Gracious Lips

"Hear: for I will speak of excellent things:

and the opening of my lips

shall be right things."

(Proverbs 8:6)

Only God's Word is excellent and right.

Therefore; we need to make sure we are full of it

and speaking it in grace and beauty to others.

~

Only through daily immerson in the scriptures

and through daily prayer and meditation

will we be able to speak

"pleasant words that are as an honeycomb,

sweet to the soul,

and health to the bones."

(Proverbs 16:24)

Honey is good - and good for us.

Did you know that honey is used in the Bible

as the supreme symbol of the Word of God?

So, God's Word is both good, and good for us!

So are pleasant words.

~

But what are pleasant words?

When they are words of encouragement,

counsel, edification, sympathy,
(to name a few)

they are sweet.

If we are to be satisfied and spiritualy healthy,

then we must drink deep of God's honey.

"Right things" flow from a heart

that is full of God's Word.

~

How beautiful and pleasing to God,

when the words we speak

are right, pleasant and fitly spoken.

"A word fitly spoken is like

apples of gold in settings of silver"

(Proverbs 25:11)

"Fitly spoken" - we should choose our words well.

Are they in good taste, in control and with grace?

Because rotten apples are a disgrace

to our Holy and Righteous God.

~

Words are critical;

they can heal or wound;

they can edify or destroy.

Unloving words are like darts that pierce the heart.

How easy it is to blurt out words

that we may later regret.

~

James chapter 3 is excellent in teaching us how to control the tongue.

James is saying, "how can we bless God

and curse men?

In verse 10 James tells us

"My brethren, these things ought not so to be."

In verse 11 James asks?

"Doth a fountain send forth at the same place

sweet water and bitter?"

Learning to control our tongue

seems almost imposible-but not according to the Word of God.

Take heart ladies,

All things are possible with Christ, through His Word, and by His Spirit.

Wouldn't it be glorious if we were so saturated
with the Word of God,
that when we spoke it would be the scriptures
that we were quoting, naturally?
~
Philippians 4:8 tells us to "think on these things"
"Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things."

~

If we were to purpose in our hearts

to do as this verse tells us to do,

how could we not speak in love one to another?

Just with that verse alone,

our hearts and minds would be full of sweet honey

that would flow graciously out of our lips.

~

I would encourage you to look up each of those words

in the dictionary and see their definition.

Here's a little taste to get you started.

Lovely:  Delicately beautiful ~ beautiful in moral or spiritual character ~

gracious ~ highly pleasing ~ fine ~

Such qualities in loveliness,

who would't desire this!

~

Our precious Heavenly Father,

by Your grace impower us to open our lips

so as to speak right things that would

heal, edify, encourage and bless

the lives of others,

bringing honor and glory to You.

Draw us to Your Word daily

that we might drink deeply

filling our hearts and minds

with what is good, right and pleasing unto You.

Amen.

Be lovely!

~Debbie~



He is Worthy

I would love to share with you what my Precious Lord, and Savior had for me leading up to Easter.

Yes, Easter has come and gone,

but the message of the trial, crucifixion, burial and victory in it all, 

should always be in our hearts as well as lived out in our lives. 

Some of you dear ladies had tremendous posts honoring and glorifying

our risen Savior, thank you!

" Heaven came down and glory filled my soul "

That is what happened in my life 31 years ago

when I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Have I heard the Easter story in those 31 years? Yes in deed!

Do I tire of it? Not at all!

But this year God had something new and wonderful for me!

Something I have heard and read many times over

in that Easter story.

Through God's Word I saw a glimpse of Mary Magdalene's life

after she was "healed" by Jesus.

( Not to be confused with the woman who anointed Jesus' head in Luke 7:37

or Mary the sister of Lazarus)

" And certain women, which had been healed

of evil spirits and infirmities,

Mary called Magdalene, out of whom

went seven devils."

Mary Magdalene, came from a city on the sea of Galilee called Magdala,

so "Magdalene" became her surname.

Mary was considered a woman of ill repute, because she came from 

a city with a repution for prostitution.

But, the Bible presents her as a pure,

though deeply afflicted, woman.

