A Biblical Woman
A compilation of devotionals written by and for the women of Mars Hill
CONTENTS
A Biblical Woman is Confident
A Biblical Woman is Happy and Faithful
A Biblical Woman is Generous and Sharing 9
A Biblical Woman is Blessed 13
A Biblical Woman is Diligent 19
A Biblical Woman is Resourceful and Hospitable 25
A Biblical Woman is a Lover of God
A Biblical Woman is Strong and Persistent
A Biblical Woman is a Good Steward
A Biblical Woman is Noble and Respected
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A Biblical Woman is Confident
by Amberly Buckley“She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.”
-Proverbs 31:18
May we all have the confidence of a Proverbs 31 woman! She knows the value of her work. Not because of its physical worth, but because of its eternal worth. Her merchandise is what she is doing with her time here on earth. She is confident that she is inheriting her riches in Him, not of this world. Her lamp, or unwavering commitment to serve, never goes out because she understands who she is serving, and it keeps her going.
How can we be salt and light to this broken world if we are too stressed, worried, and frazzled to keep our eyes fixed on Him? When we cast our fears and doubts aside, we can live in His truth and stand on His promises; therefore, we can share that truth with others.
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” -Hebrews 4:16
What can you do today to ensure that your lamp does not go out at night? Go confidently into this world because you know where your hope lies!
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Know that it is not about you, but about the One who died for you because He wanted to be in relationship with YOU! Trust that His love, grace, and mercy are PERFECT and that you are not. You can boldly approach your Heavenly Father.
“Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” -Ephesians 3:12
As women, it is so easy to fall into the comparison trap, and this technological world does not make it any easier. But, hold fast to His promises! Physical beauty does not last, but in Christ, you have an attractiveness that never fades. A relationship with God is what makes a woman attractive, strong, and confident.
Who you are, your true identity, should be defined by who you are in Christ and who He says you are, rather than what the world says about you. Let your confidence be contagious! Nothing is more attractive than a woman who is unshakeable and boldly claims: “I AM WHO YOU SAY I AM!” Confidently press on with a heart of humility, kindness, compassion, gentleness, and patience. Go out into this world with such confidence of who you are in Christ that the world’s darkness cannot make your flame go out.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” -Colossians 3:12
Being a confident biblical woman does not mean striving for perfection, but resting in the fact that you are perfectly loved by your Creator. If you are feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, or confused by all the craziness in this world, spend some quality time with your Heavenly Father today. You will walk away refreshed, calmed, renewed, and assured of who you are in Him because of His perfect grace and mercy.
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Journaling Page on Confidence
What are some areas in your life that you lack confidence?
In your own words, what does biblical confidence look like?
Other thoughts and scriptures about confidence:
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A Biblical Woman is Happy and Faithful
by Sarah Argo“...a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” -Proverbs 31:30
Deep in the heart of humanity is the desire to be happy. One can spend their whole life chasing after the pursuit of happiness only to find that none of the things in which they sought satisfaction lasted.
It is common for a girl to be asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This question, though mostly stemming from pure motives, often presents a false reality that you need only know what you would like to do, and then upon doing it, you will be happy. But a person left only with the task of pursuing happiness will quickly find that the daily tasks of life can overwhelm even the noblest of dreams. A person must first learn faithfulness before they can expect any lasting happiness.
Throughout the book of Proverbs, words of wisdom are taught on how to live a faithful, godly life. In Proverbs 31, we see a woman who epitomizes these virtues and in turn receives a bountiful life. She is a worker who is diligent and resourceful. She has made a rhythm of faithful habits for her life, and within those routines, she is happy. Instead of fearing the future, she is able to laugh and be at ease.
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Her faithfulness to put regular steady effort towards managing her affairs allows her to rest in the present day, knowing that she has what she needs for the near future. Instead of complaining of the cold, she can choose to be happy when it snows, because she has already prepared appropriate clothing for her household. The faithfulness to do the little tasks of each day and not be idle become the platform that allows lightheartedness where she might otherwise have been weighed down.
