Unafflicted

My current Bible Study I'm doing is Beth Moore's Children of the Day. It's a study through 1 & 2 Thessalonians with Paul on his missionary journey. I'm only 1/3 of the way through, but it is a great lesson! I love doing Bible studies to learn more about the Bible. Digging deeper into God's word so I can learn more about Him! I've done several along with Beth Moore & Priscilla Shirer at this point and I've done some on my own. Unfortunately, time constraints don't allow me to do as many on my own these days as I wish. This season of my life is a bit hectic and that's okay. I love that God gives me these women to do studies with alongside the other women in my bible study group!

I must share that one of my favorite things about studying the Bible is seeing God's work all come together. A moment when you can see His abundance weaving through each part of the tapestry in His word! My lesson this morning interweaved with 2 past studies and I must share! It's a great word!

1 Thessalonians 3:1-4

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker1 in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

the HCSB version says (in v. 3) 3 so that no one will be shaken by these persecutions. 

Affliction in the greek translates to Thlìpsis - figuratively to oppress with evil, afflict, distress. (Zodhiates, Dictionary, s.v.). 

Afflictions come from satan. They are meant to torment us, oppress us, and bring harm to us. 

Verse 4 says, however, the people had been warned beforehand that they would suffer. Knowing that they were told of such things gave them the opportunity to plant their feet. Be on guard. To stand firmly against any strikes the enemy might throw at us.

Ephesians 6:13-14  Reminds us to stand firmly against the enemy while putting on God's armor. We don't have to fight. We just have to put on God's armor. I actually did a blogpost earlier this year on standing firm with the armor of God - here.

Exodus 14:13  commands us to stand firm and see the Lord's salvation. Verse 14 goes on to remind us once we stand firm, then the Lord will fight for us!

So we can remember we don't have to fight against the oppression, affliction, and distress that satan tries to afflict us with! The LORD will fight for us!! All we have to do is stand firm. Be prepared.. with our armor! Then, when the Author of Lies tries to afflict us we won't be shaken!

It's a choice, really. Satan will attempt to afflict us. We have been warned of such in the Bible. I am warning you now. He *will* attempt to afflict you! We can choose to be afflicted or to stand firm. We can choose to be shaken or to stand still. 

What will you do? Will you let the Lord fight for you? 

The Beautiful Woman

Life has been a bit crazy lately, so I apologize for just now getting back to finishing up our Proverbs 31 study! This study has been such a blessing to my life and I hope and pray it's blessed you too!

Proverbs 31:30-31

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The Hebrew word for fleeting here means “breath” or “vapor”. We can truly understand how fleeting beauty is when we know that the meaning of it is just a breath or just a vapor of time.

Lately I’ve been seeing Hollywood actors portrayed in online articles about botched plastic surgery or who went too far in their surgery attempts, etc. I read through these and truthfully.. it breaks my heart. These actors aren’t allowed to age in their profession. They’re not allowed to be real people with real faces and real bodies. I’m not against plastic surgery, honestly. I don’t have a problem with it and I don’t think it’s sinful or wrong. However, I think the heart behind it can be sinful. I think when we become obsessed to be something we aren’t, then there’s a sin issue. I think when we look at ourselves and pick ourselves apart because we aren’t beautiful enough and yet, we are made in the image of God, then I think there’s a sin issue. It’s my opinion that when enough is never enough… Just one more surgery, just a few more pounds lost or gained, just a few more things, etc. When we are never satisfied with who we are, what we have, and what we’ve been given.. then there is a sin issue. A heart issue. An issue that we need to take to the cross of Jesus and lay at His feet to find healing and restoration from Him. To find redemption in who He created us to be! 

photo credit www.enchantingquotes.com

As the Proverbs reveal to us... charm is deceiving. Beauty is fleeting… it's just a vapor. It comes and then it can just as easily go. But a woman who fears the Lord… she will be praised. She will be blessed. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you.” One of the most beautiful things we can understand about the Excellent Wife is that above all things regarding her appearance, she fears the Lord! She is concerned about what God thinks about her more than what others think about her. Her priorities are according to what God has called her to do.. not the expectation of others. She fears the Lord and because of this, 

then she is praised, admired, and honored by her family. Because of her fear of the Lord.. He rises up and His beauty shines upon her!

