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The other day, I headed out to a second hand store to see about purchasing a “new to us” sweatshirt for my hubby to wear to work.  I did not find what I needed for him at this particular store.  However, I thought I would take the opportunity to see if I could find a real good bargain on a little something for me.

There was a red tag special, take an extra 50% off! I’m on it.  There were not many items red tagged.  But pretty neat, I found this skirt and a bit more of a search, this perfect blouse to match-both red tag.  The Lord gives blessings!

$7!! Seven dollars for a modest (hard to find these days), and pretty, in my all-time favorite color – PURPLE!  The real victory, would be coming home to see how it all fit.  These days, stores do not allow for trying on clothing.  So I seriously, pray when I bring home something new, that it will be a good fit.  Sure enough, it was meant to be.  Perfect fit.  So blessed.

But let’s take my story further to the real treasure I found.  I later walked into another store, to search for that needed sweatshirt for my husband.  I found that.  And for a great price!  But, as I walked towards the checkout, making my way to pay, I barely bumped the corner of a display, right in the middle of an aisle.  I turned to look, and it was filled with books.  Two books, immediately, at eye level, captured my attention.  And this is when I was having a serious moment of adrenaline pumping excitement of what the Lord was doing for me.  I pulled off to the side, to flip through these books.  They are exactly what I had been praying for!  No.  I was not praying for books.  I had been praying the week prior with fervent pleas of heart’s desire for the Lord to show the next steps to His plan for my sons.  In particular equipping our 18 year old Isaac with all that he needs for life.

God had impressed upon my husband and I, this scripture:

“….and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.   All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:15-17

THAT THE MAN OF GOD BE THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK!

How do I proceed with my son (s).  We have many goals to achieve.  Passing a Driver’s Permit.  Learning to drive.  Blackbelt in Karate.  Enhancing culinary skills.  More opportunities for working, serving, learning life skills, life lessons, being blessed, and blessing others.  But the most important of all, impressed deeply on my husband and my heart, is the furtherance of biblical training.

Simplicity and Power

Two words, that have come to me again and again on this journey.

How will they stand in this world?  It’s wicked out there.  How will they discern?  How will they walk as lights?  To everything there is a season.  We trust God.  His way, and not our own.  His mind, not our own.  By the power of the Holy Spirit.

I had been researching, ways in which to continue studying theology.    Considering covering much more in depth, the ever important essential biblical doctrines.  I had been considering ways in which to take his biblical training, further in a way that is fitting for him and the unique way he learns.  He appreciates steps.  An orderliness.  And so forth.  A systematic approach.

So I have been praying for this desire of my heart. Knowing God has all the plans already laid out, just seeking Him, for direction to keep walking it out. – Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord”

And when I bumped into those books (one of them, it was the only copy left of it’s kind) I knew it was no accident.  “The Chronological Guide to the Bible”  The other,  “Bible Maps, Charts, Timelines”.

I wanted to see if my husband approved.  Should I purchase them now?  Or wait and order on online?  I was unable to reach him by text, while he was at work.  So I traveled through the candy aisle, as I made my way,  paused there to consider buying these books now, and decided I would wait.  Yes, I was that customer that put the items in a random spot, not placing them back on their proper shelf in another department.

So I purchased the sweatshirt.  I left.

An hour later, while doing laundry at home, I found a $50 bill in the dryer.  It was crumpled so small I barely saw it.  I asked our sons, was it theirs?  Nope.  I asked my husband, he has no idea where it came from. I do not recall personally carrying a 50 around in my clothing that was washed/dried.  Who knows?  Well God does.

So when my husband came home from work, I told him the events of my day.  All that I just shared with you.  I wasn’t thinking much about that 50.  I was thinking I would order the books online, soon-perhaps.  But when he heard of the $50 discovery, and realized that those two books would cost just under that, he suggested I head back down to the store and make the purchase.

Off I went.  I quickly strolled through the candy aisle, but did not see them.  I could not recall exactly the spot I placed them.  I went back to that bookshelf I bumped into, and they were not back there either.  So back to the candy aisle I went.  I was smiling.  It became really funny to me, that I was seeking out that which I had hidden.  And my heart was racing in excitement, in hope, to find these treasures.

