Sunday, April 26, 2015

Grace and Reflections for a Women's Heart # 7

~ A Look Into Proverbs ~

"For the Lord giveth wisdom:
out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
(Proverbs 2:6)

~~~***~~~

Proverbs contains the very wisdom of God
given to show us the value
of living prudently ~ or to be cautious


~ Righteousness can be ours ~

"He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
findeth life, righteousness, and honor."
(Proverbs 21:21)

~~~***~~~

What ever we seek in life, we tend to find it.
It may be personal happiness,
financial gain, popularity, frivolities 
or even others greater than these.
According to Matthew 6:33 we are to seek after righteousness
and everything else we desire will be added to us.
***
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you."

~~~***~~~

Jesus describes in His Word that true and vital
righteousness begins internally ~ in the heart.
Our Christian character should flow from within.
It is from a heart that seeks
"first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness."
We should turn to Him first, fill our thoughts
with His desires, so as to take His character
for the pattern of our lives. We should choose to serve and obey
Him in everything. We should hunger and thirst
after righteousness.
***
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst
after righteousness,
for they shall be filled."
(Matthew 5:6)


Years ago I heard these words from a Pastor;
What ever you want in your spiritual life
you can have it. Your spiritual growth depends
on the choices you make."
I have never forgotten those wise words. 
I remember telling my daughters
when they were young;
"Every moment of every day we have choices to make.
You can choose to do right or wrong,
but the choice is yours.
Our choices can either hurt or harm us."

~~~***~~~

If I want it, I can have a close walk with God, or NOT.
If I want to do God's will I can choose to, or NOT.
If I want to grow spiritually I can, or NOT.
If I want a good marriage I can have it, or NOT.
If I want to change my bad habit's
and destructive patterns I can, or NOT.
The choice is up to us.

~~~***~~~

What is important to you?
People, things, places, goals and other desires
will compete for priority.
It is easy to move God to the side lines
and take Him out of first place in our lives
if we don't actively choose to give Him first place
in every area of our lives.

~~~***~~~

We are to keep ourselves pure, draw close to God,
and He will draw close to us.
***
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts,
ye double minded."
(James 4:8)
***
If we do not choose to fill our lives with God,
we will fill it with something else.
It's easy to get trapped in the snare of excuses
and live in bondage rather than risk it all on Jesus.


How can we draw near to God and choose righteousness?
James chapter 4 verses 8 through 10 instructs us wisely;
Submit to God (verse 7) see your need of forgiveness,
and be willing to follow Him.
Resist the devil (verse 7) don't allow him to entice
and tempt you.
Cleanse your hands and purify your hearts (verse8)
that is, lead a pure life. Be cleansed from sin,
replacing it with God's purity.
Who wouldn't want His purity?
Weeping over our sin (verse 9) there needs to be sorrow
over our sins. I love Psalm 51 for this ~
David was sorry for his sin.
Are we sorry enough to STOP sinning against
a Holy and Righteous God?
Humble ourselves (verse 10) one of the hardest things for us to do
is to "humble" ourselves before God.
When we do, He will lift us up.  (1Peter 5:6)

~~~***~~~

It all begins with a seeking heart.
If we choose to put God's will
and God's righteousness first in our lives,
He will take care of everything else for us.
What a testimony of Christ living in us
when we choose first,
His righteousness.

~~~***~~~

Draw us unto Thee, Heavenly father.
May we hunger and thirst after Your righteousness
in every area of our lives.
Remind us, Holy Spirit,
that consequences surround each choice
that we make.
Amen.

Praising my Jesus!
~ Debbie ~ 

I'm joining Stephanie's party at
Roses of Inspiration 
And JES at
The Art of Home Making Mondays 
 

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I find myself so encouraged by your posts Debbie... since becoming sick, His will is constant in my life. It took this trial to see where my life was going....away from Him, without my knowledge really. Then He brought me closer to Himself...Oh, may I never leave His side!

Have a blessed Sunday Sweet Lady :0) mari

Anonymous said...

This is such a beautiful and inspirational blog. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and encouragement.
Shirley in Virginia

Home Meadows said...

Thank you for sharing your heart. I enjoy reading your posts. Have a blessed Lord's day, Heather

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

AMEN. I want this more and more as I see that the world, though a gift of a place to live, is filled with bad choices. I don't want to add to that horrible collection of human folly, but to store up my treasures with HIM. Thanks, Debbie! Anita

Sylvia said...

Heartfelt post and verses from God's word this morning. Thanks Debbie for your encouraging blog post!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

This was such a lovely, heartfelt and encouraging post this morning.

Thank you ~ FlowerLady

NanaDiana said...

A beautiful post, Debbie. I would say you advised your daughters well- proof in the pudding? Look at Steph(anie)....lol xo Diana

Anne Payne said...

Wow. During my prayer time this morning, this is what I was praying, almost exact! The Lord is using your words of encouragement, Debbie, for affirmation. {{hugs}}

Geneva said...

Thank you for sharing your heart in such a beautiful way ... Heaven only knows the lives who have been impacted by your simple obedience. xo

Linda said...

Dear Debbie,

Thank you so much for this beautiful and inspirational post. God bless you and I pray that your weekend has been good and that the coming will be great.

