THAT's a Deal!



Click the logo to find out more about sponoring a child.



Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.

James 1:27 (NKJV)

 

 

I was blown away watching an afternoon talk-show recently.  A noted fashion designer to the stars was launching a new “affordable” clothing line for “everyday people”.  The several-hundred-member audience was brought to a roar of applause when the simple black cardigan’s price of $80 was announced.  “That is so cheap,” they all agreed.  Maybe for some, spending nearly $100 on one article of clothing is a good deal.  But do you know the cost of that sweater could feed 2 children through World Vision or Compassion International  for a month?  

 NOW THAT’S A DEAL! 

 

Maybe you're thinking that God doesn't really care about your clothes or how much you spend on them. One of the top two topics in the Bible is money. It's called stewardship. A steward is someone who is personally responsible for taking care of another person's property. Everything we have is God's property. He just lets us  use it!

Maybe there’s something in your everyday spending God is leading you to cut out. Consider praying and asking God to lead you according to His Will about your spending.  Maybe He would have you sponsor a child or give from your surplus to a local charity.  One thing is for certain, ask and He will direct you.

 

 

God, you have given me so much and I am thankful.  Help me know where you want me to serve and give Your time and resources. Lord, be with rescue ministries who provide shelter, food and clothing to children all over the world. Show me how I might assist in their efforts.

 

Who Can Find?

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
 

When we look at the“Proverbs 31 woman” it’s hard not to read of her many capabilities, wipe our brow with a sigh, and raise one eyebrow with a little head bobble and think ... well good for her. Most women have one of two responses: “I could never live up to that” or “Man, I’d better get busy!”
 

What does it mean to have noble character? At some point all of us feel overwhelmed. Mothers care for the kids, buy the groceries, put everything away, do the laundry, and clean bathrooms, all while keeping everyone on schedule and maintaining a sunny disposition. Now, Proverbs tells us a woman should also buy land, make her own fabric and apparently never sleep. How can we possibly measure up?
 

While the world’s standards are often based on the how smooth our face and thighs remain, God looks at our heart. Our “noble character” is demonstrated by the things we do for others and ourselves. Kindness and honesty are some of the honorable qualities the Lord smiles on. Whether you work 40 hour weeks away from home or 24-7 at home, you are valued. Raising a family is a commission straight from God. Being a wife is, too.

 

I’ve known the Proverbs 31 woman: she was my aunt, grandmother, mother, friend and neighbor. Many women in my life have displayed her characteristics. This passage was not meant to discourage women. We all have attributes of the Proverbs 31 woman. We should remember our nobility comes from our Heavenly Father. As we grow closer to Him, our character will develop into one more like Christ.


 

Lord, be with me today as I seek Your Will. Help me to cultivate the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman. Help me remember I am valued and important.

 

 

Miss Perfect

 

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect

it until the day of Christ Jesus.

 Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

 

Has anyone else noticed her body changing?  Things that were high aren’t quite so elevated anymore.  Smooth areas of yesteryear find themselves in need of an insurance adjustment for possible hail damage.  Why do we have to change?  I liked the way I looked “back then”.    Hundreds of products line the shelves of stores trying to turn back the hands of time.  But, alas, time marches on.

   

The Bible contains 27 different Greek and Hebrew words for “perfect”.  They refer to a process, not a finished project.  Our longing for past perfection directly opposes biblical perspective.  No matter what you were before, if you are growing in Christ, you are being perfected.  God doesn’t expect you to be perfect – in appearance.  Our significance does not come from physical appearance or moral perfection.  It comes from our identity in The Perfect One – Jesus Christ.

    

Focusing on outer beauty more than inner completeness is a trap we all fall into at one time or another.  However, Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”  God wants you to find your significance in Him.  When you do, everything else will fall perfectly into place.

 

God, I sometimes get distracted by my own self-indulgence.   I know you call me “beautiful” because I am Yours.  Forgive me for losing focus and keep me close to you, so I see Your reflection in my eyes. I want to model Your beauty for my children. Lord, be with mothers throughout the world as they strive to teach their children to value themselves. Help them not focus on outward appearance. Affirm they are special because You created them. Give them confidence in themselves and in You.

His Song

 

 

“The Lord Your God is here and mighty to save.

He will rejoice in you and quiet you with His love.

He will rejoice over you with His song.”   

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

 

 

 

Most mothers, whether they are musically inclined or not, will comfort their child with a little hum or tune.  One of the sweetest things about motherhood is the extremely brief stage when our babies are small enough to scrunch up into a little ball in between our shoulder and chest: the sweet spot.   A little rocking motion accompanied by a tune seems to hush the fuss. 

 

 

Zephaniah tells us God sings over His children.  In His heavenly hum, God comforts our aches with sweet sounds of adoring love.  You are His child, His baby.  He is Your Father.   After hearing the explanation of the concept of God having a song for each of us, my 5-year-old proudly declared, “I bet I know what my song is!”  Eager to hear this tiny bit of insight, I questioned further.  She then said, “Jesus Loves Me.”  I agreed.

 

 

Out of all the songs ever voiced, the message Jesus loves each one of us is the most powerful to grasp.  Without that love, there would be no manger, no Calvary, no salvation or daily grace.  Without that love, mothers would not be capable of loving their families.  When you have a day you need a bit of comforting, you can climb onto your Heavenly Father’s sweet spot. Love today knowing it is only His sacrificial offering that enables you to love others.

 

 

Lord, I thank you for Your Presence today and unconditional love for me. Thank you that You have a song for me and that You rejoice over me. Be with all those around in need of Your comforting today and help them to hear your sweet song in their hearts.