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Giving a Hand

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Mrs. P31 not only looks after her family, she also takes care of others.  Proverbs 31:20 says, “She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the  needy.” We talked recently about how God’s heart breaks for those in need and how He uses us to bless them. This verse in Proverbs 31 speaks directly about the poor, but what would happen if we really opened our eyes to those around us who are in need?

Ruth Graham wrote a book entitled In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart. Her premise was that we can’t tell just by looking at each other in our “Sunday best” how hard someone’s life may be. I think of this each Sunday when I look around our sanctuary. I try to think about it each time I leave the house. There are broken, needy people all around us. Many just need a helping hand to give them the encouragement they need.

The Proverbs 31 woman knew that by giving a little of herself to someone else, she could make a big difference in that person’s life. Here are ten ways we can give a hand to someone in need this week:

image via Microsoft
  1. Hold babies in the church nursery.
  2. Write a letter to a friend.
  3. Help another customer at the grocery store pick-up something she dropped.
  4. Bake cookies to share.
  5. Take a friend’s kids to the park and push them on the swings.
  6. Loan a book that had a real impact on your life to someone else who may enjoy it.
  7. Visit a neighbor and take her a pumpkin or mum to decorate her home for fall.
  8. Comment on a blog post that really speaks to you and pass on the link.
  9. Gather up clothes your family has outgrown and pass them on to someone in need.
  10. Ask your waiter if he has any prayer requests and lift him up as you pray for your meal out.

Take time to pray for those you come in contact with this week. Ask God to open your eyes to their needs, big or small. Be sensitive to the Spirit who nudges you to do what you can to help. Be willing to give a hand when you have the opportunity!

What little thing has someone done for you that made a big difference?

Linked up to Oh Amanda’s Top Ten Tuesday!

Abiding Fruit :: Galatians 5:16-26 :: The Secret to Fruit-Filled Living

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Are you looking for the secret to fruit-filled living? Well, look no further, here’s your answer.

Walk by the Spirit.

My annoying shoes

That’s it folks. Galatians 5:16-26 does not tell us “Go, be more patient. Learn to be more self-controlled. And, would you stop those fits of anger already?”

There is just one central command. Walk by the Spirit.

In verse 16, the Greek word used here is peripateo, which is derived from the word peri (all around) and pateo (to tread). So, the meaning here is to walk around.

Everywhere, all the time, walk by the spirit.

But Paul uses a different greek word in verse 25. Stoicheo, which means to keep in step with. Like those following their military orders.

“Left, left, left, right, left.”

The Spirit of God is moving and active. We are to follow Him, listening and waiting for our marching orders, ready to conform to His plan for every moment of our days.

If we do not keep in step with the Holy Spirit, we do not just stand still. By default we walk in the flesh.

Walk by the power of the Holy Spirit, and fruit will come. 

Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

Oh how I get this backwards! I like to focus on the “to-do”s, as if I can produce patience or love through working hard for it. But trying to keep up with any sort of list is exhausting, and ultimately a futile pursuit. My “to-do” list is ultimately the way of the flesh.

I can never do all the “do”s and don’t all the “don’t”s. There is only one thing I can do that will bring any hope for change. Stay needy.

As you and I walk by the power of the Spirit, it is only then we have hope for the fruit we long for in our lives. Because, it is only then we are in step with the only One who can bring fruit.

Seeing the fruit of the Spirit in my life brings assurance of my salvation.

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God…And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:21,24

The nastiness of the flesh comes easy. I don’t have to exert much effort to have fits of anger when my children push my buttons. The outbursts just happen. I don’t tell myself to be jealous of another’s waist size, most days it seems innate.

But there are days when I can see the fruit and I know that it came from outside of myself. When I get a paycheck, and I want to give as much of it as I can to gospel causes. When I pick up the messes in my house one more time, and find joy in serving my family. When I shut the computer down and get to bed on time, so I can wake at 5:30 to spend time with my God.

