Lips of Character

At my church, this is the year of "Get Healthy, Stay Healthy". And I'm trying to invest in life changes to be holistically healthy in every area of life.

I've been eating Proverbs for breakfast, recently. Let me tell you, there is a Word in there for everything.
And it SURELY caught me this morning.

I'll be honest. I sometimes do things in excess. No, I'm not talking about that extra cookie (though I'm definitely guilty of that, too).

I talk too much.

Not in an, "I'm ready to gossip or tell secrets way". I'm actually a pretty good confidant. I am just a natural born talker. As a writer, as a poet, an artist, and a speaker, it comes with the territory. And it has its perks (say, when networking, or improvising in a presentation or performing under pressure).

However, I am really in the refining fire, and a prudent speaker is so invaluable. In relationships, in ministry, in life. Temperance is a fruit of the Spirit, right?


According to James 1:9, I should be "swift to hear, slow to speak". I am learning that a woman who knows when to hold her tongue is a woman of wisdom (and we know how important that is from this post).

James 3:8 ESV says "no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil,full of deadly poison." This is pretty intense. I get a few things from this, including  1. It's in our nature for our tongue to be out of control, 2. our words can be VERY dangerous...fatal even, and  3. the ability to put our tongue into subjection doesn't come from human power..so it has to come from the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. To get it right we have to give ourselves over to God and submit to the guidance of His Spirit.

The Word says the tongue is a restless evil. Jermemiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?".  Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45 tell us that "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks". There's a parallel in here somewhere. I surmise that If our hearts change, our speech will, too.  And you know what? If my mouth is under subjection of the Holy Spirit, then it's safe to say the rest of me is, too.


I am often praying in this season that:
-God guards my lips
-every word is spoken under the discretion of His Spirit
-God teaches me to bask in the beauty of silence
-I only speak when it improves upon that silence
-as a friend, I learn when to just listen versus when to speak encouraging words
-everything I speak is genuinely in sincerity and LOVE


I am also learning how powerful the words of a child of God truly are...as strong as life and death (Proverbs 18:21). We can literally shape our experiences, our future, our relationships by the words we use and the words we receive. We can liberate others or incarcerate them. I frequently see a bad habit of saints just throwing around words like they are merely sounds with little significance. Any words spoken have weight. But the words of a child of God?...

We are filled with the very Spirit that spoke the WORLD into existence. I mean, before there was anything that was made, there was the Word (John 1). That's powerful. And that's the same Spirit that gives us the authority not only to speak against the enemy, but to speak over ourselves. We declare things into the atmosphere that actually manifest. I mean, Jesus spoke to a fig tree and cursed it...then told us we have the same ability!

That's a big deal. And big responsibility. Which is more reason why I want to be wise with how I wield that power. I want to edify! Not destroy. Not be wasteful with words that just fill up space, or do not produce profit. I want my words to matter. My words give a glimpse of my heart and paint a portrait of my character. The Word says "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 21:11)

I want lips of Godly character. What about you?

"On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found...
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom...
whoever restrains his lips is prudent...
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable...
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver...
The lips of the righteous feed many...
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life...

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses"

Proverbs 10:11,12,13,20,21,31,32

So, the next time you're in the mirror, and you're applying your lip gloss or chapstick, and you're puckering up... take a moment to say a prayer. And consider the fruit they bear. Are they feeding the Kingdom?

love, compassion, royalty

Queen G

WISDOM...WIFE?

