Philippians (Bible in 90 Days)

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Philippians is the perfect book to make the distinction between happiness and joy. Happiness is this elusive idea that we spend our lifetime chasing this perfect moment. But joy runs deeper. Joy is a strong, deep assurance of God’s love. It is often quiet and in the background, but it is active when everything else seems lost. Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

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Paul writes the Philippians as a thank you for a gift they send him. He writes this joyful encouragement from prison. No matter what the circumstances are, Paul has learned to be content knowing Christ and trusting in his plan.

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Do not focus your life on catching fleeting happiness that will fade. Instead, spend time and energy on finding joy that quiet assurance that you are loved. In the end, joy breeds happiness.

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8)

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A Wife of Noble Character: Strong Husband

Proverbs 31:23 -- "Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders."

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I believe this verse could easily be interpreted that she was defined by and blindly submissive to her husband in the way we know trophy wives of politicians and preachers today to be. This verse would not only condone that expectation but also encourage it. Perhaps, this inaccurate interpretation, this prideful mindset, is what got the stereotype started.

However, that idea is empty and hollow and contradicts everything else this passage describes about the wife. Without a husband you could not even label her a wife, but she is not defined by her husband.

Without a solid husband to stand strong in the name of the Lord, there is unbalance in the household and between your relationship with each other and with God. Without a solid wife to stand strong in the name of the Lord, the same unbalance occurs. Only when the husband, wife and God are in a relationship together can there be balance and peace in the household.

This verse describes her husband as well known, assumingly favored and well respected in the public sphere. The fact that he sits with other civic leaders puts him a place of power among the community. The favorable and powerful description of her husband reflects well of the wife of noble character.

She is steady and manages her household well, which in turn helps him to be better and steadier in the community. By being equals and working together, they lift each other up, putting Christ in front of them.

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A Wife of Noble Character: Respectable and Respected

Proverbs 31:22 -- "She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns."

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Knowing how to sew and mend is a great resource, which can save time and money of all who learn it. But frankly, we live in a society today that it is just not a skill that is necessary in the way it would have been when these proverbs were written.

"She makes her own bedspreads" is significant not only because she can sew and create a blanket. It goes beyond the initial words to mean something much more. It shows that the wife of noble character can do for herself. She doesn't wait for or expect others to do for her. She is capable and willing to do what needs to be done herself. She does what is necessary to be prepared for winters without having to be told or ordered to do it. She knows what is coming and does what she needs to to provide for herself and her family.

This actions shows strength and independence, not only domestic submission. The wife of noble character proves to be proactive, intelligent, creative and willing to do what needs to be done to take care of her family.

"She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns" means that she is respectable and respected. Purple gowns were worn by the wealthy and royal because the dyes were precious and rare. By describing her in fine linens and in purple gowns shows she stood on her own. She organized her business, managed her family and was respected in the community.

It did not mean she was a trophy wife or a dismissed, submissive wife; instead, she was respected as an individual. It did not mean she was incredibly wealthy, but she managed her household well and was able to buy and make nice things for herself and her family.

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A Wife of Noble Character: No Fear

Proverbs 31:21 -- "She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes."

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This verse proves how the wife of noble character takes care of her household. She is not worried for winter because she is prepared. She looks after everyone, making sure they have what they need when they need it.

She also prepares for what's to come. She doesn't wait to react, she gets things ready ahead of time. She things ahead and is ready for whatever comes. This also means that she doesn't worry. She is prepared when she can be and lets God handle the rest.

Joshua 1:9 -- "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

God doesn't want us to live in fear, anxiety and worry are the enemies' doing. God commands us to be strong and courageous. Fear is a heavy thing for anything that comes to us. There often isn't a whole lot we can do about circumstances around us; however, we can adjust our attitude about those circumstances, which will make all of the difference.

The way to keep a positive attitude through all that life throws at you is to know that God does not want us to fear, He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to know that He will be with us guarding and guiding us no matter what, wherever we go.

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Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Peek a Boo Kitty

While playing with Little People the other day, my daughter and I got a surprise when our cat, Benji, poked his head through the farm doors. I suppose the kitty wanted to play peek a boo with us.

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A Wife of Noble Character: Open Arms

Proverbs 31:20 -- "She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy."

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While I'm sure you could deduce deeper meanings from this verse, I believe it can be taken straightforward. It is important, and kind, to help the poor and needy.

Acts 20:35 -- "And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

When we reach out to people who need help, emotionally, financially, spiritually, we lift them up which in turn blesses us and the Kingdom of God.

God is pleased when we lose the focus on ourselves and put others in front of our own needs and wants. By giving time and energy and part of ourselves to others, we give ourselves to God. This is also a great way to spread the love of Christ and the Good News of salvation.

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A Wife of Noble Character: Stays Organized

Proverbs 31:19 -- "Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber."

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This verse has several meanings. The first and most obvious is that the wife of noble character can sew. This is a hardy skill for anyone, man or woman, career or homemaker. The ability to make, patch and hem clothes, blankets, etc can save many resources, reuse fabric and save time and money.

Another, more subtle, meaning is to always stay on top of things. By keeping her hands busy, she is one step ahead by weaving patterns and fixing things before they become hazardous.

She will also stay organized, twisting fibers can mean to make sure schedules line up and everyone and everything stays managed with what they need wen and where they need it.

