Waiting Times Should be Productive Times

God can use waiting times for His glory and our good if we will allow Him. I have been learning that waiting times are and should be used as praying times, preparing times, and a time of trust and growth.

Waiting times should be preparing times. While we wait, God can use it to prepare us and grow us for what He has next in our lives. If we use it wisely and are open to learning what He wants to teach us during this season, we can one day look back on it with much growth and blessings.

Waiting times should also be praying times. This is another way to prepare and is one way that prepares us best. We should be praying about our desires for the future, casting all our anxieties at His feet and bringing to Him everything specifically.

Lastly, waiting times are times of trust. It is a time God can grow our faith in who He is and the promises of His Word.

Waiting times should not just simply be idle times of waiting for what we hope is next; waiting should be productive times used for God's glory. May we pursue active waiting as we trust God with our future and pray and prepare!

Worth 33 minutes of your time....

The Essential Tool of Evangelism

If you ask most Americans if they are aware that Jesus Christ died on the cross, you would find that a majority would say that they are. Though it is a blessing that this truth is not foreign today in America, the tragedy, however, is that many do not truly understand why. This problem is evident in the indifferent and unchanged lives of those who not only reject the gospel, but also those who claim it. No longer emphasizing sin, repentance, and the judgment to come, the root of this problem can be found in the modern methods of evangelism and the exclusion of giving the Law. Since the Ten Commandments are no longer being used to prepare a heart for the Good News, we are missing the essential tool that God has intended to show a person why he needs a Savior. Because the Law is what reveals our sin, drives us to Christ, and protects the gospel message, we must use it before giving the Good News so people will more likely come to Christ.

The Law, or Ten Commandments, is a forgotten yet essential tool of evangelism. It was used by Jesus (John 7:19-23), Paul (Romans 2:20-24), and James (2:10-11), and was also regularly promoted by great Christians of old including: Charles Spurgeon, John Newton, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, John Bunyan, and Martin Luther, to show people how desperately they needed Christ.

One of God’s purposes of creating the Law was for it to work in harmony with the Gospel (Galatians 3:21). While the Law was never able to save a person (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 7:19) and can never justify anyone (Galatians 2:16), God created it for sinners (1 Timothy 1:9-11; Galatians 3:19), to work alongside the gospel and to prepare a heart for grace. It is a missing tool that needs to be brought back in our gospel presentation for many reasons.

The first reason we must include the Law in our evangelism is because it reveals to a person their sin. In a culture where most believe they are essentially good and heaven-bound, the first step to give the gospel is to break people of this deceit and show that they are instead sinful creatures under God’s wrath. The Law is important because the Scripture tell us that “by the Law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20).” Paul also said that he did not know sin before he knew the Law (Romans 7:7). To show a person his sin, we must show him the Law because it functions to unveil the condition of the sinful human heart. This is a vital because unless a person sees and understands his sin, he cannot and will not repent from it and therefore cannot be saved.

While the modern gospel message will usually mention “sin”, this general reference is not enough for the spiritually dead to understand. The Mark Cahill, in his book, One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven, rightly argues:

When mentioning sin, most believers cite Romans 3:23, which says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." For the lost to understand this verse, they need a definition of what "sin" is....to know sin, we must know what the Ten Commandments are (111-112).

The Law is incredible because it specifically defines sin for us. 1 John 3:4 says: “sin is the transgression of the Law.” The Bible also tells us that sin is unrighteousness (1 John 5:17), which is anything that does not conform to God’s standards that the Law reveals. Most people do not truly understand what sin really implies and shrug their short comings as “being only human.” The Law, however, gets down to the wire, showing the person exactly what he has done wrong, how he has specifically offended God, and that he has sinned. As a person sees detailed commands in the Law that he knows he has broken, sin will make sense as he sees his guilt before a holy God.

The Law not only shows what sin is, but it makes it personal. Mark Cahill stated, “One of the biggest lies Satan tells the lost is that they will be good enough for God on Judgment Day (One Thing, 119).” For a person to be broken over his sin and come to Christ, he must realize not only that he is not good, but that his guilt is personal. The Law does this by showing a person that his definition of “good” is not the same as God’s. It makes sin personal because he not only sees how great he has fallen short of God’s standards, but also that God requires personal perfection in not just actions but also in heart. Sean Norris explains:

[Jesus] explains that we do not break God's law simply through our actions, but first in our thoughts and hearts. Anger with your brother is the same as murdering him. Lusting after another is the same as committing adultery. Jesus takes the law to its highest pitch here. It is concerned with matters of the heart. The only way for anyone to be good and pleasing to God is to have a pure heart, to have completely pure motivations, to never have a bad thought about anyone or anything. In short, as Jesus sums up, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:21-48). This is language about our state of being as opposed to our behavior. The law is about more than individual sinful actions; it is about the sinful state of the heart that leads to those actions (Introduction to Law).

If sin is not personal, it will not be taken seriously nor will lead to “sorrow unto repentance” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Instead of viewing sin as a general problem, as one sees through the Law that he has lied, stolen, lusted, and blasphemed, sin will be specific and personal to him. This is important as Ray Comfort in his book, God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life, warns: “Without the entrance of the Law, sin is neither personal, nor is it a threat (Wonderful 59).” As sin is revealed through the Law, no longer will he feel “not as bad as everyone else,” but he will see how short he has fallen in the eyes of the One who requires perfection and that he is personally worthy of hell.

The Law is also essential to reveal sin because it speaks to the conscience. Because the Bible says that the Law is written on every heart and is therefore apart of every person (Romans 2:14-15), when we use the Law, we are merely isolating truth that people’s consciences will agree with. Instead of arguing and debating in circles with a person’s intellect, the Law allows the Christian to get straight to the crucial need of the gospel, by pin-pointing the device God has placed inside every human to verify his sin. As a person gives the lost the Ten Commandments, the Holy Spirit works with the conscience to reveal his guilt before God and to signal to his inner man that he is indeed guilty. Ray Comfort explains this beautifully:

When we use the Law to appeal to the conscience and bring the knowledge of sin, we merely work with the Holy Spirit to convince people of their transgression. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit "will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8). (Wonderful, 55)."

