Women of Valor
Inspirational conversation to be the Woman of Valor God created you to be.
Checking the wording of that message 10 times before pressing send. Going way overboard on a gift hoping it may open a door. Taking on too much at work till you are hanging by a thread. Being paralyzed to move forward because you know you can’t get your house just perfect for company. There are so many more examples of anxiety fueled by people pleasing.
And to be stingingly honest, being more concerned about how one is perceived, or liked, robs one of operating in the purpose and assignment God has for their life today. How often are we concerned about whether we are pleasing God our Father? Not enough.
The merciful answer is that God doesn’t see our worthiness based on who we are or what we do. He sees our worthiness as our creator, and because He’s our Heavenly Father, and because of the price Jesus paid to make us righteous. I love that the verse below says, “Do not fear.” Let that anxiety go. You are so much more worthy than you know.
Were you ever picked last at recess? Heart racing and hopeful, waiting as name after name is called and you are still left standing. It’s no fun not being anyone’s pick…and honestly, those feelings can go through many levels of relationship from spouse, friend, even child.
One thing is true though, you are absolutely chosen by God, even if it seems like life has left you behind or alone. Allow the truth of God’s word to refresh you today knowing He loves you, knew you completely, and chose YOU. You are chosen.
Do you find yourself questioning if anyone cares? Do you feel alone?
Please know the truth about who you are to God. You are deeply loved, so much that God sent His only Son to die for you. Allow God to embrace you and pour His love into you today. Let all the words and memories of not being loved be replaced by God’s unfathomable love today. Come near to Him and let him heal your heart. You are truly loved.
Are you waiting for a prayer to be answered? Some who know my testimony know there was a lot of waiting…and learning to trust and be faithful in the wait.
Be encouraged that God’s promises are Yes, and Amen. He’s faithful to His Word. God promised His people a messiah, a savior that would come and save them…and they waited, and waited, and waited. For generations waited. But, God didn’t forget, and He didn’t break His Word. It was all in His plan, in His timing.
Man, that’s tough. And it’s hard to keep that expectancy and not be heartbroken in the waiting period. I know. I would like to encourage you today to not give up…Luke 2:13 accounts the angels announcing Jesus’s birth to the shepherds with a suddenly. “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased.”
When it’s God’s time, He acts, and things happen suddenly. And he sent the whole host of angel armies to carry out His word. Wow! Look with hope and Expect to see your Suddenly. To God Be the Glory.
Gold, Frankencense and Myrrh - the wisemen brought their best gifts to Jesus, the newborn King. Are we bringing him the very best we have, the best of us? How often do we bring him our crumbs? Help us to be mindful and come to Him first, with our very best.
May Emmanuel reveal himself to you very clearly today. He is with you!
Living in Faith
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12
Trusting God in confusing times...
Remember this… THE PROMISE IS IN THE SEED! If you want to know what you are planting in your life always look at the seed!
https://www.stonegableblog.com/lessons-from-my-garden/
What are you confessing today?
Look ahead of your disappointments and sorrow to rest in God's faithfulness. I encourage you to remember how he has fulfilled his promises to you.
He is your salvation, your healer, your provider, your hope. His restoration comes suddenly, like a flood. There is much joy and gratefulness in store!
It's ! 🥳🍨🍦
Ice cream is sweet, and oh so good! Especially on a hot summer day. But not even an ice cream treat can compare to the goodness of God. Psalm 23:6 says, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Most of us know and have memorized this passage, but take a moment and meditate on this truth. His goodness is shared with us! And follows us! Just like ice cream melts and leaves a sticky residue on your lips...the Lord's goodness attaches to his sons and daughters. How awesome is that! I hope this brings some sweet joy to your day.
What's your favorite ice cream flavor or sweet treat? Comment below ⬇️
We recently went to see the new Top Gun movie. One of the mission's main objectives was to lock their missile sights into a small target within enemy territory. It was crazy stressful! But they got it done...I'll let you watch it to understand the full mission, but it got me to thinking about keeping our eye on the prize. Philippians 3:4 says, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." There are too many times I let other worries and life concerns take my eyes off the mark. I know I'm not the only one dealing with ramifications from bad choices, job issues, money troubles, parenting, marriage...etc. And there have been times, I know I haven't pressed toward the mark of God...but held still or retreated. :( Line of Sight is a military term that means we are able to see the target without anything obscuring or blocking your vision. Remember when Peter stepped out into the water to walk towards Jesus? He took a few steps, then looked away and started to sink. It's just like we fixate on ourselves and our own selfishness. It obscures our vision. Instead, I've got to fix my eyes on Jesus - he's the author and finisher of my faith. And the only one who can help me complete the mission. I'll leave you with this verse: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. Since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
Gardening thoughts
God sees a beauty in you that no one else can see...not even you. Step forward in love and let your beauty shine.
Lord, give us Holy Confidence to walk in faith, according to the promises of Your Word.
Have you ever sat and watched little tiny children at a playground?
The thrill of excitement in every eye, but just a little bit of hesitancy to step out and join in. The mamas, all shooing and coaxing, "it's ok, you can go."
There's always one child, who sees a "friend" in every new face and offers to hold a hand.
The sound of laughter and talking and giggling like a ragamuffin band. Running and jumping, crawling and climbing, up and over and down and round. Over and over.
One trips a toe and a cry bellows out. Little legs come running to find mama's comforting embrace, and maybe just a kiss to make it all better.
I wonder if God sees a similar scene? Watching all of our tries at life and cheering us from the bench - you can do it...you can do it! The sound of life, and love, and His creation helping each other. And just like the mama, He's always there when the hurt comes, to comfort, to lead us to get up and try one more time.
Because His love is better than life my lips will praise you. Psalm 63:3
Do you remember Kindergarten graduation? What would we be when we grew up? We all would whisper and plan, and try to sign up first for our "future career" and dress up as that role. I remember vividly wanting to sign up as a fairy princess. Really. There was no other option...that was my life goal. The closest career choice, "ballerina" had already been picked, so the teacher stuck me with good ole, wait for it...kindergarten teacher. Argh. My poor 6 year old self was killed.
I think in my heart I haven't lost that desire to be the fairy princess; that dream has morphed into knowing I am a daughter of the one true King...and that's pretty special. But I do take great comfort in knowing and truly believing that God created me for a purpose, and one that's my own. All of the anxiety and stress of fitting in, or comparing with "so and so" doesn't mean much, and definitely doesn't affect me like it did before. Remember that old adage, "Comparison is the thief of joy." It's true - we can't stand in the joy that God created us, we are His workmanship, and He prepared a purpose just for us that would give Him glory.
Think about what your little child dreams were. Has God changed your dreams to be intentionally used for His purposes? If not, I hope you can believe that He cares so much for you and has specifically chosen you. You are His. Walk in that.
Someone needs to hear this! Don't give up...you're still making a difference.
Find JOY in the Grit...God makes it something precious and beautiful.
Against these things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Grit, it's what helps me get through some days. Pure grit and determination.
This morning was a prime example. The kids locked me out of the house with the dog in the snow. Standing at the door trying to coax two upset toddlers how to unlock the door k**b and the dead bolt is exactly how I wanted to start my morning. Yeah. My reaction wasn't perfect, but we're learning. Can you relate?
After the chaos had settled down and I was back inside the warm, I thought again about determination. I can't just give up here.
You know, grit can eventually turn into something beautiful. Think about this...a pearl was once just a tiny speck of grit. With time, all that irritation and struggle formed a jewel, one of great price and value.
At the end of Proverbs 31, the Bible speaks about the fruit of the woman's hands...I want to tell you that the Proverbs 31 woman wasn't perfect. I know she had grit and determination as well...just read all she was able to accomplish in that chapter. Wow.
But, I do get stuck on the fruit...and the fact that this chapter calls her the woman of valor. She reaped what she sowed. In the face of determination, and irritation, and struggle, she chose to respond in a way that bore fruit, that gave life, that sustained, rather than the opposite. She became the pearl.
This promise is for us too. Her actions made her the pearl. The amazingness of God is that He gave His Son, Jesus, the real pearl of great price, to be our righteousness. Next time, God please help me to respond in a way that builds up. Help me to be more like Christ, to be your pearl.
Hi, Hello, How are you, Women of Valor?
What, you're not feeling much like a woman worthy of valor...well, me either. But, I'm going to promise you one thing. I will share truth with you.
This page is one where you will be encouraged, and sometimes challenged, to put your faith in action.
As a Woman of Valor, we are called to courageously stand for truth, even when it goes against our feelings.
We are encouraged to give life to those around us, even when we are the ones that need a boost.
We are created to life by faith and trust God, even when we can't see what He's up to.
We can live out a courageous, life-giving faith. I hope you decide to join us as we discover more each day. We're deciding to make every day count.