Time for another exclusive devotion, ladies, lol! Hope you enjoy!

Did you know that being feminine and working hard went hand in hand? Sometimes we get so caught up in what we think is feminine that we forget that working hard is a vital part of what God expects us to be!

Let’s take a look at 9 young ladies (3 examples) of the Biblical portrayal of hardworking women.

Genesis 24:14-15, 20 // 14And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. 15And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 20And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Eleazar was looking for a wife for his master’s son and while he doubtless wanted a lady who was pleasant to look at and be around, he was looking for a hard worker. Someone eager to serve. And Rebekah didn’t disappoint.

Just so you know, Rebekah was offering to draw upwards to 300 gallons of water, y’all! Now that is hard work. Plus, camels slobber and make a lot of…unpleasant noise. So yeah, she wasn’t volunteering to do something fun here.

Ruth 2:5-7 // Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this? And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab: And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

I never really thought about it until now, but Ruth caught Boaz’s attention because she was working hard to feed herself and her widowed mother-in-law. What if she had begged the government for handouts or forced Naomi to go to work? She might never had met Boaz and I seriously doubt he would have wanted her for his wife.

Exodus 2:16 // Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

Sheep may see sweet, but they can be a handful sometimes. Add drawing enough water for them (it took 7 girls to watch them, so I assume there were a bunch!) and that’s exhausting work. One would later go on to be Moses Wife.

Moral of the story? Never underestimate the value of hard work. God has given us work for a reason and who knows, maybe God will do as He did with these ladies and let your hard work lead Mr. Right to you!

Now, don’t make that your reason for working hard. God has a time and place for everything and He can see your thoughts and motives. There is nothing you can do to speed up His timetable. But by not doing your Christian duty, you can slow it down! God does not reward Laziness. He rewards the faithful steward.

To Quote Mrs. Sheryl Ross: A lazy woman is a curse to any man. She is a shameful example to her daughters, and a hindrance to the work of God. Behind the scenes in every successful ministry is a small army of ladies with willing hearts and working hands. This has always been true…If you do not develop as part of your character a stellar work ethic, do not claim to be a lady.

You do not have to sacrifice modesty or femininity to work hard. If there is a job that needs to be done that would require you to dress immodestly or to cross-dress, then that is not your job—it is man’s work. However, having lived in the country on a small farm these many years, let me testify to the fact that MOST jobs can be done by a lady, while still being a lady. Never use femininity as an excuse for laziness.

From The Twenty-One Tenets of Biblical Femininity by Jerry and Sheryl Ross. All rights Reserved, Used by Permission.

I hope you enjoyed today's post! Have a blessed week!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Today, I'm posting another devotion geared toward ladies. If you are reading this and happen to be a gentleman, please check out this one instead!

There has been a lot of talk about building walls and tearing them down in the last few years. To be honest, how you feel about that is between you and God. I’m not here to get political. But I do think it’s interesting that the Bible talks about women building a house.

I mean, I don’t think there were any females working in the construction business in the Bible days or until the 1900’s for that matter. So why would the Bible refer to a woman building a house?

Well, if we are taking this as the physical building of the house, it doesn’t make much sense. But what if God is talking about the spiritual, atmospheric building of the house? I think we can all agree that this is what is meant.

But how can we build up or tear down a home?

Let’s see…

We’ll start with how to tear it down (since I want to end on the positive!)

We can tear it down by:

• Putting down those who live around us
• Neglecting our personal walk with the Lord
• Grumbling
• Rolling our eyes at Biblical truths
• Berating whoever did that task wrongly
• Ignoring the little ones in our lives.
• Bossing the siblings around
  
• Leaving mom with all the work
  
• Pretending dad doesn’t exist
  
• Spending all our time on ourselves
  
• Always having a sour attitude.
  

We can build it up by:

• Encouraging those who live in the house with us.
  
• Reading our Bibles and growing our relationship with the Lord.
  
• Singing 😉
• Sharing something we’ve learned from the Bible.
• Offering a suggestion on how to do a task more efficiently when it’s done incorrectly.
• Spending time with the little ones in our lives.
• Playing a game with the siblings.
• Taking a chore off of mom.
• Doing something special for dad.
• Reading a book to a sibling (or a group of them)
  
• Helping with school work.
  
