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.