How to be a Godly Wife...

1 Peter 3:1-6

Amplified Bible (AMP)

3 In like manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,

² When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your ^[a]reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him—to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].

³ Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] ^[b]interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

⁴ But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.

⁵ For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them].

⁶ It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].

"You Shall Have No Lack"

Those are the words, I felt that the Lord had whispered in my heart on that early morning in the kitchen.

"You shall have no lack."

Each year our incredible church family had completely covered the tab of our Bible Quiz expenses.  In fact, the first year we started JBQ, our church spent over $10,000 on the Bible Quiz Ministry alone and yet, that was the year we (as a church) were able to pay of the church mortgage! Wow!  Isn't that how He works?  But this year was different and it had been announced that our Bible Quiz Ministry was going to be Parent-funded. This was a year to "trust that He would be our Provider".  Because if  anyone understands this incredible ministry, the traveling can be expensive....but without a doubt, completely worth it.  As the Leaders of the BQM, we felt the financial insecurity of knowing that the funding would be completely ours to take care of.  Fund raisers, cake auctions, church dinners, etc....as a homeschool mom of four with a home-based business, I knew I didn't have the time for these things.  My plate was already full and running over...but that most beautiful morning the Lord confirmed to me that all would be taken care of!  I rejoiced in my kitchen like it was Friday night at an old-time Campmeeting!   I had heard His voice before and knew those words would be TRUE!  He has never failed to keep His promises to me.  However, whenever, whoever or whatever...it would happen, even if it didn't appear that it would. 

The first test came with Extravaganza in IL and OH.  We needed several thousand dollars to raise for both Beginner, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Teams to have the awesome opportunity to compete there.  A one-time Wednesday night offering brought in the entire amount needed!!! Wow!!  The Lord really did it!  From January to June, we never lacked in finance.  Through each tournament and competition the need was supplied.

State Finals came and went and we were privileged to place 2nd in the Juniors Division.  Our Intermediate team also placed 2nd.  Two teams going to Nationals in Branson, MO and St. Louis, MO. But He said that we would have no lack....

I'm sitting here this morning, only weeks away from traveling to Branson, MO with my little quizzing machine, Lan-man.  This time we are bringing the entire family.  A week in Branson with a budget that reminds me that the Lord is a Faithful God!  I have it all on paper.  It's in the thousands.  We are going budget-conscience.  I'm scanning my brain for ways to raise money, but each time I remember His words.  My Parallel Bible led me to the chapter that is probably most familiar: Psalms 23.  This time I read it in the Amplified Version.  It all became clear to me now:

"THE LORD is my Shepherd (to feed, guide and shield me), I shall have no lack." 

Has there ever been a time in my life when I lacked?  Only during those times that I didn't trust Him.

He's a God of abundance!  My God is more than enough......

Jealous!

 ¹²Therefore say, Behold, I give to Phinehas the priest My covenant of peace.

13 And he shall have it, and his descendants after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.

Sunday, July 1, 2012 Illumination....

^{What a beautiful morning to experience these verses!!
2 Corinthians 4:6-10}
For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

⁷ However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

⁸ We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;

⁹ We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;

¹⁰ Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [^[a]resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.

verses 15-18

¹⁵ For all [these] things are [taking place] for your sake, so that the more grace (divine favor and spiritual blessing) extends to more and more people and multiplies through the many, the more thanksgiving may increase [and redound] to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day.

¹⁷ For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!],

¹⁸ Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

How To Receive A Miracle....

This morning the hot sun was pouring it's fervency even in the early.  And I sat on the porch partially shaded by hanging plants as my opened Bible began to pour fervency into my parched earth.  The disciples were in a state of dismay.  Jesus had asked them to "give them something to eat" and the multitude was just too numerous and all they had was enough for a small boy.  But, what they did have, Jesus said, "Bring them here to Me."  I remembered the lack that I have.  My inadequacies and failures as a parent, wife and woman of God.  But this morning, He reminded me that even when I don't have enough wisdom, strength, faith and endurance, just to "Bring them here to Me."  So I did.

The very next amazing thing Jesus did (and He always does amazing things) is that He made everyone relax and recline on the grass....isn't that just like Jesus?  Don't worry...don't stress...just relax now that you've given me your abilities, worries and callings.    He took what they had and looked heavenward.  Hmmm....very good...heavenward brings hope, faith...didn't He say "Look up, for your redemption draweth nigh."?  Earthbound will bring your faith down...listen to the world and your faith will surely falter....for all the things that are earthy is carnal, fleshly, pride of life, maybe even "reality".  But Jesus taught us to look heavenward and to EXPECT!!

 Then He took another amazing step that is so easy to forget...He gave thanks.  A thankful heart (inspite of what we see or are experiencing) will always see miracles.  At that point, the miracle..the overcoming power...the feeding of the incredible multitude was already on the way!  There was simply a blessing and a breaking.  So, it appears that our words do have power.  And only moments before the miracle there is always a time of brokenness. Why?  I guess so that we can have eyes to see and our reputation doesn't matter anymore, our fears are broken by faith and we can truly minister to the multitude.  Yes, I can minister to the multitude...the thousands, and yes, even millions of hungry people.  Whether it's directly from my mouth or through the mouths and voices of my children or those lives that I have touched..those things I've instilled in them by the power of God...or even through the voices of their children.  Just simply because I brought what I had to Jesus, a miracle was born. 

