CHARACTERISTICS OF A GODLY WOMAN
How do people know that I am a Christian? Is it because I say so, or is it because of who I am in my day to day living? We can all act a part for a while but it is when we are under pressure that what is inside us automatically comes out; its my reactions that truly reflect what kind of water is in my well; whether sweet or bitter; not necessarily my actions!
1 Peter 2 v 1... (amplified version) encourages us as to how our behaviour should be in regard to our husbands, and in fact, to ALL relationships in our lives.
"Be submissive to your own husbands (subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them) so that even if some do not obey the Word, they may be won over (to Christ) without discussion by the godly lives of the wives, when they see your modest and respectful behaviour (together with your devotion and appreciation - love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God). Let your adornment be the inner beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, (one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature) which is very precious in the sight of God.
DEALING WITH THE TONGUE - James 3 v 2 to 12
For in many things we offend all. If any woman offend not in word, the same is a perfect woman, and able also to bridle the whole body. The tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. With it we bless God, and with it we curse men. Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet and bitter water? A fountain cannot yield both salt water and fresh.
DISCIPLINE AND CONTROL OF WORLDLY DESIRES - 1 Cor 9 v 24 to 27
Don't you know that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prices? So run, that you may obtain. And every woman that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things; now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air; but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that when I have spoken to others, I myself should be a castaway.
FILLING MY MIND WITH THE RIGHT THINGS - Romans 8 v 5,6 Phil 4 v 6 to 9
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. To be fleshly minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely..... think on those things which you have both learned, and received: and the God of peace shall be with you.
PUTTING OFF AND PUTTING ON - Col 3 v 8 to 14
Put off all these - anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another. Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him. Put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
RECOGNIZE YOU ARE IN A FIGHT - 1 Peter 5 v 5 to 9
God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble, so humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfast in the faith.
TEACH OTHERS - Titus 2 v 3 to 5
The older women (being sober, grove, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience), that they be in behaviour as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
SOME TESTIMONIES
On a dirt road, a bunch of us getting a lift, an expectant holiday feeling out in nature and the mood was set for a special morning with the ladies at Thali Thali! We were out of town, away from our realities and that in itself opened us up to receive the love and companionship of the woman who each contribute to our fellowship.
With a designated number that lead us to our place at a table (and a little pot of jam 🍯), it was once again 😉 a battle to stop the chitter chatter of woman, loved ones knit together in love for our Lord Jesus Christ, to start breakfast! After a buffet consisting of tasty, well prepared nourishment we were challenged with opening up about the characteristics of a godly woman in an area that a chosen verse directed.
It was in the feedback from each table that it became very apparent that Christ remains the foundation and answer in every challenging situation we face. The foundation upon which we stand to face our diverse problems is, and will remain - “ not I, but Christ in me”. The underlying truth of the morning was that we as woman, with modest, respectful behaviour, with inner beauty, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle peaceful spirit - we are precious in the sight of God and we form the foundation of our respective worlds - in a quiet, dignified, Christ filled manner!
It was a wonderful celebration of womanhood within the circle of our fellowship and a great encouragement to stand - and remain standing firm, not in personal strength, but in the overcoming power of Christ in us!! Annie
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Friday's Ladies morning was as a breath of fresh air, inviting one to take a deep breath and stand firm again. The discussions were enlightening and exhorting, reminding one of the privileged, purposeful calling a woman has. I was reminded to write down my prayers and conversations as it will bless the generations to come. I was also reminded how a personal relationship with Jesus is the most vital part of our everyday.
Two verses were pressed on my heart:
Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered, And Psalm 78:4 [4] We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
[7] so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; [8] and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
It was certainly a blessed morning.🌸🌷🌸 Danielle
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Oh God may we fill my/our minds with your will that our faith can grow into perfection by meditating on Your word. As I mirror my life on You I am aware that I am a mirror to all those around me and may your Light be reflective in me. God is sufficient for yesterday, today and my future.
