And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made;

and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Acts 16:13, NKJV

Abigail from the BibleAbigails husband, Nabal, was a very wicked man, who thought only of himself. By Abigails quick wisdom and generosity she not only saved her entire family from death, but was miraculously delivered from an evil husband, and given a godly husband in his place. Abigail was one of the truly virtuous women in the Bible. Anna in the BibleWhen Jesus was eight days old, Mary and Joseph took Him to the Temple in Jerusalem to be circumcised. Not only was this the time when Jesus was named, in obedience to the Angel who came to Mary, but two other important people were there as well: Simeon, who had received a vision that he would see the Lord's Christ before he died, and Anna in the Bible, who served God day and night. Deborah in the BibleTimes were tough in Israel. The Israelites went through great periods of rejecting God, being recovered by godly judges, and then rejecting God again. Among the many judges who ruled over the Israelites at that time, we learn about the judge, Deborah, who with the help of Jael, both strong women in the Bible who were able to bring a great victory for Gods people. Dorcas in the BibleShe was a Christian; not because she did good works and charitable deeds, but rather, she did good works and charitable deeds because she was a Christian. Esther Bible StudyHow could you only write one devotion about Esther? Join me on my Esther Bible Study page as I go through the entire book of Esther! Eve, the Mother of All LivingThrough Adam and Eve sin entered into the world, but also through Adam and Eve came the birth of God's church, a people set apart for Himself. Hagar - The Discarded WifeGod had long promised to Abraham that He would bless him with seed as the stars in heaven and the sand upon the seashore. As he and Sarah grew older, it became obvious that this seed was not going to come through Sarah. At least, that was Sarah's assessment of the situation. After thinking through the dilema, she developed an alternate solution. Hannah of the Biblewas truly a virtuous woman in the Bible. In this devotion for ladies, we see she is a woman of powerful prayer and faithfulness in keeping her promises to God. She teaches us the proper way to approach and view our troubles and our adversaries. Lot's Wifemade a fatal mistake and it cost her her life! Caught between a struggle with the world and the Lord, she succumbed to the world. Are we like Lot's Wife?

Lydia from the BibleThere are only a few verses in the Bible regarding Lydia, but what insight they give us! Even just these few verses give us insight as to why Lydia was one of the great women of the Bible. Mary and MarthaThe Bible Story of Mary and Martha is perhaps one of the most familiar for women. Its easy to identify with Martha, and much harder to keep close to the Lord Jesus like Mary. To work for the Lord is good or nothing would be accomplished, but not at the sacrifice of a deep love for God. Ruth and NaomiIn this series of Bible devotions for women we look at the story of Ruth and Naomi. Being a grandmother is a very special privilege and an awesome responsibility. Read about the story of Ruth and Naomi, and how God blessed both of them. Sarah of the BibleSarah of the Bible, as a woman of great faith, was truly one of the Great Women of the Bible. Like many of us God grew her weak faith into maturity and trust in God. What is a Virtuous WomanStudy the characteristics of a virtuous woman in this Bible devotion for women from Proverbs 31: What is a virtuous woman?

Widow Woman of Great FaithThe role of women in the Bible is shown by this widow who was a single mother and had great faith in God during a time of great famine. At the risk of her son and her starving to death, she obeyed God and first made food for Elijah. Women of the Bible StoriesThree Women of the Bible Stories about a baby: The mother of Moses, Shiphrah and Puah the Midwives, and the daughter of Pharoah from Exodus 2

Becoming a Proverb 31 Woman Lesson 1: Clothed in Strength and Dignity

The Proverb 31 woman is sometimes misrepresented. At times, she has been described as nothing more than a glorified maid. But that is not who God says is more valuable than precious jewels. That is not the standard that He has given you to aspire to.

Who Can Find a "Chayil" Woman?

Proverb 31: 10-31
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KJV
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, 3

she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of 4

The word "chayil" is what God uses to describe His idea of a realwoman.

her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

You have probably always heard it translated as the "virtuous woman." But it means so much more. The Amplified Bible gets a bit closer to the heart of the matter by describing her as a "capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman" (Proverb 31:10 AMP). That sounds better, but, it is still not quite what God has in mind for the woman He has destined you to become. The Strongs Hebrew Dictionary explains that the term "chayil" was used to describe great forces and armies. A woman said to be "chayil" would possess a certain strength, might, andpower! If you were a man going out to fight the good fight of faith, doesnt that sound like someone you would want fighting on your side? The Proverb 31 Woman is no wimp. She is a woman of great strength!

A Strong Christian WomanIsn't that An Oxymoron?

Living in the 21st century, we can sometimes get a skewed idea of what a strong woman is. Is she the woman who always speaks her mind and doesn't need anyone's help? The one who runs her household and is convinced that, if she lets her husband do it, he would just mess everything up? Or is she the corporate tycoon who only has one child because she refuses to be distracted from her career? Proverb 31 reveals what your Heavenly Father considers to be true strength. As He describes this woman, He says that: Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure... - Proverb 31:25 (AMP) Wouldn't you love for your Heavenly Father to say that about you. That is what we all want, right? But, we are not fighting against flesh and blood in this life. So the strength that you will need to accomplish God's will is not carnal (Ephesians 6:12). 5

