We have an obligation because of our freedom in Christ to honour the Lord Jesus and our brothers in the LORD by our dress and by our behavior. For many years I was totally unaware of how my dress and behavior affected others. I was indifferent to the fact that I was, by the clothing I was wearing, causing a brother to stumble. It would be many years into my Christian walk before I realized I had an obligation to the LORD to avoid the appearance of evil, that I had a responsibility to protect the gift that I am to my husband and the duty to my brothers in the LORD to not be a stumbling block. Evil, you say? Yes… if I disregard my behavior and am careless about the message of the cross, I see this as evil. How frequently and easily we apply this to “drinking” and how acceptable it is for a Christian to not “drink” so as not to cause a brother to stumble, but how seldom this is applied to the area of modest dress. I believe the LORD has called me to minister to women and to share the ‘hard things’ and I am willing to be scoffed at for the sake of the LORD. I am aware that whenever this subject comes up, there will be accusation of legalism or of “bondage.” I am perfectly comfortable hearing these allegations because I probably at one time rejected these truths or thought the same thing until I began to understand the difference between legalism and obedience. When a woman is in the bonds of legalism, she depends on behaviors or thoughts and the performing of these duties as necessary to keeping or obtaining salvation. So then, fundamentally, legalism becomes a religion unto itself. So where does obedience to the Word differ from legalism in behavior and thought? In the last several years I have thought on this question perhaps thousands of times… wondering what in this world should a woman wear, how should a woman behave, where should a woman spend her time, how should a woman go about loving her husband and how should she live pleasing the LORD? So… here goes: It matters what a Christian woman looks like. It matters what she wears and doesn’t wear. She is a representative of the LORD.

Read the rest of this entry »

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?”

Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air.”

Well,” he continued, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. “Now who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.

“My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson.

No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless.

But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God’s eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him.
Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us, “as the apple of His eye.”

 God Needs Your Personality

Ezekiel 18:4, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

by Bro. Jack Hyles.

 

God made you to fill a particular need. 

Read the rest of this entry »

The Visitor

One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, “I always park there. You took my place!”

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, “That’s my seat! You took my place!”

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit. You took my place!”

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change.

Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.

Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, “What happened to you?”

The visitor replied, “I took your place.”

SPIRITUAL VITAMINS A TO Z
Author Unknown

Remember to take your vitamins every day!

Anxious? Take Vitamin A. “All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Blue? Take Vitamin B. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1)

Crushed? Take Vitamin C. “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Depressed? Take Vitamin D. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Read the rest of this entry »

Genesis 2:21-24, “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

“Our Heavenly Father, we come to speak on this vital subject. I’d love to be a help and a blessing. I pray that for some ladies this will be life-changing. May we give our attention to this truth and to Thee. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

The Lord chose to compare a family with the Trinity. In so doing, He called the head of the family, the man, after His own name, Father. We pray, “Our Father, Which art in Heaven.” Then He likened the son or children in the family to His own Son, the second- named Person in the Trinity. Hence, we have in the family a person who represents God the Father, and we have a person who represents God the Son. By process of elimination, we come to realize who represents the Holy Spirit in the family. There is only one person left, and that’s the lady. That means that you- the woman, wife, mother-represent the Holy Spirit. If you would like to find your duties in life, just find in the Bible what the Holy Spirit is supposed to do. He comforts; so does Mother. He teaches; so does Mother. He instructs; so does Mother. He leads; so does Mother. Think of all the ministries the Holy Spirit has in the world. He’s the unseen One; so is Mother. He is the one Who gives the others attention; so does Mother. If you want to know what your duties are in the family, all you have to do is find out the duties of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity, for you are the Holy Spirit of the home.

The week of creation began. First came light. After the light, God made the firmament. Then God lit the starry hosts of the nighttime in their constellations. Then God made the fishes of the sea and then all the tribes of the animal kingdom. Now creation’s week is almost finished and all is prepared for God to make man. God did make man is His own image.

All that God had made before man was made for man. The stars of the nighttime were placed in the heavens for the enjoyment of man. The herbs and grass of the field were placed there of the nurture and health of man. The sun in the noontime and the moon in the nighttime were placed in the heavens for man. It was marvelous.

