Day 89: Thank You

Congratulations! You made it to the end of this 90 day study.  With only tomorrow to review Proverbs 31, I pray you have taken at least one thing away from it that will impact how you will continue to work towards becoming the woman God wants you to be.  Thank you for being a part of this journey!  

Heartland Community Church will be starting their fall bible study on the book of Exodus.  Join us on Tuesdays starting September 16 from 7-8:30pm or Fridays starting September 19 from 9-10:30am with childcare provided at this time for a small fee. Click this link to register http://sunprairie.heartland.cc/staying-current/ 

God bless!

Day 88: Determine to Finish Well

In these last weeks we have learned a lot about ourselves and our character as women of God. We have discovered and worked on areas of our lives we've never thought about before and patted ourselves on our backs when we realized we've already been doing others.  I am so excited for you to run the race towards becoming the woman God is calling you to be with a fierce determination.  Please share the #1 thing you will take away from this study?

Day 87: Encourage and Strengthen Yourself

Our God is so faithful that in our worst moments He is the place we go to find strength and encouragement.  He knows us better than we know ourselves and can give us exactly what we need to get back out there.  Find ways to strengthen yourself through bible study or daily bible verses in the car, at home, during lunch break or whatever works for you.  God will meet you where you are restoring your strength.

Day 86: Cultivate a Caleb Heart

Often we set God aside because we get caught up in ourselves, our lives and our plans.  Caleb followed God for 45 years based on what God told Moses.  Can you imagine 45 years from now feeling just as strong as you are today based on a message someone else received from God for you?  Our God is calling us to be patient as He has a great plan for each of us.  We probably won't become king like David (who waited 22 years) or inherit a great land like Caleb but the roles God designed for us, no matter how big or small, are just as important in His eyes.  Work on cultivating your Caleb heart so when you are 85 you can look back and say with confidence, "I, however, have followed the LORD my god wholeheartedly."

Proverbs 31: 10-31

A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

 

She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

    and works with eager hands.

 

She is like the merchant ships,

    bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;

    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

    her arms are strong for her tasks.

 

She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindles with her fingers.

 

She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

 

She makes coverings for her bed;

    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

 

She makes linen garments and sells them,

    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

 

She speaks with wisdom,

    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 

Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all."

 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

 

Give her the reward she has earned,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

Day 85: Commit Yourself to Healthy Aging

Every day is a great adventure, not just another to drag yourself through.  By bringing our positive attitudes and the Holy Spirit we have the strength to handle whatever comes our way with grace and gratitude. Be aware of the opportunities God presents to you personally.  It could seem like a bothersome situation or could it be the moment someone sees God through your words and actions.  Changing our perspective to see a God working in every moment will allow us to view our day very differently and possibly offer a better quality of life.

Day 82: Get Your Legal and Financial Affairs in Order

Wisdom to prepare for the future will not only give us peace of mind but will make things a little easier for those around when we are gone.  Getting your affairs in order is an unpleasant thought but look at it as providing wisdom for those left behind to sort out your estate. 

Day 81: Avoid Financial Folly

God calls us to extend our hands to the needy and give, however, giving doesn't always include money. Offer your time or expertise to help others, it could be exactly what they need.  Enjoy your harvest and but always be ready to bless others.  

Day 80: Live within Your Means

It's great to think the life span of our culture is getting longer and longer allowing us time to teach our grandchildren and possibly great-grandchildren about God.  Financial reality is often be overlooked when we buy items impulsively spending outside our means.  Let's put all of our efforts into pursuing God and allow our contentment with simplicity offer us great gain beyond this world.

Day 79: Prepay Your Mortgage

Paying down any loan before your designated term is up can be very rewarding.  Maybe it's your student loans, a car loan or a second mortgage.  Is there something you owe money on that you have been wanting to pay off?

Proverbs 31: 31

Give her the reward she has earned,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

Day 78: Get a Reality Check

Since our God is not one of disorder but of peace we can rest easy knowing and trusting He has a plan for us.  This week could be a good time to sit down by yourself or with your spouse and talk over retirement plans or check to see where your retirement accounts are at today.  Money doesn't have to be the only topic of conversation, what are your dreams and goals for retirement?

Day 75: Host God's Servants

As we grow and change in our relationship with God and let Him direct our paths, the things really worth living for come into sharp focus. Let's live by God's priorities and allow Him fill our hearts with His desires.  Again, being a hostess is not a calling for all of us.  God's servants travel near and far working long, exhausting hours spreading the new news of our Savior who died for us.  Are you feeling called to offer your home as a place of refuge and rest? 

