“There are many valiant and noble ones, but you have ascended above them all! Charm can be misleading, and beauty is vain and so quickly fades, but this virtuous woman lives in the wonder, awe, and fear of the Lord. She will be praised throughout eternity. So go ahead and give her the credit that is due, for she has become a radiant woman, and all her loving works of righteousness deserve to be admired at the gateways of every city!”
Proverbs 31:29-31 (TPT)
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all the Moms and Women who have blessed and made a difference in the lives of others! I believe that God’s heart is evident in the lives of women who have brought forth life, in either a natural birth or a spiritual one. I believe Heaven is celebrating each one of these women today!
To you Moms who were committed and unrelenting to bring forth your natural children and who have stayed in faith for their lives to be submitted to God, we praise and thank God for you! To you Women who were diligent and obedient to bring forth spiritual children and continue to encourage them to live their lives submitted to God, we also praise and thank God for you!
Proverbs 31:10-31, speaks of a woman who God says is virtuous – honorable, excellent, faithful, pure and upright before Him, before her family and before everyone around her. She is a woman whose characteristics and principles are based on what is pleasing to God. She lives her life to the glory of God and for the betterment of others. This woman has made God the One she places her trust in and has chosen to live for. This woman has made “His way of doing and being right” her standard and lifestyle (Matthew 6:33). This woman has placed the needs of her family and the well-being of others before her own interests or gain. This woman knows that “what she sows is what she will reap” (Galatians 6:7). So, she remains steadfast in her generosity of time, talents and treasures – wanting only the purposes of God, in and through her, to be what is exemplified.
Every woman who has chosen to let Jesus Christ be the Lord of her life, living surrendered to Him, is who God sees as being that virtuous woman. The Lord sees this woman as that one He chooses to show Himself strong through, because He sees her committed and dedicated heart that is submitted to Him. This woman has made God’s Word her final authority. She follows the leadership of the Holy Spirit, pursues God’s abundant life and is confident in His unfailing love working in and through her.
This woman lives by the Fear of the Lord – a life that stands in awe of God’s Presence, draws from His Grace and Mercy and lives by faith – exercising God’s Love in every relationship and through every situation. This woman stands on God’s Promises. This woman lives to Love God and Love people! This woman recognizes the privilege she’s been given to belong to God first, and everything she says and does is based on that priority.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
As a woman of God who has the amazing honor of being His girl first, I recognize that I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I draw from Him living big in me to help me to be who He needs me to be (1 John 4:4). As I yield to Him, He helps me to be who He needs me to be in my marriage, with my children and grandchildren, with my sister and brother, my extended family, leaders, church family, friends and the community of people around me. Because I am God’s girl, I pursue His Kingdom and His righteousness. I pursue His Presence and yield to live abandoned to His miracle working power! I commit myself to receive His belief in me, to live as His Virtuous Woman by the power of the Holy Spirit. I take His Word and the principles of a life abandoned in His hands, and I live by faith in the truth of His word! “I am Your Girl, Jesus, so continue to have your way with me!”
I dedicate this Special Devotion to my amazing and loving parents, Stanley and Mildred Miyoko Lyons, who are in Heaven and who encouraged me to love God and live for Him! I also dedicate this to my beloved husband, Art, who has been my greatest cheerleader and to my beautiful daughters, Ashley, Nicole, Alexis and Natalie, who gave me the honor to be a MOMMY. I dedicate this also to my son-in-love, Branson Silva, who has been a great support to Pastor Art and Isaac – with added “boy-power” and to my precious grandchildren, Isabella, Isaac, Bailee-Rose and Beckham-David, who helped me to be a Mimi. I also dedicate this to my wonderful sister, Lamu, who has been a “second mom” to both me and my children, and I dedicate this to my loving brother, Luna, who led me to Jesus! (Pastor Kuna Sepulveda)
TODAY’S DECLARATION
“As a child of God, I live knowing that I belong to Him first, and I commit myself to be who He needs me to be in every relationship of my life and in every area of my life! I live to love God and love people and bring His life to this world!”
TODAY’S BIBLE READING
- Old Testament: 1 Samuel 21-23; Psalms 104
- New Testament: Mark 12:28-34; 2 Corinthians 9
