Day 13: Ladies of Calvary - 30 Day Marriage Challenge

30 Day Challenge: As Unto the Lord – Day 13


Today we will be veering from our regular format to issue our new Memory Verse and Challenge Project for the upcoming week of study. I hope that you had a successful week of study (despite interruptions in posting - sorry) and that you were able to glean much from the Word of God.

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We will briefly discuss our Challenge Project from last week. Then, I will be asking you to complete another Challenge Project & then to begin memorizing the Memory Verse for the upcoming week.

Our previous challenge was:

“Review Your Wedding Vows”

• “Write out your wedding vows. If you do not remember your vows, try to find them or copy one. (Try the internet or email Sister Mac for ideas)


• Write down specific ways in which you are fulfilling each portion of your vows.


• Write down specific ways in which you are failing to fulfill your vows.


• Pray over these lists and repent of your failings.


• Make a list of specific actions you can take to more faithfully fulfill your vows.


• With God’s help, put these actions into practice.


• Renew your vows with your husband. This can be a simple confession of your failings and a verbal commitment to better serve your husband. You could also make the renewal of vows more formal or memorable with a special meal or surprise date.”

I had some difficulty recalling what I had committed to, so I dug deep in the archives and rescued my wedding vows from the file folder they were tucked away in. I spent time reflecting and allowing God to renew (and restore, where needed) my covenant with my husband. The gentle reminder that “Love never fails” was an encouraging hope brought to my mind while reading my vows once again. It is amazing the clarity that God’s Word brings, coupled with the experience of 10 years of marriage (this coming year).

I have prepared a plan of action, with the Holy Spirit’s leading, to begin restoring the failings that I have had in fulfilling my vows to my husband, in the past. Next, I took time to prepare my vows by writing them in calligraphy on parchment paper, placed them in a frame and I am giving them to my husband as a gift during the holidays. (I am also planning a secret date once my family comes to help out during the winter break. *Shhhsh* don’t tell!)

I also wanted to share the outcome of my “mini” challenge from Day 11 (if you missed it, check out the post here). Pictured below is my daily visual reminder. It hangs now on my bathroom mirror and helps me to stay focused on my purpose, given by God, throughout the day.

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This week’s Challenge Project is inspired by a book that I completed back in 2009 called The Love Dare by: Stephen & Alex Kendrick (The makers of the movie Fireproof, Courageous & Facing the Giants). This book can be completed alone or with your spouse. I will be featuring this book during February and conducting an online “Love Dare” Challenge on my blog – so tune in for that.

Challenge Project #2:


Make a Praise List

Take pen and paper and begin making a list of all the positive attributes that your husband possesses. Make the list as long as you possibly can. Take the sheet of paper and hide it away in a secret place (we will be recalling it later in our study). Now, choose from your list one positive quality from your list and find a moment or two, during the course of the week, to thank your husband for possessing this quality. Use this list, as needed, to begin giving thanks for all that God has provided for you already, through your husband.

• The above statement is “revised” quote for the book The Love Dare by: Stephen and Alex Kendrick

Memory Verse

Proverbs 10:19

“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”

Commit this scripture to memory during the course of this week, asking the Lord to plant His Word deep in your heart.

• Join our devotional study tomorrow as we tackle two more points in “Reverence in Word”.
• Quotations used that are italicized are from the book As Unto the Lord by Pam Forester unless otherwise sited in this post.

Day 12: Ladies of Calvary - 30 Day Marriage Challenge

30 Day Challenge: As Unto the Lord – Day 12



Reverence in Word, Part 5

Please forgive me for being off schedule (again)! I was in desperate need of a “sick” day days away from the computer. I will be playing catch-up today by preparing the next 5 lessons and pre-scheduling them to post during the holidays. That way I do not fall further behind during upcoming family gatherings and with visitors in my home. Thank you for your understanding.

I hope and pray that each of you is carrying away much wisdom from our study of “Reverence in Word”. Today we will continue this portion of study. We will have 2 more lessons, after today, in “Reverence in Word”, then move on to “Reverence in Behavior”. I will also post a new Memory Verse and new Challenge Project later today.

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1. “Do I talk too much?”

Scripture references – Proverbs 25:17, Proverbs 17:27, Job 13:5, Proverbs 21:23

Focus today on Proverbs 10:19

“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Proverbs 10:19 NKJV

2. “Do I talk enough to my husband, remaining open with him, carefully communicating important information to him, encouraging him, praising him, and seeking his counsel?”

