Prayer and Home Binder
As moms we do a lot. We create menus, make necessary appointments, attend games, participate in school functions, have guests over for dinner, plan parties, attend church, pray, teach manners, clean house, delegate chores, and NEED I GO ON. :)
A little bit of HELP:
A prayer journal organizer is simply a 3 ring binder which includes your household duties, to do lists, prayers, appointments, or whatever else you need it to be. I was introduced to this little method of tracking my prayers and family's schedule in 1999. I found it to be an excellent way to keep everything together in one easy location.
At first it may seem difficult and rigorous and maybe even mechanical, but you'll soon discover, if you keep it up for a month, that you won't be able to live without it! I have personally found that my prayers are more efficient; I don't find myself on a tangent daydreaming anymore! I get done feeling so refreshed, because I didn't end up leaving out that person who I promised to pray for, and I now leave my prayer time knowing what my priorities are for the day, and, therefore, can go about it in an organized fashion.
Before you know it, your Prayer Journal will become a true journal of blessing as you see God working in your life, answering those prayer requests, and also as you look back over the year at your "unexpected blessings" you have complied.
A little bit of HELP:
A prayer journal organizer is simply a 3 ring binder which includes your household duties, to do lists, prayers, appointments, or whatever else you need it to be. I was introduced to this little method of tracking my prayers and family's schedule in 1999. I found it to be an excellent way to keep everything together in one easy location.
At first it may seem difficult and rigorous and maybe even mechanical, but you'll soon discover, if you keep it up for a month, that you won't be able to live without it! I have personally found that my prayers are more efficient; I don't find myself on a tangent daydreaming anymore! I get done feeling so refreshed, because I didn't end up leaving out that person who I promised to pray for, and I now leave my prayer time knowing what my priorities are for the day, and, therefore, can go about it in an organized fashion.
Before you know it, your Prayer Journal will become a true journal of blessing as you see God working in your life, answering those prayer requests, and also as you look back over the year at your "unexpected blessings" you have complied.
Contents at a Glance
Background
As a mother of 2 very active boys I am always perfecting my organization routine. In 1999 I met a young lady who introduced to me the concept of a prayer journal. At first I totally loved the idea and was fully into using it. Soon it became a hassle and more of a strain on my family than a help.As I grow and my children get older our needs change and so does my prayer journal organizer. However, one thing is contant, my need for Prayer and Organization.God is the ruler of the world and HE is also the ruler of our Family. I can't get by one day with out turning to him in prayer for his guidance. It's great to look at my journals from years ago and see how much God has 'grown' me and my family. Things that were challenges for me 5 years ago are no longer such a big deal. Being able to see my life on paper via my prayers and daily schedules puts everything in perspective.
PHOTO CREDIT
Supplies
The necessary tools
Supplies:1. 3-ring binder
2. 11 Tab dividers
3. paper
4. sheet protectors
5. Family Photos
6. Markers and Pens
7. Various scrapbooking decorations
8. Stickers
9. Favorite Verses
10. Favorite Hymns or Praise songs
PHOTO CREDIT
God
First tab
In this section you put your meditations, your verses, your studies, and things you want to work on. I included my Bible reading section, verses and poems that really mean a lot to me, and poems that inspire me to LOVE.Purpose for "God" section:
1. To responsibly choose God as your first priority by having a daily time (quiet time) with Him.
2. To purpose to actively choose God and His ways at every decision, word, moment, thought, and step each day.
Q: What does it mean to make God your ultimate priority?
A: To walk with God moment by moment and step by step.
The word "priority" means "to prefer." To live in a way that honors God first, is to choose to prefer His way in all things.
Examples:
T.V. vs. quiet time
Good T.V. programs vs. Bad ones
Harboring positive thoughts vs. negative ones
Memorizing scripture weekly vs. your weekly jaunt to the clothing outlet
Having a time of fellowship with God through prayer before talking on the phone to your friend
Living for God vs. living for your own self-interest
IDEAS FOR QUIET TIMES:
Reading:
*Read a Proverb a day. There are 31 Proverbs, one for each day!
*Read a Psalm a day.
*Commit to reading the Bible in a year. There are "Read The Bible In A Year" programs at the Bible Store.
* Pick a book in the New Testament and read a chapter a day.
