Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

I continue my study of Proverbs with week 11 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 31:10-31.  My focus for today includes questions #3-4 in the workbook, which describe (1) the contrast between how a Godly woman occupies her time and works (as depicted in Proverbs 31:16) vs the prevailing attitude of women today; and (2) what is intended when Godly women dress themselves with strength (Proverbs 31:17).  On question (1) my view is that it is clear that the woman depicted in Proverbs 31:16 is Godly as it states this explicitly in 31:30.  It is through this fear of God that the woman in Proverbs 31 seeks to honor and glorify God first, and in so doing follows other scripture laid out for women as discussed in text highlighted by John Piper and others - (see John Piper using 1 Peter 3:1-6 in this video and post, see this post from a woman writer on DesiringGod.com how women should ground their identity in Jesus vs their work, and this post from the founder of Heritage Girls (an alternative to Girl Scouts)). The core difference between a Godly woman and the prevailing secular attitude of women today is that a Godly woman fears God and finds her identity first in God and this flows through to all of her life. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who blesses innumerably and indescribably - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all the ways You bless me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[Mak]e the best use of the time, because the days are evil....mak[e] the best use of the time.

Proverbs 31:10-31

[Mak]e the best use of the time, because the days are evil....mak[e] the best use of the time. Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5

I continue my study of Proverbs with week 11 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 31:10-31.  My focus for today includes questions #1-2 in the workbook, which describe (1) how a wife can be trusted (Proverbs 31:11), and (2) how a wife works long hard days (Proverbs 31:15, 18, Ephesians 5:15-15, Colossians 4:5). These questions, of course, have relevance for not just wives and women, but for all believers. Of these two questions, this morning I am challenged (also from a message this morning from Pastor Jared during men's wake up call) to make the "best use of my time" so that I can build up spiritual disciplines.  I am encouraged to more closely examine how I use my time so that I make the best use of my time. 

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know You are always at work in my life - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed by how You orchestrate the details of my life.  I am undeserving of how You do this - I know You love me and You saved me - there is nothing I did or can ever do to deserve this.  You are so full of grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Proverbs 31:10-31

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26

I continue my study of Proverbs with week 11 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 31:10-31.  My focus for today includes the introduction to this weeks lesson from the workbook, which points how the text describes "an alphabet of womanly excellence," and that "the woman's marital status is not the primary emphasis[,]" but instead that the woman in this chapter "is a portrait of feminine wisdom.  She embodies in all areas of life the full character of wisdom commended in Proverbs."  We are encouraged as well to see the "the big picture" from my workbook, which states that "true wisdom is not just for men but for all God's people." As I have struggled with anger and harsh words for much of my life, I am blessed to have a wife Lisa who, like the woman from the extent is the epitome of wisdom and kindness. Thank You God for the blessing of Lisa!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who blessed me with a wife who loves the Lord, and is full of wisdom and kindness.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  I am often angry and harsh - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.