There is a definite sense of contentment within the life of the woman depicted in Proverbs 31, and verse thirty reveals the source of her ability to be faithful and experience such a deep contentment that even charm and beauty cannot outshine. She fears the Lord. In all of her efforts, she is driven by the knowledge that God is primary in her life, and He is the supreme worker and her great provider. To fear the Lord is to know that we, like the birds and lilies of the field, are taken care of by our heavenly Father. It is the perspective of God being her creator that alleviates the weight of her own efforts and allows for whatever work she pursues to be one of joy.
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Journaling Page on Happiness
What are some things in your life that you MUST have to be happy?
Does not having these things determine your attitude?
Other thoughts and scriptures about happiness:
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A Biblical Woman is Generous and Sharing
by Bekki Buckley“She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.” -Proverbs 31:14-15
Of all the things to which women might be compared, a merchant ship is rarely at the top of anyone’s list! However, it was the merchant ship that went to great lengths to bring exotic goods from foreign lands. Like the merchant ship that braves challenging seas to carry its goods “from afar,” so too does the Proverbs 31 woman. She resists any urge towards laziness rising “while it is yet night” to provide for her family.
The result of her hard work is not meagerness but over-abundant provision for her family and beyond. Her family is the beneficiary of her hard work, but so are those beyond her family. She does not keep what God has provided to herself or her family but generously shares it with her “maidens.”
Thinking beyond the Proverbs 31 woman and her hard work, we must remember God is the ultimate provider. In scripture, God sent food from
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heaven to the Israelites while they were leaving Egypt. He wanted them to know that he would fill their hunger when nothing else would. This bread of heaven was called manna. Manna certainly qualifies as “food from afar.” In John 6:32-33, Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jesus Himself is the “food from afar” that God sent to the world to satisfy their hunger. His followers then are the ones who get to bring this good news to those who are hungry.
Looking through the lens of the New Testament, a Proverbs 31 woman is one who is first filled with Jesus, our heavenly food from afar. Then she is one who works hard to provide for those around her. Her identity is in Jesus’ work on her behalf, and the result is hard work in response. In her selfless acts of giving these provisions away, she learns that this Bread of Heaven is more endless than the sea she has been sent to travel upon. What a joy it is for her, as well as those around her, when she obediently goes where she is sent. She is able to give what she has been filled with, only to realize the miracle that occurs as this “food from afar” never runs out.
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Journaling Page on Generosity
Who has God placed in your path to share Himself with?
What attitude does it seem like this woman has as she provides for others?
Other thoughts and scriptures about generosity:
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A Biblical Woman is Blessed
by Hannah Beaton“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done ex cellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”
-Proverbs 31:28-31
If you take a look at any TV show, movie, or post on social media these days, you will likely see the word “blessed” thrown around like a status symbol or proof of earthly wealth. Even in Christian culture, we see the term cheapened and overused, often in reference to material possessions or prosperity as proof of God’s love and faithfulness.
Why is it that we have this view of the word “blessed”? In a culture that values appearances over character and status over contentment, it is easy to see how this word could take on such a trivial meaning. If we take this meaning for the word blessing and apply it to our walk with God, it would be easy to slip into believing the lie that the more that we grow in our walk with God, the more earthly blessings we will receive. When we dig into His word, we quickly realize that this is far from true.
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Although we receive good gifts from the Lord, we are also promised trials, suffering, and temptations in this life. So then, what does it mean to be “blessed” if we look at this word through the lens of the Bible?
Consider these verses:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” -Psalm 1:1-2
“ Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” -Psalm 119:1-3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”
-Ephesians 1:3-4
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” -James 1:12
These verses point to a life committed to Christ by faith. If we approach the idea of blessings apart from the assurances we have through Christ, we will quickly question His character when life on earth does not look quite how we anticipated. When we frame what we believe about blessings around the word of God, it is clear that our spiritual blessings far outweigh any earthly possessions we could ever obtain.
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guaran tee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” -Ephesians 1:11-14
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We will face trials and temptations in this life, but God’s word promises us that we are not alone. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
If you read the verses leading up to Proverbs 31:28-31, you will likely see a picture of a woman who has devoted herself to the Lord in all aspects of her life: in work, in her home, and in her relationships. She is blessed, not because of any earthly treasures or accolades, but because she delights in the Lord. God bestows spiritual blessings on His people because He loves us, and not because of anything we have done. As followers of Christ, we can rest knowing our hope is secure in Him no matter what our future holds.
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Journaling Page for Blessings
How are you biblically blessed?
How has your character been shaped by hardship?
Other thoughts and scriptures about God’s blessings:
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A Biblical Woman is Diligent
by Danielle Dillenscheider“She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.” -Proverbs 31:13
Proverbs 31 praises the wise woman for many character traits, but one that cannot be overlooked is her diligence . Proverbs 31:13 says that this wise woman ‘seeks’ out what are, in all honesty, fairly mundane tasks of livelihood in her context. Her seeking of ‘wool and flax’ could be compared to doing the dishes or math homework—yet she works with ‘willing hands.’
At the root of diligence is the heart. Seriously—the root of this word is “deligere,” which is the Latin word “to love, to respect, to care for.” Diligence does not mean lifeless attention to detail. At its core, diligence involves the heart and the will at work.
It is always easier to be diligent in those tasks we naturally love to do. Perhaps you love your pet, or your personal space, or your athletic gear. You likely take good care of those things. Maybe you work a job that pays well or has convenient hours. You are probably thankful for that job and work diligently at it. What happens, though, when that pet is difficult, or the job requires you to perform a tedious task for little money?
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Often, we attend this work with dread and complaints. Though it may seem impossible to carry diligence into a task that we do not want to do, that is what this passage in Proverbs calls us to do.
We cannot fake diligence, though. If we try to power through on our own, we will run out of energy and desire. How can we work diligently in all circumstances then? As one who weaves God’s wisdom into the fabric of her daily life, the wise woman of Proverbs 31 seems to know the truth of what Paul later explains in Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” It seems strange to say that you are serving the Lord, even in the repetitive chores you dread. Is He the one who is going to let you go out if your room is clean, or grade your homework? Not necessarily. But He has put you in this place, to do this work, for a reason. This work is a blessing, a gift from God. ‘Working heartily as for the Lord’ calls for a change in perspective; it is a mentality that must be set daily and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. He guides you to work with willing hands in all situations so that others might look and see Jesus reflected in you.
But why does it matter? There are a couple of reasons. When we work diligently, whether the task engages our natural passions or is dreadfully boring, our attitude can influence others. It can show them the character of Jesus: his humility, his love, and his joy. Also, doing any act with great care lashes against the apathy and slothfulness that the enemy tries to trap us in. Do you find yourself struggling with this in certain areas of your life? When this is the case, there is a need to confront sin. Do not let laziness slide by unaddressed; ask God to change your heart. It is easy to sink into numbing tendencies and find idleness more pleasant than anything else. Don’t cling to your own comfort—cling to the only true goodness: Jesus.
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Journaling Page for Diligence
How did Jesus demonstrate diligence? Read and consider John 13:1-17.
In what areas of my life am I diligent in my work?
What should my mindset be when I work?
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In what areas of my life am I lazy or apathetic? Who is holding me accountable in these areas?
Other thoughts and scriptures about diligence:
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A Biblical Woman is Resourceful and Hospitable
by Hollie Farmer“She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed cov erings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.” -Proverbs 31:18, 20, 21-22
Have you ever been to a friend’s house, and you were hungry but did not feel you could ask for something to eat? Or you were cold and were not offered a blanket? At that moment, did you feel cared for? Were your needs met? Showing hospitality to our friends and neighbors means we care for them. We esteem their needs more highly than our own.
Romans 12:10 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” When you have friends over to hang out, it is the perfect time to be intentional in showing the love of Christ to them. Offer them something to eat and drink, be observant about how they are feeling and help them feel welcomed in your home. Hospitality goes beyond making people feel comfortable, though. It involves being observant, seeing a need or someone who needs help, and choosing to act.
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Growing up, there was this one area of town that we had to pass through to get to the dentist’s office. I would see people asking for money on the side of the road, and that tugged at my heart. I felt like that was the Holy Spirit urging me to do something. I asked God what I could do to be helpful and resourceful with my limitations. I decided to make gift bags to show the love of Christ. I stuffed the bags with toiletry items, crackers, bottled water, and a kind message inside. I kept a few handy in the front seat so that I could roll down the window and give them out without getting out of the car.
Have you felt that tug in your heart before? To do something, to say something, to be the light of Christ in your community? When you work hard, make good decisions, care for others, and provide resources for others, you are honoring the Lord. You are being the hands and feet of Jesus. Being resourceful does not require a lot of money or a position of leadership. It means doing what you can with what you have. You are being like the Proverbs 31 woman who is devoted to the well being of others and contributes to the concerns of her community.
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Journaling Page for Hospitality
What resources do you have? How can you use them to meet the needs of others?
How can you show hospitality in your daily life?
Other thoughts and scriptures about hospitality:
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A Biblical Woman is a Lover of God
by Sarah Jacobs“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
-Deuteronomy 6:5
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
-Matthew 22:37
The word “love” is probably one of the most frequently used words in the English language, and one of the emotions that we can relate to the most in our lives. We love our family. We also love our pets, our favorite video game, our new outfit, or our car. It is great to love those things, and having many things we love enriches our lives and brings us joy.
Did you know that love comes from God? 1 John 4:8 says that God IS Love! When he was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
God demonstrated His love for us by sending His only Son, Jesus. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that
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whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus, who was totally sinless, died for us so that we might be restored to God. That IS love!
God’s love is unconditional! That means He doesn’t love us because we have earned His love, or because He’s impressed by how smart we are, how creative we are, how talented we are, or anything else that we do. He loves us simply because He is love. Loving people is part of who He is. Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God desires for us to love Him. Knowing that God is love, that He demonstrated His love for us in sending Jesus, and that His love is unconditional, can help build in us a love for God that is unshakable. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” When we love God, others around us will be able to see it. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 is a lesson in the transforming power of God’s love. When Zacchaeus turned from his sin and started following Jesus, the love he now had for God caused such a change in him that he paid back four times what he had stolen from people and also gave away one half of all he possessed. People who knew him saw the drastic change, and his life became a testament to the Lord. God’s love is that powerful!
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Journaling Page for Loving God
What are some things that you love?
What do you do that shows you love those things?
What does the statement “God is Love” mean to you?
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What is a way you can show your love for God?
Other thoughts and scriptures about love:
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A Biblical Woman is Strong and Persistent
by Katie Joffe“She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.”
-Proverbs 31:17
Have you ever seen the world’s strongest man competition where a herculean man pulls a vehicle with nothing but his own strength? They have muscles in places no one knew existed! There are various types of strength: physical strength, mental prowess, power or influence, emotional stamina, etc. In our quest for Biblical womanhood, we hone our spyglass in on God’s word for clues as to what He has to say about strength.
God doesn’t expect us to leap tall buildings or bench press 400 pounds. For our own good, He wants us to find our strength in Him. Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” In Isaiah 41:10, the Lord speaks to Israel, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” In Psalm 46:1, we find that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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You probably know by now that does not mean God always rescues us from hardship and keeps us in a nice comfy bubble with an electricheated leopard print snuggie. Physical muscles are strengthened by using them and actually have small tears in them from exertion and resistance in order to grow (hyperplasia). Remember your calves or biceps being sore the next day after a bout of heavy lifting or squats? Just as physical muscles require resistance and a challenge to grow, God allows us to be tested and to go through hardship to develop our muscles of faith. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.... Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:2-4,12)
An athlete’s physical muscles are strengthened with regular training/ workout regimens. Our faith (aka spiritual muscles) is strengthened when we diligently love the Lord and seek to honor him day after day. We do not work for our salvation because that is a free gift (Romans 6:23, Romans 3:22-24, Ephesians 2:8-9), but we work unto the Lord by studying His Word to find out what pleases Him. We work with the Lord’s strength to obey His commands. Persistence is doing this even when they are hard, or they do not seem to be making a difference. We are to persist in doing good because our faith and strong God calls us to action.
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Journaling Page for Strength
What do you need to change in order to build your spiritual muscles?
How could a stronger faith habit help you in difficult situations?