Day 74: Open Your Home for Hospitality

No matter what your job title is, the title "A Worshiper of God" is one that can make any of us feel complete and balanced.  When we pray, listen for God's answer and know we are following His will for our lives we find our balance and our homes will find peace.  We are not all called to use our home for ministry, but if we are are, through prayer God will show us which ministry we are blessed to serve.  Are you a natural hostess, who is God calling you to serve in your home ministry?

Day 73: Practice Hospitality

Do you reach out to others showing them love through your hospitality?  Opening our homes gives us the opportunity to bless others in a ministry that can be completely unique to us.  Some of us are called to use our gift and minister outside them home while others of us are called to bring people into our home to provide meals, a place to rest or fellowship.  Please pray about your personal ministry and ask God to help you know how and if you could use your home as a part of it.

Day 72: Dress Your Family for Spiritual Success

Do you clothe yourself in the full armor of God each day? We need to arm ourselves with as much as we can before we set out or send our family out into the world for the day.  It's so easy to walk out the door in the morning, take everything on ourselves and veer off God's path.  Chances are we will mess it up along the way without asking for God's guidance and seeking His will for our day.  Through prayer let's invite the power of God into our lives to do what is right and find peace with Him and the world around us.  

Day 71: The Ministry of Family Meals

Sitting around a dinner table can seem so simple and insignificant at times.  Personally, there are days I learn more about my children and husband at our table than anywhere else.   A family breakfast can set the tone for our day and a dinner can bring us peace knowing we can share the good, bad and the ugly of our day.  Does your family eat meals together? If not do you think you could change something in your schedules to make it happen? 

Proverbs 31: 30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

 

Day 68: Live in Peace

Making peace with certain people can seem impossible. We can rest easy knowing the ultimate judge will justly take care of it all.  Our load becomes a lot lighter when we leave it up to our Lord.  What we need to focus on is keeping ourselves in check by living at peace with everyone and making the best of any bad situation that arises.  I know it is a big challenge, but I think we are up for it!

Day 67: Honor the Sabbath

For women, taking part in anything restful has to be deliberate and well planned in advance. We spend so much time taking care of the people around us we often find ourselves drained and our life in unbalanced.  God wants us to rest and knows we need it so we need to rid ourselves of any guilt that may arise during your time of rest.  Refresh your perspective and regain your mental and emotional balance to set yourself up for success.

Day 66: Establish Family Traditions

Family traditions are a wonderful time spent building memories to last a lifetime. My family had lots of traditions growing up but my parents never knew how much they meant to us until we spent hours laughing around a campfire just a few years ago.  No matter how big or small, silly or serious your tradition is, your children will remember it forever and may possibly carry it on with their own family after you are gone.  Ask your kids about some of the traditions you already have in place, their memories and perspective might amaze you. 

Day 65: Cherish Your Children

There are days motherhood can put us in survival mode just trying to keep our sanity until bedtime.  We've all been there.  God created each of our children with us in mind as their earthly mothers because he knows we are exactly what they need.  Some days I feel ill equipped to deal with what seems like constant yelling, fighting and tantrums.  I find on those days it is a matter of slowing down and reprioritizing my day.  Let us ask God to redirect our focus when we become overwhelmed with our children and responsibilities that lie ahead of us remembering our children are a gift and not an inconvenience. 

Proverbs 31: 28-29

Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all."

 

Day 64: Love Your Husband

How difficult or easy it is to live with you?  If you and your husband switched places would you change the things you say to him or do for him?  If we bring our husbands joy by being the best wives we can be, God will bless that and provide us with joy in return.  Be deliberate and positive in your relationship with your husband this week and see if you begin to notice any changes in him and in you.

Day 61: Purify Your House Spiritually

As a spiritual leader in our household it is so important that we make sure the items in it are honoring and pleasing to our God.  We have the knowledge and experience to know some belongings might take us or our loved ones in a negative direction.  This process of purging the ungodly influences will be different for each of us.  Listen to what God has to say to you about what you need to get rid of or maybe you already know but haven't made the change yet.  Maybe this is the change you've needed or have been looking for, you won't know until you try.