My sinful flesh wants to sleep in (and does), it constantly craves more stuff, and it certainly does not want to serve others. So it is in these moments, when I do contrary to what my flesh desires, that I see fruit. It is through seeing this fruit in my life that I can know that there is an all-powerful God who loves me and is working in me to produce this fruit, because I am His child.

Walk by the Spirit = Abide in Christ

This coming week we will be studying John 15:1-11, a passage all about abiding in the Vine. This is just another metaphor for the same thing- stay in His presence.

What did you learn this week through Galatians 5:16-26? Feel free to share any links to posts you’ve written!

Photo Credit

The Strong Mrs. P31

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Photo from Photobucket

“She is clothed with strength and dignity;  she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25

Strong. It’s a word I always think of when I think about my mom. Her strength was evident by the way she handled life, death and all things in between. She wasn’t perfect, but she was strong.

The strength we see described in the Proverbs 31 woman is much more about her character than it is about her physical strength. It’s demonstrated well when a woman strengthens her arms, it’s demonstrated best when a woman strengthens her heart.

Strength is a beautiful thing when worn with dignity and when a woman is strong, she’s an ornament of grace.

Proverbs 31:25 not only unveils the strength of the illusive Mrs. P31, but it also reveals her confidence as well. Because she is strong, she is confident. Because she is confident, she is strong.

Strength doesn’t mean she is immune to the difficulties of this life – it means she’s confident enough to walk through them with grace.

And while readers of the Word have had the privilege of seeing the strength of Mrs. P31 on display throughout the centuries, we know that the strength which flowed so freely from her life found its wellsprings in her reverential fear of the Lord.

As we ponder the path of the strong Mrs. P31, let’s remember each footprint she left was graciously laced with dignity.

STRENGTH IS…

  • Morally Upright
  • Courageous
  • Persevering
  • Authoritative
  • Influential
  • Self-Controlled
  • Confident
  • Prepared
  • Valiant
  • Honorable
  • Gracious

STRENGTH IS NOT…

  • Stubborn
  • Arrogant
  • Rigid
  • Forceful
  • Condemning
  • Indecisive
  • Argumentative
  • Harsh

I’m so glad my mom left a legacy of strength and dignity. I long to leave the same.

How about you? What kind of legacy are leaving? Is it one of strength? Is it one of dignity? The fact that she is clothed with strength and dignity begs the question…What are we wearing?

Today, as you consider the strength of the Proverbs 31 woman, will you examine your own strength through the lens of her life? 

She’s a Worker, That Girl

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I grew up primarily in rural Oklahoma communities.   People valued family, God, and hard work.  These were farmers and ranchers, small business owners and teachers, and they knew the value of being a person who worked diligently and competently.    I can remember hearing older people make the comment, “She’s a worker, that girl” about women I knew and, even as a young child, realizing it was the highest compliment they gave.

I imagine our Mrs. P31 would have received that praise.

She rises while it is still yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.  She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Proverbs 31:15-16, 24, 27

Today, we have so many ways to squander our time … so many opportunities to “eat the bread of idleness.”    From the internet to the hundreds of channels on TV, we can spend our days in front of screens and never accomplish one thing of purpose.

This trait of industriousness is a key factor in developing the character of Mrs. P31.   After all, she stayed so busy she didn’t have time to waste on meaningless things like gossip.     I’m certainly not advocating that we all are expected to become businesswomen and manage companies or home businesses … but I do believe we are all called to the very high privilege of “looking well to the ways of our households.” 

Today, will you choose to be industrious over idle?  Will you use your time well to bless your family?  

Cross country endurance

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Endurance only happens when there is a challenge, usually accompanied by some pain.

 

This fall I’m learning so much from cross country. I’m not the runner; I’m the mother of the runner, and as I watch and cheer, I’m observing. Last week a large group of girls gathered at the start, some shooting out fast from the line to take front positions, but they couldn’t sustain it. The winners were those who were committed to their goal, prepared to go the distance, and wise enough to set a good pace.

