Biblical Womanhood? What’s that?

What IS a woman? 

To find the answers, we must look to the One Who created women to get our worldview. God’s Word alone must be our standard as true believers. 

What characteristics does God use to describe a godly woman and what is God’s will for women who are wives and mothers? 

Of course God’s 1st will for us as women is to 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Luke 10:27).

If we don’t love God, we will not have any desire to obey His Word or follow His ways. We won’t be able to love our husband or children if God is not 1st in our lives. 

After this, I believe we will have the desire to obey Titus 2 as women. 

It’s nearly impossible to read or quote from Titus 2:4-5  without offending someone. God calls this teaching  “Sound doctrine” 

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.(maligned, mocked, reproached, shamed, disgraced, slandered, reviled, dishonored) 

That’s pretty strong language for something most consider to be no longer relevant.

God’s general will for most women is to marry, bear children, and guide the home.

(1 Timothy 5:14) 

To be “Workers at home”-1 Timothy 5:14

To bear children, manage the home, 

 (1 Timothy 5:10,14, Titus 2:4,5)

To keep the house and be a joyful mother of children. (Psalm 113:9)

To be meek (mild tempered, yielding) and quiet spirited. (1 Peter 3:4)

Submissive to her husband as unto the Lord. ( 1 Peter 3:5) 

The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. Proverbs 14:1

 

She is virtuous and is a crown to her husband. Proverbs 12:4 

She looks well to the ways of her household. (Proverbs 31:27)  

She is man’s helpmeet if she’s married. 

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18

Women were created to be a helper for man, not vice versa. 

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. 

(1 Timothy 2:11-15)

“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.” Proverbs 31:20 She provides not only for her families needs, but for the needy around her. 

“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, flourishing WITHIN YOUR HOME.” 

Psalm 128:3-4

God’s good plan for women hasn’t changed. How much of our convictions and opinions come from what we’ve learned from the world rather than God’s Word?

Trustworthy- “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” Proverbs 31:11

She faithfully teaches her children the ways of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:8-9) God gave this responsibility to mothers and fathers. Parents are responsible for raising and training their own children. Yes, others may contribute to that training, but it’s the parent’s God given responsibility.

In a day and age where society is confused about Biblical manhood and womanhood, we must stand for Truth.

If you are a woman, embrace God’s good plan for you. 

Women were created to be nurturers, motherly, feminine, meek, and gentle.

Men were created to rule, conquer, protect, provide, and lead.

“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.“ 

1 Corinthians 11:3

“And you will desire to control your husband,
 but he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

The curse (sin) has caused women to desire to rule over man. 

Today’s worldly woman is loud, domineering, bossy, rough, haughty, self willed, head strong, unwilling to submit to God’s ways and then gets upset at the caos and unrest this lifestyle produces.

“Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.” Genesis 5:2

I pray that God will expose every worldly and humanistic thought pattern that does not line up with the Bible, man made traditions that are not grounded in Truth.

When we embrace God’s picture of womanhood we are saying to the world, “there is a distinction between a man and a woman”.  Today it is countercultural for a man to act like a man and a woman to act like a woman. Society wants to blur those distinctions as much as possible, another tactic of the enemy.

Even single women with no children can still embrace God given womanhood by nurturing, loving, helping, encouraging, serving, feeding, adopting, mentoring, or embracing the children around her in the church, family, and community. 

God has created women to be nurturers, single or not. 

Opportunities abound to pour out our love on the children around us. 

Ephesians 5:17 says, “Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” God’s will for us is to be sanctified, set apart for Him, being confirmed to His image. 

If God created you a woman, embrace what God calls “good things, proper for sound doctrine” found in Titus 2 and all throughout the Bible and you will see that 

His ways do not bring bondage as the feminists try to tell us, but freedom.

What God Says Vs. What Satan Desires

"And so train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled. Titus 2:4-5 "And having a reputation for good works:" what are those good works? 

 "If she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work."

 1 Timothy 5:10 "So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them."

 1 Timothy 5:14 "But those who won’t care for their relatives, ESPECIALLY those in their OWN HOUSEHOLD, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers." 

1 Timothy 5:8 What satan wants- Neglect to train the younger women properly. Instead teach them to despise their husbands and to compete with him, to see their children as inconveniences and not as blessings from the Lord. 

 Make them see their children as a hindrance to ministry. 

 Teach the mothers to be self-indulgent in all they do, overspending the hard earned money of the husband, spending too much time cleaning, on hobbies, or social media.

 Lure them out of the home so that they will be too tired to guard their children's influences.

 Instead of being kind to the members of their household, they will be irritable and short tempered.

 Makes the home anything but a refuge and a place of peace and rest so that the children would rather be at their friends or anywhere else. 

 Make the women believe they are self-sufficient and that no man will ever tell them what to do.

 Encourage the wives to show disrespect to their husbands and to treat them like can never do anything right.

If all women would do this, the Word of God would be reviled and the home destroyed.

The Unruly Woman vs. the Noble Woman

She can be found at every corner- gadding about.

 According to Cambridge dictionary gadding about means to visit or travel to a lot of different places, enjoying yourself and not worrying about other things you should be doing.

This is the life of the unruly woman-
She will not submit to her calling as a wife/mother. She is headstrong, which is considered an asset in worldly eyes.  She often volunteers for every activity under the sun and can even be found teaching Sunday school, leading Bible studies and prayer groups. She is found attending every community affair and is involved in as many outside activities that she can.
There is only one place that you will not find the unruly woman- in her own home.

She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home. Provers 7:11

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

To the unruly woman, the domestic duties of caring for a husband and children are beneath her.  She doesn't dare waste her time when she has much more important matters to tend to.  The unruly woman convinces herself that she is doing ministry because many of the things she is doing is considered an honor by the christian circle.  She often hears the praise of men for the sacrifice she makes with her time to serve others, while those of her own  household is daily neglected.
The unruly woman usually takes care of the outside needs of her family such as clothing so that she can impress others, but the inside needs- that of tending and discipling her little lambs are neglected as she pursues her own dreams and ambitions and leaves the tending that should be her job to the daycare or babysitter.
The unruly woman feels that she is superior to the mothers that "waste" their lives and their talents wiping noses, changing diapers, and will never understand why on earth anyone would ever willingly sacrifice their life to stay at home.  She can never be found cooking wholesome meals for her family, in her prayer closet, or holding her children in her arms while reading them a story. She is much too busy for such things.  If for some rare occassion she is found at home-perhaps when a child is sick, she quickly turns on a movie so her children will be quiet while she checks her email or updates her faceebook status.
The unruly woman can be very religious and moral and may know the scriptures, but sadly she doesn't  know the Lord she is reading about.
The unruly woman knows nothing of sacrifical love or dying to self. Her children are often viewed as hindrances to ministry instead of the primary ministry that the Lord has called her to.
The unruly woman isn't ruled by the Lord, but by her own fleshly desires.  She is rather successful in ruling over her husband by her unsubmissive spirit and argumentative attitude. Instead of seeing herself as God calls her- the husband's help meet, she sees her husband as someone that is there to meet her own needs. She thinks the Bible verses that talk about submission are outdated and not relevent for today.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Ephesians 5:22-24

The unruly woman's family is driven by activities, entertainment, and media. They are always gadding about-  going to and from ballgames, music lessons, daycare, shopping malls, sporting events, among many other things.  They are never found around the dinner table with a home-cooked meal or having family prayer and devotions.  They are too busy to build meaningfull relationships with the Lord or with those of their own household, but somehow manage to find the time to spend on facebook and other media sites.

Titus 2:4-5
That they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:1-7

The life of the noble woman is much different.
She enjoys making a home.  She sees her home as the place where true ministry begins. She realizes that one day she will have to give an account to the Lord for the souls of her children that the Lord has entrusted to her care. She takes her job very seriously and guards against any outside distractions or anything else that may harm her family.  She is often found in her prayer closet for she knows that without the Lord she can do nothing.  She seeks direction, wisdom, and strength from the Lord each day and is purposefully living life with the end in mind.  She often grows weary, tired, and gets discouraged after caring for her home, and those of her household all day, but she knows that God's Word is true-
...Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

She knows that even a cup of water given in His name will not go overlooked.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42

The noble woman is often mocked by other christians who label her as being too family focused and of neglecting ministry.  But the noble woman isn't shaken, for she knows the truth and patiently awaits the harvest of all her labor. Serving Christ by loving her husband and children and training them up in the ways of the Lord is the very least she can do for all that Christ has done for her.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8

The noble wife is also involved in outside ministry.  After she has first been faithful in her own  home, she then becomes a blessing to the homes of others.  She and her children are often found bringing a hot meal to someone that is sick, writing cards of encouragement, or meeting any other needs that the Lord lays on her heart.  She teaches her children how to share the gospel with lost family members and is always looking for opportunities to share and do good to others.

