Hospitality

When you think of the word hospitality or what it means to be hospitable, what comes to mind?

Your first thought probably went to cookies and punch, opening up your home to friends and family, maybe even Martha Stewart. Not that any of these are bad, however, let’s take a look at what Yeshua (Jesus) considers to be hospitality.

Biblical hospitality is extending friendship to a stranger. I know, easier said than done. It is always harder for us to extend friendship to someone we don’t know, or to someone who is “not like us.” Yeshua knows this, so He challenges us through this parable in Luke 14:12-14. It reads:

“Then He (Jesus) turned to his host, ‘When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,’ He said, ‘don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.’”

In other words, don’t extend friendship only to those who could give you something in return. Instead, extend friendship to those who can’t. Jesus understands our humanness so well; He knows we are always expecting something in return when we do a “good deed.” But we should hardly ever, or never, expect anything in return. We will exemplify this command when we do things for those we know can’t do anything for us. There is a quote that I think is fitting: “The true character of a man is revealed by how he treats people from whom he has nothing to gain.”

Keep in mind that we don’t have to walk around just looking for the physically poor, crippled, lame, and blind. In our world today, there are so many people hurting and most of them are good at not showing it. Every life has a story to tell, if we would only take the time to listen.

Can you imagine what our world would be like if we, as believers, were to extend friendship to strangers regularly?

Perhaps, then, the world could see us more for who we are rather than what we are against.

Challenge: Ask God to show you who you could extend friendship to and how today.

in Him,

Alethia

More verses on Biblical hospitality: Romans 12:13, 1 Timothy 3:2, James 2:2-4, 1 Timothy 5:9-10, 1 Peter 4:9, Matthew 25:35, Titus 1:7-8, Leviticus 19:33-34

(Source: alethialov)

Food for Thought

When God asks us, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

What does our response reveal about our heart?

(Source: alethialov)

Lord, show me Your glory

Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the people who are upon the face of the earth?”

The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” 

Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!”

Exodus 33:12-18.

Moses requested the right thing of the Lord when he asked God to show him His glory. God, in all His goodness, did not deny Moses. He could have said, “Show you My glory? What about the burning bush, the plagues over Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea? What more do you want, Moses?!”

No, God does not respond in that way. Instead, God revealed to Moses that he can’t handle His glory (at least not in all its fullness). But God allowed Moses a glimpse. He placed Moses on the cleft of the rock and covered him with His hand as His glory passed by. Moses is only allowed to see His back. (Ex. 33:21-23).

Each time Moses returned from Mt. Sinai to the people after time spent with the Lord, his face would be radiant. It would be so radiant that he would wear a veil until the next time he spoke with the Lord (Ex. 34:30-35). Each time Moses experienced God’s glory, it made him glow.

When we experience God’s glory, we too, become aglow. There is no hiding that we have encountered God’s glory because our faces are radiant, our lives are radiant, we are filled with His radiance!

Proclamation follows God’s glory like a shadow. Paul from the New Covenant is another one of whom experienced God’s glory. So much so that he couldn’t contain himself and praise would just overflow from his mouth! If we have requested God to show us His glory, when He does, we need to be bursting at the seams with honor and adoration. It is the honor and adoration expressed in response to God’s glory displayed (glory given). That is what Paul did.

When I experience His continuous glory, I begin to weep because I am so moved by God as I feel the weight of revelation and understanding overcome my heart and mind.

The very same glorious God manifest Himself into a man. A man humbled, who set His own glory aside to walk among commoners and to even enter the Temple, His own Temple, through the side door of the commoners. A man whom we know as Yeshua (Jesus). How could this be? My God, the very glorious One, came down to my level to allow me the chance to be a co-heir in His Kingdom with the acceptance of Him? Yes, He did. And that in and of itself isHis glory being revealed yet again.

What does glory mean?

Glory (Hebrew: Kabod) in the Old Covenant means heaviness, or weight. God’s glory is the manifestation of the excellence of His character; the display of His holiness and worth in beauty. Just as with Moses, God allows us glimpses of His glory here on earth until we are able to fully encounter His glory face to face. I encourage us to reveal the knowledge of His glory among others.

