That They May Teach

This Posting is from our ladies church meeting. I was blessed to be asked to lead the devotion, so now I share with you all:

Titus 2:3-5 "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."

Proverbs 11:14 "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety."

Although focusing on what God wanted me to share and getting it all down on paper did not come easy, receiving scripture for it from the Lord, did. God says to us in his word, ask and ye shall receive.

James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally... and it shall be given him."

I turned from my unbelief and placed my faith in God, September of 2003. I did not come to the Lord without a fight. I came kicking and screaming so to speak, questioning everything. My foolish heart would just not "let me believe."

I often felt like a "Thomas, unless I see I shall not believe."

I wonder today why God didn't just strike me dead right then and there in my doubt. But I praise Him now because He is not "willing that any should perish."

Once I was saved, God dealt with me on the spot manifesting many of His wonderful truths to me. I was so thirsty, ready to soak it all in. I never realized just how wrong I was in so many areas of my thinking and life. Being "shown" that what I so long believed was not right, was not easy to swallow.
The next two years were spent taking it all in from behind that pulpit. Then came the not so easy part of applying what I was learning. Changing the outside was easy, the internal however often met me with trials, challenged and in many ways defeated me.
I am the kind of person that learns by observing then doing. I need something tangible to see and understand its application. The Bible in this particular matter said that the "aged women" were to be my teachers. Because it is much easier to follow a good pattern and be lead by example and this by the way is how we try to instruct our children, "being the example."
So at this particular moment in my walk I began to look around me for Christ like examples to emulate. I began to look to my sisters in Christ to see what He would have me to learn from them and by them.

The Bible says to look to the "aged." I by no means am a "spring chicken," but I believe that in this instance God is reffering to the "mature" in Christ.

Ladies, please do not take offence for what I share. God quickly brings to mind Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."

But do let me say that if any of you are without fault, rest on God's word and take no offence upon thyself.

As I looked around and considered your testimonies; God would often bring scripture verses to mind. This is how I believe He helps me to grow in His grace and how I knew He was "dealing" with me. Through these examples I was able to understand where I was wrong, right and where I fell short.

On one occassion Proverbs 9:13 Came to mind along with Proverbs 11:13, they read: "A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing."

"A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter."

I understand the reason God showed me these verses through testimony was so that I could see a part of myself in it. OUCH! I certainly do no want to be regarded as foolish nor do I want to set forth this kind of an example. But that is exactly what I am when I don't guard my tounge or my thoughts. And when I "gossip" and "share" more that I ought to, especially concerning someone else's business; that is what I am, FOOLISH!
Someone is always watching our testimonies ladies, be it God, the bretheren, or the unsaved.

On another occassion it was Proverbs 12:4 "A virtious woman is a crown to her husband ("I like being a crown"): but she that maketh ashamed is as rotennes in his bones."

Well, I certainly do not want to "rot" my husband or his bones for that matter but that is what we do when we knowingly; talk back, talk down, talk bad about or manipulate our husbands both in and out of their presence.
Ladies, we show more about ourselves and "their worth" to us, with this manner of communication. How sad it is when we find us telling on ourselves. Shame, shame.

On yet another reflective moment Proverbs 12:18a: "There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword ..."

Untimely and unconsidered words can pierce like a "sword!" Not exercising discernment with our tounge can pierce.

Sadly I too have spoken many an untimely word that "knocked" a person down. Or it was spoken to me and became a discouraging "stumbling block" that set me back.

So having shared all that, let me share what I feel and believe the Lord woud have set forth as an example unto the "young:"

The latter part of Proverbs 12:18b states; "but the tounge of the wise is health."

Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb sweet to the soul and health to the bones."
Our words are to be and example, a light, wisdom, timely and above all edifying to the hearer. Our testimonies should shine forth and show this as well. Are we not told to be the "salt?"
So Sisters, teach me of the wisdom that the Lord hath freely given you. Lead me by your example, I am following your lead.

Proverbs 9:9 says: Give instruction to a wise (wo) man and (s) he will be yet wiser; teach a just (wo) man and (s) he will increase in learning.

I am constantly praying for wisdom!

But above all, teach me to praise!
This is the one thing I find in short supply among my sisters (sadly, bothers too). Praise is of utmost importance to our Lord. It is found 248x's in the King James Bible, most of which reffer to God.

If we are to be effectual, let us look to the Psalmist, David who said in Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Please note "praise & continually."

Psalm 63:4 "Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name,"
Note, "while I live & thy name."

Praise to God is often only heard during a service or in the church house. I am not saying that we don't do it; but how often do we "publicly" praise and give God the glory?
Not only should our brothers and sisters hear this from us but would it not also serve as a testimony unto the unsaved? A testimony of our faith in Him?

Hebrews 13:15 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

The fruit of our lips and spirit is also PRAISE! And God loves to hear us praise Him, continually. What Mama doesn't gain joy from hearing her sweet child acknowledge her? Praise her? humm.

So see my sisters? this is what I want to teach as I am taught of you:

Colossians 3:16-17 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the father by him."

Lastly as it is said in Philemon 1:7 my reward and gain shall be ... "...great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, (sister) brother."

So Sisters, refresh me and above all teach me; I am watching. In the multitude of your examples I find safety and prayerfully wisdom.

"I know that I could have shared the many positive things others have taught me; but just then how would I know to correct the "wrongs" lest I first was willing to see myself through anothers eyes?"

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