Ladies, Scriptures Explain Your Place

Yahweh has appointed men as leaders in the home and in the church

After Adam and Eve had sinned, Yahweh appointed the husband as leader: "To the woman He said: 'I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you'" (Genesis 3:16).

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The husband is the head of the wife.

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"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to Yahweh. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Yahushua is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Yahushua, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything" (Ephesians 5:22-24).

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"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in Yahweh" (Colossians 3:18).

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"Likewise you wives, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear" (1 Peter 3:1,2).

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Both the husband and wife provide leadership for the children.

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"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to Yahweh" (Colossians 3:20). "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth'" (Ephesians 6:1-3).

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"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers are responsible for bringing up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord. This requires much wisdom and constant attention from birth until the child is grown.

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Bringing up children in the training and admonition of the Lord means that their upbringing must be according to the word of Yahweh. It also involves teaching children the Scriptures, not only in word, but even more importantly, by example.

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Timothy knew the Scriptures from childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). The genuine faith which first dwelt in his grandmother Lois and in his mother Eunice, was also in him (2 Timothy 1:5).

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Men have been appointed by Yahweh as leaders in the church.

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Yahushua, the Head of the church, is a man (1 Timothy 2:5). The twelve Apostles are men. Elders and deacons are men -- since they must be "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2,12).

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Providing leadership in the church is a grave responsibility. Paul told the elders at Ephesus: "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of Elohim which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). An elder must hold "fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict" (Titus 1:9). Peter wrote: "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Yahushua, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of Elohim which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'Elohim resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:1-5).

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Older women teach younger women.

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"The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanders, not given to much wine, teachers of good things -- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of Elohim may not be blasphemed" (Titus 2:3-5).

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Some restrictions are placed on women.

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This is to substantiate Yahweh's appointment of men as leaders in the church.

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"Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression" (1 Timothy 2:11-14). "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church" (1 Corinthians 14:34,35).

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We notice three specific restrictions which will be discussed individually: women are to remain silent in the assembly, they are not to teach men, and they are not to exercise authority over men.

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Women must remain silent in the assemblies.

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"Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church" (1 Corinthians 14:34,35). "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission" (1 Timothy 2:11).

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Since men are to lead, women may not teach or lead when men are present. To substantiate men's leadership role, and to avoid any misunderstanding, women are specifically commanded to be silent in the assembly.

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This does not apply to singing together, since in that case women are not exercising leadership or authority, but are following the brother who is leading the congregation. It would be wrong, however, for a woman to sing solo or to participate in leading the singing.

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Women are not permitted to teach men (1 Timothy 2:12).

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Again, this prohibition substantiates the leadership role Yahweh has assigned to men. Also outside the assembly, a woman is not to serve as a teacher of men. In an informal and submissive manner, women are free to participate in a mixed Bible study -- which is not viewed as an assembly -- but the study must be led by a man. This restriction is not violated when a woman teaches women or small children.

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This certainly does not mean that a man may never learn something from a woman! Apollos is an example of this. "Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the ways of Yahweh; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of Elohim more accurately" (Acts 18:24-26).

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Notice that they "took him aside" and notice that they "explained" the way of Elohim to him more accurately. These expressions depict a conversational situation.

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This passage is sometimes misapplied to appoint a woman, or a man and woman together, to lead a mixed Bible class. In the case of Apollos, however, there was not a teacher-student relationship.

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The example of Aquila and Priscilla does show that a Christian couple may invite a preacher into their home and explain the way of the Lord to him more accurately! Many preachers have benefited from such help!

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Women may not exercise authority over men.

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"And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man" (1 Timothy 2:12).

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Again, this restriction is simply a consequence of Yahweh's appointment of men to lead the church. Leadership is not limited to the assembly. Just as a woman may not teach men, neither may she lead men. For this reason, prayers are led by men in a mixed Bible study, although women join in the discussion.

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Some try to justify women participating in "chain" prayers in a mixed group by claiming that each one is just saying his own private prayer, and is not leading the others. According to Jesus, however, private prayers should be said in private: "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:6). According to Paul, group prayers should be understandable, so all can say "amen" (1 Corinthians 14:15,16). The thoughts of the group are being led by the one saying the prayer. Thus, outside the assembly as well, the prayers of a mixed group must be led by men.

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All of the passages in which restrictions are placed on women are in a domestic or religious context. Paul tells Timothy he is writing these things "so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of Yahweh, which is the church of the living Elohim" (1 Timothy 3:14, 15). Thus it would be extending these prohibitions beyond the context to claim that women may not have leadership roles in business or politics.

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At the other extreme, some limit the application of 1 Timothy 2:12, "And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man," to the assembly. The house of Elohim is not a building or a meeting place, however, but is Elohim's family, Elohim's people. Most of what the church does is done from day to day as the living body of Christ. Preaching and teaching are done outside the assembly. Prayers are led outside the assembly. Religious authority is exercised outside the assembly. Thus the restriction that women are not to teach or exercise authority over men also applies to the work of the church and religious activities in general and not just to the assembly.

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When a church has elders, decisions are of course made by the elders who are men. When a church does not have elders, since women are not to exercise authority over men, decisions must be made by the men of the congregation.

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Man's leadership is compared to Yahushua's leadership.

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This applies both in the home and in the church.

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"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22).

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To the church at Corinth, where some women were rebellious, Paul wrote: "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Yahushua is, the head of woman is man, and the head of Yahushua is Yahweh" (1 Corinthians 11:3).