• Surprising someone by doing a task without being asked.
  

And of course, once you are married (or if you already are) these apply to spouses and children as well.

God has called us to be homemakers and part of our job is to set the tone for home. So, when you have a bad attitude, no doubt you’ll pull others down with you.

Purpose in your heart today to be a wise woman, not a fool. Let’s be builders, not the demolition crew!
 
Have a Lovely Day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

It’s finally spring! Break out the short-sleeved shirts and flip-flops, ladies! That’s right, I said ladies because this is another devotion for the girls. I apologize for this being so late in the month, as I like for my devotions to be the first post, but this one took more work, lol! Today, I want us to think about something that’s bothered me a lot lately…Let’s dive in. *All Scripture is taken from the King James Bible*

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 
Proverbs 31:25
(Please read Prov. 31:10-31)
 
Tough: Hard to convince or influence, stubborn; overly aggressive, brutal or rough.
Froward: Difficult to deal with, contrary. (Psalm 18:26,32)
Strong: Not easily affected or upset; morally powerful; having strength of character; durable; not weak.

After reading these definitions, which do you think describes yourself? In all honesty, the above description of “tough” shouldn’t even describe a man, much less a young lady! Real strength comes from the Lord, and every Christian should possess it. Let’s look at what God says a Christian lady should be like.

The aged 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 God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:3-5

Of course, we unmarried girls, don’t have husbands or children of our own to love, but we should still follow the example of Godly women who do. And who better to practice on than the family God has placed us in?
 
Toughness (or forwardness in the Bible) doesn’t become a Christian. Today the world puts an emphasis on the “Independent, Empowered, Tough-as-nails Girl-boss.” No offense, but that just doesn’t appeal to me! That sounds like a woman that would step on anyone who got in her way with no care for the long-term effects of her actions, or the pain she causes others.
 
Strength is the quality we should long to display. But what is biblical strength? Well, it’s the opposite of toughness 😉 Let’s take a look at Matthew 5:38-41
 
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
 
The world would tell us that the woman who ignores a personal insult is intimidated and victimized when in reality, she is one of the strongest women out there. Human nature insists on personal justice, so when you ignore the insult, you are showing that you are stronger and more mature than most. (Also, just to clarify, when the verse talks about letting someone hit you on the cheek, that is akin to an insult, not allowing someone to beat you up. If someone is trying to inflict harm on you, get away from them!)
 
When we respond like the world, we are telling them there is no difference between them and the Christian community. And that is not the message we should convey! Everything we do, everything we say, it should all point people to Christ! WWJD was a popular saying at one time. But think about it. Pick any situation that you might be tempted to respond to with an “I’m gonna show them what I’m made of!” attitude, and ask yourself how Jesus would handle it. Remember, the only time Jesus displayed anger was not over the personal insults he received. It was over the desecration of the temple, His Father’s House. Likewise, we should always handle ourselves in a godly manner.
 
And we should always take into consideration that we are ladies. Therefore, we should respond with meekness. (That’s power under control.) You are strongest when you keep your cool, remain pleasant, and calmly walk away from adversity. Am I saying that it’s wrong to stand up for your beliefs and biblical principles? Not at all! It’s just wrong to get into a shouting match with your opposition. Always handle yourself as if Jesus were right there observing the whole thing…because He is.
 
What do you picture when you hear the word Tough? It may be different from one person to another, but here is what I imagine…
 
Thick, dry, crackled skin, kinda like a rhinoceros.  A person with tattoos and a dirty mouth. A gangster. Broken glass (not sure why…) Mud, overall uncleanliness. Pit-Bulls. Black clothing…and a heart pleading for someone to help them get out of this mess they are in.
 
Here’s what I picture when I hear the word Strong.
 
The American Flag. A President. A Servicemember. A First Responder. A Preacher, never backing down on Biblical and moral principles. A Mother, daring to raise children and keep her house in order. A Farmer, living off the land of his fathers’. A Missionary in a closed country preaching the Gospel to the unreached. Security. A parent holding their child keeping them from falling.
 
Which picture would you like your face to show up in?
 
Which statement would you like to have made about you?
 
“Boy! I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side!”
Or
“Did you see the way she handled that situation? She must be a Christian.”
 
