Proverbs 31 woman - Post 15

Day 15 – Prov. 31:24

"She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies sashes for the merchants."

- (New King James Version)

Recall in Day 10's message that the verse talked about how our virtuous woman was resourceful, working hard at the spindle to prepare garments for her household, and most likely her maidservants as well.

Well, I like to imagine that (and I implore you to realize this is only an anecdote, a conjured pretense of my imagination), as the servant who made due with his two talents and earned two more, so the this woman was able to expand on the little she had. Using ingenuity, she engineered an efficient method of getting by, and now can produce more with less resources - the formula for business expansion. And as we saw on Day 7 (verse 16), she already had the sense to be "economic."

In other words, she was successful. God blessed her, and in turn she was able to bless others, in this case the merchants, through whom she was probably able to "bring her food from afar" (Day 5, verse 14).

Everything ties together for this woman. She was "faithful over a few things," and now was made "ruler over many things." God is a rewarder of good deeds, if not in this life, then in the glorious one to come. Be persistent in whatever you do for Him. You may not be able to see the purpose of it now, but each task is just a puzzle piece, and one day you will see the bigger picture.

showcase your true beauty.

God bless,

Alisha

Proverbs 31 woman - Post 14

Day 14 – Prov. 31:23

"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land."
- (New King James Version)

After a very sobering week, I've come to the conclusion that we cannot live a live independent of this world. I'm reminded of Avalon's song "In Not Of". We are to live in the world but remember that we are not of this world. The effect of which is that we will leave an impression on those with whom we come into contact; it is unavoidable. What is the impression we will leave? How will we influence our neighbors?

This woman, with her blatant virtue, has become the talk of the town. Even her husband is known in the gates. Her wisdom has infected him, to the point where he sits among the elders of the land. I'm not saying that this man was not capable of ascendancy on his own, but since this chapter does take it from the perspective of the woman. We can exert that influence.

It's no longer good enough to stand back, say that you did your part, and watch your organization or family or whatever it is fall apart. You have to take an active interest in others. Love them as you love yourselves. Realize that their success is your success, their happiness is your happiness. I believe that was the view of Jesus. His joy is our joy. God made this world that we may take pleasure in it, and THAT was pleasurable to Him. Beauty comes from love, loving God, loving ourselves, and loving others.

showcase your true beauty.

God Bless,
Alisha

Proverbs 31 woman - Post 13

Day 13 – Prov. 31:22

"She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple."
- (New King James Version)

I smile at myself as I type this because I wonder how many of you guys will think me a hypocrite, or at least, in a much more grave instance, think the Bible inconsistent. But it isn't.

The word/virtue for today - elegance - doesn't seem like a virtue at all. But it is. The American Heritage Dictionary defines elegance as "refinement, grace, and beauty in movement, appearance, or manners." Appearance is just a portion of it. But it is a part.

I am in no way encouraging anyone to judge a person; Jesus Himself explicitly says "Do not judge" (Matthew 7:1). Sometimes, however, how we "dress" ourselves can significantly impact our future. I say "dress", because we can do so in so many ways, not just with our clothing. Our demeanor is important, too. Think of a princess. Part of her profession is to kind of exude regality. She has to realize that she is in a position of prominence, and because of this she must act in a way that can positively reflect her country.

Well, I hope you all realize that you all are princesses as well. Your Father is not just any king, but the King of Kings and Lord of lords. We are to reflect positively on His kingdom. So don't be afraid to dress up. So long as you can be happy with, and not proud of, the blessings God has given you, there is no sin. Any remember to never be afraid to

showcase your true beauty.

God bless,
Alisha

Proverbs 31 woman - Post 12

Day 12 – Prov 31:21

"She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed in scarlet."

- (New King James Version)

Our virtuous woman is one thing - prepared. She is strong, determined, optimistic even perhaps, but she acknowledges that sometimes in life, storms come. And it's not because of anything we've done. One of my favorite passages is Matthew 5:45 - "... for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Bad things happen to people, good or bad. The smart thing is to be prepared.