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Man's leadership does not mean that he may be a tyrant. He himself is under the authority of Yahushua. His leadership must agree with the word of Elohim. He has no right to contradict Yahweh's word. In such a case Peter's explanation to the Jewish leaders would apply: "We ought to obey Yahweh rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

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What about women who prophesied?

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Philip had four virgin daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9). Paul mentions women who prophesied (1 Corinthians 11:4-10).

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Some misuse these examples to invalidate the commandment that women must be silent in the assembly. It is never said, however, that women prophesied in the assembly. They who make that claim are not joining the Scriptures together, but are tearing the Scriptures apart! Several passages must be combined on the basis of what is stated. They may not be brought into conflict by adding something not stated. Since women are not to speak in the assembly and since women are not to teach men, their prophecy was limited to teaching women outside the assembly.

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Let us respect Yahweh's appointments.

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Yahweh has appointed the husband as head of the wife, and men as leaders in the church. As a consequence, women are not to teach men, are not to exercise authority over men, and are not to speak in the assembly. Decisions for the church are made either by the elders or, if there are none, by the men of congregation. Yahweh has appointed men as leaders in the home and in the church.

Roy Davison

Submission

Dear Sisters,

I don't think I've done a very good job of explaining submission. I had another full page written on it yesterday when my little guy accidentally jiggled the plug on my computer, so I lost everything. ~Smile~ Maybe it was for the best.
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A couple of sweet friends so kindly recommended that I share concrete examples of how I submit to my husband. And, you know, that is just the kind of writing I love to read by women. Concrete examples. So today I would like to share just that.

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Before I begin sharing concrete examples, however, I must explain that my heart changed toward my husband when I began to fall in love with Yahshua all over again. When I began to thirst for His Word and time alone with Him every day, I learned more about submission than I ever realized before. I learned that my eyes had to be on Yahshua. Not on my husband's faults, or lack of leadership, as I perceived he should be or should lead. And as I grew closer to Yahshua, I understood that intimacy with my husband was of the prime importance, after intimacy with Yahweh.
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Now this is the interesting part...as I fell in love with Yahshua again, so also, I fell deeply in love with my honey again. That wonderful, honeymoon love that Yahshua speaks about when He reminds the church in Ephesus just what they had lost:

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"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Revelation 2:4
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Marriage is a beautiful picture of that first love. My husband is my first love on this earth. I learned that submitting to him was building him up, supporting him, helping him, and in so doing, bringing much respect to him. How could I do this unless I knew his heart? So I set it up in our home that we might have time alone together. Early in the morning we have the most wonderful talks over coffee. I stopped sleeping in and got up first with Yahweh, and then I was ready with coffee for Art. This started six years ago when my children were 4 weeks old, 2 years old, 5 years old, and 8 years old. And it has continued to this morning.

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I asked Yahweh to help me love him as Elohim intended a wife to love her husband. I started to tell that man of mine two good things a day that I noticed about him. Words like these started to spill out of my mouth:
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"You are so good looking."
"You are a good father."
"I love the way you say, 'Son,' to those boys of yours."
"You are like a fine wine aging just perfectly."
"You bring such good to this family."
"You are such a good provider."
"We always have more than enough with you taking care of us."
"You are so clever with your hands."
"I know you can do it. You always do!"
"You are so generous."
"I love to be with you."

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The more I practiced praising my husband, the more I saw him change. In the mean time, I worked on myself. For as I studied the Word of Yahweh concerning my job as a helpmeet, I realized that I could bring much respect and honor to my husband by my busy hands. Not my busy mouth. But my busy hands. And since I have a tendency to have a busy mouth, I had to take some drastic measures. I had to shut my phone down every morning. To this day. Why? Because the morning hours are my most productive hours. As the day wears on, I tend to get more fatigued. So it is best that I don't talk to anyone but my children in the morning, and instead get my hands busy, busy, busy.
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How? Concretely...~Smile~...I started to learn how to better run my home. I began to cook more from scratch, which stretched my husband's income, and brought him much delight. I began to study ways to use our money wisely, and essentially became his financial advisor. This week we will sign a loan reducing our house payment considerably as I sought out the best loan rate for us. I have done likewise research to get us the lowest car insurance. I use a savings plan for our electricity, reducing my heavy usage to the morning hours. I learned how to do our taxes, that we might save there. I learned how to cut our family's hair, that we might save there. I learned how to teach our children that we might give them a private Christian education at a fraction of the cost. I learned to do a lot of writing rather than long distance calling. I learned how to make my home look "country- cozy" at minimal cost from bargain shopping at thrift shops, garage sales, and swap meets. I learned to prepare ahead for my family that I might laugh along with the Proverbs 31 woman at the future. So in the summer, I think winter. And in the winter, I think summer. I learned to shop more wisely with that kind of thinking and preparation.

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Presently I am studying herbs and learning to cook with honey and freshly ground wheat. For I have found that my job in the kitchen is so very important to this family's health. Since I began cooking healthier and learning to use herbs, we have not seen a doctor as much as we use to. I am also practicing, every now and then, a little sewing, some gardening, and some canning. My desires are to learn to knit and crochet better in the future. I would also like to learn how to quilt and make rugs. Oh, there's so much to look forward to!
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For a well run, cozy home, well trained and taught children, good cooking, orderly clothing, and the income stretched to its fullest fruitfulness, brings honor to my husband. And how I have fallen in love with him and want to do just that. For I have fallen in love with Yahweh, and now realize the far reaching effects for Yahweh just such a home has on the many loved ones it touches.