 

When was the last time God brought a painful challenge into your life as a wife? As if to work out the P31 gal’s endurance in my own heart in a fresh way, just yesterday the Lord led me to a low place. (You can read the nitty gritty here.) I wrestled between my fleshly desires and my godly ones. A hardship tempts us to cast aside the goal of godliness with excuses like, “That Proverbs 31 wife isn’t even realistic!” The pain suggests we weren’t prepared for something “that disappointing.” We might  be inclined to just flop down, burst into tears, and whine out our troubles as if we can not be victorious … aka “meltdown.”

 

In circumstances that stretch us in life and marriage, we do our husband’s good by resisting the urge to fall apart and striving, instead, to persevere in a godly response. In times of hardship, excellence endures.  A challenge involving pain gives us opportunity to do our husband “good” by contributing our endurance.

Oh, Lord, help us be women of excellence who:

  • commit to the goal of godliness, staying focused on that goal when we are under life’s assault
  • go the distance and embrace the extra mile it takes to be excellent
  • set a pace of wisdom we can sustain in our married life

P31 isn’t just a sprinter; she is diligent all day, she makes the most of her available time, she provides what her household needs, and sets her selfishness to do what’s best for her loved ones (vv. 14-15, 18).  On the cross country trail, as well as on the marriage trail, there will be women on the course who don’t take their training seriously, and it will show in their lack of victory and in the condition in which they cross the line, if they finish. It was show in their husband’s spirit, freedom, and prosperity. Is he carrying an extra load, or doing life alongside a woman of endurance?

 

There’s no doubt the course is hard, including challenges that promise pain. We’ll see it on the faces of those around us, and we’ll display it in our own. Marriage isn’t for those who lack commitment to the goal,  readiness to go the distance, and wisdom in pacing.  The teams that win are teams that endure. Let’s make our husbands glad we’re on their team!

 

What challenge has God allowed in your life to give you the chance to endure with your man?

 

I’m Remembering, Because Stuff Will Happen

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Sometimes I feel like I say the same things over and over. I guess it’s because I DO say things over and over, like use an inside voice or brush your teeth or take your finger out of your nose. I say that about 843 times each day.

I say these things again and again because my kids get distracted. They know what they are supposed to be doing but the Nerf gun on the floor grabs their attention or their Webkinz puppy calls from cyber-space. They get distracted.

But I get distracted.



Today, this day, I need to be reminded of true things because stuff will happen.

The daily lists and chores and errands and kids will happen. And they happen loud and quick. Disease and betrayal and death may knock, aiming to steal my footing. But regardless, I have choice with every single moment of today.

In this day, by His grace, I want to choose to believe what He says. Because His Word works.

Believing His love to be over me and surrounding me causes the fear to bow down. Casting all my cares upon Him brings peace that passes all earthly understanding. His Word is true. And when we choose to meditate upon it and reckon it so, blessing flows.

In the moments of this day, I’m telling myself the true things…again. Because, no doubt, stuff will happen.


What promise are you actively believing today?


Most creative

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In my dark closet corner, there’s a plastic bag stuffed with neatly folded strips of crimson material. It’s remnants of a quilt I began and evidence that I’m a Michael’s craft class drop out.  Occasionally, my hand brushes against the sack, and I wonder, “How did I go from being voted “Most Creative” in high school (forget Best Hair, Best Smile ..) to being beaten by a Log Cabin pattern in the back of a craft store? Is there hope for me to reach the bar set by the “Most Creative” wife of Proverbs 31?

