PG31 Challenge #5 GREAT EXCHANGE

Today's Verse: Proverbs 31:14

 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. (ESV)

Key Word: Enterprising

Reflect: She is like the merchant ships,.... Not like a single one, but like a navy of them, that cross the seas, go to foreign parts, and come back laden with rich goods: so the church of Christ, and her true members, like ships of burden, trade to heaven, by prayer and other religious exercises, and return with the riches of grace and mercy, to help them in time of need; and though they have often difficult and dangerous passages, are tossed with tempests, and covered with billows; yet, Christ being their pilot, faith their sail, and hope their anchor, they weather the seas, ride out all storms, and come safe home with their merchandise (Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible)

What an awesome picture! I've heard the saying, "She's a brick house" but God calls us a fleet of merchant ships! You Woman of Virtue are praised today as an enterprising Woman, a woman who imports and exports the best for your house, who is willing to go the distance even for that which nourishes. With God as the Capatain of our ship, we can rest in the storms of life, we can enjoy the smooth sailing and allow him to guide us. Have you gotten on board in WorSHIP? In FellowSHIP? In RelationSHIP with God? We can make no positive, great exchange in this life that lasts without Jesus, the Captain of our Soul. In intimacy with Him, we can export the cares of this life, the weight of this world, and import his love, joy, peace, goodness, meekness, gentleness, self-control, and faith among other things. We can make an exchange today, and load ourselves with the daily benefits found in the presence of God. You, Woman of God are carrying precious cargo--YOU! You've got gifts, talents, abilities, and a personality specifically designed to bless this world. So, take the load off today, and load up on righteousness, peace, and joy in the presence of God. Only then can you truly unload your purpose.

ProACTION: Express your love for the Lord using some form of the arts today (singing, drawing, dancing, writing, playing a musical piece) and share with someone 10 years younger than you. Then listen to what they have to say.

PG31 Challenge #4 WORK IT!

Today's Verse: Proverbs 31:13

She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands. KJV


Key Words: Seeking, Willing, Working

Reflect: Here she manufactured; for she worketh willingly with her hands. And all her labor is a cheerful service; her will, her heart, is in it. It needs no arguments to prove that women, even of the highest ranks, among the Greeks, Romans, and Israelites, worked with their hands at every kind of occupation necessary for the support of the family. This kind of employment was not peculiar to the virtuous woman in the text (Clark's Commentary).

Many times we associate Virtuous Woman with Paralyzed Woman. What do I mean? Many picture her as a picture perfect, unmoving trophy wife to be taken off the shelf and dusted for special occaisions. Not So! The PG31 Woman is seeking, willing, and working! She is seeking the materials she needs, she is willing to shape the materials, and she is willing to get her hands involved in the process. What about you? Are you seeking new ways to sharpen the skills God has given you? Are you willing to go the distance to sharpen those skills? Are you planning your work, and working your plan? What are you waiting on?

ProACTION: Put your hands to work creating something for God today. It can be an art piece, the next chapter in your novel, the business plan you've been procrastinating on, the music piece you keep putting off. What ever it is, let your hands get busy! We would love to hear how you Worked It today!

PG31 Challenge #3 WORSHIP

Today's Verse: Proverbs 31:12

She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life. (God's Word Translation)

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. (KJV)

Key Word: ALL

Reflect: As a Woman of Virtue  you have the happiness of your husband in view constantly.Your good is unmixed; it is constant and permanent, not double-minded and unstable.  As a single woman, God's happiness is your primary focus. Having a hard time digesting that? I did too, once. It used to be all about me: my hair, my clothes, my stilettos, what made me feel good & look good (wives can have the "all about me" syndrome too). But at the end of the day, I still felt something was missing.  The more I submitted to God, the more complete I felt, and soon I began to realize, that if I had Jesus, I had everything I needed. The desires of my heart began to come alive as I let God's desires become first priority.

ProACTION: As you pray today, ask God to make His will first priority today and try not to be surprised as He rearranges your day. Instead of having lunch, make studying the Word your main course. Pop in or Youtube your favorite songs as you get in the Word for at least 31 minutes. Hear what God is speaking to your heart. We would love to hear from you!

PG31 Challenge #2 ENRICH SOMEONE ELSE

Good Morning ProACTIVE Woman!