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Have I fully achieved such a home yet? No, but it is getting better and better the more I practice at it. Sometimes I get discouraged by my struggle with procrastination and disorganization from so many years of bad habits. Then I remember from where I've come. I use to spend hours on the phone talking to my friends, an hour and a half in front of the television watching soap operas, hours reading romance novels late into the night, and countless hours at the mall and other stores . I don't do any of those things anymore. Yahweh has replaced them with so much more, and has blessedly taken the junk out of my mind. He has replaced it instead with His beautiful Word.
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He has been my strength and my song all along. Now when my husband comes home he sees a much more peaceful woman. Praise music is in the background, for this keeps my focus on YAHSHUA all day. Something good has been cooking, or is cooked. His children have been taught, especially in Elohim's Word; so they are different children, as I am a different woman. Our home, to my husband, is one of the most peaceful places on earth. He says he longs to get here after a day at work.

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That, to me, is the essence of submission. It is peace in practice. It is a woman (the heart of the home) loving a man (the head of the home) as Yahweh intended. It is Proverbs 31 being played out day after day. For in Proverbs 31 the "law of kindness" is on her mouth, while her hands are very, very busy doing good for her family. And a "gentle and quiet spirit are precious in His sight." For if one "controls the tongue, one can bridle the entire body."
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It is Mary saying to Gabriel the angel, "Behold the bondslave of Yahweh. Let it be done to me according to your word."

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A bondslave of Yahweh. This is a woman you want to emulate. This is a woman you want to know. A woman who treasures and ponders Yahweh's Word in her heart. She is not anxious or upset about many things, that is why Yahweh put His Son with her for thirty years. She is favored because of her complete devotion to Yahweh and the desire to make herself a slave to His Will. For His great glory. Not a lot of questions about how He was going to do all this through her, rather a gentle and quiet trust in Him.
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When a woman will quietly trust Yahweh like this and build up her husband, thus building up her home, she will practice "winning him without a word" to The Word, as described in 1 Peter 3. Then he will observe "her chaste conduct accompanied by fear." For the "fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;" and this woman is personifying that very wisdom in her home.

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Concretely, what can happen? Well, I can only speak from my own home. I now see my husband studying the Word of Yahweh and leading our family as Elohim intended. I now see my junior higher reading his Bible every night, on his own initiative. I now see my high schooler reading his Bible also every night, on his own initiative. Why? Well, it all started years ago when I decided to take Yahweh at His Word in 1 Peter 3:1-2 and quiet my heart each morning alone with Yahshua; lay my life down as His bondslave; get my mouth praising and my hands busy; and start building my home as so beautifully described in Proverbs 31. My husband said that my changed life drew him to the Word. And my high schooler said that he wanted to commit to reading Yahweh's Word each day as I had. My junior higher wanted to be like his brother. It is truly Yahweh's incredible work.
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That is why I point to the submission of the Messiah to The Father when I speak about submission to women. And the godly submission of the church to the Messiah. This is our perfect definition of submission as wives under our husbands. This godly action is what draws others to our beautiful Yahweh. Can I do it on my own? No. That is why I need to be alone with my beautiful Yahweh and Savior every day. I need to know Him and say with Paul, "I count it all a loss at the surpassing value of knowing Yahshua the Messiah my Yahweh." Because then I will understand what it means to submit to Him, and... to him.

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For knowing my husband's mind is very important in submitting to him. I found that I could know his mind just the way that I did when I was dating him. How? From lots and lots of conversation together. Communication is the first thing the enemy tries to crush during war time. It is also the first thing our enemy tries to crush in a marriage. To build communication in my marriage I got up early to be alone with him. I stayed up late to wait for him. I made the afternoons special by having tea ready for him when he came home from work. I knew his mind after spending so much time with him. A concrete example is that I knew he liked me home when he came home from work. So I stopped going anywhere that prevented me from being home then on a regular basis. Yahweh has rewarded me far more than I have given up. My husband and I are closer than we were when we first got married. But the best part, oh, the very best part, is we are closer to Yahshua.

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Submission works. It is the concrete in a marriage.
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Thank you for the Letter.

Even the World Knows There's A Difference

The What & Why of Modesty & Feminine Apparel

What is Modesty and why is it so important for the Christian woman to understand, dress & behave modestly? Modesty is the voluntary personal responsibility to behave & dress in such a manner as to not purposely draw attention to oneself, to not think proudly of oneself and it's a decision to protect from purposeful or "unintended" enticement in inappropriate ways & places. This is crucial for a Christian woman; first and foremost because we're representatives of the LORD Jesus Christ and secondly, if we're married, we're a reflection of our husband.

It's critical to pay attention to the message and the signal our clothing is sending and to make sure, very sure, that the message is in line with the Word of God. If style & type of clothing is something you're wrestling over in your mind, or if you're feeling convicted about dress, and what in this world should a Christian woman be wearing, then pray, discuss these things with your husband. Many will have ideas and convictions about what *you* should wear, but what matters most is what the LORD is directing and what your husband prefers.

Pray together & examine
what you're wearing each day and why!