Every tree that grew was pleasant to the sight. Rivers flowed peaceably between verdant banks in Eden’s garden. Every sound was a melody and every scene was a delight. There was no war to unrest the beast of man. There was no sickness to cause in his heart a fear of death. The leaf never withered. The wind never chilled. No perspiration moistened man’s brow. There was no profanity to cause discomfort to his ears. There was no weariness, no heat, no cold. No blossoms were ever smitten by a tempest. Man had not yet learned to sigh and to weep. This was the Garden of Eden. God had made it and the entire universe for one person-man! No withering frost to chill thee rose and no shadow of guilt was ever felt in the heart of man. For Adam there were choirs of birds to sing. Man had everything he would need, it seemed, in this Edenic bliss, and yet something was missing!

Adam needed someone to share with him these beauties. Adam needed someone to whom he could say, “Look at the stars! Aren’t they pretty?” Adam needed someone with whom he could share the joys of the beautiful garden. He longed for communion with a kindred soul, one whose wants and joys were like his own. The virgin world was cold and blank. Adam needed somebody, and God made her; and here comes dressed in all the beauty for a human being to possess.

Milton said of Eve, “She was adorned with all of heaven and earth that they could bestow upon her to make her amiable.” Grace was in her steps. Heaven was in her eye, and every gesture possessed dignity, poise and love. Perfection was stamped on her. The sons of God shouted for joy, the morning stars sang together, and Eden was transformed. Now Adam has what he needed. Someone wrote, “The earth was sad, the Garden wild, the hermits sighed, till woman smiled.” The work of Omnipotence was finished.

Notice, woman was not taken from man’s head to lord over him, nor from his heel to be crushed by him, but this magnificent creation of Omnipotence was taken from man’s rib, near his heart, so she could be loved and protected by him.

The winds are a thousand times more refreshing now that she is here. The flowers are a thousand times more fragrant now that she is here. The birds are a thousandfold more melodious, the trees are more beautiful, and the fruits are more delicious. The sun is brighter, the moon is more lovely, the stars are closer, the animals are tamer because she is her. There she is-Miss Universe! She was created all because of the perfection of the Garden of Eden did not give to Adam what he needed.

There she stands with the beauty of Sarah as she made Abraham her lord, with the courage of Deborah as she stood beside Barak in the battle against the enemy, with the depth of Hannah as she prayed for and reared her son, with the devotion of Rizpah as she vowed to protect even the dead bodies of her own, with the royalty of Ester as she stood before the king and spared a nation. There she is with the grace of Lydia, the poise of Mary, the humility of Phoebe, the friendship of Dorcas, the faith of Rhoda, the ambition of Salome, the worship of Mary, the care of Martha, and the praise of Mary Magdalene. There she stands, our Miss Universe, with the patience of Anna, the loveliness of Rachel, the love of Jochebed, the gentleness of Elisabeth and the spirit of Lois. Wrapped up in all these personalities is what you ought to be. Take all the good from all the good women of the Word of God and there, dear lady, is what God intended you to be.

Who could have guessed that in the midst of Eden’s loveliness, innocence and peace where angels guarded the gates of the garden and where peace, love and joy prevailed, who could have looked at this magnificent creature of God’s omnipotence and ever thought that evil could find an entrance! In the loveliness of this woman is also the potential for ugliness. In her joy is the potential for sadness. In her grace is the potential for selfishness. In her humility is the potential for pride. In her submission is the potential for rebellion. In her faith is the potential for doubt. Though she is lovely and thought all the good qualities of all the women in the Bible are potentially hers, there is another potential that she possesses. She bears in her breast the potential of Michal, who hated her husband and laughed at him because he got happy and shouted when the ark of the covenant came back to God’s people. She can, if she chooses, possess the rebellion of Jezebel, who fell and with her took a nation. She owns the seed of the selfishness of Athaliah, who could kill her own grandchildren for her own rights and privileges.

It’s difficult to imagine that this beautiful queen of the Garden of Eden, the one who filled every need of Adam, could possess in her breast the hatred of Herodias, who had John the Baptist’s head served in a platter! It’s hard to believe that she could be soiled by Rahab, who could sell her own body to the hands and lusts of wicked men. It’s hard to believe that this beautiful of has the potential so that her feet could carry her to Moab with Naomi. It’s hard to believe that these lips could possess the potential of lying as did Sapphira. There behind her smile dwells the possibility of hatred and the disposition of Abigail.