Other thoughts and scriptures about strength:
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A Biblical Woman is a Good Steward
by Jennifer Ponder-Pepper“She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She consid ers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.”
-Proverbs 31:15-16, 18
The words “good steward” can sound a little old fashioned. Stewardship is not a word you hear thrown around a lot unless it’s at church, and they’re talking about giving money. However, there is so much more to being a good steward than this.
To steward something, according to a Christian worldview, simply means “utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation.” (Charles Bugg, Holman Bible Dictionary) So, it’s important for us to realize that everything we have – our money, time, talents, resources, energy, and words – is a gift from God, and these are gifts we must use wisely.
You can see from the woman in Proverbs 31:15-16, and also Colossians 3:23-24, and 1 Peter 4:10, that you have many things over which you can
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be a good steward. Did you know that you have been entrusted with incredible and unique gifts? God created you with specific interests, talents, and abilities. He placed you in a particular school, family, and community. Within this framework, you can model the same stewardship outlined in these scriptures.
The woman in Proverbs 31 makes the most of her time and resources. She works to use her time wisely, without wasting it. However, that does not mean she works herself to death! Being a good steward is just as much about realizing your limits, as it is about being productive. You can better serve the Lord, yourself, and others when you take care of yourself.
You have the power to be a good steward of your body: physically, mentally, and spiritually. Being mindful of how you care for your health, what you watch and listen to, where you allow your mind to dwell, how you invest in your prayer life and Bible study, and with whom you spend your time are all important areas you can be a good steward of.
Being a good steward means making wise decisions and surrounding yourself with the kind of people who will help you do that. Like the woman in Proverbs 31, it means recognizing the gifts and responsibilities you have been given, and recognizing how using those can impact not just you, but your family, your church, and your community.
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Journaling Page for Stewardship
What talents and abilities has the Lord blessed you with? How can you use those for His glory?
How are you managing your time?
How could you better make the most of it?
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What are you listening to/watching/reading? Is it helping you to be the kind of person you want to be?
If you’re struggling with being a good steward of these things, who is one person you can talk to and ask for help in this area?
Other thoughts and scriptures about stewardship:
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A Biblical Woman is Noble and Respected
by Julia Summerlin“An excellent (noble and respected) wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” -Proverbs 31:10
What a great question! This woman is capable, intelligent, and virtuous. She is more precious than jewels. This woman is strong and secure. She celebrates the future (Proverbs 31:25); she is happy and to be envied because her children love her, and her husband praises her (Proverbs 31:28). Who is she? Where is she? Who can find her? Let’s find some answers.
Who is she? This woman did not begin her life as a capable, strong, virtuous woman. Interestingly, to be noble and respected are not the characteristics that a Christian woman seeks to become. She seeks something quite different; she seeks to humble herself. But most importantly, she seeks God’s heart. She seeks to have God make her according to His heart. She seeks a heart filled with extravagant love for God and complete submission to His will in her life. She seeks God first, knowing that He will direct her paths. She seeks God always, always remembering that all praise, honor, and glory belong to God.
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Where is she? This woman resides in the kingdom of God, and God reigns in her heart. She is pursuing God through prayer, Bible study, and obedience. As she gives her heart to God, he fills her with a love that calls her to service. This service is to her husband, her children, her church, and her community. She gives with a humble heart, remembering how graciously God has given to her.
Who can find her? This woman was created by God when he created each one of us. Everyone can find her! That’s great news! She lives in the life of the woman who places God on the throne of her heart and then loves her husband, teaches her children, provides a loving, caring life for her family, uses her work as a vessel, and grows herself so that she can give to and serve others.
Who can find her... the young woman who seeks God’s heart.
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Journaling Page for Respect
How do we grow in our knowledge and understanding of God’s heart?
In Philippians 2:1-18, Paul writes about Christ’s humility. How can you have the same attitude as Christ Jesus? Based on this passage, what are actions you can take daily to have the attitude of Christ?
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Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus tells Martha, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” What is “it” and do you desire it?
Other thoughts and scriptures about respect:
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Take the next few pages to journal your reflections on everything you’ve learned about what it means to be a Biblical Woman. What areas do you feel God prompting your heart to grow?
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