Who Is A Woman of God?

I have done a lot of thinking and researching on this topic.  I certainly try, and I stress the word try to be a Godly woman each and every day.


Every morning we wake up, we make a choice, Do I follow God? Or am I going to be disobedient?  It is our choice to make every morning, every minute of the day.


1.  She is at peace with herself and God.


2.  She is committed to God's headship order  (1 Cor. 11:1-16)


3. She has a meek and quiet spirit.


4.  She has a servant's heart.


5. She does not call attention to her physical beauty.

6.  She considers homemaking a high and noble call.

7.  She is a joyful person.

8.  She is a woman of prayer and devotion to God.

9.  She has learned the secret of Isaiah 26:3

(Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.)

Godly women are not all about their own lives, but the lives of those around them whom they love and serve. They spend their lives unknown by the world in the narrow circle of their home within which they labor increasingly for God and others, but they will not lose their reward! God's eye is upon them as they live out their lives in the orbit of His will amid all the cares, sorrows and trials of the home. One day their devotion will be commended by Him who sees and knows all.

It's your choice today.... You can live out your life with the attitude that you are "just a woman", or you can turn that perspective around and become "a just woman". This is not a special category of uniquely gifted or inspired ladies. It is simply the woman whose heart is turned wholly toward God, the one who knows her own righteousness does not count. The Bible says the just shall live by faith... It's the 

circle of their home within which they labor increasingly for God and others, but they will not lose their reward! God's eye is upon them as they live out their lives in the orbit of His will amid all the cares, sorrows and trials of the home. One day, when the books are opened, their devotion will be commended by Him who sees and knows all.

When God created the woman, he created her to be .a help meet for her husband. ( Genesis 2:18)  We can do many good things, many meaningful things but we must do the FIRST things that God has called us to and that is to be a help meet and to love respect our husbands.

We notice that in Genesis 3 after Eve had sinned, God instituted the God Head order of the home.

Genesis 3:16

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

1 Corinthians 11:13:  But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

It seems today, that many women rebuke this God Head.  They want to be "in charge", wear the pants.  We see this in many forms of advertising where the woman knows best and the man is portrayed as a simple minded simpleton.  The woman is showing no respect for her husband at all.

Disrespect is rampant and can be found right inside our homes if we look carefully. This is very dangerous for the Christian woman because we must be careful to show respect in all areas, especially to those which we have been commanded. In Ephesians 5:33(However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.) we see that we are to respect our husbands.

How we respect our husbands is in direct correlation of how we worship God!  If we do not respect our husbands, we are not obeying God and worshiping Him with our lives. Worship is a life lived out to glorify Him, not just singing on Sunday morning! We must make our husband a priority, he comes first after God. Not our children, not our agendas, not our friends, not our ministry, not our parents, not our pursuits, not our homeschooling. We must prioritize our husbands!

We build up our husbands by loving them and we do that primarily through respecting him. Yes, we can make his meals, do his laundry, etc. but if we do this with a disrespectful heart and attitude---it is pointless! Have you ever served your husband a meal and then hurtfully attacked him verbally? This is what I am talking about. We must turn our hearts toward our husbands and respect him.

A Godly Woman Always Seeks to be Modest in Her Dress. And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.  KJV.  (Proverbs 7:10)

Her clothing points to her instead of her Father in Heaven and His holiness. Remember the words of Paul in the New Testament? God emphasizes a beauty of the unseen character. The flesh flaunts the body, God beautifies the spirit.  (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;

( 1 Timothy 2:9).  KJV

A Godly Woman Always Seeks to be Holy in Her Conduct. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.  Prov 31:25  KJV

A godly woman fears the Lord. She seeks His will over the approval of anyone else on earth. Her fear of God makes her aware of the future consequence of her choices. A godly woman avoids any present situation that would be destructive for her future usefulness to God.
 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20,KJV)

A Godly Woman Always Seeks to be Truthful in Speech and Motives. With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, He did not know it [would cost] his life. (Proverbs 7:21-23,NKJV)

This deceitful woman is an ugly woman because she is self-driven and wants her way. Her words and actions lead the man on a path to destruction. A beautiful woman wears heavenly beauty as God's Word describes it.

