Courage today

In His Almighty Name Jesus Christ

 

Titus 2 Tuesday

GOD'S

UMBRELLA OF PROTECTION

Psalm 91

Scripture is very clear on how we shall live & receive His protection to those who devote themselves to the Lord.

In the home God shall be first. Build your home on solid foundation. Luke 6:46-49

Matthew 22:37-40

1 John 4:10,19

Romans 5:8

In the home your husband shall be second. The head of every man is Christ & the head of the wife is man. 1 Corinthians 11:3

Loving Leader

Provider

Protector

Pastor

Ephesians 5:18-33

Colossians 3:19-21

1 Peter 3:7

In the home a wife shall be third. A wife does him good, and not harm all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12

Show affection

Loving submission

Ephesians 5:18,21,22,24,33

1 Peter 3:1-6

Titus 2:3-5

Homemaker

Colossians 3:12-20

Atmosphere

Numbers 30:1-8

In the home the children shall be fourth. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. Psalm 127:3

Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Ephesians 6:1-4

Then Parents - Church - Friends - Hobbies - Etc

*Ladies the enemy is not your husband it is Satan*

Have a Blessed day

Amanda 



Friend to Friend Friday

Love Your Enemies!

...

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? (Matthew 5:43-47)-Jesus Christ of Nazareth

Titus 2 Tuesday

Becoming a

Loving

Butterfly

"A wise woman is a good lover." Solomon's Song of Songs

Several months ago I was invited to a wonderful "Titus 2" event.  And I was a little uncomfortable & surprised by the speaker (Joanne Frank) when she began to talk about "SEX".  Yes ladies, I did say it.  And she broke it down so beautifully biblically.

1 Corinthians 7:1-5, Song of Solomon, Genesis 2:24 Proverbs 5:18-19 & Hebrews 13:4 breaks it down perfectly. In your quiet time I encourage you to read through them.

Also, have any of ya read the book of Solomon's Song of Songs?  Can we say "steamy"

As follower of Jesus we need to realize the Lord gave us a beautiful gift of "sex" to share with our husbands.  Trust me, I had to change my attitude through prayer and seeking advice from my "WOW" (Wise Older Woman) about the subject..  And I have to tell you,  Only through Jesus Christ can I say my relationship has improved with my husband.

Here is a list given to me through Titus 2 that helped me with my good attitudes about lovemaking & not so good ones too. Let  me know what you think?  And maybe some new ideas that can encourage others & has worked for your marriage.  

Wrong Attitudes

1.Sex is dirty

2.It is my duty

3.It is only for men to enjoy

4.He only loves me for my body

5.To experiment and try new things in our

lovemaking is un-spiritual

Right Attitudes

1.Sex is a gift from God between a man & woman in marriage(Genesis 2:23-25)

2.It is a privilege

3.It will bring me physical pleasure

4.God made my husband with a biological need for sex, as well as for food & water

5.Be adventurous for him and be available.  God will bless this time together.

Enjoy your day

Amanda

Friend to Friend Friday

Christian Friends Love Sacrificially

Crosswalk.com



John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (NIV)

Jesus is the finest example of a true Christian friend. His love for us is sacrificial, never selfish. He demonstrated it not only through his miracles of healing, but more fully through the humble service of washing the disciples' feet, and then ultimately, when he laid down his life on the cross.

If we choose our friends based only on what they have to offer, we'll rarely discover the blessings of a genuine friendship. Philippians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." By valuing your friend's needs above your own, you'll be on your way to loving like Jesus. In the process, you'll likely gain a true friend.