CherylQuilts said...

Dearest Debbie, thank you for these encouraging words and Scripture! May we each continue to strive to please Him in ALL that we do. We do have choices each and every day, and may we ask Him each morning (and throughout the day) to guide us to do what will glorify Him, not ourselves. Thank you for modeling and encouraging a woman's heart for God. Hugs, precious friend!

Linda said...

What a beautiful post, thank you. Exactly what I needed to read. Blessings

Celestina Marie said...

Dear Debbie, Love this post. All so true and important in our world today.
Your words and scripture so inspiring and perfect for this Lord's Day.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and encouagement.

So glad that Ginny visited you. She is a beautiful christian and a blogger I had the blessing to meet in person several years ago. We have been friends along time now and so glad you have meet her as well.

Thank you for sharing the story of the ironware too. You are too sweet.
Have a great week ahead my friend.
Hugs and Blessings, CM
p.s. love your new beautiful photo too.

Anonymous said...

Hi Debbie, Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts and these verses. I hope you have enjoyed the weekend and that the week ahead will be filled with blessings. xo

Anonymous said...

Debbie, thank you for sharing from your heart with us!

Stephanie said...

Good evening, mom :) It was very refreshing to my heart to come visit you and read these touching words.

I kid you not, I was thinking about the choices we make just this morning. While I played the organ at church my mind was swirling with these thoughts...the choices we make...the consequences they can have...the joy they can bring... Yes, I remember you telling me OFTEN that the choices we make today will in some way effect tomorrow.

The Scripture you used was simply perfect and oh so encouraging - thank you! Thank you for your words of wisdom and your beautiful, godly testimony.

By the way, your new picture on your sidebar is lovely! You are such a lady :) Love you! I need to get ready for the evening service at church.

Vicky Hunt said...

Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your wisdom with us Debbie. This post was such a good reminder that the choices we make today will in one way or another affect tomorrow. I hope you are doing well sweet friend. Have a blessed week.

Hugs, Vicky

Beth said...

Dearest DEbbie, bless you for these wise and beautiful words you shared from Proverbs today...
I decided to come to your blog for refreshment this morning with my morning cuppa and I can truly tell you that I feel encouraged and motivated to continue 'Fighting the Good Fight for Christ'!
Praying you have a richly blessed and lovely week!
Giving God all the Glory,
Kelly-Anne

Sola Scriptura said...

Amen. Thank you for this post, it's a lovely read to start my day.

Kim said...

So many gems of wisdom here, Debbie. They are like an armful of hugs!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Precious words to cheer, guide and lighten the way ..each day, dear Debbie...
When you asked what I wanted I. Our Christian walk the verse of Rom.5:1 "...peace with God"..came to mind. ..."through our LORD Jesus Christ".
We are so rich in the Lrd, may we never lose sight of this.
Shaz in Oz.x

Ceil said...

Hi Debbie! "What ever we seek in life, we tend to find it." That is so true. When I have a negative attitude, then that's what I'm going to see. And it's my choice, as you so beautifully wrote.

I want to choose to be happy and connected to God. I know that God will answer that prayer. It's up to me to look in the right direction though!
Love your photo on the sidebar. You're beautiful!
Ceil

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh Debbie, I loved this post. However, I must say, each one you write is always my favorite! I just recently finished reading Matthew, and I enjoyed you sharing some of his verses. Yes, we do have choices, and it's up to our free will, to make those choices. Thank you for your wisdom. Love and hugs!

Dee said...

Debbie, your posts always encourage me. You have such a wonderful way with words and your knowledge of God's word is so beautiful to me. Thank you for sharing this message.

Have a wonderful week... :)

Debby Ray said...

I am so sorry I am just now getting to read this beautiful post...but it spoke so much to my heart right now at this very moment, possibly more now than if I would have read it a busier time...God's perfect timing! Oh Debbie, this is the desire of my heart as well! Thank you for being such a wonderful inspiration and blessing to me! And yes I did notice that new photo of you, sweet friend...you're such a beauty :)

Huckleberry stitches said...

What a beautiful reminder! It is easy to get caught. Up in the business of life and " do thing ourselves" and nothing comes out right. Thank you for this....may I have permission to print this up and share with my ladies in Bible study?

Huckleberry stitches said...

Oh and PS....I love your new picture, your very pretty!

Cranberry Morning said...

Debbie, I certainly can see where Stephanie gets her ability to make lovely things. I enjoyed your post today. God's Word soothes, encourages, convicts, corrects, and gives us such joy to live by. Have a wonderful day.

hobbyloes said...

Hi Debbie, I always enjoy reading your lovely posts.
It warms my heart.
Have a blessed day !

Kim said...

Very edifying! Thanks, Debbie! We've been reading about King David's life lately and he was such a great lover of God's righteousness. When I think of a modern day David I think of Keith Green. Such a life he lived!

Mindy said...

Such wisdom and inspiration from Scripture and your words here. How true that our hearts will be filled with something else if we choose not to fill them with God. A choice we make daily. Happy weekend Ms. Debbie!

JES said...

Thank you for sharing this gentle encouragement on the Art of Home-Making Mondays. I am always refreshed after my visits here!

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