Proverbs 31:10-31 NIV
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:10-31 Message
A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Proverbs 31 Project
Inspired by prophetic words through which several brothers and sisters in Christ declared me THEE "Proverbs 31 Woman," I have decided to begin a summer-long project, and life-long journey of discovering, embracing, and celebrating my identity in Christ; using my gifts to serve Him as He transforms my heart and mind, fulfilling His promise to complete the good work He began in me (Philippians 1:6)!
In order for you to understand what this project IS, you must also understand what this project is NOT. This project IS NOT about ME and what I can do. It is about GOD and what HE can do. It IS NOT about MY work in the lives of other people. It is about God's work...not only in the lives of other people...not only THROUGH me...but also, IN me. See, while the implementation of this project in it's most physical sense may cause observers to think that the ultimate mission is to "use my gifts to serve others," the REAL goal, the REAL aim, the REAL project is MY HEART and the act of GOD upon it: HIM transforming me into a more wise, discerning, diligent, devoted, compassionate, loving, beautiful woman of God...a true Proverbs 31 woman.
With that said, I will now attempt to explain what I feel called to do this summer...what I feel is the "medium" so to speak that God will use to teach me these Proverbs 31 virtues. The project will consist largely of acts of service...using my gifts to meet the needs of other people. I have MANY obscure, yet useful gifts. Now, in the past, I have used my gifts in many ways...and most, if not all, were "for the greater good!"...and yet, it was always so safe and comfortable...I always had control...there was never any sacrifice involved. This needs to change. As I ask God to shape me into the Proverbs 31 woman this summer, I realize that this involves stepping outside of my comfort zone into a place were service is not conditional...I don't get to pick and choose who to serve, where to serve, how to serve...if God brings a person into my life, or brings me to a specific place, and has equipped me with the ability to provide for the need he has shown me, than I have no choice but to fill it...even if it is dirty, uncomfortable, boring, time-consuming, or the hardest struggle I've ever gone through! I ask for this. I ask for this with both excitement and terrified-ness (for lack of a real word), knowing that God will answer this request!
In addition to using my gifts to unconditionally serve others, I also intend to imitate the Proverbs 31 woman by physically living out some of the things that the scripture says she does, such as planting a garden, for example! I don't know exactly how this works yet, but I strongly feel that there is so much to be learned mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by living out something physically first! So, plant a garden, I will! And who knows, maybe I'll even make a few of my own clothes!
And finally, and most importantly, as Proverbs 31 so clearly states in it's conclusion, all these acts are worthless without the FEAR OF THE LORD! So, I will be spending lots of time "in the Word" and in prayer...in hopes of growing in my relationship with God, and receiving revelation on what it means to truly FEAR Him. And ya'll can hold me accountable to that!...In fact, I insist...I beg you to! Taking time out of "my" crazy schedule to spend more time with God is not one of my strengths, so please ask me how it's going, encourage me to continue in it, and pray for me...pray like crazy!
Pray that I might:
-Be bombarded with opportunities to serve, and be empowered with the courage and willingness to follow through on those opportunities!
-Know what it means to live out the life of the Proverbs 31 woman in both a physical and spiritual sense!
-Be filled with the desire to know God more intimately and an understanding of what it means to fear and serve Him!
In order for you to understand what this project IS, you must also understand what this project is NOT. This project IS NOT about ME and what I can do. It is about GOD and what HE can do. It IS NOT about MY work in the lives of other people. It is about God's work...not only in the lives of other people...not only THROUGH me...but also, IN me. See, while the implementation of this project in it's most physical sense may cause observers to think that the ultimate mission is to "use my gifts to serve others," the REAL goal, the REAL aim, the REAL project is MY HEART and the act of GOD upon it: HIM transforming me into a more wise, discerning, diligent, devoted, compassionate, loving, beautiful woman of God...a true Proverbs 31 woman.
With that said, I will now attempt to explain what I feel called to do this summer...what I feel is the "medium" so to speak that God will use to teach me these Proverbs 31 virtues. The project will consist largely of acts of service...using my gifts to meet the needs of other people. I have MANY obscure, yet useful gifts. Now, in the past, I have used my gifts in many ways...and most, if not all, were "for the greater good!"...and yet, it was always so safe and comfortable...I always had control...there was never any sacrifice involved. This needs to change. As I ask God to shape me into the Proverbs 31 woman this summer, I realize that this involves stepping outside of my comfort zone into a place were service is not conditional...I don't get to pick and choose who to serve, where to serve, how to serve...if God brings a person into my life, or brings me to a specific place, and has equipped me with the ability to provide for the need he has shown me, than I have no choice but to fill it...even if it is dirty, uncomfortable, boring, time-consuming, or the hardest struggle I've ever gone through! I ask for this. I ask for this with both excitement and terrified-ness (for lack of a real word), knowing that God will answer this request!
In addition to using my gifts to unconditionally serve others, I also intend to imitate the Proverbs 31 woman by physically living out some of the things that the scripture says she does, such as planting a garden, for example! I don't know exactly how this works yet, but I strongly feel that there is so much to be learned mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by living out something physically first! So, plant a garden, I will! And who knows, maybe I'll even make a few of my own clothes!
And finally, and most importantly, as Proverbs 31 so clearly states in it's conclusion, all these acts are worthless without the FEAR OF THE LORD! So, I will be spending lots of time "in the Word" and in prayer...in hopes of growing in my relationship with God, and receiving revelation on what it means to truly FEAR Him. And ya'll can hold me accountable to that!...In fact, I insist...I beg you to! Taking time out of "my" crazy schedule to spend more time with God is not one of my strengths, so please ask me how it's going, encourage me to continue in it, and pray for me...pray like crazy!
Pray that I might:
-Be bombarded with opportunities to serve, and be empowered with the courage and willingness to follow through on those opportunities!
-Know what it means to live out the life of the Proverbs 31 woman in both a physical and spiritual sense!
-Be filled with the desire to know God more intimately and an understanding of what it means to fear and serve Him!
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