*Pick a topic, a character trait, or certain issue of interest and search for answers.
*Go through a lesson in a Christian book that directs you to look up Scripture.
Reflection:
What is this saying? What is this passage getting at? How does this personally apply to me? What was God's character, reaction, discipline, promise, blessing, warning, thoughts in this particular passage that I need to be aware of, take heed, or implement in my life?
Put on your SPECS:
Sin to forsake?
Promise to claim?
Example to follow?
Command to obey?
Stumbling block to avoid?
Meditation:
Carry that thought with you throughout the day, thinking about what you learned and how you can personally grow from that and/or help others; rejoicing in His promises and/or blessings. You may want to choose a scripture verse from what you just read and work on memorizing it that day.
Prayer time: (This is where your PRAYER JOURNAL goes to work.)
It might be helpful to remember the acrostic "ACTS."
A: Adoration (1st subcategory tab)
* Go to your list of "Attributes of God" which would be placed right after your "God" tab, and praise Him, thank Him, dwell on His character.
* You might want to pick one attribute a month to dwell daily on, searching scripture for other verses about that attribute, too, in your reading time to give you a better understanding.
* Sing or repeat praise songs/hymns to Him.
* Add to this section with your own list of hymns, etc.
* Read Scripture passages, that pertain to His attributes, back to Him. A great passage is Psalm 103!
C: Confession (second subcategory tab)
* Make a subsection tab that would be behind your "God" section tab with the words "Confession".
* Search memory over last 24 hours for sins in word, thought, attitude, deed, and not living up to His standards. Take them before God and acknowledge and confess those areas with the view of forsaking them. (Prov. 18:13; Ps. 66:18)
* These would be written in your "Laying Aside" list. Confess these to God. Go to your "Putting On" list, which would be right after the "Laying Aside" list, and ask for His practical help.
T: Thanksgiving (third subcategory tab)
* Do another subsection with the words "Thanksgiving."
* Thank Him for those blessings in your "Unexpected Blessings" list and/or past blessings. (This will become a cherishable journal to you!)
* You might want to get ideas of a thankful heart from the writers of the book of Psalms.
* Thank Him even for the "little" things, too.
* Phil 4:6,7 - We are to constantly have an attitude of thankfulness in our heart for everything.
S: Supplication (fourth subcategory tab)
* Ask for wisdom, help, usefulness, growth, the right attitude, etc., using your "Requests" list. This would be another subsection tab reserved for you and your family's requests in decisions to be made, trials to pass, events, etc.
* You would then proceed down through your priorities in prayer for your husband's requests in your "Husband" section, with your goals toward him; children's requests and your goals toward them in your "Children" section; your "Daily Schedule" (including those dreaded chores), various projects to get done in you "Home" section; your specific set of people and ministries you have down for each given day in your "Ministry" section; and, finally, end your time with the Lord praying over your spiritual goals in the "Accountability" section.
*** End your prayer with something like "In Jesus' Name I pray," because it is through Him and only Him that you have a direct access to God like this, and your heart's desire is in everything you do, you do for the Lord, to uphold and further His cause. (Col. 3:17, 23)
*** You might want to finish your time by crossing off the day on your "Quiet Time Calendar" (which would be placed somewhere in the very front of your binder), feeling refreshed, joy-filled, and Spirit-filled because you were obedient, disciplined, responsible, did what you should be doing, and can now start the day off right!
NOTE: This ACTS acrostic is an outline to help you. Don't let it hinder you by sticking so rigidly to it and all you have written down on your lists that it messes up your communion with God. Enjoy your time with Him and allow silence for Him to speak to you.
(The idea of a prayer journal and some of the helpful notes herein, are taken from Elizabeth George's book, A Woman After God's Own Heart.)
PHOTO CREDIT
Bibles and Devotionals
Bible Reading Schedules
- Daily Bible Reading Schedules
- Four different choices for you. First you can choose the 2 year plan, reading old testament once, and psalms/proverbs and new testament twice.. Second you can choose the 1 year plan reading both the new and old testament daily. Third you can choose to read three portions of the Bible each day completing the old testament in one year and the new testament twice. Last, you can use the schedule compiled by Robert Murray McCheyne in 1842, you will read four portions of Scripture each day, and read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice in a year.
