As you know I went to a conference in the fall. Afterwards that conference sent me some devotionals. I thought hmm....what if I worked through those instead? So that's what I'm doing. Not advent devotionals, but something different. I may post what Justin and I do for the advent season as well...but not pressure there please! :)
Revive our hearts was a major sponser of the True Woman Conference that I attended. They are the ones that sent out the devotionals.
The first few devotions are based on Proverbs 31.
This is what Nancy DeMoss had to say in the first email to me
Where do you get your ideas about what it means to be a woman? Who has the most influence on your behavior and attitudes? Learn what the Bible has to say about being a woman!I was then referred here for further information. :) I know...lots of background stuff. But it means that for the next few days we'll be spending time in Proverbs 31, learning what it means to be a true woman of God as seen in Proverbs 31. Believe me...I know that being a woman after God's own heart is more than following Proverbs 31, but Proverbs 31 gives a good glimpse of what to aim for doesn't it?
- We want to be women who, in every area of our lives, are controlled by the Word of God. That is what will make an impact on a world that desperately needs to see Christ incarnated and lived out through all of life.
- As older women, we can hold up the hands of younger women. We can encourage them, and we can direct them to Scripture and help them flesh out what it looks like to be a woman after God's own heart.
- In Proverbs 31, we get a picture of this woman's character, priorities, values, daily routine, marriage, and family life. All of this flows out of the fact that this woman has a reverence for God.
10An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
She is far more precious than jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29"Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
One of the things that struck me as I was at this conference was how well the women's movement has invaded the church. How words have been twisted to mean something else, how there is a lot of anger at men in the world...and that even invades the church! It shouldn't! Our brothers in Christ deserve more than that! Made me stop and think about how do I talk about my hubby? How do I encourage others to talk about their men? How can I make a small difference in this? How can I make a difference in any of it? And all I can think of....be a better example of what it means to be a woman of God.
And though this Proverbs 31 woman seems WAY beyond me... I do think I can do better than what I am. That I can! :)
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