Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 7

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

Thursday, June 21st
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11
- Proverbs 19:17

1 Thess. 4:11 says "and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you," and Proverbs 19:17 says "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."

These verses are so important because they reiterate that we should mind our own business, not being gossips and that we should be kind to the poor. As I told my mom yesterday, I know that I am needy right now, but I also know that there are plenty of people who are much less fortunate than I, those who have no food in their bellies, no roof over their heads, and for that I should give back what I can, I should help. Too often do we spend time thinking "woe is me" and "how hard this life is for me" that we don't stop and think that we should be grateful for what we have, because it is often a lot more than others. I struggle with this A LOT, especially lately while I have been unemployed and slowly going broke. Today I am praying for a thankful attitude toward the blessings that I have, the necessaries that I have so that I can survive. Yes, maybe I don't have the extravagances, and yes, that sucks, but what I do have is a lot and I need to be continually thankful for it.

Friday, June 22nd
- GMG Reflection

Today I continued in my Living a Divinely Inspired Life devotional and todays reading focused on David and the raid that occurred at his camp, specifically the events of 1 Samuel 30:1-20. He lost everything, but he listened to God who assured him he would get it all back and he did! This is encouraging to me because it shows we can get back what we have lost, the Lord will help us and guide us, as long as we believe and listen to him. What a great message!

Monday, June 25th
- Proverbs 31:21
- Proverbs 27:23
- Proverbs 31 Woman book p. 24-25

"When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet." - Proverbs 31:21


I honestly was not sure what this verse meant by saying they are "clothed in scarlet" and what it had to do with snow and winter months. I did think that it meant the color, but then I realized that it made no sense at all, so I did some research. Apparently to be clothed in scarlet it means to be double clothed. The Proverbs 31 woman does not worry about her family in the winter months because she is able to provide her family with warm clothes, they are clothed in scarlet and therefore protected and warmed from the cold. Now that makes sense! 


As for Proverbs 27:23 it states, "Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds." Generally I think this means that we must show a positive and welcoming regard for our flocks, we must take good care of them, making sure they have everything they need. 


Tuesday, June 26th
- Psalm 46:1-2

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea" I think this is so timely for all of us lately. We must never forget that God is our refuge in these tough and troubling times. I have been worrying about money SO MUCH lately and it is driving me crazy! I did finally get hours at my job, now that they got the HR fiasco sorted out, but still, it's not many. I am trying to think of it as some hours are better than no hours, which is so true, and hopefully after I show them the good worker that I can be they will schedule me for many more hours! We will see!

Wednesday, June 27th 
- Proverbs 31:22
- Titus 2:9-10
- Proverbs 31 Woman book p. 26

"She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple." She just does everything, no? Not only does she rise early, make purchases for her family, feed her family, clothe her family, but she also makes coverings for her bed! What a woman! I like that we see the type of clothing she wears, that being fine linen and purple. To me this shows that she not only cares about making sure her life is in order and taking care of her family, but she also cares about her appearance. When I see that she is clothed in purple I automatically think royalty, and I'm not sure why, I suppose it's because purple seems to be associated with regal-ness, etc.

"Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way." Honestly, I am unsure why we are reading this verse along with the other one, is this to say that women are slaves? I know that is not what it is literally implying, it just seems to be the "implied" meaning by having this verse assigned here with the other. I suppose we could just think of it as individuals must do their best to make sure things are done well, without protest, showing their worth and value. By doing so they will glorify God because not only will they be teaching by their words, but also through their actions and how they live life and serve others. 

Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 6

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

Thursday, June 14th
- Proverbs 14:23
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Proverbs 14:23 says "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." I wonder if this is where the saying "talk is cheap" comes from. I mean, that is essentially what is being said here, right? 1 Thressalonians 4:11 says "and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you" I like this verse about leading a quiet life. It doesn't necessarily mean "quiet" in the sense of not making a sound or not speaking, but quiet in the sense that you shouldn't be out there causing trouble, picking fights, or trying to involve yourself in matters that don't concern you. It also says you should work with your hands. I like that it says that specifically because it means you should get right down to it, right in the heart of it, as closely connected to your work as one can be. What a great mental picture.

