Proverbs 31 Study ~ Week 13 ~ Our Reward!

We are at the end of our Good Morning Girls summer book club/Bible study. (I know I skipped blogging about quite a few weeks, that's what happens when you are a wife and mom first :o) Our study has been on Proverbs 31. What a great encouragement and challenge this study has been to me, especially in the area of working hard in my home.

My sweet babies - my blessings!

This week we find out what the Proverbs 31 woman receives as her reward for all her hard labor. It is....

PRAISE!

"Her children rise up and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praises her:

 “Many daughters have done well,

But you excel them all.”

Proverbs 31:28-29

It may not seem like enough of a reward, but if you think about it, this reward is better than anything that fades - flowers, jewelry, chocolate, or a cruise (although that would be nice too :o).

When those I love the very most take note of my hard work it blesses my heart. Not that I care for my home and family to BE praised, but that will be my reward!

Blessing my husband is a joy for me. His praise is like music to my ears!

I have learned from Courtney, at Women Living Well, that even though our young children may not notice the hard worked we do to keep the home clean and healthy food on the table, they will "rise up" and call us blessed. When they are older, maybe not until they have children of their own, they will realize the sacrifices of time, energy, and finances that were given to bless them. They will rise and praise their momma!

How grateful I am for my own mother - an example of perseverance and faith in God. She taught me to bake, clean, and care for others. Her heart breaks for orphans around the world and her meals bless the body and soul of all who get to enjoy them. She is so very thoughtful and loving - a great blessing to all who know her!

My mother with my daughter, imparting her love of reading to her.

We, as women of the Word, are called to fear God not chase fashion. More important than our outward appearance is the state of our heart. Our honor and reverence of God will turn into diligence, excellence, and thoughtfulness when working in our homes and when serving strangers.

^"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates."

Proverbs 31:30-31

Verse 31 reminds me of another, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." Galatians 6:7. When we put effort and care into the details of our work, we will reap excellent results! A shabby job will produce shabby results. We will partake in the outcome of our work - whether a clean home, a balanced budget, or a healthy meal.

I pray that I daily take to heart that my work in my home and outside the home matters. Even the repetitive, monotonous work matters. When I work with excellence I bless my Father God, my family, and others!

Have a blessed week,


PS - Even though our online study is over, the Proverbs 31 study materials are still available. I highly recommend this study to every wife and mom - whether you have been married for a month or for 40 years. We can all learn from this Biblical example of a godly woman. Visit this page on the Women Living Well site for the free e-book and video series!

Today I'm linked up with Women Living Well , New Life Steward and Good Morning Girls.

Proverbs 31 Study ~ Week 6 ~ Blessing the Needy

"She extends a helping hand to the poor and

opens her arms to the needy."

Proverbs 31:20 (NLT)

This week our Good Morning Girls study group is learning that a virtuous woman does mundane chores in her home with joy and blesses the stranger in need as well.

The poor and needy are always with us, in many forms. Not only are those who are physically hungry and thirsty but I believe there are many more who are spiritually poor and emotionally needy. We are surrounded by them daily.

You can see an emptiness in their eyes, a hollow echo in their voices, a void that only the living Spirit of God can fill. The Spirit of God brings love, joy, peace and string of other blessings! (Gal. 5:22-23) Without God's Spirit we are dead in our sin... walking corpses in this dark world.

Are you ready and willing to be a blessing? To be God's extended hands and arms to the needy?

God's arms are big enough and strong enough to carry you

and sustain you to bless others!

Here are a few ways we can bless those in need today:

• Share encouragement through an email, a letter or a phone call.
• Offer a listening ear and give of our time.
• Give a meal or a cool drink .
• Clothe those in need.
• Give finances as the Lord leads.
• Wash a car, offer to babysit for a single mother, mow an elderly person's lawn.
• PRAY for those you know who are facing a difficulty in life.
• Share a skill with someone in need - how to change oil in a car, how to bake lasagna, or how to sew with a machine.

Teaching our neighborhood girls how to make homemade pie!

People can be poor and needy in many ways. May our hearts be sensitive to the need on hand and ready to bless. Our hands and hearts are connected. As we open our hands to bless the needy, our hearts cannot stay hard. But a hard heart will produce closed hands.

"If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs."