Blessings to You

Amanda

Titus 2 Tuesday

Be kind & compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

Friend to Friend Friday

Surrender your tongue to God

"but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

We cannot tame our tongues without supernatural help. To help you surrender your tongue to God, let me encourage you with a little speech therapy. Before you speak something that may be harmful ask yourself these five questions:

Is it true? Is what I’m going to speak the truth? If not, stop. If it is, second ask,
Is it necessary? Jesus said we are going to be judged for every careless word. There are so many things that we say that are not necessary. Third ask,
Is it beneficial? Is what I’m going to say going to build someone up or tear them down? Fourthly,
Do I have permission to share it?
Before you speak think about what kind of friend you’re being. Finally, ask yourself,
Is my motive pure? Why am I saying this? We all struggle with our tongues to varying degrees. There’s something we can all do about gossip. Remember gossip is when I share with you something about a third person and neither you or I are part of the problem or the solution.
Will you listen more, bite your tongue more, refuse to tear others down, and surrender your tongue to Jesus Christ? This is not some extra thing that God is requesting of us. This is a mandate for being a Christ-follower. Yes, the tongue may be the smallest and largest troublemaker in all the world. It has the 1. Power to direct. 2. the Power to destroy, but also 3. the Power to delight. God can use our tongues to guide others into the way of life, and to sustain them in the trials of life. Give God your tongue each day and ask Him to use you to be a blessing to others.

Enjoy your day

Amanda

Titus 2 Tuesday

The "I" Syndrome

Hi everyone!  I have  been absent for several weeks from my blog post.  So today instead of writing my normal Titus 2 encouragement.  Let me explain  where I have been.

On April 10th our Son Jenson went into the hospital to have a pace maker put in.

"Yes" I did say pace maker.  That thing that only older people get.

See our son Jenson was born with a condition called "Third Degree Heart Block"  this effects his electrical in his heart.  So his heart beats slower and not as efficient as a normal heart.

"I"  have been preparing my heart for this day since he was born.

"I" have been praying with all I have, to have him cured.

"I" have doubted Christ love for him.

"I" was told that Christ can heal & will heal his heart.(And He can)

"I" was doubting my own heart, believing if I go through with this procedure, my faith in Christ was weak.

So you can see the pattern above,"I"

The Lord revealed & rebuked me several days leading up to the surgery to the day of the surgery, it wasn't about "I".

It is about Him.  And I know this with all my heart, soul & mind.  I was so self absorbed on how "I" was feeling and not on my task at hand to be Christ heart, hands & feet for our family, friends and the people placed in front of me at the hospital.

He reminded me of the below verse:

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

"Yes!" what was "I" thinking!

Succumbing to the flesh is so easy, we can get so caught up in the "I" thing.  We need to keep our eyes & hearts on Him.  Because, if "I" would of closed my heart to His voice on what He had & has planned for our son, our son & others would of missed out on Christ's love that day.

So with that said, it was a day of so many blessings!  Because "I" kept my heart open to others needs. We prayed for & with other parents, that the Lord put in our paths that have sick children. 

Because, it is not about "I" it is about Him and having Faith that the Lord has bigger & better plans for our little one with his pace maker.  This is Jenson's journey to glorify our Savior.

Blessings to You

Amanda

Friend to Friend Friday

The True Meaning of Easter

True Love

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

Luke 23:44-46

He is not here; He is risen.

"The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again."

Luke 24:1-12

We have seen the Lord

"Put your finger here, see my hands.  Reach our your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe."

John 20:24-31

Jesus ascends into Heaven

He was taken up into Heaven and He sat at the right hand of God.

Mark16:19-20

Happy Easter

Blessings to You

Amanda

Titus 2 Tuesday

BE YOUR HUSBANDS FRIEND....

Go with him to the store or on errands, etc., and offer to go with him if he doesn't ask.  Don't expect him to respond "yes", it may take time to get used to the idea again.

Spend time with him.  Watch television with him; go with him when he plays ball etc. If he invites you to participate in his hobbies, do so.

Plan a night out with him; plan a day doing something he enjoys. (Go to the car show, air museum, fishing, etc.  Try to make it extra special.)

Get up and have breakfast with him.

Set a pretty table for him.

Keep a clean home for him.

When he goes out of town, or hiking, hunting, etc. send him off with a kiss, a good attitude and something special tucked in his gear.  Show him home is wonderful to come home to! (And prove it to him when he does come home)

Make a "coupon jar" filled with creative things you'll do for him. ("Good for one car wash", "...one 15 minute back rub", etc.)


Hope this encourages You


Amanda

Titus 2 Tuesday

Ways to Show Love to a Husband

RESPECT YOUR HUSBAND......ways to "elevated" him.