Friday, June 15th
- GMG Reflection
- Living a Divinely Inspired Life Devotional (Day 1) --> Genesis 12:1-3, Psalm 139:13-18

I am reading a devotional called "Living a Divinely Inspired Life" and todays verses were Genesis 12:1-3 and Psalm 139:13-18. The focus of the reading was about our purpose and about asking God to show us what that purpose is. I think this reading was extremely timely for me as I am suffering through a sort of depression. I feel like I have no purpose. I spend days here at home, often with little to no social interaction with the outside world. I have recently deactivated FB again for studying, which has been helpful for getting more done, but has also left me feeling so disconnected from life. I miss hearing about people and what's going on in their lives. Yes, maybe I was living vicariously through them on FB, but still, it was some sort of connection, no matter how slight.

Monday, June 18th
- Proverbs 31:19 
- Proverbs 31 Woman book p. 20-21

The verse states "in her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers." I had to look and see what a distaff is because I was unsure as to what it was. According to Merriam Webster it says a distaff is "A stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound for spinning" I suppose this verse means that she makes things on a spinning device.

The Proverbs 31 woman weaves her own clothes, she works with her hands. Not only does she rise early, burn the late night oils, travel far to provide food for her family, etc. but she also makes clothing! What a woman! What a standard for us to aspire toward. While I may never make my own clothing, I can make other things for my family, and I should!

Tuesday, June 19th
- Colossians 3:23
- Ephesians 6:7

The focus of the two verses was to work happily at whatever we are working on, with a feeling that we are working for the Lord as opposed to working for people. Work as though we are working for a higher power and a greater good. I think this is a great thing to remember because we need to work and sometimes if we work with a higher power in mind maybe we will be more happy in our work.

Wednesday, June 20th 
- Proverbs 31:20
- Deuteronomy 15:7-8
- Proverbs 11:25
- Proverbs 31 Woman book p. 22-23


The book passage focused on the virtue of Proverbs 31:20 which says "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." We see here another trait of this miraculous woman, she has helping hands that help the poor. Today I prayed for beautiful hands, not in the literal sense, but in the sense of giving me hands that are beautiful because of the work that I have done for others, because of the kindness they have shown in providing food or money, or other resources to someone who is in need. Today I pray for beautiful hands for all of us. The other two sets of verses we read focused on the same realm of helping others, particularly those in need. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 says "If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. ⁸ Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need." To me this means that we should not be stingy when it comes to the poor, but rather we should give back freely. This is definitely something that I need to work on. I pray that I will be able to be more giving to others. And lastly Proverbs 11:25 says "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." As a blogger I followed stated this is the "water and be watered" verse. We must give in order to receive, we must water in order to be watered, we must refresh in order to be refreshed. What you give out to the world really will come back to you, so you best make it something good and something you want to receive again

Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 5

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

Thursday, June 7th
- James 4:13-15

"look here, you who say, "today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "if the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." - James 4:13-15

This set of verses really spoke to me that we should not put things off to tomorrow. Tomorrow is uncertain. While this is nothing new to me, I felt like it was timely to read these verses today. It reminded me that if there is something that God is speaking to me to do, I should do it now and today, and I should not wait. Applying this message to my life I came up with this simple line... I need to stop procrastinating on living my life! I need to stop putting things off. It has been VERY hard for me to not procrastinate on my life, largely because I am post-law school limbo while I try to pass this stupid Bar exam. Most attorneys don't want to hire me as an assistant, because they figure I will be gone when I pass (which isn't really true... have you been out in this economy?) and most other jobs worry that I am too "overqualified" and that once I find a job that I truly want, ie. in the legal field, that I will be fast out the door. Which is more true in looking at these two circumstances. Obviously. With my life being in limbo I am kind of putting things off to tomorrow, saying things like, I will do that "once I pass..." or "once this happens, then this can happen..." I need to stop putting off things to tomorrow. Granted, some of the things I can't do until I have passed, but other things I can.


Friday, June 8th
- Reflection for GMG

Well today we didn't have reading for GMG, just reflection, so I read in my devotional about living a divinely inspired life instead. Todays message was about how God is the potter and we are the clay, how we must allow him to mold us to fit the life he has planned for us. The corresponding verses were Isaiah 64:4-9. I enjoyed them because they talked about how even though we are sinners, we are still clay for Him to mold. We are still His. I think this is a great message, especially for when we may fall off course.

Monday, June 11th
- Proverbs 31:17
- Nehemiah 8:10
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
- Proverbs 31 Woman book p. 16-17

Todays verses were Proverbs 31:17, Nehemiah 8:10, and Ecclesiastes 9:10. The focus was on being a strong, energetic, hard worker. This is another characteristic of the Proverbs 31 woman. She performs the household tasks vigorously and with strong arms. This is definitely something for me to aspire toward, considering that even though I do clean house, I definitely do so in a passive fashion. Nehemiah states that "the joy of the Lord is (our) strength" I think this is a great correlation to the proverbs verse because it shows us where she gets the strength that she has to do her work. It comes from her joy of the Lord. Also, Ecclesiastes states "whatever you do, do well" I think this is important to show that we do need to work hard and not just passively. A job well done will always be better than anything else.

Tuesday, June 12th
- Psalm 118:24
- Philippians 4:13

Todays reading was great for me because it included one of my most favorite Bible verses, Philippians 4:13. I have loved this verse forever. I am one who refuses to give up. One who refuses to think of something as impossible. These past couple years with law school have really tested my strength and resilience in the face of adversity. However, Philippians 4:13 reminds me that nothing is impossible and that I can do all things and persevere but by the grace of God. This was a great reminder for me today as I am facing another barzam study depression of sorts. It feels like this will never end! I've started having dreams that I'm studying for this stupid test for years and years and years to no avail. Even typing it now makes me sad.

Today I am praying for strength and for the will to never give up on my dreams, because they can AND WILL be achieved!

Wednesday, June 13th
- Proverbs 31:18
- Proverbs 31 Woman book p. 18-19

Todays reading was Proverbs 31:18 which says that "she sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." I think this is fascinating because now we see that the Proverbs 31 woman not only rises early, but she also stays up late. She stays up late making sure she makes a profit for her family. Her lamp does not go out at night. She burns the midnight oil, so to speak. Well, at least I know I have the "night owl" aspect down! However, I doubt her nightowl-ness involved watching endless amounts of TV and reading books. I suppose if I want to be more like her I should be working into the night. Ah yes, the golden standard. 

Truth-Filled Thursday #3

My friend Brittany over at Three Years Down has recently started a weekly link-up she calls "Truth-Filled Thursday," in fact, this is her 6th week!

As Brittany says on her post... "The rules are the same as always - express his Word however you feel most inspired, be it simple text, a graphic or drawing. Include the button in your post." 


If you would like to participate in this link-up (which is awesome) go to her page and link-up. Let me know if you participate as I would LOVE to read your post!

Here is my set of verses for this week... For those of you who read my blog and are also participating in the Proverbs 31 summer study through Good Morning Girls, you should recognize this as today's verses. 


"look here, you who say, "today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "if the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."

- James 4:13-15

This set of verses really spoke to me that we should not put things off to tomorrow. Tomorrow is uncertain. While this is nothing new to me, I felt like it was timely to read these verses today. It reminded me that if there is something that God is speaking to me to do, I should do it now and today, and I should not wait. Applying this message to my life I came up with this simple line... I need to stop procrastinating on living my life! I need to stop putting things off. It has been VERY hard for me to not procrastinate on my life, largely because I am post-law school limbo while I try to pass this stupid Bar exam. Most attorneys don't want to hire me as an assistant, because they figure I will be gone when I pass (which isn't really true... have you been out in this economy?) and most other jobs worry that I am too "overqualified" and that once I find a job that I truly want, ie. in the legal field, that I will be fast out the door. Which is more true in looking at these two circumstances. Obviously. With my life being in limbo I am kind of putting things off to tomorrow, saying things like, I will do that "once I pass..." or "once this happens, then this can happen..." I need to stop putting off things to tomorrow. Granted, some of the things I can't do until I have passed, but other things I can.

Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 4

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

Thursday, May 31st
**Missed my quiet time today

Friday, June 1st
- Genesis 24:15-20

I like this story and I think it is great how she fills the water happily. I think this goes along with the Proverbs 31 woman in that we should be happy and willing to help others. Even in tasks such as filling up water.

Monday, June 4th
- Proverbs 31:15
- Proverbs 5:3
- Mark 1:35
- Proverbs 31 book p.12-13

The reading for today was very insightful and eye opening. Considering I used to be a HUGE morning person, I still can't imagine waking before the sun, like the Proverbs 31 woman in verse 31:15. And now, it's VERY hard for me to get up early. Probably because I am such a night owl and tend to stay up much too late. I think that becoming a morning person again is a huge aspiration for me, especially once I have a job again. I would say that my lack of morning person-ness is largely tied to the fact that I have essentially been unemployed for over a year. I don't see much point in early rising if I have nothing that I am supposed to do! And I know I need to kick that mindset! So today I am praying for God's help at becoming more of a morning person again. I will admit that I do get more done when I rise early.

Tuesday, June 5th
- Proverbs 31:16

The verse was Proverbs 31:16 and the verse reads "she goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard." My first observation was that she does the work of inspecting things before making her purchases. She is thoughtful and thorough. She is self-sufficient in getting things done. I think this verse is empowering to me because it shows that as a woman you can make important decisions and you should. However, we do need to remember that we cannot just go into decisions willy-nilly, but like the Proverbs 31 woman we must consider before we buy. The Proverbs 31 woman has a dream and she follows it. Like her, I want to be able to follow my dreams.

I am praying again today for the Lord to help me to continue to try to rise early. Just because my good intentions failed today does not mean I should give up!

Wednesday, June 6th
- Proverbs 16:3
- Proverbs 21:15
- Proverbs 31 book p. 14-15

"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed" - Proverbs 16:3

"Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers" - Proverbs 21:15

From reading these verses it has reaffirmed to me that if you have a plan, you should pray to God for assistance. He will help you. Also, evildoers do not want justice because they will have to face their wrongs. I need to keep praying to God to help me reach my dreams.

Truth-Filled Thursday #2

My friend Brittany over at Three Years Down has recently started a weekly link-up she calls "Truth-Filled Thursday," in fact, this is her 5th week!

As Brittany says on her post... "The rules are the same as always - express his Word however you feel most inspired, be it simple text, a graphic or drawing. Include the button in your post." 


If you would like to participate in this link-up (which is awesome) go to her page and link-up. Let me know if you participate as I would LOVE to read your post!
 
The verse I would like to share this week actually just arrived in my Inbox from my church. They do a weekly email newsletter type thing and the subject of today's was "Reflection of Love"

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

I think this verse is such a fantastic one because it shows us that we need to love one another, it is definitely something that I aspire toward, especially since I am an overly jealous individual. 

Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 3

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

I cannot believe it's week 3 already!

Thursday, May 24th
- Proverbs 16:20
- Proverbs 28:25
- Proverbs 29:25

I really liked today's verses, while they weren't in Proverbs 31 they were all three about trusting in the Lord. I think they made a good addition to yesterday's verse about being a woman that your partner can trust. What I took away from this was that for us as women to be someone that our husbands can trust, and vice versa, we must first trust in the Lord. I think that is something I need to work on. Today I pray that the Lord will help me to trust in him and his plan for me and my life.

Friday, May 25th

Todays GMG assignment was to reflect on what we have learned thus far. I don't have much to add to what I have already emailed about, except that I am very excited to delve more into the Proverbs 31 woman. A lady commented on my blog recently to tell me that she thought it was neat that I was doing this study while I am engaged. And come to think of it, it is. I am learning the type of woman I should be, the type of spouse I should be to Joe and what better time than right now?

Anyway, I finished one of my other devotionals today. The two topics were Suspicious of Suspicion and The Mind of Christ. The main things I gathered from these devotionals were that we shouldn't believe in rumors and to not concern ourselves with what others "may' think of us. I know, easier said than done. But we do need to realize that when we get wrapped up in these suspicions its the Devil working in us. Lastly, in the Mind of Christ devotional I learned that we need to try to think with "the mind of Christ" which led me to think of What Would Jesus Do?

Monday, May 28th
- Proverbs 31:12
- 1 Kings 11:4
- Proverbs 31 book p. 8

"She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life"

In verse 12 we see that the Proverbs 31 woman is with her husband all of the days of her life. She does not leave him. She follows her marriage vows.

While I agree with the book mostly, I do not agree with the part on page 8 that says we must not attempt to lead our husbands, we must have them lead us. While I think this is good in theory, where I take issue is in my relationship where I am a devout Christian and Joe is not. Shouldn't I be leading him? Should I be following his non-Christian acts? I think not.

Tuesday, May 29th
- Proverbs 31:13
- Colossians 3:23
- Proverbs 31 book p. 9-10

"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands."
Verse 13 shows us her work ethic, she works with eager hands.

I never really pictured myself as a "homemaker" but I suppose that is what I am currently since I am unemployed and Joe is the one who works full time. Reading the above verse and the assigned verse from Colossians 3:23 that states "work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people" got me thinking about my current "work". As of right now I am fully in charge of household tasks in addition to full time studying for the Bar. More often than not I dislike this position that I am in. I miss working at an actual job. Very very very much. I miss my financial independence. Very very very much. However, I know that this is what I have to do right now, until I pass the Bar and am able to have a paying job of my own again. Today I am praying that God will help me to have an eager attitude toward my work, that instead of dreading these daily tasks I will be excited and energized to accomplish them. A quote that struck me from the Proverbs 31 woman book was this: "God never condemns rest. He condemns laziness." I think that this quote goes far beyond just being busy and keeping a household, it can go to all aspects of one's life. I want to live my life with this quote in mind.

Wednesday, May 30th
- Proverbs 31:14
- Proverbs 9:1-2
- Proverbs 31 book p. 11

The focus of today was on the attributes of the Proverbs 31 woman to take care in the food and drink she presents and provides to her family and guests. Proverbs 31:14 says "she is like a merchant's ship, bringing her food from afar." This says to me that this woman does not simply rely on convenience, but rather she seeks out the best possible food for her family. Food is a necessity and the Proverbs 31 woman is quite picky. Not picky in a bad way. To be like Her we should shop to the glory of God, not just looking for convenience and quickness. We need take time and care to find the best deals, food, etc. for our families.

Today I pray that the Lord will help me to be the great hostess and provider that He wishes that I aspire toward.

Some of my thoughts this week...
It is amazing to me how much we can learn from just a few verses through simply delving into them more. Yes, it takes more time, but this is true Bible study, true learning about what God wants us to know.

Truth-Filled Thursday #1

My friend Brittany over at Three Years Down has recently started a weekly link-up she calls "Truth-Filled Thursday," in fact, this is her 4th week!

I have wanted to participate since her first week, but I have been busy and haven't been able to. Thankfully that is not the case this week!

Brittany's request for our post is simply this....  "I'd love to read how the Word of God has inspired you this week. Simply post a blog (or heck, even a tweet if you can fit it in that small) with the bible verse He's used in your life this week." <via>

I am almost done with week 2 of the Good Morning Girls' summer session and as I mentioned in my post yesterday for Women in the Word Wednesday, I have been learning so much. 

The verse that has had the biggest inspiration in me this week....

"her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life" 

[Proverbs 31:11]

I have further elaborated my thoughts regarding this verse here, and instead of re-posting them, you can go read them at the link!

If you would like to participate in this link-up, go to her blog here and then add your post to her linky!

Let me know if you decide to join in, I would LOVE to read other bloggers' posts

Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 2

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

I have decided that for these little weekly re-caps I am going to start with the following week's Thursday and then continue through the present Wednesday. Since I participate and post these on Wednesday's you will technically get half of the prior week and only half of the current week, but it should work out!

Thursday, May 17th
- Proverbs 31:7-8

I thought that these two verses were a good continuance after 5 and 6 which talked about not drinking as leaders and that alcohol was for the dying and those in bitter distress. I think the point of these two verses was to say that these people (the dying and distressed) can drink as a way to escape their fates, but that those of us who are leaders need to not drink so that we can speak up for those who can't. It is indeed a large burden to put on those who are leading, but I think it is a grand idea and a grand ideal to strive toward. While I love to drink on occasion, I will admit that I am in no shape to make decisions for others or to speak up for them when I am under the influence!

Friday, May 18th
- Proverbs 31:9

I really liked Proverbs 31:9. I don't know if it's because I feel like it resonates with me in my desire to become an attorney, but I feel like it is talking directly to me. I want to be able to assure that the poor and helpless get justice, I really do. I feel like reading this in conjunction with the prior verses is giving me the message that in order to obtain justice for others I need to have a clear head and that means to avoid intoxicating substances


Monday, May 21st
- Page 6 of Proverbs 31 Woman book
- Proverbs 31:10
- Proverbs 12:4

Reading page 6 of the Proverbs 31 book "How to be a Treasure to Your Husband" I found myself agreeing with some of the traits and then kind of disagreeing with others. Well I suppose disagreeing isn't the correct word. I guess I would just re-iterate that I sometimes believe that the Proverbs 31 woman sets an unreachable high standard! While I do agree that it is something that we women should all aspire to, I guess I just get down when I realize that I am nowhere near where I should be. Then I think to myself why should I think I'm nowhere near where I should be? Why do I have to put myself down for what I'm not, instead of building myself up for what I am? I guess that's where my personality and character comes in... I'm a perfectionist. If I'm not completely right about something then I assume I am completely wrong. Why does it have to be an all or nothing thing? I guess that's what I am continually trying to work on in myself. Pardon me for the side rant there, just needed to get it out.

I really like how Proverbs 31:10 refers to a virtuous and capable wife as being more precious than rubies. It just goes to show how valuable that type of wife is. I long to be that type of wife, and I suppose in my current relationship, that kind of fiancee.

Proverbs 12:4 says that a worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones. To me this says that a worthy wife is someone that the husband is proud to have, someone that he is proud to show off, someone that makes him a better man. While a disgraceful woman is something that the husband does not want to have, someone that is harmful to him, someone that is potentially even deadly for him

Tuesday, May 22nd
- Proverbs 18:22
- Proverbs 19:4

These verses were very insightful and I learned a good amount from them. My main observation from the 2 that were assigned for our study was that men should treasure their wives for they are gifts from God. In applying this to my own life I journaled that as women we must be this treasure, we must strive to be the understanding wives that God wants to give to our spouses.

Lastly, I prayed that God would help me to grow as an understanding woman and partner to my fiancee Joe and to make me the treasure that God wants me to be.

Wednesday, May 23rd
- Proverbs 31:11
- Proverbs 11:28
- Proverbs 28:26
- Proverbs 31 Woman book p. 7

While I journaled all of the verses, the main focus of my SOAP study was the verse specifically from Proverbs 31, number 11, which states that "her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life"

For me this is an extremely important trait of the Proverbs 31 woman. She is someone her husband can trust, whether it be with money, children, in the home, reputation, faithfulness, etc. It is not just trust with one thing, but with ALL things.