After Jesus healed her, she became one of the Lord's

most dedicated disciples,

remaining with Him throughout His

trial, crucifixion and burial.

This is where the hand of God takes hold of my heart.

~

This Mary, the Bible says;

 "Followed Him and ministered unto Him" (Mark 15:41)

What joy must have filled her heart as she ministered to Jesus!

~

This Mary,

"Stood afar off, beholding these things" (Luke 23:49)

I don't know about you, but for me,

my heart is greatly moved when I reflect

on all that took place at the cross for a lost and dying world.

~

The unfair trial...

The cruelty of the crucifixion...

The suffering and anguish as the Son of God, hung on that cross...

The cross that was made out of a tree that He had created.

Darkness that was over all the land and God had to forsake His Son... 

~

Mary Magdalene watched from a distance,

as her Savior, endured the cross.

The Christ who had healed her,,

the Christ, who transformed her life into something beautiful.

"Herein is love, not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son to be the propitiation

for our sins."

(1 John 4:10)

~

This Mary,

" Was the first to see the empty tomb" (Mark 16:9)

~

This Mary,

"Was one of the first to worship the risen Christ" (Matthew 28:9)

"And as they went to tell his disciples,

behold, Jesus met them,

saying, All hail  ~  Rejoice! 

And they came and held him by the feet,

and worshiped him."

What a beautiful picture!

These words say it all;

"They held Him by His feet, and worshiped Him."

Absolutly possitively powerful!

Those words were both convicting and challanging to my heart.

I desire nothing more than to follow after the Christ, who died for me,

and to bow my heart in worship to a Holy and Righteous God,

who is worthy of all my praise.

~

 This Mary,

had an assignment from Jesus,

"Go to my brethren" and tell them the news. (John 20:21)

Jesus commanded His followers

not only to pray but to go out and serve and witness.

In (Matthew 28:16-20) we are given the "Great Commission"

to go... and make disciples,

baptizing them and

teaching them to obey. 

~

God is seeking believers who know that nothing

is impossible with Him.

He wants disciples who willingly follow with full trust in the Savior.

He wants us to take on His commision.

He formed us to do the impossible through His power,

and he wants us to be a part of the going and telling.

And let us not forget,

"lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Our precious Heavenly Father,

may we, like Mary Magdalene,

allow you to heal and change our hearts.

Give us a passion to follow after Thee,

to bow our hearts in worship and adoration of who you are.

And by Your power and for Your sake, through the Spirit,

may we obey Your command

taking the Gospel , in love, to a lost and dying world.

Amen.

Be Lovely!

Debbie

Servants Prepared for Service

" I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty,

and of thy wondrous works!"

~ Psalm 145:5 ~

In my last post I shared with you how we should be
 "vessels fit for the Master"

clean, empty and available.

~ 2 Timothy 2:21 ~

Now to be vessels honorable for the Master, in the lives of

our family's ~ neighbor's ~ friends ~

and even strangers God brings across our paths.

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

that the exellency of the power

may be of God, and not of us."

~ 2 Corinthians 4:7 ~

This is the exciting part!

As believers we are simply a jar of clay.

It is the treasure within the vessel that gives the vessel it's value.

Isn't that the most beautiful promise of God?

~ Acts 9:15 God said of Paul ~

"Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me,

go bear my name before the Gentiles,

and kings, and the children of Israel"

We must focus on the treasure and not the vessel (ourselves).

We are "earthen vessels" so that we might depend on God's power

and not our own.

This treasure of the gospel is currently contained within the
frail, fragile and fickle bodies of the redeemed.
When we allow ourselves to be servants prepared for service ~ 2 Timothy 2:21 ~
God's glory will shine through our humanity ~ and
it will be seen as His power, not ours.

God has beautifully fashioned each one of us to be uniquely different.

He wants us to be useable as His servants in the lives of others.

Like these beautiful bottles/ jars/ vases of mine 

they come in all shapes sizes and colors

made for different uses.
Some vessels may be chipped and broken, yet still useable.

" For thou hast possessed my reins; 

thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvelous are thy works:

and that my soul knoweth right well.

