Daughters for His Glory

Showing posts with label Godly Women. Show all posts

Daughters for His Glory

Greetings to my sisters!

I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a daughter of God! I'm sure you are too! It is not something to take lightly but is a gift that we want to treasure. It is through the gospel that we become His children.

And part of that is leaving sin and seperating from that which is displeasing to our Father...

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Yes we come out of the sins we once were in, the world, the flesh, and darkness. We crucify our flesh and fight against it. We leave behind all the things of the world that made us God's enemy...pride in our clothing and looks, unbiblical clothing, entertainment, music, sports, politics, and many other sins and false religious ways. As that scripture says, God will receive us if we do this. And we get to be His daughters. That sure goes against those who say we have no part to do but just have faith. But we listen to God's Word not man.

This is interesting too...being Sarah's daughter...

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.
1 Peter 3:6

Which goes along with this one...

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Galatians 3:7

It's an interesting concept of being children of Abraham and Sarah by faith...children of promise.

And yet another aspect of being daughters could be in the new spiritual family we get. And as Jesus said those who did the Father's will were His family (mothers, sisters, brothers). And we see similar in what Paul was exhorting young Timothy in how to treat the members of the body here...

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
1 Timothy 5:1-2

So if we are younger women we may get to have mothers in the faith. Which also reminds me of the older women who are commanded to teach the younger women in Titus 2. So we see the family of God all working together as a close knit loving and caring family. We will get to spend eternity with our Father! We know the whole family of God is where He has them all scattered on this earth...but one day we shall all be gathered home with those who went before us. We may well have to stand alone and not know of another spiritual family member but we just stand and shine our light where God has us and go about our business living for Him.

Moving on...to some about giving God glory through our lives (as is the title of my post and blog).

We know all we have been given is from God...so there nothing for us to boast in is there sisters. And we don't want to anyway.

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
1 Corinthians 4:7

So let us give all the glory to our God. All we have is from Him and our hope to come is from Him. We can go about our business as godly women doing it all unto the Lord and for His glory.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

He owns us sisters...our body and spirit. So we don't do whatever we want with our life as we may have done a lot of in the past before becoming a new creation in Him.

Here's how we glorify God also....

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Basically that's being children of light obeying God because all He commands of us are good works.

We know we were created unto good works (Ephesians 2). And we women have been told to adorn with good works (1 Timothy 2) and not our clothing or what else we put on.

And we know some of the areas for us women where we give God glory in our obedience. We cover our heads and hair (which is a our own glory) and do not show it off to the world. Our dress is unadorned in line with 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Peter 3 as we don't seek our own glory in the way we look.

As women we submit to the authority of men and in so doing bring glory to God for obeying His order. We do not teach in the body of Christ.

And we obey all the other commands of God also. What a joy to be His!

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I share my lunch with my sisters...

And some cold refreshing pineapple coconut drink...

Praise and thanks to God for providing good foods to sustain us!

And I share these pictures of mine that a sister added scriptures to...

We still marvel at the things that produce good foods from the ground. What an amazing miracle how a tiny seed can grow into a fruitful tree bearing much good fruit.

And we sisters want to be in the favour of God living lives that are well pleasing to Him.

(Thank you sister for sharing that scripture today:-) There's that 'good work' mentioned again. Reminded me of sister Dorcas...who was 'full' of good works.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Acts 9:36

What a good example for us to follow after.

And this description of a godly woman too...

Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
1 Timothy 5:10

I'm glad we sisters...daughters of God...have been told what is becoming to us. It is a blessed life to live. Sure we know to expect suffering for Christ but we too can be strong sister soldiers in the battle of faith. Keep pressing on my sisters!

Well I think that's about it for now from me. Lord willing, tomorrow I will be back. What a great hope we have to come if we endure to the end. Praise God for it all!

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Psalm 50:23

Love in Christ,

Sister Michaela

Find the gospel explained here.

Some Edification on Simply Being Godly Women

Greetings sisters!

How are you going? I hope each of you are standing strong and are resting in Christ, in His peace and joy.

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
John 16:22

And us too, He's gone to prepare a place for us! No one can steal our peace and joy in Him because we know Him in whom we have believed.

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:12

Does your day often look something like this?

