What Is A Proverbs 31 Woman?

I just realized that some of you may not know what a Proverbs 31 woman is. As I was scrolling through Tumblr, I found some really good explanations, so I thought I'd post them here. Also, you can just open your bibles to Proverbs 31 for a complete rundown of who she is. This first one I found is a really great breakdown of what it is we strive to become according to God's great plan for us.

10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman

1. Faith - A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15

2. Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18)

3. Mothering - A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)

4. Health – A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)

5. Service - A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

6. Finances - A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

7. Industry – A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)

8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

9. Time - A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )

10. Beauty – A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)

I am also going to include my little rant. So please bear with me.

Why is it that a woman who fears God, wants to serve her family and basically be the woman that God designed us to be is looked upon as such a bad thing? Have you looked at the complete description of what a Proverbs 31 woman is!?!?!?!! She is called to be strong, resourceful, a wage earner, provider for her family to name just a few. 

If we actually completed HALF of what's on that list in one day, we'd be exhausted!! She is basically the one running the show for her family! It takes a strong woman to be all that!!

If I can even become one-tenth of what a Proverbs 31 woman is I'd be happy. Sure does give a gal something to strive for.

Striving to be a Proverbs 31 Woman

I think this is something that every Godly woman should strive to be. A Proverbs 31 woman brings good not harm every day of her life, sets about her work vigorously, she opens her arms to the poor.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
(Posted by Madelyn-Eloise "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" on Tumblr)

Rejected or Approved

"Remember: rejection from man doesn't mean rejection from God. He loves us unconditionally.” - Lysa TerKeurst

I was just thinking about this last night. I was telling my husband how I was reworking my blog and read him my first entry. I was so proud of myself. I wanted him to see that I've been paying attention and that I'm learning. But, as usual, it sparked a disagreement over my daughter. This had nothing to do with that. I wanted him to SEE that I'm trying to change myself. But, alas, it blew up in my face.

I sat there fuming, until I realized that wasn't getting me anywhere. Why was I so dependent on what he thought of my accomplishments? Yes, he's my husband. Yes, I value his opinion. But I'm putting the wrong emphasis on whose approval I am seeking. What SHOULD matter is that what I'm doing meets with the approval of Jesus Christ. Am I doing this for MY own glory or am I doing this for His glory?

So much of who we are seems to be rooted in what others think of us. It leads to such destruction and frustration. We forget who our Great Designer is. He made each and every one of us unique with all our own qualities. When we seek others opinion of us, we are, in essence, saying that perhaps God did something wrong with us. We don't meet the approval of others. There's something missing. God doesn't make mistakes. As my husband says "God don't like ugly". Which is why He sees each and every one of us as beautiful, unique creations.

If you have children,  you know that feeling that when your children were born how you looked at them and thought "wow, I created this!" That's how God looks at us! He made us! What a miraculous thing He did!

Try to remember that when you compare yourself with others, it is only going to lead to frustration and dissatisfaction. Remember that the only One you need to please is God. Think about the things you do and ask yourself, would this meet with God's approval? Am I doing this for God's glory or my own? If you are doing things for His approval then you will always be on the right track. Let your life and works glorify our Great Creator. At the end of the day don't forget to thank the Lord for who you are and for creating you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

God Bless.
Linda

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 8: Our Bodies Tuesday reading

I think this is a touchy subject for all of us. But this is a good reminder that we must treat our bodies well, as God intended.

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own body, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 


S: Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own body, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

O: If our body is a temple, then I am really in trouble! My temple is falling apart! I think this is something we are all guilty of. The chips, soda, unhealthy snack, junk food, fast foods. The list goes on and on. Our temples are in disrepair. 

We have good intentions. We all know we have to excersize more, eat better, and get enough sleep. Yet, we always have an excuse not to do these things. We don't have enough time, we don't have enough money. The list goes on and on. 

God tells us we need to treat our bodies better. He made us and He doesn't want to see us fall apart. We need to make a plan to treat ourselves better. We need to remember why we were created. We need to remember that when we take care of ourselves we are taking care of God's creation.

A: My husband and I are going on a diet. He needs to lose weight because of the swelling in his legs. I just need to lose weight because I have arthritis in my knees and back and all this extra weight isn't helping things any.

It's never easy when you go on a diet. But this is something we both need to do because we HAVE to. God's temple is falling down around our ears! Just like any building that is falling apart, it can be rebuilt and redone to any way we want. So, we'll set some goals and try our best to lose the weight and remember we are doing it for our health and to glorify God.

P: Lord, You have given us our bodies to glorify Your works. We are built in Your image. But sometimes we forget that. Help us to remember that we need to take care of our bodies that You gave us. Our bodies are a reflection of You. Help us to be strong while we renew our bodies and our souls. Fill us with Your love and peace instead of empty calories and empty food. Our food comes from Your word and Your love. Let us strive to be as You wanted us to be. Amen.

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 8 Your Health

Well, after being so seriously behind, I'm going to buckle down and get this last week done. Especially since we'll be starting a new study tomorrow! 

READ: Psalm 139: 13-16

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.1

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

  My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

S: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

O: How many times have we looked in the mirror and not liked what we've seen? We see all our flaws and imperfections. We see all the things we are not. We see ourselves as we think others see us as. But that's not how God sees us.