And here is where the first portion of the verse is virtually obliterated in the all-consuming radiance of the second: "... all her household is clothed in scarlet." Again, I believe the Bible is open to interpretation, and perhaps it meant something else at that time, but can you think of anything more wonderful that a house being clothed in scarlet? Recall Ex 12:7. That was just the doorpost. This is the WHOLE household.

But here's the beauty. It doesn't even say house; it says "household," implying those that dwell in it. What greater blessing, what sweeter treasure can their be than the precious knowledge that all your household is bathe in the redeeming blood of our Savior.

Here I may have struck a chord. If you are not as fortunate as I, to know that all your living family knows Jesus and is walking with Him, take the time to pray for them. No matter what they've done in the past, no matter how short a prayer you can stand to make before you shake with emotion - trust me, "everybody ought to KNOW who Jesus is."

showcase your true beauty.

God Bless,

Alisha

Proverbs 31 woman - Post 11

Day 11 – Prov 31:20

"She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hand to the needy."
- (New King James Version)

Today's virtue: kindness. The verse is very simple; there is no need for decoding it's hidden mysteries. It simply tells us to help the poor and the needy. But many of us look at the verse and, though we agree, we do little to act on its admonition.

It's understandable to get caught up in our daily tasks and duties that we let the simple things like this slip by. Check your definition of poor and needy. Poor means deficient - in what is up to you. Needy means to be in need.

Maybe it's a hand of friendship that you can extend to the downtrodden. Maybe it's advice you can share with a youngster who has no one to look up to. Maybe it's a small prayer you can say for a sick woman who has no believers in her household. Maybe it's a word of thanks to someone working a twelve-hour shift with an unappreciative boss. There's so many things that can be done. What can you do today?

showcase your true beauty.

God Bless,
Alisha

Proverbs 31 woman - Post 10

Day 10 – Prov 31:19

"She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle."
- (New King James Version)

I'm not quite sure if my interpretation on this one is valid; it certainly is not a deep as the previous few. But we serve a practical God so ...

When I read this verse, my mind conjures up an image of a woman sitting in a little spot in her house, busily working at her spindle. She is making clothing for all of her house (probably including her maidservants), and making some extra (the reason we'll see later). It's a talent that she was not born with, but one that was birthed out of necessity. Eventually she became so efficient at it that she realized she can make something of it ...

I'll leave you with that cliffhanger. Some of you will read ahead and figure it out yourselves.

Today's virtue: resourcefulness. Make due with what you have. God has given you all you need (check Matthew 6:25-34). It may require a little effort, and even - heaven help us - TIME ;) , but in the end, we will get done what needs to be done. And who knows where it will lead?

showcase your true beauty.

God Bless,
Alisha

Proverbs 31 woman - Post 9

Day 9 – Prov 31:18

"She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night."
- (New King James Version)

I received two insights into this verse, two totally different interpretations.

The first runs along the lines of what we've been discussing before. Remember on Day 6, we talked about being confident in what you do for God, relying on the fact that you put thought and prayer into it. We see this confidence her perception that "her merchandise is good." The latter part about her lamp I assumed dealt more with the verse for tomorrow, related to her hard work and diligence; she does not rest 'til her work is perfect.

It was only recently that I uncovered a second interpretation that better links the two portions of the verse. Yes, she perceives that merchandise is good, but that is why she must not let her lamp go out at night. In other words, she must safeguard her treasure.

We each have something that God has given us, a talent that can take on any form - from singing, to painting, to killer business intuition, to encouragement. But our aptitude for such was not only revealed to us and the Father, but also to the enemy who seeks to "steal" it from us (John 10:10). That's why it is imperative that we secure this precious gift, and remain vigilant in the task. Don't let what God has given you slip away. It had a purpose, and it still has.

showcase your beauty.

God bless,
Alisha