Mine does at times but a sister was sharing how she so appreciates seeing or hearing about the simple things we sisters do like doing dishes or washing clothes or cooking a meal. So I'm sure you all appreciate such things. We know the world always looks for more and more and is never quite satisfied with anything. And with the women often being not in the home anymore, out in the world, those things are often looked down upon when in the simple life in Christ we can see them differently. And it's not so much the things themself but us going about our business as godly women doing our duties unto the Lord and being thankful. Reminds me again of God using the weak things of the world to confound the wise.

And we have this scripture about what women are not to be doing...

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1 Timothy 5:13

That sounds like women who have nothing profitable to do or they aren't looking for it either. So let us be thankful for the work we have to do even if it can seem the same over and over. More like this we want to be....

Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

1 Timothy 5:10

That previous scripture reminds me too about people who are not being satisfied with what the Word teaches and want more and more and signs and wonders and things. But we have been given the scriptures and we know they are enough!

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:6-7

There's a great contrast between the godly women pictured in the scriptures and the ones we see in these scriptures of what not to be. I'm glad we have so many commands and much guidance. We have so much light and truth and we will surely be held accountable for what we did with it.

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5

And we know where we would rather get our source of truth from - God's Word - over today's many handed down corruptions.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

And we have good examples to follow of those Jesus Himself chose.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Philippians 3:17

I know if we cling to the scriptures and stand on truth we will be thought of as prideful. It doesn't matter what people think ultimately. God knows our hearts and theirs. It's not that we don't constantly examine ourselves for any form of pride because we know that is an abomination to the Lord and we don't want the smallest bit. I know all my sisters don't and neither do I. We are nothing without Christ. But how can one ever believe the truth and know it without a doubt and teach others about it without people thinking things that aren't true about us? We know they said many false things about Jesus too so nothing should surprise us.

I know people who truly are striving in the ways of Christ and in the apostles doctrines are said to be a cult. So sisters before you get called that if you haven't (but perhaps you have already) I hope you are ready to give an answer. Simply obeying God and His Word does not make you one at all! Obeying His Word following after His Son makes us pleasing to the Father, not a cult!

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

We know we have been told about the perilous times that are to be in the last days. I'm so glad we have been told these things and what to look out for. If someone doesn't want to look at what sin and false doctrines are and cling only to scripture in these times then they may be deceived and open to it and we hope they wake up and see before it's too late.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:3-4

Oh sisters let us be on guard and serious about truth in these times we live in. We know our Saviour said blessed are they who have not seen Him and yet have believed. His Word is enough.

Hold fast to the truth sister saints! Lord willing I will be back here tomorrow. Let's strive on as godly women in the jobs we have been called to do. The Lord is watching us all. And the world is watching too. Let us glorify the Father by shining our lights, doing what we should be.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Titus 3:8

Love in Christ,

Sister Michaela

You can find the gospel explained here.

Our Part in the Body

Hello sisters!

Hope each of you are strong in Christ, casting off the flesh, putting on the armour of light, and striving on, fighting this fight of faith. I'm blessed with another day to come back here and share a few things to edify. And the Lord is faithful to bring things to me, from His Word, each day because I couldn't do it without Him or all He has done in my life of course.

I know I've shared on this before how we all are different in the body of Christ and we don't all try to be the same. Yes the same in doctrine and our beliefs because we have the Word and Spirit and we are to be joined in unity in those things and in the same judgments.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10

But in the other areas of who we are, what we do, how we do them, as long as nothing is sin, it is a good thing to all be doing our different parts. We have to not compare ourselves to someone who we think might be more 'useful' in God's kingdom or more 'in favour with God' or something like that. If we aren't being faithful in what we have and are being lazy in the body then yes we should feel ashamed and do what we can to overcome that but apart from that the Lord made us who we are and we really should just want to be His humble workers in whatever job we have and do it well! Not to say we can't learn and grow into what we have been given or called to do but we're not to be comparing ourselves one to the other.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Romans 12:3-5

More about being sober minded about it all there too. We know from Titus 2 and 1 Timothy 2 that we women are told to be sober. So much about that isn't there? It makes me also think of being on guard lest we fall or thinking we are something when we are not. Those would be pride but instead we need to be wise and knowing the truth, striving on lest we fall or believe in vain. Goes along with working out our salvation with fear and trembling because there are so many around who say they've 'got salvation' guaranteed right now and forever...even though they haven't lived to their end yet. That's where we know we have to endure till the end to be saved!