Ladies, it is up to you, as it was to Eve, to decide, for there is in your breast all the loyalty of Sarah, the loveliness of Rachel, the tenderness of Mary, the servitude of Martha, the patience of the mother of Christ (His earthly mother), and the gentleness of Rebekah. There is also a bit of Jezebel, Athalia, Michal, Abigail and the others. It is up to you to decide.

Whether it be good or bad, there is one thing that woman always does; she determines the spirit and the atmosphere of any place where she is present.

Woman was not made to till the soil, she was not made to build the house, she was not made to steer the crane, nor stack the brick, nor hew the stones, nor build the road, nor head the state, nor lead the church, nor reap the harvest.

It is woman’s job to determine the atmosphere while the soil is being tilled. It is woman’s job to determine the atmosphere while the house is being built. Though it is not her job to steer the crane, it is her job to make happy the one who steers the crane. It’s not her job to stack the brick nor hew the stone; it’s her job to make a wonderful spirit and atmosphere while the brick is being stacked and the stone is being hewn. It’s not her job to build the road, nor head the state, nor lead the church, nor reap the harvest. Everywhere woman has ever been, it has been her job to provide the spirit of atmosphere while man does his work and changes the course of history.

Woman can make Eden a paradise if she so chooses, or she can curse everything in it, as she did. She can make an ark a lifeboat and the Nile River a nursery if she wants to, or she can curse her husband in Job’s ash heap. It’s her choice! She can ruin a nation as did Jezebel or she can change a house into a church as did Priscilla. She can make a preaching service great by giving all or ruin one by withholding as Sapphira. She can fill the house with Mary’s ointment or she can fill it with Michal’s hatred. She can save a nation as did Ester or she, like Jezebel, can destroy one.

Ladies, I don’t think you understand completely how the atmosphere is determined by you.

Much of the atmosphere of Hyles-Anderson College is caused by the lovely young ladies who grace our hallways. Our college was made basically for God’s men. When I was in Los Angeles, California, praying all night one night, God didn’t give me a burden and say, “You need to start a college and turn out some young ladies.” My burden was for God to send us some young men who could go across his country with the fire of God in their breasts and change this country, build churches, call America back to God and fight evil, but we could not have done it had it not been for the marvelous spirit that permeates our campus caused by the sweetness of the “Holy Spirits” of our campus who make it so much sweeter.

We have some fine young men in our high school who play football and basketball, and who are the officers of the class, but our high school this year has an amazing spirit. Do you know one reason? A group of young ladies determine what it’s like.

Woman’s spirit determines the tranquillity of the home, the spirit of the office, the unity of the church, the reputation of the preacher, the health of her husband and the joy of her children. She’s not the one whose name is put in the headlines of the paper. She’s the one who makes man have a delightful place to be. `Tis her spirit, her attitude, her disposition.

The little song is true: “Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m blue; my disposition depends on you!” That’s the way it is. You can make your church a marvelous place. You ladies can determine the spirit of your church more than the men folks can, for your spirit determines the spirit of the men folk. I wonder how many preachers have gone to church and bawled the people out because of some discontent they received from their wives concerning the church while they were home. I wonder how many preachers have kept churches tranquil and serene because of the tranquillity they received at home.

Any time a woman is present, she determines the spirit and the atmosphere many times more than does the man. Though she’s not the head, she’s the neck that determines which way the head looks. Though she’s not the arm, she’s the fuel that gives it strength. Though she’s not the strong cedar of Lebanon, she’s the myrrh that makes fragrant the atmosphere. Though she’s not the pillar of the temple, she is the altar of incense that makes everything fragrant within its walls. Though she’s not the harvest gatherer, she is the lily that makes the gathering of the harvest more beautiful as she graces herself in the field.

Woman is the flower of the communion table. She’s the honey at the banquet table. She’s the Holy Spirit in the home, the unseen power.

Man worked before woman came, but man worked harder after she came. Man ran before she came, but man ran faster after she came. Man jumped before she came, but man jumped higher after she came. Man was good before she came; man excelled after she came.

Some women are not listed in the Bible by name-the Shunammite woman, the little maid that pointed Naaman toward the man of God, the widow who gave two mites, the widow at Zarephath, and others. You see, the honest truth is, thought you’re not made to have your name in the headlines, break the records, win the wars an fight the battles, God made you for a specific purpose.

