Being Women of Influence

She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. Proverbs 31:20 NKJV

Think about hands for a moment. So many things come from hands: a warm hello in a handshake, an encouraging pat on the back, help carrying items, build things, write letters, to communicate, pushing a child on a swing, walking a dog, watering the grass, washing the dishes, paying bills, cooking dinner, sewing, crafting, wiping away a tear-streaked cheek, etc. Just imagine all this woman’s hands have created: cooked wonderful meals, spun thread and yarn, made clothing, planted a vineyard, and done good things. Now, we see this woman is reaching out to help others outside of her immediate family.

She uses her gifts, talents and abilities to meet the needs of the poor. No doubt she provides food and clothing. She probably spends time with the needy as well. Envision her sitting next to a down-and-out sister, reaching her arm around them sharing the love of God with them.

Yes our hands show we care. They can be healing agents of love, grace and kindness. They can extend help, care and encouragement. Just as our hands can be used for good, they can also be used for evil. Hands can be used to withhold love or not used at all. Hands can be critical pointing out flaws. We all have a choice on how we choose to use our hands. How are you using your hands today?

Lord thank you for blessing us with hands. Use them to bless others in our life today. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.

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©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade. Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

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Learn from Proverbs 31 Woman.  This section of scripture is jammed packed with positive examples of godly influence. 

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A co-worker of mine was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer.  She is a mother of three small children.  She is also a believer in Jesus Christ.  Throughout her treatments, she did not complain or ask questions like “why me?” but rather she did what she had to do quietly and patiently.

During and after her treatments, as many experience, she lost most of her natural hair.  She wore a wig to hide her baldness, but it wasnt’ for her benefit rather for ours.  Others going through the same situation were more concerned over their loss of hair.  It was devastating to them, being robbed their natural beautiful hair.  This had quite an impact on my co-worker friend.

When she herself began growing hair again, she made a commitment to give back to others.  She sommitted to growing her hair long only to cut it off and donate to a wig making companies serving cancer patients.  In this way, she could ease the pain of others by supplying them what they lacked during their ordeal.  Who better knows what a cancer patient goes through than someone who has already gone through it.  God never wastes a hurt.  He uses it for good.  He certaintly did with my friend.

This woman is a woman of influence.  God uses all things for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.  This woman used her influence to bring hope to others.  She inspires others to do the same.

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Most authors dream of selling a million copies of their books …

Joyce is a bit different. 

She wants to GIVE AWAY A MILLION COPIES

 Of her first book in E-Book format.

Chili and Chocolate Cake is not your average inspirational book; and is as unique as the title.  The author shares her message of forgiveness, restoration, and hope for hurting women– especially those who have experienced the loss of a child through abortion, miscarriage, or stillborn birth.  This book is a shining testimony to the power of God to heal the broken heart.  Author Joyce Schneider’s dramatic life and the miraculous change from a tortured young women  to a great woman of God  will encourage every reader.  God even used the stablilty gained from preparing chili and chocolate cake to weave the thread of His grace throughout her troubled life.  Get ready for an outpouring–from the barren days of the past, to springs of living waters; rivers that will refresh long after you close the pages of this book.

                    Thank you for being a part of our Million Copy Give Away!

Joyce Schneider is a wife, mother, author and speaker living in Naples, Florida with her husband and sons.  Joyce uses her real life experiences to share healing and hope through faith in Jesus Christ.

Joyce has a passion for helping hurting woman, especially those suffering from past abortions, miscarriage or stillborn birth.  She understands the hurt left inside from these traumatic events. 

Her writings share her experiences in walking out her faith in day to day life; her discovery that God doesn’t want our perfection, but rather our hearts.

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She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. Proverbs 31:16 NKJV

The woman who considers is one who thinks through the pros/cons and all the potential impacts to others that are wrapped up in the decision.  It is wise to consider before deciding something.

She is able to make decisions.  Some have a hard time deciding whether or not to make a large purchase.  Others have a hard time figuring out what to wear in the morning.  This woman clearly knows how to choose. She is willing to take risks.  When she considers the risks she doesn’t let fear or failure stop her.  She even has a track record of good decisions because the verse talks about her profits.  She has done well with her financial gain in the past. 

She is not out to acquire for the sake of gain.  This woman’s intensions are for good.  With her profits she doesn’t run out and go shopping for herself.  With her profits she plants a vineyard.  Think about how a vineyard might help others.