Sure enough, I looked again, and there they were!  Sitting just where I left them.  I seriously, was praising God and rejoicing with a smile so big!

I had found a treasure!  Treasures to enhance the biblical theological studies for my sons. In a format that is so SIMPLE, VISUAL, and total Word of God. Power!  It covers all the vast amount of desires of my heart.  From Genesis to Revelations.  Breaking down so many aspects, with charts and visuals of all kinds.  Essential doctrines of the faith.  Teaching with a world view.  Understanding the “world” and its systems, and “religions” in contrast to the biblical historical, truth filled, life changing Word of God in relationship with Jesus Christ the Lord, with focus on His Kingdom.  It’s a resource that is so rich.  It is a resource, that pastors refer to for gleaning, and teaching the flock.

I look back to even a few nights ago.  I could not sleep in the middle of the night.  I arose, went to the couch to pray.  I had many anxieties, and fears of the future.  For the needs seem so big.  And they are.

Christian. Are you praying for wisdom? Are you believing God has a plan?  Are you are asking Him to lead you through it? Are you asking Him to open your eyes to see the next steps?

As I started praying these kinds of fervent prayers again, that night.  I knew there were needs, goals to achieve, and more. I know God has a plan, and I know His love and power is faithful to lead us. I knew how unable I was to comprehend the next steps, and so I put to fervent prayers this desire of my heart.  Trading again, fears, anxieties, for Jesus and His every Word.

Along with prayer, I also, opened again to  Proverbs 31.  And these verses jumped out:

“she rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household.. ” – Proverbs 31:15

I was up at night!  I was not rising at night to prepare literal physical food, but I was praying over the next steps for biblically educating our sons for life. Up in prayer for the Spiritual needs, soul food for our sons. I was seeking God for His provision.  Praying over our sons, and our family – believing in the One Who blesses my meager offerings, to multiply for His great provision and purposes.

We have been given the honor to be in this role as mothers, depending on Christ Jesus our Lord, every step, by His Word as He leads, as we love our gifts from God.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior. We have much to equip them for.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior…” Ps. 127:3-5

Proverbs 31 woman of God, saved by the precious sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  No matter what you face-fears, anxieties, difficulties on every side- Remember Whose you are.  A woman who fears the Lord.

Remember your worth.  We are living because of our King, and through His humble service to save our souls.  Christ Jesus paid it all, trading our filthy rags, blessing us with His heavenly riches.  We are blessed to wear a robe of righteousness.  We clothe ourselves with the armor of God each new day.  From head to toe we are covered in His grace.  We stand with our shield of faith, Christ Jesus IS OUR FAITH.  He extinguishes every fiery dart of fear, anxiety, doubt, and more.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity” – Prov. 31:25

She is not afraid of the future – for God goes before her, and she follows

She fears the Lord. She is blessed by God.

Blessed. I wrapped my arms around this treasure the Lord led me to.  Treasures of heaven.

I went on a treasure hunt, a few nights ago.  I awoke in the night, and sought out the Lord for help.   He heard my cry.  And He led the way.  Taking me on the continued journey, leading the way – to treasures.

He blessed me with a sweatshirt for my husband to support him in his needs for his work he does for the Lord and our family every day.  God took me so unexpectedly to the biblical books to enhance my sons understanding, and cement greater the many rich things they both have already been taught.  He provided the $50 crumpled up bill, as a treasure in our dyer!!  God clothed me in purple.  And for the price of PERFECT $7!  He ANSWERED my prayers! TREASURES!

“She is clothed in purple…” Proverbs 31:22

Purple in those biblical days was a sign of blessing bestowed upon her from God.  Whether purple, or another color be your favorite, dear woman of God.  You are blessed! May we walk with the shield of Faith – Jesus Christ Who goes before us, remembering His great love, and perfect plan, already laid out.  Walking on together in victory.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Eph. 1:3

And God will provide… ALL…

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” 4:19

It’s easy to seek out many things in this world.  But we are not of this world.  We are living one step to another to where our citizenship truly is,  where we belong now and will live forever- The Kingdom of God.  The Lord is so present in a Believer’s life, and as we seek for our heart’s desires, the sanctification of our own souls, as well as our children’s, and equipping them for life – our desires will be in line with His desires.  Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

Col. 3:1

 ^“but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33