Are you pleased with what others think of you? Why or why not? Are you Tough or Strong?

Until Next Time,
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello and welcome to my second devotion! I’m super excited to share this with you ladies specifically. I’m still stuck on my Word of the Year, Stand, so ladies, here is a devotion just for you.

We know that our place in the home is under the man; that’s not opinion, that’s God’s Word. End of story. However, that doesn’t mean that we are not allowed to stand for what is right, in a proper, ladylike way and with the proper audience. I could do a whole devotion on that topic alone, but today, I want to point out a few things that we as women in today’s culture need to stand for.

Ladies, stand up for FEMININITY.

Ooooo…that scary word, femininity. Somehow, it often gets confused with the modern feminist movement. In reality, they are polar opposites. It’s sad, but today, we live in a world that says you are not a strong person unless you have been to college, have a successful job (extra points if it is typically reserved for men), don’t marry until you are in your 30’s (if at all) and have maximum three kids (that’s pushing it though. Or, bonus points if you decide NOT to have any).
What a sad society!

Ladies, it’s high time we stand for the calling God has placed on us: “…The young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4b-5, King James Bible)

There is no shame in dressing like a woman. There is no shame in marrying a man and looking to him as your protector and your head. There is no shame in raising children. Don’t let anyone shame you into being anything less than what God has created you to be: A Woman. A Lady. An Embracer of Femininity.

Ladies, Stand up for Femininity by:
-Living femininely.
-Studying Biblical femininity. (The Bible is the best source of course, but this book and this blog are great resources!)
-Encourage others to embrace Biblical femininity!

Ladies, stand up for LIFE.

What could be more important then human life? Regardless of race, nationality or creed, everyone is born with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But where does life begin? People argue about this all the time and sadly, many women will say that life begins after birth. It’s time for us Christian ladies to stand for the unborn and proclaim the truth: Life begins at conception. In fact, if you want to get technical, it actually starts before that! The Bible says, “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16, Emphasis added; King James Bible) If God knows and has our members written in a book before they are even formed, don’t you think He considers even the earliest part of the pregnancy life? Who are we to define it differently?

As Christians, we must stand up for the right of the unborn, the elderly and the handicapped. They too have a right to live. We must speak up for those who haven’t found their voice yet and may never get the chance to use it, just as the resistance, the White Rose, of WWII gave a voice to the voiceless (the Jews, handicapped, etc.). Just because the government says something is legal (Germany legalized murdering Jews; America legalized abortion; other countries legalizing euthanizing the elderly/ill) doesn’t mean it is moral or allowed by God, our Supreme Authority.

Ladies, stand up for Life by:

-Talking to others about pro-life when the topic comes up. Remember, don’t argue, but kindly explain the biblical principles of life in Christian Love.
-Do you have a website? Post a Pro-Life themed article!
-Participate in Life Chain Sunday.
(See this post for more on Pro-Life.)

Ladies, stand up for your FAITH.

For years, people have fought Christianity. People naturally push against anything that convicts them of their sin. That is no reason for us to be silent. Now, that’s also not to say that we are to mount pulpits or soap boxes and scream for our religious rights like wild animals! The Bible says, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26, King James Bible)

While we are not called to be preachers, we are called to be witnesses of the Grace of God. We should never be ashamed to speak up for our Lord and Savior and the blessings He has given us. As in everything else, there is a proper way for ladies to stand up for our Faith.

Ladies, Stand up for your Faith by:

-Sharing your testimony with saved and unsaved alike. Your personal salvation testimony may be an encouragement to others to share their testimony or it may help someone else to see how much they need God in their life.
-Are you a writer? Testify for the Lord in your writing! If you are a Christian, this is the most important qualification you have as a writer. Never hide your light for fear of man!
-Share your testimony on your website if you have one! (See mine here)
-Do you have a friend you know is unsaved? Seek them out and share the gospel with them. I know this can be hard, believe me, but there is nothing comparable with the joy of seeing someone come to Christ!

Ladies, it’s high time we Stand for the Right and let our Lights shine in the darkness of this world.

How will you choose to stand today?

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1 (King James Bible)

Until Next Time, God Bless!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello Friends! Today, I have a fun little article for you on what makes a Southern Belle…Then and Now 😊 I hope you enjoy.