As the Law convicts a person's conscience, the Bible says it causes their mouth to be stopped (Romans 3:19). Seeing specifically and personally their sin and guilt before God, the Law stops their mouth so they cannot justify themselves any longer. D.L. Moody exclaimed: “I can always tell a man who is near the kingdom of God; his mouth is stopped. This, then, is why God gives the Law---to show us ourselves in our true colors.” (Cahill, One thing, 131). The Law is a wonderful tool to humble the self-righteous, because before a person is humbled before God, he cannot come to Him in repentance, because as Ray Comfort stated, “It is the conviction of sin that causes godly sorrow and ‘godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation’ (2 Corinthians 7:10) (Wonderful 63).” A person cannot be born-again until he sees his sin, so we must show a person his need for righteousness through the Law before we give the gospel.

After the Law reveals a person their sin and brings them low, the next benefit of this tool is that it helps drive a person to Christ. Mark Cahill states: “The Law carries us right to Jesus. People attempt to be justified by their works, but the Law leads us to Jesus so we can be justified by our faith, not by our works (One Thing, 116).”

The first way that the Law drives a person to Christ is that it prepares his heart for the cross by making grace desirable. A person won’t come to Christ for grace without knowing why he needs it. Ray Comfort declares, “It is the Law that makes us thirst after a righteousness we have no desire for (Wonderful, 84).” To make the gospel good news, we must give him the disease before the cure. Mark Cahill makes a wonderful point: “It’s very important to get people lost before you can get them saved (One Thing, 126).” This is what the Law is for, to make the person needy before we give him hope and to help the person see their disease so they will desire the cure. We must use the Law as a preliminary work before we give the gospel to prepare the person’s heart by showing him his great need for grace. We must remember what Martin Luther said, “The Law is for the proud and the Gospel for the brokenhearted.” The Law makes grace desirable because it shows us how much we are in need of it.

The Law also prepares a heart for the gospel because it leaves the hearer helpless. This is one of the purposes of the Law---to show a person how helpless he is so he will run to Christ, the only solution, for help. The Law is simply a mirror: it reveals our sin but it cannot take that sin away. Because one sees that God requires perfection, something he knows he does not have, the Law will help make him desperate for grace. We use the Law to show sinners that in the mirror of God’s standards, he is dirty and he can never clean himself up and that he needs help, as Ray Comfort explains: “The Law doesn’t help us; it just leaves us helpless. It doesn’t justify us; it just leaves us guilty before the judgment bar of a holy God (Wonderful, 59).” When a person realizes this, it leaves him helpless and makes grace desirable to know of the one way to get himself out of his hole of sin, which will hopefully lead him to Christ.

The second way that the Law drives a person to Christ is that it gives understanding to the cross. After one uses the Law as a preliminary tool to open a person’s eyes to sin and strip him of his own self-righteousness, the most exciting part is to follow with the gospel because the preaching of the cross can be better grasped. I love telling people about Jesus’ death and His love for them after taking them through the Law because the cross finally seems to be understood. Ray Comfort said, “The Law magnifies grace and opens sinner’s eyes to the gospel so that the cross makes sense (Wonderful, 103).” A person may have heard for years that Jesus loves him and died for him, but when one uses the Law to expose his need, the message of Jesus’ death takes on a new and personal meaning. Paul said that the Law is a schoolmaster to bring the lost to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Because the person sees specifically why he needs a Savior, Christ can be no longer just a religious figure or His death just a historical fact, but it can now be personal, beautiful, and desirable. The cross will no longer be “foolishness” to him but hopefully the “power of God until salvation.” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Charles Spurgeon declared about the power of the Law:

The Law is meant to lead the sinner to faith in Christ, by showing the impossibility of any other way. It is the black dog to fetch the sheep to the shepherd, the burning heat which drives the traveler to the shadow of the great rock in a weary land…Apart from the deadening effect of the Law, no one would feel the need to cast himself at the mercy of Christ (Wonderful, 113).

One cannot understand God’s mercy until he is first exposed to His wrath. The Law, through the working of the Holy Spirit, can help drive sinners to the cross in utter helplessness where they can be met by Christ.

People cannot understand the cross without first knowing its purpose. Mark Cahill pleaded, “Make sure that you share Jesus only after people recognize their need for Him…Identify the problem first, and then give the answer (One Thing 122).”

Without the Law and identifying the consequences of sin, Christ’s death will not be a desperate need. Dr. Jack B. Scott declares: “You have to convince people that they are sinners under the judgment of God before you can ever offer them the gospel of salvation. If they don’t come to a point of seeing that they need Christ, then they will never accept Him” (Lecture 30). When you take a person through the Law and show them exactly why God’s wrath abides on him, referring to the cross and what Jesus has done will be much more understood and appreciated. He will see beauty that his guilt can be removed by the suffering and death of a substitute (Hendrickson 214), and hopefully by God’s grace, he will repent of his sins and run straight into Christ’s arms.

The Law does so many wonderful things in our labor in evangelism. Not only does it show a person their sin and help to lead him to Christ, but it is also an essential tool because it helps to protect the gospel.

Unfortunately, because the Law has been deleted from modern evangelism, instead of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come, people have promoted different reasons to turn to Christ which in turn has watered-down the truth and beauty of the gospel. The Law aids in protecting from many of these errors by helping to keep truth in perspective.

First, the Law aids to protect the gospel because it helps to give a correct view of the character of God. If God’s nature is incorrect in the mind of a person, it can keep him from understanding the way to eternal life. A great example is how God’s forgiveness today is abused; Dwelling primarily on God’s love, the greatest danger in modern evangelism is that it tends to focus too much on God’s forgiveness, almost eliminating His holiness and justice. This is dangerous and serious. Bill Bright in Heaven or Hell warned: “Although God is loving and merciful, He is also holy, righteous, and just. To emphasize some of His attributes at the expense of others creates a distorted view of who God is and therefore creates false expectations of what He will do at the judgment seat (35).”

Deceptively, some people possess a false peace believing that after they die, God will simply over look their sins and forgive them. The truth is, however, that God’s forgiveness cannot be separated from His justice and can only be given through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Ray Comfort convincingly stated: “The thing that sinners are hoping will save them on the Day of Judgment---the goodness of God---will be the very thing that will condemn them. Because if God is good, He must by nature punish (Wonderful, 93).” When people see God’s goodness through His righteousness as a Holy Judge, it is only then that His love and mercy through Christ can be fully appreciated. We risk the gospel and the salvation of souls when we deviated from true knowledge of who God is (Dewitt). That’s why the Law is important because it is what exposes God’s righteousness and wrath, which are the two things that will help us appreciate His love so much more. The Law protects the gospel because it gives a more realistic view of God and prepares a soul for His mercy after being exposed to the truth of His wrath.

