Up before the Sun

"She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." ~ Proverbs 31:15

For the past two years, due to my husband's early work schedule, I have been getting up before the sun. It was very difficult at first but I must admit that I've started to enjoy the early mornings. I've discovered that this is such a peaceful, quiet time, free from all distractions and noisy neighbors. It is a perfect time to sit in quiet meditation, reading and praying.

Getting up early allows me to get a good start on the day as I can accomplish so much before 6am. On days I have slept in, I feel as if I have accomplished very little because part of my day is already gone. I would much rather get up and take care of the tasks which demand my attention and diligence.

In Mark 1:35 we read that Jesus got up early to pray "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed"

David was also in the habit of early morning prayer: "In the morning shall my prayer come before thee" ~ Psalm 88:13


As we read in Proverbs 31:15, the virtuous woman is diligent and knows the benefit of rising early. She is not idle or lazy and her main priority is to care for everyone in her home. Not only does the Virtuous woman rise early to provide for her family, she also provides for her servants.

Servants? Wouldn't it be nice to have them? What this scripture is trying to emphasize is that she does not lie in bed just waiting for others to serve her. She takes initiative, is dedicated, disciplined, has strong work ethics and is very organized. She is the manager of her home and is in charge of planning and delegating in order for everyone to have an effective, productive day.

Getting up "while it is still dark" is not the easiest thing to do. It is clear that the virtuous woman walks with God and her discipline is a result of her love for God and others.

"We cannot do anything apart from the love of Christ." 1 Cor. 13:1-3





HOW TO GET UP BEFORE THE SUN

* Don’t make any drastic changes. Start slowly, by waking up just 15 minutes earlier than usual. Get used to this for a few days. Then cut back another 15 minutes. Do this gradually until you reach your goal time.

* Perhaps you are used to staying up late watching TV or on Facebook like me; I suggest going to bed earlier and if you are having trouble falling asleep, read while in bed. If you are really tired, you might fall asleep much sooner than you think.

* Place your alarm clock far away from your bed. If it’s next to your bed, you’ll just shut it off or hit snooze button. If the alarm clock is far from your bed, you will have to get up out of bed to shut it off. Just don't go back to bed.


* Reward Yourself. You might be forcing yourself to do something very difficult by getting up so early. So why not make it pleasurable with a cup of coffee or tea while you read or meditate.

* Take advantage of all the extra time. Don’t wake up early to just waste time. Get a jump start on your day! I like to use that time to get a head start on preparing my husband's breakfast and lunch. As soon as he leaves for work, I read my emails, check my Facebook and plan the rest of my day. By the time 6am rolls around, I’ve done more than most people do in one day.



"Go to the ant, consider its ways and be wise!It has no commander,no overseer or ruler,yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there? When will you get up from your sleep?" ~ Proverbs 6:6-9

Got Skills?

"She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands"~ Prov. 31:13

There's a woman in the bible mentioned in only a couple of verses in the book of Acts, but what we read about her tells us so much of the type of woman she was.

"One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God" ~ Acts 16:14

Lydia was from the city of Thyatira, a small city known for its commerce in Asia Minor. Also know for it's abundant crops and the manufacture of purple dye. She is described as a dealer of purple cloth. Purple cloth was very expensive and it was a sign of nobility or royalty. It is my guess that Lydia was more than likely, a very wealthy businesswoman.

As we read in Acts, we learn that Lydia was a worshiper of God and a woman whose heart God opened, meaning that she believed and responded by trusting Christ as her Savior when Paul shared the message of the gospel.

She is also described as a willing servant as she invited Paul and his friends to stay at her home. As soon as God opened her heart, she became a willing servant who helped the missionaries. Later we read that Paul returned to Lydia’s home where he met with believers. She opened up her home for fellowship and prayer meetings. Lydia dedicated the rest of her life to being a "faithful servant" She was also a key person in the establishment and development of the church in Philippi. She was probably someone that heard the words that many of us long to hear;
“Well done good and faithful servant. Come and share My happiness” ~ Matthew 25:21

Lydia is a great example of the virtuous woman as she was a godly woman who provided for her family by selling purple fabric, a business which she enjoyed. The virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 finds great satisfaction in her work because she is wise and knows that it is a gift from God. She enjoys her work and does not see it as a boring chore. Believe it or not, we can find pleasure and satisfaction in our work.