This verse is important to me because Joe and I have had trust issues in the past, largely because of myself and dumb actions that I have taken. I need to work on building back the trust that he has in me by being a trustworthy woman. I get upset that he doesn't already have it 100% back, but I need to realize that it isn't something that should be given freely and easily, it is something very important. The Bible says that through trust the woman will greatly enrich her husband's life. Focus on "greatly enrich." It doesn't just say "enrich" or "lightly enrich" it says "GREATLY." Something of this magnitude is very important and definitely not something to be taken lightly.

Today I pray that God will help me to become a woman that Joe can trust, that he will work on my resolve to not make the same dumb choices I have made in the past and that he will open Joe's eyes and heart to be able to feel full trust in me again.

I also recently shared my GMG goals with my group and thought I would share of them with you as well...
- Grow closer to God by spending more time in the word.
- Utitilize the SOAP method for my quiet time.
- Grow as a leader for other women and lead by example.

Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 1

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

I wasn't really 100% committed to these link-ups before, but I think that they can be beneficial in both getting your thoughts somewhat in order and in meeting other women who are in the word. Also, I am a GMG group leader for the first time, and what better way to lead than by example :)

I am not 100% sure what to blog about, so I thought I would just re-cap some of my ideas and thoughts that I have shared with my group thus far.

For those of you who are new to my blog, welcome! I hope you enjoy it and would love if you left a comment so that I could return the favor and visit your blog.

Monday - Proverbs 31:1-2
I thought the reading from the book was very insightful, the Proverbs 31 woman is a model that we as women should try to aspire toward, yet how many of us are actually like this woman? The woman in the scripture has no name. I feel that this is because there is no woman who is like this. I kind of look at it as aspirational. While I think we can be like the Proverbs 31 woman and while I would like to aspire to that, I am not 100% sure that I could be like her in every way. And I honestly think that is okay. I think the important thing is trying to be like her.

I also like the idea that Proverbs 31:1-2 alights upon, that King Lemuel was taught these messages from his mother. I think it is great that here in the Bible, where it is discussing the ideal woman and what she does it is a woman who is teaching her attributes. So often it seems like men dictate what women should do, wear, how they should act, etc. and to see that this message is coming from a woman makes me quite happy.

Tuesday - Proverbs 31:3-4

--Verse 3--"do not waste your strength on women" --> I think this means that women can have a lot of power in swaying men and that men should not be distracted by women

-- Verse 4 - importance is the warning against drunkenness, not just for the King, but also for anyone who has a role of power (as it says in the verse, "kings" "rulers")

Wednesday - Proverbs 31:5-6
What I thought was interesting in the verses for today was particularly in verse 5 where it says that "if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed"

Being in the legal field I have seen lots of lawyers, judges, etc. who are constantly around alcohol. I'm not sure if this was your experience Amanda and Alicia, but at every legal event I went to throughout law school and afterward it was almost as though alcohol was glorified. I do think a lot of lawyers and judges have problems with alcoholism and it just seemed interesting to me that the Bible mentions that alcohol may make people forget the law and here we have a society where those who have a big hand in giving justice are the ones who tend to have alcohol problems.

Women in the Word Wednesday #1

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls' Women in the Word Wednesday!

I recently joined an online Bible study with some fellow bloggers Brittany, Amanda, and AC.

GMG's Bible devotionals are focused on the book of Ephesians. However, I am currently in the midst of a 31 day devotional titled Fostering Hope. It is about foster children and foster families. While I was never a foster child or involved directly in a foster family, I do know many people who fall into one or both categories and I thought this devotional would help me in learning more about these wonderfully giving individuals and these individuals who have had many rough experiences in their lives.

Today's subtopic is "Heat"

A key part of my devotional was here... "some kids feel heat and pressure every single day. It doesn't go away when the seasons change. But it CAN be relieved when we are willing to be a refuge, a safe place for those around us who need it."

And the corresponding Bible verse is Isaiah 25:4 "But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall"