- Prov 31:15-18

Okay, so I'm somewhat behind on my blog for this study.  It's been a busy few week but I did do each day's lessons.  Getting the writing done for this has been a little more time consuming especially because I am working on two other writing projects which require a lot of reading and research.  I will have one project done by September.  I have to get it done by then because it is for the women's Bible study that I lead at church. 

The last two weeks studying the Proverbs 31 woman has been so refreshing and beneficial.  Each day brought new insight and new challenges.  But one thing from week 4 really stood out to me and has continued to stay at the forefront of my thoughts.  Week 4 started with Prov 31:15-rising early and being organized.  But it was one of the additional daily verses that really caught my attention.  Psalm 5:3 says "O Lord in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch."  I pondered that verse for a long time and realized that the sacrifice I am to prepare is myself.  Each morning as I get up early, I am to be preparing my heart for worshiping God, for His purpose, for His use, and for His glory.  I must sacrifice my own desires for the day and watch for His desires.  It's time to toss out my to-do list and start working on the list God has for me.  Let me compare the two for you:

 Cheryl's to-do list                              
1.  Morning Devotions/Prayer                
2.  Make myself  a light breakfast          
3.  Start laundry                                         
4.  Work on writing projects                           
5.  Have lunch; prayer time                                        
6.  Open mail; do coupons                                      
7.  Watch Dog Whisperer              

God's to-do list for Cheryl                             
 1.  Morning Devotions/Prayer
 2.  Minister to Jerry by making coffee & ironing work clothes
 3.  Write notes and send cards       
 4.  Invite a sister in Christ out to lunch to get to know better
 5.  Go door knocking

As you can see, my list isn't bad, it's just very focused on what I think needs to get done.  God's list is full of ministry opportunities for others.  How many blessings I must be missing out on!!!  If I can just sacrifice my priorities, prepare myself for God's priorities, and watch for Him to work, I have no doubt that He will enable me to do not only His list but also complete the things on my list as well.  Romans 12:1 teaches that I am to be a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable.  It is part of my service and worship to God. 

When I stop and think about how Christ sacrificed His life, gave His all for me, totally yielded and surrendered to God's will, I am ashamed at how short I fall in this area of sacrifice in my own life.  I am so grateful that God's compassion never fails; it is new every morning (Lam 3:22-23).  Every day I have another chance to work off God's list and not my own.  And according to the rest of Proverbs 31, God's got a lot for me to do.





  
 

The Ripple Effect - Prov 31:12-14

We've all seen it....the rock thrown into the pond and the ripples that are produced.  This week's study of the Proverbs 31 woman brought that image vividly to my mind.

Last week's lessons focused on virtuous attributes (vs 10-11).  Verses 13 & 14 starts the action process as the list of chores begins, namely laundry and cooking, neither of which are my favorite things to do.  But it is verse 12 that brings the attributes and the actions together.

                      "She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life" (Prov 31:12 ESV). 

The lesson had us compare this verse to 1 Kings 11:4 "For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God as was the heart of David his father."  Wow....that is quite the contrast.  It speaks volumes to the influence of a wife on her husband.  For me to do good to Jerry means that I must be a good influence, a godly influence.  I do that by staying close to God and continually seeking Him in all areas of my own life and relationship with Him.  The two best ways that I know how to do that is by reading His word daily and praying daily.  The more connected I stay to God, the more of His goodness I see.  It is His goodness that will work in me and flow from me.  It is His goodness that will allow me to be a good influence for Jerry.  My influence cannot include nagging, cajoling, or manipulating because those things bring harm and are not in line with my God-given purpose as a wife and helper.  I never want to be the cause for turning my husband's heart away from God.  I love them both so much!

Because of this love for God and for Jerry, I have some laundry to do today.  I might even do a little cooking.  The results may not be excellent but that's okay....my family is used to that.  What's more important is that my attitude be excellent as I willingly and eagerly go about these chores.  SPLASH!!