Scripture reference – Proverbs 15:17, Proverbs 15:14

Focus scripture Proverbs 10:32

“The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness.” Proverbs 10:32 NKJV

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We have much to feed on today in Proverbs. This book seems to have much to lend to our study and our walk as wives in the Lord’s service. I would love to study this book with you, my sisters, later next year, more in depth. The wisdom of God, as He imparted it to Solomon, speaks to each generation and confirms over and over the lasting truth in God’s Word. For today though, the scriptures are doing much to pierce my own heart with my particular struggles in this precept of God.



“Do I talk too much?” Yes! And that could still be a slight understatement of the reality on how much I actually do communicate verbally, that I ought not to! (Again, no comments necessary Victoria . . . don’t you just LOVE your friends that hold you accountable. I do! :) LOL!) One strong indication that this is true in my life, is the jubilant excitement experienced by both my dear husband and my children when I loose my voice (due to illness or overuse). Ouch! That one hurt.

The Lord has done much growth on me in this area, but like so much in my life, He still has much to finish in me in regard to this precept. I am thankful that He does not tire, nor slumber, nor sleep; fore, I have continually kept Him at His work!

Of course, the focus of our study today communicates our need as wives to have the leading of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives to enable us to rightly balance talking too much, and then not communicating enough. The key to this issue for me is self-control, coupled with the wisdom needed (as communicated very well in the scripture references for today). I force myself bring to remembrance all the wonderful attributes my husband does possesses and begin to thank God for the blessings He has give to me, through my husband. Five beautiful children, a comfortable home, physical provision . . . the fact that after over ten years he STILL laughs at my jokes regardless of how many times he has heard them before. Thankfulness begins to light that spark of worship and praise in my heart, igniting the leading of the Holy Spirit, which then enables me to speak (or not speak) with the wisdom given of Jesus Christ, Himself!

Amazing that we have the Holy Spirit, the very same power that raised Jesus from the grave, able to help lead my mouth in proper “Reverence in Word” to my husband . . . believe me, it would take no less for me!!!

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*Remember your Weekly Challenge? Challenge Project #1:“Review Your Wedding Vows” - - - Please come sign on the blog and share your experience. What did you do to complete this project? How was it received by your hubby? What did you like best about this challenge? What did you like the least?

Did you miss the Challenge Project? Go back and check it out to join in! I will be posting on Monday this coming week to share my own Challenge Project outcome & post our new project.

NEW CHALLENGE PROJECT & MEMORY VERSE COMING LATER TODAY!

In Christ’s service,

Sister Mac

(a.k.a. Joyful Socks Mom)

Tomorrow, we will continue with Reverence of Word and examine our willingness to wait for the right time to speak and respect in our appeals to our husband.

*Please remember to make comments directly to this blog if possible. Simply click on the title of this post above (in the email) and you will be redirected to the blog. Once there, you can post a comment at the bottom of the lesson.*

• Quotations used that are italicized are from the book As Unto the Lord by Pam Forester unless otherwise sited in this post.



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Change the CULTURE!!!

Day 11: Ladies of Calvary - 30 Day Marriage Challenge

30 Day Challenge: As Unto the Lord – Day 11

Reverence in Word, Part 4

We are rolling right along, dear sisters, in our hope of changing the culture in our marriage and bringing glory to God.  I have been encouraged and challenged by the precepts we are learning more about each day.  I am amazed at the blessings (however small they may seem to others) that following God’s Word in my marriage brings to my family and home.  I am blessed this week to be laughing more with my own husband and enjoy more quiet moments in sweet fellowship.  I am blessed to be finding it easier to “let things slide” and keep my mind and heart focused in a more honoring way.  God is so good!

Let’s move forward now in examining and practicing “Reverence in Word” and cover some ground in using words with the right purpose of heart.

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1. “In all the words that I speak to my husband is my purpose to humbly serve him, to build him up, and to be a minister of God’s grace in his life?”

Scripture references – Romans 14:19, Matthew 20:28, Proverbs 31:12

Focus today on Ephesians 4:29

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”  Ephesians 4:29NKJV

2. “Do I keep my word with my husband?  Do I honor the promises and commitments that I have made?”

Scripture reference – Deuteronomy 23:23, Proverbs 25:14

Focus scripture Psalm 15:1, 4b, 5b

“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? . . . He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. . . He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”  Psalm 15:1, 4b, 5b NKJV

3. “Am I honest with my husband, not withholding information and being careful to always say what is clearly true?”

