Pondering Godliness

Greetings godly sister saints! 

What a blessing it is to live this life in Christ! We have so much that is priceless...but along with persecutions and trials as we have been told. But those are small really (even though they can seem so huge now) compared to our inheritance in God's kingdom!

I had another busy day working with fruit. There's times and seasons for all these things...they come and go. And around now the season is changing from summer to autumn or winter to spring...depending on where you are. What an awesome earth and universe our great Creator made!

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Genesis 8:22

And He is in control and we know He is coming back one day to make it all new. May we sisters be aware and preparing for that time living for that kingdom. 

But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Acts 26:20

Glad we Gentiles can have hope too and be grafted in to Christ's body. Yes we certainly do want to do works meet for repentance don't we. 

I am sharing some verses on godly and godliness to encourage us today. Just ones for us to ponder. 

But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.

Psalm 4:3

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Titus 2:11-12

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2 Peter 2:9

But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1 Timothy 2:10

So just some encouragement for us to remember what we are to be. I know many say it doesn't matter...but it does. We sisters know it does. It really matters. We do not take God lightly at all. We fear Him...we are supposed to...so we don't just read His Word and think it's not relevant or very important to be listened to and obeyed. Keep pressing on in your godly lives sisters! 

What a beautiful picture from a sister today. And another sister added the scripture and I share it here... 

How pretty! What a great Creator and a great Saviour who can make us clean! 

And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:21-22

(And thank you sister for adding that scripture too:-) I appreciate all that my sisters share and your love of the Lord.) And as that verse talks about...Christ, our salvation! We can be delivered from our sins and God's wrath to come on the ungodly. Praise God! What hope! Keep living godly in Him sisters! 

Well I must go. Lord willing another busy day tomorrow working with the food blessings that He provides. And I hope to be back again here too. Hold fast this day godly sister soldier saints! 

Love to you in the Lord,

Sister Michaela

Find the gospel explained here. 

Today's Encouragement (27 February 2022)

Greetings sisters! 

How are you? Hope all is well with you! I am well and keeping busy and striving on in the Lord. This is a new day the Lord gave us. His mercies are great! As that verse above says...of His holiness...let us be thankful for it! 

Doesn't this verse fill our hearts with awe and joy and gratefulness at His greatness and holiness! 

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Psalm 103:1

Amen it does! 

I was thinking how wonderful God's gift of grace is. It is so precious and priceless. How can we not respond in thankfulness and give our lives to this great God and Saviour and follow and obey Him! 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10

What a treasure...that we lose all in response to denying ourselves to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. He is worthy to be praised for all He has done! 

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More fruit work today! 

Blackberry jam... 

And freezing some too... 

How pretty is that condensation on them! 

Praise God for all good things He gives! And the ability...the strength and health and equipment to store it up for later use. 

I read a scripture to encourage us in the Word... 

And enjoyed a bit of peace in God's creation while doing so, after my busy day. 

This scripture came to mind today too... 

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

And we know how wrapped up the world is in material things of this life. But we know all we have...is the Lord's. We know this world is fading away and the Lord's return is drawing closer day by day! 

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Psalm 27:3

We know this world is not in a good shape...due to sin and its effects. But we know God's great mercy on mankind is on us all today. It helps to remember all this from a biblical perspective when faced with the realities of suffering and death around us. Man has been lied to about who God is as they say He is only all love and has a grand plan for everyone's lives and so then it leaves them puzzled as to why this suffering and death exists. But we sisters know why this world is as it is and even if we don't fully understand it all we ought not question Him and how He does things but trust in faith. He is God! We do know we deserve death and destruction for eternity because of our sins...but what a merciful God to give us the chance to repent and serve Him and have the hope of salvation! 

And I share a few older scripture pictures to encourage... 

God's word on His creation pictures never grow old and we marvel at His works...all of them and many we cannot even fathom. Glory to His name...alone! And again we see the mention of holiness...let us worship the holy Lord in the beauty of it. 

I love that...and I'm sure you sisters draw your strength from the Lord and His Word and the promises to come! And how righteous is He! May we keep seeking His righteousness! 

That's restful that verse...let's trust and rest in such an awesome God and Saviour, sisters! 

Thank you sister for adding that scripture. Praise God for His ways and telling us what they are in His Word! 