Habakkuk 2:14 says: 

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

The earth will be filled. Will. For those of us who God has revealed His glory to, this is our calling.

in Him,

Alethia

(Source: alethialov)

Discipline in Abstinence

And, no, I’m not speaking about that kind of abstinence. Although, that type of abstinence is just as good and healthy. But I am sure you have heard of that one time and time again. Well, I have a different kind of discipline of abstinence in mind. To abstain is the practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something. 

When we examine our own spiritual lives, chances are we will find we are more likely to practice disciplines of engagement than disciplines of abstinence. I suspect this is because we feel better about ourselves when we feel that we are doing something. After all, being productive is key, right? Not necessarily.  

Knowing that we read our Bible for an hour or prayed for 20 minutes each day this week makes us feel more productive and “spiritual” than sitting in silence or solitude for an hour. It is easier to buy the latest study Bible as an indication of our commitment than to practice frugality by resisting getting the latest iPhone when our old iPhone works just fine.

The point is that in our culture we are conditioned to think that the most valuable way to do anything is to do or have more of it. And so we work more, consume more, learn more, and get more friends on Facebook. Then, we can unwittingly transfer this way of thinking to our spiritual lives, and so we study more, pray more, and fellowship more. The problem is not that such activities are bad or wrong, but that we have a difficult time seeing the importance of disciplines in which we don’t do or add something. We tend to feel a lot better if we can tell people we read our Bible or went to church/congregation than that we sat under a tree by ourselves and didn’t talk to anyone for an hour.

I can measure the value of reading Scripture for an hour because I came away with more knowledge, or attending another service because I listened to a great sermon and prayed for three friends who were sick. The benefits of spending that hour sitting under the tree in silence are harder to see.

However, it is important to realize that sometimes we need to take things out of our lives rather than just adding things to it. When we take something out of our lives, we create a space that needs to be filled, and amazing things can happen when we open up spaces in our lives. It is easier to hear the voice of God when we practice silence because our world is not filled with competing noises. Doing without something can help us appreciate it more. Sometimes when we remove something from our lives, even for just a short period of time, we discover how much unnecessary time we spend on it, or even how much it controls us.

To help us see the value of abstaining from things, rather than just adding things, I think fasting is the best way to do that. While a food fast, which is the traditional way of fasting, is great — I am thinking more along the lines of fasting from something else. The larger purpose of it being, in addition to the fast itself, for us to see what happens when we remove something from our lives, to see how God works in the space that disciplines of abstinence create. We can design our own fast. It can include something in our lives that we think is negative and would like to break the habit; or something that is good or has become routine and would like to learn how to appreciate it more or subordinate it to God’s larger purposes in our lives. Some popular choices of fasting from something are criticism, sarcasm, social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), music, and cell phones.

A fast from talking can make us see how much we normally talk without truly listening to other people. Fasting from Facebook can lead to the realization that it consumes way too much of our time. I realize that we (this generation) use social media to fill up empty spaces in our lives instead of turning to God. A fast from spending can cause us to appreciate the blessings we already have. The need to have both disciplines of abstinence and disciplines of engagement as part of our spiritual lives is necessary.

A proper abstinence actually breaks the hold of improper engagements so that the soul can be properly engaged in and by God. And it makes complete sense! Ultimately, we were created by Him for Him. Our souls long to be occupied and engaged by God. So, why do we keep filling these empty voids with anything and everything but?

The disciplines of abstinence can be harder to practice because we have to overcome our need to feel “productive” first. We need to be willing to go against our inclinations if we are going to be able to make space for God to reveal Himself to us and to show us our needs, shortcomings, blessings, or His will for our lives.

Let’s pay attention to what we use a lot daily so that we can cut back on, or better yet, fast from completely to instead allow God to engage and hold our attention during that time. Let’s spend the same amount of time we would doing said “productive” thing in our life, in silence and just being in God’s presence. Let’s allow Him to move us and not the amount of friends, followers, or “likes” we have.

in Him,

Alethia

(Source: alethialov)

Transformation

Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

You [should] lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your own mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:22-24.

Being “born again” is a lot more than just receiving the gift of eternal life. It is supposed to be a complete transformation. Being “born again” is an inward and spiritual transformation. It isn’t enough to just receive the gift of eternal life and not let it change you. It is not our beliefs that make us a better person, but our behavior. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform you. Can you remember when you made that walk and publicly declared to allow God to enter your life? Have you been allowing Him to transform you? He is the potter, you are the clay. If there has not been an inward and spiritual transformation in your life, then you have not truly experienced being “born again.” Allow God to transform your heart and mind. Humble yourself and let Him take control of your life completely.

Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16 quoting Leviticus 19:2.

(Source: alethialov)

The Beauty of Discretion

I wanted to blog this yesterday when I actually read Proverbs 11 for day eleven of the month of October, yet I didn’t have the time! But it’s all good, because here it is! :)

A verse that has always caught my attention in Proverbs 11 is verse 22. It reads: “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”

I never really took the time to put in-depth thought into it, but I always wanted to. And of this I was certain, that that is not a very good thing at all. Especially considering a pig was mentioned which God ordained as an unclean animal. They live in their own feces mixed with mud and grow obscenely large while squealing unpleasantly. We always immediately associate the pig with being dirty, therefore becoming unattractive.

And then there’s this gold ring, a beautiful gold ring — priceless, attractive, shiny. Something everyone wants and loves to look at. But once this stunning piece of jewelry is placed on the snout of a swine, it simply loses its beauty. No matter how hard we may try, we can’t ignore the huge, dirty mass wearing the beautiful gold ring on its snout. This is the imagery God creates for us through Solomon to understand the simile of a woman with no discretion being like a swine wearing a beautiful, gold ring.

Now, the definition of discretion. Discretion is a synonym for words such as discernment, maturity, wisdom, thoughtfulness, prudence, care, responsible, reserved, sensible, modest; a woman who can be silent when speech is improper, a woman who is proper at all times in all situations. All of these are characteristics that honor God and those around the woman who beholds them.

Discretion, as used by Solomon, is part of wisdom. It is the power of right judgement, understanding, and the power of right discernment (Pr. 1:4; 2:10-17; 3:21; 5:1-2). Discretion is generous to others and it rejects the wicked conduct of others (Pr. 2:10-17). It knows how each situation calls for different conduct. It is a prudent application of wisdom to speech and actions whether in public or not.

A woman with discretion is a gracious woman, which Solomon had exalted, which we see a little bit before verse 22, in verse 16: “A kindhearted woman gains honor…” She always knows how to act, and she does it in such a way as to be delightful to all those around her, all the time. Good men and women always hold this desirable woman in the highest regard. She is always honored, and wise Godly men will want to marry a discreet and gracious women. So, ladies, strive for discretion!

Unfortunately, our society today puts a huge emphasis on physical beauty. We see those who are gorgeous get everything they want and get their way. But as believing women, we are not concerned with the world’s standards, but with God’s. Yes, a woman’s beauty might open doors for her, but it is her character that will be her ultimate success. Beauty may attract a man, but faithfulness and respect is what will enable her dating relationships, or courtship, and ultimately marriage to last. Beauty may get her a job opportunity, but her work ethic is what will allow her to keep it, if not excel. Beauty may give her attention and friends, but it is her trustworthiness that will determine whether they stick around.

It’s the character of a woman, not her beauty, that determines whether or not those blessings will be lasting. God promises us this, showing later in the well-known Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

When measured this way, it becomes more clear that the beauty of a woman without discretion does little more for her life than a ring on the tip of a pig’s snout does. Both adornments are ultimately fruitless.

You might be asking yourself, “Am I a woman without discretion?” This is a good thing to ask! It’s a start, and it shows wisdom and your drive for growth in the Lord from His Word. Let’s look at the opposite characteristics of discretion so that we can learn to avoid them.

Solomon definitely gave us a fair warning about Delilah characteristics; forwardness, aggression, conniving, immodesty, and without moral discretion. A woman without discretion can be irritating in speech and conduct. She argues and nags and has opinions without being asked, she is self-righteous, gets angry easily, is moody, or loves to second-guess others. She reveals her spirit by spoiled body language. She asks questions about every matter brought up, she pouts if she doesn’t get her way, and she waits for people to apologize to her. She thinks she’s everyone second conscience (especially her husband’s), she is critical, negative, or picky. She loves to correct dates or other irrelevant facts, she is childish, nosy, or inquisitive, criticizes others and cannot forgive instantly or completely. She cries over nothing, and overreacts to rumors or other minor events in her life. She finds something negative in everything, keeps clutters, doesn’t have a clue when she irritates people, is rude, and does not grasp social decorum. She is too bold, too forward, too loud, and too opinionated.

