Summer Study Week 13

Week 13

Reflection:  

I'm a little late on this post.  Our computer crashed and we had to pay to get all our documents recovered =-(.  I now have all the work I saved on this study!!  Thankfully it wasn't lost.  Here's my thoughts on the last week of the study.  What a great journey this summer has been for me.  This is the most consistent I have been with a Bible Study for a long time!  I have learned a lot from the Proverbs 31 women and I hope you have too.  This same blog is gearing up to do a study on Colossians in September.  I am planning to do that with them!  Maybe I'll blog about too... who knows.  If you want to join me you can go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2012/08/fall-session-sign-ups-start-today/ 

Looking forward to it!!  

Monday’s Read: Prov. 31:31

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.

I have studied this Proverbs 31 woman for 13 weeks now.  It feels impossible to measure up and it didn’t seem like there was any reward for her.  But in the past couple of verses we see what she has “earned.”  The Good Morning Girls Ebook points out that she doesn’t get a spa day or a Disney vacation… I was really hoping for that!  But look at what she does earn – She is respected by her husband, loved by her children, and praised at the city gate.  In the end, this is the best kind of reward.  It shows that she has poured herself into the lives of others and she is very much appreciated for that. 

A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.

In the end the Proverbs 31 woman is praised.  I have been waiting for this!  She has worked so tirelessly for those around her.  It’s not that I should expect praise from others because in the end I am working to the glory of God and not men.  But the natural reward to pouring yourself into the lives of others is their appreciation!

P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.

Lord – Thank you that this woman gets the best kind of reward.  You are pleased with her and the people she serves love and respect her.  I pray that I would live a life worthy of pleasing you first and then a life that pours into others. 

Tuesday’s Read: Prov. 14:23, 27:18

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.

All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.

The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and whoever protects their master will be honored.

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.

Talk without action is meaningless. 

When you do the work you will profit.

A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.

I can say that I want to be a Proverbs 31 women but that will never happen unless I take steps towards seeking God’s help in that area.  If I don’t work on the action part it will never happen. 

P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.

Lord – help me to put actions behind my words.  I am never going to be the woman you want me to be unless I take action.  Please give me the motivation and the strength. 

Wednesday’s Read: Acts 13:22

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.

After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.

I’m not sure if this verse is a mistake or not =-)  But I’ll go with it.  God is seeking people that are after his own heart.  When you seek God with your whole heart, he can use you in incredible ways.

A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.

For me, seeking God right now is to be consistent in quiet times.  I need to continue to do that because when I see God consistently, changes happen!

P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.

Lord – Thank you that you use broken people.  You just require that we seek you.  Show me how I can seek you better!

Thursday’s Read: Prov. 27:2

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.

Don’t praise your own work.  Let your actions speak for you.

A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.

It’s easy to “toot my own horn” especially around my household.  I want my husband to know every little thing I do so he can really appreciate what I bring to the table.  But this verse says I need to be quiet about that.  I need to let my actions be what causes others to praise me. 

P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.

Lord – I struggle with letting others know what I do for them.  I like to feel recognized and appreciated.  Help me to realize that I am doing things for your glory and that is what counts.  

Summer Study Week 12

Week 13:

Reflection:

I want to be a woman known for her character.  In a society that is known for an obsession with outward appearances, it can be rare to find a woman who works on her inner beauty more than her outward appearance.  I don’t think God is calling us to neglect what we look like on the outside.  We see a few verses back in Proverbs 31 that this woman does take care of her appearance but it is not her number one priority.   I want to strive to be a woman of God and to take care of my husband and family. 

Monday’s Read: Prov. 31:30

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
Charm may feel good in the moment but in the end it can be deceptive.  Outer beauty fades with time but a Woman who fears the Lord is forever.
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
In a world that puts beauty and charm above all it is hard to stay true to what God wants us to do.  From our love of the Lord comes our beauty.  It is what makes us worthwhile in the end.  Our beauty and charm have nothing to do with our worth.  We face temptation on a daily basis to put our quest for beauty above all else. 
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Help me not to give into putting too much value on beauty.  It’s easy for me to do.  Please help me to continue to remember to focus on what is important. 

Tuesday’s Read: 1 Pet. 3:3-4

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight
O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
What you wear on the outside should not be what makes you beautiful.  What makes you beautiful is a gentle spirit that is at peace with God.  While taking care of your outward appearance is certainly necessary it should not be done to excess so that people don’t take notice of who you are as a person. 
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
It is important to find a balance.  God doesn’t want us to be obsessed with our appearance and spend too much time attending to that instead of other important things in life.  He also wants us to focus on letting our inner beauty shine.  There is something about a woman who is takes care of her appearance but also exudes Christ’s love.  That is what I want to be!  
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Help me not to focus all my energy on what is external.  Help me to spend time with you so that I may reflect your glory outwardly!

Wednesday’s Read: II Cor. 4:16, II Tim. 2:9-10
S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
Outward beauty fades.  We need to continue to renew out inward being because that is what lasts.  We also need to be aware that our outward appearance shouldn’t be excessive or immodest.  We need to focus on our heart for God.
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
In this day in age it is easy to become obsessed with our outward appearance.  While we can see from our study earlier on in Proverbs 31 that she does take care of herself, we also see it is near the end of the priority list.  I need to be sure that my priorities are in order.  
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Help me not to place my priorities on my outward appearance but on my heart. 

Thursday’s Read: Prov. 15:33, 22:4

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
We are to fear the Lord and be humble.
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
It is important for me to know that everything I have comes from God. 
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Help me to honor as I should for all that you have given me. 

Day Trip to Vail

Great fun, food, and fellowship were the adjectives for the WM Vail Getaway.  Three cars loaded with advenurous women headed to Vail on Thursday, July 12th.  First stop, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.  The free family concert was spectacular, not only because of the program but sitting outdoors surrounded by the Rocky Mountains.  The assortment of finger foods shared at our picnic lunch had an unbelievable variety.  We shared family stories under a covered venue.  The best was saved for last with a guided tour of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.  We celebrated the beauty and diversity of alpine flora.  Truly a garden of God's approval.  It was an incredible day.  Everyone returned home safely and with a warm feeling of shared fellowship.

Our fearless organizer at the concert:

Getting ready for the concert!

 Touring the gardens:

Great time in Vail!