Day 60: Practice Shared Servanthood

Do you ever find yourself completing a task around the house just because you think it's just easier and faster to do it yourself? Maybe not, maybe you are already a gifted delegator.  I know I struggle with the easier and faster approach because oddly enough I love to clean, organize and feel the gratification of a job well done.  I know in the long run the task oriented part of me is not doing my children any favors. Let's remember together "everyone lives in and enjoys the house, so everyone needs to be part of maintaining it."

Day 59: Get Equipped for a Clean House

I think most women can relate to Donna's statement "the more living beings I allow in my home, the more mess there is to clean up."  Most days I feel like I'm running in circles picking up messes and it can sometimes be very frustrating because I don't feel like I am able to be as productive as I would like just managing the chaos.  The next time I feel frustrated about the mess, I am going to count my blessings instead.  It's the people living here that make my house a home.  Do you use chemical free or all natural cleaners?  If so what brand do you use?

Day 58: De-clutter

I don't know how many times I've hung on to something I was sure I would be able to use someday.  I've donated or thrown many of those "someday" items in our recent move. Ineither got a new one because I forgot about he old one or I realized that item wasn't as useful to me as I thought.  The less we have to clean, shuffle around, look at and maintain the easier our lives become.  Have you tried any de-cluttering yet this summer? If you have, do you feel more organized, less drained and stressed in your daily life?

Proverbs 31: 26-27

She speaks with wisdom,

    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 

Day 57: Identify Household Trouble Spots

As mothers, wives and sometimes even as a friend we can feel under appreciated in our efforts to take care of others.  It's easy to fall into the comparison trap watching what other women seem capable of handling or accomplishing each day.  God writes us encouragement and isn't setting us up for failure with what He asks of us.  Sometimes I have to admit my goals become my priority and I forget to ask God what should take precedence.  As a woman who is currently living without a functional kitchen and has many other cluttered spaces in her house I can tell you that the mess and disorganization can be absolutely paralizing some days.  I am naturally a structured, scheduled and organized person so my brain doesn't even know how or what to process in any order and I find myself often frustrated because I feel like I run in circles accomplishing what feels like nothing most days.  I hope you take Donna's two zone challenge and see if it helps you become more efficient in other areas of your life.  

Day 54: Explore the World of Internet Marketing

Are you making the most of each day by living life to its fullest and making the most of every opportunity?  If you need to, what is one thing you can change that should help you do this?

Day 53: Consider Real Estate Investing

Think of the possibilities the future could hold for us if we made a wise investment.  While many investments involve money, there are those that need only the time and effort we can offer.  Let us continually focus on improving ourselves by increasing our knowledge because money will only take us so far.  Where do feel you need to be investing, monetarily or personally? 

Day 52: Try Direct Marketing

In our world many people would give anything for wealth, lives have been lost for it. People have big corporate jobs, work obscene quantities of hours each week and have a lot of things but nothing of true value.  We often overlook good health as a piece of our wealth because we don't realize how valuable it is until we aren't healthy.  Enjoy what you do and accept it as a gift from God whether you are making $250 or $250,000. Our God knows what we need and He will provide it in His time, not ours.  Keep your eyes open for opportunities if you are seeking a new or extra way to make income.  Make sure to ask God, He will know if it is right for you. 

Day 51: Develop Multiple Streams of Income

We are God's personal investments and when we use the gifts he has placed within us he has great return on His investment.  I pray that you have discovered your gift or you will very soon.  As we go through this book and realize how amazing the Proverbs 31 woman was and how short we fall, we can rest easy knowing God created us with our own unique set of skills.  Don't focus on what you wish you had, use what you were given to help others and become your own Proverbs 31 woman.  What is your gift that you could use to help others that might possibly generate some extra income?

Proverbs 31: 24-25

She makes linen garments and sells them,

    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

 

Day 50: Work From Home

We've all heard the saying "idle hands are the devils playground" and if we really think about it we realize it is very true.  We maybe watch more TV than we should, spend too much time on Facebook, the surfing the internet, or doing one of many other mindless activities that keep us from what we really need to do.  Home is thought of as a place of rest and relaxation, a place to escape and do whatever we want when we want.  I know I have found over the years the more efficient I make my home the more productive and energized I become.  When I get distracted and things become unorganized I become less productive.  Do you have your house set up in a way that keeps you motivated?  