Scripture references – 2 Corinthians 8:21, Psalm 51:6, Proverbs 16:13

Focus scripture Ephesians 4:25

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.”  Ephesians 4:25 NKJV

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What is it about our nature that thinks it is completely acceptable to be contemptuous with those closest to us?  We have all been there at one time or another, finding ourselves saying the most deplorable comments to those we love the most.  I have found that purposing to build up my husband in order to “be a minister of God’s grace in his life” can be easily said, but more difficultly done at times.  

I am a visual learner.  You can tell me how to do something a million times a day and it will not sink in (are you glimpsing the struggles of my previous instructors), but if you show me . . . well, then we are all good to go.  The same method is best when walking out my own faith and God’s precepts in my life.  Example: I need scripture surrounding me, even on the walls of my home, to be a visual reminder of the spiritual truths that God has so mercifully revealed in my life.  

I will now apply this learning method to this portion of our study.  In order to remind myself of the commitment and purpose to “humbly serve”, “build up” and “be a minister of God’s grace” I have created a visual daily reminder to use.  I took pictures of my husband and children and made a little scrapbook page.  Then I surrounded these pictures with words and scriptures that daily remind me of my purpose and plan in God’s will.  Words like: edify, encourage, and lift-up.  Then I selected a prominent area of my home that I see consistently throughout the day (the bathroom mirror) in order to be visual reminder. When I visually connect with these pictures and words then, I begin to spiritually connect to this excellent truth and precept of God.  The Lord then touches my spirit making it easier to crucify my flesh and will, swallow my pride and keep moving forward in His promises.

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Memory Verse

Do not forget to commit our memory verse to your heart this week.  We will have a new verse Sunday.

Ephesians 5:21-22

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”

*Remember your Weekly Challenge? Challenge Project #1:“Review Your Wedding Vows” - - - Please come sign on the blog and share your experience.  What did you do to complete this project?  How was it received by your hubby?  What did you like best about this challenge?  What did you like the least?

Did you miss the Challenge Project?  Go back and check it out to join in!  I will be posting on Monday this coming week to share my own Challenge Project outcome & post our new project.

In Christ’s service,

Sister Mac

(a.k.a. Joyful Socks Mom)

Tomorrow, we will continue with Reverence of Word by asking some of our more difficult questions, asking ourselves if we talk to much, or not enough. 

*Please remember to make comments directly to this blog if possible.  Simply click on the title of this post above (in the email) and you will be redirected to the blog.  Once there, you can post a comment at the bottom of the lesson.*

·        Quotations used that are italicized are from the book As Unto the Lord by Pam Forester unless otherwise sited in this post.

Day 10 - Ladies of Calvary: 30 Day Marriage Challenge

30 Day Challenge: As Unto the Lord – Day 10


Reverence in Word, Part 3

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1. “Do I pray for wisdom and weigh my words carefully before speaking to my husband?”

Scripture references – Proverbs 10:31, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Proverbs 10:32

Focus today on Psalm 141:3

“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”  Psalm 141:3 NKJV

2. “Will I, without shame, be able to give an account to God for every word I have spoken to my husband?”

Scripture reference – Psalm 55:21

Focus scripture Matthew 12:36-37

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account threreof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”  Matthew 12:36-37

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This study is convicting me everyday, to let the Spirit grow me, in just about every precept we have examined together.  Wow!  This is another area where God has done much with me, and yet, I still have so far to go.  I once saw a sweatshirt that I probably should have purchased, it stated, “Dear Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth!”  Do I hear an Amen there sisters?  The whole of it is this; let it be left un-said if, later, it cannot be un-done.  Here is a quick tip for you: Words cannot be un-done, end of story!

We must account for every word spoke in idleness and vanity.  My need to please God and be accountable for the words I speak SHOULD usurp my need to be right or justified in my marriage.  These are good rules for life in general, but for this study, just begin applying these precepts, today, in your marriage.  The road may be long to recovering your husband’s trust in regard to the words you speak, but ultimately the oneness God intended for your marriage will out shine the hard work done to arrive at that place of glory.

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Memory Verse

Do not forget to commit our memory verse to your heart this week.  We will have a new verse Sunday.

Ephesians 5:21-22

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”

*Remember your Weekly Challenge? Challenge Project #1:“Review Your Wedding Vows” - - - Please come sign on the blog and share your experience.  What did you do to complete this project?  How was it received by your hubby?  What did you like best about this challenge?  What did you like the least?

Did you miss the Challenge Project?  Go back and check it out to join in!  I will be posting on Monday next week to share my own Challenge Project outcome & post our new project.

In Christ’s service,

Sister Mac
(a.k.a. Joyful Socks Mom)

Tomorrow, we will continue with Reverence of Word by examining the purpose of our words, keeping our promises and being honest with our husbands.

*Please remember to make comments directly to this blog if possible.  Simply click on the title of this post above (in the email) and you will be redirected to the blog.  Once there, you can post a comment at the bottom of the lesson.*

Quotations used that are italicized are from the book As Unto the Lord by Pam Forester unless otherwise sited in this post.

Day 9 - Ladies of Calvary: 30 Day Marriage Challenge

30 Day Challenge: As Unto the Lord – Day 9


Reverence in Word, Part 2


Welcome back, my beloved sisters.  I hope everyone is enjoying this time of fellowship.  Yesterday we began an examination into “the honor which I owe to my husband is: All Due Reverence in Word.”

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1. “Do the words I speak to my husband reflect reverence for him as God’s gracious gift and appointed authority over me?”

Focus today on 1 Peter 3:5-6

“For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” 1 Peter 3:5-6 NKJV

2. “Do I speak to my husband with a respectful tone of voice?”


Scripture reference – Read Proverbs 15:4, Proverbs 22:11

Focus scripture Romans 13:7

“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”  Romans 13:7 NKJV

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When I look at 1 Peter 3:5-6, I am comforted by the words that I read.  It touches me deeply to know that surrendered wives have a long and distinguished heritage that, I am now a part of . . . and so are you!  Let us examine some actual words that speak to reflecting reverence for our husbands, lifting him up as “God’s gracious gift and appointed authority over me”.  Once we have these words added to our tool belt, then we can examine our tone of voice and the importance of using it to communicate respect to our husbands.
Avoiding words that are negative is definitely one step to take in beginning to speak words that will reflect reverence for your husband.  The next step is to rise above and purposefully use words that are edifying, encouraging and that “build-up” your man.  The words themselves are not complicated, but being out of practice in using them, they may feel “out of place” or it may not feel natural saying them to your husband.  This is a good thing; do not be content with merely feeling “natural” but allow the supernatural Holy Spirit to lead you in words spoken to your husband.

Thank you, wonderful, excellent, awesome, sweet, handsome, great, super, grateful, charming, good-looking, lovely, hard-working, provider, amazing, and marvelous.

All are edifying and encouraging to any one, especially a husband who is not expecting to hear them.  Be prepared that your dear hubby may be unaccustomed to these newly edifying words that you have discovered and may be waiting for the other proverbial “shoe-to-drop”.  (P.S.  This is EXACTLY how my sweet hubby responded the first couple of months I began edifying him in word.)  Do not tire of doing well and he will become accustomed to being encouraged by his own wife; however foreign the idea may seem to him now. (wink*wink*)

Remember, when presenting these words to be aware of your tone.  This is another precept that I continually stumble on as well . . . delivering edifying words with a hint of sarcasm.  Ah, sarcasm . . . one of my many FREE services!  Just like any other fruit given of the Spirit, self-control grows over time and effort.  Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage you and take your leading to edify your husband from God’s Word.  Do not tire of doing what is right and the Lord will honor these actions.  For His good will and ultimate glory!

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Memory Verse


Do not forget to commit our memory verse to your heart this week.  We will have a new verse Sunday.
Ephesians 5:22

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”

*Remember your Weekly Challenge? Challenge Project #1:“Review Your Wedding Vows” - - - Please come sign on the blog and share your experience.  What did you do to complete this project?  How was it received by your hubby?  What did you like best about this challenge?  What did you like the least?
Did you miss the Challenge Project?  Go back and check it out to join in!  I will be posting on Monday next week to share my own Challenge Project outcome & post our new project.

In Christ’s service,

Sister Mac
(a.k.a. Joyful Socks Mom)

Tomorrow, we will continue with Reverence of Word by looking at praying for wisdom and giving an account to God for words spoken to my husband.

*Please remember to make comments directly to this blog if possible.  Simply click on the title of this post above (in the email) and you will be redirected to the blog.  Once there, you can post a comment at the bottom of the lesson.*

Quotations used that are italicized are from the book As Unto the Lord by Pam Forester unless otherwise sited in this post.