Jesus is the One we exalt in our preaching here, but the Holy Spirit gives us power to exalt Him. The Father is the One Who is the great omnipotent God, but the Holy Spirit is the One Who causes our attention to turn toward Him. The Gospel gets people saved, but the unseen power of the Holy Spirit is felt in the services; His power causes folks to walk the aisle; His power causes Jesus to be more lovely; His power causes God to look more omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent; that power causes the church to go out and bring more folks to Christ and draw folks to Calvary; that power is the unseen One, the Holy Spirit! That’s what you are! You’re the determiner-the unseen one.

When I was a boy, my mother used tossing to me in some tune that you would not recognize, for she was possessed with the same musical talents with which I am obsessed! She used to rock me on her knee and sing, “Brighten the Corner.” Years ago a little lady, In Duley Ogdon, was given a beautiful voice. Someone asked her to sing a concert tour around the world. She had anticipated the day when she could cover the globe and carry bright light of Christ through her voice. She had signed the contract; the date was set for her journey to begin. Just days before her departure, she found her father was taken seriously ill. No one else could care for him; only she! With some bitterness and much disappointment she canceled her worldwide trip to use her voice to sing the praises of Christ and shine His light around the world!

Inu Duley Ogdon looked at her aged father and saw him as he was nearly dying. She realized that she could not take her trip. Her bitterness changed to joy, her disappointment changed to gratitude as she sat down one day and began to write, “Brighten the corner where you are; brighten the corner where you are; someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar if you brighten the corner where you are!”

What the soloist could not do with her journey, she did with her sweet spirit as it went from her heart to her mind, from her mind to her pen, from her pen to the paper, from the paper to the hymnbook, and from the hymnbook, to the whole world! Not just in her lifetime did she brighten the world, but she will do so as long as the song is sung!

That’s your job-brighten the corner! The atmosphere of the office is determined more by the spirit of the secretaries that that of the bosses. The atmosphere of the home is determined more by the mother and wife than by the father and the children.

Man looks to you first to see in what kind of mood you are now. Your husband comes home at night an done of the first things he wants to know is, “What kind of a mood is she in tonight?” His evening is brightened or saddened according to your mood! Why? Man doesn’t determine the mood of the house; you do! You are the Holy Spirit of the home.

You won’t get the praises man gets. You won’t get your name in the paper like he does. You won’t get your name honored like he does, and you won’t be as big, as strong and as much of a leader. He is the Father, the children are the Son, but you are the Holy Spirit. The whole atmosphere wherever you are is determined by you.

Did you know that God has made it so that your spirit can overwhelm the spirit of man? He is stronger than you are as far as your body is concerned. Your emotions could never do it, because there is more emotional stability in a man than in you, but there is one place where you can always overpower your guy of any guy and that is your attitude, the spirit, the atmosphere!

Sometimes your home is happy; sometimes it’s blue. Its disposition depends on you. Sometimes the place you work is happy; sometimes it’s blue. Its disposition depends on you. Sometimes your school is happy; sometimes it’s blue. Its disposition depends on you. Sometimes your church is happy; sometimes it’s blue. Its disposition depends on you.

If your church doesn’t have a good spirit, it’s more your fault than the man’s. I like this building. I helped to build it. I love it. I think it’s the prettiest building in the whole world and I wouldn’t trade anyone’s building for it. I love this pulpit. It’s the same pulpit I had in the other building; we just put some new wood on the outside of the pulpit. When we met here Sunday morning, it doesn’t matter about the building, and all of my training and planning for the services doesn’t matter it the Holy Spirit is not here! It doesn’t matter what kind of a gut you’ve got or what kind of kids you have, if the Holy Spirit is not here.

That’s what it’s all about. It’s your job to comfort. Dad’s not a very good comforter; in fact, he’s a weak comforter. Dad’s a horrible spirit-determiner or atmosphere-determiner. He waits on you.

Not many years ago, I think it was in the state of Georgia, a mother and a child fell into an open well. The mother was beneath the child. She held the child up above her and cried for help. For hours that mother was there, just holding her arms up, holding the child above her. When the rescuers came, they found the child alive, but the mother was dead. They took the mother’s body to the funeral home. The funeral director came to the family and asked, “How shall we bury her?” The family said, “What do you mean?” The director said, “What shall we do with her arms?” He said, “Her arms are locked in position above her head. We’ll have to break the bones to put them across her breast.” The family said, “Bury her with her arms up.” As the people came by to view the body at her service they looked at her face, but her arms were raised out of the casket, and that’s how she was buried.