Day 47: Evaluate Your Countenance

We can put our trust and confidence in our God as we keep a gentle and quiet spirit knowing he will take care of us.  Does your countenance reflect the love and care you receive from your heavenly husband? Are you in a relationship with God in which your beauty radiates "There's something about her!"  Let's not have self-confidence but rather a God-confidence knowing He has a plan and a purpose for our lives only He can see.  

Day 46: The Importance of Being Modest

We all have different backgrounds and varying ideas of modesty.  I grew up wearing my older brothers hand-me-down jeans and that will keep any girl modest.  Unfortunately in today's society it's very common to see body parts spilling out of tops and bottoms.  Do you have any personal limits when buying clothing? Do you think you are doing well with modesty or should you maybe be a little more selective?

Day 45: Purge Personal Items

Donna really summed it up when she stated "perfection is often the enemy of peace." We are never at peace when we are striving for perfection, it is impossible.  I can say that I agree with that statement 100% because I am a recovering perfectionist.  When we think we can achieve perfection it's like running on a hamster wheel because in our mind everything we do could always be better.  You can not attain peace until you start to see the beauty in imperfection. I didn't have time to see that until after we had our fourth child and I didn't have the time to be a perfectionist.  I started to slow down, let go of certain areas of my life and realize many of the things that I would stress about didn't hold much significance in God's eyes.  Do you feel there are areas of your life keeping you from finding peace?

Day 44: Determine Your Ideal Weight

From the beginning of time food has been causing all of us a lot of trouble and frustration.  It started with Eve and her giving in to temptation but it continues with us often being unable to exercise self-control when it comes to food.  We let the enemy win when we give in to the temptation and then we allow him to beat us up because we had that extra piece of pizza or a few to many cookies.  Donna makes a great point when she states "Your ideal weight is the healthiest weight you can maintain while leading a sustainable lifestyle".  Remember age, weight and our address are all just numbers and they never define who we are or determine our value in this world, besides, our God thinks we are invaluable.

Day 43: Stick with Your Core Color

God understands our need as women to feel beautiful inside and out.  Who doesn't like a new accessory that makes you feel a little giddy on the inside when you wear it?  Ezekiel 16:14 brought me to a dead stop in my reading when the Lord says "made your beauty perfect".  So often we focus on what is wrong with us and what we would like to change in and about ourselves on the exterior.  I now realize when I look in the mirror and pick apart every single flaw, I am insulting the one who carefully designed me.  The same one who knows every hair on my head.  The definition of beauty is so skewed in today's world and what each of us sees as beautiful isn't always the same.  Let's challenge ourselves to look in the mirror and thank our Creator for the things we love about ourselves.  If you can't come up with them on your own, ask a friend I'm sure she would love to tell you sincerely how truly beautiful you are.  It might help you see yourself in a new light.  I'm sure God is anxious to hear what you love about what he gave you rather than what you would change.  Everyone loves a good compliment, even God.

Proverbs 31: 22-23

She makes coverings for her bed;

    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

 

Day 40: Begin Automatic Savings and Investment

My husband is an accountant. Needless to say with my old shopping patterns we have had many quarrels about money. I am so grateful that God spoke to me and opened my eyes to the damage my spending habits were doing to our family unit. Were you surprised to learn that Jesus talked more about money than heaven and hell combined? Obviously money is important and what a great example we have in the Proverbs 31 woman who had no fear for her household. Technology can now be used to do exactly what the Bible suggests: "He who gathers money little by little makes it grow." Donna offers some great suggestions in this chapter on how to improve the finances in your household. With these guidelines, and prayer for God's will in your money management, He will lead you where to start.

Day 39: Pay Cash

Matthew 6:19-21 encourages us to store up our treasures in heaven, not in things that can rust, be eaten by moths, or stolen by thieves. We are bombarded with advertisements and offers that encourage spending on credit. Paying cash, paying off credit cards monthly or even weekly, and using self-control to walk away from a credit purchase leaves no regret when the credit card bill arrives in the mail. Together let's seek after God's kingdom and put our treasured investments there too. Are you inspired to cut up your credit cards?

Day 38: Reduce Your Debt

I had my own message from God to clear out the rubble. I had used my credit cards too often and got caught up in thinking that getting what I wanted or thought I needed would make me happy. It didn't make me happy and certainly doesn't now looking at the debt I am working on paying off. It hasn't been easy paying only with cash and I am excited to try the Debt Snowball. The spiritual Enemy has tempted me to veer off this path. I even purchased a beautiful patio set only to return it the next day. It's not hopeless and we can fight the voices of temptation with God's help. Imagine the peace and sense of accomplishment we will feel after we stay focused and rebuild our walls for a secure financial fortress!

Day 36: Tithe

Hello Ladies! I am filling in for Sara this week as she moves into her new house. How about some prayer love for her and her family!

I love when Donna asks us to solve a math problem. Which is greater: 90 percent plus God or 100 percent minus God? I know I need God in all situations, so that math problem is an easy one. I think sometimes we can be overwhelmed when it comes to money. Will there be enough for the bills? How much is the doctor bill going to impact our budget? What if our children need braces? Giving 10 percent of your income can seem scary at first but our powerful God can and will provide. When we give with love and for the right reasons God will make sure we have enough to support our church, pay the bills, and meet the needs of our family. Heartland makes it easy to tithe with an online payment section under giving on the website and a giving kiosk located in the atrium. Commit to giving a percentage of your earnings, let God lead your heart to where you want to help His children, and you will be blessed more than you could ever imagine! Do you have a personal story on how tithing has blessed you?  

Proverbs 31:20-21

She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

 

Day 33: Transfer Problems to a Tackle List

I don't know about you but I feel amazing on those days when I wake early and start crossing things off my list right away but often for various reasons it doesn't happen.  The Proverbs 31 woman is an inspiration to us all with what we can imagine she accomplished each and every day.  There is a time for rest and a time for productivity, we each have to find our own balance.  The comparison trap can get us all at times but always remember God created you to be unique, beautiful and productive in your own ways.  Your needs, your family's needs and the things you have to get done each day are going to be vastly different than your sister, co-worker, best friend or bible study friends.  Let God's plan direct your day by overcoming any excuses.  Let Him restore and energize you.

Day 32: Stow Away as Much as You Can

A peaceful home sounds like a pretty amazing thing.  With 4 children on summer vacation, my home is anything but peaceful.  In today's world we are constantly shown and told by the world around us that being busier and having more possessions will make us happier and possibly more successful.  It's the "if I only had (fill in the blank), my life would be easier/better" mentality that gets us.  Let us prayerfully consider whose prioririties we are living by before we make those purchases and decisions that will clutter our lives and add no real value.  Focus on storing up our biggest treasures in heaven and the others in our attic.  

Day 31: Give Away a Everything You Can

Today's lesson really hits me on a personal level.  God has had my family on quite the journey this last year and today's reading hit on part of it.

Three months ago, we sold our home and moved 6 of us into a 2 bedroom apartment during our home transition.  As you can imagine we could only bring our bare essentials to fit all of us in this space and still have room to live.  For 3 months we have lived without 80% of our possessions.  We brought only essential clothes items, 1 couch, no dressers, 1 pot, 1 pan, enough dishes and silverware for everyone to have one at each meal (I haven't used a dishwasher in 3 months), I sleep on the couch, my husband sleeps on the floor next to me on a twin mattress... you get the picture.  On Sunday our belongings came out of storage and into our house.  I have to admit it was positively overwhelming to see all of the boxes.  I am normally a minimalist and I am pretty good about giving away items we don't use or won't use anymore and I admit clutter in my house stresses me out.  We quickly realized we have way much.  There are things that seemed important to us before this move, other things I know we can live happily without and other stuff I forgot we owned. Our donation pile is heaping and I have only gone through boxes in two rooms. I still have many more boxes to go through and I am already feeling more free.  I really encourage you to minimize your clutter by giving away everything you can to bless others and live blessed in return.  

Day 30: Apply the 80/20 Rule

There are often times I look back on my day and wonder what I got done or feel like I accomplished nothing despite being busy and working hard all day long. That is exhausting and not motivating.  I realize now I often spread myself too thin running in every direction.  How will you apply the 80/20 rule to your life to simplify and keep your eye on the prize?

Proverbs 31:18-19

She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindles with her fingers.

 

Day 29: Maximize Each Day

We begin this week of "Management Tools" learning how to maximize each day. It is so easy to get caught up in our own plan and agenda we often forget we are truly here for a purpose, to love and serve God.  A good way to start our days might be asking God what He has planned for us today and trusting He will help us get the things done that really matter.  What do you think you could do shift your mindset to follow Gods agenda rather than your own?