Who can find a noble wife? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

A seed is useless until it is cast into the soil where it will die in order to become something greater- a plant, a flower, a tree.  In the same way, my dedication to life at home as a mother is a seed of sacrifice.  I give up my own desires and sacrifice my gifts and talents so that new life may come from me. I am buried in the rich soil of homework, homeschooling, chracter training, disciplining, and the myriad responsibilities of making a home. To many in my generation, my decision to stay at home is a fruitless sacrifice, a waste of feminine intelligence and abilities. To me, though, it is a small sacrifice if by it I may send my children into the next generation bursting with spiritual life, ready to change the world for Christ. Fruitless? Only by the world's standards. By God's it is a worthy sacrificce that will  yield a harvest of righteousness. 
Sally Clarkson


The biggest sacrfice for me has been in the areas of relationships and harmony. Once I dedicated my life to biblical motherhood, I very quickly found myself crashing into relational barriers where before there had been none. All of a sudden I was "too commited" to my home and family and not involved enough in outside activities that would provide my children a "balanced life."
 Sally Clarkson

Led Astray- Are We Really Pro-Life

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB


It saddens me to think about the views that christian women have that are down right unbiblical.  Just a few years ago I was one of those women who had been deceived in many areas of my life. 
One of the areas that we have been led astray is in the area of childbearing.  Even though I didn't say it, I believed that I was in charge of my body.  I decided when and if I would get pregnant by the use of birth control pills.  I considered tying my fallopian tubes in hopes of preventing future pregnancies.  I gladly signed the papers, but for some reason (God's hand), the surgeon was unable to tie my tubes due to an excess of scar tissue.  At the exact moment I heard the doctor inform me that he was unable to tie my tube, I knew that God had other plans.  Just last year I joined a ladies Bible study from Nancy Leigh DeMoss titled "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Us Free".  I don't remember her exact words, but she stated that God should be Lord over ALL of us- including our womb.  She also mentioned that it was God who opens and closes the womb.  It really got me thinking. I went straight to the Word of God (something I should have done in the first place) and I studied and found the following verses:


God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Genesis 1:28 NASB


How great it is for christian families that are devoted to Christ to embrace the blessing of children and to train them up in righteousness and in the ways of the Lord! Think of the impact we could make as christians if every christian woman allowed God to be Lord over their womb. For example- my parents were only supposed to have one child. I grew up and am on my 4th child.  If my kids grow up and have 4 kids that will be 16 great grandkids. If those 16 children grow up and have 4 children each that would  be 64 great, great grandkids for my parents.  That would be a total of 84 people that are alive within 100 years just because a couple decided to have 1 child. This total can greatly be affected because not all children will have 4 children. Some may have none, one, or 10.  This example shows the impact that christians can have on a society if we embraced motherhood as a blessing and each family raised their children up in the fear and wisdom of the Lord. 


Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5


Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table. Psalm 128:3


Even though we as christians are against abortion does NOT mean we are Pro-Life.  In fact, most christian women are pro-life just as long as they are not responsible for raising them.


We have more than a handful of reasons why we don't want any more children which include:


1. We can't afford another child. (Can you afford a new car, a cell phone plan, a manicure, to get your hair done, Sonic happy hour?)
This isn't meant to condemn, but to challenge you to think.  We need to think about the "why" behind our beliefs.  Does our beliefs come from the views of a heathen and feminist society or from the Word of God? 


2. I can't handle anymore... the kids I have already drives me crazy.
I hear this one all the time.  Most of the time, the kids are driving us crazy  because we see them as burdens instead of blessings.  We don't want the inconvience. We are selfish and want to spend our time on what we think is important. We haven't taken the time to discipline and instruct them in the ways of the Lord.  We will always reap what we sow. 


3.  I have one boy and one girl so I'm done.
Have you asked the Lord if you're family is complete? Most of the time we don't even think about asking Him. 


4.  I want to go back to my job and get the kids in school.
Is this what we base our life around? Our career?  The kids being in school so we don't have to be "burdened" with their company?  Again, I'm not doing this to condemn you. Several years ago I had this same reason for not wanting anymore children. I wanted to be done. I had my boy and my girl. Friends and family told me that it was the perfect time to stop having children.  I wanted to finish college and get the kids in school so I'd have time to do other "important " things.  I thought anyone who homeschooled had lost their mind.  Then one day God called ME to homeschool.  I've always thought God has a sense of humor, but this had gone a little to far. I only had one baby in the house and was on my way to an empty house during the day and some "me time".  But you know what, I obeyed and God changed my heart. He gave me the DESIRE to homeschool and He gave me the love for my children that I was lacking and revealed my selfish motives. 


