A few months ago, after attending the Unveiled Retreat (unveiledretreat.com-AWESOME!), I shared with my amazing husband that I went to the retreat filled with fear, and came back a WARRIOR, with sword drawn and ready for attack. Yesterday he shared a great quote he had heard with me. I wish I knew the author to give them credit; if I find out I will surely post, but here it is...
"It is one thing to carry a sword, but one must also have the courage to use it." Amen to that!
And so, I pray Holy Spirit that you would give me and all of my warrior sisters the courage and wisdom to fight boldly in Jesus Name against the powers and forces of the enemy. We know that we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) and we are so very thankful for our victory in Christ!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I took a little break from blogging due to a hectic few weeks of end-of-school craziness. I am experiencing the blessing of having the kids home for the summer, and we are just getting settled in. God has been working with me on patience and mercy with my children. It is so easy to get fed up, irritated, and upset when others, especially your children, don't do things the way you want them done. I have been experiencing such conviction in this area, and God is opening my eyes to the importance of modeling the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22&23), especially to my children. I desire to be more like Christ in each of these areas; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control, and I realize that these fruits begin at home, with the family God has so graciously given me.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard." Prov 31:16
As I reflect on this verse, a few virtues stick out to me. First, the P31 woman uses her wisdom when considering a purchase. She does not impulsively see a field for a "great deal" and rush out to make a down payment. No, rather she thinks about it. My guess is that she first checks in with God in prayer to seek his answer on whether this is something beneficial for her family. I assume she also researches some facts about the land she was considering. She may even pros and cons for the purchase. We don't know how she considers her purchases, but we do know that she uses her wisdom before making a decision, and this is where we might learn from this woman. Impulsive decisions have been a lifelong struggle for me. Advertisers created those "SALE" signs for people like me. Yet, in meditating on this verse, I feel convicted to take time before buying things just because they are a "steal." If I want to live a Proverbs 31 life, I must consider my purchases using God's wisdom rather than Earthly thinking.
Next, the woman uses her money wisely. She takes the money she has earned and plants a vineyard. She multiplies the gift she has been given. This reminds me of the parable Jesus used to teach about using our gifts with diligence and wisdom. (Matt 25:14-30) Whether it be talents, time, or tangible gifts, we honor God by using our gifts in a wisely. If our gifts can be multiplied to serve God and to bless others (including our families), we should take action to do so.
Today, I am meditating on my gifts and how I can use them to further God's kingdom. Wont you join me?
As I reflect on this verse, a few virtues stick out to me. First, the P31 woman uses her wisdom when considering a purchase. She does not impulsively see a field for a "great deal" and rush out to make a down payment. No, rather she thinks about it. My guess is that she first checks in with God in prayer to seek his answer on whether this is something beneficial for her family. I assume she also researches some facts about the land she was considering. She may even pros and cons for the purchase. We don't know how she considers her purchases, but we do know that she uses her wisdom before making a decision, and this is where we might learn from this woman. Impulsive decisions have been a lifelong struggle for me. Advertisers created those "SALE" signs for people like me. Yet, in meditating on this verse, I feel convicted to take time before buying things just because they are a "steal." If I want to live a Proverbs 31 life, I must consider my purchases using God's wisdom rather than Earthly thinking.
Next, the woman uses her money wisely. She takes the money she has earned and plants a vineyard. She multiplies the gift she has been given. This reminds me of the parable Jesus used to teach about using our gifts with diligence and wisdom. (Matt 25:14-30) Whether it be talents, time, or tangible gifts, we honor God by using our gifts in a wisely. If our gifts can be multiplied to serve God and to bless others (including our families), we should take action to do so.
Today, I am meditating on my gifts and how I can use them to further God's kingdom. Wont you join me?
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Be still.
One look at the Proverbs 31 woman, and one might feel, well, exhausted! Yet, I believe that this woman must have spent time in peaceful rest with God. It is all too easy to get caught up in the daily motions of homekeeping, work, family, friends, and church, leaving us in desperate need of being refueled and refilled.
It is essential that we make time for God to pour his love, peace, and joy into us so that we can serve others. To keep an engine functioning well, you must care for its basic needs, including oil and gas ans tune-ups. Similarly, we must go to God to be refilled with his love, peace, and joy. If we do not take the time to spend time with him and in His word, our engines will fail. And if we are unable to function well, we are unable to serve others.
God instructs us to be "Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10) Clearly, there are times when God desires that we will take time to allow him to fill us to overflowing, so that we can share his love, peace, and joy with others. However, if we do not heed his calling, our engines will die. Sure, we may be functioning, but we will not be able to work with "eager" hands (Prov 31:13), or to laugh at the future top come with no fear. (vs 21 & 25). We will not be able to serve others with energy or face life with zeal.
He is waiting. He longs to fill us up. As the old childhood praise song goes, "give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning, burning, burning..." Only God can fill us up, but we must allow him to do so.
It is essential that we make time for God to pour his love, peace, and joy into us so that we can serve others. To keep an engine functioning well, you must care for its basic needs, including oil and gas ans tune-ups. Similarly, we must go to God to be refilled with his love, peace, and joy. If we do not take the time to spend time with him and in His word, our engines will fail. And if we are unable to function well, we are unable to serve others.
God instructs us to be "Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10) Clearly, there are times when God desires that we will take time to allow him to fill us to overflowing, so that we can share his love, peace, and joy with others. However, if we do not heed his calling, our engines will die. Sure, we may be functioning, but we will not be able to work with "eager" hands (Prov 31:13), or to laugh at the future top come with no fear. (vs 21 & 25). We will not be able to serve others with energy or face life with zeal.
He is waiting. He longs to fill us up. As the old childhood praise song goes, "give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning, burning, burning..." Only God can fill us up, but we must allow him to do so.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Eager Hands
"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." (Prov 31:13)
As I meditate on this verse, I wonder if the words read too easily and I am missing something? The word eager stands out to me this morning, so I look to my friend, Mirriam Webster... "marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest." Eager reflects an attitude of desire to do something. Our teacher, the P31 woman, desires to complete her tasks, and complete them well. Like a child waiting to open a present, she looks forward to serving her family.
When I consider my attitude towards my work, mainly home-keeping and raising children, I have to admit it has not been one of "impatient desire." Rather, many days it is one of "ugh...so much to do today!" Like so many other areas of my life, God is revealing truth to me, and showing me that I need to rethink my view of work. Instead of sighing at the day's tasks that lie ahead of me, I should be thanking God for the many opportunities he has given to me to serve.
God, thank you for your grace. Forgive me for having a poor attitude towards work. I need your grace Lord, and I ask that you would give me an eager heart to work for you and for my family. I know that your grace is sufficient for even me, and I know that you are leading me on a journey to become the woman you desire for me to be. Amen.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Proverbs 31 woman is a mentor for which I am so grateful. I am not suggesting that one does not need older and more experienced women to learn from, rather, I believe that the Proverbs 31 woman offers a consistent life plan for women who desire to love God by living out their faith on a daily basis.
I will be posting information that one might find helpful in her daily walk with Christ including articles on marriage, parenting, homemaking, working, and giving. If you have suggestions for more information on a topic, please let me know.
Here is the Scripture I will be focusing on in this blog. I would recommend that you post the Scripture somewhere visible and begin memorizing the verses. I have found that Scripture memory is so helpful for meditating on God's Word.
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character, Proverbs 31:10-31, NIV
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character, Proverbs 31:10-31, NIV
10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Thank you for reading.
~Kelly
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