Deut. 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Matthew 5:28 - "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Timothy 2.9-10

So, if you're inspired to wear feminine clothing & modest dresses...
Now that you know the "why" of modest dressing,
What in the World are You Going to Wear?
Below are sites that offer the practical clothing... the "what" of modest dressing!
These sites offer modest clothing & patterns at reasonable prices. We pray you'll support these Christian sites, they're mostly family or small business ventures promoting modest apparel at modest prices.

Why should girls and women wear dresses? God distinguished male and female... Men and women are
masculine and feminine by divine design. Let's agree with that design and dress appropriately.
The above photos are not meant as a directive in the *kind* of dress to wear... but to simply and boldly
distinguish and demonstrate the extremely obvious difference between masculine and feminine.
Male and female. Men and Women. Male and Female created He them...

For articles, instruction, inspiration for Modest & Feminine Dressing

Click Here

from achristianhome.org

Encourage Your Spouse

picture from allposters.com

Marriage relationships are fascinating to me. I love watching how couples treat one another and how they relate to each other. When I observe other people's relationships, sometimes I learn a lot. I learn what attitudes I want to exhibit more of within my own marriage relationship and I also see harmful behavior that I want to stay away from. One thing I am learning not only from observation but also through growth in my own marriage is how crucial it is to encourage your spouse. It is amazing to me how we can treat other people better than our own husband and/or wife at times.

I hate it when I see someone belittle or be critical of his or her spouse in a public setting. It personally makes me feel uncomfortable to witness the situation and I'm sure it brings embarrassment to the person being ridiculed. On the other hand, when a husband or wife says something flattering about their spouse or stands up for them in front of others, it is such a joy to see their smile or blushing cheeks knowing they felt encouraged from the comment. Witnessing public behavior is the reflection of private behavior.

You see; we have the power to build up or tear down our partner. We need to use that power responsibly to enhance our marriage life instead of adding tension to it. I know that when my husband builds me up in front of others, his comments go miles within my heart. But if he were to make a comment that put me down, I would be crushed.

As a wife, sometimes my attention can be so focused on giving my children what they need that it is easy to forget that my husband needs motivation, encouragement, affirmation and understanding also! I desire that for myself so why wouldn't he? And I find that when I get into a pattern of delivering kind remarks or gentle attention, he will reciprocate those attitudes to me. When I get stressed and irritable, that same mood is contagious.

Marriage relationships do take work and effort at times. The glory of
encouragement is that it is so simple to offer, yet so rewarding to receive. And it's one of the best communication tools we have in expressing our love for our mates.
So find some time today to encourage your spouse and give them some positive input that will affect the whole mood of your marriage. You both will feel closer because of it.

What is Home?

What is home?

“A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is school and church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind, where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased; where fathers and mothers are respected and loved, where children are wanted; where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned; where money is not as important as loving-kindness; where even the tea kettle sings from happiness. That is home. God bless it!”

The Home

Home is a heavenly word, or it should be. A home is a place of refuge, and should be the most heavenly place on earth. Each one, no doubt, has an ideal of what home should be. With some it might be a fine house and furniture, abundant food and the luxuries of life; but these things do not make the true, happy home. “Better is a dinner of herbs” – we all know the rest.

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When all the homes are well-founded and wisely managed, the government will have little to fear. Take care of the home, and the nation will take care of itself.

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Too many women think good housekeeping is good homemaking, yet a well-kept house may not mean a pure dwelling place for the soul. We may be judged by outward appearance by many as we pass along in life; but in the end the final judgement – of higher power than the earthly – will be of the good use and cleanliness of mind and soul. I like an immaculate house, but only so far as it is a sign of an immaculate soul. I believe in beautiful homes, but first of all I believe in being clean within, and radiating that cleanliness in good companionship. A house cannot be a home without the proper spirit of companionship and helpfulness.

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Mothers have a God-given duty of creating a noble atmosphere. The home should contain peace and rest and comfort; it should help the man of the field to enjoy everything from the earth to the sky. The country teems with interesting things far beyond the marvels of man.

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Home may be the smallest of dwellings, with a tiny patch of earth, but if it is a place where the soul is at peace with its Maker it is home. Just the meeting of two people may mean the creating of the home-spirit – which is good for the progress of the world. Keep picked up and cleaned up and bright and shining in the furnishing of the home, by all means; but remember there are higher things than money and mansions.

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There is a nobility of heart which observes the Golden Rule in all things. Others may write of the inside or outside of the material part of the house – but the real home is where the true home-spirit abides. There is a subtle “something” that far outweighs the material in homemaking. The true home-spirit will keep the boy and girl so interested that they will love and stick to their home in spite of all outside attractions or allurements, for this spirit will beautify all the surroundings to be in accord with the beauty of mind and heart. The spirit to “do or die” trying to carry out unselfish ideals has made our country home a haven to which the dear ones flock. While it is well-kept within and without, it is the mother-spirit of helpfulness which draws the family together in happiness.

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Written by C. June Sheppard

The American Woman Magazine

March 1922

Ten Ways to Make Your House a Home

By Jessica Gerald

Our home is such an important part of our family's life. There are some basic things we can do to insure that our home is a place of refuge and security for our husband and children.

Here are ten tips to help accomplish this goal:

1. Keep it clean and tidy. That doesn't mean we have to be immaculate housekeepers. If we do a daily tidy-up and a weekly housecleaning, our home life will be much more restful. Clutter is stressful. And keep the dishes caught up!