Day 26: Purify Body and Soul

What a wonderful and reflective verse Donna gave us in Psalm 51:1-4, 7.  We ask a God to cleanse our Spirit with forgiveness when we sin against Him.  He wants us to be at our best and what sounds better than being whiter than snow in the eyes of God? While our snowy white glow doesn't last long, God is always there ready and waiting to clean us up again a and again.  If you have a chance, try the wonderful hot bath Donna suggests to unwind and give your digestive system a chance to function more efficiently.  

Day 25: Grow Strong by Defying Gravity

While I'm sure many of us won't find ourselves "rebounding" (aka jumping on a mini-trampoline) maybe today is the day you take the stairs or take a walk around the block.  Let us renew our minds and bodies to align with Gods will.  It won't be the same for all of us so prayerfully consider and ask God what His will is for you.  When we live our lives with Him in mind, the way God wants us to live and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us we will see amazing things happen. What are you going to try today?

Let's Get Together!

Let's get together!  Is anyone else bursting to share what's been happening to them throughout the study??  Are you craving time with other women like I am??  Let's get together at my house, next Tuesday, July 15th at 6:30 to discuss.  I'll provide the snacks!  Email me at:  angelaackley@icloud.com if you can make it!

Day 24: Give Your Body Time to Digest

Each morning we start beautifully new and fresh in our relationship with God.  Even if we fell off the only vegetables and water wagon, or skipped a few days of time with God, no matter where you are and what transpired we can jump back on.  His compassions are new and His love never ever fails even when we fail Him.  He knows we will BUT it's what we do to recover that moment that God wants to see.  Let us trust God above everything else in our lives and allow Him to guide our footsteps.  In doing this we may not go the direction we planned, but I'm sure he won't disappoint us with what He has in store for us today.  

Day 23: Purify Your Body with Enhanced Water

Drink more water.  That statement seems so simple.  For some it is and for others it is a daily struggle of knowing you should drink some or more than you already consume daily.  Donna highlights the wonderful things drinking water can do for us.  Who wouldn't want a cleansed internal system, weight loss, clearer skin, less fatigue, more energy, faster metabolism and to feel hydrated?  Sounds pretty good to me.  Now if only my tongue and my brain would align on this subject.  The sugary goodness our tastebuds are so accustomed to feels satisfying in the moment but continues to be destructive to our bodies.  Let's take some steps together in drinking more water, one day at a time.  Any rules of thumb you follow in regards to drinking water that might help those of us who fall short on their daily water consumption?

Proverbs 31:16-17

She considers a field and buys it;

    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

    her arms are strong for her tasks.

 

Day 22: Walk to Boost Energy

While everything around us is about comfort and convenience, that is not the race God intended us to run.  Let's not run aimlessly but full of purpose after the greatest prize of all, our Heavenly Father.  When our race seems to difficult or that we can't possibly make it through one more moment of one more day, we need to reflect and ask ourselves if we are seeking God and the life He wants us to live or doing the bare minimum? Do you already walk daily or do a specific workout? Is it something you are motivated to do on your own or is there someone in your life you could ask to join you?

Day 18: Eat Reasonable Portions

"Gluttony proves that we value the flesh more than the Spirit."  Ouch! Portion sizes and moderation are so important no matter what we are eating whether it's carrot sticks or carrot cake.  It makes so much sense when Donna writes it out for us doesn't it? Everything we consume has an effect on our body, soul and spirit.  But sometimes we eat for the moment and live with regrets afterwards.  Let's live for our bright futures looking beyond this moment or day and know our choices, all of them, will have a rippling effect on our future.  "Don't live to eat; eat to live."

Day 17: Limit Your Sugar Intake

Good old self-control, it can ruin every and any area of our lives if we let it run free and follow our impulses.  Together let's free ourselves of the gluttony that may hanging over our heads. But we know it won't be easy.  Personally I live for the sweet treats, if it has sugar I can't say no.  Over the years I have made a conscious choice not to keep soda in my house because I would drink it all.  I probably should have the same rule regarding sweets and it would make my choices easier if I only had quality foods in my house. Our amazing God created some incredibly simple foods to help us be at our best at all times.  Is there something you need to make a conscious choice not to bring into your kitchen and pantry? 