Appreciate him:

Thank him for what he provides for you and the family.  Teach your children to take care of the things he provides.

Accept him:

You cannot change him.  Celebrate him as he is:  your friend and lover.  Teach your children to honor their father in both their attitudes and actions.

Adapt to him:

You were created to be his helper.  Anticipate his needs and make his priorities and preferences yours.

Adore him:

Prefer him with a loving attitude.  Spoil him with love.  Show him with acts of kindness.

What are not willing to do that he has asked you to?  Pray about it.  Do it if you are able and do it cheerfully.

Listen to him.  Make eye contact; look at him with admiration.  Nod your head and ask him questions. Don't interrupt him or correct him.

At the dinner table, wait for him to answer the children's questions and then don't interrupt or correct him.  This takes special grace from God.

When you have a problem, ask him his advice on what you should do:  listen and do not criticize his answer.  Do what he has suggested since you asked for his input.

When he asked you a question, don't immediately come back with an answer.  Maybe say, "I'm not sure, what do you think?" (This may be hard, since as women we usually have something important to say, but at this time, wait.  Let him think about it).

Do not pick a fight with him, especially before bedtime.  Do not cry to get your way or manipulate him.

Don't nag,  Get off his back and stay on his side.  You are not his Holy Spirit or his mother!

Have a great day!

Amanda



Friend to Friend Friday

altar of incense

March 20th, 2012 | Posted by Tiffany Jonker
Jasmine, Gardenia, Evening Primrose, Easter Lily, Lavender, Begonia, and Double Delight Rose—What do all of these beautiful flowers have in common? Color? Size? Purpose?
The answer is fragrance.
Each one of these flowers produces a fragrance that is pleasing to our senses, a fragrance that will bring joy to an off day or an unpleasant condition.
We all love to smell things that have a sweet fragrance.
In Psalm 141:2, David cried out to the Lord, saying, “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
David understood that the prayers he was offering up to the Lord were a sweet fragrance…that of incense. He wanted them to be as consistent and regular as the lighting of incense that took place in the Temple.
In Exodus 30:7, the Lord says “Aaron shall burn on it [the Altar of Incense, which was the last stop before the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies] sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.”
The priests were to stand two times a day before the inner veil of the temple and burn incense so that the smoke would carry into the Holy of Holies and be swept into the very nostrils of God. The aroma represented the prayers of the people—all that had ever been and would be prayed from the hearts of the saints.
In Revelation 8:3–4, we read that in the heavenly temple, an angel “having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.”
If you are a follower of Jesus, you are among the saints. Your prayers are the incense. And the fragrance they bring is a blessing to the Lord.
When we pray, when we intercede, when we plead with the Lord on behalf of our friends and family, with perpetuity and with consistency, this will bless the Lord. It will be a sweet-smelling aroma to Him. God is a god who loves to hear from His children—and who loves to answer our prayers.
Let’s take time to intercede on behalf of those we love, family and friends, even now.


Have a blessed day,

Amanda

Titus 2 Tuesday

Respecting Our Husbands

Our husband's greatest Love need is to be respected for who he is and what he does!

Ephesians 5:33 says:

Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his Own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respects her husband.

Webster's Dictionary definition: RESPECT

To show honor or esteem for; to hold a high regard; to show consideration for; to consider or treat with deference (yielding in opinion, judgement or wishes, courteous) or dutiful regard avoid intruding or interfering with...That's a thought!

Ephesians 5:33b (AMPLIFIED)

Let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband, that she notices him, prefers him, venerate and esteems him, and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves him, and admires him exceedingly. 

Venerates = worship

This command involves action on our part.  After you read this, take a moment to list 5 things that will show respect to your husband and pray that the Holy Spirit will help you accomplish these things.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Have a Blessed Day :)

Amanda  



Friend to Friend Friday

Below is an amazing devotional I get everyday, go over and say Hi to them.  Enjoy!

 

March 8, 2012
Turning Aside to See
Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth
“Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you,”(Matthew 9:22 NIV).