A Godly Woman Seeks to be Gentle and Quiet. The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. (Proverbs 9:13, NIV)

She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home (Proverbs 7:11 NIV)

This includes disrespect, hostility, aggressiveness and cunningness. All of these qualities are bad news.

And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. (2 Timothy 2:24, NIV)

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.(1 Peter 3:4, KJV)

Wives, likewise, 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. Do not let your adornment be merely outward, arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel but rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:1-7)

Moms and dads, what kind of woman are you raising? A wise woman or a foolish one? Does she dress in a way that draws a young man to think about her body and its enticements or her spirit and its beauty? Does she have a holy hatred of sin? Does she use her powers to get her own way? Does she manipulate by tears, looks and whatever it takes to accomplish her ends? Is she argumentative, easily quarreling and fighting with you or her brothers and sisters?

Or is she peaceable, gentle and easily entreated? If negative traits become ingrained in her character, the future could be at stake. 

A Godly Woman Seeks to Care for the Home. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. (Proverbs 31:13, NKJV)

She is a worker at home (Titus 2:5.) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  She loves to tangibly serve others with food and skills. She has a home that is open and hospitable and she is given to ministry to the sick and needy and less fortunate.


To sum it all up, a woman must be devoted to God, put her husband first.  She must also be a keeper at home.  There are plenty of ways to make money out of the house for those who need to help supplement the income.  She must dress modestly, and not put a lot of emphasis on her outward beauty.

Who leads in Your Home?

It is our husbands role to lead and to advise his family.  Do we honestly think we will be happy if we lead?  We must understand that our husbands are always leading, whether we like how it is done or not.  Our job is not to take over his.  He won't step up to leadership if we are always in the way.  We must let him lead.  He is the leader of the home.  He is held accountable to God for all things going on in his home.  It is our job to help him lead.  Lets have a look on how we can help with that..

1. Step out of the way. This means if you have been trying to lead your home you need to admit this (not make excuses), repent (to him and God) and start anew.

2. Don't criticize--but encourage! This is hard for those of us who like to voice our opinions but we 

need to learn self-control and know that when we do this we are building up and protecting our homes from Satan who'd like to see it destroyed.

3. Pray. Nothing is more powerful than prayer. Unleash it and see what God has planned for your life. Pray the Lord will make him a godly, bold and courageous leader and that you would become the help meet needed for that kind of a leader.

4. It is okay to share your personal opinions but don't force it on him. Don't manipulate him. Don't fight his battles for him. Don't make him see things your way and then pretend he is the one leading when you know you are still trying to be in control of the wheel. Be honest.

5. Be content with God's best for you. So many women struggle with submitting and are confused---thinking it is in direct opposition with women's rights. We need to understand that the Lord is the Great Liberator, not feminism. We need to know that ultimate freedom comes first from God's word and not from equality with men or women's rights. True freedom is found in the word of God. Worldly freedom is limited and can come with bondage.

Let us start submitting and remembering God's order. Lord, help us to be better help meets to our husbands and let our hearts be still to hear God's voice in the midst of many.

Making God the Focus of Christmas

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the hustle and bustle of Christmas begins.  What thoughts are on your mind?  Are they of shopping? The worry and stress of all that needs to get done?

But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?

Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born.  (John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.) His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world?(  2 Corinthians 5: 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.)He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.

Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.

While we most often think about Christmas as a single day, it is actually a season of the year. In its popular sense, it extends four weeks before Christmas Day and for two weeks after. However, the time before Christmas is a special season called Advent, comprising the four Sundays before Christmas Day. While the entire season of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany can be seen together, they each have distinctly different roles in the Church year. The term "Advent" means "coming" and is a season of expectation and hope, the time of waiting for the coming of the Messiah that is celebrated at Christmas. This time of waiting symbolizes the waiting throughout the Old Testament for the new act of God that would bring deliverance to his people. For Christians this season of expectation also symbolizes the waiting in anticipation for the Second Coming of the Christ when he will return and restore all things (see The Season of Advent).