She is woman who is honored at the city gate. Women weren’t often recognized at the city gate, but an extraordinary woman definitely deserved extraordinary recognition. We can find so many wonderful assets & virtues about this woman and we can all hope that through prayer and growing closer to the Lord that we, too, can be an Excellent Wife (or for the unmarried... an Excellent Woman!)

What was your favorite part of learning about the Excellent Wife?

The Honorable Woman

Proverbs 31:26-29

When she speaks, her words are wise,

and she gives instructions with kindness.

She carefully watches everything in her household

and suffers nothing from laziness.

Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her:

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

but you surpass them all!”

The Proverbs 31 woman is knowledgeable. About her job, possibly about world events, she is well-read and knows what’s going on around her. This verse is also likely referring to her teaching her children and her servant girls. It may also mean that she has good advice and that others come to her seeking her wisdom and gentle instruction. As a homeschool Mom, verse 26 makes me proud as a woman to know that she was teaching her children then as I teach my children today!



She is organized and she carries out her duties faithfully and energetically. She isn’t lazy or expecting others to carry her load. We all have a knapsack to carry through life. Nobody can carry our knapsack for us. There are times when we have great burdens in our lives and others will help us through those times. Those times are often considered to be burdens or boulders. House fires, victims of natural disasters, cancer, etc. Things like this are when we can come along beside our sister or brother and help them carry the boulder of life that’s too heavy for them to carry alone. However, general life is rarely a boulder. General life is what is put into our knapsack.

I first learned this concept from the book Boundaries by Cloud & Townsend. Here is a quote from the book:

“The Greek words for burden and load give us insight into the meaning of these texts. The Greek word for burden means “excess burdens,” or burdens that are so heavy that they weigh us down. These burdens are like boulders. They can crush us. We shouldn’t be expected to carry a boulder by ourselves! It would break our backs. We need help with the boulders – those times of crisis and tragedy in our lives.
In contrast, the Greek word for load means “cargo,” or “the burden of daily toil.” This word describes the everyday things we all need to do. These loads are like knapsacks. Knapsacks are possible to carry. We are expected to carry our own. We are expected to deal with our feelings, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as the responsibilities God has given to each one of us, even though it takes effort.
Problems arise when people act as if their “boulders” are daily loads, and refuse help, or as if their “daily loads” are boulders they shouldn’t have to carry. The results of these two instances are either perpetual pain or irresponsibility.” (Cloud)

pic credit travel-ticker.com 

We must learn to carry our own knapsacks and the excellent wife does this and does it well. In doing so, she is taking responsibility for herself, her family, her actions, her work, and her daily tasks.

I read in one commentary that “This woman is not a doormat, slavishly trying to appease and please her family, no matter how unreasonable their demands. She is honored in her home. Here we gain an insight into the character of her husband as well. He teaches their children to respect her and the virtues she personifies.” (Price)


I’ve heard women who aren’t Christians to say that women aren’t respected in the bible. These comments are from women who are feminists in every sense of the word. They’ve obviously not read the bible, in my opinion. I’ve heard these women say that women had no rights and weren't treated well. I think it’s important to understand the context of this day in time. Women weren’t held in the same regard socially and politically like they are today. The social status of women were different than they are now. In addition to many scriptures where Jesus loves the women during this day.. I love to look in the Old Testament and see that this excellent wife is loved, respected, highly regarded, and honored in her home!

From The Heart of the Home

We as women all want to be honored and held in high esteem within our homes and among our families. I love that we can learn how to be honorable from this beautiful woman. Let me say that this doesn't mean we have to attain perfection. There is no such thing. Beauty comes from our relationship with Jesus and that's what my next post will be about!  For now, let's ponder on this idea of being an honorable woman!

The Investing Woman

Proverbs 31:16 

 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;

with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Photo credit: www.shecapital.com

Now, let's talk about the Investing Woman!

One commentator explains that the wife’s considering and buying a field have caused some to question the validity of this poem because women, it is argued, were not permitted to do that in those days. However, in this wealthy household she apparently had money to invest. Then out of her earnings from various investments (cf. “trading,” v. 18, and “sells,” v. 24) she plants a vineyard. She has a business mind and she works hard.[1]

She is industrious, for sure! This doesn’t mean that all women need to go into sales or real estate or even farming. However, it does mean that she is using her gifts & talents to help her family. She uses her mind and thinks logically about her decisions. She weighs her choices & chooses wisely what to do with her earnings. She is thinking long term when she buys a field and with that field chooses to plant a vineyard. We don’t know if her vineyard will be for selling produce, making/selling wine, or maybe it will be to help provide more food for her family. We don’t have to know what she’s going to do with the vineyard. However, we can know that she was wise enough to have her own earnings and re-invest those earnings into something that would be of further blessing & benefit to her family, in some way.

