Tuesday, November 12, 2019

5 Traits Men Should Look for in a Godly Woman. Kanye West's New Album. Update.

For “Scripture Sunday”:

5 Traits Men Should Look for in a Godly Woman

“Too often men focus mainly on a woman’s appearance when they are considering whom they will date or marry. But there are more important traits to consider.

5 Traits Men Should Look for in a Godly Woman

There is a folk tale of an elderly king somewhere in the heart of Africa. He had only one son, whom he adored. When the time came for the young man to find a wife, the king reminded his son she needed to be a woman qualified and capable of one day serving as his queen. So the young man began his search for such a woman of beauty and character.

He believed most young women would put their best foot forward if they knew he was the prince, so he chose to disguise himself as a peasant farmer. The beautiful ladies he saw around the palace regarded him with disdain, so he went on. Farther out he came across some young ladies who would stop to speak with him, but they were silly or rude, clearly not fit to be queen.

After several weeks, he came to a tiny village in the farthest reaches of his father’s kingdom. A beautiful maiden saw him looking tired and hungry, and she offered him food, water and a place to rest. He discovered she was kind, intelligent and wise.

He knew she was the kind of girl who could become a wise and helpful queen, and he wanted her as his wife. Her father voiced concern that his daughter would marry such a poor man, but the girl reasoned with wisdom and conviction, and her father relented. The prince in disguise returned home to prepare for the wedding.

Soon the young man returned, but this time as himself, the prince. They married, and years later he became king. His princess proved to be the wise and understanding queen he knew she would be, and together they ruled the kingdom with wisdom and justice.

The importance of character

The story emphasizes something too many men underestimate when looking for a mate: the importance of a woman’s character. It isn’t all about physical beauty or even personality. In describing the nearly perfect woman in Proverbs 31, Solomon wrote, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised” (verse 30).

What are a few traits of character that a Christian woman should strive to attain? What are the traits of character that a Christian man should look for in a potential wife? Let’s consider five:

1. Is she a woman of God?

What foundational element of character could be more important? In describing how the wife of a congregational leader should be, the apostle Paul wrote, “Wives must also be of good character. They must not be gossips, but they must control their tempers and be trustworthy in every way” (1 Timothy 3:11, God’s Word Translation).

Such a woman will show by her words and actions that she submits to the rule of her Creator. Her relationship with God will come first in her life, and her faithfulness will shine through everything she says and does. As Ruth famously said, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16).

This basic attitude should be the No. 1 characteristic a man looks for in a wife: a woman who is committed to being faithful to God her entire life.

2. Who has the greatest influence on her?

We all have people who have a powerful influence on us, so considering whom she chooses to be influenced by is important.

When we were children, our parents were probably the biggest influence in our lives. But as we move through adulthood, others exert a heavier influence on us. To whom does she look to the most for advice? Are these people of solid moral character? Solomon also wrote, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26).

Take a careful look at her closest friends and advisers and see what direction they influence her toward.

3. Is she tenderhearted?

Is she first and foremost attentive toward God and His laws? Is she also tenderhearted toward others, wanting to help and serve others when she sees a need? Is she first and foremost attentive toward God and His laws? Is she also tenderhearted toward others, wanting to help and serve others when she sees a need? Think of the father of the prodigal son, who saw his son coming from a long way off and “had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck [hugged him] and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

Among the fruit of the Spirit we find kindness, goodness and gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23). These are spiritual qualities that allow us to exhibit the characteristics Paul described in Ephesians 4:32: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” 

4. Is she willing to learn and grow?

This is a reflection of her heart. Perhaps nothing reveals a person’s depth and genuine level of humility more quickly than having a heart that is teachable. Not everyone can see a need to learn more and accept instruction.

Business leaders recognize that some people have 20 years of experience, and others have one year of experience, 20 times over. A teachable person will be learning from his or her own mistakes, as well as those of others, and will be constantly growing and maturing. “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:9).

5. Is she wise with her words?

Talk is cheap. Many people throw around words freely, saying whatever they believe you want to hear, but never really meaning it. Others liberally sprinkle their conversations with gossip and scintillating tales about others.

It used to be far less common for a woman to use vulgar or profane language, but that societal taboo seems long gone now. Women today are often as crass and crude as men can be in their speech.

But a woman of godly character will not allow her speech to become infected with anything that is improper or sinful.

God does not view careless and idle words as something of little consequence. The Bible instructs us to be always truthful (Zechariah 8:16) and to avoid gossip (Proverbs 20:19). Her speech should always be “with grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). A woman who uses her words wisely and carefully will fulfill what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 25:11: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

There are many more qualities of character we can and should consider, but these are a starting point. They are also more challenging and more difficult to attain than they might seem at first glance! You won’t find a woman who demonstrates all these traits perfectly, but look for the woman who is serious about trying to.