That’s the way it ought to be. Lady, your job is to keep lifting up those who are yours. Your guy and all guys are symbols of the Father; your children are symbols of Jesus Christ; you are the unseen and often forgotten, overlooked, unpraised, but always necessary Holy Spirit!

Think about the songs we sing: “Holy Spirit, breathe on me.” “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down.” Compare your purpose to the jobs of the Holy Spirit: teach, lead, comfort, encourage, strengthen, help.

I’ll be honest with you. I think you ladies got the long end of the stick. Preachers get on their faces and say, “O God, give me the fulness of the Holy Spirit.” I think I may get the man to demonstrate to God. We got short-changed in all of this. We’re going to start our own men’s ERA. We build the wall, but you decide whether we smile or frown while we build it. We build the city, but you decide whether we have normal blood pressure or high blood pressure while we build it. We are the ones who build the churches, but you are the noes who decide whether we have tranquillity or frustration while we lead. It’s up to you.

Why don’t you say, “My church is going to have a new spirit because of me”? Some of you ought to meet your preacher before he walks out to the pulpit Sunday morning and encourage him. Do what some our college girls did as they formed a little honor guard behind the platform and began to sing for me about loving their Preacher.

The next time you are prone to think, “I’m not very important;; nobody appreciates me,” remember that you are the one in the family that typifies the One in the Trinity that nobody appreciates either. His job is as the spotlight that is covered by the bushes or the ravine, but is shines upon the building so that all may see the building. `Tis you job to be the unseen one, that comforter, that Holy Spirit.

Take your Bible, look up the term Holy Spirit, and find all He does. Then resolve that you are going to do what He does. Get alone somewhere, bow your head, lift your heart to God, and say, “O God, I’m so thankful that You made me a woman, something that the earth had to have, something that paradise could not replace, something that could not be satisfied by the breeze of Eden, the taste of the fruit, the fragrance of the flowers, nor the gentleness of the wind.”

The earth had to have you, lady, just as the church has to have the Holy Spirit.

Get on your knees and say, “Dear God, I am satisfied with my lot in life. I am glad You made me a woman in the image of the Holy Spirit. I yield myself to promise You that everywhere I go the flowers will be a little prettier, the sun a little brighter, the wind a little more gentle, the smile a little broader, the shoulder a little straighter, and the arm a little stronger because I’m present.”

You’re somebody! You are God’s Holy Spirit in the family. It matters not what else you do-that’s your job. It matters not what else you accomplish. That is your job.

Mrs. Evans conducts these Christian Womanhood Spectaculars. To you she seems like a mighty strong-willed person. I don’t see her that way. I see her as, “Whatever you say, Preacher.” “Preacher, you’re the wisest.” “Preacher, I’m dumb compared to you.” That’s what it’s really all about.

You carry with you two dispensers. One dispenser is filled with the most marvelous fragrance and one is filled with a bad odor. You have the potential for making everything around you sweet or foul. We can’t overbalance you. There is no way we can. You give me ten gossipy ladies in a church, and I’ll chase off any preacher in America! Churches aren’t split by men; they are healed by women!

One day I was teaching a class in Texas many years ago. I was driving down the highway coming home, and the cutest little “cat” came across my path. It was black and white. It was a polecat or a skunk, and I tried to miss him. I didn’t! Not a bit of his Chanel No. 5 touched me, but do you know that for weeks ever where I went people said, “When! My! What’s that odor?” There was no way around it. You have that potential. It’s up to you.

The Russell Andersons are we were in Nassau, Bahamas. I was standing in a bit department store and I heard something behind me going, “past, past, psst.” I thought, “What is that-gas escaping?” Then I felt something trickling down my neck, and Russell Anderson had taken a little sample perfume bottle and absolutely washed my hair in it. For weeks everywhere I went people said, “Ah!” My deacons said, “Ohhh! You have both in your personality!

There Miss Universe stands with power enough to complete the perfection of the Garden of Eden or to let the serpent find his way into her heart and destroy and curst all in the garden.

You have that power too. It’s up to you which one you choose. You are the mood- determiner, the atmosphere-determiner, the Holy Spirit of the family.