2. Nutritious food and family dinners. Fast food on the go is ok once in awhile, but not as a regular habit. Our children and husbands benefit from simple, nourishing meals and snacks. And having a regular, sit-down family dinner together has been shown to have many benefits.

3. Predictable routines. Our families thrive when things are on schedule. It gives a sense of stability. There should be regular times for eating, sleeping, chores, and homework. It also helps to build responsibility in children when they know they have to fulfill their responsibilities before they play.

4. Cozy and tastefully decorated. This does not in any way mean you house has to be magazine-beautiful. If our homes are inviting, cozy, comfortable, and decorated in a way that we and our families enjoy, that is sufficient. My living room doilies are from the 1940s and 1950s. Some were handmade. But they are pretty and I like them, so that is what I use.

5. Hospitality. Our kids, whether they are small or young adults, need to know that their friends are welcome. When my boys were grade-school age, they would have several friends come for sleep-overs. Many times, I would wake up in the morning and step over sleeping bags filled with boys on the floor. I would usually set the table with bowls and boxes of cereal for all of them to eat when they got up. I put myself out some, but it was worth it to make their friends feel welcome, and to get to know my sons' friends.

6. Demonstrate love. Our children and husbands benefit greatly when we show our love for them in various ways. My husband might not have wonderfully romantic lines to say to me, but on snowy, icy mornings, he cleans off my car and scrapes the windshield before he leaves for work. So when I leave an hour later, I don't have to do all of this. Love is a verb.

7. Mutual respect. Treat your husband and children with as much respect as you would guests. Good manners are contagious. Don't discuss them in a negative way to other people, either. Be each other's allies.

8. Words and tone of voice. This seems like a small thing, but it can make a huge difference. Have you ever been somewhere and overheard a mother insulting or degrading her children? Or a wife speaking to her husband with contempt? Or have you been in a store, and a woman yelled at her child so loudly and harshly that you jumped yourself?

We all have those days when we feel like acting like that. But if we think before we speak, following the Bible's advice, our family relationships will be a lot more peaceful. Plus, we are setting a positive example for our children when it comes to dealing with others. Also, our voices sound much more feminine when they are soft and kind, not loud and harsh.

9. Positive attitudes toward family members. Smile often, use encouraging words, show your confidence in them. Listen when they talk, build them up, boost their confidence. When they have failed, assure them that they have succeeded in gaining wisdom and experience. Let them know you think highly of them.

10. Lastly, keep your sense of humor. Be able to laugh at yourself. Laughter can help everyone de-stress. Enjoy everyday moments with your family. They are your greatest treasure, your gift from God.

from oldfashionedhomemaking.com

Table Manners for Little Ones

This is from Home Dissertations,

Domestic Life, 1890

by Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton

In silence I must take my seat,

And give God thanks before I eat;

Must for my food inpatience wait,

Till I am asked to hold my plate.

I must not scold, nor whine, nor pout,

Nor move my chair nor plate about;

With knife, or fork, or napkin ring,

I must not play, nor must I sing;

I must not speak a useless word,

For children should be seen, not heard;

I must not talk about my food,

Nor fret if I don't think it good;

I must not say, "The bread is old,"

"The tea is hot, " "The coffee cold."

I must not cry for this or that

Nor murmur if my meat is fat.

My mouth with food I must not crowd,

Nor while I'm eating speak aloud;

Must turn my head to cough or sneeze,

And when I ask say, "If you please;"

The table-cloth I must not spoil,

Nor with my food my fingers soil;

Must keep my seat when I have done;

Nor round the table sport or run;

When told to rise, then I must put

My chair away with noiseless foot,

And lift my heart to God above,

In praise of all his wondrous love.