Last weekend there was a revival at my church. A life-changing revival, preached by a tornado of anointing in the person of District Elder Zulu, by way of West Africa. I have not the time or the arsenal of vocabulary to accurately describe the way the Holy Spirit moved, or the ways in which I was impacted. In the midst of that, he taught us some things about wives. A wife should be: W.I.F.E. WiseIndustriousFaithfulEconomical So, you know, after hearing this we're all thinking, "wow, how clever! Am I all of these things?"I am a 22 year old woman (23 in 12 days!). I got the school thing down (by the grace of God), I am faithful in church, growing and learning in ministry, and a I am madly in love with the Lord. At this point of my life, you know what's on my mind every so often, right? MARRIAGE! It's not a consuming desire, but I aint got no time to bluff. As much as I am loving singleness, few things I desire to be more than a mother and a wife. The ministry of marriage is a beautiful and sacred thing to me. And in due time, I look forward to it. And I know that I am in good company. Keeping this in mind, I am regularly checking my heart to the standard of Christ...and quite frequently finding there are MANY things I need to work on and blemishes that have to be worked out of me. I first have to make sure I am a good, humble, and submissive bride to Christ before I ever even think about being a bride to an imperfect human. Today, I during my bible study, I decided to read that good ole wisdom book...PROVERBS! And I was pretty much blown away by what God showed me. Firstly, wisdom is addressed as a woman. Proverbs 8 says wisdom is above jewels, better than choice gold and silver. Take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels,     and all that you may desire cannot compare with her...My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,    and my yield than choice silver (Proverbs 8:10-11,19 ESV) Does this sound familiar? Hmm...well to me, sounds a bit like Proverbs 31 and the virtuous woman. An excellent wife who can find?     She is far more precious than jewels...She opens her mouth with wisdom,     and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (Proverbs 31:10,26 ESV) For those who don't know, most of Proverbs 31 describes the virtuous, God fearing woman and wife. It paints a portrait of the type of woman and wife we should strive to be. Her example is so important because she exhibits the Christ-like traits through her position of womanhood. Back in Proverbs 8, it ALSO states that he who obtains wisdom obtains favor from the Lord For whoever finds me[wisdom] finds life     and obtains favor from the Lord (Proverbs 8:35 esv) Isn't that interesting? This sounds familiar as well! He who finds a wife finds a good thing     and obtains favor from the Lord (Proverbs 18:22 ESV) On the other hand, folly is actually described as a seductive woman. The woman Folly is loud;     she is seductive[h] and knows nothing. (Proverbs 9:13 ESV) She looks good, but is full of nothing and is in no way beneficial or profitable to your soul.  Proverbs constantly teaches about the wrong kind of woman...the type that is alluring and attractive, but leads to demise. It makes it clear that beauty and charm are not the principle things. In fact,  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,     but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30 ESV) 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7 KJV) I don't believe these are coincidence, I believe these parallels are very intentional. I surmise that when God says to a man "go get a wife", He isn't merely telling men to just grab the first fine and available woman. He is inviting men to attain a gift of wisdom by loving a Godly woman. So, when a man obtains a wife, he SHOULD be OBTAINING SOME GODLY WISDOM by attaining her...a great part of that favor He promises will manifest from her wisdom. What does that tell us ladies?  If we aren't wise, we aren't wife material. Period. Men, HEAR THIS: A foolish woman cannot become a Godly man's favor! #Lifecheck Far too many women are focusing on attributes that sound more like the person of folly than of wisdom. What are you doing to obtain wisdom? Where does it rank on your hierarchy of characteristics to cultivate? We've got to evaluate ourselves. I know I have a lot of work to do. In all our getting, we need to strive for wisdom and understanding. Gain skills, get fit, present yourself well...I support ALL of those things tremendously (and so should you)! BUT It is my humble opinion that WISDOM will make you more a Christ-like wife than any amount of cooking or cleaning ever will.  Great reads about self evaluation and preparation for marriage: Intentional or Not? Let's talk Marriage...a blog post written by my wise and wonderful sister Brittany and this blog by my wise twitter sister, Alana considering the lily (I suggest you read: The Case for Courtship, The (In) significance of Marriage and dear future wife) love, compassion, royalty Queen G

A little study on PROVERBS 31

I did a study on the traits of a Proverbs 31 woman a little while back. Recently, I've been praying about discipline, and decided to take a deeper look into the Proverbs 31 woman. I was really blessed by it so I shared with some of my sisters and wanted to share with you all...hope it blesses!