 

I could try to sell you excuses like I’m 25 years older, have  a husband to keep up with, children to  keep me busy,  budget with no line for “craft stuff,” and no extra room to “spread out.”  But Mrs. P31 was a gal with similar challenges, and she managed to stock up on supplies and clothe herself to reflect her creative flair … all before Michael’s Crafts and Hobby Lobby existed. Proverbs paints an attainable, even realistic, picture of creativity:

  • 13 “She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.”
  • 19 “She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.”
  • 22 “She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.”

Mrs. P31 has a willing attitude. Her hands weren’t obligated, resentful, or angry; they were willing. The focus is on her willingness to use her time and talent, whatever that looked like, to provide for her home. It’s not the particular craft or task that made her excellent. Her home must’ve been more beautiful, comfortable, and unique, because she was the woman of the house. How motivated are you to be inventive in your home?

 

She has a wide range of skills. Before online shopping, P31 had to “seek” supplies and use manual implements.  No one does everything, but she was resourceful and diverse. Remember this is a composite of qualities to strive for, not a single example to copy. Are you looking for new ways to enhance your home?

 

With her willing spirit and scope of abilities, P31 approaches creativity with a godly manner.  Unlike a child’s first cross-stitch, with strings and knots hanging, the excellent woman’s work is something worthy to cover the bed she shares with her husband, something noble and elegant, reflecting her character. Maybe your strings and knots ARE beautiful! Does your home reflect your spirit?

 

P31 might be sad for us at the way our lifestyles often crowd out creativity. The beauty we add to our household doesn’t have to look just like hers, but we can pursue her willing spirit, her range of skill, and her godly manner as make our world more enjoyable and interesting.

 5 Ways to Be a Creative Wife

  • Let your creativity come through in cooking. How long has it been since you made something new?
  • Has God gifted you with skill to beautify the lives of your family? Write a poem; paint a wall hanging; make a rug; plant a garden; invent a pizza; redesign your bedroom; create a scrapbook.
  • There’s more than one way to keep a home. Use your God-given creative juices to move furniture, organize the closet, make a lunch note, write on a bathroom mirror, or make a quilt (you go girl!).
  • If you have children, you HAVE to be creative. Get creative with entertaining children, using voices to read aloud, making a table tent, or helping your tween match an outfit.
  • Take it from the “Most creative” of 1986 – Creativity isn’t limited to paint and mod podge. How about enjoying the freedom to be creative in how you show affection to your husband?  He’ll thank you.

Am I jealous of the P31 wife? Maybe I’m jealous of her  “bed covering” … but I’m inspired to know I can pursue her willing spirit, her range of skills, and her excellent manner. My creativity will look different from hers and from yours, and we don’t even have to sign up at the local craft store.

 

I’m praying your home and mine will be more beautiful, unique, artistic, & CREATIVE … because we’re the woman of the house!

What can you do today to make your home more creative?

Good or Bad?

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Every person in our life affects us in some way – either for good or for bad. Individual relationships can help or hinder. Build up or tear down. Bring joy or pain. Foster peace or turmoil. Encourage or discourage.

Think about the people in your own life. How do you feel about the people who hinder, tear down, cause pain, foster turmoil, or discourage? You probably want to get as far away from them as possible.

Now think about the ones who help, build up, bring joy, foster peace, and encourage. Feel all warm and fuzzy? Those are the people you can’t get enough of. You want to be close to them. To spend as much time with them as possible.

Our Proverbs 31 woman was someone we would have wanted as a friend. She would have done us “good,” not bad. Proverbs 31:12 specifically tells us how she treated her husband:

She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.  Proverbs 31:12, ESV

First, she did not do him “harm.” The virtuous woman does not treat her husband wickedly or mischievously. She does not injure him in any way. I find it quite telling that the Hebrew word translated as “harm” can also mean “malignant.” A wife who does her husband harm is like cancer to the body. She eats away at him, killing his joy and injuring his spirit.

Instead, the virtuous wife does her husband “good.” This Hebrew word means “good, pleasant, beautiful, excellent, lovely, delightful, convenient, joyful, cheerful, kind, righteous, fruitful, pleasant…” Stop! I had to edit for time’s sake. I could have gone on, but you get the idea.

