Day #27 – CHECK THE DATE.

 TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT:  Find out the date of your pastor’s church anniversary.

 Read two verses of Scripture: 

 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17

 “Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.” 1 Timothy 5:17

You’d be surprised to know how many loved pastors pass each yearly church anniversary with absolutely no acknowledgement.  Call the church office and find out the date of your pastor’s anniversary of service, write it on your personal calendar, then acknowledge the date with a card or gift or words of encouragement. 

Even better, volunteer to help organize a celebration of his next 5 or 10 year anniversary. 

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For some creative anniversary ideas, see Fresh Ideas—1000 Ways to Grow a Thriving and Energetic Church

Day #26. Polish your nails.                                                                                                               

Today’s assignment: Evaluate what type of first impression you make as you represent God to the lost people around you every day.

 Today assignment is a simple one. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and observe what others see.  How is your grooming? How is your weight? Are you dressed modestly? Do you look nice? How is your overall appearance? 

You’re a busy woman, and it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and forget how important your first impression is as you meet nonChristians, and as you represent your God to them.  No, it’s not good to over-obsess on outward appearance.  Scriptures tells us that physical exercise is of some value (although we must concentrate more time and energy on spiritual fitness).

If something as simple as an updated hairstyle or losing a few pounds would help lost women you know to listen to your witness better, would you consider that important? As you get up in the morning, make an effort to look your best, then forget about your appearance and concentrate on others as you represent your God to the world around you.

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“Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true and everyone should accept it.” 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (NLT)

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

 “Therefore, we are ambassadors [ Eph 6:20;] for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

 ”And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable.”  Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

Day #25 Make a hospital visit. Take your new business card.  

 TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT:  Make a visit to someone in the hospital.

 Call your church office to ask if any member of your church is in the hospital.  Plan to make a hospital visit to see them today.  Even better, accompany your husband to visit them, or call another deacon’s wife to go along with you.

 Your personal business cards should have arrived by now, so be sure that you have a few in your handbag.  You’ll be leaving one with the patient, and maybe even with a nurse or doctor or the roommate of the person you’re visiting.

When you arrive in the hospital parking lot, take a moment to pray. Ask God to use you to show His love and care as you visit.

Find a comforting Scripture verse that might encourage the patient, and write it on your business card.  You might take a copy of last Sunday’s church bulletin or a card signed by several church members, a flower from your garden, or a good book you just finished reading that you could share. If you expect that the patient’s spouse might be there, you might stop by Sonic and pick up a cold drink or take a snack or reading material for their enjoyment.  Actually, though, it’s not at all necessary that you take a gift.  The greatest gift you can give is the gift of friendship and care.

Your visit should probably be brief. The person is sick, after all.  You’ll be surprised at what a small effort it takes to show God’s love to a church member who is in the hospital.  Before you leave, ask if you can pray with them, then voice a short prayer asking for God’s peace and comfort and protection and joy. 

You probably don’t realize how much your visit will mean to the church member who is in the hospital.  As a pastor’s wife, I often heard patients express delight that a deacon or deacon’s wife had stopped by. You are an important leader in your church, and your expression of love will make a difference.  Your visit will not only express your Christian love and concern, but you also represent your pastor, your church and your Lord.  What a privilege!

Bonus assignment: Be kind to a nurse while you’re there.

“I was sick and you took care of me…” Matthew 25:36

Read specific instructions for how to make a hospital visit in Diana’s boook, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry, and find more ideas for deacon wives at Deacon Magazine (LifeWay) and Deacon wives—Fresh Ideas to Encourage Your Husband and the Church (B&H Publishing).

Day #24 – Practice hospitality.

Assignment: Call today to invite someone to your home for dinner this week.

Scripture repeatedly challenges us to “practice hospitality.”  In Romans 12:13b is tell us to pursue hospitality! Look for it. Chase it. Do it! When a deacon’s wife takes this admonition seriously, the fellowship of the church will be enhanced. 

Step#1 – Kneel in the middle of your home right now and thank God for your home. Acknowledge that it belongs to Him, and promise Him that you will use it for His purposes as often as possible.

Step #2 – Ask God to direct you to someone who needs your hospitality. Chat with your husband about ideas. Consider some of these possibilities: new church members, someone who visited your church recently, someone at your church who may be lonely, a neighbor who may not know Christ as Savior, your children’s friends’ families who may not know Christ or who may need your friendship, someone who serves in your church who needs encouragement etc.

Step #3 – Pick up your telephone and call that person or family to invite them to your home for coffee or desert or dinner one day this week.

Step #4 – Pray for God to use your hospitality to His glory. 

Step #5 – Lastly, practice hospitality without complaining! I Peter 4:9 instructs us to practice hospitality to one another without complaining. Don’t negate your effective hospitality by complaining about it. Serve others with great joy.