Deuteronomy 5:7-8

Even when life is too busy to open your heart and home and give of yourself, you are called to! There have been numerous times when a knock on my front door appears to be an inconvenience, a burden. But if I obey God's Spirit and open the door and bless the little children standing there who are in need of love and Spiritual life I am always blessed in return.

God's laws stand and never change. His principles remain, just as He Himself is unchanging.

The overspill of a generous life is a thing of beauty!

Here is the law of "Water and Be Watered":

"The generous soul will be made rich,

And he who waters will also be watered himself."

Proverbs 11:25

A generous soul creates a vacuum of God's goodness and blessing. He will prosper you and your home and produce spiritual growth in your hearts. I long for this!

Be encouraged today! You may not always have $5 in your pocket to give to someone in need, but you can give of what you have. We are blessed to be a blessing!


In His great grace,

If you have a little time, please stop by any of these blogs.

They will no doubt encourage your heart!

I'm linked up with:

 Good Morning Girls, Women Living Well,

Time-Warp Wife, and Growing Home

Proverbs 31 Study ~ Week 5 ~ For Richer, For Poorer

~April 12, 2008~ 

Do you remember these words?

 "I ______, take you ______, to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness." (via)

What a promise! One that I could never live up to, but by the power and help of God's Holy Spirit!

I heard some sad news yesterday that another marriage has come to an end, after almost 15 years. It breaks my heart. Not only will the adults involved be affected, but the children in their family are going through a difficult time as well.

This week in our Good Morning Girls study of Proverbs 31 we read this verse:

"She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms."

  Proverbs 31:17 

And where does our strength come from, whether life is easy or difficult, whether we are abounding in riches, or living in poverty? FROM GOD ALONE!

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

For I can do everything through Christ,

who gives me strength."

Philippians 4: 12-13 (NLT)

This verse is playing over and over in my mind thanks to a Worship CD entitled Seeds Family Worship: Power of Encouragement, Vol. 5. It is such an encouragement throughout the day!

 Newlywed joy!

We didn't know what the future held as we skipped down the isle as man and wife (we still don't!) But on this blissful day in April of 2008, my husband and I pledged our love and loyalty and made a covenant with each other and with our Father God to stand by one another through tick and thin, through life's ups and downs. We can and will accomplish this by leaning on the Lord for strength!

Be encouraged today! No matter how bleak life looks, no matter the obstacles or struggles that you endure, God is for you! Another verse that reminds me of God's keeping and strengthening power is:

 "I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore."

• 
  

Psalm 121:1-8

Happy in the arms of my man...

The Lord is trustworthy! For richer or poorer He will keep us. He will keep our families safe, our marriages healthy and our homes peaceful. Trust in Him!

Have a blessed week,

I'm linked up with:

Proverbs 31 Study ~ Week 4 ~ Being Diligent

This week we are learning about the diligence of a Proverbs 31 woman.

"She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants." 

Proverbs 31:15

For me, this translates into caring for my family and home by preparing ahead. When I plan meals, cleaning and outings ahead, life goes a bit more smoothly. Also, waking up earlier than the kids is important. This gives me a head start on planning the day - getting a bathroom cleaned, laundry going or dinner started in the crock pot, and most importantly having a bit of quiet time in the Word and with my Lord!

Here is a tool that helps me stay organized and focused.

My Household Notebook - more details soon!

Today's verses from our Good Morning Girls' study really encouraged my heart.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,

and he will establish your plans."
Proverbs 16:3 

 "The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty."

Proverbs 21:5

It's up to us to be diligent, and plan ahead yet be willing to be flexible.

We get to listen to the Holy Spirit's promptings throughout the day and follow His lead. Whether it be to invite a friend over for a cup of coffee and a visit or to stay home and care for our children, when we would rather be out and about.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going."

Ecclesiastes 9:10

When we are diligent to plan ahead and work hard to accomplish what needs to be done, we get to enjoy times of relaxing and fun! Life becomes fuller - with purpose and accomplishments.

Ready for a date with my hubby.

House chores done and kids cared for

leaves me ready to enjoy the evening with my man!

I pray that we become diligent in the daily routine of life - planning, preparing, cooking, cleaning, teaching, and loving. God WILL bless the work of our hands and our family WILL prosper!

I hope you are encouraged today!


