Girls To Grow

Hello, friends! It’s May, which means a busy month if you’ve got a graduation or end-of-the-school-year festivities, plus there’s Mother’s Day and Memorial Day! I hope you find something good to celebrate this month.

Before we get into today’s post, let me remind you that, as is often the case, I write from a place of weakness. I usually share what I’ve been studying or something that I need to work on in my own life. So as we break down complaining today, please don’t think that I’ve mastered this. I’m a work in progress!

Here’s the passage I was studying last week that led to today’s post.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. ~Philippians 2:14-16

Verse 14 basically tells us that we’re to do everything without complaining or arguing. We can look at that in a couple of different ways.

It could apply to how we respond to God. Whatever instruction we find in His Word or whatever we believe His Holy Spirit is leading us to do, we should do cheerfully and without hesitation.

It could also apply to how we respond to our circumstances and to other people. Are we often complaining about what’s happening in our lives and/or quarreling with someone any time we don’t agree with them?

That verse pointedly says, “Do all things…” Yes, we know that “all” means “all,” as in every single thing.

But let’s get practical. Does that mean I’m supposed to stand in the checkout line at the store (which I chose because it looked like the shortest one, but now the other lines are moving much faster) and not complain about how long this is taking? I would say “Yes.”

The reason that I titled this post the way I did is because I think we just accept complaining as a natural part of life. Doesn’t everybody complain? Or maybe it’s just me!

Complaining usually boils down to discontentment. It’s an attitude of the heart. And isn’t all complaining ultimately against God?

So let’s answer these questions. Is complaining really that bad? Why is it important that we not complain, that we’re not argumentative? Verses 15 and 16 answer that question for us.

1. We’re to be blameless/innocent.

We want our thoughts to be pleasing to God. Our inner attitudes need to be right so that our outward actions will also be right.

2. We’re to be harmless/inoffensive.

We want to live a life before others that is pure and sincere. We don’t want to purposely annoy or insult someone.

There may be times when we speak the truth in love and that truth is offensive to an unbeliever. But that’s not our purpose or goal.

3. We’re to be a testimony by what we say and how we live.

Paul encourages us to “shine as lights in the world.” The example we show in daily living should be one that stands out in a good way. Our sweet spirit and grateful heart can reflect a peace and joy that others notice.

4. We’re to share the gospel.

We’re also to be “holding forth the word of life.“

Who wants to hear what you have to say about a Savior when you’re constantly complaining about work or your spouse or your kids? If the smallest thing sets you off and you immediately start to argue, is that unsaved observer going to want the faith that you say you have?

If we agree that complaining is wrong, then we need a solution to the problem.

Let’s change our complaining into gratitude. Do you remember another verse that has a similar phrase to “all things” in it?

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18

Just as we’re to do all things without complaining and arguing, we’re also to give thanks in everything.

So here’s a challenge to myself, and maybe you’ll take it as well. The next time we start to complain, let’s change that thought and those words into something we can be thankful for. Instead of complaining, make the effort to look for what’s good in that moment.

As E.M. Bounds said, “Gratitude and murmuring never abide in the same heart at the same time.“

With God’s help, we can complain less (or not at all!) and be grateful more.

Related posts:

• 3 Tips for a Better Attitude Today
• You Can’t Do Both at the Same Time
• 10 Key Lessons the Israelites Can Teach Us About the Christian Life

Welcome to this last blog post for April!!

Are you excited that it’s almost May? We’re on a countdown to our older daughter’s college graduation in a couple of weeks. I’m so looking forward to making the trip down to Florida to spend time celebrating with her!

Something I used to do at the start of a new year was to choose a word for that year. I’d try to meditate on my word as I went through the next twelve months, looking for all the ways I could apply it in my life.

One year, the word I chose was grace. I wanted to make sure I recognized God’s grace in my life every day. But I also wanted to focus on showing grace to others.

What exactly did that look like? I needed a plan to put that into action.  Here are five ideas that I came up with to help me show grace to other people in my life.

1. Have compassion.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering….”  (Colossians 3:12-13) 

I don’t know what a fellow mom or another sister in Christ is going through. I haven’t walked in her shoes, or dealt with her challenges or limitations.  Asking God to help us see the needs in the lives of those around us will allow us to reach out with compassion and support.

2. Don’t compare. 

“.…but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (II Corinthians 10:12b) 

I’ve written before about releasing ourselves from the comparison trap.  We can be tempted to compare ourselves to others in a way that makes us feel better about ourselves.  Grace keeps us from looking down on others while elevating ourselves.

3. Give without expectations. 

Whether it’s time, money, an act of service, or an actual gift, let’s give cheerfully, expecting nothing in return.

4. Extend to others the benefit of the doubt. 

If we don’t understand someone’s actions or attitude, let’s not jump to conclusions or speculate on their motives. In other words, “Put the very best construction on the actions of others.”

5. Willingly take second (or third or fourth) place. 

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another…” (Romans 12:10) 

Grace can be evidenced by genuine humility in putting others’ needs ahead of our own. Our human nature leads us to selfishness and a desire for personal recognition. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can set aside our pride and lift up other people.

Just as we want others to show grace to us, let’s extend that grace to those we’re around today.

Can you think of other ways that we can show grace to others?

Related posts:

• Parenting with a Spirit of Grace
• Trusting His Grace When I Can’t See His Face
• That Time I Had a Pity Party

Hello! It’s a beautiful, cool spring morning as I write this and I’m looking forward to getting outside for a walk in the next few minutes. And yes, if you’ve looked at the title of today’s post, you’ll see that walking goes right along with our topic!

What does it mean to walk with God? I actually answered that question in a previous post 🙂 But I would say it’s how we live on a daily basis, the habits we form, and the mindset we embrace. It’s fellowshipping with God and going in the same direction as He is. By studying His Word, we learn what His commands are and we live in obedience to them.

In the past, we’ve looked at different things about a wise woman – how she treats her husband, how she parents her children, and how she finds her identity in Christ, to name a few. Below I’ve listed five ways that a wise woman walks with God.

1. Humbly.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? ~Micah 6:8

A wise woman realizes her own limitations. She acknowledges that whatever she accomplishes is all because of God. None of us can be the wife, mother, daughter, friend, employee, or whatever other position we hold in our own strength and power. As we walk with God, we set aside our pride and self-sufficiency and rely on Him.

2. By Faith.

 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ~2 Corinthians 5:7

A wise woman trusts God. She’s learning through reading and studying His Word and by personal experience that He is faithful.

Is this difficult? Yes! We want to see before we believe. But we can ask God to give us the confidence to believe His promises and to live by them.

3. In the Spirit.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ~Galatians 5:16

It’s natural to walk in the flesh. We want to do our own thing without considering what God would have us do.

Because Jesus is our Savior, we have God’s Holy Spirit living within us. He uses God’s Word to convict us of sin and to show us how to live. As we yield our hearts and minds to Him, we can choose to do right and turn away from our fleshly desires.

4. In Light.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ~1 John 1:6-7

A wise woman desires to walk in freedom from sin. Because Jesus died for us, we have forgiveness of sin and can be free from its power over us. However, we still have to daily make the choice not to sin.

David’s prayer in Psalm 119:133 is a great one for us to pray for ourselves.

Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

5. In Good Works.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~Ephesians 2:10

Just to be clear, we’re not doing good works to earn salvation. But God created us and He saved us, and He has a plan for us so that we might serve others and bring glory to Him.

May we each look at our lives and see if we’re growing as wise women who are walking with God!

Related posts:

• 5 Ways to Walk Like Jesus
• 10 Ways a Wise Woman Parents Her Children
• Don’t Be a Fool: 5 Things to Avoid if You Want to Be Wise

Happy week before Easter! There’s much to be thankful for as we remember Jesus’ death and celebrate his resurrection.

Our younger daughter is flying in from college tonight and will be home with us for several days. I’ve already received her list of requested meals and my grocery shopping list is ready to go!

Each Easter morning, I read about the resurrection in Matthew 28. Let’s look at verses 5 through 8 and see what the angel said to the women who came to the tomb looking for Jesus’ body.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

As I looked at those verses, I found three lessons we can learn from what the angel said to the women.

1. God always keeps His Word.

Did you catch what the angel said? “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.“

In Matthew 16:21, we read, “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.“

Even his enemies remembered that he predicted his resurrection! Matthew 27:62-63 says, “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.“

Jesus told his followers that he would die and rise again…and he did. And just as he was true to his word then, so he is in our lives today. We can know that he will keep every promise we find in our Bible.

2. God wants us to share with others what we’ve experienced.

“And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead.“

The women weren’t to keep the good news to themselves! They were to go and tell others.

Do we tell others the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection? Pray for opportunities to share your faith.

Let’s share the gospel and even beyond that, let’s encourage our fellow believers. Tell someone your salvation testimony. Share with Christian friends what God has done and is doing in your life. Build each other up in the faith by talking about spiritual things.

3. We have the promise of seeing Jesus one day.

“Behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.“

The angel assured the women that they would see Jesus again. Now you and I won’t see Jesus here on earth, but we do know that, if we’re saved, we’ll see him in Heaven. Remember John 14:2-3?

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.“

In Revelation 21:2-5, we get glimpses of what it will be like when we’re with him.

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.“

On Monday, I listened to a podcast about celebrating Easter. One of the hosts mentioned that in the church where she grew up, they opened the Easter service with the choir singing The Hallelujah Chorus. I thought I’d finish today’s post with some of those lines.

The kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and He shall reign forever and ever.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

We have so much to celebrate this Easter!!

Related posts:

• 5 Easter Truths to Give Us Hope
• Who Was at the Tomb that First Easter Morning?
• 5 Simple Easter Bible Verses to Teach Your Children

One thing we all have in common is that we face trials.

A dictionary definition of a trial is “a situation that tests a person’s endurance or forbearance.”  Those trying situations differ from one person to another.  For example, a trial could be a medical diagnosis, a financial difficulty, or a family problem.

Admittedly, in our humanness, it’s hard to welcome a trial.  If there were a sign-up sheet for trials posted in our church each week, I don’t think there would be many names on the list!

Our perspective in a trial can make a huge difference.  Do we see our trial as a burden to bear or as an opportunity to grow in our faith?  God allows trials in our lives to mature us and to draw us closer to Him.  When we fight against those trials, we can’t learn the lessons God wants us to learn.

In the midst of one particular trial we faced in our family, I ran to the book of Job.  If ever anyone faced trials, he certainly did!  Surely I can learn from his example.  And I did.

The following four truths helped me during that time, and continue to guide me when a trial comes into my life.

1.  Trust.  “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him…” ~Job 13:15  God is good, faithful, loving, and just.  Whatever comes into my life is for His glory and my good.  If my fears cause me to doubt, I should go to God’s Word and claim the promises I need for that moment.  I can pray that promise to God, “reminding” Him of what He has said He will do.

2.  Praise.  “…the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” ~Job 1:21  Circumstances change, but God does not.  He is always worthy of our praise.  Focusing on God and His character will help me take my eyes off of my problems and turn my thoughts toward Him.  Unbelievers won’t understand how we can praise God in the middle of hard times, and our lives can be a testimony to our faith as we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us.

3.  Live Righteously.  “In all this, Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” ~Job 1:22  Going through a trial doesn’t give me an excuse to sin.  In spite of all that Job lost, he continued to walk with God.  That same God can give me strength to walk through my trials while remaining faithful to God’s Word.

4.  Be grateful.  “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?” ~Job 2:10  How many of God’s blessings have I taken for granted?  I am so very blessed, and no matter what trial I’m going through, I still have so many things for which to be thankful.

When I don’t acknowledge God’s hand at work in my trials, I act foolishly.  Notice the end of Job 1:22, which says that Job didn’t “charge God foolishly.”  And in Job 2:10, addressing his wife who has told him to “curse God and die,” Job says, “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh.”  My goal is to be a wise woman, not a foolish one!

I hope I’m learning to honor God in my trials.  During the trial that prompted this study of Job, my husband reminded me that this was all part of a bigger plan, to which I replied “I suppose.”  He corrected me – and rightly so.  Nothing takes God by surprise; He directs our every step.

Job came through his trial with a renewed appreciation for the God He worshiped.  He says in Job 42:1, “I know that Thou canst do every thing…”  In the same way, we can get a whole new vision of our amazing God as we yield to Him in our trials and allow Him to do His perfect work in us.

*Originally published March 6, 2017.

Related posts:
What Ruth Teaches Me About Trusting God
Not “Why Me,” But “Why Not Me?”
Living Grateful:  Making a Daily Choice to Give Thanks

Hello! We’ve hit the middle of March and while that means Spring is close at hand, it certainly hasn’t felt like it here this week! We’ve pulled out the warm jackets one more time before they’re put away for next winter.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be successful. Maybe there are certain benchmarks you meet in a job or career that equal success. It could be earning a certain income or a specific job title. How about buying a new house or car or achieving a position of power or influence? Even just having lots of friends to hang out with could be an external thing we use to measure success.

But when we look at life through a spiritual lens, what does success really look like?

Here’s what I’ve come up with. Being successful is faithfully doing what God has set before us to do today.

That could be homeschooling children or running errands. Perhaps it’s working in an office or teaching in a classroom, taking care of an aging parent or ringing up customers’ purchases at the grocery store. Each one of us has specific things that we will do today.

Being successful isn’t about being noticed by others or getting rewarded for our effort…although that does happen sometimes. If we’re doing what God’s called us to do right now, and we’re doing it for His glory, then we’re successful.

In 1 Corinthians 4:2, we read, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” As we manage all that God has entrusted us with – our homes, children, finances, time, skills, and abilities – our responsibility is to be faithful.

In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, we find that the master applauds his servants who’ve invested their talents well by saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The one who entrusted them with those talents is pleased because they were faithful with what they’d been given.

Note that each one of those servants was given different amounts to manage. God also gives each of us different things to oversee. But it’s not about who gets more…it’s about being faithful to manage what you do have well.

There’s nothing wrong with all the measurements of success I mentioned above. We can have goals and strive to reach them. We may end up with some really nice stuff or lots of recognition from other people.

But at the end of the day, let’s ask ourselves this question. “Have I been faithful to do what God gave me to do today?” If, by his grace, we can answer yes, we know that we’ve been successful in accomplishing what matters most.

Related posts:

• What Does It Mean to Walk with the Lord?
• 11 Different Ways to Study the Bible
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