- 52 Week Bible Reading Plan
- Here's the Bible reading plan that I use. Each day of the week, I read anywhere from one to six chapters out of a different part of the Bible. Each week, I cover one or more chapters out of each major area of the Bible. But, by switching areas daily, I don't get bogged down several days or weeks on an area that I might not currently find as interesting. I made this plan up myself, after _failing_ at my annual goal of reading through the Bible _every_ year. It has worked well for me for six years and counting!
YOU can have the daily Bible emailed to you. - Color Coded Bible Reading Schedule
- This is an exciting, color-coded, chronological reading plan that will take you through the entire Bible in one year, reading passages from both the Old and New Testaments each day. There are many practical features, including links to pull up each day's Scripture readings online from Gospelcom.Net's Bible Gateway.
- Singleness - Bible reading Schedule
- The schedule is arranged so that the reader reads through both the Old and New Testaments simultaneously. By the end of the year, the reader will have read through the entire Bible.
The books are placed in chronological order according to event rather than according to the date of writing.
For the most part, passages for each day are divided according to paragraph or breaks in the text. Where this is deviated from, an asterisk has been placed next to the reference to show that the thought continues in the next day's reading.
The Gospel of John has purposely been placed between Mark and Luke to give a break in reading the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) which are written very much in the same manner, and to put Luke's two books together
Husband
2nd Tab
In this section you put items that remind you of your love for your husband. Things he likes, things that make him happy, and things you would like to work on with regards to him. (i.e. stop nagging)1) God has designed the wife to be her husband's HELPER. Gen. 2:18
Helper = One who shares man's responsibilities, responds to his nature, with understanding and love, and wholeheartedly cooperates with him in working out the plan of God. (Wycliffe Commentary)
Being a team with your husband - solidly behind and supportive of her husband.
This mind-set, this servant spirit, helps us to be more like Christ as we esteem others - especially our husbands - as better than ourselves. (Phil. 2:3)
OKAY, BUT HOW?
- Make a commitment to help your husband. Will you or won't you? Make a decision.
- Focus on your husband.
- Focus your energy and efforts on his tasks, his goals, his responsibilities. Make him #1.
- Ease your husband's life by helping him in tasks.
- Ask of your actions, "Will this help or hinder my husband?"
2) God designed the wife to SUBMIT to her husband. Eph. 5:22
God's desire for us - married or single, young or old - is to honor, serve, and subject ourselves to one another. That's why it is good to have the qualities of a wife even if you aren't married. This way you'll be ready when and if the time comes, too. We reflect Christ's character as we move away from selfishness and defer to them.
When it comes to marriage, God arranged for the sake of order that the husband lead and the wife follow. Just like in a business, you don't have two presidents; they will often step on each other's toes. What do businesses have? They always have one president and then a vice president. The vice president is the president's right-hand man, helper, confidante, etc.
In the same way, God ordained roles or differing functions in the marriage so it can run smoothly and orderly.
"The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." I Cor. 11:3
Now, the husband's headship doesn't mean we, as wives, can't offer wise input (Prov. 31:26) or ask questions for clarification during the decision-making process, but, just like the president/vice president role, the husband's headship does mean that he is responsible for the final decision.
"Head of the house" doesn't mean barking out orders, throwing his weight around, and demanding submission from his wife; it simply means that his is the one finally responsible and accountable to God for his leadership decisions. We are accountable to God for how we submit to that leadership, regardless if our husband is a believer or not.
UNBELIEVING OR DISOBEDIENT HUSBANDS:
It might be very helpful to memorize I Peter 3:1
Our submission to our husbands - whether or not he is a Christian, whether or not he is obeying God - preaches a lovelier and more powerful sermon than our mouth ever could!
One exception:
If your husband asks you to do something illegal or immoral, you are then not submitting to God who is above your husband. Go to a trusted pastor and follow the counsel you receive there.
YES, BUT HOW DO I SUBMIT?
Ephesians 5:22 says, "as unto the Lord."
God has instituted submission, commanded submission, and given us the power in Him to be able to submit
(2 Pet. 1:3).
This seems to be a hard one for many, but God is honored when we do, and time and time again we will see that obedience brings true contentment and joy to those who follow His ways!