1. She dresses well. This does not mean she is rich or had frilly dresses. This means that she cares about what she looks like. She is put together and looks like a lady.

2. She is humble. Southern Belles aren’t known because they come charging into the room demanding everyone’s attention. Rather, it is her quiet, humble spirit that causes others to take notice of her.

3. She is educated. She is not ignorant of current events and can discuss them intelligently and in a feminine manner.

4. She is a conversationalist. Southern Belles are known for their pleasant smile and genial conversations. She knows how to include others in her conversations and what topics will best suite any given situation and audience. She is well spoken and certainly not a ditz.

5. She honors religion. While being a Christian is not a requirement to be a Southern Belle, it is proper to attend church and engage in spiritual discourse suited to her femininity. A Christian Belle reads her Bible and engages in church work, such as visiting the poor, teaching a children’s Sunday school class or singing for services. Taking their devotion a step further in the Christian Belle community, she will be present for all weekday meetings unless prohibited by an emergency.

6. She knows how to cook. Surprise, surprise! Southern Belles are by no means lazy, sitting around all day with nothing but fancy work to keep her busy. She knows how to feed a family, clean and keep a house. In the old days, it wasn’t uncommon for a young family to pull up stakes and move west, so these skills were a must for any young lady. One never knows where marriage will take them. Better to have the skills and marry into a house with servants than to know nothing and marry a pioneer (or a missionary😊).

7. She loves her family. Family is an important part of Southern living and most are very closely knit. A true Southern Belle values her family above all else…well, except God of course.  

8. She is loyal. To what you may ask? God. Her Family. The South and what it stands for. Her beliefs. She’s not going to jilt any of these to get “the better end of a bargain.”

9. She never uses curse words. Some may disagree with me and say that a Southern Belle might use a carefully chosen word to enhance her point. But I beg to differ. Southern Belles are ladies and Ladies. Never. Cuss. Period.

10. She knows her place. She does not stand on a soap box demanding equal rights with men. She understands what God created her to be…a keeper at home and nurturer of her family. She understands her rights: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. But that doesn’t mean Liberty to break the laws of God by joining the feminist movement. A true Southern Belle looks down on this as beneath her. She is respected for her stand and loved for what God has created her to be.

In conclusion, I have inserted Proverbs 31:10-31. Regardless of where you are from, the above principles and the scriptures below are things every young lady should strive for. Continue your journey today!
 
Vs. 1o “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” (Strive to be virtuous and priceless.)

Vs. 11 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” (The kind of wife that your (future) husband can trust without reservation.)

Vs. 12 “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” (This includes before her marriage.)

Vs. 13 “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” (Seek work to do and don’t be lazy.)

Vs. 14-15 “She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” (Make a habit of getting up early. Learn to cook and do it well.)

Vs. 16-17 “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” (Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! Also, it’s good to stay in shape! It’s Biblical!)

Vs. 18-19 “She percieveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” (Work hard and enjoy the results! Sewing sounds like a good skill to take up…)

Vs. 20 “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” (Don’t be content to enjoy your bounty. Share it with those in need.)

Vs. 21-22 “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” (Don’t allow the changing seasons to take you and your family by surprise. And though your clothes don’t have to be expensive, you should have a desire to look nice and neat.)

Vs. 23 “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” (Don’t marry a dead beat. Wait for the right one that God has for you. One with a good testimony of godly character.

Vs. 24-25 “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” (Again, be a hard worker. Your reputation/testimony should be sound. In the future, you will be glad you lived your life for God.)

Vs. 26 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” (Only good things should come out of your mouth. Your words shouldn’t hurt people, but heal and encourage.)

Vs. 27- 28 “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” (In all that you do, don’t neglect your family. They will look up to you and respect you for it.)

Vs. 29 “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” (Follow these instructions and you will be a woman regarded by God as the highest in virtue.)

Vs. 30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Outward beauty is not what makes a lady beautiful and praiseworthy; it is her fear of God. Do you fear the Lord?)

Vs. 31 “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Your works speak volumes about you. Will yours praise you or condemn you?)

I have also made a little graphic here with the 1o points of a Southern Belle...Then and Now. Please feel free to copy the image for future reference and pass it along to others!

God Bless and have a lovely day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22