My substance was not hid from thee,

when I was made in secret,

and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance,

yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned

when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!

how great is the sum of them."

~ Psalm 139:13-17 ~

Oh the beauty of God's hand in each one of our lives.
May we rejoice with one another!

Then; as God's vessels unto honor, life will not always be easy.

Paul was not afraid of suffering or trial

because he knew God would guard the vessel. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:8 ~

What a beautiful promise; God guards the vessel.

God permits trials, He controls trials, and he uses trials and sufferings for His own glory.

Sometimes God permits our vessels to be shaken up

so that some of the "treasure"

will spill out and touch the lives of others.

When we ourselves have gone through suffering or a trial,

 God will use us to lovingly minister to hearting hearts
who may be going through what we ourselves went through.

Blessings come through pain, and God's glory shines in suffering ~ 2 Timothy 2:10 ~
through those who have given themselves to His use.
We are all different, and each of our lives has a story to tell.
It is God's love that is poured into the vessel,
and it will be His love that is poured out
into other lives.
We just have to be willing vessels, with a servants heart, desiring to be used.

May we be as Paul and see that

" the excellency of the power may be of God and not of ourselves."

All that we are ~ all that we have become ~ and all that we will be
is of the power of God, and NOT of ourselves.
May we rest in knowing that God will guard us,
He will prepare us, and He will use us for His service
so that we can graciously and lovingly
minister to others for His glory.

Our Precious Heavenly Father,

make us servants useful for Your service.

Help us to graciously accept who You created us to be

keeping our focus on the treasure, and not ourselves.

Give us a thankful heart

for whatever may come into our lives

so that we may be ready and prepared

by Your power to minister in the lives of others.

To God be the Glory.

Amen

Be lovely,

~ Debbie ~

~
I'm joining in with
Roses of Inspiration



Vessels Useful to the Master

What a glorious day it is, my dear friends!

" Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I must first thank each and every one of you for your precious visit here with my first post,

my, you blessed my heart greatly!

I got to see and experience for myself
what each of you describe here in the blogging community - love.

Isn't it just beautiful that we can meet genuine women who love the Lord

out there through the computer all around the world.

What a HUGE God we have!

Just to let you know, I plan to post every Wednesday for now.

I may begin posting a little more often later, but for now, just Wednesdays.

Vessels Useful to the Master

Wouldn't it be beautiful if we graced our homes as the "earthen vessels"
that God has designed us to be?

It is attainable you know.

If we read and apply the Word of God to our lives, God's grace is sufficient
and He will transform us into His likeness.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
( Ephesians 2:8-10)

We need to be empty, clean and available vessels for God's service.

By His grace He will take us and fill us to use for his glory.

We will then be useful for the Master.

What a tremendous honor!

"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor,

sanctified, and meet for the master's use,

and prepared unto every good work."

(2 Timothy 2:21)

When we, as God's glorious vessels, are filled with sin or defiled by disobedience,

He will first have to "purge" us. OUCH!

That is not always the most enjoyable experience,

but needed by the Master's loving hand to be all that He desires us to be.

By His grace, He must "prepare us unto every good work."

Purging:  to cleanse - to purify by separating - carrying off impurities.

You see, it's needed in order to be fit for the Master's use.

But oh... God is gracious and gentle as He does the preparing and the transforming.

" Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,

faith, charity, peace,

with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

God's Word tells us to FLEE youthful lusts. RUN!!

Then He tells us to FOLLOW after righteousness, faith, charity and peace,

with them that call on the Lord with a pure heart.

His instructions are very clear, and they are attainable by His grace poured upon us.

Why would we not want all those beauties in our lives?

I have some jars in my collection that will NOT come clean

no matter what I use as a cleanser

or how hard I clean them.

They refuse to be "purged !"

Do you ever find yourself like that?

Fighting God all the way and yet, in His love towards us, He is ever so gentle.

"With purpose of heart" (Acts 11:23)

" Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God,

was glad and exorted them all,

that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."

Oh that we as God's vessels would cleave unto the Lord and live for Him on purpose.
That we would be still and sit at the feet of Jesus,
allowing Him to transform our lives into the vessels He wants us to be.