Contrary to advertising campaigns that tout Christmas as beginning with Advent (or Halloween!), the actual Christmas Season in most Western church traditions begins at sunset on Christmas Eve, December 24, and lasts through January 5. Since this time includes 12 days, the season of Christmas is known in many places as the Twelve Days of Christmas. January 6 is usually celebrated as Epiphany, although it carries different significance in various church traditions. Due to different calendars in use in various eras and locations of the church, some cultures and church traditions celebrate Christmas on January 6 (in the older Julian calendar still used as the religious calendar in Eastern Churches, January 6 corresponds to December 24 on our modern calendar).

So this season, lets remember the real reason for Christmas, and to keep Christ in it. 


Merry Christmas!

Symbols of Christmas

Christmas is not only beautiful, but it can be very meaningful if you think on the meaning of what certain things we use to decorate at Christmas. .I have compiled a list of things I thought might be interesting.

CHRISTMAS COLORS

Red: Christ's blood shed for our sin. (John 19:34)

Green: We have eternal life in Christ. (John 3:16-17)

White: The purity of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Gold :The Kingship and Royalty of Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7)

CANDLES

Candles symbolize that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.

CHRISTMAS STAR

God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.

The Christmas star announced the birth of Christ. Many songs were written about it. The star appeared on many of the first Christmas cards in the 1840s. Stars were placed on the tops of Christmas Trees.

(Matthew 2:10)

HOLLY

The holly plant represents immortality. Holly trees can be found around the world. It remains green during the winter so it is used for decorating. The holly wreath resembles the crown of thorns placed upon Christ's head. . The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.

　

　

CANDY CANE

Made by a Christian confectioner as a reminder of the Shepherd’s staff. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock. They were red and white - red for the blood shed by Jesus Christ, white for His purity. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.

　

ANGELS

The angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will. They proclaim the birth of our Savior.

(Luke 2:10)

THE WISE MEN or MAGI

C.M.B. are the initials of the three Wise Men named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. It is a custom in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Sweden for three boys to visit homes on the Epiphany. The initials C.M.B. are written over the doors of the homes and three crosses are drawn, also. This will bring good fortune in the new year to the people who live there.
In the New Testament St.Matthew mentions the Three Wise Men or Magi who followed the star to Bethlehem. The oldest, Mechoir (King of Arabia) had a long gray beard. He gave gold as a gift for Christ. Balthazar (King of Ethiopia) was also bearded. He brought the gift of frankincense. Caspar (King of Tarsus) who was the youngest brought the gift of myrrh. It is said that after the Magi returned home they gave their belongings to the poor and went out to spread the Good News. They died as martyrs‘.
MANGER SCENE or NATIVITY SCENE

St. Francis of Assisi made the first manger scene on Christmas Eve in 1224 outside his church in Italy . He used real people and animals to recreate the scene. This idea soon spread. Some countries use wood carvings for the manger scene. Families in France set the creche on the fireplace or on a table. The child Jesus is not added to the manger until Christmas Eve. The Wise Men are added on January 6th, the day of the Epiphany (also called the Festival of the Kings)

GIFTS

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
The day of gift-giving varies in different countries .... Dec.6th (St.Nicholas day) ; Dec. 24th ; Dec. 25th ; Dec. 26th (Boxing day) ; January 6th (Epiphany, Feast of the Wise Men, or the three Kings).
The giver of the gifts is also varies in different countries. It could be the Christ Child, Kriss Kringle, Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Befana in (Italy), Babushka (Russia), the Magi or St. Nicholas. "Nisse" are Scandinavian elves who hide presents for children. Jultomten , a gnome brings gifts to children in Sweden.

The wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men.

 

CHRISTMAS TREE

The pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of the mankind. All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.

