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. 

Summer Study Week 11

Week 11
Reflection:
I love that this woman is being blessed for her hard work.  We finally see it this week.  Her children and her husband appreciate what she does.  But I am sure there was a lot of hard work and diligence that got her to this point.  She doesn’t give up.  She doesn’t have to be talked into doing what is right.  She just does it. 

Monday’s Read: Prov. 31:28

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her.”
O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
It may take a long time for our children to realize the sacrifices we make in raising them.  But if we are looking for praise outside our home but don’t take care of what is going on in our home our priorities are misplaced.  The way she leads her home makes children and a husband praise her.
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
How often do I look for praise for the things I do outside my home.  All the time!  I want to be good at my job, good at leading a ministry, a good friend, etc… Those things are all great but if I lose focus on what is going on in my home then it’s not worth a whole lot.  I need to focus on being a good mother and praying for my husband and children.  I’m not very good at being consistent in prayer =-(  I need to work on this because it is the foundation of having a Godly home! 
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Help me to focus on ways I can make my home a haven and a place that encourages growing in a relationship with you.  Please help me to have the right priorities.  Please give me wisdom on how to show my family how to have a good relationship with you and each other. 

Tuesday’s Read: Prov. 22:6

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
This implies a lifetime of instruction starting from the beginning of life!  This is not a job for the faint of heart!  It’s hard, challenging and not without joys and sorrows.  I like what the video from the Good Morning Girls blog had to say about this in Monday’s post.  This is a principal and not a promise.  It doesn’t take into account free will.  God gave us the ability to choose and make our own choices.  You may train up your child in a Godly home and the may choose a different road when they are out of your home or even while they are in your home. 
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
It’s hard to know that even if you did everything right, your child may not choose to follow Christ.  Your child will still make mistakes.  That makes me fearful even though I know I should not give in to fear.  I need to trust God with my child.  They may make mistakes and they may not choose to follow Christ but that is beyond my control.  What I can control is the time spent praying for my child.  I can control whether I choose to worry or choose to trust.  I can control the kind of example I put forth for my child.  In the end, I have to trust that God will never be finished writing the story of my child’s life.  He is in control. 

Today, I want to choose to be in prayer for my child.  I want to choose to pray that I will be the best example possible for them on leading a Godly life.  I choose to teach them about God.  I choose to keep them involved in church. 

P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Help me not to give into fear when it comes to my children.  Help me to choose to trust you with their lives and their decisions.  You are in control.   Help me to let you be God.  Thank you that you love my child even more than I do.  You desire nothing more for them to come to know you and live a Godly life.  Thank you for that. 
 

Wednesday’s Read: Titus 2:4

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children
O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
This passage in Titus is about instructions for living.  The author gives instructions first to the older men and then to the older women.  He instructs the older women to be reverent and to teach what is good so they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children.   This looks like mentorship to me and I love this example!!
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
I appreciate the example I have in the older women around me.  They really show me what it looks like to love a husband and children.  I appreciate this and have a great example to follow!
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Show me each day how I can love my husband and child as you would.    

Thursday’s Read: Proverbs 31:29

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
As this passage comes to a close, you see that her husband praises her. 
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
I think this verse sets up an ideal setting where the husband loves God and truly appreciates all that his wife does for him.  This may not always happen.  We are all flawed including the husbands.  Your husband may not be a Christian and may not understand the importance of these things.  In the best of situations – we are striving to be a Proverbs 31 women and they are striving to be a Godly leader.

When we neglect our husbands and put more focus on our children, jobs, volunteer work, etc…  but we fail to meet the needs of our husband, we are not being a Proverbs 31 women.  I think it’s easy for me to get caught up in so many other things and forget that this is a priority. 

P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord- Help me to find ways to make my husband a priority each day.  Help me to take care of him the way you call me to and show your love through my actions.   

Summer Study Week 10

Week 10:
Reflection:
This week we read the Proverbs 31 women watching over the affairs of her household and how she is wise with her time.  I find this challenging.  It’s easy to let time slip away by doing meaningless things.  I want to know what is going on in my household and be an example to my husband and children.  Those things carry meaning.  The rest of the week focuses on being diligent with your work and your time. 

We are nearing the end of the study!  Only four weeks to go.  Keep it up!

Monday’s Read: Prov. 31:27, Prov. 13:1

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

She watches over the affairs of her household and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

 

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
The reading from the ebook has great insights today!  It takes us through the verse

“She watches” – Her family is her priority and she sees and knows what is going on in her house.  She isn’t watching other things.  In our day in age this could be Facebook, surfing the internet, too much television. 

 

“the affairs” – This is the things that go on in the house.  This would be the habits, actions, routines of her family.  Are they healthy and God honoring?  As women, we have a powerful influence over what goes on in the household and they are watching us and the example we set!

“of her household” – She is concerned for this first.  She isn’t obsessed about what her friends, boss, or family think of her.  She is concerned about doing what is right for her own household. 

“She doesn’t eat the bread of idleness” – Because she is serving her family so wonderfully, she doesn’t have a lot of time to waste on things that are meaningless.  She focuses on what brings meaning and purpose to her family!

A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
The Proverbs 31 woman is amazing at managing her time.  To be honest, I do a decent job at keeping watch over the basic affairs of my household.  But I fall short in some areas.  For as much as I do in my home, I also do waste a lot of time on the internet!  I really need to set some boundaries about the time I spend on it.  I don’t think catching up on facebook and reading news is a bad thing.  But spending too much time doing those things takes away from my family.  I need to do a better job at this.  I would also like to make an effort to eat at the dinner table without the tv on =-)  This will be especially important to me as my daughter gets a little older. 

Watching where our time goes will always be an area for improvement!  It’s easy to let priorities slip!

P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Help me to be aware of where my time goes!  Help me to use my time in a way that is pleasing to you and not to waste it on things that are not important. 

Tuesday’s Read: Prov. 9:1-2; Prov. 6:6-11

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.  She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest —  and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
The women in Proverbs 9 is resourceful.  She runs her house wisely and is prepared. 

We need look no further than an ant for a good example of a hard worker.  The ant doesn’t have a boss telling it what it needs to do.  It knows that it must work to stay alive.  If we are lazy and don’t work hard we will experience poverty.  In my opinion, it may not be true monetary poverty.  It may be poverty relating to your character or relationships.  If we are diligent in our lives we can experience these other kinds of poverty. 

A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
This just reinforces the value of work.  Since starting this study I have challenged myself to be wise with my time.  I don’t always keep myself from distractions but I am better at managing my time.  I am getting more done as well as having the ability to spend “quality time” with my family.  I want to continue to work on being wise with my time. 
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Thank you for teaching me about how you want me to use time.  You have given me enough time each day for the things you want me to accomplish.  Please help me to trust in you to guide my time each day!

Wednesday’s Read: Prov. 24:3-4

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
It takes a lot of diligence and wisdom to provide for a family and to give them the love, support, and guidance they need.  It takes knowledge to be able to provide for a family.
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
I know I just need to keep praying for wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.  They don’t always come naturally and I need to rely on God to supply!
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – I need you!  Please give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  Guide me in my day to day decisions as I seek to be Godly in the ways I manage my home. 

Thursday’s Read: Prov. 12:24

S--‐ Write out the scripture passage for the day.
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

O--‐Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.
Hahaha… I think there is a very clear theme for the day.  Don’t be lazy or you will end up in forced labor, deep sleep, or starving!
A--‐ Write down 1--‐2 applications from the passage.
Don’t give into laziness and wasting time.  It’s easy to do but completely not helpful.
P--‐ Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.
Lord – Please help me to be wise with my time!