Scripture Saturday - Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Philippians 4:8

I've decided to take a break from Proverbs 31 to look at this verse from Philippians.

There are occasionally times in life when, for whatever reason, it seems like we are surrounded by negative circumstances. There's bad news all around and difficult situations to tackle. It's extremely easy to get down in the dumps or pessimistic when faced with such times.

That's why I love this scripture. What a great solution that the Lord has given us! Instead of continuously dwelling on the terrible things, think on the things that are lovely, pure, of good report. Doing so will not necessarily make the difficult circumstances disappear, but you will have the peace of the Lord as you go through them.

So the next time things start bringing you down, change the things you are focusing on. Focus on the good things, the pure things, the lovely things, the just things. There are always plenty of those around us - we just need to make the choice to dwell on them.

Scripture Saturday - Proverbs 31:16

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. - Proverbs 31:16

Ah, the Proverbs 31 businesswoman. Who said Christian women can't be entrepreneurs?

Here's a biblical example of a female landowner and entrepreneur - smack in the middle of the description of the ideal way a Christian woman should be. This woman is not being shunned for getting involved in arenas that she shouldn't be - she is being put forth as the woman that men should strive to marry.

Not only is she a businesswoman, but she is a wise businesswoman. She considers her moves before she makes them. She also is wise with her finances - she has the means to purchase a field.

She is also a profitable businesswoman. Not only can she purchase a field, but she has enough earnings to plant a vineyard.

I know lots of women with the entreprenurial spirit - whether they work outside of the home in their own or someone else's business or are stay at home wives and mothers with businesses on the side. We're just doing what we've been called to do by God!

Scripture Saturday - Proverbs 31:15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. -Proverbs 31:15

I love sleep. Love it. Adore it.

Due to this, I am not necessarily what you could call a morning person. I'm more of a hit-the-snooze-button-as-many-times-as-I-can-get-away-with-it person.

However, there are many scriptures which reference awaking bright and early and getting a productive jump on the day, including Proverbs 31:15. In this verse, the woman awakes and makes sure her family and their help are taken care of before the rest of her day begins.

I can't say that's been my strength. I rarely wake up in time for me to eat before I go to work, let alone fix breakfast for my husband. I don't have "maidens", but I wouldn't be awake to fix them breakfast even if I did.

If I could get disciplined about getting my behind out of bed, there is so much I could get done before I even got to work. I could exercise. I could fix my husband breakfast and maybe even iron his clothes for the day. I could pray and read my bible and spend time with the Lord. There are a world of possibilities - if I would just get up!

I guess that's something to work on!

While I'm working on that, I hope everyone has an enjoyable 4th of July!

Scripture Saturday - Proverbs 31:14

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. - Proverbs 31:14

I think one of the better, more practical explanations I've heard for this verse came from Elizabeth George's book Beautiful in God's Eyes: The Treasures of the Proverbs 31 Woman.

She said of the Proverbs 31 woman in this verse: "She spares no cost in terms of money, time, or effort when it comes to contributing to the well-being of those she loves."

That resonated with me more than trying to wrap my mind around being compared to a ship. I think her description is what most women strive to do for their loved ones. Whether that means spending money on her children rather than on something she wants, or searching diligently for the best sales and the best coupons for the family's groceries, or working two jobs to help make ends meet, the modern Proverbs 31 woman works hard to care for her family.

And, while it's important to strive to better, I think it's also important that we give ourselves credit for the efforts we already put forth.

Scripture Saturday - Proverbs 31:13

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. - Proverbs 31:13

Willingly. The NIV version of the bible says "eagerly".

Unfortunately for me, it does not say she "procrastinateth" or she "sitteth on her behind after working for eight hours" or she "worketh begrudgingly, muttering about all the tasks there are to doeth".

Darn.

She works willingly or eagerly with her hands. This is an important distinction to keep in mind. It's probably much more pleasant for my husband and my family when I'm in a good mood while I'm cleaning and working in my home. It's probably not so pleasant when I'm ticked off or resentful about having to clean and work in my home.

And, you know what - it's much more pleasant for me when I'm in a good mood too. When I'm grumpy about what I'm doing, when I'm finished I don't feel the same sense of accomplishment and contentment that I do when I go about my day cheerfully and willingly. I could do laundry one day grumpy and then do the same amount of laundry another day cheerfully, and it makes a difference in how I feel before, during, and at the end of the day.

I'll have to keep that in mind next time I'm tempted to take care of my home in a not-so-eager way.

Scripture Saturday - Proverbs 31:11-12

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. - Proverbs 31:11-12 (NIV)

She brings him good, not harm, ALL the days of her life. Every single one. Even the ones when she's tired and cranky from a long day at work. Even the ones when the house is a mess and it doesn't seem like he did much to help make it otherwise.

This is one I struggle with (and my husband knows it!). ALL the days. I can be nice all day long at work, even on difficult phone calls or in dealing with difficult people. But when I come home? It's like I know my husband loves me, so I can feel free to let loose on him. Because doesn't he know that I had a rough day? Doesn't he know that I've had to be nice and pleasant all day long when sometimes I didn't want to be? Wasn't I just really nice to him yesterday?

I want to get to the point where my husband has full confidence that I will bring him good ALL the days of my life. Why should I be nice and pleasant and bring good to people I deal with at work and not be nice and pleasant and bring good to my husband, who I love and made a lifelong commitment to?

Lord, help me to remember your word that I may bring my husband good and not harm all the days of my life.

Scripture Saturday - Proverbs 31:10

I wanted to set aside one day a week to take a short look at a scripture. You may be asking why Scripture Saturday, not Scripture Sunday (since it seems I'm into alliteration)? I like to set Sunday apart as a sabbath day, when I spend time with the Lord and my family. Note I say "like to", not "always manage to". But, I'm trying, so Scripture Saturday it is!


Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. -Proverbs 31:10*

I wanted to take a particular look at one word in this verse: "virtuous". I think we all understand (and agree!) that it's good to have a worth higher than rubies. But who is it that qualifies to be this virtuous woman worth more than rubies? What does it mean to be virtuous?

To be virtuous means to be pure and to have moral excellence. Our motives and decisions, as well as the actions that follow, should be pure and blameless. What good is it to decorate our homes if our motive is simply to get compliments and attention from others? What good is it to keep our homes clean and neat or to work outside our home if our motivation is to be able to act like a martyr because we're doing so? Doing a multitude of "good" acts does not make someone virtuous.

Our motivation for doing all in our lives should come from a place of holiness and purity that comes when we are focusing on the Lord. I know that is something that I need to keep a check on - how about you?


* Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures come from the King James Version of the Bible.