May we greet each day with the excitement of knowing Christ has died and Risen and be joyful; excited for what's to come, knowing the peace of God is in me. Sheryl
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It was very special for me to meet up with the ladies at Thali Thali on the 24th November. Each table was allocated different topics to discuss. The verse we were given was 1 Peter 3 verse 1 onwards – how our behaviour should be with respect to our husbands and in every relationship in our lives.
The verses tell me that I should be submissive to my husband – obeying him as the head of the wife as appointed by God and in doing so obeying God. That I should win him over by my modest and respectful behaviour together with my devotion and love, encouragement and enjoyment of him as a blessing from God. That adornment should be the inner beauty of the hidden person of the heart having a gentle and peaceful spirit, being self-controlled and not overly anxious which is precious in the sight of God.
At first when I saw the verses I felt very disheartened realizing that I do fail but as we discussed the topic I felt more encouraged. It was also mentioned that when we are under pressure what is inside automatically comes out and when I am in a stressful situation my reactions will truly reflect what kind of water is in my well. The question was, what kind of water is in my well – is it sweet or bitter? I was challenged by this a few years ago during a message delivered by Francois Visser and had realized that I was bitter about certain things that had happened. I had wept during the meeting. Since that meeting the Lord has been working in my life and although I have failed at times, my thinking has been changed. Forgiving has been important as I am a sinner myself. This is only through the grace of God and new life in Jesus which I have experienced. I have His righteousness in me. We discussed needing to commune with the Lord in Spirit and let Him be our strength in challenging times.
Our last verse was Titus 2 v3-5. That we as older women need to mature and have certain characteristics so that we may be examples and be able to teach younger women. This is in order that the word of God be not blasphemed.
To close off with I have become much more grateful and have realized that I had no right to be bitter towards anybody. I must say that my husband has been a patient and loving to me and I give God the glory for the blessing that he is to me. Janelle
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A beautiful morning, wonderful sightings (a snake eagle), a precious get together for breakfast and fellowship at Tali Tali.
We arrived, greeting each other with joy. Given a number, we found our seats and joined the group round our tables. Catching up with each other, we all enjoyed a delicious meal.
Then sweet fellowship as we discussed being a child of God in the world we live in, in our homes, in the church.
In our homes, the challenges we face, illnesses, personalities, learning to deal with difficult situations God’s way. How Jesus must be the very center of our being. How we need the Holy Spirit to give us power for service. The importance of the fruit of the spirit in our lives as we deal with people at home, in the church, in the world. The tongue!! As we age, we are learning that listening more and speaking less brings a more peaceful result.
Testimonies from ladies who are in extremely difficult circumstances, yet are seeing God’s grace and mercy, strengthening their faith.
We came away realising that fellowship is vital. We need each other as we walk this walk.
A big thank you to those who organised this wonderful day. Ruth
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What a wonderful time of fellowship, great food and, most importantly, biblical discussion was had by all at the Ladies Breakfast! Thanks to all!
The general discussion surrounding living as Godly women was further divided into table groups and our group opened up in a lovely way, sharing personal experiences and what we had each learned from the word surrounding the scripture we were given :- Colossians 3:8-14 – Putting off and putting on. (Put off all these – anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds. Put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another and forgiving one another. Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.)
Summary - Relationships were discussed and how we ought to be living the love of Christ within all our relationships in life, and in particular our relationships with our spouses. Our summary came down to letting go and letting God, relinquishing control to Him instead of following the worldly way of taking the lead and controlling, as would be the ‘natural’ inclination of womankind. To look at our spouses and see the Lord behind them.. serving the Lord in Godly submission, and thereby serving our partners. To put God first in our own lives and walk our walk with Him, allowing our husbands to walk their own walk with the Lord, taking up their spousal and family responsibilities, as we take up our own places as is the Godly order of things and the route of blessing. Change our hearts oh God! Linda
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Friday was very special to me. I learned a lot from the ladies around my table. The verse we got spoke directly to my heart. I am going through a difficult time right now. My husband was recently diagnosed with Alzeimers, and it is a challenge to adjust to it. The ladies gave me some practical advice to manage it. I am very grateful to them. I was encouraged when I left. It also opened my eyes to see that I am not alone in this. There are others going through the same thing, and they came forward to tell me they will pray for me. To God all the glory. Jackie
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