Saturday, January 28, 2012

Proverbs 31

I was driving home today and God laid a very cool idea on my heart, inspired by the newly-found-immediately-lovable Boundless show. The show is for young adults in that pre-marriage stage of all the awkwardness and joys of dating, discovering oneself and most importantly, living for and loving God and making your life one that is pleasing to Him - but all with the lens of marriage being God's ultimate plan for our lives.

Lisa Anderson (host) shared a story of Martha Krienke, the editor and producer of the show, that a group of her single girlfriends got together and took a picture, added a scripture, made it into a prayer card and sent it to their loved ones for Christmas one year. So, amongst all the family Christmas photos was one of Martha and her friends, all desiring marriage, with a scripture passage and a request for prayer - quite boldly asking their friends to pray for them and their future spouses and that in God's perfect timing, He'd bring them together.

I would love to do something the same with my girlfriends, I have scattered single girlfriends in different groups - a couple at Rehoboth, a couple from COTR and a larger group from our large all Ontario young adults group. Most of them would be (I think) opposed to the idea - except for maybe some of those at our young adults group (KH, do you agree?)

I'm going to ask some if they'll go for the photo/prayer card idea, but in the meantime I believe God gave me a very cool and creative idea. I'm going to draw up a list of 30 women that I know that are desiring marriage - I'm not close to that many, I can hardly think of half a dozen, but I'll find them. I'm going to put their names and a photo of each and make it into a monthly prayer calendar. I haven't decided whether it'll be in a book or a poster, but what I have decided is that Proverbs 31 will be a key passage - 30 girls, plus me = 31, most months have 30 days so I'll be praying for each girl every day, and then on those months that have 31, I'll plead for myself too :) I'm also hunting the Bible for other passages.

Psalm 37:3-4 - Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 71:5-6 - For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

1 Cor 1:9 - God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful.

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Philippians 4:12-13 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

added by Mandee:

Micah 7:7
"Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me"

Psalm 63:3
"Your unfailing love is better than life itself, how I praise you"

There are many more verses too.

Now for Proverbs 31. Some people find Proverbs 31 too daunting, too heavy of a load to carry, too high for us to attain, or even attempt. I disagree. I find Proverbs 31 to be encouraging, motivating, inspiring and the reality is, without Christ, I can't do any of it ... but through him I can do all things, because he gives me strength.

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 spindle 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.

4 comments:

  1. Wonderful Niki! I'm hoping... wondering... if you'd be interesting in sharing the people in the group... I'd also love to pray and share in this. Or would you rather just do it on your own? Any thoughts...? And I'd love to be one of those 30 women... if you have room! :)

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  2. I pray that one day God will help me to become that Proverbs 31 woman.

    and here are two verses I thought I would share that were passed onto me (and written on my arm as a reminder from a friend lol)

    Micah 7:7
    "Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me"

    Psalm 63:3
    "Your unfailing love is better than life itself, how I praise you"

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  3. Niki - what a wonderful idea :)
    I'll certainly be praying for you! (And I think you should do the same for yourself - more often than just the months that happen to have 31 days!)

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  4. I think this is an awesome idea - I would love to be a pray-er too...can I be in? (although I'm not looking for a hubby! ;) )
    Dawn

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