Another way that the Law protects the gospel is that it helps to prevent false conversions. The difference between using the Law in evangelism and leaving it out can greatly affect the unbeliever’s response and motivation to the gospel. Because sin and the wrath to come are not emphasized in modern evangelism, believers are using the benefits of Christianity, such as peace, joy, and happiness, to convince people to come to Christ. Since sin is not being brought to light through the Law and being used to show the true need for the cross, repentance is thus lacking---which is the very ingredient that is essential for a man to be born-again (Luke 13:3).

Because the Law has been overlooked and many people are not coming to Christ in repentance, this has resulted in many false conversions. Ray Comfort states, "There are many today who name the name of Christ, but who have failed to "depart from iniquity [lawlessness]" (2 Timothy 2:19). They are false converts who have "asked Jesus into their hearts," yet they remain unconverted cause they have never truly repented (Wonderful, 14).” Without the Law, people are more likely to come to Christ for the wrong reasons and without repentance, becoming false converts who will later “fall away from the faith,” or will be deceived until God tells them “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:13-23).

Without using the Law, we are in danger of creating false conversions. When we give the Law, however, and we show the truth of why a person needs God, it will better assist his motivation to get saved not for selfish earthly benefits, but rather to flee the wrath to come. The Law protects the gospel because it emphasizes the true intent of the gospel---to get right with God and to protect us from the judgment we are to face in the future---which the Holy Spirit will hopefully use to spur repentance.

The Law is a powerful tool. Because it is “to revel our true states before God, bring the knowledge of sin, make sin appear exceedingly sinful, convict the conscience, magnify the grace of God, and serve as a schoolmaster to lead sinners to Christ (Comfort, Wonderful 122),” it is a tool we simply should not neglect in our evangelism. We should keep in mind the warnings of great Christian men of old, such as John Grecham Machen, who argued:

A new and more powerful proclamation of [the] law is perhaps the most pressing need of the hour; men would have little difficulty with the gospel if they had only learned the lesson of the law….So it always is; a low view of the law always brings legalism in religion; a high view of the law makes a man seek after grace. Pray God that the high view may again prevail (What is Faith? 141-142).

And Spurgeon who warns:

Lower the Law and you dim the light by which man perceives his guilt; this is a very serious loss to the sinner rather than a gain; for it lessens the likelihood of his conviction and conversion. I say you have deprived the gospel of its ablest auxiliary [its most powerful weapon] when you have set aside the Law. You have taken away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ...They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy Law. Therefore the Law serves a most necessary purpose, and it must not be removed from its place (Wonderful, 97-98).

We must give the Law before we give the Good News because people will not cry out for mercy and forgiveness until they see their sin. Just like a patient will not desire the cure until he knows his disease, in the same way people will not desire grace until they know their disease of sin. We must stop giving the solution without first addressing the problem by using the very tool God has given which function is to “convert the soul” (Psalm 19:7). If we use the Law before the gospel, we can better prepare the way of sinners to the Savior which will hopefully cause them to run and fall into the gracious arms of Christ.

Works Cited

An introduction to the Law and the Gospel. Sean Norris. September/October 2010.

Bright, Bill, Heaven or Hell: Your Ultimate Choice. Orlando, Florida: New Life Publications, 2002.

Cahill, Mark, One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven. Rockwell, Texas: Biblical Discipleship Publishers, 2009.

Comfort, Ray, God Has a Wonderful Plan For Your Life. Bellflower, California: Living Waters Publications, 2010.

Dr. DeWitt, Of God and of the Holy Trinity, Lecture 3. SYS 103 Christian Doctrine. Lakeland, FL: Whitefield College.

Dr. Jack B. Scott, Jeremiah, Lecture 30. OTS 105 Old Testament Survey. Lakeland, FL: Whitefield College.

Hendrickson, William, Survey of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1976

Machen, John, What is Faith? Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1969.

Men's Thoughts on Modesty: Excellent Video on the Extreme Importance of Modest Dress

Ladies, this video is so worth your time. Please take the time to prayerfully watch this.

Note: Please ignore the music at the beginning and end; they are short and it can be easily fast forwarded.

This Post Could Change Your Life

I'm not sure who stops on my blog these days, but I'm sure there's many different people who may occasionally find themselves at my page. Because of this, I decided I must share the best thing you will ever hear and give you news that could truly set you free.

Death is bewildering; Funerals seem to have a great effect on one's emotions as one peers at the body lying in the corpse and realize that will some day be me. Death is something no one will be able to escape. I'm sure all of us have pondered about it at some point in our lives. The terrifying part is that we don't know when it will come upon us. Will death come knocking years from now or will our last breath be tomorrow? There's no way to know.

But the thing we can know is where we'll be once our life does leave our body and our lives on earth come to an end. We can know the destiny of our souls. The Bible is the most amazing book that tells us all about life past and the life to come. It is the only book whose prophecies have been fulfilled and truths have stood the test of time. In its pages we can know what's to come and where we're headed because it is God's inspired Word to us, and He tells us plain and clear.

The Bible tells us that it's been appointed unto every man to die and then the Judgment (Hebrews 9:27). We will all stand before God and will give an account for our lives. The question I impose to you is that when you die and stand before Him, on what merit would He let you into heaven?

The first response of people is usually: "Because I'm a good person and I try to do what's right." What is your definition of good? Are you really good because you're not as bad as other people or are you truly as good and perfect as Jesus Christ? I'd encourage you to compare your goodness to the questions below, which are God's standards of good:

Have you ever told a lie? Then you're a liar.
Have you ever stolen anything (the value is insignificant. Stealing is more than just material; It could include hours from your boss or music from the internet)? Then you're a thief.
Have you ever taken God's name in vain? He calls that blasphemy. It's very offensive to Him.
Have you ever looked at a person with lust? God calls this adultery in your heart (Matt 5:28).
Have you ever hated someone? God says it's the same as murder (1 Jh. 3:15).

If this is not enough, realize that God's knows our every thought and will judge us according to every sinful thought we have ever entertained. How would you like for someone to project all the thoughts you ever thought on a movie screen for all your friends and family to read? You'd be mortified. That's because you even sin in your mind. God judges you even by your thoughts, your motives, the very things inside your heart! Our most righteous deeds can be laden in sin simply because our motives may be selfish.