Being able to work 60+ hours and still make time to keep the house clean and cook dinner is not where your true strength and value lies. Jesus taught this same truth to Martha over two thousand years ago. But it is just as true today. ...a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lords feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesnt it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:38-42 (NLT) The woman God describes in Proverb 31 understands this. She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]... - Proverbs 31:17 (AMP) How much time do you spend girding yourself spiritually for the daily tasks that God gives you? Time sitting at His feet, just like Mary did. Sometimes, it's easy to be so busy running around doing things for God, that you forget all He really wants is your heart. As I explained in our online Bible class on Living in the Spirit and experiencing constant fellowship with God, God's desire from the beginning of time has been to walk and talk with you in the cool of the day. For His presence to be your constant source of comfort and strength, and His voice your ever present counsel. You hear many wives complain that their husbands spend so much time at work trying to provide for them, that they have little to no time to spend with the family. These wives say they would rather have time alone with the one they love, than have them constantly working - Even though they are working for them. God feels the same way about you. He would rather have time alone with the one He loves, than all of your work - Even when the work you are doing is really for Him. It is only in that time alone communing with you that He can give you the strength that you will need to be the woman He designed you to be. It is in the time you spend laying at His feet in fellowship with Him that your Father can truly clothe you in strength and dignity.

Lesson 2: Let Her Works Praise Her

Will A RealProverb 31 Woman Please Step Forward?

I can still remember the first time I truly understood what God created women to be. I had finally met a real Proverb 31 woman. Sure, I had met other Christian women who thought they were. But, this woman was different. God had clothed her in something I had never seen before in the flesh - Gentle strength. In her was a perfect earthly example of Jesus The lion and the lamb. She wasnt mousy. But, she wasnt bossy. She exuded the very love of God. And everything that she did, flowed out of that love. Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). - Colossians 3:23-24 (AMP) Everything that the Proverb 31 Woman does flows out of her inner life with God. That time alone sitting at His feet that we discussed in Lesson 1. It gives her the strength and power that she needs to do everything each day as if it is unto her Lord.

Side Note: If you have not completed Lesson 1 of the Proverb 31 Woman Bible Study, you may want to do so before you complete lesson 2. That lesson is definitely the foundation that we will be building on here

A Servants Heart Begins at Home

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Whether she is serving the needy or preparing meals for her children, the Proverb 31 woman realizes that it is not a menial task. It is one of honor and dignity because it brings glory to her Father that sent her. This is one of the things that we have lost in this generation. Many woman no longer recognize the dignity and honor of keeping a home for their families. Somehow, women have begun to believe that their life outside of the home is more important than their life inside of the home. That serving our families is somehow insignificant or just an inconvenient hassle. But, God tells us that a real woman "Looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat" (Proverb 31:27 AMP). Ive always wanted God to give me a ministry to bless His people. One day, as I was seeking Him for a way to serve others, He brought to my mind this very revealing question: How can I give you people to serve, when you wont even serve the husband Ive given you with a good attitude? Where was my servant's heart towards him? No, I did not complain out loud. But, my heart was full of self-pity. I allowed thoughts like 'I have to work outside of the home too!' and 'Why doesn't he help out more?' to flood my mind. Little did I know that these negative thoughts were very quickly robbing me of two of God's most important rewards for servant-hood His joy and His peace.

Answering God's Call

She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit]. -Proverb 31:20 (AMP) I love how the Amplified Bible specifies that a Proverb 31 Woman opens her "filled hands to the needy whether in body, mind, or spirit" (Proverb 31:20 AMP). As God's Proverb 31 Woman, you can not afford to let your cup get empty. You must be continually strengthened physically, mentally, and spiritually in order to reach out and fill the cups of those around you. She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physicalfitness for her God-given task]... -Proverb 31:17 (AMP)

Each of us has a specific task that God has called us to. Sometimes it can be easy to hide behind our femininity and pretend that God has not given us a calling. But that is just not so. There are needy people out there. Some are needy physically. Others are struggling mentally and spiritually. But, regardless of their pain, God loves them. And He wants to work through you to reach out to them. This is why it is so important that you make time to spend alone seeking the face of God. This allows Him to fill your hand, so that you can open it and bless His children.

She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them... -Proverb 31:24 (AMP)

The Proverb 31 Working Woman?

Did I read that right - The Proverb 31 Woman works? She can. But there is a huge difference between the way that we see working women today and the woman described in Proverb 31. Gods woman understands that contributing to the Familys Finances is not her first priority.

She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]... -Proverb 31:16 (AMP) This is what many of us have lost. 9

Most women, Christian and non, who work outside of the home begin to put their job before the needs of their families. It is not purposeful. But, there is only so much of you to go around. If we are honest, by the time many of us working women finally get home, we are totally spent! Then there are still meals to be made and chores to be done. A Proverb 31 Womans gentle strength brings order and peace to her home. But, an exhausted woman often has none of that left to give. Yes, a Proverb 31 Woman can provide a financial contribution to her family. But it should not be at the familys expense. Would you rather get a promotion, or here your family call you: ...blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and your husband boasts of and praises you, [saying], Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all. -Proverb 31:28-29 (AMP-bold words altered)

Becoming a Proverb 31 Woman is not easy. But, then again, you are not really the one who does most of the work. All you do is take yourself before the Lord, and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. You humble yourself before Him and ask Him to show you what areas He wants to mold and change. And, you walk in obedience to His leading. In the end, you will taste and see that the fruit of your work with and for God is good (Proverb 31:18 AMP). And your Father in Heaven will smile and say: Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]! -Proverb 31:31 (AMP).

Proverb 31 Woman Lesson 2

Reflection Questions 1. Do you feel like you are reaching the standard set by the Proverb 31 woman? If not, what areas do you need God's help in? 10

2. What is one thing that God has really brought before your heart through this study? Write it down so that you can reflect on it later on. 3. If you work outside of the home, or even have a work at home business, are there any areas where you know in your heart that your family needs more than you are able to give? Pray and ask God to show you how to meet those needs of those most important to you.

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