By considering the different possibilities and meanings of the words describing the wife of noble character, we can know a little more about her, the way she works and what she can offer us to learn and grow in Christ's ways. There is more than meets the eye when it comes to women and what we have to offer. Sometimes you just need to dig a little deeper and keep an open mind about what it means to be a woman of noble character.

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Ephesians (Bible in 90 Days)

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One of the largest churches that Paul founded on his missionary journeys is the church at Ephesus. He established it on his way home to Jerusalem from his second trip. A year later, marking the end of his third missionary trip, he stayed there three years preaching and teaching. When he was ready to move on he sent Timothy to serve as their leader.

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Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians while he was a prisoner in Rome a few years after his departure from them. He was not writing to correct, he wanted to encourage the church. He aimed to strengthen their Christian faith by explaining the nature and purpose of the church, which is the body of Christ.

“For there is one body and one spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.” Ephesians 4:4-6

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Paul talks of how believers are marked by the Holy Spirit and that we have that power within us. Paul challenges believers to maintain a close relationship with Christ. He also speaks of spiritual gifts, high moral standards and submission and love within the family.

He also reminds believers of spiritual warfare against Satan, which we cannot physically see. He describes a set of spiritual armor to protect us. There is the belt of truth, the body armor of righteousness, the shoes of peace from the Good News, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword which is the Word of God.

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“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against might powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

  

A Wife of Noble Character: Good Management

Proverbs 31:18 -- "She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night."

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A wife of noble character does good business. She stays out of debt and keeps a positive attitude.

This is actually incredibly difficult to do in our society where we always have to have the best or the newest. In addition it is difficult because we often need a bank loan to buy a house or car, which are fairly necessary to function in the world we live.

It is admirable to stay out of debt, but even if you are dealing with some debt there is still hope. By making her dealings profitable, she is also not living outside of her ability. There is a difference to buying a reasonable car to fit the needs of your family and buying a ridiculous car that is far above what you would be able to pay a month. So a profitable dealing could be as simple as staying within a budget every week or month.

I also believe being profitable has a lot to do with attitude. If your attitude stinks then your dealings will stink too. By keeping a positive attitude and lifting others up instead of breaking them down leads to the best profits you can have -- righteousness in the eyes of God. He will look after you in all of your dealing, the best you can do it keep your noble character and know God will take care of you.

The phrase "her lamp burns late into the night" is a dangerous one. This doesn't mean she consistently stays up all night and burns herself out on work. It does mean that she has good time management and does what is necessary to get the job done.

Psalms 127:2 -- "It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones."

Working yourself to the bone is not helpful for anyone, and it is not what God wants for you. God wants to grant you peace and rest. This means getting things done in a timely manner and staying on task. In other words, the wife of noble character is a good manager, especially with her time.

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A Wife of Noble Character: Energetic, Strong and Hard Working

Proverbs 31:17 -- "She is energetic and strong, a hard worker."

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I believe this verse focuses on integrity. The wife of noble character has passion for her work and puts all of herself in it. She is not lazy and continues to pour all of her energy into all that she does.

She is also strong. The Hebrew word used here is "oz," which means "might" or "strength." It includes material or physical strength, but it goes beyond that as well. It also means "personal, social or political" strength.

Women are not these frail beings that patriarch society often portrays. Women are strong, perhaps not as physically dominant, but that does not mean they are weak. A fierce personal strength and intellect can overcome many strenuous tests. Women are able to stand on their own in the social and political scene. Unlike the patriarch traditions dictate, women have the competency to handle themselves. It is a flawed human society that puts women in a place behind man, not God.

The strength of a person, man or woman, is weak without God.

Ephesians 6:10 -- "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."

Without God we can't really accomplish much. Our true strength comes from the one who created us. The wife of noble character knows, in her heart, that she inherits her strength from the Lord.

The wife of noble character is also a hard worker. She does her duties with joy and doesn't cease until the job is finished and done right.

Proverbs 12:11 -- "A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense."

A hard worker provides for herself and her family. Laziness and procrastination are foolish. Integrity is the willingness to live by your beliefs and standards. The woman of noble character is energetic, strong and a hard worker. You can see the fruits of this labor throughout the scripture by how her character affects everyone and everything around her in a positive way. She is keeping her integrity and her noble character throughout ever facet of her life.

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A Wife of Noble Character: Good Business

Proverbs 31:16 -- "She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard."

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The wife of noble character proves that business is not left up to the men. Women have the knowledge, wisdom, intellect and full capability to inspect and purchase needs for the family. This goes far beyond buying groceries and clothes.

Not only does a woman decided and make purchases, she then invests that acquisition and money to make a profit and expand her productions. She is an active participant in the workings of the economy and how to make the most of whatever she has to work with, great or small.

This is describing good business practices, the act of obtaining and reinvesting. This is not squandering money on frivolous things or personal gain, but to better her household and give herself and her family a solid foundation on which to prosper.

The wife of noble character is not restrained to the home and domestic duties, but encouraged and expected to find ways, in all aspect of life, to make it better for herself and her family.

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Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Sullivan's Island Lighthouse

This is a very simple, yet beautiful lighthouse on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. It is a blessing to live so close to this wonderful horizon and to look on it as we play at the beach!

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