So ask yourself, on Judgment Day, if you stand before a holy and just God, would be innocent or guilty? You would be guilty because you have broken God's commands--you have offended Him and sin must be punished because of His righteousness. The Just Judge will declare you guilty.

If you believe you would perhaps be innocent because you believe God will simply forgive you when you stand before Him, may I simply ask you if you have ever tried that in court? Imagine you are guilty and the judge is about to sentence you to prison and you get on your knees and plead for his forgiveness. If the judge simply let you go without your punishment being paid, he would be a very bad, unjust judge. If he lets one go without being punished, he would be wrong to not let all go--Hitlers and all--regardless of their crime.

But the Bible says that God is righteous, holy, and just. Much more higher in power and authority than an earthly judge, God must punish sin because His holiness requires it. He would be going against His nature to just simply forgive anyone. So you are in trouble.

But don't stop reading, because there is wonderful news for you! And that's why I am writing this post because I care for you and want to tell you the best news you will ever hear in this life. Do you know what Jesus did for you? The punishment you (and me) deserved (which is hell), Jesus took upon Himself on the cross. Because of His great love for you, He has made a way that we can be forgiven of our sins and can have eternal life. He has made a way where God's justice and mercy and forgiveness could meet.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came down to earth many years ago and died in your place to take the punishment you deserve. He died and resurrected the third day. He became a substitute for you. Imagine yourself in court, guilty and headed for prison, when someone walks in and says, "Wait Judge, take me instead. I love this person and I will pay their fine." This is what Christ has done for you.

Jesus was the perfect substitute that appeased God's wrath because Jesus was holy and without sin. God poured the wrath we deserved on Jesus. You see, you have this huge debt that you owe, but because of Christ, God can legally dismiss your case. Sin must be punished and someone has to pay for it. Either you will, eternally in hell, or you can let Christ pay it who already has by paying your fine by taking God's wrath upon Himself. Looking to Christ is the only way we can be declared "not guilty" before God and can be forgiven and go to heaven.

The Bible says that to receive this gift you must repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ. Repent means that you must turn your back on sin and turn your face to God---to stop serving sin and to start serving God. Putting your faith in Christ is so much more than just believing in Him and believing that He died on the cross for you. If you were in a airplane knowing that it was about to crash at any moment and you had a parachute next to you, you wouldn't just believe the parachute was real and existed beside you. That would be absurd. Instead, you would put that parachute on, hold on to it, and trust it to save you. That is what Christ asks you to do to Him.

You must repent from your sins and put your faith in Christ! You must believe that He is the ONLY way to heaven and when God lets you into heaven, Christ will be the only reason that God lets you in, because that's the only way you will be able ever to enter. It's not based on works, it's not religion, it's not going to church.....it's not even praying a prayer. It's on Christ and Christ alone. It is free, and it is a gift. It is truly liberating!

This is the best news you will ever receive. You are headed for hell but you don't have to go! Someone has made a way for you to enter heaven. Someone has taken the punishment of your sins. Someone has taken the wrath of God for you. Someone has the gift of eternal life of heaven that they want to give to you.

I'd encourage if you have not repented and put your trust in Christ alone, that you go to God and get things right with Him today. Repent so you will not perish (Luke 13:3). When you are in Christ, He will give you a new heart---a heart that wants to please Him because of the great love He has given by what He has done. He will forgive you, make you into a new person, and grant you eternal life in Heaven. He will set you free!

There is hope for you, and that is only found through Jesus Christ. He wants to be your substitute so you don't have to pay eternally for your sins. Will you let Him?




The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord (Rom. 6:23)

Jesus said: "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but by me" (Jh. 14:6)

Leslie Ludy - Three Questions

Rejoice in Your Femininity!

It happened a few years ago. I was in the clothes department when I noticed my reflection in a body mirror hanging next to a rack of blouses. As the image peered back at me, I was astonished how unfeminine I appeared. I was modest and covered, but far from lovely and attractive. Feeling repulsed, it was that moment I realized the reason I did not feel like a lady!

Since that day, I have taken an effort to dress in a feminine way and it has been a fun and rewarding journey. I love being a lady and it is a joy appearing and feeling like one. Through dressing lady-like, it has been a simple reminder to me in this feminist culture that God did create me distinctly to be a woman and I love expressing my femininity by dressing and striving to be one inside and out.

I used to be confused of what being feminine really meant. So many imagines seemed to roll in my mind when I heard the word. Sometimes it was roses, pearls....or lace and bows. Other times it was perhaps anything associated with the color pink.

Because it is easy to have a incorrect view of femininity, society has made it undesirable. Some think that if they are to "feminine" implies that they are to be weak, delicate, or dainty. Others think they must dress like preps with tall high heels, perfectly curled hair, dangling jewels and a perfect manicure. Some get the idea femininity is the girl who's too pretty to go outside, too fragile to have fun, and makes a fuss if she breaks a nail. Of course, all of these views are far from the real thing.

I have come to discover that true femininity is much more than what one wears (even though it indeed is a big part of it!). Through research and from reading the Scriptures, I have realized that true femininity is something in the heart---a heart ultimately surrendered to Christ and His designs for women according to His Word. Because really, a feminist can wear a skirt too.

Biblical femininity is delighting in how God made us as women and is dressing and acting in a way that defines our gender and brings glory to Him. It doesn't mean that a lady cannot drive a truck, ride a horse, or even wear pants. Instead, it is something that starts inside of her and proceeds to her outward appearance and attitude as she realizes and embraces who God created her to be and the distinct role He created her for.

When you rejoice in the way God created you and embrace your femininity, you bring glory to Christ. He created you to be a woman for a reason. Don't try to change it, hide it, or be ashamed of it! Being a woman and being feminine is a wonderful thing and something we should delight in. Expressing our femininity is one way we please the God who created us and show the world that we love Him and are happy to be who He has made us to be. I encourage you to surrender your femininity to Christ and treasure, embrace, and delight in being a woman!

All the Days of Her Life

Proverbs 31:10-12
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies....
She will do him [her husband] good and not evil all the days of her life.

Once a woman marries, she chooses to love, cherish, give herself to, and grow in intimacy with only one man for the rest of her life. With her vows and covenant before God, she promises to forsake all other men and promises to be faithful to her husband until death parts them. These are obvious assumptions regarding marriage, but the question is---why wait to begin loving that one man until he comes into your life, puts a ring on your finger, or marries you?