God doesn't call all women to be mothers.  He may call you to have one, two, three, ten, or 19 like the Duggars. 
Some of you may have already had your tubes tied and made choices that you cannot take back.  God forgives.  All you have to do is repent and admit the choices you made in ignorance.  I could have easily been in your shoes.  Believe me, I tried to have my tubes tied. 


I look at my 3rd child and know that I'm looking at a miracle.  I already had a boy and a girl.  Why would I want anymore? She could have never been born and I would have never known what I was missing.  Her fine blonde hair, saucer blue eyes,  and a sweet little voice calling me "mama" I might have never known. Eliana (Ellie) Faith is my miracle baby.  The doctor told me after one child, "no more children", "protect your health", but God had other plans.  God has preserved my health. 
Today I am almost 12 weeks pregnant with my 4th child.  I am due in December. 
This child is also a miracle baby.  I signed the papers at my last c-section in hopes of tying my tubes. I couldn't handle anymore children. We couldn't afford anymore.  We were done.  I had always said I wanted all my kids before the age of 30.  I just turned 32.


Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21


Are we devoted to Christ in all areas?  Do we base our beliefs on the Word of God or do we let society determine our actions?  Let's be faithful to spend time studying His Word and seeking His will for our lives so we can be sure we're not led astray from Christ.

Linked up at Far Above Rubies

Children Keeping You Out of the Ministry?

Are you a mother who often feels like you're not serving God unless you are always busy serving in the church? Do you ever wish that you were involved in "true" ministry?  Do you feel guilty for not "doing enough" for God? This was me and is still me at times. I love Jesus and want more than anything to serve Him in everything I do.  I am so thankful I found the blog post below to help remind me of the fact that raising my children IS ministry.


If this sounds like you or someone you know, head over to Walking with Sarah and read Rhonda Devine's post titled, "Children Keeping You Out of the Ministry?" I pray that it will bless you as it did me.

Women are called to manage their homes (1 Tim. 5:14) ; this pleases God and keeps the adversary from speaking reproachfully. Women who make homes keep God’s word from being blasphemed (Titus 2:4). The way I understand this is that a home that is well managed is a positive glory; a home in shambles is a poor testimony. But this is not to lay a guilt trip on women; rather, it should inspire us to view our seemingly mundane tasks as a truly worthy calling that God uses to transform the world. We often think of homekeeping as drudgery. But God says it silences our enemies. That is something potent. God always does things backwards from what we think. This requires wisdom.

Nancy Wilson of Femina

Your good works ought to first be done at home--ministering to the needs of your family. Then if God gives you time, opportunity, available resources or in a different season of life--to take those gifts and those abilities and expand them, as we'll see the Proverbs 31 woman does, outside of your own home.

Nancy DeMoss

We have experienced substantial joys in professional ministry, but nothing is quite so fulfilling as the personal joy of seeing family friends come to faith… The family is at the very heart of authentic ministry and evangelism. As ministry professionals, we hold the firm conviction that family is ministry and that the most effective spread of the gospel occurs through family. We are also convinced that we were never more effective in evangelism than when we had children at home.

Kent and Barbara Hughes
Disciplines of a Godly Family, Crossway, 2004, p. 86- 87

Biblical Motherhood

Christian motherhood means dedicating your entire life in service of others. It means standing beside your husband, following him, and investing in the lives of children whom you hope will both survive you and surpass you. It means forgoing present satisfaction for eternal rewards. It means investing in the lives of others who may never fully appreciate your sacrifice or comprehend the depth of your love. And it means doing all these things, not because you will receive the praise of man — for you will not — but because God made you to be a woman and a mother, and there is great contentment in that biblical calling.

In 1950, the great Scottish American preacher Peter Marshall stood before the United States Senate and he explained it this way:

The modern challenge to motherhood is the eternal challenge — that of being a godly woman. The very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other kind of women — beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career woman, talented women, divorced women, but so seldom do we hear of a godly woman — or of a godly man either, for that matter.
I believe women come nearer fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else. It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife than to be Miss America. It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is to produce a second-rate novel filled with filth. It is a far, far better thing in the realm of morals to be old-fashioned than to be ultramodern. The world has enough women who know how to hold their cocktails, who have lost all their illusions and their faith. The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right that socially correct.

