Greetings sisters!
Grace and peace to you in Christ our Saviour. I hope this finds you well and strong in the faith, standing against compromise, the flesh, and the attacks of the wicked one! In Christ we can overcome!
I was reading some in Luke and was pondering some things.
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luke 12:15
I was thinking about that in regards to the duties that godly women may have. We know we are to be content with food and clothing. And so if we really think, we know we have many things on top of food and clothing...in that area like how we prepare food and wash clothes and even sew them.
We may have refrigeration and easy cooking options (ovens, stove tops or microwaves), might have a blender or toaster or washing machine or other gadgets that help us do things more efficiently and quickly.
Of course there's nothing wrong with having these things and making good use of them (as they may help us redeem the time). But we just have to remember that to have the basics of food and clothing should be enough for us and then remember to be extra thankful for these blessings we have to use (the Lord allows us to have them) and be content if we have even less. We certainly know what God thinks of unthankfulness or complaining. We don't want that.
We know so many are so wrapped up in this area of food too. We see the lusts of the flesh out of control in the world...with overwhelming options these days and great money is spent on way more than is necessary. And that is all without thinking to remember where the good provisions came from and they are often unhankful in it too. But that's the world. And we know unless they repent and are born of God's Spirit that's what they do. But of course for those who claim the name of Christ, sin is not to be once named among us. We have no excuse because we know better and we know sin leads to death if we go on in it, unrepentant.
We sisters know this too...
The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
Luke 12:23
And I was thinking of the fact that we may be prepared by storing up food and other things which is good to do but it's still temporary and could be destroyed...like by a flood or a fire or a tornado or 'moth or rust or thieves' but life is more than these things. We know we are to glorify God...in life or death.
But if those things are taken away, we must trust in God that He will provide for us. Christ told us not to worry about tomorrow about our food and clothing. God cares for His creatures the birds and the flowers...we can see the earth is filled with creatures and plants and it's flourishing. And God sends the rain and sunshine on the wicked and the good and allows them to be fed and clothed. We have more than we ever deserve because that is death. But there are areas where people do not have enough food and clothing and we see the effects of sin and some are extremely wealthy and others struggling to survive. One day God will make it all new and those who are His will get be with Him in His kingdom. Most of all He has provided a way for us to go to be with Him through His Son. But we must follow after Him and obey.
And this verse...
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luke 12:19
We may lay up food and other essentials...but it's not so we have an easy life and can do such things like that man in the parable. (But we can also remember what Paul said that he had to suffer hunger and thirst along with his many trials. We may have to too but we shouldn't worry about it.) For us we know what really matters in life. We live to glorify God. Our times are in His hands and we bear witness of Him to those around us and have the precious gospel to share. And our hope is to come in eternity with the Father!
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Revelation 7:16-17
For now in this life we live, it's wise to be prepared isn't it so we aren't relying on the world because we know things can change in that very fast. Like the Proverbs 31 woman she was prepared too. So too can we Titus 2 women be diligent in the ways we have any control over.
Or we can think of the 5 wise virgins also. And that would mean in our spiritual lives but we can see the wisdom in many areas of our lives from that and not be foolish in anything.
This is wise to do...
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Mark 13:33-37
More sewing today! It's been awhile. I was blessed with an order of several skirts so that will be good to do some sewing again.
But more preparation to do...
And finding a place to store them all...
Share some onion soup with zucchini slice...
God provided another day!
And pretty sun shining through the mist this evening...
Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
Psalm 113:1-3
Amen sisters! Let us praise His holy name! And certainly not by just our lips (or written words) but by our life lived in holiness after Him. We know that we can blaspheme His name by actions that are unbecoming to a saint (which is sin). We don't want to do that in any way! Keep being diligent sisters...to be holy as the Lord our God has called us to be because He is holy.
Love in Christ,
Sister Michaela
Find the gospel explained here.