The Making of a Homemaker

tips from the experts

General
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"The relations of woman to home and society have for generations been clearly defined. Her duty to herself and her relations to the community, the state, and the government, are later developments, peculiar to our era, and still in progress"
-Mary Gay Humphreys, The Woman's Book (1894)
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"The first, most essential, and most practical part of female education is a thorough and personal knowledge of household duties."
-Mrs. L.G. Abell, Woman in her various relations (1853)
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"Whatever may have been the cares of the day, greet your husband with a smile when he returns. Make your personal appearance just as beautiful as possible. Your dress may be made of calico, but neat. Let him enter rooms so attractive and sunny that all the recollections of his home, when away from the same, shall attract him back"
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
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Dining
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Graham Gems
One egg, one tablespoon molasses, two cups buttermilk, one teaspoon soda, a little salt, Graham enough to make a stiff batter. Bake in hot gem pans.
-Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations (1873)
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Carolina Cake
One pound of sugar, quarter of a pound of butter, one pound of flour, half a pint of cream, one teaspoon of soda. Cream the sugar and buttter, work the flour smoothly in, next the cream, and lastely the soda, stir lightly and rapidly together, and bake quickly, in small patty-pans. Eat while fresh.
-Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations (1873)
~
Custard Pudding
Six eggs, one quart milk, six teaspoons sugar, heaped, salt and nutmeg to taste. Bake thirty minutes.
-Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations (1873)
~
"There are few things on which health and happiness depend more than on the manner in which food is cooked"
-Catharine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, American Woman's Home
(1869)
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Etiquette
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"A lady and gentleman should avoid evidences of undue familiarity in the presence of strangers. Couples who may evince a silly affection by overfondling of each other in public make themselves appear extremely ridiculous to all who may see them."
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
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"Who does not delight in fine manners? Their charm cannot be predicted or over-stated"
-Mrs. E. Stevens Tilton, Home Dissertations (1873)
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"Ladies can not make direct moves, but they use infinite tact in giving men occasions to make them"
-Ladies' parlor book and domestic keepsake (1853)
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"For a love letter, good paper is indespensable. When it can be procured, that of a costly, gold-edged, perfumed, or ornamented in the French style, may be properly used . . . As all persons are more or less governed by first impressions and externals, the whole affair should be as neat and elegant as possible"
-Ladies' parlor book and domestic keepsake (1853)
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Health
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"Rise early. Eat simple food. Take plenty of exercise. Never fear a little fatigue."
-Mrs. Child, The American Frugal Housewife (1833)
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"A raw onion is an excellent remedy for the sting of a wasp."
-Mrs. Child, The American Frugal Housewife (1833)
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For Freckles: Scrape a teaspoon of horseradish into a cup of sour milk; let stand six hours before using. Apply to the freckles twice a day.
-The Woman's Book (1894)
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"When a cold affects the head and eyes, and also impedes breathing through the nose, great relief is gained by a wet napkin spread over the upper part of the face, covering the nose, except an opening for breathing"
-Catharine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, American Woman's Home (1869)
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Children
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"One of the first things that the child should understand is that it should implicitly obey. The parent should therefore be very careful to give only such commands as should be observed, and then the order should be firmly but kindly enforced."
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
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"Let not children be dressed in tight clothes; it is necessary their limbs and muscles should have full play, if you wish for either health or beauty"
-Mrs. Child, The American Frugal Housewife (1833)
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"Try to keep children in a happy state of mind. Every one knows, by experience, that it is easier to do right and submit to rule when cheerful and happy, than when irritated"
-Catharine Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe, American Woman's Home (1869)
~
House and Home
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"Ink spots: If soaked in warm milk before the ink has a chance to dry, the spot may usually be removed. If it has dried in, rub table-salt upon it, and drop lemon-juice upon the salt."
-Mrs. Child, The American Frugal Housewife (1833)
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"A piece of stale bread will often remove finger-marks from wall-paper. Rub with the inside of the crust."
-The Woman's Book (1894)
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To Clean Carpets: "If it needs cleaning all over, spread it on a clean floor, and rub on with a new broom, pared and grated raw potatoes. Dry perfectly"
-Ladies' parlor book and domestic keepsake (1853)
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Décor and Fashion
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"With your own work you can embellish at a cheap price, and yet very handsomely, if you have taste. Let the adorning of your private rooms be largely the work of your own hands."
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
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"There is nothing more cheerless than a parlor in which no sign of habitation greets the visitor"
-Lida Rose McCabe, The Woman's Book (1894)
~
"Best taste will dictate an observance of fashion, avoiding extremes"
-Thomas E. Hill, Hill's Manual of Social and Business Forms (1881)
~
"Style of Bonnet: A person of a delicate pale complexion should wear a hat with a pink lining. A person of dark complexion should have white lining with rose trim"
-Ladies' parlor book and domestic keepsake (1853)

Women/Wives

Ladies,

Here are a few scriptures I thought were worthy of mentioning.
I pray they bless your day.

Blessings,
Amanda

1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto Yahweh

Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Titus 2:3-5
That the ages women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh 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 Yahweh be not blasphemed.

1 Peter 3:1-6
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Being Frugal

Here are some various tips for saving:

• Do not do any impulse buying, and save for what you want instead of using credit cards.
  
• Shop thrift stores for clothes. You will be surprised at the bargains you can find. Or, make your own dresses/skirts. Patters are good investments since they can be used over and over.
  
• Use a clothes line to dry your clothes. Electric dryers can be costly. I cut my electric costs in half by hanging our clothes out.
  
  
• Always make a shopping list for the grocery store, and do not shop when you are hungry.
  
• Buy clothing that does not need drycleaning. Many items that are "dry-clean only" can be washed with Woolite.
  
• Use what what our grandmothers used to clean with: vinegar and baking soda. This will save you a bundle.
  
• Save leftover scraps of soap and put them in a jar with a little water for a handcleaner.
  
• Turn your thermostat down at night. Better yet, open the windows and leave it off until you can't stand the heat.
  
• Buy your husband a home repair book so he can learn to do those repairs himself. We just remodeled our rotten floor in the back bathroom and ended up having to do the biggest part of the work ourselves. :) We learned ALOT!!

There is great satisfaction and many rewards for spending less and using less, the most important being a stay-at-home wife and/or mother.You may even find that, instead of having less, you actually save money by working at home.