Do you remember the Scripture where it describes widows who should be helped by the church? One of her qualifications was that she had “shown hospitality” (1 Timothy 5:10). 

So practice hospitality this very week by inviting someone to your home. Then keep on practicing!

“Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this osme have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

DAY #23: Practice being a wife who truly respects her husband.

Today’s assignment:  Before the sun sets today, tell someone how much you love and respect your husband. Take a walk with your husband, and tell him how very much you respect him, but most of all demonstrate it in every action.

Spend time with God today, asking for wisdom to be a woman who is respectful of her husband.

I was writing the book, Deacon Wives, and decided to do an extensive survey to ask pastors for advice for wives of deacons. The survey was completed anonymously by over one hundred pastors. Their response to one question, in particular, was surprising to me.  The pastors were asked, “If you could make one request of deacon wives who serve in  your church, what would it be?” The overwhelming response was “respect your husband.” Many made comments like this one, “Our deacon wives don’t realize how they sabotage their husbands’ effective ministry when they don’t respect him.” Another said, “The wife of our most committed deacon constantly corrects and demeans him in public. She doesn’t know how much that hurts his reputation.” 

Have you ever read Watchman Nee’s book called “Spiritual Authority”? I challenge you to study that small book – it’s full of Scriptures and wisdom about respect.

So here are a few things you might pray about today:

Some ways you can show respect for your deacon/husband –

-          Be a faithful wife. Never give the slightest hint of flirtation with other men.

-          Be his confidant. Allow him to confide without worrying that you’ll tell your friend or mom or sis.

-          Be available when he’d like you to assist him with ministry.

-          Allow him to be the spiritual leader in your home.

-          Be a mother to your children. They need you, even if they’re teens (especially if they’re teens!)

-          Allow your husband to serve God without penalty or complaint from you. Remember that his relationship with God comes first.

-          Ascertain that others know for sure that you respect your husband. Do your children know you respect him? Your parents? Your friends? Your pastor? Don’t’ just say the words…show respect for him in every action and deed.

-          Tell him and show him how much you love him.

-          Make your home a haven.

-          Be pleasant to live with. (Read Proverbs 21:9)

-          Pray faithfully for him.

-          Don’t correct him or critique him or complain about him. Show respect. God will honor that!
“To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself,

and the wife is to respect her husband.”

  Ephesians 5:33

Nope, this one wasn’t my idea. It’s right there in Ephesians 5:33 as a command from God. Respect your husband.

DAY #22:  Learn a child’s name. Show God’s love.

 TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT:  Learn a child’s name. Pick up the phone and call someone in your church who teaches children or youth Sunday School or who serves on the church staff in that area.  Ask the teacher or staff person if there is a child who needs encouragement—perhaps a child who attends church without his or her parents, a teen who needs a spiritual mentor, a  child or youth whose life could be impacted by a Christian woman who shows an interest.

 Ask the teacher to introduce you to that young person on Sunday. Write down her name, and make a point to speak to her, calling her by name, every single Sunday.  Ask God to show you how to encourage her as a Christian.

 It may be a small thing to you, but a word of personal encouragement and interest could be life-changing for that child or teen.

 I could give you dozens and dozens of examples. One such child was my husband. He attended church alone from an early age.  Several Sunday School teachers and church members showed God’s love to him, offering words of kindness and encouragement—probably insignificant in their eyes, but enormously important from a young child’s view. He learned to love going to God’s house, and eventually received Him as personal savior.  God has used him as a church planter, an effective pastor, and now as a state denominational leader. He has led hundreds of people to salvation, and has trained hundreds of Christians about how to share their faith. His children follow God, and future generations will be impacted because that child came to know God.

I doubt one of those church members who encouraged that little boy knew how God would use their words and actions. Learn a child’s name.

 “Some people were bringing little children to Him so He might touch them, but His disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me. Don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16

DAY #21: Read the Bible:

Of all the tips you’ll find in this 31-day blog, this is the one that could impact your life and your ministry most. 

ASSIGNMENT:  Make a commitment to read your entire Bible through within one year’s time.  No matter what other Bible studies you do or classes you teach, will you take this challenge? 

Make a specific plan to accomplish that goal. There are many excellent resources to help. For example, you can purchase a Bible that is divided into daily increments for reading in one year. There are dozens of websites with printable calendars for Bible reading, such as oneyearbible.com.  

For example, one day’s reading might look like this:

Genesis 1:1-2:25

Matthew 1:1-2:12

Psalm 1:1-6

Proverbs 1:1-6

How can you make it a habit? Do it first thing in the morning. Or last thing at night. Or tell yourself that you can’t turn on the television or computer until you’ve spent time reading God’s Word.  You may find that you finish reading it in a few months!

Go to the Christian bookstore  or a website or make your own printed plan, but do it today. Read the first chapters assigned, and begin to relish and enjoy the words of instruction given by God himself. 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

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Find more ideas for deacon wives at Deacon Magazine (LifeWay) and Deacon wives—Fresh Ideas to Encourage Your Husband and the Church (B&H Publishing).

NEXT MONTH:  “31 Days to a Better Women’s Ministry”

Take a quick review of the first twenty days of this project. How are you doing?

Day #20 – Paint the front door – Did you do something to make your home more comfortable and presentable for your family and guests?

Day #19 – Sing – did you fully participate in worshipping God during Sunday worship?

Day #18 – Don’t complain. Did you make a new commitment to avoid complaining?

Day #17 – Leave your Pew – Did you get out of your rut and show God’s love to someone sitting alone?

Day #16 – Write a Note – Did you write a note of encouragement?

Day #15 – Lose the “I” – Did you practice focusing on others instead of yourself in conversations?

Day #14  Get Ready – Did you intentionally prepare for a future ministry opportunity?

Day #13  – Make a list.- Did you complete the long list of those you know who may not know Christ personally?

Day #12 – Figure out how to use your spiritual gifts – Did you study the Scripture and take the sample test to determine your spiritual gifts? Did you find a way to use that gift in God’s church?

Day #11 – Memorize 1 Timothy 3:11. Did you memorize the verse?

Day #10 – Mentor a younger woman – Did you begin to intentionally mentor a younger Christian woman?

Day #9 – Did you express sincere appreciation to someone who serves behind the scenes at your church?

Day #8 – Did you write your “elevator praise” so you can quickly and enthusiastically tell what God is doing at your church?

Day #7 – Did you begin a habit of serving God with absolute joy?

Day #6 – Did you say something nice about your pastor’s wife?

Day #5 – Did you take a widow to tea?

Day #4 – Time alone with God…Did you spend half an hour alone with God?

Day #3 – Find a need and meet it…did you?

Day #2 – Order personal business cards…did you? (On Day #25  you’ll need them for an assignment.)

Day #1 – Tell your man…Did you tell your deacon/husband how much you admire him?

Day #20. Paint the front door. 

 Okay, you don’t actually have to paint your front door, but your assignment today is to look around your home and do something to make it more appealing.  Paint a wall. Fluff pillows. Clean the pantry. Plant flower seeds.

In instructions for women to mentor younger women, one of the things they are to encourage is for women to be “keepers at home.” Titus 2:5

No matter how important your profession, no matter your age or stage in life, your investment of care and love for your house and home can impact your ministry. The purpose of your attention to the home is not to show off; the purpose is to make your home a joyful, pleasant place to be, demonstrating care and love for your family and readiness to share your home with others in ministry. 

“I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” Genesis 24:31b 

Day #19. SING.

 There are so many Scripture verses instructing God’s people to sing to Him. I hope you have a song in your heart and on your lips throughout every day of your life.

 Today’s assignment is to fully participate in Sunday’s worship service. Every Sunday beginning this Sunday. Several steps:

1. Arrive on time. Worship of the creator of the universe has priority over a chatty friend, a late library book, a bad hair day or an overtime Sunday School class.  Whatever it takes, arrive at worship before it begins. And don’t even think of leaving until the last “amen.”
2. Sing! Oh, you have a monotone voice? God loves to hear that voice praising Him. Sing every word of every song, and sing  it to God as if you’ve never sung it before.
3. Stand up. Sit down. Turn around. Fully participate in every part of the worship service. (And teach your children to participate with joy, too.) Open your Bible during Scripture reading. Give your tithess and offerings worshipfully. Pray with your eyes closed. This is not the time to make a grocery list or look around for a new hairstyle. Truly worship your God in every minute of the service.
4. Listen to the sermon. Really listen. To every word of the sermon. From the very first word to the last.  Sit with a clear view of the preacher and avoid distractions. Use a journal to keep a page of notes for each sermon you hear, and make a note on the bottom line of each about how it will impact your life.  Pray for the pastor as he preaches, and pray for God to speak to you through his sermon. Your pastor has spent many hours in preparation to bring God’s Word, and your pert attention will impact others around you to listen well.

   YOUR ASSIGNMENT TODAY: sing as you go about your life, with anticipation of worshipping God this Lord’s Day. Then sing and participate in every element of worship fully and joyfully. 

 “ those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24b

“Passion for your house has consumed me” Psalm 69:9

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Find more ideas for deacon wives at Deacon Magazine (LifeWay) and Deacon wives—Fresh Ideas to Encourage Your Husband and the Church (B&H Publishing).

NEXT MONTH:  “31 Days to a Better Women’s Ministry”