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.

           

Good Morning Girls, Intentionally Focused Week 3

My dear friends, I am trying to play catch up with my bible studies. I am 3 weeks behind. So tonight I am going to make an effort to at least get a few days worth done. 

The reading from Week 3, Wednesday 2/5/14:

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

S: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


O: In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he reminds them to focus on what's good in their life. He tells them to not think of the bad things. He says to share the good things they think about with each other. That is how we encourage one another.

A: This is definitely something I apply in my life. I know when I am troubled or overwrought, I try to focus on beautiful things. I'll Google things like flowers, gardens, tea sets, whatever I can think of to soothe my mind. And that's what Paul is reminding us to do. Focus on the beautiful, the peaceful, whatever is honest and true. Don't think of the bad.

P: Father, I pray that in times of trouble, in times of stress and strife, You will help me to focus on all the beauty in the world around me. To take notice of the small things. Help me to share these things with others so that I can be an encouragement to them. Amen.