These quotes were found in a wonderful article called The Rise and Fall of Motherhood in America.

Mother's Prayer

Last night I wrote a short poem that I thought I would share. Being a mother is the most humbling calling. I feel so unqualified to be a mother. I have so many imperfections. Doesn't my children deserve to have a perfect mother who never raises her voice, who always slows down to listen to the cares and concerns of young hearts, who is more disciplined at family devotions, who is more consistent with discipline instead of taking the easy road by ignoring or telling her children to just go play? Sometimes I feel like the only mother who fails, who messes up. I want more than anything to be the mother that God wants me to be and the mother my children deserve and need. As I'm helping my children grow, they are helping me grow. The only thing that brings me comfort and encourages me in the journey of motherhood is the fact that God works ALL things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to HIS purpose! God can work out all my character flaws, my failures, my shortcoming for His glory, for His good! That is the best news! I dont have to be perfect. It's my imperfections that make me realize I NEED the Lord... I can't live a single day of motherhood without Him. Thank-you Lord for your forgiveness, love, mercy, and wonderful GRACE!



Each day I try harder to be the mom I want to be,
But my constant imperfections keeps me in prayer upon my knees.
May my voice become sweeter instead of hurried and rough,
No one said it was easy- Motherhood is TOUGH!
May my heart enjoy serving without griping and grumbling,
Being a mother is a calling so humbling.
May my mind be encouraged by the Truth Your Word reveals
And not swayed by circumstances or how I seem to feel.
May my footsteps lead my children to the path of righteousness
May my actions be in tune with the faith that I profess.
May my feet not run to quickly as I do my chores each day
For little ones are waiting for mom to sit and play.
May my hands fold in prayer seeking guidance and grace
for You alone are God and for this I give You praise.
May my life be lived to raise the children You entrusted me
That their lives would honor You and bring to You glory.



Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Super Mom vs. Abiding Mom

Found this online without a name so I dont know who to give credit to, but felt it was worth sharing.


Does
Is (Psalm 46:10)

Tries to impress others
Pleases the Lord (Eph. 5:10, Proverbs 29:25)

Is controlled by an agenda (curriculum, schedule, etc)
Is controlled by the Holy Spirit: (Gal. 5:22-26) (Uses curriculum & schedules as tools for orderliness so she's more free to follow the spirit)

Her self worth is found in her accomplishments (clean house, perfect kids, the perfect bulletin boards, etc.)
Her self worth is found in an accurate view of who she is in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10)

Her peace is found in the “perfect” environment
Her peace is found in Jesus in the midst of any storm (Is 26:3)

She is discouraged by failure
Failure reminds her that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

She expects perfection from herself and others
She practices grace with herself and others (Eph 4:32)

She teaches her kids to be good
She teaches her kids to be Godly (Proverbs 22:6)

She is frustrated with her lack of spiritual fruit
She abides in Christ and bears much fruit (John 15:5)

She does things with her children
She builds a relationship with her children (Deut 6:6-7)

Her perspective is based on what is seen
Her perspective is based on what is unseen (Col 3:2)

She chooses quantity of activities
She chooses the most excellent Way (I Cor 13)

Embracing Your Role As Homemaker

It's not easy being a homemaker in todays culture. The very word "homemaker" is counter-cultural. The world considers those who choose to work at home as lazy, unproductive, wasting our time, talents, education. We receive no recognition from others for our hard work or salary for the long hours we put in, but we can guarantee that our reward is in heaven. None of our days sacrificed in serving others will go unnoticed by our Lord and Savior. Choosing to stay at home to raise your children is a decision that you will never look back and regret and neither will your children. You will never hear a child tell his mother that he wishes that she would have worked full time so that he could have spent his childhood at daycare. We live in a society where mothers have forsaken there God-given roles and pay others for jobs they simple "dont have the time for" in order for them to pursue more "important" tasks. We can pay someone to raise our chidren, pay someone to clean our house, pay someone to make our food, pay someone to do our laudry... the list goes on and on. I'm not saying all those things are bad in and of itself, but when we refuse to embrace God's calling for us as women we are saying to God that His plan for womanhood isn't relevant anymore, it isn't good enough. God's Ways are always perfect, always good. When we choose to do things our way or the world's way there will always be consequences. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are not serving God unless you put your ministry before your children. Raising Godly children that fear and love the Lord IS ministry! This should be your first priority. Rest in the season God has placed you because the season of raising little souls is fleeting and will pass quickly.
If we do nothing else well in this world, let us at least build well within our own doors.-JR Miller



Titus 2:1-5
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.


Here are some motherhood quotes you might enjoy:





When you cook nutritious, tasty meals for your family, you are pointing them to the One who feeds the hungry and who satisfies thirsty souls with Himself. You’re giving them an appetite for Him.
And when you go to the time and effort to be sure that your husband and your kids have adequate clothing that fits, you are pointing them toward the One who clothes us with His righteousness.
See, every aspect of homemaking is meant to reflect some spiritual, eternal truth that we’re trying to picture to our world.
When you maintain a clean home, an orderly home, you’re creating an atmosphere where your family can appreciate the value of being spiritually clean, cleansed from sin, and of having lives that are spiritually ordered. You’re teaching; you’re training not just to be clean and orderly because that is not a supreme, ultimate eternal virtue. It’s pointing them to virtues that are supreme and eternal. As you are homemaking what you are doing is creating a taste for our ultimate home in heaven.
We’re talking about homes that reflect the glory of God, the beauty of Christ, and that are havens and greenhouses and places where life can be cultivated and where people can grow and become like Christ and where the gospel can be manifested.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss




"To know the true state of a nation, look at the state of the Church. To know the true state of the Church, look at the families who populate her pews. To know the state of her families, look to the fathers who lead them. Destroy the vision of the father, and you render impotent the family, thus creating a chain reaction that will spread throughout civilization."

- Douglas W. Phillips

Family JR Miller
Pg. 118
The place in which He (Jesus)
was prepared for that mission was not in any of the fine schools of the world, but in a lowly home; not at the feet of rabbis and philosophers, but with his own mother for his teacher. What an honor does this fact put upon home! What a dignity upon motherhood!



Family J.R. Miller Pg.65-66
But it should be understood that for every wife the first duty is the making and keeping of her own home. Her first and best work should be done there, and till it is well done she has no right to go outside to take up other duties. She is to be a “worker at home.” She must look upon her home as the one spot on earth for which she alone is responsible, and which she must cultivate well for God if she never does anything outside. For her Father’s business is not attending Dorcas societies and missionary mettings, and mother’s meetings, and temperance conventions, or even teaching a Sunday-school class, until she has made her own home all the her wisest thought and best skill can make it.


There have been wives who in their zeal for Christ’s work outside have neglected Christ’s work inside their own doors. They have had eyes and hearts for human need and human sorrow in the broad fields lying far out, but neither eye nor heart for the work of love lain about their own feet. The result has been that while they were doing angelic work in the lanes and streets, the angels were mourning over their neglected duties within the hallowed walls of their own homes. While they were winning a place in the hearts of the poor or the sick or the orphan, they were losing their rightful place in the hearts of their own household. Let it be remembered that Christ’s work in the home is the first that he gives every wife, and that no amount of consecrated activities in other spheres will atone in this world or the next for neglect or failure there. JR Miller

Instilling God's Word In Our Children

Little minds are so impressionable! Instilling God's Word in our children takes effort, but is well worth the investment of our time. God says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17
that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. We are so grateful that God has blessed our family to be able to send our children to a christian school to receive a christian education. God has also blessed us with a great church and Sunday school teachers that teach our children the Word of God, but it is ultimately our job as parents to train up our children in the way they should go. So many times as parents we think we are doing our part just by sending our kids to a christian school or taking our children to church. Whoever spends the most time with your children has the greatest spiritual influence. Mothers- No one can parent and raise your children better than you can. God blessed you with the children you have because He chose YOU to train them, to lead them, to protect them. How tragic it would be to send our children out into the world without a solid foundation of scripture!
There are so many ways we can teach our children scripture. Several months ago I bought a small primitive looking chalk board and hung it in my kitchen. Each week I try to write a different scripture on it. The kids look forward to finding a new scripture written on it. Another thing I made was a scripture jar. I typed up several scriptures on colored paper, cut them out in strips, and folded them. I then put them in a cute little jar that I leave out on our window sill as a reminder. Each morning before we eat our breakfast I let each of the kids take out one verse and read it outloud. While we eat breakfast we discuss the verse and what God means by it and how it applies to our life. I'm sure you could come up with more creative ways than I did, but that's what works for us. If you have any creative tips on teaching children scripture please share them with me! I would be glad to hear them!


Deuteronomy 11:18-19
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.



At a very early age we put a spoon in the hand of a toddler, teaching him how to feed himself. We must do the same with the Word of God, teaching young hearts and minds how to draw life-giving and life-shaping truths from its pages. Kay Arthur Youniquely Woman pg. 226

If you fail, father, to teach your son to fear God, the devil will teach him to hate God. If you fail to teach your son to guard his mind, the devil will gladly teach him to have an open mind. If you fail to teach your son to obey his parents, the devil will teach him to rebel and break his parent’s heart. If you fail to teach your son to select his companions, the devil will gladly choose them for him. If you fail to teach your son to control his body, the devil will teach him to give it over completely to lust. If you fail to teach your son to enjoy the marriage partner that God has given him, the devil will teach him to destroy the marriage. If you fail to teach your son to watch his words, the devil will fill his mouth with filth. If you fail to teach your son to pursue his work, the devil will make his laziness a tool of hell. If you fail to teach your son to manage his money, the devil will teach him to waste it on riotous living. And if you fail to teach your son to love his neighbor, the devil will gladly teach him to love only himself.
John MacArthur
Crucial Lessons for a Wise Father, Selected Proverbs.

Rest

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Rest. Something the world considers as being lazy, idle, and unproductive. Most days I feel like I need to always be doing something, yet God says it is a good thing to rest. We all NEED those quiet times, those moments of peace where we can be alone with God and replenish our strength from Him. As Nancy Leigh Demoss says, "You have to drink of Him before you can pour out into others’ lives." So true! Whenever I neglect resting in the Lord I find myself snapping at my husband and kids and living my day feeling drained instead of replenished. I often feel like I am running on empty. Instead of running faster and trying harder I need find rest in Jesus and let Him be the satisfier of my thirsting soul!
Being a wife and mother of 3 is hard work! Alot of days I tell myself that I don't have time to rest. That I just have to much to do and that I have to keep going in order to get everything I need to get done, done. I continue living my day in my own strength and end up frustrated, tired, with nothing left to give to my family. I believe the reason so many mothers are overwhelmed with the daily duties of motherhood is because we don't begin our day with Jesus. We wake up and tackle the day on our own, in our own strength, but our strength will never be enough. We might spend our days being busy, but there is a difference in being busy and being fruitful. We cannot live a fruitful life apart from Christ. Only through abiding in Him can our lives produce fruit. How often we plan our own steps, goals, dreams, and how we spend our precious time. When was the last time you asked the Lord what HIS plans, dreams, and goals for your day was? I am speaking to myself as I'm writing this because I'm guilty in not seeking the Lord's will as I begin each day. I usually read my Bible at the end of the day before bed, but have realized that this is not what God wants for me. He wants me to BEGIN each day with Him. God's yoke is EASY and His burden is LIGHT! God wants us to find rest for our souls in HIM. We wont find true rest for our souls by reading a good book, having a break from the kids, getting the house in order, or by getting more sleep. Come to the only One who can give you the rest your soul yearns for!
Lord, as I begin each day help me to seek Your will and not live according to my own plans. Your word says that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Help me to weed out the things in our family that do not produce fruit. Lead me to still waters and help others to see the reflection of Jesus living in me. Amen.

Mark 6:31
31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."


Psalm 127:2
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

A Missionary's Vision

After marriage God called me to the mission field -
A little bundle needing all my care,
A disciple in touch with my life, obedient to all he hears.
Then came some more all in a row.
Everywhere I went, six little arrows in tow.
God had to call me again to His mission field.
I answered, "To China, to Africa, to Israel, oh where?"
His voice was clear, soft and gentle. My ministry arranged -
"My child, you are to polish our arrows,
Preparing them for My call to spread my
Words of life for other nations to see."
"Lord," I cried, "Loneliness surrounds my soul,
No other woman stands with me answering your call.
The sacrifice is great."
Women give way to another's voice, pulling them away
from their home, far from the quiver."
Once more I pleaded, "May I go too, Lord, I feel the call
To share with the lost, Life giving words,
To feed the hungry a satisfying meal."
"My child," Jesus replied, "You share with your
children salvation and truth.
Feed them meals under your roof.
Discipline them, train them and then lie down in peace,
For sacrificial love have you given to make the world right.
Arise in the morning, open My book,
Teach them into My eyes they must look."
"Yes, Lord, I replied, "But should I serve you in a more obvious way?"
"Child, my sweet child," God spoke once more.
I anointed you to do this work - the high calling of Motherhood.
To show our children the need for my love."
"Lord,", I sought out, still not fully convinced,
"Should I sew for those in thread barren clothes, a Dorcas, a Martha?"
"Sit at my feet, my child, listen to me.
Your daughter needs dresses, your sons warm shirts,
The button of your husband's coat still lies on the table.
Pick up your mantle, the rod of Aaron.
Lead my women back to their home.
"Yes, Lord." Filled and content, I took my position in God's mission field.
Hungry faces graced my bedside.
Clothed in God's mantle, children at my side,
I prepared breakfast.