Verse 12 in Proverbs 31 has always stood out to me. A virtuous woman will seek to do her husband good "all the days of her life." We don't read "until she gets married" or "once he asks her to be his." Instead, the virtuous woman will do her husband good all her days, which well includes the days before her prince comes into her life. It was because of this verse that I realized faithfulness to my future groom did not begin on my wedding day but long before I met him.

If we are to marry, God has a special man picked out just for us to spend the rest of our lives with. Because God never intended for us to use our single years to have intimate opposite sex relationships until the right one comes, we should not wait to be faithful to our future mates. Instead we should prepare being virtuous wives by striving to do our future husbands good long before he comes into our lives.

How can I do my future husband good now?

There are several things you can be doing now for your future husband, which I call the four P's. :) You can be preserving, preparing, praying, and patiently waiting for him.

Preserve yourself for him. One of the best things you can do for your future husband is to love him by saving yourself for him. You can do this by dressing modestly, guarding your affections, and saving all physical intimacy for your future marriage.

Prepare for him. Prepare for a future, Christ-centered marriage by training to be a godly woman, growing in character, learning to run a home, and perhaps even saving some special items in a hope chest.

Pray for him. You can pray for the man God has for you long before you meet him. This is something that will greatly bless him and will add much "good" to his life now and in the future.

Patiently wait for him. God's way and timing is perfect. Determine that until God brings that special man in your life, you are going to patiently wait for him by being faithful, waiting on God's timing, and keeping your focus on loving and serving Christ.


The benefits for doing your husband good long before you meet him are great. Not only will you have his full trust (Proverbs 31:11), but you will also have so much to give him once you join your life to his. It may be difficult at times to be considerate of a man you may have never met, but once the day comes that you give yourself fully to him and you walk down the aisle to meet him on your wedding day, you will have no regrets and your groom will be so grateful. God will indeed bless you. So don't wait until you have a wedding dress or a ring on your finger to begin honoring your future husband. Start doing him good by loving and being considerate of him right now. This is a gift that will truly one day bless his heart.

Refreshing Reads for 2010

Looking for a good book to read in 2010? Well, I have many to recommend to you! I read some of the most inspiring books in 2009 and hopefully after getting a taste of some of them, it will spur you to read them as well :) Enjoy! (BTW: these are in no particular order in case you are wondering)

1. Set A-Part Femininity by Leslie Ludy

This is one of the most inspiring and challenging books to godliness I've ever read. This book is a radical call to living a counterculture lifestyle for the glory of God. It is a fresh vision of God's amazing purpose for our lives as young women and I think every female should read this book.


2. Womanly Dominion by Mark Chanski

This is one of the best books I've ever read. Centering on the subject of women's roles and duties according to God, it is great encouragement to our high calling to wife and motherhood. I cheered and verbally praised God while turning through each page. It was so straight-forward and so liberating! Instead of desiring something we were not created to be or do, Chanski encourages and inspires women to "play their position" with all their might and with a desire to "win it" for the glory of God." If we as women would just do this and whole-heartily embrace our job, we'd be so fulfilled and there would be so much to accomplish for God. I loved the perspective of Chanski to "get in there and do what you're supposed to do with all you've got!" This book is so precious to me because it's a subject that is dear to my heart. I thank the Lord for this publication.


3. Lady In Waiting by Jackie Kendall

This is a great book and one of my tops. It focuses on what we as ladies should be doing in our unmarried years by focusing on developing certain character qualities (which are based on the Biblical character of Ruth). This book is a must-read for all young ladies.


4. A Man Worth Waiting For: How to Avoid a Bozo by Jackie Kendall

This book is a sequel to A Lady In Waiting and is a worth reading if you are unmarried. Jackie shows us throughout the book detailed descriptions of a man we should be waiting for--a Boaz (from the Biblical hero from the book of Ruth), and the one we should avoid---the Bozos. It's also a reminder of what we should be striving to become if we want a have a Boaz.


5. Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George

Another top read of mine! A beautiful book exploring the joyous outlook, feminine grace, and strength of character of the Proverbs 31 woman and how we can be one too. It's informative, inspiring, and very practical.


6. Improving Your Serve by Charles Swindoll

I, Me, Mine, Myself---it's the monument of self, and it's what most people spend the majority of their lives building. This book is about not being a getter, but a giver----not a superstar, but a servant. Its message is counter-culture to what we're used to, but the very heart is focusing on what God calls the greatest, and that is being a servant. If you read this, make sure you have a highlighter ready because there's lots to think about and remember :)


7. Crazy Love by Francis Chan

From the back of the book: "Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts----it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love....you'll never be the same."

-All I have to say: this book will wake you up to real Christian living. It's so worth the read.


8. 20 and Counting by Michelle and JimBob Duggar

I loved this book! It gave me a deeper appreciation for the Duggar family (even though I had much respect for them before I read it!). I loved reading about their history and the behind-the-scenes details of their lives. It was also full of special resources, tips, recipes, and other things (reading about their methods of child discipline and training was very interesting!). Most of all, I appreciated the Duggar's heart to be used for the Lord for His glory. Their testimony really blessed me :)


9. Christian Modesty and the Undressing of America by Jeff Pollard

After reading this book you'll never look at modesty the same again. It's also very eye-opening as it reveals the progressive acceptance of public nakedness relating to the bathing suit industry. Really recommend this!


10. Mother by Kathleen Norris

This is a novel which portrays the importance of motherhood. It touched me in a special way and I couldn't help to tear up towards the ending. I hope to pass this book down to my own children one day.


11. A Thankful Heart by Carole Lewis

Centered on the verse, 1 Thess. 5:18, this book could sincerely change your life. Carole shows us how we can practically apply this verse to our life using several examples from her own. This book is so worth the read and I promise it will bless you greatly if you do.


12. What He Must Be If He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham

Another wonderful book about what we should be looking for in a young man. Another must read for daughters and parents alike!


13. How to Become a Straight A Student by Cal Newport

This book is a lifesaver! I know without a doubt that it has saved me from much pain and meaningless hours of unprofitable study time at school. My plan for college was to just jump on the boat of tradition of how the normal student studies and prepares for class. I am so thankful that Cal has showed us a better, more effective way!! His book makes sense and is very practical. I love how he gives examples of how students can apply step by step the ideas he presents. This is an excellent book and mandatory for all college students.


14. Fireproof: the novel by Eric Wilson

Though I've seen the movie and knew the message of the plot, something about the novel made the truths in the story more real and special to me. I was spurred on to the meaning of true love and really enjoyed going behind the scenes of the characters from the movie. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot of Biblical truths too.