"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God."~Ecclesiastes 3:12-13



In today's computerized and electronic society we no longer have the need to work with our hands. Most of the women I know don't find pleasure in making clothes for their family and they would much rather go to the mall. We all know how expensive that could be. The virtuous woman finds ways to save money by learning how to sew, crochet, knit and mend clothing. She uses her resources in the most cost-effective way she can.



When I was a young girl, I remember watching one of my aunts knit and crochet for countless hours. I was able to learn from her and now I find pleasure in knitting scarves as Christmas gifts or finding new, fun and exciting projects to work on through out the year. Just imagine how much money you could save by "making" Christmas gifts this year instead of buying them. In today's economy, everyone is feeling the pinch. Many people are being a lot more frugal these days and gift buying is creating more stress each year. Making a gift is not only a good way to save money but it is also a great way to give something unique and personalized.

Whether you are a business owner like Lydia, work full time, part-time or are stay at home mom, it is important to love what you do. Have you found a skill that you are good at and enjoy?

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings" ~ Prov. 22:29

A Trustworthy Woman

"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." ~Prov. 31:11


What is one of the main qualities a man looks for in a woman? The answer may surprise you. At first a man might be attracted to a woman's appearance or personality. However, when thinking about making a life-long commitment, men want a woman they can TRUST.

Let's take a look at the story of Mary. She was chosen by God to give birth to "His only begotten Son" ~ John 3:16. When you read about Mary, the bible does not say anything about her appearance, her attractiveness or even her personality. The only thing we know about her is that she was "highly favored and blessed among women" ~Luke 1:28
When Mary gave birth to Jesus she took her newborn child and was able to hide him for two years. God knew that He could trust Mary to keep this secret to herself and she did.

Can you be trusted to keep a secret?

If a woman cannot be trusted by her own husband there can be no relationship. Marriage is made to be a partnership and both the husband and wife must show compassion and consideration for one another. They can learn about each others interests, try to work together as a team and provide encouragement to one another instead of putting each other down, fussing or constantly arguing.
"It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman." ~Proverbs 21:19

A man with a virtuous wife is confident. He knows that he can always trust her. When a wife shows respect and does not demean her husband he will be eager to listen to her opinion and trust her with his deepest secrets.




A virtuous woman is an asset to her husband.
She uses all of her creative talents and any abilities God has blessed her with. She always wants the best for him and "brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life" ~Prov. 31:12

God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."~ Gen 2:18
God created Eve to be Adam's companion, to be his helper, to provide support and to be his encourager.

"A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband." Proverbs 12:4

Strong & More Precious than Rubies

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." ~ Proverbs 31:10



This is a new blog series on the Proverbs 31 Woman. Each week I will be reviewing the characteristics of the virtuous woman listed in this Proverb.
In verse 10 it asks; "Who can find a virtuous wife?" It almost sounds like a challenge. Well, in fact it is challenging for women to strive hard for the qualities of a virtuous woman.


So let's start by defining the term "Virtuous Woman".

The expression "virtuous woman" is from the Hebrew "ishshah chayil" and literally means "Power of Mind and Body" The word "chayil" is what God uses to describe His idea of a "Real" woman. The 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, and power. A strong, capable woman with strong convictions.

A virtuous woman is different from all other women in this world. She has been set apart and recognizes her calling. We all have a unique calling. Throughout our life our calling may have surfaced a few times in different ways that we might have ignored. When we discover our calling we will experience a deep sense of peace.

To be "set apart" means that God has a specific purpose for our life. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11


The first characteristic of a virtuous in this proverb describes her value; "For her worth is far above rubies."


Yes, a virtuous woman has more value than rubies because rubies are rare and hard to find. Rubies also have more value than diamonds. According to gem expert, Chris Ralph, "The very finest, top quality ruby is so rare that it has been the world's most valued gemstone for thousands of years. In fact, even today, flawless top quality rubies are more valuable and rare than top quality colorless diamonds. A 16 carat ruby sold at auction for US$227,301 per carat at Sothebys in 1988."

"She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her."~ Proverbs 3:15-18

Self Control in God's Strength

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7


Self-Control is the last Fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:22 but it does not mean that it is the least important of all. Self Control happens to be what holds all of the other Fruit together.
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls”
~ Proverbs 25:28

Self-control usually involves putting others before ourselves, behaving in an appropriate manner, speaking when we need to speak, controlling our tempers and not having an outburst every time things do not go our way. It means ignoring minor mistakes and not trying to prove that we are always right.