When Your Husband Loses His Job

By Mrs. Anita Koller

My husband was recently laid off for the third time in less then three years due to downsizing and restructuring of business. This last layoff is probably the hardest of the three. As the wife of my dear husband, I have stood alongside of him, and God has sustained us and seen us through financially and spiritually. I have no doubt in my mind that He will do no less this time around.
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In today's world, when a man gets laid off it is so very tempting for the wife to say, “I need to get a job to help out with the bills until my husband gets back to work.” But would God have the wife to do that? I do not believe so.
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It is my conviction to wait on the Lord to provide for my family through my husband. He always has and most likely will continue to do so. All this means is that all our future plans have been put on the back burner, we will have to go a little while without the extras, and that new dress will just have to wait.
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What message would I send to my children if I obtained job to “help out with the bills?” That Daddy is failure and not able to provide? The Lord has called me to be my husband's helpmate. My job is not an easy one, but it is important nonetheless. While my husband is without work, I am trying to make the best of the time at hand by continuing with my duties as a mother, wife, and homemaker. Below I have listed some of the things I have been doing thus far in hopes that it will encourage other women who are in my shoes. You can stand firm, and you will make it through!
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1. Become creative in fixing meals on less money. Dig way back in the pantry and find those lost canned vegetables you have been meaning to use. Also realize that eating out anywhere (even McDonald's) is just not affordable. Be willing to not buy fancy foods, snacks etc. Bake your own bread and drink lots of water. Save the tea and coffee for a special time.
   ~
2. Have that long-needed yard sale to obtain some extra grocery money. This is also a great way to organize your home and to declutter those closets. Besides, your husband's next job may be in a different city, and you may have to move. It is a good idea to be prepared.
   ~
3. Stay home. The less you run, the less gas you use, and the less money you spend. Do not go to the store or anywhere unless you have to. When you do have to go somewhere, try to get multiple errands done.
   ~
4. Give up the extra activities like piano lessons, sports, etc. While your husband is laid off, the money can be used for more important things like groceries or the electric bill.
   ~
5. To keep the children's minds busy, help them find a way to earn money to help out with the family economy. For example, our son is starting a lawn mowing business called “Small Yard Ventures.” We have a push mower, and we live in town, so he will be able to serve others locally. Our daughter is separating some of our flowers and herbs to sell at the farmer's market.
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6. Help your husband stay on track. Being laid off is very hard on men. God made them providers, and when they do not have a job they can become depressed and discouraged. It is important to ask his friends to call regularly to keep him encouraged. Also try to help him stay on a schedule. I encourage my husband to get up at the same time he would get up to go to work. I gently encourage him to shower, shave, and dress. I remind him when it is lunch time and encourage him to make phone calls. I even help him with his resume'. I have cut his hair and made ready his suit for interviews. I have made sure the computer desk is cleaned up every afternoon after he has done job searches, e-mailed resume's, and made phone calls. I have also purchased our local weekly paper as well as the Sunday paper so that he can look at the want ads. I pray for my husband often and encourage him to read his Bible daily and to seek God.
   ~
7. Many folks have offered my husband small jobs, such as hauling rocks or doing yard work, to pay him until he gets a new job. I encourage him to do this to keep his mind busy while he waits for God to open the door of opportunity.
   ~
8. We are attending Church weekly and asking for prayer from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need all the prayer we can get.
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9. I am prepared for the worst and will not be discouraged if we have to sell everything and start all over. We know God has a plan.
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10. Lastly, I am too busy to look for a job myself. I already have a job! With mothering, taking care of my husband, the home, and homeschooling, I already have a few full-time jobs. The Lord will provide again. I will just have to stand firm.
    ~
    May God encourage you in the midst of difficult times to look to Him and trust that He will provide through the means He has created.

~

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I thought this article was timely since so many are out of a job. I borrowed it from www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com

Pagan Holidays

Scriptures from the Word

Leviticus 18:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the Lord your God. 3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. 4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. 5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 18:26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: 27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled; ) 28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. 29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19:26 Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

Leviticus 20:22 Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out. 23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them.

Duties of Wife Toward Her Husband

These are a few of your duties. Although this is a great place to start, it is not an exhausted study. I encourage you to dig in your Word and see what else Yahweh wants from you :)

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Love your husband and children
Titus 2:4
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Show reverence toward your husband
Eph. 5:33
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Be virtuous
Prov. 31:10-11
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Be in subjection toward your husband
Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5; I Peter 1:3, 5-6
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Be a good keeper of your home
Titus 2:5
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Provide for the needs of your family
Prov. 31:10-31

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Do not upsurp the authority of your man or any other
I Tim. 2:12
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Learn from your husband
I Cor. 14:34-35

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If you are not doing these things, I urge you to pray for Yahweh's assistance and start doing them today. Your marriage and home relationships will change for the better. More importantly, Yahweh will be pleased.