So we know every member of the body has different gifts. But all are to love. Obviously we know love is an action. God sending Christ was an act of love to the world. We are to have great love between the saints. How is that love shown if we just say we love and no fruit or actions follow? It would be a lie. Of course it is a bit different being all scattered and not all gathering in one place in a physical sense but we have other options today to show love...true godly love like 1 Corinthians 13 talks about. The love that isn't self seeking, is not prideful, but looks out for and cares for others.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

That's pretty serious if we don't have love!

What are some ways a woman can serve the body? Obviously, not being in positions of leadership, we have limited roles in it but that doesn't mean there's isn't much to do and we just sit around and be idle, no! Quite the opposite.

We see in love that it's all connected with loving God and keeping His commandments in truth.

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1 John 5:2-3

So looking at scripture we can see some parts that women have in the body...and what some of them did.

*We see women with Jesus and His disciples feeding and looking after their physical needs with their material possessions. (Luke 8:3)

*We see women suffering persecution and imprisonment for Christ by the hands of Saul. (Acts 8:3)

*We see Dorcas sewing for the poor and being full of good works. (Acts 9)

*We see Lydia showing hospitality to the apostles and disciples (Acts 16)

*We see Priscilla with Aquila, as a couple, mentioned often in being active as workers in the body.

*We see Paul commending the hard work of sisters labouring among the saints. (Romans 16)

*We see women laboring with Paul in the gospel. (Philippians 4)

*We see that a woman (widow) was commended for washing the saint's feet, and being diligent in every good work. (1 Timothy 5:10)

*We see the older women are to be teaching the younger women. (Titus 2)

*We see there are women who are the faithful wives of the elders/leaders. No doubt they had a good part in being responsible for the leading men having well behaved houses in looking after and guiding the children. (1 Timothy 3)

*We see women potentially winning unbelieving/disobedient husbands without a word. (1 Peter 3)

*We see women are to be respectfully silent when the body is gathered and men are teaching and sharing in spiritual matters. (1 Corinthians 14, 1 Timothy 2)

*We see women are to respect their husbands and ask them questions. (1 Corinthians 14)

*We see a woman is to have a meek and quiet spirit which is true adornment of the heart and not have external adornment on her clothing or by wearing jewelry or makeup. (1 Peter 3, 1 Timothy 2)

*We see a woman is to cover her head and hair (her glory), being under authority of the men, and because of the angels. (1 Corinthians 11)

So that's some of the ones that came to mind though of course there are many more. I just started writing on this this morning so I don't necessarily work over it all thoroughly but it's just to encourage us sisters as to our roles in the body and you can think of other things too. Being scattered shining all over the world means we may be connected via technology but we can all do the best we can to show true love in actions through that. And we can pray one for another, help bear burdens across the miles, share scriptures and encouraging words, be aware for those who might be struggling, and such like.

We know the two greatest commands are to love God and others so all we do should come from that and our motives pure.

So I think I will leave it there sisters! It would be interesting to see if all of us sisters were given a title to write some encouragement on or a women's teaching subject, all the different words and things we would share! We are all different but are to be united in His body and functioning as one in love and care for one another.

Lord willing I shall be back tomorrow! Hold fast to the truth sisters!

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:20-21

Love in Christ,

Sister Michaela

You can find the gospel explained here.

How to Sew a Shirt

Greetings sisters!

Today I want to share another sewing tutorial or 'how to' for you in case it can ever be of any help to you. It will be for a simple shirt I was able to make for myself and I'm basically just sharing what I learnt and do. It's a work in progress as I learn to be able to sew simple things that we women need to dress biblically and pleasing to a holy God.

So I've finally got this all together which I have been working on for awhile and so hope it might be of some help to someone now or further down the track.

Just a quick note here first, that I drafted the pattern from a shirt I already had that I liked. It was a long sleeve so I wanted a bit shorter sleeve also. The good thing about sewing your own clothes you can modify things a bit.

Drafting a pattern from an existing shirt is quite simple to do and I am not going into greater depth here but basically copy each part onto some paper (you can use plain white gift paper or similar). The good thing is you can just contact me if anything doesn't make sense or you need any help. And no I don't claim to know much but I just love to sew the simple things we women need to clothe ourselves biblically for God's glory in obedience to Him! And it is a blessing to be able to share with others or help anyone be able to do that for themselves too!