----Paula Muller of Brodnax, Va

Time Wasters

Have you ever found yourself wishing there were more hours in the day? The responsibilities we have as a wife and mother can often feel overwhelming; especially if we’re not using our time wisely. I know I am definitely guilty of this. We live in a day and age where there is countless distractions that can easily woo us and steal our time and energy away from what really matters. Time is a gift. We only have one life to live and every second, every breath should count. If you are finding yourself overwhelmed because you’re not able to keep up with the everyday demands of being a wife and mother ask God to show you the “time wasters” you have in your life that you need to weed out to make time for what really matters. Some time wasters that I have found in my own life is spending to much time on the computer (checking email, facebook, twitter), talking on the phone, reading books, saying “yes” to projects that I should really be saying “no” to, watching t.v., and sometimes just the act of being to busy. God never told us to be busy, but to be fruitful. I have learned that just because my phone rings doesn’t mean that I have to answer it. I have caller id so I can easily go over who called at a later time. Sometimes time wasters can be disguised as something good, but not be good in the particular season of your life. I remember spending a lot of my time reading christian books. Although there is nothing wrong with reading christian books, I was neglecting my housework, cooking meals for my family, and spending quality time with my husband. If we are neglecting the needs of ourselves, our families, or others then we need to carefully consider how we are spending each hour of our days. Don’t let the world ever fool you into thinking that motherhood isn’t a sacred calling that we should take seriously. Caring for the needs of our family is never a waste of time. We will all be held responsible before God how we nurtured our children and loved our husbands. How we spend our time should be an investment. Time spent living for self is time wasted.
Time spent living to glorify God, loving and serving others reaps eternal rewards. Ask God to help you discern the season of life that you are in and how you can weed out the time wasters that steal the gift of time.

His Grace Is Enough For Me

Each day I wake up determined to be a good mother to my children. I am fully aware how significant my role is as a mother and want to make sure I do my very best raising the three blessings that God has generously given to me. With that awareness also brings great fear and apprehension. I repeatedly remind myself that I only have one chance at raising my children which prompts me to ask myself a mile long list of questions.
Am I good mother? What actually is a “good” mother? Am I being a Godly example to my children? As I’ve heard “ children will learn more from watching our behavior than they will by hearing our words.” Sadly, I’m not always being a Godly example. My kids often hear me complaining when I don’t get my way, speaking words that are unkind, and worrying instead of trusting. It’s so easy to tell my children not to worry, that God is in complete control in every situation; but so very hard to listen to my own words and truly believe them. So often I feel like I need to be doing more as a mother. Reading more stories, making more memories, starting more traditions, baking more nutritious meals, spending more quality time together, being more organized, being more fun, going more places with them, having more family devotions, talking more about Jesus. The list goes on and on.
Not only do I struggle with the desire to always do more as a mother, but it carries over into my walk with God. I feel like I should be serving more, studying more, praying more, trusting more, loving more. Honestly I really need to be doing more of a lot of these things, but not from a motive rooted in fear of not doing enough, but out of a love rooted in Jesus. No matter how hard I seem to try to be a perfect mother I always fall short and I always will. But whose standards am I really trying to live up to in the first place? My own, the worlds, or God’s?
I believe that God wants me to measure myself by His standards and to realize that I am a work in progress. He wants me to learn that I can do nothing apart from Him and only through Him, abiding in Him can I be the mother He has called me to be. I’m not perfect and He doesn’t expect me to be. If I was able to reach perfection, I wouldn’t need a Savior. I’m starting to realize that my children as well as myself can learn from my imperfections. I‘m learning how to humble myself, admit my mistakes, and ask for forgiveness from my children. My children already know that I’m not perfect and make mistakes. It’s only when I acknowledge my weaknesses and failures that I can begin to draw strength from the Lord and teach my children to do the same. My children don’t want to see perfection in my life, but authenticity. So I am beginning to realize my job as a mother isn’t to be perfect, but to point them to the One who is.