Day 16: Resolve to Control Your Eating Habits

I will be the first to admit that my family and I often conform to the eating pattern of this world. Not that we are always going out to eat but there are snacks and foods that are just darn convenient and easy.   We all have those days we didn't plan well enough or ran late and everyone is starving or as we call it in my house "hangry" which is hunger causing irritability, it can get ugly quickly.  Everything around us is based on convenience and how easy it can and will make our lives.  I know I need to start planning food better and make some inconvenient choices to eat better and feed my family better.  Does anyone have any suggestions for snacks and meals for those of us who struggle with this?

Day 15: Purge Your Pantry of Harm

In today's world we have too many choices.  I think we can all pretty much agree that the choices we have to make some days can be absolutely overwhelming.   Food for our family can be one of those areas. Today's families are constantly on the go and often convenience comes before healthy choices.  Realizing that God really cares about what is going into my body and what I am putting in my family's bodies really gives me a new found perspective on this subject. Some times it will be easy to make the healthy choice and other times we need to ask God for the self-control and knowledge to make the healthiest decision.  For those of you who struggle with this along with me, let's make a conscious choice to go the extra mile to fill our temples up with the quality foods God has provided and go the extra mile to "bring food not harm."  Does anyone have any healthy suggestions or recipes they would like to share? 

Proverbs 31:14-15

She is like the merchant ships,

    bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her servant girls.

Day 12: Be Diligent

No more snooze buttons for this group.  "This is the day that The Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it."  Our feet have hit the ground and watch out world!  The women of the Proverbs 31 study are up, ready to take on this day, this world and everything it has to offer us in the next 24 hours.  Lord we will seek you again tomorrow to fill us up with your living water and renew our Spirit but we will use everything you have given us for this moment and this day to help serve those you put in our path today. We are choosing to be positive, helpful and trustworthy women.  Are you starting to feel refreshed by what you are learning in this study?  What has been the most helpful for you? 

Day 10: Devote Yourself to Prayer

Can you imagine spending 2.5 hours in prayer a day? It becomes a greater possibility when we hand everything over to God in prayer throughout our day.  Give it all to Him, the good, the bad and the ugly.  God already knows what we need, He wants to hear from us and He is patiently waiting. Don't forget prayers of thankfulness for those things that make our day a bit brighter and a little easier to handle.

Did you get a chance to ask God what His priorities in your day are?  Not surprisingly His list and mine were quite different.  Live today keeping God and everything He wants for us in the front of our mind in everything we do or say.   I can only imagine the things I will want to change in myself by the end of today to become more like Christ.

Day 9: Stay Planted in the Word of God

Heavenly Father, today I pray for each of us that we are able to stay focused on our own life's blooms rather than being tempted to compare ourselves to our neighbors.  We ask for encouragement to persevere when the results of our faith are not as instant as we would like them to be.  Father, we ask the Holy Spirit to show us how to sink our roots deeply into your word and allow us to become the version of the Proverbs 31 woman you seek for each of us.  Help us be patient in order to prosper in the season you will provide for us to flourish in strength and dignity.  Lord, today I pray today's affirmation over each of these women to study your word so their lives are fruitful and full of prosperity.  

Day 8: Become Consciously Selective

Every day we are bombarded with unlimited choices with varying significance on our life.  I didn't realize how many of mine personally are made mindlessly until I really sat and thought about the ones I make on a regular basis.  After rating myself in the 9 areas listed I realized I have some work to do in becoming more selective in many areas of my life even beyond those.  It's so easy to let time get away from us with the constant distractions around us and live in a constant state of mindlessness.  These days technology can influence so many of the decisions we make in every area of our lives and we don't even realize it.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to be consciously selective in every area of our life because everything we do matters to Him and He wants us to fill our bodies and lives with good, God honoring, things.  I am ready to allow the Holy Spirit to heighten my awareness to every choice I make.  Do you feel like you already live "consciously selective" in areas of your life and what do you do to make those choices more consciously? 

Proverbs 31:12-13

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

 

Day 5: Choose to Focus on the Positive

Most days are anything but peaceful for me and by the time bedtime rolls around for my kids I am ready to find some rest from my day.  While there are days I like to feel just a little sorry for myself.  I never find that does me (or anyone around me) any good.  In our world it's easy to get caught up in the negative.  Just watch the news, it's enough to bring anyone down no matter what kind of day they have had.  As women of God we have a choice each and every day before our feet even hit the floor.  We choose what kind of day we are going to have and that choice is going to influence every person in our family and every person we walk past, drive past, look at or bump into.  Let's reprogram our minds to see the glass half full and what is right in the world that surrounds us and allow God to speak His truth through the Word of the bible into our hearts.  What kind of things have you done in the past to reprogram your mind towards the positive or what are you going to try in order to shift your thought process?

