Showing posts with label holiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiness. Show all posts

Living under God's umbrella



I have always sought to live my life according to God's Word, and I have tried to encourage other Christian women in their walk. Over the thirty years that I have written of God's wonderful plan for us as wives, mothers and homemakers, I have been impressed with how the 5 areas of priority in our lives overlap so much that at times I have had to categorise them by adding all the 5 areas to each post. Let me explain.

Just a quick recap of the five areas of service for the Christian woman and wife in order of priority:

  • God
  • Husband
  • Children
  • Home
  • Church

We must serve God and have Him first in our life.

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8

Because everything is spiritual in our life, I have discovered that when we serve our husbands, we are serving Christ.

" Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord." Colossians 3:18

We are serving God and our husband when we take care of our children.

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy".  1 Corinthians 7:14

When we look after our home, we are serving God, our husband and our children.

"I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully." 1 Timothy 5:14

Serving in church or serving in God's Name is important but should not come before all the other 4 priorities are in order.

(Widows)..".Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work" 1 Timothy 5:10

I have found that often I cannot place a post under just one category because it is so closely correlated to the other categories of service.  This is because everything in our lives is spiritual. And when we consider the umbrella of God's protection as well, we can see that God's plan for our lives is amazing. We have everything here to guide us as wives, mothers and homemakers. We can be sure that we are living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God and in keeping with His Word. 

It is not only comforting to know that God's Word guides us in our daily living, but it is also amazing that we can know with a certainty that God not only approves of us being wives, mothers and homemakers, but that He calls most of us to be! 

If God has called us to be a wife with all that entails, then let us rejoice in His plan for our life. In doing so, we can live an abundant life full of blessings as Christ has promised.

 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks.

Why I don't read salicious books




There has been a lot of publication of p*rnography for women, such as the trilogy "50 Shades of Grey". It seems every woman was immersed in  it and most had bought all three books.  Even my daughter, who is not an avid reader, had it on her iPhone.

Everyone seemed to be reading this trash. However, I didn't be read  them.  What I have gleaned from comments and hearsay is that it was basically "Mummy p*rn"  A tale of  demeaning sex and sado-masochism.  But most of the young mothers I know were digesting every filthy word of it and jokes abounded that by book three, most husbands would be very happy men with an excess of sexual favours in all kinds of manner!

Why won't I read it? you ask.  I won't read it because I value my God and my marriage too much, and  I have self-respect. As a married woman, I owe it to Chris to keep my thoughts and impulses for him alone.  I would hate to be intimate with him and be imagining Christian (or any other man).... Jesus Himself has warned us against this, saying that to look lustfully at someone not your spouse, is adultery in the heart.  He meant this for women as well...

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28

As in cyber sex, and sexy chat room relationships, reading pr*rn stirs the carnal side and weakens the intimacy and trust in the marriage union and pervades into our relationship with Christ. Sadly, many Christian women are getting caught up in this sin. And it is not only the married but the single woman. Goodness knows, remaining sexually pure and unstained in this world is hard enough without igniting flames that should not be kindled until marriage..and then again only to be kindled in marriage..

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please. Songs 2:7

Anything that lures ones' mind away from God or ones' spouse creates an opportunity for sinful behaviour.  The formula for sin begins in one's thought life...A thought = a decision =  an action = sin.  I know if Chris was thinking lustfully about another woman, that it would upset me.  He wouldn't do it to me. Likewise, I won't do it to him.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:15 

As a born-again Christian who is redeemed and cleansed by the Blood of Christ, I have too much self-respect- or really, I should say respect of Christ living in me, that I refuse to dwell on sinful things. We are a holy people and have been called to be separate from the world.  

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,  2 Corninthians 6:17

I do not want to waste my energies on thinking about licentiousness. Being human means that occasionally one may have a sinful thought- we won't be perfect until we meet the LORD, but that doesn't mean that we should dwell on rubbish. I prefer to dwell on things of Christ.  However, should we dwell on things not worthy of our Saviour,  then we are instructed to train our thoughts away and bring them in line with God and His Word.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  2 Corinthians 10:5

It is my hope that any Sisters here will bypass those types of books and any other distractions that take us away from our most important raison d'etre.  Our life is to keep ourselves spiritually pure as we await our Saviour.   So many world events point to His coming soon. We have to stay strong.  In faith. In purity. In Spirit. In prayer.  For we are the Bride of Christ.