Since I am praying for discipline I re-did a study on Proverbs 31...reading different translations, and re-did the list of characteristics..I find that Prov. 31 is such a powerful scripture...it is so detailed, but we need to dig deeper than our vain repetitions. We as women really have a laid out instruction that tells us exactly what we should do, who we should be, and exactly what we should strive for. 

To be a real Proverbs 31 is a REAL task that takes CONTINUAL work, effort, chastisement, and humility! I realize there is no "gee I made it, I'm the perfect Proverbs 31", but it is more so a consistent and determined strive to become that woman throughout our lives. 

Did I mention work? I never realized how much the scripture truly mentions how much she works or references her work ethic. WE CANNOT BE LAZY AND UNDISCIPLINED AND CONSIDERED A PROVERBS 31 WOMAN! 

We tend to isolate traits certain people have and say, oh wow she's kind, she's smart...such a Proverbs 31 woman. But the POWER of  a Proverbs 31 isn't that she carries a couple traits, but ALL of them at the same time. No, that doesn't mean PERFECTION but it means constant striving. It's about getting to a place where you constantly strive for that and you more frequently hit the mark than not. 

Think about it. The bible says that this woman of excellence (Wendy, I peeped that SHE carries the spirit of excellence we were talking about..like daniel!) is RARE! It says that "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all".  If it is so rare, and if all these women actually do virtuously but this specific woman excels or surpasses them all...everybody is not going to be a Proverbs 31. That's reality! It is a HIGH standard. BUT all women of God who are Spirit filled and Spirit led do have the potential to be. The defining factor is actualizing that potential. Our effort will separate the good women from the excellent women.

The only way she can achieve that level of excellence is by and through total submission to God. If you aren't totally submitted, you CAN'T be a Proverbs 31 (in her essence). There is no other way to achieve such a high standard...these aren't merely acts of the flesh but multiple manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit. This is why so many women fall short. It's not just in the actions, it's a matter of the heart and spirit. All those traits can come once we've fully submitted our hearts to God and His will in total REVERENCE.

Her character glorifies God. Her day to day life is a worship to Him...even in her smallest actions, the character of God can be seen. That is powerful. Sisters, we have a MIGHTY position in the Lord. If we get this thing right...we'll be turning this world upside down.

Gee, I have so much to work on! But I'm excited about it!

p.s. please feel free to respond, add on, etc.!

The List:

Trustworthy

Faithful

LOVING

Hard Worker/works eagerly /with delight!(even when no one is working)

Her presence is a blessing

Well respected

Diligent

Has integrity

rises early to work

Gives

Invests, Builds up

Strong from her love

Compassionate & Generous (to all needy)

A woman of QUALITY

Prepared

Confident & Regal (not cocky, not insecure)

Business minded

Prosperous

Wise

Intelligent

Always mindful of others/doing for others

Secure!

Kind

Supportive

STRONG

Keeps her house/maintains the atmosphere of her home…she regularly contributes

She’s aware/in-tune with the needs/people of her household

She is a starter AND a finisher

Well balanced

She respects what she has (her home, her family, her things)

Productive

Independent yet submissive! (she can handle her own)

She is not solely a wife, but a woman of God in her own right (Her identity is in the Lord)

She is an exceptional wife and mother & fulfills those roles wholeheartedly

She brings her husband honor

She is as royalty, she carries herself well

Optimistic/looks forward to the future

She speaks the Word

She makes the most out of her opportunities

She makes her husband to feel content- her actions remind him regularly that she is his blessing

Humble (though everyone praises her, she never needs to praise herself because…)

HER WORKS PRAISE HER

Nurturing

Makes everyone feel special/she is inclusive (her home, her servants, other workers i.e. merchants)

Rational (thoughtful)

She has a merry countenance (she makes the people around her happy)

Generous

She is good at managing her money (hello!)

She knows her worth and the value of the work she does

She does not lag or procrastinate but is instant

She is kind/meek in her words and speaks with purpose

Thank God for being a woman :)

love, compassion, royalty

Qu3eN