15. Biography of Watchman Nee

This is one of my favorite and one of the best biographies I have ever read. Watchman's testimony inspired my heart deeply. My Mom has always encouraged me to read it and I finally did last year and I'm so glad I did. If you wish to be inspired to a deeper faith and love for Christ, this is the book to read.



16. One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven by Mark Cahill

I can't tell you what an inspiration this book was! This message on witnessing is full of encouragement and many stories. Mark Cahill is such a wonderful example of one who has given his life completely to God and the work of the gospel. His book is full of practical tips on sharing the gospel if you don't know where to start, and great real-life stories of inspiration if you need a boost to do it more. Either way, you will not be sorry if you read this book.

The Beauty of the Unmarried Years

Singleness..it's a period everyone must go through. Some think it's dreadful. Others embrace it for selfish pursuits. Whatever the perspective, the way we use it is crucial because it will determine whether the ride is smooth, bumpy, profitable, or wasteful. We must evaluate ourselves and ask: how are we spending it?

Singleness can truly be a lovely time of one's life. Contrary to the world's opinion that you should always have a guy on your arm or that being single is a curse, the unmarried years can be full of wonderful opportunities. This is not the time to waste it on frivolous things or wait idly for Prince Charming. There's so many things to accomplish!

As an unmarried young lady, I hope you see what an incredible chance you have to focus all your time and energies on valuable things---pursuits that will strengthen you as a Christian and prepare you for life ahead. This time of singleness is the prime period to grow, mature, learn and serve. It is also the incredible season to seek the Lord with your whole heart. We must use them wisely.

I don't think many young ladies realize the value of their youth and their years before marriage. For a majority of singles it is primarily a time for pursing relationships with guys, having fun, hanging out with friends, and trying to fit in. Of course, there's nothing wrong with enjoying life or friendships, but when we make this our focus and we spend a majority of our time doing so, we are wasting this season on things that are not most important.

I am extremely grateful for the way my parents have helped me invest my growing up years. Yes, they were overflowing with enjoyable events, wonderful friendships and precious memories, but it was not the whole. It was also full of many lessons, maturing in many ways, learning important skills and more.

My parents did not allow me to date as I was growing up. Because I was homeschooled and also had my own convictions, this wasn't really a problem or a struggle, but I didn't realize at the time what a blessing this actually was! Because I wasn't tangled into boys or dating relationships, I was free to focus on beneficial things. Instead my priorities were on my spiritual growth and deepening my walk with the the Lord, maturing as a young lady, developing character traits, making friendships of all ages, learning new skills, and developing necessary responsibilities required for life and adulthood. I greatly recognize what a privilege it has been to use my growing up years in this way. While they haven't been perfect, I am thankful for the wisdom of my parents to steer me in a good direction. If I had done the opposite I would have missed so many opportunities and lessons.

I share this with you because I want to let you know that you don't have to spend your teenage or single years as our society encourages us . These years before marriage are some of the most valuable ones you'll ever have. We must make the most of them.

1 Corinthians 11:13
There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

So, no matter what your age, what are some practical things we should be doing right now?


1) Mature/Emerse yourself in your walk with Christ

This is by far the best thing you could ever do with your years before marriage. Use this time to learn to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Because the potential for serving the Lord and doing much for the kingdom of God are great and endless, you should embrace this opportunity. There will never be a time like this again for you to put all your focus on God and His work. Emerse yourself in God's presence, His Word, and ministry for Him. Give Him your undivided heart. This is the time to really fall in love with Him and to develop your relationship with Him in a very special way.

2) Prepare for a future husband

Your single years are the time to be preparing for marriage (if it's God's plan for your life). I have read countless number of testimonies from women who said they wish they prepared for the role of wife, mother, and homemaker. Take advantage of this time by developing essential homemaking skills that you will need not only in marriage but in life itself which include: cooking, cleaning, organizing, laundry, sewing, etc. Too many teens are unskilled in these areas that they don't know where to begin once they're married or out on their own!

What about the qualities you'll need as a mother such as training, discipling, loving and raising children? You can begin practicing these.

It's also important to understand your future role of being a helper to your husband, as this is one reason God created you if you marry (Gen. 2:18). Learn to be submissive to your parents and to serve those around you. Most of all I would say the best practice to being a wife is building character which leads to the next point....


3) Grow in character

Whether you marry or not, growing in character is one of the most important things you can do during your period of singleness. Apart of God's plan for you as a Christian is to grow more like Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). God desires you to bear fruit and grow more and more into His Son's image. Doing this is one of the ways we glorify God while we are on earth.

Growing in character is also essential for a future Christ-honoring marriage. Who you are right now is who you'll be when you're married. Are you preparing to be a godly wife? Are you striving to develop important character qualities that are critical for life and marriage such as:

-Humility (Jam. 4:6)
-A meek and quiet spirit (1 Pet. 3:4)
-A submissive spirit (Eph. 5:22)
-Patience (Jam. 5:8)
-Thankfulness (1 Thess. 5:18)
-Trustworthiness (Prov. 31:11)
-Faithfulness (1 Tim. 3:11; Prov. 31:11)
-Forgiveness (Matt. 6:14)
-Selflessness (Luke 6:38)
-A servant's heart (Matt. 23:11; Matt. 25:40)
-A non-complaining spirit (Prov. 25:24)
-And many more?

This is the time to begin bearing fruit and becoming more like Christ. Don't wait!


4) Learn to be content

Contentment is one of the most beautiful parts of a fulfilling Christian life. Paul says that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). No matter where life leads you--to the marriage altar, to the mission field, or a whole life of singleness--learning to be content will only forever benefit you and bring glory to God. Christ tells us to be content (1 Tim. 6:8; Heb. 13:5) so it is no question whether we should strive for it or not. But learning to do so now, while you are yet maturing or still unmarried, is the greatest season to do so. Strive to be grateful for all you have and not to complain. It can be difficult but if you're practicing now you will be more prepared for whatever God has for you ahead.


5) Learn to serve others

Part of the process of becoming like Christ is learning to serve others as He did. It certainly doesn't come naturally but it must be practiced. Before you are married you have the best opportunity to put all your energies into freely serving others. It's also a great time to learn and practice putting others before yourself including your family, roommates, friends, co-workers, people in your church, or anyone He brings your way. Unlike the culture's ideal that you are selfish, self-centered, and looking out for only yourself----use it to impact Christ's kingdom! Serve the Lord by serving others and practicing humility. It will be a huge blessing to your life whether you marry one day or not. Don't forget that God calls servants the greatest (Matt. 23:11) and whomever you serve you are ultimately serving Jesus Christ Himself (Matt. 25:40).