Friend to Friend
All day long God is working in and around us. It is so easy to simply go about the task of living without seeing God’s handprints on our circumstances and footprints on our paths. When we see life as a “to do list” to check off, or random acts of fortune to celebrate or misfortune to endure, we miss seeing God and hearing His voice as the scarlet thread that connects the moments and the days of our lives.
Frederick Buechner noted, “All the absurd little meetings, decisions, inner skirmishes that go to make up our days. It all adds up to very little, and yet it all adds up to very much. Our days are full of nonsense, and yet not, because it is precisely into the nonsense of our days that God speaks to us words of great significance…”
When Jesus came to earth in human form, He had a definite plan and purpose. The Bible tells us, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work,”
(I John 3:8). Another translation says it this way: “The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen and dissolve) the works of the devil [has done]” (Amplified).
Even though Jesus’ plan and purpose was clearly stated, He welcomed interruptions when His Father placed someone in His path. Jesus turned aside to care for the woman caught in adultery and spoke to the Pharisees about forgiveness. He turned aside to heal a blind man and spoke about the reason the man had been blind from birth. He turned aside to bless children even though the disciples tried to shoo them away.
He turned aside to question who had touched the hem of his garment and spoke words of encouragement and healing to a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. He turned aside to speak to a curious Zacheaus perched in a tree. He turned aside to woo a frightened insecure fourteen-year-old girl and welcome her with open arms – me.
Jesus paid attention to the circumstances of those around him as he went from one place of ministry to the next. He noticed a woman mourning in a funeral procession for her only son, a woman drawing water by a well, a lame man lying by a pool and a blind man crying out by the side of the road. To those looking on, they may have seen each of these situations as an interruption in Jesus’ busy schedule, but Jesus saw them as divine appointments.
Today, as you go through the tasks of daily living, pay attention to those around you. You never know when someone in your path may be your special assignment from God.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I have so much to do today, but nothing is as important as what You have for me to do. Help me to pay attention to the lives around me and recognize any special assignments that You may have for me today.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Today, pay close attention to any unusual circumstances that happen your way.
At the end of the day, write down any special assignments that you had from God. Then I’d love to hear about it. Log onto www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes and share your God-moment!
More from the Girlfriends
God is working all around us and in our lives. If you would like to learn more about how to sense God’s presence and leading in your life, see my book, Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God. He’s got a lot to tell you!

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com

Titus 2 Tuesday

Self Image

Based on 1 Corinthians 13

Because God loves me, He is slow to lose patience with me.

Because God loves me, He takes the circumstances of my life and uses them in a constructive way for my growth.

Because God loves me, He does not treat me as an object to be possessed and manipulated.

Because God loves me, He has no need to impress me with how great and powerful He is, because He is God, nor does He belittle me as His child in order to show me how important He is.

Because God loves me, He is for me.  He wants to see me grow and develop in His love.

Because God loves me,  He does not send down His wrath on every little mistake I make, though there are many.

Because Gos loves me, He does not keep score of all my sins and then beat me over the head with them whenever He gets the chance.

Because God loves me, He is deeply grieved when I do not walk in the ways that please Him, because He sees this as evidence that I don't trust Him and love Him as I should.

Because God loves me, He rejoices when I experience His power and His strength and stand up under the pressures of life for His name's sake.

Because God loves me, He keeps on working patiently with me even when I feel like giving up and I can't see why He doesn't give up on me, too.

Because God loves me, He keeps on trusting me when at times I don't even trust myself.

Because God loves me, He never says there is not hope for me.  Rather, He patiently works with me, loves me and disciplines me in such a way that is hard for me to understand the depth of His concern for me.

Because God loves me, He never forsakes me even though many of my friends might.

Because God loves me, He stands with me when I have reached the rock bottom of despair, when I see the real me and compare that with His righteousness, holiness, beauty and love.  It is at a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me.

YES, THE GREATEST OF ALL GIFTS IS GOD'S PERFECT LOVE!   

Friend to Friend Friday

Where to Find Joy

	The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant. Psalm 25:14

 

            As I have walked with the Lord for the past several years, I have realized we have different views of the will of God. 1.Some imagine the will of God as something that God effectively hides from us, sort of like a divine Easter Bunny who has a golden egg put away somewhere, and as you get closer, just maybe he will give you little hints.

