Hello to my sisters who love the Lord!
I do hope your Titus 2 good works have been going well and any other duties you have to do in the Lord.
I read this scripture today...
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
And we know it's in the heart of man to look at things that way. Those who are highly esteemed by man with riches, or 'good looks' or polished speech or other 'attractive qualities' are favoured and the others may be viewed as somehow 'lower'. (We know God hates partiality too.)
This verse says it right...
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30
I'm sure we've all heard many such comments about what makes someone 'look good'...some kind of clothing, or hair style or other adornment. And it just puffs one up in pride which we know God abhors. But to fear God is truly what matters and as I shared recently a verse from Ecclesiastes about the whole duty of man being to fear and obey God.
We sisters sometimes share how we see who God used in the scriptures in relation to when we may think that we aren't useful to God in the ways and characters that we have (which is a thought we need to put down and overcome and get on with what we can and do our best in what we are to be doing). We know we sisters may not be much in the eyes of the world (and we don't want to be either!) and that it matters what God sees us as doesn't it. Sometimes we don't know how God can use us but we do know what He calls us to do and it's not to sit around idle but to work and labour in good works and among the saints and with the lost (and the internet is a mission field for sure wherever you are).
And I was just thinking how humbling it is that God takes pleasure in His people. What a great God He is who is calling to Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. So interesting to see His ways which are not man's ways!
Mary said it here...
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luke 1:50-53
And we know she was a godly woman in favour with God...
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luke 1:28
We may have to face situations where we will be ridiculed...and we have a decision to make, the favour of God or man. And we know in our flesh it's easier to go with the easier option but those of us who love God and have the Spirit choose the way of pleasing God...unto death!
I love this one...
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Hebrews 11:24-26
Even though we lose much in this life....it's nothing compared to what we gain and the hope to come!
Oh we don't want this do we sisters...
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:43
And we could come across many such instances where we could choose to not suffer the consequences of our faith and standing on truth. But our faith in our great God who has done so much for us, our hope in His promises of eternity with Him and wanting to glorify Him moves us on.
A sister shared a section of scripture from Psalm 119 today and this verse stood out to me so I made it into this picture. One which includes some things that we turn our eyes away from...and some of the sins they involve.
So glad to be free from things that have no profit and please not my Lord (that which man highly esteems). What a great privilege and joy to be labouring for that which is eternal, godly, holy, fruitful, pure, biblical, righteous and that is about laying up treasures above...not here on this earth. One where souls are being loved through the gospel and only hope of man, Christ Jesus and His way.
Like this verse says...
Thank you sister for that picture:-) His paths are surely good sisters! We may not have many travelling with us...but to have the pleasure of God upon us is more than all the favour of man in the whole world. We remember His goodness and His wrath...and abide in His love by keeping His commandments.
This was a simple pleasure from my day...picking sun-warmed tomatoes.
Time for me to go. You keep holding fast to the truth sisters! Keep enduring through all things for Christ, the trials that we face, the fighting we do in the faith. He is worthy! We are His daughters and He owns us!
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6:20
Love in Christ,
Sister Michaela
Find the gospel to eternal life explained here.