Ladies, clearly we have a lot of work to do. If you’re like me, human, then you’ve probably had a lot of those negative characteristics mentioned above come out at one point or another (or all the time) in your lifetime. Even when your walk with God has been strong, or is strong.

Now, I know everything just mentioned goes exactly against the way a woman “should” behave today, especially according to feminists. But again, we are women focusing on God’s Word and not on the world’s.

How can you know if you lack discretion? Do good men and women crave your company? Do you have numerous friends and are highly regarded by all? Good conduct leads to favor from others (Pr. 22:1). To become a woman with discretion, pray, read, study, and apply the wisdom of Proverbs. Ask your friends to be brutally honest and give you straight criticism, pick a few gracious women in your life and then emulate their conduct. Reject your mother’s teachings and characteristics or any other example from your past only if it does not match Holy Scripture. Learn to be a I Peter 3:3-4 woman. And hate the arrogant and selfish attitude of modern women who do not understand their Biblical role as women of God.

Abba, Father — I thank You that through Your Word You reveal new revelation. That You teach us and choose to discipline us because You love us. I want to become the best woman I can be, first for You and then for my future husband — to be the crown of glory on his head and not the woman that decays his bones (Pr. 12:4). I pray that You guide me as I learn to become more and more a woman of discretion, and I also pray this for my sisters. In Your wonderful Name, Amen.

in Him,

Alethia

p.s. If you have never done 31 Proverbs in 31 days; I strongly recommend you do!!

(Source: alethialov)

Martha & Mary

As Yeshua (Jesus) and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

How many times have we spent being so busy with our daily lives that we forget to just take some time to listen and be still at His feet?

I know I am completely guilty of that. More often than not. One thing I have come to learn is just because you’re busy, it does not mean you’re being productive. Ouch, right? It’s true. Even if you seem to be busy for the “greater good” of things. He prefers that we take some time to rest with Him rather than do things for Him.

Lord, help me to never forget to take some time out of my “busy” schedule and spend time at Your feet. Even if it’s from ministry. May I never confuse the world’s busy non-stop movement with being productive. Give me the wisdom to know the difference, and the understanding to stop when You ask me to.

(Source: alethialov)

The Parable of the Sower

For my New Testament History & Literature class, we are currently going through the Gospel of Matthew in its entirety. It has been amazing. I’ve read this Gospel many times before, but only now am I gaining more and more in-depth knowledge. I can feel my brain expanding and ready to explode! Not literally. But you know what I mean…I hope :)

Today I am going through Matthew 13, and I came across the parable of the sower that Yeshua (Jesus) is speaking to the crowds from a boat, mind you, because the crowd of people was so large He sat in the boat while they stood on the shore listening intently.

I remember when I first read the parable of the sower, I didn’t quite understand it. Well, luckily for us, His disciples didn’t either; so they asked Him what He meant and He explained it. Which we then find later towards the end of the chapter.

But first, the parable of the sower (NIV):

3 Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Now, if you’re how I was when I was in my beginning believing stages, you’re probably scratching your head right now thinking, “WHAT?”

And now, what Yeshua (Jesus) meant. Pay attention because this if for you, dear confused one:

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorn refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

 Now, I propose to you two questions: Which seed are you currently (be honest with yourself)? Which seed do you want to be?

If you’re normal (for lack of a better term), you would pick the seed that lands on good soil! Me, too.

And now, a solution: The best way we can assure that we won’t end up like the other seeds is to become rooted in our knowledge of God and His Word. How? Through obeying His Word, not just hearing it. To hear means to listen; to listen means to obey. It’s not being passive, it’s an action. Once we obey, we will understand. We will gain a better understanding through studying by obedience. By doing this, the crop we produce from our life will be a plethora of beautiful, delicious healthiness that can only come from knowing Him, which comes from hearing and being obedient. May you all be as the seed that lands on good soil!

in Him,

Alethia

(Source: alethialov)

He > the world

I read 1 John 2 during my quiet time today. Wanted to share what I received!

The world draws our heart from God; the more love we have for the world, the more our love for God decays. John outlines the top three ruling inclinations of our nature: The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. I challenge you to ask yourself: What is your heart truly set upon? What is your true love? Things of this world quickly fade, but the love of God will always remain.