2. For others, their concept of the will of God is that it is something horrible or undesirable, like death or sort of like a diet.  This is how some people see God. They think it is boring at best and miserable at worst.

Both of these views are incorrect as I have learned from His word, however. There is joy in being in the will of God. As I read in the book of Romans the apostle Paul wrote to Roman believers, "Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other" (Romans 15:32).

Then I found in Isaiah, Isaiah 55 to be exact, "You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!" (verse 12).

There is joy and peace in the will of God. And when you are outside the will of God, there is misery and turmoil, I have lived that misery and turmoil. I  was the most miserable woman and I knew what was right and did not do it. 

 When you know what is right and are running away from it, your life will be especially hard.

So continue to surround yourself with strong followers, meditate on His word to make sure your decisions are biblical and most of all be in constant prayer with Him.

            As a follower, you are His child, bought with Christ's blood.. And He wants to reveal His will to you.


Every Thing I am

Amanda

Titus 2 Tuesday

Being The Women God Wants Us To Be

This past weekend I was invited to a Titus 2 Women's Workshop.  Wow, I learned so much...  I have read Titus 2:3-5 several times & I tell you, when a wonderful women of God (Joanne Frank) unpacks the word of Titus 2, through God's word, it is amazing! 

So what I'm going to do is, for the next several Tuesdays, I'm going to share some of the "meat & potatoes"  with you that was shared with me.

The study of Titus 2 is a ministry reaching out to all women in order to abide by the admonition of Titus 2:3-5: "that the older women teach, train, and encourage the younger women to be sound minded, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be pure and kind, keepers of the home and submissive to their own husbands so that the Word of God is not blasphemed."

The heart of Titus 2 is the desire and passion in "strengthening and saving marriages one wife at a time."

The first step we must  choose to forgive, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you." 

CHOOSE to forgive-as an act of your will, in obedience to God's word.  Be very specific about the offense you are willing to forgive-part of the healing process is in letting go of specific offenses.

ASK the Father's forgiveness for that person-following Jesus' example on the cross-"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

CHOOSE to forgive Father God for allowing these hurtful wounds to come into your life-not because God did anything wrong, but because YOU need to let go of any resentment you may hold towards the Father.

ASK the Lord to forgive YOU for your unforgiveness, any bitterness, anger, resentment, unrighteous thinking, words, or actions that were you wrong response to the offense.

ASK the Lord to remove any leftovers-wrong thinking or feelings-He will wash you white as snow.

ASK Him to replace the empty place with His love, mercy, and grace.  Ask Him to heal the wounds in your soul.

PRAY with compassion for the one who hurt you.  Ask the Lord to bless him/her in every way possible in every aspect of their lives.   

Till next Tuesday, through Christ. "The walk as a follower of Jesus Christ is not hard: it is impossible in our own strength!

God is sufficient and makes us sufficient for all things. 2 Cor. 4:7 

Friend to Friend Friday

This past week I have been drawn to some amazing devotions/articles by some amazing Godly women.  I found the below very inspiring & convicting.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

 

does wearing buttons bring pride?

July 22nd, 2010 | Posted by Cathe Laurie

Does wearing buttons bring pride? Are certain colors “worldly”? Is dressing dowdy a sign of spirituality? Should a woman wear pants? If we issued a uniform standard established by a certain generation, maybe then we could be assured that we are virtuous dressers. Just think—in some parts of the world it’s the men who wear tunics and women wear the trousers!

In a very old book called The Christian’s Daily Walk (written in the 1600’s) I read some great wisdom on dressing yourself as “one that becometh godliness.”

These are some brief things to ponder when you are getting dressed.

1. What is suitable to your special calling?
2. What is consistent with health and beauty?
3. Don’t be overly long in deciding what to wear.
4. Don’t dress to attract undue attention.
5. Be frugal, modest.
6. Follow the example of those of your rank and means.
7. Ask yourself how you want to appear before the eyes of the Savior.

Styles and customs change over time but some things don’t change! Principles of humility and modesty are timeless.