I encourage you that as we activate our full potential as Women of God to journal your experiences. You can look back and reflect, and share with your son or daughter what you were thinking and how you responded to each challenge.

Today's Verse: Proverbs 31:11

The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain. KJV

 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. NLT

Key Word: Trustworthy

Reflect: As a Woman of Virtue, it is imperative that we be trustworthy. God, our Husbandman is looking for Women he can trust to be obedient to Him. How can we greatly enrich God? By giving Him our life, body, soul, and spirit. As a single woman, your commitment to Christ can help you gauge how committed you would be in a relationship. Are you always putting off time with the Lord? You will do the same in relationship. If work consumes you now, it will consume you then. Can God trust you to keep His word? Can God trust you to keep your promises to Him? As a married woman, trust is huge. Can your husband trust you to cover him in prayer or will you make condescending remarks about him to your girlfriends or co-workers? If your husband is looking to improve himself physically or professionally, are you looking for ways to assist him? After all, we are created to be help that is suitable. God has entrusted the care of another human being to you, not to parent, or lord over, but to compliment and strengthen.

ProACTION: Look in your closet today. Pick out one thing that has greatly enriched your life. Now give it away. If you are married, consider doing something today, no matter how small to enrich your husband today. We would love to hear what happened as a result!

PG31 Challenge #1: PRAY

If you are reading, it's because you have decided to take the PG31 Challenge or at least see what it's all about. This challenge is all about becoming the Woman God wants you to be, God's Way, through the Word of God. As we look as some aspects of the Proverbs 31 Woman, we want to hear what God is saying about our personal walk. Each day we will post a verse, a reflection, and a challenge, entitled ProACTION. We would love to hear your thoughts on the verse, the reflection or how you carried out the challenge below. We will be posting on FB as well. So, Let's dive in!

Today's Verse: Proverbs 31:10

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  (NIV)

Who finds a diligent woman? For she is precious beyond incomparable precious stones.

 (Aramaic In English)

"Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels.

(God's Word Translation)

Key Word: Worth

Reflect: As a Woman of Virtue, you are NOT just anyone. The three translations point out that your Worth is not in question, but the ability to discern it is. So many times I've heard women say, I'm not good enough. I say, it depends on who's looking. God calls you fearfully and wonderfully made. Your true worth can only be found in the Lord. Today, don't try to measure up to anything but the Word of God. You'll find peace in doing so.

ProACTION: During your prayer time today, ask the Lord to describe you in one word. Meditate on that word. Find out what it means. Then begin to speak that word over your life today. Share below what word the Lord used to describe you. He may speak directly to you, it can come from a passage of scripture, it may be a word that comes to mind and imprints itself in your heart as you pray. I can't wait to hear from You!

What Is The PG31 CHALLENGE?

Let's make this clear: This is a lay aside the weight challenge. What kind of weight? All of the negativity, unrealistic expectations that are laid on you & I as Women of the Most High God.

The world wants us to live a PG13 existence: wear what we say, do what we say, live like we want you to live, and your life will be so much better. But WE KNOW THE TRUTH. Life is found only in Jesus Christ. That's what this challenge is about. Reversing those PG13 mindsets and returning to Biblical Womanhood, the PG31 Kind.

PG31 stands for Pro(Active) Girl 31. The Proverbs 31 Woman is not someone just twiddling her fingers. She's engaged in her faith, her family, her friendships, and her finances, while appreciating her femininity. She's a homemaker, and an entreprenuer; in short, the Lady's got skills, and SO DO YOU. So, join me for 31 days and challenge yourself to be a better mother, a better wife, a better friend, a better financial steward, and become not just better to others, but be better to YOU.

God wants to take that PG13 mindset, forever a teenager or young adult and mature you. We will explore these next 31 days what Biblical Womanhood looks like. The daily challenge is to begin and end your day with 31 minutes of prayer just for you. Ask God into the dressing room of your heart. Ask Him to prepare you for the day, and ask  Him to undress you from the cares of this life at your day's end.

I am so excited about what I know God is going to work in and through us. The challenge begins May, 8 through June 9. Even if you cannot complete every challenge, I encourage you to meditate on a verse daily from Proverbs 31 and pray. Thank you so much for stopping by and getting ProActive!

Blessings,

Shantae Charles

PG31