Blessings,

I'm linked up with:

      

     

Proverbs 31 Study ~ Week 3 ~ Trusting God!

God is so good! He came through, yet again!

How is it that no matter how many times God provides for us, we tend to forget His goodness and capability?

While attending Bible college I worked a part time job to pay for what I could, yet had to fully rely on God's provision. I remember saying time and time again, "Where He guides, He provides". Sometimes finances came through on the very day they were due! It was a complete walk of faith.

I enjoyed working at Camp El Har while attending Bible school at CFNI.

Here is a typical van run during summer camp (I am second from the left).

~ Summer 2003

We are told in Proverbs 31:11 that, "The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so that he will have no lack of gain." We are to live open, accountable lives before our husbands so that they can have full confidence in us!

How do we become trustworthy? By mimicking our Father in Heaven.

God is trustworthy, He has our back! He covers us with grace and forgives us daily! We can do no less. Yet again, we get to rely on His strength to help us where we are weak.

Daily, as wives, we need to ask the Lord for wisdom to walk in right relationship with our husbands. We get to look for ways to bless him and build his trust. Trust in the Lord and your husband can trust you!

"He who heeds the word wisely will find good,

And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he."  

Prov. 16:20

"He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,

But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered."

Prov. 28:25 

"The fear of man brings a snare,

But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."

Prov. 29:25

SO.... back to how God came through for me (and others) this past weekend.

My husband and I lead a ministry for children in our neighborhood. Our kids club meets every other week in our front yard. We teach the youth (ages 4 to 14) lessons from the Bible, play games, eat snacks and do crafts together!

Fishing 4 The King Ministries was birthed out of a love for the Lord and a desire to see the next generation walk in relationship with Jesus Christ. We are the church, and we get to extend Christ's love to those who have never experienced it!

Last year we had the great joy and responsibility of taking ten of our club kids to a week long summer camp in Oklahoma. And we have been planning and preparing for this year's trip for months.

F4K Summer Camp Group ~ June 2011

10 youth, 4 leaders and our two little ones!

And you know what summer camp means... fundraisers!

We worked hard collecting donations for a yard sale and many families gave generously.

I asked God to help us make $1,000 at our yard sale... but who does that? So I thought I'd lower my expectation to $600, knowing that probably wouldn't be too hard for God. (oh my, will I ever learn?!)

Well, thank the Lord for mother-in-laws of faith and prayer! (My sweet m-i-l was believing God for $1,000 from our sales, and she held tight to her request before God!)

We were able to start the sale a day early because of all the help we had setting tables up and organizing items. That first day was the best out of all three days!

So much to sell! Thank the Lord for the clouds and breeze... and for all the help!

My sweet mother and father-in-law are in the top left picture working hard.

And guess what the total came to? $1,001.00!!! God did it! We did our part and He did the rest!

We only priced a couple of things at the sale and asked that people give their most generous donation for what they wanted to take home, and they did!

Praise God! We are headed to summer camp and God is going to do amazing things in the hearts of those we take with us!!!

Trust in the Lord! He is faithful, He alone is capable, He alone is good!

Have a blessed week,

I'm linked up with:

     

    

Proverbs 31 Study ~ Week 1 ~ Finding Hope and Strength

I have heard from others that the Proverbs 31 woman's lifestyle is unattainable, impossible, outrageous, etc. But her character outline must have been included in God's Word for a purpose.

I believe that God desires us women to be dependent on Him alone to grow and mature into the woman mentioned in Proverbs 31. And, as reminded by Courtney from Women Living Well, this woman did not accomplish everything listed in one day! It was over her entire lifetime that she spun clothes, bought fields, helped the poor, and provided food for her family.

May we keep growing and learning as women, wives and mothers! May we realize that we fall short every day and NEED Christ's strength and help to live a full, blessed life.

Do you feel weak, unable to complete the tasks that need to be done in your home, overwhelmed by life, tired and drained? There is hope!

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:28-31

All we need to DO is wait on the Lord and He will encourage our hearts and renew our strength! Try it, you may be surprised by the great results of depending on our faithful God.

Our Good Morning Girls summer study has just begun this week. It's not too late to join in! If you would like to join our Facebook group "Women of the Word" and be encouraged through the study of Proverbs 31 this summer, please let me know! We would love to have you join us!

Have a blessed week,

I'm linked up with: