The Third Quality of a Blessed Woman

She is a Friend of God's

What qualities do you look for in a potential friend? For most of us, a verse in Proverbs probably answers that question best, Proverbs 18:24 tells us that he who has friends, must first show himself friendly. We look for a responsive smile, pleasant conversation, or something welcoming that draws us to a person, letting us know that that person is open to a connection. Once that initial connection is established, the connection when nurtured and cultivated—through talks, activities, support in tough times, commitment, consistency, and similar experiences—develops into a friendship.

At times our definition of friendship may get distorted by our hurts, pains, and our own expectations, but true friendship according to God is the ability to love someone so much, that you are willing to lay down your life for that friend. Few friendships go that deep now days, forget laying down one’s life, some of us aren’t willing to sacrifice comfort, a man, a paycheck, time, etc. to preserve a friendship.

Why is friendship the third quality of a blessed woman? First of all, let me say, you are right if you think this quality does not qualify to be a quality of a blessed woman, because it doesn’t describe a blessed woman like the other qualities do—but the friendship she has with God defines her. In John 15:14, Jesus gives a definite condition for being His friend: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatever I command you." Her obedience to God’s Word is rewarded with a deep intimate friendship with God and the peace of mind that God will only seek the good of those who love and obey Him.

It is through her friendship with God (a faithful friend she can count on! Who does not change and who does not withdraw his love whatever the circumstances may be) that keeps her in good company. That familiarity with God guides her in choosing her other friends wisely, building deeper friendships, and influencing new friends for Christ.

Ever wondered why God called Abraham His friend (Isaiah 41:8)? Or why Jesus told the disciples in John 15:15, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” Besides the fact that they were obedient to the Word of God, God talked intimately with all of them. In addition, they shared God’s interests, they enjoyed God’s company, they had a deep sensitivity to the Word of God, they feared (respected) God, they had faith in God, there was consistency in their worship of God, and they made themselves available to God.

Your Call to Order...
Will you be the friend of God or the friend of the world? Your choice does not negate the fact that God loves you unconditionally. However, God desires an intimate relationship with you, a relationship that is not one sided, but both you and He are actively pursuing intimacy with each other. Will you:

1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind?
2) Be obedient to God’s commands?
3) Tell others what a wonderful friend you have in God?

Power Verses:

“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).
“As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

See also "The First Quality of a Blessed Woman"
See also "The Second Quality of a Blessed Woman"

Read more...

The Second Quality of a Blessed Woman

She has Faith in God
As we discussed previously, the first quality of a blessed woman is that she fears God, Proverbs 9:10 says that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” The next quality of a blessed woman is that she has faith in God. Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Another Bible translation simply says “Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being certain of what we do not see” (NIRV). Just as godly wisdom is attained by having a healthy fear of God, faith cometh by hearing and receiving the Word of God.

How important is faith? Faith is essential to salvation. It takes faith to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6); not only does faith save us, faith will sustain us. With faith a blessed woman is given the inner strength to endure tuff and trying times; to shape and reshape (if necessary) her family’s values, to encourage those in need, to share godly principles with others, and to believe that she has a home in heaven although she has never seen it.

How much faith do you need? All it takes is faith as small as a mustard seed, and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20). However, “without faith it is impossible to please [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is…” (Hebrews 11:6).

What were some of the results of faith? The author of Hebrews 11:30-39 says…

“The people had faith. So the walls of Jericho fell down. It happened after they had marched around the city for seven days. Rahab, the prostitute, had faith. So she welcomed the spies. That's why she wasn't killed with those who didn't obey God. What more can I say? I don't have time to tell about all the others. I don't have time to talk about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah. I don't have time to tell about David, Samuel and the prophets. Because of their faith they took over kingdoms. They ruled fairly. They received the blessings God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions. They put out great fires. They escaped being killed by the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became powerful in battle. They beat back armies from other countries. Women received their dead back. The dead were raised to life again. Others were made to suffer greatly. But they refused to be set free. They did that so that after death they would be raised to a better life. Some were laughed at. Some were whipped. Still others were held by chains. They were put in prison. Some were killed with stones. They were sawed in two. They were put to death by the sword. They went around wearing the skins of sheep and goats. They were poor. They were attacked. They were treated badly. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains. They lived in caves. They lived in holes in the ground. All of those people were praised because they had faith...” (NIRV).

Your Call to Order...
Faith is a powerful thing! If you are lacking in faith increase your knowledge of God, and what God is capable of doing. Read the Bible, read testimonies of faith, examine your own life--it’s possible you’ll be able to see God hands through your own experiences.

Power Verses

"For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You" (PSA 71:5-6).

See also "The First Quality of a Blessed Woman"
See also "The Third Quality of a Blessed Woman"

Read more...

The First Quality of a Blessed Woman

As you all ready know, I enjoy reading. Just recently I was rereading Women and Money, by Suze Orman; more specifically, I was reading about the characteristics of a wealthy woman. Just reading about this woman’s qualities made me think about the qualities of a blessed woman (a Christian woman who lives everyday of her life in step with the Holy Spirit). Most Christian women know what she looks like, and they know what she does—just by reading Proverbs 31:10-31; but what spiritual qualities stand out to make her a blessed woman? A woman who is alluring to her husband, adored by her children, and an example of virtue for other women; a woman who is able to find peace in midst of her circumstances because she knows she has great worth and value to God. Her knowing that her worth is far above rubies (see Proverbs 31:10) enables her to value others, and helps her to recognize their worth and value to God.

She Fears God
The first quality of a Blessed Woman is that she has “a healthy fear of God”. I added healthy because our fear of God should not paralyze us, or cause us to do something because we fear God might strike us down.

The Word "FEAR" in Hebrew is "YIR'AH" and is used in the Old Testament to describe a reverential fear of God. The Greek word for “FEAR” is "PHOBOS", and it is used to describe: dread, or terror. All through scriptures we are called to fear God; but the benefit of fearing God is that: “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them” (Psalm 145:19).

A healthy fear of God comes from having a healthy relationship with God. A fear of God is birthed out of love and respect for Him. A blessed woman forgives, because God has forgiven her and calls her to forgive. She loves, because God first loved her and calls her to love her neighbor as herself. She gives, because God gave His only begotten Son, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

A blessed woman’s fear of God gives her wisdom in discerning who, what, and when to fear. No wonder we are told: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

Your Call to Order...
Keep in mind that fear is a healthy emotion, and a woman who fears the LORD, "she shall be praised" (Proverb 31:30).

Gavin De Becker in his book The Gift of Fear, tells us that it is the emotions behind our fears that protects us from danger; and might I add, keeps us from sinning against a God we love. Fear may lead you to a well lit ATM with people near by, versus an ATM in a secluded area. Fear led Rahab to help the Israelites who came to spy out the city of Jericho. Her fear also led her to faith in the God of Israel, which is another quality of a blessed woman I will share with you another time.

Power Verses

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Hebrews 12:28).

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).

See also "The Second Quality of a Blessed Woman"
See also "The Third Quality of a Blessed Woman"

Read more...