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Just as you hopefully would keep yourself pure for your husband, how much more so do we need to keep ourselves pure for Him?  We must guard our hearts carefully at all times,  for out of our heart, comes our life.  

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:24

Don't let the world tell you that reading "Mummy p*rn" is not sin: it is. Our standard for living is not the world's, but God's.   And before you take offence at my words, please know that I too must bring my thoughts into the captivity of Christ.  I don't feed my spirit on garbage. Therefore I won't read 50 Shades of grey or see the movie.

What manner of people ought we to be then?

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  Ephesians 5:3-9

As the Bride of  Christ, when the Bridegroom comes, I don't want Him to find me being wanton, licentious and lewd. I want to be holy and pure for Him.  He deserves that.  

There may be fifty shades of grey, but there is only one shade of white. I choose white!

And that is why I don't read salacious books! (this post was originally posted March 2019)


© Glenys Robyn Hicks


Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  Revelation 3:4


Living under God's Umbrella


 

As you probably know, I write for some Christian Sites as well as my blog, and I have been amazed at the way it has shown me that God's plan for our lives is the right one. His ways are always right.

I have always sought to live my life according to God's Word, and I have tried to encourage other Christian women in their walk. Over the five years that I have written of God's wonderful plan for us as wives, mothers and homemakers, I have been impressed with how the 5 areas of priority in our lives overlap so much that at times I have had to categorise them by adding all the 5 areas to each post. Let me explain.

Just a quick recap of the five areas of service for the Christian woman and wife in order of priority:

  • God
  • Husband
  • Children
  • Home
  • Church

We must serve God and have Him first in our life.

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8

Because everything is spiritual in our life, I have discovered that when we serve our husbands, we are serving Christ.

" Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord." Colossians 3:18

We are serving God and our husband when we take care of our children.

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy".  1 Corinthians 7:14

When we look after our home, we are serving God, our husband and our children.

"I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully." 1 Timothy 5:14

Serving in church or serving in God's Name is important but should not come before all the other 4 priorities are in order.

(Widows)..".Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work" 1 Timothy 5:10

I have found that often I cannot place a post under just one category because it is so closely correlated to the other categories of service.  This is because everything in our lives is spiritual. And when we consider the umbrella of God's protection as well, we can see that God's plan for our lives is amazing. We have everything here to guide us as wives, mothers and homemakers. We can be sure that we are living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God and in keeping with His Word. 

It is not only comforting to know that God's Word guides us in our daily living, but it is also amazing that we can know with a certainty that God not only approves of us being wives, mothers and homemakers, but that He calls most of us to be! 

If God has called us to be a wife with all that entails, then let us rejoice in His plan for our life. In doing so, we can live an abundant life full of blessings as Christ has promised.

 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks.

Either way is fine!



I want to meet Jesus face to Face. The fact that I won't be in pain anymore and will be in Heaven is important, but not my main focus. I can't wait to see how He will use me to serve Him... I know whatever He chooses, it will be perfect. just perfect. like Him!

But really I think we are all at the end of our rope  living here in this cess pool... we have far out sinned Sodom and Gomorrah and it is deeply saddening/sickening to those who long for righteousness and holiness... He has to come soon. Which I hope for. I want to be raptured not fall off the vine... but really as long as I am with Him- either way is fine ! 


© Glenys Robyn Hicks


Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10 

Above reproach




Recently I read about the high incidence of pastors being in involved in pornography. Pornography is sin. It is sex.

As Christians we are called to be apart from the world, not in it. We are called to be holy. We are called to bring our thoughts under the captivity of Christ. 

Pastors have a greater accountability to Christ as handlers of the Word. They should not be involved in  the works of darkness themselves and should be denouncing it from the pulpit. 

Why is pornography wrong? you ask. 
  1. Pornography invalidates the one flesh relationship of the covenant of marriage. 
  2. It denigrates married love to animal baseness and allows women to be used as sex objects instead of loved tenderly. 
  3. Women who engage in pornography also tend to treat men with little respect. 
  4. It encourages selfish love making and greater expectation of the act
  5. It can make a woman feel dirty and effects her relationship with her husband if he watches it
  6. It creates a lustful mindset that overflows into the heart and becomes sinful actions.
  7. It encourages a roving eye and Jesus says that is adultery in the heart therefore sin.

Satan has hoodwinked society into believing that pornography is fine, but the results are catastrophic. Everything that God has said is good, Satan has substituted with evil. 