Evergreen trees and tree branches have been used for decorating homes for Christmas. The decorated tree originated in Germany in the 16th century, where a fir tree was decorated with apples and candles. Prince Albert brought the custom to England. The idea of decorating a Christmas tree spread to America

 It was common for the Germanic people to decorate fir trees, both inside and out, with roses, apples, and colored paper. It is believed that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to light a Christmas tree with candles. While coming home one dark winter's night near Christmas, he was struck with the beauty of the starlight shining through the branches of a small fir tree outside his home. He duplicated the starlight by using candles attached to the branches of his indoor Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was not widely used in Britain until the 19th century. It was brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans in the 1820's

ORNAMENTS

The first Christmas trees were decorated with real fruit and flowers. Cookies, nuts , candies and other kinds of food were added later on. Lighted candles were also used but there was the danger of fires when the candles were lit. Tiny gifts were also hung on the trees for ornaments. In Germany glass blowers began making glass balls to decorate the trees.

　

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

In the early seventeenth century, Germans began bringing trees indoors at Christmas and decorating them with candles. It was the German Prince Albert who popularized the Christmas tree in Britain after putting one up at Windsor Castle in 1840. Over the next 20 years, candlelit trees became popular, the lights symbolizing rebirth.

In 1882 the first electrically lit Christmas tree was set up in the New York home of a friend of the inventor Thomas Edison; it had 80 bulbs and cost a small fortune. Even when strings of lights were produced commercially in 1903, they cost an average American's weekly wage The appeal of the Christmas light is often likened to the starts in the sky, or the glisten of freshly fallen snow in the moonlight. Early Christmas lights were not quite as safe as today's light strings. Candles were used in trees inside the home, and lit in windows. Hot flames and live trees were not the safest mix, but the temptation to add lights to Christmas decorating was too strong to curb. Many factors have contributed to the widespread use of Christmas lights, including lighting contests promoted by manufacturers, war propaganda using holidays as an opportunity to bond the nation, and local celebrations across the country to try and start traditions of hope and peace. Light strings are now found in all shapes, sizes, and colors, as well as in cool-to-the-touch LEDs.

CHRISTMAS MISTLETOE

Mistletoe is an aerial parasite plant that has no roots of its own and lives off the tree it attaches itself to. Without the tree it would die.

The eighteenth-century English credited mistletoe not with miraculous healing powers, but with a certain magical appeal called a kissing ball. At Christmas time a young woman standing under a ball of mistletoe, brightly trimmed with evergreens, ribbons, and ornaments, cannot refuse to be kissed. Such a kiss could mean deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill. If the woman remains unkissed, she cannot expect to marry the following year. Whether we believe it or not, it is always fun at Christmas celebrations.

GINGERBREAD

Making gingerbread cookies and gingerbread houses is a popular activity during the Christmas season. Gingerbread cookies were used to decorate the tree in the early days. It is called gingerbread because of the "ginger" spice that is used in making the cookies. Gingerbread houses were first made in Germany. The gingerbread house was popular after the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel became well-known.

POINSETTIA

Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They were named after America's first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett. He brought the plants to America in 1828. The Mexicans in the eighteenth century thought the plants were symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem. Thus the Poinsettia became associated with the Christmas season. The actual flower of the poinsettia is small and yellow. But surrounding the flower are large, bright red leaves, often mistaken for petals.

A legend in Mexico tells of a small boy who had nothing to offer the Christ Child on his birthday. As he prayed at the altar of a church, his prayers were answered and the "Flower of the Holy Night" sprang up before him. The bright red petals of the poinsettia are actually leaves. It originates in Mexico It was brought to the United States in the 1800s by a man named Dr. Poinsett and was named after him.

BELL

 The bell symbolizes guidance and return, and that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold.

What Is Ministry?

First of all what do we think of when we think of ministry?  Do we think of a Pastor? A missionary?  Ministry can be something big and full time, but it can also be quite small.

The ministry in our day has taken on more of a vocational meaning as we call pastors "ministers" to full-time service. Pastors do spend their lives in the ministry, they do minister to others, and they can rightly be designated as ministers, but pastors are not the only ones who are to be involved in ministry. From the early New Testament churches to the churches of our day, each Christian should be in the ministry of helping others (see Romans 12:3-8, 10-13; 2 Timothy 2:24-26).

