A virtuous woman isn't ruled by her passions--she passionately pursues an incomparable God.

Today we’re starting lesson one of the book club, The Virtuous Life of a Christ-centered Wife: 18 Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Please pray with me as I’m new to this world of book clubs. I don’t know how to run one, and so I’m hoping to lean on the Lord during the next nine weeks.

Before starting this club, I knelt down at the side of my bed and prayed asking the Lord to guide me. I don’t know what a successful book club should look like. All I know is that I want to be inspired by the Word, and sharpened by you as we study together.

We’re starting with chapter one today which is talking about virtue in general.

I wrote, “Virtue is all about our behavior. It’s an act of yielding our lives to our principles, which is not always easy, but always rewarding. There’s a will to do good in every one of us, but whether or not we choose to exercise and develop that goodness determines our character.”

If we’ve ever set out to lose weight, change a bad habit, start a new exercise routine, or cut back on caffeine, it’s likely that we’ve felt the sting of our choice. Virtues come with a price, they call us to sacrifice. In scripture, it’s often described as a crucifying of the flesh. I also think of it as choosing God’s will in lieu of my own.

I’ve opened my Bible to Proverbs 31 for this lesson. Over the years I’ve read it several times, but today was the first day I learned something absolutely breathtakingly beautiful about the chapter. In the original translation, verses 10-31, each begin with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. That spurs me on to study Hebrew, and to keep digging deeper into the Word.

Whether this woman truly existed or not we don’t know for sure. What I do know is that there isn’t a single woman who’s perfect. We have virtuous qualities but the only true perfection we have is in Christ.

It’s through Him, and by Him, and for Him that we live. Once we embrace this truth we’re growing in virtue as we live by the Spirit and put down the flesh.

This world is seductive. We’re surrounded by the lure of temptation. For each one of us it’s different, but nevertheless it’s constantly there.

“But, my situation is different… God’s way is boring… I’ve been a good girl all my life, this one time I’m choosing what I want to do… I’ll sin today and get forgiveness tomorrow… “

Self-centered thinking is the bridge that leads us into the pit. Christ-centered thinking is the road less traveled. It leads us through meadows of peace and contentment and hope.

My prayer for you today is that you’ll choose the road less traveled. Examine your life to see what temptation you’re facing, and what steps you can take to walk a victorious life. Remember, yielding our lives to our principles, is not always easy, but always rewarding.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that you will guide us in virtue. Teach us to yield our flesh to Your Spirit, to listen to Your voice, and to obey Your commands. Help us to grow in our roles as wives. May we learn to love as You love, and to freely give as You give.

Amen.

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

Let’s discuss chapter 2 on Friday!

What are some of the thoughts that you have on chapter one? What are your thoughts on virtue? Please leave a comment below! (subscribers click through to the blog)

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Today’s Challenge:
Examine your life to see what temptation you’re facing, and what steps you can take to walk a victorious life. Take this to prayer.

 

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