Introduction 

The scriptures say in Proverbs 31:25, “strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in the time to come.” It also says in Proverbs 31:17, “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”

Without a doubt, God gives Christian woman strength. As with everything God gives us, we then become the stewards of that gift. We also become responsible to use it right and accountable for how we use it.

So take inventory, dear lady, of the strength that God has given you. How have you used it? The Lord has clothed you with strength. Whether you feel it is little or great is not the point. The point is: you will use your strength on something. You will direct it in some direction, either the right direction or the wrong direction.

This article is my desire to help direct your strength in the right way. The Lord’s way. With God’s help, I believe you will find that this booklet reveals three great principles that will assure your walking in the perfect will of God for the rest of your life. My prayer is that you will incorporate these three principles in every decision you make in your womanhood. Now pray, and read on with an open heart to the Holy Spirit to teach you. God has a perfect will for your life ladies. Don’t miss it for anything in the world!

I. A Christian Woman’s Strength 

The first general, but great principle to assure you walk in the perfect will of God for your life is: “A woman’s strength should be spent on her God.”

“… As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” declares Deut. 33:25. The Lord will give us enough strength for today. He has promised, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is evil thereof.” in Matthew 6:34. You are going to make it dear lady, if you’ll utilize the daily supply of strength that God gives you.

Use your strength on God, not on self. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31. You will be rich with His joy; and “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. You will avoid burnout and be refreshed in your spirit daily.

Ladies, what is the greatest thing you can ever do? The Bible says in Mark 12:30-31, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with ALL THY STRENGTH: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” It is not a waste of a ladies life to spend her strength on God, it is the greatest thing she can do.

How can a woman use her strength on God then? The Bible is filled with some wonderful examples of ladies who blazed the trail before you.

Let’s look at some:

• Anna used her strength in prayer and fasting- Luke 2:37b.
• Other women used their strength at prayer meetings- Acts 1:14
• Hannah prayed fervently- 1 Samuel 1:10
• Junia was a missionary- Romans16:7
• The woman at the well helped win her city to Christ- John 4:39
• Rahab the harlot gathered her family to safety- Joshua 6:23-25
• Philip’s daughters preached the gospel- Acts 21:8,9
• Tabitha was a disciple (student) and had a ministry of helps making coats for widows- Acts 9:36-39
• Phoebe was a helper in the Lord- Romans- 16:1,2
• Women ministered unto Christ of their substance- Luke 8:3
• Mary anoited Jesus with ointment very precious- John 12:3
• The widow gave of her want- Luke 21:2
• Another Mary gave support for the man of God for the Lord-Romans 16:6
• Mary the anointer sat at the feet of Jesus and heard His word- Luke 10:39
• Priscilla ministered for the Lord with her husband Aquila- Romans 16:3-4
• Tryphena and Tryphosa laboured for the Lord- Romans 16:12

This is just a partial listing of women who used their strength for the Lord. The Lord took note of them. Whatever they did whether small or great. There is an old saying, “One life twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Dear women, a million years from now and throughout eternity, you’ll be glad if you used your strength for your God.

II. A Wife’s Strength

The second principle on strength regarding women is: “A wife’s strength should be spent on her husband.” In the glorious grand finale of God’s written word- the book of Revelation, it says in 19:7-8a, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of his Lamb is come, AND HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white…”

From this portion of scripture we get the custom of a woman wearing white on her wedding day. Much preparation goes into those moments of her wedding day when she presents herself to her husband. Unfortunately, it has been this Pastor’s experience, to see some women put more time into preparation for that one wedding day then they do for their married life together afterwards. We as Christians should constantly be preparing ourselves for our wedding day to Christ and our eternal life with Him after. “And so shall we ever be with the Lord…” 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

The point is: The wife should always be with her husband. In presence, or in heart. Genesis 3:16b says, “…thy DESIRE shall be unto thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”

She is called “an help meet for him.” Notice Genesis 2:18, “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” The word “meet” means “fit”. It means “one called alongside to help”. Thus, she is supposed to be with her husband to help him. She is to be his completer.

When he is off to work, she is still to maintain his presence in her heart. 1 Peter 3:1-6 says, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”

You see the woman was made for the man and not vice-versa. That is the way God created it. 1 Corinthians 11:9 says, “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.” Man needs woman, more than a woman needs a man. A woman can help a man find and do the perfect will of God for his life, or she can hinder him. Often the woman makes the man.

When I think of the perfect marriage, I think of the Biblical couple of Aquila and Pricilla. Pricilla was a help meet to Aquila and helped him do God’s will: Acts 18:1,2 says, “After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth: And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.”

Pricilla’s husband was a hard working tent maker. So was the Apostle Paul. She opened her home up to him and ministered to not only her husband, but also to Paul. Those were hard times, for as Jews they had recently been kicked out of Rome and had to settle in Corinth. With a new business and a new home, the Lord blessed Priscilla and Aquila. Acts 18:18 says, “And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence to Syria, and with him Pricilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea for he had a vow.” Priscilla accompanied her husband and Paul on Missionary work to Syria. It is good for a wife to help and accompany her husband on missionary work.

Acts 18:24-28 says, “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Pricilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, Shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” Pricilla helped her husband lead Apollos to Christ and disciple him so that he became a powerful minister for the Lord. It is good for a wife to help her husband lead people to Christ and disciple the new converts.

1 Corinthians 16:19 says, “The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Pricilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.” Priscilla and Aquila started a church in their house. Aquila probably Pastored the church and Priscilla helped him. I can’t tell you enough how my wife has been a help to me the last twelve years of my life as a Pastor. Wives, help your husband do God’s will.

Will the men just get the credit? No! When Paul remembered them, he put it, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus.” Romans 16:3.

Help your husband do God’s will. Complete him. Move along side him to help him.

But, you say, my husband isn’t even saved. God’s will is for him to be saved. (I Timothy 2:4) Help him to get saved. Make that your life work by living according to 1 Peter 3:1. 1 Corinthians 7:16 says, “For what knowest thou, 0 wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?”

But, you say, my husband is saved, but not serving the Lord. Help him serve the Lord! That is God’s will- Ephesians 2:10. Pray and fast and encourage him. Don’t preach to him, but pray that whatever it takes, that God would bring him back to the Lord.

Find out what the will of God is for your husbands life and encourage him in it. Encourage him to: attend church, pray, study the scriptures, witness for Christ, pay his bills, tithe, fast, serve, love, forgive, love his children, etc., etc., etc..

It’s not hard to figure it out wives: Use your strength on your husband to help him do the will of God for his life. Don’t hinder him, don’t discourage him, don’t stop him, don’t complain about him, don’t harass him. God wants to do great things through you both. Let Him!

III. A Mother’s Strength 

The third principle regarding a woman’s strength is: “A mother’s strength should be spent on her children.”

Proverbs 31:13-31 says “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Herr husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it: and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

1 Timothy 5 : 14 says, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”  Titus 2:4-5 says, “…teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, TO LOVE THEIR CHILDREN… keepers at home…”

As you consider these portions of scripture, undoubtedly it takes a lot of strength to be a mother. These verses are not God’s suggestions to you, it is His word! Use the strength He has given you on your children. This will assure you of leaving a living legacy behind- “Her children arise up and call her blessed…” Proverbs. 31 :28a.

Think of the poor “career women” who gives up motherhood and child bearing. When they die they will take nothing they worked for with them. 1 Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Their legacy will be a car, house, some money or whatever else, all left to the state or inheritors and who knows what they will do with it. Take a good look at Ecclesiastes 2:18-19, “Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knowest whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured…”

Your life, however dear Christian mother, will live on for God and hopefully duplicate itself several times over and over through your sons and daughters, If you’ve brought them up to serve the Lord. Use your strength on God’s way.

We’ve already seen that this means to love them. Of course, love is such a misunderstood word these days, we mean you must love them God’s way. Study 1 Corinthians 13 for instance- the “Charity” chapter of the Bible. Also, by love, we mean that the children must have proper discipline and structure! If not, they will burn you out. Then your strength will be wasted.

Check out the Proverbs on this subject:

• Proverbs 13:24, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
• Proverbs 19:18, “Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.”
• Proverbs 22:15, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
• Proverbs 23:13-14, “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.”
• Proverbs 29:15, “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth himself to shame.”
• Proverbs 29:17, “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

Strength also needs to be put into your children’s spirituality. They will not become spiritual by accident. It must happen on purpose.