Lord, help me to remember the steps You set out for us to have our own personal miracle!  In Jesus' Name :)

The Song of Ascents

A song of ascents.
The Fear of the LORD Brings Blessings

1Blessed is every one that fears the LORD; that walks in his ways.

2For you shall eat the labor of your hands: happy shall you be, and it shall be well with you.

3Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of your house: your children like olive plants round about your table.

4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that fears the LORD.

5The LORD shall bless you out of Zion: and you shall see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

6Yea, you shall see your children's children, and peace upon Israel.

---

How To Have The Favor Of God

"..You cause them to drink of the stream of Your pleasures." Psalm 36:8b (amp)

She's a multi-talented Lady.  I've been worried for weeks about her.  The untold hours she's put into our church's drama project, the tired eyes and aching feet.  She never complains.  Sometimes frustration has settled in and I want to recommend that she slow down, take care of herself.  But every time I bring my complaints before the Lord, He reassures me to leave her in His tender, loving care...to trust Him...and then I feel peace.  So, in lieu of my worry, I am learning to replace it with sincere prayer that every stroke of the paint brush, every thread of the needle is blessed.  This has truly made a difference in me!

Yesterday, through a turn of events,  Anna and I had nothing pressing to do (can you believe it?).  So, we packed up and headed to the church to  help paint. I picked up my sweet painting ladies and headed to eat.  We had a wonderful time fellowshipping, but because the deadline for finishing is so near, we didn't stay long.  At the church, we began painting and talking.  A unique and wonderful presence of the Lord was so strong in that room.  We began to talk about Him and tears were flowing!  We were literally having church :)  For several hours we painted and basked in His evident approval.  At one point, I kept wondering why she was putting SO much detail into this project.  Suddenly, it all occurred to me what was happening :)  These two, beautiful ladies were painting for Him.   If I knew that Jesus Christ, Himself, had asked me to do something..I would do the BEST I could for Him.  That's what they were doing.  It wasn't just a project.  For weeks I (along with others) have prayed the favor of God over them as they work and I was experiencing it, too!  

So many of us consider "The Favor" to be materialistic.  We say we don't, but everything in our lives reveal this to be contrary to our words.   Yesterday, I literally saw the favor of God on my momma.  She taught us from children that the high road is a servant's heart and that whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord and not to men.  There is no hurt, frustration or disappoint in truly working for God.   That's why I've seen her worship so blessed during service.  That's why her life is fruitful.  Has she received a million dollar check in the mail? No.  What about a promotion or a free vacation? No.  She is not a material-girl. Her powerful love for God has not changed with the seasons or the ebb and flow of life. 

"Have you been in the auditorium and felt the strong presence of God?"  her words caught me one Wednesday night just prior to prayer service.  Yes, I thought to myself, but I didn't feel it.  Hmmmm....now I am seeing.  She is experiencing  a higher plain of living.   It's that pure, old-time brush arbor stuff.  It's having Favor with God, the kind living that I call The Good Life!

Resignation

Just wanted to share this morning's devotional:

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Incline your heart to Me, and attune your ear to My voice. For I would speak to you, and I have an urgent message to give you.

Do not set out to establish your own designs. I have already set in motion My divine will and purpose, and I would not have you to interfere. I am jealous of My children: They are Mine, and you shall not intrude in any way to hinder My plans from working out. Yes, you may do many things, but only that which I direct you to do can have My blessing.

Resign all into My hands-your loved ones as well as your own self. Be obedient to the still small voice. Your own imaginings may speak more loudly, but wait upon Me always. You will see the wisdom in this in due time. Fret not about carnal things, but concern yourself first and always with spiritual values. Truly, My promise is still:"Seek first the kingdom of God, and all the other needful things will be added to you."

~Come Away My Beloved

Week 12 of the Tour De Cinch

Happy New Year and welcome to Week 12 of the “Tour de Cinch”. Time flies and here we are in 2012, I pray you are having a great New Year. I want to thank everyone who has been following my blog and I hope in some way it has been a source of inspiration to you. After today, I will not be doing a weekly blog on our Jones Family Experience page about my weight loss journey but I will still be doing a weekly weigh in update that we will post on our FB and on our “Tour de Cinch” FB page; please follow if you can. So, the tour is not over and you will still be hearing from me if you like, just in a little different format. As far as weight loss goes, I’m at about the half way point for my goal and I must say, I am very encouraged to continue on after seeing the “Cinch” results. This is a plan that has really worked well for me and it has fit my lifestyle perfectly. I love the shakes, I have good energy (this is a downer on conventional type plans) and I’m losing a reasonable amount of weight every week which has been about 1-2 pounds most weeks. In my research and personal experience, I have found that any amount over 2 pounds per week (with maybe the exception of very obese conditions) is not really going to be fat loss but most likely a combination of water, muscle and some fat loss. Because the Cinch plan is designed to avoid muscle loss (thank you Shaklee scientists), the weight loss is really genuine and this also contributes to ongoing good energy levels that I have experienced. Additionally the “Boost” vitamin that is part of the plan is designed to work with the shakes for optimum nutrition and at maintaining a good metabolism. Many diet plans will absolutely wreck one’s metabolism and this will cause the weight loss to be very quickly gained back. Along with the Cinch plan I have included some resistance training and of course my all time favorite pass time, cycling which is were the inspiration for the “tour” part of this was born. Ok…so how did I do on this first week of the New Year…I lost an additional 2 pounds which brings my total to 21 and I’ve also lost over 4 inches in my waist. I hope you will continue to follow my tour and would love to see you join me soon.
God Bless! RJ