(Source: alethialov)

Take A Stand

“And I will make you a great nation,

And I will bless you,

And make your name great;

And so you shall be a blessing;

And I will bless those who bless you,

And the one who curses you, I will curse. 

And in you ALL the families of the earth will be blessed.” 

Genesis 12:2-3.

He loves His people, His nation, His land, and so should we. If it wasn’t for God’s chosen people being scattered throughout the nations, Him and His Son would have remained the best-kept secret of His land, Israel, and the rest of us would still be writhing in paganism. It is through them and Him that we gentiles have been blessed to be allowed to come to Him as well! Why aren’t we praying for them how we should be? Makes you wonder how this tiny land has survived for so long while its surrounding nations want to wipe it off the map…

(Source: alethialov)

Everlasting Freedom

Today is Independence Day here in America, and while I am fully grateful for the freedom I have in this country, I know it is not eternal. And that is why I look beyond that. The true key to freedom lies in Yeshua (Jesus).

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. II Corinthians 3:17.

The Spirit of the Lord dwells within you, if you are a true follower of Messiah. Once you grasp that, you are set free. For eternity. And nothing compares to the freedom found in Him.

Therefore, I will take this day and not make it about me, or my country, or the temporary freedom found in it, but about Him, and His Kingdom, and the everlasting freedom found in Him.

I do, however, want to thank all the valiant soldiers who have served and/or are serving in war to give us all back home the freedom we have as a nation. Your hearts of courage are very much appreciated, and know that you have prayer warriors and your loved ones anticipating your return home.

(Source: alethialov)

Embracing Our Unique Roles

“A true gentleman will not be attracted to the behaviour of a lady who does not allow him to behave as he ought. It is only when a woman carefully keeps a guarded heart and sets her sight on Christ alone that her conduct will compel a gentleman to rise to the challenge of winning her heart and proving himself to be a man of God and a man of honour.”

This anonymous quote is the epitome of our God-given role as a man or woman. We have been assigned unique roles by God according to our gender. This is nothing to be afraid of, offended by, or rejected. Just hear me out!

Unfortunately, thanks to our society today, our gender roles end up being reversed. Men, you sit back and relax and exhibit passivity. Women, because of this, we then end up taking control. When in reality, it should never be this way. Let’s go back to the garden of Eden where it all began…

First of all, women — we are not less than men in any way, shape, or form. We learn of this in the beginning of Genesis; Adam and Eve were created equal in God’s sight. Please refer to chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis. We are no less important or valuable to God. Forget what our chauvinistic culture says. We believe what the Word of God says.

Now, Adam was created first by God. This signifies his unique role of leader and initiator. Eve was then created from Adam by God and given to Adam as his helper. Eve was to help, complement, and nourish her husband. Please don’t think this minimizes a woman’s role; instead, it defines it. It is true we were created equal, yet different.

I love the way Matthew Henry explains our unique roles: ‘Eve was not taken out of Adam’s head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.’ Beautiful.

In Ephesians 5:21-33, Paul speaks on and emphasizes the uniqueness of our roles as well. Men are called to love their wives just as Messiah loves the church. This means sacrificially and selflessly. Wives are told to follow their husbands just as the Church obeys Messiah. This isn’t just mindless following. It is simply an act of obedience, joyful submission, and an active participation and response to a loving leadership.

Men, leading does not mean you rule over the women in any tyrannical way. Leading is a form of serving. Elisabeth Elliot, the wife of the late Jim Elliott, wrote this to her nephew: ‘The world cries for men who are strong—strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer. I pray that you will be that kind of man—glad that God made you a man, glad to shoulder the burden of manliness in a time when to do so will often bring contempt.’

Joshua Harris does an amazing job at going into details about our unique roles as men and women in his book Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship. I will paraphrase some of what he says below. First, men; here are four practical ways he teaches that you can do in your relationships with women:

1. Assume the responsibility of leading and initiating in your relationships with women

Provide direction, suggest ideas, and initiate conversation or activities, etc.

2. Be a spiritual leader in your relationships with women

Strive to set an example of spiritual growth and passion for God by making time to ask questions such as, “So what did you think of the sermon?” or “Can I share something God is showing me?” or “What’s an area God is helping you grow in?”