PRACTICAL IDEAS:
- Dedicate your heart to honoring your husband.
- Change requires a decision. We have to decide to submit to our husband.
- Make up your mind to practice submission, and dedicate your heart to honoring God and your husband in this way.
- Remember to respect your husband. Eph. 5:33
- Submission flows from the basic heart attitude of respect.
- Ask yourself, "Am I treating my husband as I would treat Christ himself?"
- Do you, for instance, ask your husband to do something or do you tell him? Do you stop, look, and listen to him when he's talking? Do you speak about him with respect?
- Ask of each word, act, and attitude, "Am I bending or bucking?" whenever tension builds up in your heart and you're resisting or questioning your husband's direction.
3) God designed the wife to LOVE her husband. Titus 2:4
The first thing married woman are to learn and practice is to love their husbands. (Titus 2:3&4)
The word "love" in this passage is "phileo," meaning friendship love - a love that cherishes, enjoys, and likes our husband! We are to value him and build a friendship with him. We should see our husband as our best friend and want to be with him more than any other person.
OKAY BUT HOW?
1. Make a decision to make your husband your #1 human relationship.
2. Begin to "choose" your husband over all human relationships.
3. Ask of your actions, "Am I spoiling my husband rotten?"
PRACTICAL IDEAS:
1. Pray for him daily - focusing on your husband in prayer will help you focus on him in your heart, your thoughts, and your actions.
2. Plan for him daily - Thinking of him and what you can do to help him today. (make lunches, plan special dates, etc.)
3. Prepare for him daily - Prepare the house before he gets home, prepare your appearance, plan your greeting to him.
4. Please him - pay careful attention to his wants, likes, and dislikes.
5. Protect your time with him - Stay off the phone as much as possible, etc., when he's home.
6. Physically love him - I Cor. 7:3-5 says it real clear!
7. Positively respond to him - respond initially by saying "Sure!" or "Okay!" This creates a non-threatening atmosphere for being able to ask questions.
8. Praise him - never speak critically or negatively about your husband.
*** Put this whole list to work, and you'll communicate "I love you" more powerfully than words alone can! (I John 3:18)
HEART RESPONSE:
These guidelines for marriage shouldn't be a cold exercise! We are talking primarily about a heart response. Your husband is your life mate. You both are on the same side! Whatever he is like, he is God's good and perfect gift to you, part of God's plan for your personal fulfillment and for your spiritual development - even if he isn't a Christian. (Romans 8:28)
THE NOTEBOOK:
- Put husband's name on tab and place after your "God" section.
- If you're not married make this section "VIP's
- For singles
Your parents, your fiancé, or special friends who you want to practice honoring, serving, and subjecting yourself to.
- You might want to do a study on these verses to give you more of an idea of biblical friendships.
* I Sam. 18:11; Ecc. 4:9&10; I John 3:16, 18; John 15:13; Prov. 18:24; 27:17.
- For widows
I Tim. 5:5 says a widow is to have her hope fixed on God, continuing in entreaties and prayers night and day. These weren't entreaties and prayers for herself alone; Her family is the church body - (her "VIP's"). See I Tim. 5:5-15 for her duties.
Make a "Requests and Answer" sheet with a column for the date to be entered.
· Ask Husband/VIP's for specific prayer requests.
· Begin listening for other concerns he/they share.
· Write down biblical goals you want for your husband/VIP's to achieve.
Make a "Goals" sheet to list areas you need to improve on toward your husband/VIP's. Take them to the Lord every day asking for help and practical applications for these.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR TOUGH AREAS:
God has not promised to change your husband, but to change YOU - to make you more Christlike and to perfect your faith. Your joy will come from your obedience toward God.
At every instant that you feel upset, pray.
Talk to him respectfully at all times.
When you need to discuss a problem you are having, approach him, stating that it is your problem and that you are asking him to help you with your problem.
I.e. - "Honey, I'm having a problem I'd like to have an opportunity to discuss with you. Maybe you can help me." Then take the blame and talk about yourself, not him. "I'm having a problem. I know I shouldn't get upset. I need you to make some suggestions for solving my problem." Then go into the problem without saying, "You never" or "You don't"
Pray for him faithfully to take the spiritual leadership in the family. Leave it to God to deal with your husband.
Only disagree with your husband when it is really worth a war. Save up all of your arguments and suggestions and opinions fro the very few really big issues. Then you have a better chance of your husband listening at that time.
WHEN UPSET:
1. Wait. This gives you time to:
a) gain control
b) pray
c) search Scripture
d) become neutral
e) seek counsel
2. Respond without emotion, wisely, respectfully, and neutrally.
Guard your heart with all diligence, looking diligently for any root of bitterness or resentment.
The balance in marriage comes when both are fulfilling their own role. But until that time that both in the relationship are, we still obey God and do our part.
Memorize I Peter 3:1-3 and claim that as "your verse."
If it's a minor decision-making problem you don't agree with, either say nothing or give a positive response. If it isn't best, let God convict him and make the necessary corrections.
Search your memory and rejoice over the many good qualities he has and be thankful. This helps to change your emotions and feeling toward him.
PHOTO CREDIT
Biblical Womanhood
Site to Encourage and Educate
- Christian Homemaking
- Encouraging devotionals
Frugal living strategies for stretching your budget
Simple ideas to make your home more organized & beautiful
How to create the home-life you've always wanted - A Christian HOme
- You are loved and lovely, your work, your life as a homemaker and being a keeper at home is precious work. Never ever let anyone or anything persuade you otherwise and never allow the enemy to come in and flood your thoughts out of your home and wash away your commitment to improve and be strengthened in your role as the wife: helper to your husband, the keeper of the home, the mother of children and the light and joy of the family. You're worth it. Be an excellent homemaker. Your family is worth it! Do good things daily... that the Word of God be not blasphemed.
- Keepers at Home
- If any man thinks housekeeping is easy work and not all a woman
ought to do, just let him roll up his sleeves and tackle the job!
Almonzo Wilder - Keepers at Home Magazine
- Sample Issue Keepers at Home is a quarterly magazine published for the enrichment and enjoyment of Christian homemakers and their families.
- Titus2 Christian Homemaker
- I am the ministry leader and contributing author, Sylvia Britton. Together with Karen (message board administrator and contributing author) and Wardeh (technical administrator and contributing author), I would like to welcome you to T2CHK. We're so glad that you've stopped by today to read. Our prayer is that you will be blessed, convicted, strengthened and encouraged by the articles and devotionals that we offer. Please visit us at our blogs, too! My blog is The Christian Homekeeper, Karen's blog is Gatherings, and Wardeh's blog is Such Treasures.
Children
Third tab
In this section you put items that remind you of your children. Their first word, their pictures, their drawings, things you want to work on with regards to them. I.e. stop yelling at them, speak in a calm non-threatening tone.
You can either merge your children into one file or separate them as I did for my 2 boys.
Four Guidelines the Bible gives for our role as mothers:
1. The mother is to TEACH the WORD OF GOD. Prov. 1:8; 6:20
Deut. 6:7 says:
"And you shall teach (God's Word) diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."
- The teaching of God's Word is to encompass your whole life.
- Memorize Scripture and read the Bible together.
- The mother is to TEACH practical WISDOM. Prov. 31:1
- The counsels of the mother:
- Principles from God's Word.
- Counsel based on God's Word.
- Traditions based on God's Word.
- Corrections based on God's Word.
- Decision-making based on God's Word.
Talk the walk - by mouth in your everyday life.
Walk the talk - by your actions. All that you do, as well as all that you don't do.
2. The mother is to DEDICATE her children to God. Prov. 31:2
She purposes to raise them for God. Hannah is a good model to follow. (I Samuel)
By prayer - Her deepest prayer is for her children's salvation and an abiding relationship with God.
By practice - She sees here children as her ministry of discipleship.
3. The mother is to LOVE her children. Titus 2:4
Our children are to be our highest human priority after our husband.
Once again, this "love" is "phileo" love - a love that cherishes, enjoys, and really likes them!
Love is action à doing à caring, nurturing, protecting, growing them, teaching them, etc.
PRACTICAL IDEAS:
* Pray
* Provide physical needs
* Be predictably happy - "You create the atmosphere of the home with your attitudes." Elisabeth Elliot
* Be a giver
* Have fun - Learn to smile and laugh a lot.
* Work at making everything special
* Don't give away to others what you haven't given away first at home.
* Don't double book things.
