LIVING RIGHT WHILE LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHT

What are the positive actions I can do while single to be the best Christian woman possible? Two practices are paramount: prepare and pray!

 

Everything you will be as a wife in the future, you are developing today. Your basic personality and character traits will not magically change for the better once you get married. The time to prepare physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually is NOW! Make every single day count. Develop your talents, acquire your education, establish your career. There is one constant whether married or single - Be the best Christian possible and work at "growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). Let's turn to Proverbs 31 and see what characteristics this woman possessed that made her a wonderful godly example of womanhood for all time. Would we like the following to be said of us? "Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies?" (Proverbs 31:10). The following are traits women need to emulate:

* can be trusted (vs. 11).

* does her husband good (12)

* is a worker (13)

* is an industrious household shopper (14)

* is an early riser to care for her family and household (15)

* is a wise investor (16)

* is a strong woman (takes care of herself physically) (17)

* is self-confident and prepared (18)

* is caring and compassionate for the less fortunate and needy (20)

* has laid up provisions in advance so that her family is always taken care of (21)

* is a seamstress (makes herself as attractive as possible) (22)

* is the woman behind the man (husband) esteemed in the community (23)

* is an entrepreneur (24)

* is an honorable woman (25)

*speaks with wisdom and kindness (26)

* is not idle (27)

* has earned the respect of her husband and children (28)

 

KEY (vs. 30) - She feareth the Lord! Her priorities are right. Her formula for successful femininity is an attitude of the heart. "Favor (charm) is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised". She respects God and His word. She has respect for herself.

 

When a man starts to thinking in terms of marriage, whether he is conscious of it or not, his mind turns to qualities that sound a lot like the woman in Proverbs 31. Men still look for women who are trustworthy, loyal, committed, hardworking, and good home managers. Most guys want their wives to be wise investors, generous givers, strong yet compassionate, cautious in speech yet quick to speak a word of kindness. Yes, believe it or not, most men still look for that kind of woman! If she has physical beauty to go along with these other traits, that is an added plus. Without these qualities, external and transient attractiveness will quickly fade, and a smart guy knows it.

 

The woman in Proverbs 31 makes good use of her talents and abilities, while remaining sensitive and loving to all those around her. She is not a subservient slave, nor is she lazy. This woman has earned the right to be respected through her actions and attitudes. She has learned the tenuous art of balancing her outside interests with those of her home. This woman is truly a picture of what a woman of God should be. How do you measure up to the woman of Proverbs 31? Do you sound a lot like her? What better time than now do you have to start preparing to be the best woman you can be?

What thou art before God

That, thou art and nothing more.

Though thy name be spread abroad.

Like winged seed from shore to shore.

A Man After God's Own Heart

I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9

What makes a man honorable before God, thus glorifying God? When we think of a very godly man, often what person comes to mind? Elders in the Lord's church should be among the most spiritual people we know. Let's look at the qualities God sets forth that these men should have to be pleasing to Him and necessary to fulfill the office of bishop. What does this have to do with dating, you may ask? Remember the list you made of qualities that you admire in a man? Combine that with the knowledge that the man was designed by God to be the leader.  What better list could we look at to see what qualities God desires men to have than that of elders?

If this is what God deems desirable, should we not be looking for and dating men with these qualities (or working at acquiring these attributes)?.

Read I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

How can God be glorified by your life? The same way He has always been glorified; by faithful obedience to His will. In so doing, our lives prove that such a life is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:12).

Obedience is equated with good works, for which we have been created (Ephesians 2:10). Those good works spring forth from a heart full of faith in God.

Jesus provides for us the supreme example of One who glorified God through His life. Jesus Himself affirmed, "The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him" (John 8:29). Shouldn't we desire to follow our Savior?

M.L Martini

Written and taught by M.L Martini of the Brown Trail Church of Christ. She compiled this lesson using several different sources.

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