Ok so let's get onto this...

I was asked for the measurements of the pattern I made...so I share the pictures here too. I guess they may be of some use if you didn't have a shirt to copy from and you are a small to average sized woman. That's another good thing we don't care about sizes so much as if it's too big that's fine too.

(Measurements are in cms.)

Not sure if they are any help but I include them anyway:-)

I used plain cotton fabric, and a light weight denim is good too.

I'll apologize that I use both metric and English measurements in this but the tape measures have both most times. And yes the thread doesn't match but that's ok!

Lay the back piece along the fold and cut...

Cut out two front pieces. Depending if your fabric has a right or wrong side you will need to be careful how you cut. (My fabric didn't.) You have to make sure you don't end up with a piece with the wrong side facing out (if that makes sense).

(And I added an extra inch for the buttonhole area. I had already added extra within my pattern but that wasn't enough.)

Cut sleeves (x2) on the fold...

Clip a notch or mark the centre of the sleeve (where the fold was)...

Cut the yoke on a fold...

Next time I think I will just combine the back pattern piece with the yoke (as pictured) so as not to add any extra work. I don't see any real need for a yoke (just as I don't for collars).

You will need two strips of interfacing...about 1 inch wide for the button area...

I use this one.

Iron onto the right side of each front piece.

(I did it on the wrong side on one of them...but the one on the right is correct)

Now press down the size of the interfacing (1 inch) and then fold again and press.

Now stitch down both sides on the front...

Sew yoke to back with right sides together...

This assumes you know the basics of sewing already so I am not going into how you sew the seams. You will want to finish them either with a zig zag stitch or an overlocker (as I used).

Sew the shoulder pieces together right sides together.

Time to sew in the sleeves. Lay it like this (right side up)...

Now place a sleeve like this right side down matching the notch with the shoulder seam...

Working carefully with many pins work your way all the way along. This is a bit tricky but I find it interesting to pin two different shapes together.

Then stitch and finish seams. Be very careful in this step. Go slowly as it's a bit more difficult to sew around the curves.

Now match the side seam, right sides together and pin/clip. Stitch together. Repeat on other side.

Now sew the shirt hem. You can either just finish the seam and fold it up once or do a double fold hem. This hem may be a little more difficult to normal as it is on a curve.

Finish the sleeve hem (double fold).

Now for some bias tape making for the neckline. Cut a few 2-inch wide strips at a 45 degree angle from the selvedge. (I needed about 70cm for this shirt.)

Stitch across as shown...

Iron seam flat and trim...

Fold and press in half wrong sides together...

Unfold and fold each side into the centre to the crease line and press.

Then fold back in half and press.

Now attach to shirt neckline. Start at the middle on the shirt back and unfold the bias tape matching right sides together as pictured.

Start sewing about 10cm in from the end where the buttonholes are to be. Sew in the crease and stop about 10cm from the other end. This is just what I do and in my limited shirt sewing experience, works best.

Trim the seam allowance a little...

Now it's time for the buttons. I did these 9cm apart. I sewed them on with my machine...but you can hand sew or however works best. I needed 7 buttons.

First check where the top button should be by putting the binding in place and marking the spot where it should be. And then at 9cm (or so) intervals to the bottom.

(The reason I do the buttonholes first before finishing the binding is because I had trouble sewing the buttonholes with the binding in the way of the machine.)

Then mark the place for the holes.

Make sure to test sewing the buttonholes well before starting sewing onto the shirt. It all depends on your sewing machine so I can't say how this is to be done.

Time to sew the rest of the neck bias tape in place.

Now right here in this next step I am going to say I really am not sure how to do this the best way but this is how I did it this time. I know there must be a better way but for now until I have the time to find that this was what I did. You can let me know if you know of a better way.

Continue to stitch in the cease to the edge...

(Yes part of the buttonhole got covered...but that worked out fine)

Trim off the excess bias tape to about 2cm...and press in the edge...

Fold over...

And then towards the back...

Now you will need to do a tiny bit of handsewing here. I know there must be a better way...but I don't know of it right now. If I learn of it I can come back and modify this and share what I learn:-)

Just stitch through the back side of the bias tape and it won't be visible on the front.