Happy Father's Day!

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To all the Fathers out there, have a wonderful and blessed day!

“A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.”

Proverbs 4:4 -- "My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live."

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And on this day to remember and honor Fathers, let us lift up the Holy Father, the one who made this life possible and who continues to guard and guide us everyday. 

John 3:16 -- "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

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Dear Lord,

Today, just like everyday, I simply want to lift praise up to you. I want to thank you so much for the people in my life, including all the fathers, and for making this life so amazing. There are always hard times, but knowing that you are Lord and are present in every detail of this world gives me hope. Only through you can we know real joy and peace. Thank you for providing that for us. Thank you for sending your Son to sacrifice His blood to cover our sins so that we may be eternally with you. I pray for all those who are lost and stumbling in this world. I pray that you would watch over them and water the seeds of faith that surround them. None of us are perfect, but thank you for loving us regardless. Thank you for guarding and guiding me through all of my days. Amen.

  

A Wife of Noble Character: Avoids Idleness

Proverbs 31:13 -- "She finds wool and flax and busily spins it."

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The New King James Version words the same verse this way: "She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands."

This verse focuses on avoiding idleness. We should gather supplies and willingly be productive. It is when we sit idle that we begin to get in trouble (including but not limited to gossip and generally meddling in other people's business). Having noble character means you care for others and not cause trouble for them.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 -- "Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business."

We are warned to stay out of other people's business. It only causes trouble. It is so easy to fall into gossip and be a part of the social clique. But we are called to be better than that. We are called to encourage our neighbors and our friends -- to lift them up not to tear them down.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 -- "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before."

The answer to avoiding gossip is to mind your own business and work with your hands. Focus on bettering the world around you and willingly seek out projects that help others and your family so you are not tempted by idle hands.

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A Wife of Noble Character: Love Always

Proverbs 31:12 -- "She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."

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Being a wife of noble character is a lifelong commitment to yourself, your husband and God. It means you consider the hearts and feelings of those around you before you own. It means you put into practice the agape love found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. It means that you don't just love and consider other when you feel like it or when it's convenient, you do it all day, everyday for as long as you are on this earth.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 -- "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

Being a wife of noble character does not mean that you live for yourself, your husband or your children. It means that you live your entire life for God. Then, everything else just falls into place.

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A Wife of Noble Character: Life Enriching

Proverbs 31:11 -- "Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life."

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This trust comes with open communication between each other and with God. When two people marry, they become one. There is no room for secrets or dishonesty. To hurt your spouse is to hurt yourself.

Verse 11 continues with "she will greatly enrich his life." A Godly woman can affect the world in a subtle and magnificent way.

1 Peter 3:1 -- "In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over."

A wife of noble character can enrich her husband's life just by her actions. She must accept the Godly authority of her husband, but since they are united as one, it is in agreement and submissiveness with God, not each other. This description of submissiveness is not a battle of power or a bending of will, but an agreement to walk together under the grace of God.

If her husband falls out of step with God, she can draw him back with her perseverance, prayer and tenacity. By being a woman of God, God will work through her to reach others, starting with those closest to you. Not only will she enrich the life of her husband, but all who come near her.

Read More in the "Proverbs 31: A Wife of Noble Character" Series

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Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Time for Tea

Zoey loves playing tea party. We have one or more almost everyday. This party involved many friends with much planning and much tea. It is fun to see her use her imagination and to taste test all of the pretend tea!

Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!