Welcome to week 2! New to this challenge? Find out about it here (and sign up so I can pray specifically for you!). Don’t worry if you are just getting started…you have only missed a bit! Jump right in! Find printables and links to the other posts here.
Did you memorize your scripture for last week? This week we are continuing with the passage and moving right along. Soon we will have 1-6 memorized. This week let’s memorize verses 3-4:
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather 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 Peter 3:1-2
“With the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…”
Ladies, I am breaking out my Strong’s for this one. When I read a verse and it “hits me”…I always know there is still more to be discovered. This tool is so amazing. If you don’t have a concordance, get one! This explains the Hebrew or Greek word for most-every translated word in the Bible. Believe it or not, our language does not have the best descriptive words. Many things get lost in translation. Not necessarily because the meaning changes (sometimes it does!) but more because the words aren’t descriptive enough. Sometimes it takes 3 or 4 English words to describe one Greek word. So lets see what we have here:
Incorruptible according to Webster means: not subject to decay or dissolution
Gentle is from the Greek for epiekies “ep-ee-i-kace” which means many words: appropriate, mild, gentle, moderation, patient.
Quiet is from the Greek for hesuchios “hay-soo-khee-os” which means still, undisturbing, peaceable, quiet.
Well that helps us understand just how we are to be (inside and out) with our husbands. Let’s try this with a few more words. Here is the original verse: “…rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…”
Now let’s dig in deeper by filling in our descriptive words: We are to have a spirit that is appropriate, mild, gentle, patient, still, undisturbing, peaceable, quiet – without decay.
Without decay.
That means even on a bad day. Even when we don’t feel like mustering. Don’t feel like getting dressed? Still prepare your spirit. Don’t feel like cleaning your house? Clean your spirit.
I tell Shelby (more and more each day) to have a happy heart. This is what I am referring to. Her spirit. Her outward actions are a direct reflection of her spirit.
Our passage says: “Do not let your adornement be merely outward. Merely is implying that we are to have outward AND inward. Which means (ahem) we are to look nice, hair done, jewelry on, nice clothes, but that isn’t all. We are also to have happy hearts.
I ask my daughter all the time…but perhaps I need to start asking myself more?
Do you have a “happy heart”?
Today’s challenges:
1. Get dressed (according to the time you on day 1)!
2. Set your Week 2 goals (from your Printable).
3. Write down your scripture memory so you can start studying/memorizing.
4. Read Day 6 of “Frumps to Pumps” for more advice and encouragement! – Her challenge is Earrings. I LOVE MY Dangly earrings. I have been wearing them everyday! My girls love them too!
5. Leave a comment so we know you are on track. A simple “I’m on it!” will do! You could also share what your goals are for the week and what time you plan on getting dressed! This is how we can best hold each other accountable!
How are you doing with the challenge? What are your struggles? Do you need any special encouragement or prayer? Please let me know! Comments, Facebook, or email…it doesn’t matter!
Speaking of working on ourselves (consistency…trying (striving) to be better wives, mothers, daughters…) why not work on prayer in our marriages? I am a contributor to an upcoming challenge called A Surrendered Marriage by Intentional by Grace. I would love it if you would check out the challenge and see if it would interest you? Your marriage WILL get better from this. Prayer changes everything! We will provide you with the prompts and scripture…well, just read about it here for all the details!
This post contains my affiliate link to Sarah Mae’s book Frumps to Pumps. You can also get a free copy by subscribing to her blog (http://sarahmae.com). If you don’t want to subscribe, just buy the PDF, it is only 4.99! The book has really challenged and encouraged me and I hope you enjoy it too!
This post was shared with Better Mom, Prairie Homestead, Monday Mania, and Simply Prudent
About Nikki
That apple picture is AWESOME!!!
I can’t take credit for it…but I can take credit for FINDING it!
Still in and my flair is bracelets. Love the sparkle they add to the movement of my hand.
I love bracelets too! I do struggle though because I put my kitchen gloves off and on so much so rings and bracelets only go on when I leave the house…but earrings and necklaces are my thing!
Ooohhh, I really need this one! And this week I’m getting back to my regular schedule, so I am dressed and I even blow-dried my hair! Woot!
You go girl!
Wonderful truths, Nikki…. BTW, I love my concordance! Oh, and I’ve decided to try showering during my evening routine after Claire is sleeping. Hopefully that will help my morning routine.
Showering at night helps me a lot…saves time in the morning. However, I have really fine hair so I have to wear it back the next day!
Very good advice regarding the concordance. Regarding earrings – I have an inexpensive pair of “studs” (fake diamond looking) that I have purchased several times from Payless Shoes. They do dress up my “ponytail” look. BUT, I’ve also gotten into the habit of always wearing the same pair and a week or so ago, I put on my hoops (gold 1 1/4″) which I used to wear almost every day and I felt “fancy” since the hoops dangle. – I thought to myself, that I really should wear them more often.
Me too! I always wear my diamond studs. I took them out and started wearing danglies and am lovin’ it!