(1)   It provides food for her family.

(2)   It provides jobs for others because she needs laborers to tend the vineyard and help at harvest time.

(3)   If she chooses to sell any of the harvest, she is supplying food to others.

(4)   It provides additional income for her family, when she sells some of the harvest.

This woman is an intelligent business woman.  Not only does she benefit all these people but she also invests for the future.  What an example for us!

Lord Jesus, thank you for this godly woman’s example.  Thank you, for the wisdom you provide when we ask for it.  Help us to be wise, decisive and thoughtful of the future.  In your name we pray. Amen.

Sign up for 8 week Bible study on Proverbs 31 Woman:

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. 

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She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. Proverbs 31:15 NKJV

The woman in today’s verse is committed to her family.  She rises early, sacrificing her own rest to provide for others.  Nowhere does it mention, she does this because of the appreciation she gets.  No, she does this out of love.  She is pleasing God through her constant care for her family’s needs and that’s all that matters.

She knows what each family member needs.  If one of her children has dietary restrictions, she would prepare food appropriate for them.  If another didn’t like spices, she would prepare a meal without spices.  She provides meals for the entire household.  Even the maid servants she treats as part of the family by providing portions for them.

She cares for each one in ways that matter to them. 

Food takes time to prepare. Especially, in bible times where they did not have modern conveniences such as electric or gas stoves, microwave ovens, and in-door ovens, etc.  Just imagine making bread from scratch.  If you are not familiar with the process, check out this How to Make Bread article at http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-Bread-without-a-bread-machine/ for more details.   First gather the ingredients, then mix them in a precise measure.  Next knead the dough for 8 to 9 minutes until the texture is just right (whatever that means!).  Then let it rise for an hour.  (Time consuming!) Move dough to pans and let rise again. Bake, cool and eat.  That’s a lot of time, just for a loaf of bread!

So remember, this woman did everything without the cool gadgets and fancy appliances we have today.  In a sense maybe it makes it easier for us to become “gourmet” cooks.  For those on the receiving end of the meals, remember someone prepared the meal especially for you.  It took time, preparation and care.  Don’t sneer because it looks funny.  Taste it and compliment the cook, even if you don’t like it. 

Lord thank you for giving us the energy we need to carry out your purposes.  Help us to focus on you today.  If that means cooking for someone, help us make a meal that not only satisfies the hunger but brings joy to the taste buds.  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Sign up for 8 week Bible Study on Proverbs 31 Woman:

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. 

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She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. Proverbs 31:14 NKJV

Food is necessary for our survival.  However, this woman puts forth effort in making the necessary special.  She doesn’t just make simple foods, but rather exotic and gourmet. 

The mention of merchant ships brings to mind variety, not the “same old thing”.  Perhaps this woman was very creative in her meal preparations.  The verse says “she is like the merchant ship”.  Maybe her food was prepared in such a way the eaters believe it must have come from far away. 

Isn’t it nice to enjoy a new, different meal time experience?  It brings pleasure, doesn’t it?  It is a wonderful a woman who provides so abundantly for her family.

It is not only enjoyable, but it is also an opportunity for teaching her children about other cultures.  Exposing them to new kinds of food, talking of where the food came from and the types of lives people led all over the world is a great way to expand our children’s thinking. 

Are you the cook in the family?  What is one way to bring some creativity to your meals?  Don’t be afraid to try a new recipe.  It just might be your family’s next favorite meal.  It’s good for them to try new foods.

Lord thank you for the variety of food choices we have.  Help us be grateful for every type of food set before us.  Teach us ways to introduce new foods to our families.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

Sign up for 8 week Bible Study on Proverbs 31 Woman:

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word. 

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1 Peter 3:4 NKJV says “let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”

I know a woman who portrays this verse wonderfully.  Her name is Melinda.  She is very quiet, almost shy if you didn’t know any better.  While she is very intelligent and knowledgable in her field of expertise, she never flaunts it.  She wisely listens to all sides of a discussion before offering her suggestion.

She exudes an inner beauty that many women only wish they had.  She has a confidence that comes from the Lord Himself. She is almost very calm, even in the amidst of a business crisis or under a deadline.  Her calming influence has made a tremendous impact in my life.  Melinda is yet another example of women of influence I am blessed to know personally.

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