I think it’s necessary to note that she is royalty, so any earnings she has is extra. Maybe in your home the earnings aren’t extra so therefore you couldn’t necessarily save up to buy something as large as a vineyard to help provide for your family. 

In today's world and practically within our tightly budgeted homes of today here are some ways that I think we can invest into our homes and family life:

Prayer is one way we can invest into our families. Prayer changes lives! We strive to do a family prayer time together each night. Our children look forward to praying together. We thank God for our blessings. We pray for each other and others in our community.

Cooking meals and doing family meal time. This invests into the hearts and minds of our children. It feeds them spiritually and emotionally as well as physically.

I took my kids to get library cards as soon as they were old enough, because I want to invest into them a love for reading. This has been a real benefit to them academically!

Going to church together is investing in the spiritual health of your children while also investing into the family unit. It shows our children the importance of serving & being with fellow believers. It strengthens marriages and creates a family bond.

I think something as simple as investing in a few good pieces of clothing. It may cost more on the front end, but if it lasts 10 years then it was a good investment for your budget and your wardrobe. I must admit, I am the Queen of clearance racks at high end stores! You can find designer shirts for as low as $5 on clearance racks sometimes! Therefore, you’re also saving money & investing back into your budget.

For men, having basic tools can be an investment, and those tools can sometimes be passed down for generations. My husband has some tools that belonged to his grandfather. Not only are they helpful, but they're sentimental to him too!

These are just a few examples at how making wise choices can be an investment and a blessing into our family. It doesn’t have to be a piece of real estate. It can be many different things that we devote ourselves to in order to be a benefit and blessing to our household.

What are some beneficial ways you choose to invest into the heritage of your family?

Study these verses 

from the beginning: Proverbs 31:10

The Helpful Woman

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^[1] Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 972). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The Planning Woman

I am continuing to share my studies on the Proverbs 31 woman...

Let's take a look at Proverbs 31:13-15

Proverbs 31:13-15(HCSB)

She selects wool and flax

and works with willing hands.

 

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from far away.

 

She rises while it is still night

and provides food for her household

and portions[a] for her female servants.

Photo Credit: meditation.dmc.tv

Verse 13 & 14 are two of many verses that tells us she sews her own clothing, her family’s clothing, and even her bed linens. We know from the old testament that flax was dried and used to make linen (Joshua 2:6) and wool was spun to make yarn (Exodus 35:25) and during this day in age this is something that was necessary to do. 

In terms of today, we can look at this and know she was gifted at planning ahead. She shopped for these items and so we can know she worked hard to provide the best goods for a good price for her family. With planning ahead (because we know the flax had to be dried ahead of time before it could be woven into thread) and using her own talents as well as her own decorating skills, then she provided for her family with unique items like merchant ships would provide unique items to the ports from other countries.

Verse 15 tells us that she has servants, so we know that she has help within her household. Of course, this would be the case especially if this is the wife-to-be for a king. However, this woman is so noble and full of valor that she still wakes up early to care for her home & family. Have you ever worked for someone who worked alongside you? 

When the Hubs was manager over the shipping/receiving team at a big box store then he worked alongside his team. The team who was there had never had a manager who worked alongside of them before. Want to know what happened? He set the pace. The workers worked harder, they stocked faster, and they unloaded the trucks and got the shelves stocked quicker. Before he got that management position, then this team, of which he was a member, was severely lacking. They always ran late which cost the company more hours of pay and less hours of productivity. They would run over into hours in which the store would have customers. When they were finishing early & on time then the customers hadn't arrived yet… or the store was just opening. Therefore, it was easier to stock. So, like the example that he set for his crew members… this woman is setting the pace for her household.

I think so often we can forget that we as women set the pace and the mood for our home. That’s a big responsibility for us, but definitely not one to be taken lightly.  Not always, but often in our home… if I look around and feel like everything is spiraling out of control or chaos is rampant, it’s because I, myself, feel like I am spiraling out of control with frustration or irritation and chaos will be so apparent because I am in a place of chaos myself. This isn’t *always* the case, but I can humbly admit to you… that it does happen for me. When it does, then it trickles down to the Hubs and the kids. 

No doubt, it’s usually when we’re trying to get out the door and the dog bolts out the front door, my youngest needs a diaper change, our big kids forget something they need, I can’t remember if I turned my hot iron off for my hair, and all of this is happening while we are already running a late. I hate to admit to you, this happens more often than I care to say! Those moments are so chaotic for me and I don’t do well in chaos. Furthermore, it deeply affects my family. I have learned to be a planner so that chaos is further from my life than it used to be, but yes… it does rear it’s ugly head on me occasionally. I am a work in progress, no doubt, but I praise the Lord my life doesn't lend itself to the chaos it used to. Which makes for a happier life for all of us! 

How do you contribute to the mood of your home? Do you tend to be a planner or does chaos ensnare you?

Go back to verses 10-12
Helpful Woman

Go forward to verse 16
Investing Woman

The Helpful Woman

I promised to share my study of Proverbs 31 woman when I wrote my last blog posting, An Excellent Wife?! So here I will began posting my studies. I have learned so much and truly enjoyed learning more about this Excellent Wife. She's not just a wife though.. she is every woman! As we draw closer to God, then we can become excellent women. I hope you can learn some things about her like I did! Finding wisdom in her testimony and the understanding of this woman, in her day, will hopefully bless you like it did me!

Photo Credit: http://faraboverubies-3110.blogspot.com/

Here's some background about this chapter:

Proverbs 31 was written to King Lemuel from his mother. Lemuel means “belonging to God” and this is the only mention of King Lemuel in the Bible that we know of.

Interesting note: These last verses of Prov. 31 is an acrostic poem.

Psalms that follow an acrostic pattern begin each line with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Since the Hebrew alphabet contains 22 letters, psalms written with this structure demonstrate great skill on the part of the psalmist: acrostic psalms must both say something meaningful as well as conform to the sequence of the alphabet.

Psalm 111 is a complete acrostic psalm & Psalm 119 is perhaps the most recognizable acrostic psalm. It consists of 22 stanzas of eight verses, each set of which begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

It is not clear if acrostic patterns were used for any reason other their aesthetic value. It is possible they were used to aid memorization. This may be true especially in shorter acrostics like Psalms 111. It is also possible they are meant to portray comprehensiveness (i.e., everything from A to Z). For example, the acrostic in Psalm 119 seems to represent a comprehensive statement about responding to God and His Law. [1]

Let's begin with Proverbs 31:10-12

The wife of noble character is also spoken of in 12:4. Ruth was referred to as being noble in Ruth 3:11. Noble can also be translated as “capable”. In Exodus 18 when Moses appointed different men to be over groups of hundreds, fifties, tens, etc. then God told him to find capable men for this position. Capable means to fear God and be honest & trustworthy. Noble also translates to mean a virtuous woman with moral integrity, strength, and courage.

Capable and noble men and women are rare to find. That’s why the Psalmist is asking us “who can find one?” Not because it’s impossible, but because someone with this type of character is rare.

photo credit: www.parents.com

In verses 11, 23, & 28 her husband is mentioned. This is a total of 3 times and is also mentioned in verse 12 as “him”. He relies on her and her household management skills. Because of her skill then it enhances his wealth. This makes me think of a woman who is frugal and doesn’t waste money. She stretches her dollars. Maybe she coupons. Maybe she finds good deals when shopping. Maybe she knows how to bargain with sales people. Maybe she is patient to wait til something is on sale before she buys it. Maybe she sews her own clothing or that of her children? Maybe she works to help provide income while also managing the household. There are many ways for a woman to contribute to a man’s wealth. The noble wife will do what she needs to do to be a blessing and contribute to the family income! She longs to be helpful and not a burden to their financial budget.

As verse 12 elaborates.. she is an asset to him. She helps him, supports him, and encourages him! She does not encumber him. She is faithful to help him all of her life. The good that comes to him is directly because of the help his wife offers him! This makes me think of the old saying, “Behind every good man is a woman.” Not from the feminist standpoint.. this phrase actually can be traced back before the 1940’s.. before the feminist movement. I think of it from the standpoint that it is the love, support, encouragement, and help mate of a wife who helps to make her husband successful & great!

I personally like to coupon and look for good deals or shop clearance sales! I am also never afraid to ask for a discount!! (Honestly, asking is the hardest part.. I can nearly always get a discount just because I ask for one!) 

What about you? What are some ways you enjoy  contributing to your household?

Go to verses 13-15 

The Planning Woman

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^[1] Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Loving God with our Mind

I had the privilege of hearing Jen Wilkins speak at a Women's Leadership Conference just a few weeks ago. I also have had the privilege of reading her book, "Women of the Word" and have been enlightened by a new concept. Loving God with your mind!

I've been deep in the word since July of this year, and I must tell you... the more I read, the hungrier for God's Word I get!  I want to know more. I want to understand more. I want to gorge on His word and digest it deep within my soul! For me, someone who felt stupid for much of my life... this is *exciting* to me!!

I have a women's breakfast coming up in a couple of days for our church and felt really compelled to share this new concept with them...loving God with your mind! So here is what I wrote. Some of it from my own studies and some of it adapted from Jen Wilkin's book.

Did you know the word disciple means “learner”? As a disciple of Christ, you and I are called to learn, and learning requires effort.

Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27 both command us to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

The Bible is a book that boldly and clearly reveals who God is on every page. In Genesis it does this by placing God as the subject of creation. In Exodus, it places him in comparison to Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. In the Psalms, David extols the Lord’s power and majesty. The prophets proclaim his wrath and justice. The Gospels & Epistles unfold his character in the person and work of Christ. The book of Revelation displays his dominion over all things. From beginning to end the Bible is a book about God.

We are so often mislead into thinking the Bible is really about us though. Asking it to teach us how to live and assure us that we are loved and forgiven. We are these things!! But the purpose of the Bible isn’t just about me or written solely to help me.

We must turn around our habit of asking “Who am I?” and we must ask, “What does this teach me about God?” We must acknowledge that this book is about God before we can ask it to teach us anything about ourselves. The bible was given to us so that we can learn who God is, so that we can receive more wisdom about the truths of God, and in turn… fall more in love with Him.

When we know something, then we love that something, don’t we? When I met Andy, then I knew I loved him, but truthfully I did not *really* know Andy. We met on the internet in July. We were engaged in October and got married in June. Being in 2 different states, We saw eachother less than 10 times before we got married although we talked by phone often. Did we really know eachother? Not at all! Although we thought we did!! Now that I know him… really know him.. 12 years later, then I love him so much more today than I *thought* I loved him 13 years ago.

I also love architecture and old buildings and anything to do with history. I love the dress of the 1800’s and history of what it was like to live in the early 1900’s. I relish anything historical. I love to watch period dramas and read historical fiction. The more I learn about the hard work it takes to create architectural pieces of art, then the more I appreciate it. The more I learn about the reason for the dress of days long ago or how they lived, then I fall in love with that era even more. The more I learn, the more I love it and appreciate it. The same is true with God.

A Yale PhD professor of cognitive psychology who specializes in pleasure research who studied how humans develop the ability to derive pleasure from people, experiences, and things. He has discovered through his research that pleasure doesn’t simply occur, it develops. And how it develops is a point worth noting: “People ask me, “’How do you get more pleasure out of life?’ and my answer is extremely academic: Study more.”

Attaching our intellect to our faith doesn’t come easily though. For many of us, the strength of our faith is gauged by how we’re feeling… about a song, about a sermon, about our quiet time. However, in Romans 12:2-3 says “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” In this verse, Paul states we can have renewal, but we have to renew our mind… not our heart. 

It's a wonderful thing when our hearts overflow with affection for the Lord, but emotion alone isn't enough. John Piper rightly says, "The apex of glorifying God is enjoying him with the heart. But this is an empty emotionalism where that joy is not awakened and sustained by true views of God for who he really is." The way we know God truly in our hearts is through the right use of our minds.

As we grow in wisdom of who God is and His character through studying His Word, we cannot help but grow into a much deeper love for Him. This further explains why Romans 12:2 says we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

David asked Solomon to serve God with both his heart and mind. Some people are all heart and no mind in their service to God; others are all mind and no heart. Both of these are important in order to truly serve Him.

The crux of it is… Bible study that equips us doesn’t divorce our heart from studying. It puts the heart in the right place: informed by the mind.