What I find interesting is that this word has practical and economic implications. She didn’t simply make her husband feel good (though I’m sure he definitely felt good). She helped him in ways that provided practical and financial benefits. She encouraged him in all aspects of life.

Imagine how her husband felt about her. She spent her life doing him “good,” not “harm.” She was his primary encourager. I’m sure he cherished her. Don’t you want to be cherished? I certainly do.

Let’s be honest with each other today. Do you feel you have brought your husband “harm” or “good?” Do you encourage or discourage him? In what ways?

Abiding Fruit :: Introduction

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It all starts with a seed. The gospel message, planted in the hearts of His people.

From a tender shoot to a strong trunk, the faithful Gardener nurtures this precious seedling. He has a great plan for this seed in us; to grow, strengthen, and bear fruit.

For those of us who have received this good news, we have been given an incredible treasure. While the gospel-seed brings joy inexpressible and life eternal, it is not mainly for those who receive it.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news…that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1,3

All for His Glory

God’s ultimate plan for you and I is not just to receive, through faith, this seed of the gospel. He intends for this seed to grow into a strong, fruit-bearing, God-glorifying tree.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8

As we grow into a firmly-planted tree, fruit will come and this fruit will bring more seeds. Gospel-seeds will be planted into more hearts and these delivered disciples will bring glory to God.

Facing Reality

I don’t know about you, but there are days when I don’t feel like a strong, flourishing tree. Seasons come and the fruit on my branches is small and tasteless. There are plenty of moments where there is little proof of discipleship in my life.

God’s plan for me is to bear fruit, and I want to bear good fruit. But I can’t just resolve to be more fruitful and force the fruit to come. I’ve tried that; it doesn’t work.

So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. Matthew 7:17

I cannot bear good fruit on my own. I am diseased and, on my own, powerless to bear good fruit. Yet, God has charged us to bear good fruit. So, there must be a way!

The Secret to Bearing Fruit

Today we kick off our Abiding Fruit study series. This week, the study guide will lead us to take a deeper look at how we can bear the fruit of the Spirit. As we look at the different layers of Galatians 5:16-25 each day, let’s see if we can find the secret to becoming a healthy, fruitful tree.

…I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide… John 15:16

What are you looking forward to in our study this week?

How is your fruit-bearing lately?


Come back next Monday, when we will take a deeper look at Galatians 5:16-25 together.

 

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Welcome to the Story {Book Review}

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When you read the Bible do you wonder how all the pieces of scripture are related to one another?

Do you struggle with understanding how the whole of God’s Word can apply to your life?

Are you a bit intimidated by theology? Do the words soteriology and eschatology make your head spin?

If so, I have just the book for you!

Welcome to the Story: Reading, Loving and Living God’s Word is an easy-to-read, enjoyable book which hits on the big picture of what the Bible is all about.

Creation. Fall. Redemption. Restoration.

These four pieces to the plotline pop up all over the pages of Scripture. Getting the big picture of this biblical narrative helps make sense of all the various details in Scripture, as well as all the details of theology.

If you are unfamiliar with these major themes and how they are weaved throughout all of the Bible, this will be a helpful read for you. As we understand better how all of Scripture fits into these themes it affects our reading, studying and applying of the Bible.

In Welcome to the Story, Nichols also hits on important doctrines such as “already/not yet,” the cultural mandate, incarnational ministry and more. If these are foreign concepts to you, this book will be a great introduction for you.

After giving us a bird’s-eye-view, Nichols then gives us helpful tips on how to read and apply God’s story to our lives.

Included are tips on how to learn to love the Word of God, steps towards a transformed mind, and a “cheat sheet” for reading the Bible.

Welcome to the Story is available for purchase over at Crossway.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of Welcome to the Story, in exchange for my review. Opinions stated are mine.

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