And I appreciate my sisters who truly love the Lord and their sisters and put forth much effort to edify one another. 

OK...hold fast in the Lord and His truth sisters! And I hope your good works...in whatever area it is...cooking, cleaning, helper work, ministry work, looking after children, or whatever it is, goes well and you labour diligently as unto the Lord. 

Love in Christ, 

Sister Michaela 

Find the gospel explained here. 

Today's Encouragement (26 February 2022)

 

Hello sisters! 

I'm back here again another day. The Lord allowed me to be! I've had a busy day though but we all do, sometimes more and sometimes less. We all have good and necessary works to do. Hope you and your day are going well in the Lord. 

So what has my day been? 

The usual and much treasured sister sharing...

...of our days and encouragement in the Lord and our lives as godly women. 

Thank you sister for sharing that scripture. What great hope of being with the Lord and all His saints! Keep living for Him sisters! 

More pear work... 

And days and days more of those to come. Praise God for providing! 

And I was asked to go with to help pick blackberries on the roadsides...so I did and I share this video of a bit of it...

A sister added this scripture to a picture I sent... 

Glad that Christ came to set us free from sin! 

Delicious leftovers for the evening meal... 

Who doesn't love leftovers especially after a busy day! I'm sure you sisters who cook know about that and the great blessing it is!

More tomatoes to pick as the sun sets on my day... 

And washing the dishes... 

And for a Titus 2 tip in case you don't know, you can use aluminum foil to clean your baked on pans and such if you don't have anything else... 

So that's my simple sharing for today. Perhaps you like to see a glimpse into some of my day and I'm sure you have your own good works to do but I love seeing and hearing about yours. Lord willing I may be back tomorrow. But most of all may we keep pressing forward hungering and thirsting after righteousness and seeking first God's kingdom. 

And even if I may have a pile of produce to deal with at the moment...pears, tomatoes and blackberries...I'd rather see a few of them go to waste (or to the chickens in this case) than neglect to be spending some time with my godly sisters who I love in the Lord. So we have to be faithful in what we have in the good blessings the Lord gave. My sisters are great blessings and so are the good foods God grew from the ground. But we just do the best we can and find a balance in it all and be good with that! Praise God for it all! Keep pressing on sister saints...as good soldiers of the Lord! 

Love in Christ, 

Sister Michaela 

Find the gospel explained here. 

Chaste Conversation

Greetings godly sisters! 

How are you...in the Lord? Hope all is well with you and your good works as godly women are going well. Sometimes it does just seem that we do all our jobs over and over again. But in the Lord nothing is futile or vain. We ourselves live to please and glorify Him! Some of those jobs could  be serving, caring, or helping...whether it be a husband, children, saints, or others or if we need to work to support ourselves. It all has a goal and that is providing basic needs of food and clothing for ourselves and others so we can live for God and make His truth known. And many other various duties that we all have of course too. 

I was thinking about this verse... 

While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

1 Peter 3:2

And so was going to share a bit on it. In context it's talking about disobedient husbands seeing the holy life of a godly meek and quiet wife. She has fear of God and is working hard to show in her life her submission to God. She has her adornment of the heart and not her outsides. She trusts in God...keeps serving Him no matter what. 

We can look a bit deeper at those two words...

 

And that would be our actions...what we do and what we don't do; and our speech, what we say and what we don't say. It would include our motives and the way we do and say things also. So many different areas add up to complete who we are in the Lord and the way we come across to others. Of course within our actions would be the fact of our biblical clothing without adornment, and our covered heads. And along with that goes the fact of submission and being under authority of men. 

We know that all of us women are to be 'chaste' or pure (whether married or not). We are not our own but are in a covenant with the Lord. 

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:2-3

 

So let us keep being God-fearing women, obedient to His Word above all else. It says they 'behold' your chaste conversation. We know others are watching and that we aren't to hide our light under a basket. Instead we are to show our light (which comes from God) to the world. Of course we are to do all things as unto the Lord and to be pleasing to Him and not for 'show' or anything like that. We keep doing good even if no one sees as well because we know the Lord does and knows all. He knows if we are being faithful and diligent in what we have been called to do. We each have different lives to live but we know the roles and commands God gave us as women. 

Here's another verse on beholding... 

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 2:12

Our life of holiness will be visible to others. We won't be filling it with vile or questionable things or idle time wasting. But we will live it in the fear of God in obedience to Him thus glorifying Him. Keep pressing on in your chaste conversation sisters! We are daughters of an almighty and holy God. And our witness can be powerful to those around us who are not obedient. We know we can heap coals and do good where bad is done to us. And do our best to show love and kindness to all, living at peace with all where possible. But in all this standing in the truth and being bold women of God not afraid or compromising in the face of persecution or death for Christ's sake. 

I came across this scripture and wanted to share it here too although it's not related to my subject really. 

And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. 

Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee. 

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

Deuteronomy 8:2-6

What a mighty God we serve sisters! We like to share about Him and refresh our faith and remember His marvellous works He has done in times past! We know He is still the same God today and we know He's preparing a place for us and one day we will be with Him!

Alright sister saints. I must go. Keep looking to the Lord in this world which brings tribulation...but be of good cheer because our Lord has overcome it! That's the hope we have! May we all keep being pure women of God. That's so refreshing to think of actually in a world where many women are not that. Precious treasures, above rubies, are you chaste women, my sisters in Christ, that I know! You shall be praised because you fear the Lord! 

Love in Christ, 

Sister Michaela 

Find the gospel explained here. 

Today's Encouragement (24 February 2022)

Greetings in Christ sisters! 

Here's another day upon us! As that verse above reminds us of...being patient. Good to remember! Yes we have been told the coming of the Lord draws nearer and nearer!

And we sisters often share this verse.... 

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21:28

...which comes after an explanation of many things that are coming upon this earth before Christ comes! That's exciting to think about actually! Just thinking about the fact that this current world which is in turmoil because of sin will be made new and all the old will vanish away! There will be no more pain or suffering or tears! Well that's for those who will be accounted worthy to enter God's kingdom (it will only get worse for the rest so we sincerely hope they repent before then). Although we know the terrible times that are coming first, Christ is coming back for His saints! What hope! And we should be prepared for anything...because we know there's no pretrib rapture happening. 

I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

Psalm 119:59-60

 

I was thinking about this...why anyone would question a saint who is sincerely trying hard to be blameless and spotless and pure for this holy God we have to deal with? And by doing that make them doubt or stumble. I mean it would have to be someone who is not on God's side and we know that must be of satan. Because all through the pages of the NT we are called to walk worthy, in perfection, as best we can. Never does it say to settle with less than that. So let's remember that sisters. If we get thought of as 'legalists' or 'works-based' which I know really are people trying to criticize our fervent and devoted pure heart for serving the Lord in holiness to His ways we can know they aren't speaking that from God's Word. 

And we know people tend to choose the 'easy' things that Jesus said like that His yoke is easy and His burden light and forget the others about forsaking all and denying ourselves and being persecuted. We know to be honest and take in all of God's words and live by them (and tell others who are seeking Him the same). We take the whole package that comes with following after Christ. And that is one of great peace and hope and joy and love and also of loneliness and hardness and flesh killing and sorrow and trials and persecutions (of which we are spared much these days).

Where's our heart sisters? 

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 15:8-9

We want it to be undivided for God. He must be first...nothing else. 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22

That's what we are sincerely trying to do. We don't hear or listen to people who kind of subtly suggest we shouldn't be doers of the Word. Or some may say it out clear that we can still sin on and on and go to heaven. But we hear the voice of our Shepherd that calls us to follow Him. 

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:18

Our love for others (and God even) will be in deed and truth...not just saying and thinking that we love someone. 

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:10-11

That says a lot and I greatly appreciate the hearts and desires of my sisters who have sincere love for God and pure hearts for Him. You're precious in this dark world my dear sisters! I want to protect you with my life...from the wicked one and discouragement and lies. 

I know we share this one often... 

But I don't think we can ever share it enough. And we can read it more slowly and let it sink in. Thank you sister for sharing these scriptures to encourage us sisters. We have a spiritual battle to focus on and we don't get swept away and distracted by what's going on in this earth. This world can do what it likes...it doesn't concern us. We can't change it...except with the gospel in individuals lives...but we know how few find the narrow road. In the mean time while we're here we can be salt and light...glorifying the One who owns us. 

Praise God that we can be part of Christ's family... 

What great hope and grace and mercy the Lord has given us through His Son. Let us live to please Him. 