 "Ministry" is from the Greek word diakoneo, meaning "to serve" or douleuo, meaning "to serve as a slave." In the New Testament, ministry is seen as service to God and to other people in His name. Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry—He came, not to receive service, but to give it (see Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 13:1-17). Christians are to minister to others out of their devotion to Christ and their love for others, whether the other people are believers or unbelievers. Ministry to others should be impartial and unconditional, always seeking to help others as Jesus would.

In its essence, this is what ministry is all about - playing your part in helping God’s plan and purpose to be outworked in other people's lives

So by helping your neighbor, visiting a senior in a home, being a Godly wife and mother, serving at church in any capacity, is all ministry.



Thanksgiving

Here in the United States, Thursday marks a holiday for us.  Thanksgiving.    I do believe that we should always be thankful for the things God gives us. 

Philippians 4:6 (King James Version)

  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Ephesians 5:20 (King James Version)


 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

The Bible has a lot to say about us being thankful or to give thanks to God our Father.  It also amazes me how prayer and thankfulness go hand in hand.

I myself and very thankful for many things that the Lord has done for me.   I am thankful for my salvation, that the Father God sent his only son to come and die for my sins, and to rise again on the third day.   I am thankful for my husband, and how the Lord has preserved him in many situations.  I am thankful for all my children.   I am thankful for the Bible college that we are priviliged to attend, and the teachers at the college who are willing to give of their time to teach us.  I am thankful for extended family and all our friends, both old and new.

So what are you thankful for?

Try to keep the attitude of thankfulness at all times....even when the going gets tough.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Eating Healthy

Right now as I type,  I can smell the aroma of fresh bread being baked.   Not only do we like having fresh homemade bread, it is also good for us to eat.


As a family we try to eat as healthy as we can.   We try to hold back on sugars and we don't eat alot of "pre made" food.  I try to make everything from scratch.  I would like some comments on healthy living and maybe I will make up a page just for that.  It would include recipes and ideas on healthy living.

Proverbs 31: 15 

 "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and  a portion to her maidens"

                                     

I Am A Quilter

I am a quilter,  I love to sew and create things.   I find the colors and the patterns of quilting fascinating.   It is a hobby that I love to do and try to do it to His glory.

Proverbs 31:13 tells us

"She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands."  

 I try to do this as much as I can.   I keep my hands busy, and reflect on God our saviour.  I believe that a woman can help her mate with working with her hands.  Not only can we make things to help in our household, but we can make extra to sell, or to give to charities.


I would be interested to hear if any of the readers are also interested in quilting, and what I can incorporate into this blog for you.

Prayer

There is one thing I have found in the past months, and that is how powerful and important prayer can be.  I also believe it is the one weapon we have as Christians that is overlooked the most.  


Ephesian chapter 6 tell us to put on the full armour of God, and "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" vs 18.


1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to "pray with out ceasing"


It is very important to keep our brothers and sisters in Christ lifted up in prayer.  We are in a spiritual warfare everyday, Satan being our enemy.


How often do you go to the Lord in prayer?  When your down and out and there is nothing left to turn to?  Or every morning before your feet hit the floor?  How often when someone crosses your mind, do you pray for them?


Prayer is our "alone" time with God, and we should make more time for Him in our lives.

Give It UP

Have you ever thought about what giving it up means?  Think about God and what He gave up when He came to this earth.  He gave up His kingly throne, He voluntarily gave up some of His attributes, and He gave His life for our sins.


What can we give up for God? What can we give back to him? Can we devote more time to Him? Be more of a Servant for Him?  Will we listen to His calling in our lives?
So what are you willing to do for Him?  It could be something simple like giving something up that is coming between you and Him.  It could mean going out into the missions field, it could mean giving some sort of service for Him....what will you do?


Philippians 1:21" For me to live is Christ and to die is gain"  KJV