Just a moment, darling girl. Just take a moment. To put on this balm, this healing balm. A balm for beauty. A balm for preparation for what is to come. A balm of beauty for this walk of love we are being called to. Just take a moment to receive the Word of our Lord for us His Bride, His beloved one because we are accepted in the Beloved One by His Blood, the Blood He shed for us, His beloved one (see Ephesians 1:6). Thank You, Lord Jesus!
This blood paid our price and made a way for us to receive His gift of grace. This grace is sufficient. This grace is more than enough for us to accomplish all that He has called us to do (see Rick Renner’s article that includes what 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 means in the Greek, grace that is more than enough).
With this in mind, may I invite you to do something with me (that is if the Holy Spirit puts it on your hearts to do)? You see, I was struggling the other day, wrestling with thoughts of doubt concerning my ability in regard to my walk with the Lord, in my relationships, in my job, and in education. Where do those thoughts come from? They are not from my God, not from my Father, not from my Savior and my Lord. Those thoughts are not from the Spirit of Truth Who has been given to me.
While sitting in church, this invitation came to me by the still small voice of the Spirit. I heard an invitation to read Proverbs 31:10-31 every day, letting these words of life transform me into whom He has called me to be. A little over a year ago, I had Proverbs 31 on my heart for the first REST Retreat I was part of, but now I know the Lord wants to reawaken these verses of life for me and take me deeper. I am to put it on like putting on the most precious skincare or the most beautiful makeup, except it can do so much more than makeup can ever accomplish. There are beautiful character traits that can only come from God’s heart embedded within these verses. How can we do these things on our own? We are not called to do these things in our own ability.
We are to put on Christ, to trust Him, and to allow His Holy Spirit and His Word to transform us into His image. We are to believe Him and to work with Him. He will grace us in this process as we allow Him to. Doubt, self-hatred and self-dislike, offense, unforgiveness, pride and the like will hinder this beautiful process. We will cling to His Word though. We will let go of the lies of the enemy, with our God’s help. He will help us. He will uphold us with His mighty Right Hand of Victory (see Isaiah 41:10 in the AMPC).
Did you know that there is a Jewish tradition, where at the “Sabbath Friday night meal” the husband is to bless his wife by reciting “Proverbs 31, extolling his wife’s noble character” (see the International Fellowship of Christians And Jews’ “Woman of Valor” Plan on Bible.com)? He is proclaiming God’s Word over his wife. What a tremendous impact this can make on her life and on the lives of their family! How beautiful!
So will you join me in reading these verses from Proverbs 31, as if you were putting on a beauty balm that is more precious than gold? Meditate on the verses that stand out to you, the ones that the Holy Spirit highlights for you (for instruction on Biblical Meditation, please see Cindy’s article entitled “S O A R”). On different days, it could be different verses that stand out. Just allow the Holy Spirit to do His work as He beautifies and dignifies us as only He can (See Psalm 103:4 in the AMPC). Use different translations as you see different angles and aspects of these verses. Oh, what a difference this can make for us. Please feel free to share and encourage others as you go about this journey of preparation. Blessings and love to all of you precious and beautiful women and saints of God.
For further insight, please look at Marlene’s blog article from March 2023 and Sarah Van Dreese’s blog article from January 2024, as well as listen to Sarah’s message on the Bride of Christ. Also, stay tuned for Cindy’s recording of the first REST meeting for 2024. Our walk is important for such a time as this. The Lord is preparing us for something beautiful, for something beyond our grandest thoughts.
References:
“A Prayer that God Cannot Answer” by Rick Renner
“A Woman of Valor” Plan provided by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ( https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/15191-a-woman-of-valor/day/1 )
“Fully Engaged” by Sarah V. ( https://www.restinme.org/post/fully-engaged )
“Pray for His Body and Be His Bride” by Sarah V.
“S O A R” by Cindy ( https://www.restinme.org/post/s-o-a-r )
“The Proverbs 31 Woman” by Marlene ( https://www.restinme.org/post/the-proverbs-31-woman )
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