Darkness is deepening. Christ is soon to return. Keep oil in your lamps. Keep your garments clean. Present yourself as a spotless Bride. Jesus Christ deserves a pure Bride-and She deserves pure minded pastors that should  be leading them in holiness, having holy and clean hands as they touch the Word of God and they must be above reproach!


© Glenys Robyn Hicks


And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God -Romans 12:2

Ready for your crown?

 

Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes every day at a frantic pace. We who are looking for the soon rapture or snatching up of the church, are expecting to see our Saviour very soon.

Not only has Jesus gone to prepare a place for us, but He is going to give us a crown of glory that doesn't fade away. What an honour! 

Throughout scriptures, we are often told of crowns speaking of righteousness, obedience, honour and rewards. Those of us who love the LORD, will each be given a crown.

Some verses that speak of this are: 

The Crown of Righteousness:Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

The Crown of Life: -  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him  James 1:12

The Crown of Glory:- And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4

The Incorruptible Crown:- And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 9:25

The Crown of Rejoicing:- For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:19

I am not only looking for the signs of Christ's coming for the Church, I am waiting for the sound of the trumpet. That is going to be a magnificent time when believers get to see Jesus, but also get to live with Him for eternity.

There's still work to be done until that time- we must tell unbelievers of the salvation of the LORD and the impending end times.

We must continue to witness, live a holy life, stay close to Jesus through worship and prayer, and fight the good fight.

The trumpet is about to sound: are you ready for your crown? 

© Glenys Robyn Hicks


I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Today's the day!



For those of us who regularly read the Bible, it is very apparent that even though we read of a powerful God Who chastises and punishes the wicked, we also see a kind, patient, lovingly holy God Who is full of mercy. 

The fact that God is merciful and holy is woven throughout scripture, both in the Old and the New testaments, and those who only see a harsh, punitive God have not truly read the Bible with an open heart and mind. 

Mercy, grace, justice, love, honour, fairness and compassion are hallmarks of our God Who loved us all enough to send His only Son to die for us when we were still sinners and unloving and unkind. 

The very Laws laid down in the 10 Commandments and then in Leviticus reveal a God Who knows what is best for His creation, and Who longs to teach His Children so that they will not only thrive but be holy. 

When we study the Word, a beautiful picture of our God is shown us through the Word and through His Son Jesus. He embodies the qualities of the Holy Spirit, Who Himself is the third Person of the Godhead. Here is an example of the mercy of God.

Do not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord speak, saying, “The Lord has utterly separated me from His people”; nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.” For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give [a]them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off". Isaiah 56:3-5

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control and mercy are all qualities of the goodness of our God. He is in fact the totality of holiness

It is because of God's Holiness, in that He is the essence and being of the above qualities is why He sent His Son to become sin in our place for He cannot abide with evil. Therefore, it is impossible to come into the Presence of God except through Jesus Christ. We must be born again or saved or we will not go to heaven.

We all know the world is getting darker and soon Jesus is coming in the clouds to take His Church- believers. If you are not saved, you will be left behind to face a great tribulation such as the world has never seen before. Salvation is still possible because God is merciful but man is not. Your salvation will come at a great price: you will lose your life.

If you are not saved, know that the Holy Spirit is wooing you and longing for you to accept Jesus. The Holy Spirit says, "Come!" Today is the day of salvation!


© Glenys Robyn Hicks


For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10

Kindness is crucial for a happy life



I read a statement today that said, "I don't want to be a part of a world where being kind is a weakness!" I have found in my life that people equate kindness with weakness and nothing can be further from the truth. Sometimes being kind to someone is an internal battle that strives with the urge to treat that person as we have been treated: unkindly. 

Kindness is an attribute of God and is a fruit of the Spirit, and as such, is highly regarded by Him. Being kind is something we should all aspire to be as Christians. And it often requires being strong in spirit. It means being forgiving. Loving. Selfless. Sacrificial. It includes purity of heart, mind and speech. It imparts grace. 

The King James Bible speaks of kindness 43 times, and from that one can see the importance of being kind in all its' aspects. Many verses exhort us to be kind and they extol kindness's virtues. 

CHOOSE TO BE KIND EVEN IF THAT PERSON IS NOT WORTHY OF IT because that is what God has done for us all: saved and unsaved. That takes strength and prayer. Be kind. Because a world without kindness is a world none of us would really want to live in, for it is crucial for a happy life...

© Glenys Robyn Hicks    

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Colossians 3:12