Society tells us that we are to hide our flaws. You need to be thinner, younger looking, have the best clothes. You have to be the perfect wife and/or mother. Buy this, use that and you'll be perfect. We fall for it all the time. 

1 Peter 3-5 tells us " Don't try to make yourselves 
beautiful on the outside, with stylish hair or by wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead, make yourselves beautiful on the inside, in your hearts, with the enduring quality of a gentle, peaceful spirit. This type of beauty is very precious in God's eyes. For it was in this way that holy women who trusted in God used to make themselves beautiful..."

As I like to say, God don't make ugly! God has made us in His image. We are exactly the way we are supposed to be. Outward beauty will fade over time. But it is the beauty that is on the inside that will carry us over for all our natural lives. It is the beauty of faith, of love, of knowing that we are true children of God. 

A: I am just as guilty as the next person of not liking what I see in the mirror. I have such a poor self-image that most times I don't even want to look in the mirror.

But I need to remember that God made me this way for a reason. I am who I am. If people can't accept me the way I am, then I don't need those people in my life. 

It is our job to build people up. It is our job to trust in God. I need to really remember this. I should have it tattooed across my forehead!! lol I need to remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made because God designed me! I am an original! I am a child of God!

P: Lord Jesus, we need to remember that Your Father created us in His image. That God our Father makes no mistakes. We need to stop listening to the people who are "of this world" and start listening to You. Help us to see all of what we are as perfect. Remind us that You love us regardless. We are the way we are for a reason. Help us to remember that. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Good Morning Girls Devotional Week 7: Our Ministries

Reading for Wednesday 3/12
1st Timothy 5:1-10 (NLT)

Caring for God’s family

Don’t correct an older man, but encourage him like he’s your father; treat younger men like your brothers, treat older women like your mother, and treat younger women like your sisters with appropriate respect.

  

Take care of widows who are truly needy. But if a particular widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to respect their own family and repay their parents, because this pleases God. A widow who is truly needy and all alone puts her hope in God and keeps on going with requests and prayers, night and day. But a widow who tries to live a life of luxury is dead even while she is alive. Teach these things so that the families will be without fault. But if someone doesn’t provide for their own family, and especially for a member of their household, they have denied the faith. They are worse than those who have no faith.

Put a widow on the list who is older than 60 years old and who was faithful to her husband. She should have a reputation for doing good: raising children, providing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in distress, and dedicating herself to every kind of good thing.

S: 1 Timothy 5:10
She should have a reputation for doing good: raising children, providing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in distress, and dedicating herself to every kind of good thing. 

O: A godly woman should be known by her reputation. The kind that shows her faith in God. She should be upright in character. She should be known for her kindness, her good deeds. Much like is described in Proverbs 31:30-31 " Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Let her share in the results of her work; let her deeds praise her in the city gates."

A woman's looks and charm can quickly evaporate. But it is her reputation will stay with her for a long time. Believe me, I should know. I have done some things I'm not proud of, and it had become known throughout the church that I used to attend. It was my own doing. It's not something I can change. It's not something I can make people forget. 

Our reputations are also a reflection of our families. People will gossip, even though God tells us it's a sin. It's human nature. Be a woman after God's own heart. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Let Him lead you. Your children and husband will follow in your example. And you will make your family and friends proud. 

A: There's not much I can do now to fix my reputation. It is what it is. But I have a chance to start over. As my husband has reminded me, I am a reflection of him. I want to do things that are pleasing to God and to my husband. I need to remember that everything I do I need to do it for God's glory. 

P: Lord, I ask You to guide my steps in my life. I need to be reminded that everything I do I should do for Your glory. I am to lead by Your example. I need to be of flawless character. I am Your child and the things I do should reflect that. Help me to keep my eyes on You and do things that bring You glory. In Your Holy Name I ask this. Amen.

 


 

Good Morning Girls Week 4 Proverbs 31:10-31

Week 4: Your Marriage

Read: Proverbs 31:10-31

SOAP: Proverbs 31:30-31

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

  A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

 She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

 “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

 Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

S: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

O:  The verse above is so true. Outer beauty only lasts for so long. And charm..well, that’s all well and good. But, if there is no SUBSTANCE behind those things, then it makes for quite the shallow person. Our substance comes from our love of God and our families. We will see our benefit in heaven. Don’t forget to say thank you once in a while for all your mom or your wife does. 

A: Sometimes things women do go overlooked. We cook, clean, run a household, raise our children and we rarely ask anything in return. It is so easy to take someone like that for granted.

I know in my house I’m the one who works AND cleans and deal with my daughter (she’s 18 so it’s no easy feat). I know if I let just one day go without doing the dishes by the next day you won’t be able to find the sink! If I didn’t do the laundry none of us would have clean clothes. If I didn’t get up and go to work every single day then we would have no place to live and nothing to eat. Oftentimes I feel like no one cares. If mom doesn’t do it then no one else will. But it’s my job to do all those things. I know that I may not see my rewards now, but I will some day.

P: Lord, I have a lot to live up to. I hope that I can live up to Your expectations. And, if I fail along the way, You will humble me and show me the right way. Amen.