Of course, a godly man should never ask his wife to do and be what he isn’t himself. So he must be sure to be developing godly character himself.”  From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/relationships/marriage/5-traits-men-should-look-for-in-a-godly-woman/

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5 Keys to Improving Your Marriage. Download Free Booklet

For further insight into male/female relationships, peruse our articles in the “Relationships” section of Life, Hope & Truth.

    

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Kanye West's New Album

“Recognizing “Jesus is King” is a great step for anyone striving to obey God. What else does the Bible say about following Christ?

Transcript of YouTube: https://youtu.be/zT9eFi1Q7Sk

[Steve Myers] “Kanye West has a new album out. In fact, it rocketed to Billboard number one almost immediately. Of course, Kanye West probably being one of the biggest rap hip hop stars in the universe, you might say. I mean, this man has amazing influence that goes beyond the music world. You know, the title of his new album? It’s called “Jesus is King,” and when I heard about that, I had mixed feelings. In one way, this is phenomenal. This is absolutely amazing. It’s encouraging to see someone that’s in the public, especially in the music world, to identify with the fact that Jesus is King, and that’s something that should be recognized.

In fact, it has had quite an impact across the countries, had rallies, different meetings, and the Word of God, in one sense, has gone out. That is such a powerful thing. I recognize that, and I would love to see even more from Kanye West. In fact, when you think about that, I hope it doesn’t stop there, because we can recognize that Jesus is King. But when we really see what the Bible has in mind, it goes beyond just the recognition of Christ as King, that there has to be more, more than just the recognition. There really has to be a changed life in a changed perspective that goes along with that recognition.

I’m reminded of a passage that we find over in the book of 1 John, 1 John 2, this whole section of scripture talks about what goes beyond just the mere recognition that Jesus is King. So when we look at 1 John 2:3 says this, “When we recognize Jesus as King,” it says, “Now by this, we know that we know Him if we keep His commandments.” So there has to be a change in our behavior, in what we do, and the way we look at the world. In fact, a little later in verse six, it says, “He who abides in Him, ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

So our goal if we proclaim Jesus as King in our life, we have to walk as Jesus walked, and that’s a past tense statement. Looking back to the way Jesus lived his life. How did He talk? How did He walk? How did He live? How did He worship? When did He worship? You see, all of those questions come to mind.

So if we declare Jesus as King in our life, we have to recognize that and live our life and worship God in spirit and truth as we proclaim Jesus is King. So let’s be sure that’s exactly what we’re doing when we say those words.””  From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/kanye-wests-new-album

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Update.

Thank you Veterans, for your service.  Thank you, just isn’t enough.

Another week of “swinging weather”.  One day it is cold and the next it is warm again.

There was Bingo at the Community Room here at the apartments and I was the only one who didn’t win anything, so the caller gave me the little plastic basket that had contained the prizes.   Though it did come in handy to carry small items like socks at the laundry.

My helper and neighbor, Joe, had gone to Bryan with me last week when I went to the Social Security office, because he needed to renew his drivers license.  They took his money and then said that he needed an eye test before he could get his license.  On Wednesday, as I was going to the Conroe area to meet my granddaughter, Michelle, I took him to the optician with the owl, America’s Best.   So he got an free eye exam with the purchase of 2 pairs of glasses for $70.00 total.   We have to back on the 20th to get his glasses, so Michelle and I can have some more time together then. 

Chris, Michelle, Joe, and I all met at Rancho Grande Mexican restaurant in Conroe, because I had won a gift certificate for four free lunches earlier in the year.  Chris brought me the four extra seats that go in my van, and some “catifying” shelves that she had been storing in her barn. I still hope to have an older, special needs cat to care for. 

The battery light came on in the van, the alternator checked good, but not the battery and so there was another expense, this time a new battery, not a rebuilt.

I took a green salad and grapes for the church potluck, and came home with two empty containers.  That was easy, I might do that again!  The theme for the week was “Be Still and Know that I am God”, Psalm 46:10. The sermon was “Talking With The King”.

Knowing that we were going to have a hard freeze I bought two big totes to house the largest pots of my Aloe Vera.  I didn’t want to bring them inside because some ants had been in them a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t know if any were still in there.  I put the other pots in on a trolley that I could take in and roll back outside.  I had sprinkled Diatomaceous Earth in and around the pots when I saw the ants and they disappeared, but you never know. 

In the mornings when the temperature is warmer I take the lids off and let them have some sunshine during the day.

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