Alright my sisters...keep pressing on in the faith going about your good works the Lord has created us for, working unto Him being doers of the Word. And although we may have a meek and quiet spirit and go about minding our own business we know to be ready to stand strong against the enemies of truth. And ready to answer those who may be seeking truth. But either way we are called to shine our lights so the Father is glorified. 

Hold fast sisters! 

Love in the Lord, 

Sister Michaela 

Find the gospel explained here. 

Today's Encouragement (23 February 2022)

Hello sisters! 

Hope each of you are strong in the Lord and not being swayed by the deception and compromise around us. Also hope your good works and servant and helper duties are going well whatever they may be. Keep doing your works unto the Lord sisters! He sees. 

What a mighty God we get to serve. It's not something to be taken lightly at all is it? 

A few sisters have been sharing how we must see things as God sees things and says about things. We have to see people who reject God for who they are and we know the wrath of God is over them lest they repent. What grace and mercy He is showing now but we know a day of reckoning is coming. And so we keep standing for the truth and hope others will also repent and come to the knowledge of the truth. 

Here's some sister sharing from today... 

I appreciate all the sharing and edifying that goes on with the saints I know. What a great blessing to be in the company of those who love the Lord as I do. How blessed we are to share and be willing to learn and grow in the Lord. And so as we've been sharing about how we need to see the world and everything and everyone in it through a biblical perspective. We can all learn more depths of all kinds of areas in this Christian life as we go through it. And we get to see many things from the lives of other saints and what not to do and what to do as well. 

Today I tried some tomato sauce in the slow cooker... 

I think it worked well. Obviously it is concentrated down and doesn't make much but another way to make another useful product from the blessings God provides. Actually I used some tomatoes that a neighbour gave us from their surplus so we have plenty! 

And I was preparing for when the next big batch of pears ripens soon... 

Pear smoothie... 

...is very good! 

What great blessings we have been blessed with. May we all be thankful for what we each have...because I'm quite sure it's more than bread and water. 

Thank you faithful sister for these scripture picture gifts... 

Amen I love that. May we all find our refuge in Him...trusting in Him and being strengthened in His truth. 

What great hope we have in Christ the Light! We can be so grateful for the good news that He came into the world to save us from our sins. And now we follow after Him! 

Ok sisters I must leave it there. Hope you each hold fast and keep growing and thriving in the Lord. And hopefully your good works which we all are to be diligently following go well as well. 

Love in Christ, 

Sister Michaela 

Find the gospel explained here. 

Today's Encouragement (22 February 2022)

 

Greetings in love to my sisters! 

God in His mercy gave us another day! 

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:21-26

And we sisters choose to serve Him. What great hope He has given us in His Son. 

We have a great God don't we sisters, who has His plans for His creation. And we as women are blessed to know how, and for what purpose, we were created. And today in Christ we have many good works to do and being His witnesses in a dark world full of deception and false christs and such. 

I made some pear butter in the slow cooker today... 

Cooked until soft and then drained the liquid and blended it smooth. 

Added a few tablespoons of coconut sugar and 1 of cinnamon... 

And cooked it for several more hours... 

...until thickened. 

More blessings of good food the Lord provides. And I'm sure there are other godly women taking care of the produce the Lord provided for them and those they get to serve. Even though we don't know many, we do know God has His faithful remnant where He has them. And it's such a blessing when He allows some to meet up and share life and encouragement focused on Him

We know that's such an important part of our life serving God...fearing Him and obeying in righteousness. 

I'm thankful for saints sharing encouragement in the Word and everyday life in Him, learning much from one another. We know our every minute is to be lived for God's glory. Not something we just put on weekly or once a day but it's our whole life serving Him as living sacrifices and doing our reasonable service unto Him isn't it sisters.

As godly women we may have some great opportunities to serve others and work with our hands in Titus 2 duties, looking after others physical needs. This is a blessing because we know it is God's will for us and we want to be content in whatever lot we have in life...and joyous too! 

And it is a blessing to be able to encourage the sisters rare though they may be. It only makes them more precious it seems. And I know this verse and how it's such a joy just to know others are standing in the Lord and not falling back. 

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 3:8

Alright I must go...keep standing sisters...in the true faith of Christ and following after Him.

Love in Christ, 

Sister Michaela 

Find the gospel explained here.