May I suggest some ideas to help bring about this most desired affect:

• 1. Homeschooling your children- With all the Christian curriculums that I have ever seen there is a Bible time daily.
• 2. Daily Devotions- This doesn’t have to be long or boring, but consistent. From 5-15 minutes perhaps. As the children get older, encourage them to read through the New Testament or perhaps the whole Bible.
• 3. Prayer Time- Have a prayer meeting with the children right after Devotions. Maybe they have a prayer request. They could even pray for one of the requests to get them used to praying in their own words.
• 4. Church Time- Don’t ever miss anything at the fellowship of your church. Attend all services, Revival meetings, DVBS, etc. Don’t ever let it be an issue of discussion in your home. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, you do the same. (Ephesians 5:25b.)
• 5. Soulwinning / Visitation- Be a soulwinner. Be involved in evangelism. Try to involve your kids in it somehow.

A good example of a mother using her strength on her child is Lois. When the Apostle Paul addressed a letter to Timothy, he spoke of his grandmother and mother in a wonderful way: 2 Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”

Now notice what these mothers did for Timothy in his childhood, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

It worked! They used their strength on the child Timothy and he became the great preacher and Pastor of the church at Ephesus.

IV. Misplaced Strength 

As with everything else in our Christian walk, the devil has a plan for a women’s strength. One of the devils devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), of which we should not be ignorant of is: He gets us to substitute that which is good for that which is best. Thus, the good often becomes the enemy of the best.

The best is God’s perfect will for your life as revealed in the scriptures, KJV – 1611. This booklet has tried to reveal God’s perfect will for your strength. What to spend it on. If Satan can get you to misplace your strength, he will. Satan would love to have you spend your strength on things which are not eternal. WATCH OUT! Here are some of his pitfalls:

1. Busyness   In the scriptures we see the sad story of Martha who misplaced her strength in busyness. The very Blessed Son of God came to her house and she thought it more important to do the dishes than listen to Him!Let’s read it: Luke 10:38-42, “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her. Martha, Marta, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Women, does Jesus dwell at your house? Is He the unseen guest there? Do you really believe it? Do you act like it, or are you rude and ignorant toward Him? You better think about it. Mary chose the needful part. Mary used her strength on the Lord, not on busyness.

2. Money Making  Money is the cheapest of all God’s blessings, yet it is what we get excited about the most. We have missed the mark. I Timothy 6:9,10 says, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Money can’t buy salvation, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, knowledge, wisdom, compassion, charity, friendship, etc., yet this often gets the strength of our women today- money making. How sad.

Everything money makes will be left behind and melt in a fervent heat someday. (II Peter 3:10-13). We came into the world naked, we leave naked. (Job 1:21) We take nothing with us except what we did for God. “She is no fool, who gives up what she cannot keep, to gain that which she cannot lose.”

3. Beauty   The devil would like to have you fret over beauty and your personal looks the rest of your life. This is one of his greatest pitfalls. Yet the Bible says so clearly:

Proverbs 31:30 says, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

1 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and wearing of Gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God a great price.”

1 Timothy 2:9-10 says, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works”

The Devil would love to sap your spiritual strength by giving you as many “Bad – Hair Days” as possible. Rise above the flesh! Live on a higher plain. Work on your inner beauty in the sight of God more than the outward. God sees the heart. Rule your spirit. Don’t let your emotions rule you. Don’t let your looks rule your emotions.

4. Distractions   TV, soaps, sitcoms, news broadcasts, radio programs, magazines, books, shopping, crafts, etc. The list goes on and on and on. The devil has a never ending list of distractions that will eat up your life one hour at a time till you die. Dear ladies, its time for you to discard everything that is in your life that is not eternally important and give your strength to God.

The churches are filled with women today who “don’t have enough time” to study God’s word, memorize scripture, pray, fast, witness, minister to others, attend church services, get involved in ministries and so on. What is their problem? MISPLACED STRENGTH.

Conclusion 

One life `twill soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last.

The Bible puts it this way:  1 Corinthians 3:10-15 says, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

Your whole life as a saved person will be reviewed and tried by fire. Anything done for self will be burned up and cease to exist. Anything done for God will endure the fire and remain. We will only be rewarded in Heaven for what remains. Use your strength on what will remain forever.

Christian women, use your strength for God!
Christian wives, use your strength on your husband!
Christian mothers, use your strength on your children!
Don’t let your strength be misplaced!

Dear ladies, this touched my heart.  We must die to self, this is the only way to find happiness.

    One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.

    One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you”

    Epilogue…..
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can’t. “Today is a gift, that’s why it is called the present.”