~*~

Now that I have shared five fundamental examples of ways you can be investing your unmarried years, my question is: how are you doing? I am also asking myself as I occasionally lose focus and can always make improvements. Are you learning to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Are you preparing to possibly be a godly wife to a man one day? Are you developing essential character qualities, spiritual disciplines, and homemaking skills? Are you striving to learn to be content and serve those around you? With all of this and more there is so much potential!

As we purpose to make investments in things that are truly meaningful, we will continue to bear and reap many blessings. And once we have a ring on our finger, hopefully we will be able to look back on our unmarried years not in regret but joy. There's so many ways to be serving God now and reaching out to other people. Lets use this time of singleness with wisdom and get busy for the glory of God!

Modesty is Part of Your Ministry

While modesty is not popular (or favored) today, there are many reasons ladies of God must cover up. Several obvious ones would be that we are commanded by God in Scripture (1 Tim. 2:9), we don't want to encourage adultery in fellow males (Matt. 5:28), we have to be different from the world (Rom. 12:2), and so forth. Yet there's a much more pressing reason why modesty is so serious.

While reading Amy Carmichael's biography, one story in her ministry spoke volumes to me. While Amy was on her first venture to witness to the people of Japan, she was offered to wear a kimono instead of her English style of dress but she declined because of comfort reasons. When she arrived to an elderly lady's home and began to tell her of Jesus and what He had done for her, the woman listened intently and Amy said that she was ever close to receiving Christ as her Savior. Then all of the sudden the lady took notice of Amy's English fur gloves...something the native had never seen before. As the lady started touching them and asking questions, Amy knew at that moment she had lost her. She determined to never wear her English attire while doing mission work again.

This story stood out to me because it reminded me of the power of distraction, because in the same way, immodesty is a distraction and we lose the power of the gospel when we dress in a revealing way. When we emphasize or display our feminine assets, we put people's eyes, thoughts, and attention on ourself instead of Christ. How can a man think on eternal things when we are distracting him with our body parts? And how can we let our lights shine for the glory of God when we are drawing all eyes to our skin and our sense of style?

If we get to the root of immodesty, we would simply find that it is purely selfish. It's wearing what I want to wear; it's getting everyone to notice me; it's making me feel good; it's broadcasting my good looks; it's getting what I desire (i.e. attention or a man)...These are not to be the intentions of a woman of God. You have been saved by the blood of Christ and are to now to glorify God with your body (1 Cor. 6:20). How can this be done in provocative clothing?

It grieves me because too many precious girls who proclaim to love God are not obeying His commandments (John 14:15). They want to do great things for the Lord but don't realize that they must begin with obediently doing as He says. If you truly desire to minister to others for the glory of Christ, may I suggest starting with modesty? It truly is a ministry. Every time you deny to wear that "cute" yet revealing blouse, you are helping your brothers not to stumble into sin and are therefore aiding their walk with God. Every time you cover up and dress in a feminine style, you are honoring your Creator by delighting in the way He made you and are being an example. And every time you decide to not to dress like the world in their skimpy trends, you are being a light for Christ and are therefore giving Him the glory (Mat. 5:16).

Whether we are verbally spreading the gospel or not, we represent the Lord and are walking examples of the gospel on a daily basis. Your clothes send a message. Let me ask you, dear sisters-in-Christ, is that message one that tributes to the gospel or your selfish desires? Is it one that points to Christ or to yourself? While you should delight in being a female, God did not create you to display your feminine secrets to all passers-by. We are not to be a looking glass to our own charms but rather a reflection of what Christ has done. When you cover up with a desire to please your Lord, you are showing a dark world the change God has so graciously worked in your heart (2 Cor. 5:17).

Our life should be a ministry, and as we share the gospel with all creatures (Mark 16:15) modesty must be apart of that ministry. As we choose to cover up, we will be a greater testimony for a hurting world and will honor our Lord as we seek to prevent distracting others from the gospel.

When we choose our clothes for the day, may we dress in such a way that when people see us they see not ourself, but the One who saved our soul and is changing us to become more and more like Him (2 Cor. 3:18).

Children are Treasures

A couple in our homeschool group has given birth to beautiful twins and I recently went to see them. It was such a privilege to be able to hold and cuddle the precious bundles. I love babies so much!

One was lying in her crib and while we peered over to admire her, I asked the father what it was like having twins. I expected an answer such as "it's great but alot of work," or "we love it but they keep us busy," but his answer surprised and touched me all at the same time. He smiled and kindly and sincerely responded, "They're a blessing. We'd love to have a dozen more."

Wow.

This couple already has four children but would delight to add more little hands and voices to their family. They realize what's truly valuable. We really need more men (and women!) like this who view babies as blessings, not burdens.

My family loves the show on TLC called 18 Kids and Counting. It's a documentary of a christian homeschooling family with 18 children. What stands out to me about this show are the two facts that children are blessings and God provides. I can't imagine the expenses for a household of 20, but God is faithful to provide for them.

When God says children are blessings, He means it! (Ps. 127:3) This is heartbreaking in a society that views children as strains. So many refuse this "gift" from the Lord that He so kindly wants to give us.

Some couples would like more but just don't see it possible financially. To this I ask-- do we really believe God's Word? If God says children are blessings do you think He means it and will provide? Absolutely! The Duggard family is proof of this. They have 18 children yet they are living debt free. As this couple has chosen to joyfully accept as many blessings as the Lord sees fit, He has and continues to faithfully take care of them.

Children are apart of God's grace to us. If anyone should be having children it's Christians. We have a HUGE privilege to raise children in the fear and love of the TRUE God. The Bible tells us that children are like arrows to accomplish this (Ps. 127:4) and happy is the man who has many (Ps. 127:5).

If God tells us children are gifts, He will provide to take care of those blessings, and we must believe it. Praise God for the gift of children, and praise God for the honor to raise them to know and live for Him.

When We Realize We Need the Savior

Most Americans have heard of Jesus Christ. Most know that He died on a cross. But sadly many don't truly understand why. This is tragic in a world who is in need of a Savior.

We have to understand that no one desires a cure until they know their disease. Until people understand that they have sinned against God, broken His commandments, fallen short of His standard, and that there's absolutely nothing they can do to earn salvation for themselves, they will have no desire for Christ's gift of eternal life.

This is what the law is for. The Bible tells us that the law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24) and that by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20). Paul said that he didn't know he was a sinner before the law (Rom. 7:7). It is perfect, converting the soul (Ps. 19:7). This is one reason we simply should not remove it from our way of witnessing.

Today's popular methods of evangelism are shallow and unconvincing. "Jesus loves you," "God has a wonderful plan for your life" or "come discover the joy and peace that Jesus has given me!" are very true and great statements, but when bringing someone to Christ, they only invite confusion. Why do so many turn away from the faith when hard times come? Why do so many cling to God's love but believe Christ accepts their sin too? If you give the wrong reason to accept Christ, that person will have the wrong motive for coming and therefore the wrong expectations.

Yes, Jesus is loving and forgiving and this cannot be acknowledge enough, but this must not be separated from His righteousness and holiness. God hates sin and it will not go unpunished. Too many have the idea that since God is forgiving that he will pardon their sinful lifestyle once they stand before Him on judgment day. Let me refute this with a modern day example: If a thief or murderer asked a judge to forgive him, that judge would be an unjust one if he let him off the hook. Justice simply cannot be overlooked, and God doesn't overlook it either.

But put yourself in the courtroom example and imagine that someone walked in and said they would pay your fine because they loved you. This is exactly what Christ did.

When you go through the Ten Commandments and realize that you have lied, stolen, taken God's name in vain...That you've fallen so short of God's high standards that if you've lusted, you've committed adultery in heart (Mat. 5:28), and if you have hated you've murdered in heart (Matt.5:21-22)....you cannot stop the guilt. You and I have broken every commandment...and I only mentioned half of them. We have fallen so short that God says that if you have broken one of them, you are guilty of breaking all (Jam. 2:10), just like a chain is broken if one link is missing.

But when you come to that point of acknowledging how much you've actually sinned against God and broken His holy standards, this is when Christ's sacrifice finally comes to life. It's always my favorite part in witnessing to finally ask, "____, do you know what Christ did for you?" I usually receive a light-bulb moment look that replies "Christ died for me; for my sins." Many know this fact, but after going through the law it finally makes sense why. Christ died to make a way to heaven for me because I'm destined for hell and there's nothing I can do on my own to change that.

The Good News is simply not good news until you know why you need it. And until people realize they need a Savior because they are totally helpless sinners, they will not desire the cure that Jesus so lovingly offers them. We must, we must, be sharing the gospel according to the Scriptures by convicting from the law.

While some in foreign lands have never heard of Christ, those that have heard here in America need to know the truth just as desperately. We have a mission, we know the cure, what will you do about it?

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

Last week I enjoyed for the first time the role of being a camp counselor and I loved it. I know it was only successful because of God's power and the prayers of many family and friends back home.

The well known, Philippians 4:13, became so real to me last week. I did many things I could not have normally done and I was placed outside my comfort zone many times, but because God was my strength I was able to accomplish much for Him.

I loved everything about being a counselor: directing, counseling, and discipling five sweet girls, making awesome friends, meeting with other counselors for prayer 6:30 in the morning, meeting and getting to know many campers, learning about God and His Word, participating in fun camp activities, helping campers memorize Scripture, eating the delicious camp food! etc. etc.

But the most joyous part of my week was leading four campers to Christ. Of course it wasn't I who did it; God just happened to use me and put me at the right place at just the right time. And they were so ready. Through the sermons and nights of devotions, their hearts had been softened to the gospel and they were ready to give Christ their life. I listened to them pray and they sincerely asked Christ to be their Savior. It was such an exciting time!! I never helped lead anyone to Christ before so I couldn't help to be moved. I was so thankful for God's working in these girl's lives and the others who surrendered their lives to God.

God did so much last week and answered so much prayer. He not only worked in the camper's hearts but mine as well. I give Him praise for that.

Philippians 4:13 is almost a cliche' among believers, but I want to encourage you to really think about and believe in its meaning. Without God you can do nothing (John 15:5), but with Him you can do anything (Phil. 4:13). You can do all things with Christ if He is your source of strength (Ps. 27:1). And when He is, it's endless of what you can accomplish.

Women Are Like Roses

Did you ever ponder how much a woman is like a rose? There are so many similarities we ladies can learn from this lovely flower.

A lady like a rose...

Should not be picked prematurely.

A man must not attempt to claim her until he is ready and prepared to keep, provide, nurture, lead and water her like a good gardener for the rest of his life. Until he can commit to her completely, he should not ask her to be his. Timing is crucial before such love should begin to bud.

Likewise, the lady should not desire or try to be picked until the time is right. She must mature and grow first. She must use her youth to deepen her roots in the soil of God's Word and to drink the Savior's water for her fulfillment (Jhn. 4:10). Too many girls have missed such an ample opportunity of growth by being picked as only tiny sprouts.

Should not be opened too early.
Whatever stage of her development, a lady should never open her heart to a man except to the one she knows will be her husband. Her hearts is a special abode for only one and to open these blossoms to the wrong man or at the wrong time is losing a precious gift which belongs to one man alone.

Should never be drunk from until the night of her wedding.
To allow a man to drink her nectar who is not her husband is not only a defilment to her roots but is also a sin against her Maker (1 Cor. 6:18). Immorality will cost her her beauty and her fellowship with her God. It will also cost her the most beautiful treasure she owns for her future husband, the one gift she gives away only once to only one person.

As a rose, women are delicate beings, easily torn and easily shattered. Too many have opened their petals at the wrong time and have allowed men to pluck them as they please. They blossom and give everything without matrimony and allow men to drink them dry. Many are being trampled on and left with their beauty, gracefulness, and purity vanished.

Don't give up hope. God is gracious and can restore those whose petals have been torn and plucked to a greater beauty than they could ever know. You'll be blessed and restored when you run to your Maker, who can water you anew again.

No matter where you are, hold on to your treasure. A woman will be blessed when out of obedience to her Maker remains closed for one man and her nectar for only one pair of lips. What a gift it will be to one privileged soul when he picks, opens, and drinks from her at God's appointed timing. What a bond of love shall be between those that choose to wait.

Like a rose, we must grow and find our fulfillment in Christ alone, and if He so desires he will bring a man to claim us one day. Until then, our petals should remain closed for only one.