Day 4: Be a Woman Worthy of Confidence

Knowing and understanding our weaknesses is so important. Is there something holding you back from becoming the woman God has called you to be? First and foremost we need to make sure we are blessing God with our thoughts, words and actions. What better way to do that than to bless those around us, our family, friends, co-workers, the cashier at the store and who knows who else.  We have the ability to help God touch so many lives each day, let's be an asset to God bringing good to this world.  Is there something little that God encourages you to do each day that has made a big difference in your life and has made an impact on the lives of others?

Day 3: Meditate on God's Word

Let's allow the Holy Spirit to transform us with the Word from the inside as we let it purify our thoughts ultimately bringing us closer to our Heavenly Father.  I don't know about you but I am ready to store an abundance of God's word in my heart so I can tell the enemy just how wrong he is about my God and I.  What a liar he is! Each day he tries to convince us of new hurtful and deceptive lies.  Let us all renew our commitment to the Word as Donna Partow suggests.  Let us delight in it, meditate on it and store it up in our hearts so when we need it God's Word flows freely and naturally from our mouths.  Do you have a go to scripture? Please share it with us.

Day 2: Commit Yourself to Time Alone with God

As women, each day we are pulled in a thousand different directions.  Everyone around you is demanding your time and attention approximately 99.9% of your day.  Well, maybe not that much but some days it can sure feel like it.  We do our best to make everyone around us thriving but normally we put ourselves on the bottom of the list and sadly God also finds himself there quite often.  We would all like to believe that we can skip out on our time with God and pick up where we left off.  Besides, he knows how much we have on our plate, right?  We need to ask ourselves if our earthly relationships would flourish if we didn't take the time to nurture them regularly? The answer will always be, no.  The same is true for our relationship with God.  He is ready to meet us where ever and when ever every single day.

I don't know about you but I'm ready to to get my priorities straight and set the tone for my day before I hit the ground running.  God is ready and waiting to bless each of us in this time we devote to him every day.  I can't wait to hear the creative oasis ideas.  Please share where and when will you be meeting with God each day?

Proverbs 31:10-11

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

 

Day 1: Place Your Full Confidence in God

I don't know about you but I am personally better at picking out my personal flaws than something complimentary or unique to me.  If you struggle with this ask a couple people who know you best to get you in the right frame of mind and ask God in prayer.  After all, who knows us better than our Heavenly Father?  Feel free to share your two unique qualities with the group so we can be amazed by the diverse group of women God has brought together in this study.

What You'll Need

I'm not sure if you've received your copy of Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be or had a chance to look it over.  Just in case you haven't there is a list of items you will need during this 13 week study when we begin this Monday:  

• a daily planner/organizer designed to hold 5.5" x 8.5" paper.  If you can not afford a professional organizer Donna Partow suggests a three-ring binder.  
• 5.5" x 8.5" filler paper
• monthly calendar
• five blank tab dividers
• pocket pages (some with and without zippers)
• single-hole punch or a hole-punch specifically designed for your planner

When picking out your organizer out be sure it's something you feel comfortable carrying with you everywhere you go for these next 90 days.  If you have any more questions regarding these items and how to assemble them please reference page 19 of your book.  We will be putting most of it together as we journey through this study. 

Week one we will build our Faith Foundations.  We will learn how to place our full confidence in God, commit to alone time with Him, meditate on His word, build our confidence as women, focus on the positive, complete our weekly checkup and reflect on our week. 

Enjoy your weekend and we look forward to hearing about your personal growth and any comments or questions you may have.  We pray that God blesses you abundantly through this study.

Welcome

Over the next 90 days we will be studying Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be and are excited to embark on this life-changing and life-challenging journey with you.  Beginning Monday, June 16 we will begin to discover the women God has called each of us to be. Donna Partow will help us explore our faith, family, fitness, personal appearance and fashion, finances and retirement planning, household management, ministry, business and self-management. While some subjects may sound intimidating and others intriguing we can all become more spiritually healthy by devoting a part of our day to God.  We look forward to hearing what you take away from each day or even if you have a question or two.  Please invite anyone who you think might be blessed by this study to join us in going through this 90 day Proverbs 31 Life challenge.  God bless you in these next 90 days, we pray that they are life changing!