3. Do little things in your relationships with women that communicate your care, respect, and desire to protect

Just be a gentleman. You can do this through small actions, such as: open the door for them, pull out their chair, escort them to their car at the end of the night. But remember, you’re not doing this to try and win her heart, you’re merely doing it for God’s glory by serving a sister in Messiah and honoring her as a woman.

Sidenote to women: If you’re just friends with a man, and he’s trying to treat you like a lady, don’t assume he has a romantic interest in you. One of the fastest ways to derail a man’s attempts to practice servant leadership is to interpret his actions as romantic overtures. Something to remember; “Girls should assume that until a guy expresses interest, they’re just friends.”

4. Encourage women to embrace Godly femininity

Look for ways to encourage your sisters in Godly femininity. When they make room for you to practice servant leadership, thank them. When they’re humble and gentle, encourage them. Femininity is not weakness. It requires great strength of character for a woman to be gentle in an age that screams for her to do otherwise. When you see a woman going against the grain of culture by cultivating a skill that will serve her family someday, compliment her. When a girl is pursuing a demanding career, but is still being feminine, let her know that you notice. Let her know you respect her. Be the biggest encouragers and prayer warriors for women who are seeking to glorify God by practicing Godly femininity.

And now we move onto the women. Ladies, here are four practical ways that Joshua Harris advises that you can do in your relationships with men:

1. In your relationships with Godly men, encourage and make room for them to practice servant leadership

Encourage men to be men by refusing to do the work of leading for them. Avoid developing a habit of initiating in your relationships with men. This doesn’t mean that you never do so, but that it’s not the normal pattern in your life. Neither does this mean that when you’re single, you’re supposed to submit to every man you meet. God asks a woman only to submit to her husband. But a single woman can, with men whose character warrants it, encourage servant leadership and respond to their initiative. We ladies can be too quick to fill the silence in a conversation. We’re like, “Oh no! He’s not talking! I need to say something.” But it’s important for us to let there be awkward silences so the men can step up and lead the conversation. Don’t (always) plan your times together, and don’t be too quick to be the one who “clarifies” the relationship—“What is our status?” If at all possible, make him do it.

2. Be a sister to the men in your life

The first way you should view a Christian guy is as your brother. Pray for them. Be yourself. Don’t put up a front. Be a friend.

3. Cultivate the attitude that motherhood is a noble and fulfilling calling

The Bible encourages younger women to learn homemaking skills from older women. Learning to keep a home and love a husband and children is part of God’s plan for the complete training of young women (Titus 2:3). Don’t hesitate to learn the practical skills that will one day allow you to serve a family. As a single woman, you can express your femininity by practicing hospitality and by caring for and nurturing the people in your life. Don’t be embarrassed to embrace this side!

4. Cultivate Godliness and inward beauty in your life

If you want Godly men to respect you and cherish you as a woman, refuse to buy into our culture’s obsession with being physically beautiful and sexually alluring. This is an attitude that springs from the motives of your heart and extends to the way you dress and act around men. Is your wardrobe an expression of your love for God? There’s a big difference between dressing attractively and dressing to attract. What’s your motive? Ask your father or another Christian woman to honestly evaluate your clothing. Are you willing to sacrifice fashion to be obedient to God? Honor the men in your life by acting and dressing modestly. Peter tells us in Scripture that our beauty should be that of our inner selves—“the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (I Peter 3:4). Grace will make you beautiful and will attract truly Godly men to you. Make Godliness and inward beauty your priority.

And there you have it! Boys, I encourage you to be men. And girls, be ladies.

in Him,

Alethia

(Source: alethialov)

Heart of Gold

LADIES:

We all dream, or have dreamt about finding and having “the one.” As a woman of God, it takes more than just dreaming. It takes prayer and patience. During this waiting period, here are six things that you can pray for your future spouse as God prepares him for you. However, it is simply not one-sided. As you patiently await God’s impeccable timing, you must also pray that this becomes you and your heart as well. You are being prepared just as your man of God is. Then, when you two are brought together in God’s perfect timing, you will be a Godly couple to be reckoned with :)

6 Keys to the Golden Heart:

1. He/you should love God
2. He/you should love and put others first
3. He/you should be compassionate
4. He/you should be kind
5. He/you should forgive easily
6. He/you should be joyful

(Source: alethialov)