Let us purpose in our heart to follow after righteousness, faith, charity and peace,
so that we can grace our homes in the beauty of God.

Our precious Heavenly Father,

grant us the grace as Your earthen vessels,

to be empty, to be clean, fit and available

to serve you in our homes where  You have placed us.

Grace us with Your beauty, so that through our lives You may be glorified.

Amen

Be Lovely!

~ Debbie ~

A Mother's Joy

A Mother's Joy

One of my joyous roles is that of a mother,

graced in God's goodness with two very beautiful daughters.

As I celebrate Spring I also celebrate the birthday of my youngest daughter,

Stephanie, from The Enchanting Rose

Happy Birthday, Dear Stephanie!

"The garden of God's little girl-how grand!

It began with a dream, a prayer, a plan.

Nothing this splendid just happens, we know:

It takes time and care for flowers to grow."

       -Elizabeth George-

This blog is in honor first and foremost, of my God. It belongs to Him.

In His perfect leading and design this blog was created.

"For without Him, I can do nothing." (John 15:5)

For without Stephanie, I am helpless!

Over the last two years I have watched Stephanie touch many lives through her blog.

I have met ladies around the globe, both young and old,

through The Enchanting Rose that I have become dear friends with.

This post - my first - is in honor of my dear daughter,

my little girl who grew up to be my friend.

I thought it was perfectly fitting to begin my journey in "blog land"

on her special day, as she has been my inspiration and encourager every step of the way.

Mother,

"I never tell you enough how much I love you and how thankful I am for you.

You have truly been a blessing and joy in my life, and you always will be!

You labor to make your home a place of comfort, happiness, warmth,

and most importantly, LOVE.

You rise early in the morning to spend time meditating in God's Word

and you prayerfully seek the Lord in every direction of your life.

You are not ashamed of Christ and what He has done for you,

but rather you proclaim His love and joyfully tell

others about Christ.

His light is always shinning in and through you.

You may be my mother and you may be 27 years older than me,

but you are my very close and best friend!

You will forever be in  my heart as my Mother and Friend

who is always there for me with her arms wide open with love

and who always has a caring and compassionate heart.

A mother and a friend who always has a gentle and meek spirit,

who willingly humbles herself before the Lord.

A mother and friend who desires to teach her children

and grandchildren about Jesus Christ and His Holy Word.

A mother and friend who always has a listening ear

and encouraging words to help me through my struggles.

The list could go on, but to sum it all up,

you are a Proverbs 31 Woman, and my prayer is that as I grow older

I will be just like you!

You are my role model and I thank the Lord everyday

for giving me you as my Mother and as my Friend.

Thank you for being such a wonderful example in my life!

I love you With All My Heart!

Stephanie

This was a gift from Stephanie placed in a frame

and surrounded by photo's of herself in her growing up years.

I received this precious gift for Mother's Day when Stephanie was 17 years old.

"You are a Proverbs 31 Woman and my prayer is that as I grow older

I will be just like you!

You are my role model and I thank the Lord

everyday for giving me you as my Mother

and my Friend.

Thank you for being such a wonderful example in my life!"

These were Stephanie's heart felt words to her mother.

She had a desire to follow the example of whom she saw as a Proverbs 31 Woman

(I fall short by the way)

She desired to be a woman that God teaches us we can all be.

Stephanie allowed the hand of God to mold her and make her what she is today.

What an honor as her mother to see her life reflect Christ.

I chose this as my first post as I begin this new journey,

"With purpose of heart" (Acts 11:23)

because it sets the stage, if you will,

for the purpose of this blog.

As women, the Bible instructs us to "teach the young women" (Titus 2)

to be godly role models as we live out the Word of God.

Is it an easy task? Not at all.
But it is attainable through the grace of God.

He is the one who works in and through us when we allow Him too. (Philippians 4:13)

As we reflect Christ in the lives of others,

He receives all the honor and glory due His name.

Thank you Heavenly Father,

for the gift of Your Son, and the salvation we can have through Him.

May we as women desire to follow after You,

and live our lives for Your glory