It can be very frustrating to want to overcome temptations, and then fail over and over again. This can be especially hard if you are a Christian and feel discouraged in your desire to grow in the Lord and overcome sin. Without Self control, how can we fight off temptations that come our way?
“For whatever a person is controlled by, to that he is enslaved” ~2 Pet. 2:19.

How can we have more Self Control?
It will not happen overnight, but there are some key things we can do to obtain the kind of control God wants us to have.

First, we must guard our thoughts and desires. Change cannot only be outward or it may only be short-lived. We see this through "yo-yo dieting," or those who repeatedly quit drinking, or smoking.

Jesus told His disciples that "Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man" ~ Matthew 15:18-20

Therefore, we must guard our hearts and minds from meditating on sinful things. "Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." ~Phil. 4:8



This may require turning off the TV from time to time, it may require getting rid of some magazines in our home or even canceling the subscription. There may be some songs on the radio that we need to stop singing, or places that we can no longer frequent if we are going to have the self-control God wants us to have.

What are we putting "in our heart"? Are we "keeping" or "guarding" it as we should?
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" ~Matthew 12:34.

A Gentle Spirit

‎"Let your gentleness be known to all." ~ Phil. 4:5

Have you ever met someone with a "gentle spirit"?

I had the opportunity of meeting someone like this 10 years ago. She was my biological mother. From the moment I met her, I felt her love and gentleness. She was a godly woman, tenderhearted, never raised her voice to anyone and never lost control. Everyone who knew her enjoyed her company and she always had kind words to say.

When I met my mother, I thought there was no way possible that I could be related to this woman because I was the complete opposite. Life had made me bitter and angry at the world. I saw gentleness as weakness and always walked over anyone in my path before they could walk over me. But there was something about my mother's gentle spirit that made me want to spend more time with her. We were able to spend three years together and became the best of friends until she went home to be with the Lord. My mother taught me that being gentle does not mean being a doormat. It only means having strength under control. She also taught me that there are gentle ways to be bold and stand up for what is right and gentle ways to lead.

Gentleness is one of the fruit of the Spirit and should be part of our nature. God allowed me the opportunity to spend three years with the most gentle person I've known in order to harvest this fruit in my life.

(Picture of my mother holding me when I was 3 months old. Shortly after this picture was taken, she sent me to live in El Salvador and I didn't see her again for 34 years)


Just as my mother showed me how to develop a gentle spirit, Jesus showed his disciples gentleness in his answers as they asked him so many questions. He never lost patience with them or raised his voice, He always spoke kindly.

In 1 Kings 19:11-13 "The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

God was not in the powerful wind and was not in the earthquake, was not in the fire, on the contrary, the Almighty God spoke from the "gentle whisper".

Got Faith?

"Your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." Matt 5:34


Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, Who touched Me?' " And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." Mark 5:21-34


Chapter 11 of Hebrews contains other examples of suffering the early Christians endured. I will not go through every example, However I will point out that in Hebrews 11:39 it says: “It was by faith”. This means God honored them for their faith and used them for His glory.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him"~ Hebrews 11:6

No matter how much suffering you are going through right now or how impossible your situation may appear to be, determine in your heart to keep your faith and believe that God is on your side fighting the battle for you. He wants you to trust him because your faith is important in order to have victory. Are you willing to trust him?
"The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." ~Exodus 14:14

Effective ways to increase your faith:

1. Believe

Like the apostle Thomas, we want solid evidence. We are trained to only believe what we can see. But the Truth is that the Holy Spirit, our Helper is invisible and dwells within us.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."~ Hebrews 11:1

2. Read God's Word Daily

Life is busy enough and making time to read the bible on a daily basis can seem to be almost impossible. The Bible helps us draw close to God and build our faith in times of trouble. Reading Bible stories about people who had great faith such as Abraham, Joseph and David can teach us that God rewards those who put their faith in him.
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." ~2 Timothy 2:15

3.Pray Daily

Prayer can be one sentence or as long as you want it to be. Prayers bring our focus back on God instead of our problems.
"Rejoice always,pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ~1 Thes.5:16-18

4. Look for Praise Reports

It's so exciting when God answers prayers! People love to share praise reports because it's an opportunity to tell others how God brought them through a trial. God uses other Christians to encourage us.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" ~1 Corinthians 1:3-4

5. Think about how God has answered your prayers.

As I look back on my life, I can see how God has rescued me in so many situations and provided an even better solution than I hoped for. If God worked in my life in the past, I can be sure that He will do the same today and in the future.
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." ~Hebrews 13:5



"I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" ~Ephesians 3:16-17