May Yahweh bless your desire to be the woman he created you to be.
~~~~
Blessings,
Amanda

Teaching Your Family the Scriptures

Teaching Your Family the Scriptures

In the book of Deuteronomy, the Bible instructs parents to teach their children about the ways of Yahweh. In Deuteronomy 4:9, the Bible tells Yahweh's people to teach Yahweh's laws "to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:10 goes on to instruct the Israelites to assemble so they "may learn to revere (Yahweh) as long as they live in the land and may teach (Yahweh's laws) to their children."

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The Bible defines the type of teaching for the children to be all-encompassing. In Deuteronomy 11:19, the Bible says to teach children about Yahweh's laws in numerous ways, such as talking about Yahweh's laws "when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." In Deuteronomy 11:20, the Bible even says to write Yahweh's laws "on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

~

So, don’t rely on the church, school, Sunday school, friends, or family to teach your family the scriptures. Yahweh gives that command to parents. It is a responsibility that parents (fathers) will have to answer. Mother, don’t try to take the leading role away from your husband. It is his Yahweh-given role. However, there are many things you should do to help him in his role. Thus, you are given the name…helpmeet.

1. Have your home in order in order to be comfortable during teachings.

2. Have your chores done in order to be in the right mindset for teachings.

3. Pray that Yahweh leads your husband in his teachings.

4. If you think he is not doing a good job of teaching, too bad. Just learn to love his desire to take on the role he has been given.

5. When Daddy is at work or busy, read bible stories to your children. I still do that and my children are 14 and 10.

6. Give the children memory scriptures. (As long as it is okay with Daddy.)

7. Quiz the children about previous teachings that Daddy gave.

So, as you can see, there are many ways for you to stand by your man and help him lead your family.

~

Blessings,

Amanda Gowan

Dinner Under $.75 a plate

Chicken & Dumplings (chicken on sale) --------------4.00
Beans------------------------------------------------.25
Mac & Cheese---------------------------------------1.39
cornbread--------------------------------------------.25
*Potatoes* (free from seed potatoes)-----------------.00
Tea--------------------------------------------------.25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost -------------------------------------------$5.99

Oh, by the way....there is enough food left for me to send Jeff a plate to work and for us to have for lunch tomorrow. So, I will figure the cost on how many plates I can get out of this one meal (with everyone getting a small second helping.)

Grand Total of ------------------------------------- $.62 per plate

*We bought 20 lbs. of seed potatoes for the garden. After cutting off the eyes, I ended up salvaging 2 gallon jugs of peeled potatoes. We can get three meal per gallon. That is what you call frugal.

I challenge you to find ways of saving!!

Blessings,
Amanda

Guarding our Mouth

It is written in the proverb:

Proverbs 13:3 - He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Here are some scriptures to consider:

Ecclesiastes 5:3 - For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

Proverbs 15:2 - The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.3 - The eyes of YAHWEH are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. 4 - A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Do you desire life?

Psalms 34:12 - What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 - Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 - Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Guarding our mouth is nearly impossible apart from Yahweh:

James 3:1 - My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 - For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

If we can bridle the tongue, we can also bridle the whole body!

James 3:3 - Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 - Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 - And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

Even so, the tongue is so set that it defiles our whole body!!

Proverbs 16:27 - A worthless man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

continuing in James..

James 3:7 - For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 - But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 - With it we bless YAHWEH our Father and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of YAHWEH. 10 - Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 - Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 - Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 13 - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct [that] his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

So in context, there is a certain danger that exists for those who are teachers of Yahweh as well as all of Yahweh's servants. Let us heed Yahushua's warning:

Matthew 12:35 - A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 - For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Truly this is a powerful saying! We need to always consider that every word we speak will be brought before the Judge. Can we stand before the Son of Man? If we can't bridle the tongue, who can? Surely we must be humble and ask Yahweh to put a guard on our mouths...

Psalms 141:3 - Set a watch, O YAHWEH, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. 4 - Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

With Yahweh guarding our mouth, we can be preserved.

Proverbs 13:3 - He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Our own mouth can be a snare!

Proverbs 12:13 - The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

When we guard our lips, we preserve ourselves from potential troubles:

Proverbs 21:23 - Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

David knew this wise saying:

Psalms 39:1 - I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. 2 - I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

Yahushua also knew this:

Isaiah 53:7 - He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 - And when Herod saw Yahushua, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. 9 - Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

We need to ask Yahweh to help us be like Yahushua and hold back the tongue.

Proverbs 29:20 - Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Consider that! Of all the times that the word "fool" occurs in the scriptures, 55% of them are in the book of Proverbs where foolishness is condemned on no uncertain terms! And yet there is more hope for a FOOL than for one who is hasty in his words!!! Now let's look closely at another passage in James:

James 1:26 - If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion [is] useless.

The greek lexicon reveals that in this passage, 'religious' means to 'fear Yahweh'. "Religion" in this passage means 'Worship'. Therefore, a more accurate translation would be:

"If any man among you seem to be Yahweh-fearing, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's worship is vain."

Wow brethren, this is SERIOUS! Consider Yahushua's words:

Mark 7:7 - Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctines the commandments of men.

The words and teachings of the scribes and pharisees were not of Yahweh. Therefore their worship was vain! So if anyone says they fear Yahweh but bridles not their tongue, then they deceive themselves and their "WORSHIP IS VAIN!"

Proverbs 10:18 - He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19 - In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

James 1:19 - So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

Proverbs 10:20 - The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 - The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Our words need to be like spiritual food. If we speak, to what should our speech be likened unto?

1Peter 4:11 - If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of YAHWEH. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which YAHWEH supplies, that in all things YAHWEH may be glorified through Yahushua the Messiah, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

Yes, if and when we do speak, it should be as the oracles of Yahweh!

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart favor to the hearers.

Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech be alway with favor, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Yahushua commented on the speech of one:

John 1:46 - And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 - Yahushua saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Ephesians 5:3 - But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 - neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Jesting is a popular thing today. But Yahweh says:

Proverbs 26:18 - As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 - So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

We need to pay particular attention to our words on Yahweh's Sabbath day:

Isaiah 58:13 - If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of YAHWEH, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

"Nor speaking thine own words." Speak the oracles of Yahweh! Spiritual food! Like choice silver..refined 7 times!

Isaiah 58:14 - Then shalt thou delight thyself in YAHWEH; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of YAHWEH hath spoken it.

The heritage of Jacob is eternal life!!

Psalms 12:6 - The words of YAHWEH are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Therefore.. Let us beware lest we fall into condemnation!

Ecclesiastes 12:14 - For Elohim shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. .

So consider the ways in which you walk. Consider the words that you speak. Are they acceptable unto Yahweh? If not? Repent! Right now. I now repent. This is my prayer:

Psalms 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O YAHWEH, my strength, and my redeemer.