* Be at home as much as possible.
* Don't talk about your children negatively.
4. A word about DISIPLINE:
- We are teaching our children the Word of God when we discipline them. (HEB. 12:7 - 11)
- We are teaching our children God's wisdom when we discipline them. (Prov. 22:15; 29:15)
- We are really loving our children when we discipline them. (Ps. 23:4; Prov. 13:24)
Important factors in discipline are Clarity, Consistency, and Enforceability.
- When children know beforehand what the penalty for a wrongdoing will be, and they find that parents strictly adhere to it, they learn to live within clearly defined limits.
- If penalties for wrongdoings keep changing according to the whims or moods of parents at the time, a child soon becomes discouraged and confused because he/she doesn't know the limits and the consequences of his/her behavior.
- Children must come to recognize that by disobeying parents, they are really violating God's commandments by rebelling against God's ordained authorities. Eph. 6:1
You want to get at your children's heart issue of what caused the wrongdoings. If you only discipline their behavior (what comes out of their mouth or their wrong actions), then they will learn to not show outward displays rather than getting to the real problem and changing their sinful heart. You don't want them to learn to be good actors!
THE NOTEBOOK:
- Make a "Requests and Answer" sheet - (Salvation, desire to grow, discernment, protection) You may even want to do a sheet for each child.
- Make a "Goals" sheet and list the areas you need to do better in. Take them continually to the Lord, asking for practical things you can do to get that particular goal as part of your life. Before you know it, since a repeated action soon becomes a habit, and a habit then becomes a characteristic, you will then have accomplished your goal!
Raising Children to Serve God
Praying for Our Children
- 31 ways to pray for your children
- Each day of the month, in addition to my prayers for their safety and for the concerns of that day, I also pray for a specific character trait, virtue, or fruit of the Spirit to be planted and nurtured in my children, through my efforts (and my wife's), through the influence of others, and through Aubrey and Aaron's own actions and decisions. At the end of each month, I begin praying through the list again, combining traits when the month is shorter than thirty-one days.
- Puritans Sermons: Praying for Children
- The early conversion of all the children of the Church should be intensely desired and incessantly prayed for. Many who are converted only as adults suffer from evil habits developed in their youth. Not only would these be prevented, but habits which none but a true Christian prizes - habits such as daily and systematic prayer, determined fighting with sin in its various forms, generosity, watchfulness over self, and others of a similar kind - are usually formed strongest when young.
- Prayer Closet Ministries
- God has not called you to be a perfect parent. Yet, He has called you to be a praying parent. The greatest thing that you can do for your child is to pray for him or her. You can make a positive and lasting impact on your child through prayer. At every stage of their lives, your children need and will greatly benefit from your prayers.
- Twelve Ways to Pray for your child
- Suggestion: Pray for one request each day for a month
- Revive Our Hearts: Prayer
- Radio-Audio Series
How can you pray for your children in a way that will impact their lives? Nancy welcomes Fern Nichols and Marlae Gritter, president and vice-president of Moms In Touch International, as they share principles and practices for praying with others, preparing for spiritual battles, and using Scripture to guide your prayers. Through these women's personal examples and stories, you'll discover how great an effect a life of prayer can have on your children, your family, and your world.
Home
Fourth Tab
This is the part most mothers like about this journal as it tends to help them manage their time better.
TAKE NOTE*
This is where I went wrong. I stopped concentrating on the 'prayer journal' and became focused on the 'organizer' to an extreme. Remember***Life is more than a clean house, orderly schedule, and nice fresh baked bread. It is about the people in our lives. God, Husband, and children, Friends and relations and community.
1) She is to BUILD her home. (prov. 9:1-6; 14:1; 24:3-4)
- What do you think of when you think of a home?
- You are in charge of making your house a "home".
2) She is to WATCH over her home. (Prov. 31:27; Prov. 17:4)
3) She is to MANAGE her home. (I Tim. 5:14)
- A stewardship, a service to your husband, or if single, to God.
4) She is to KEEP her home. (Titus 2:4)
- A good housekeeper
- Read the Proverbs 31 woman
5) She is to USE her home. (I Tim. 5:10)
- Her door is always open to care for others outside of her family and show hospitality.
MONTHLY CALENDAR:
- Get in the habit of using the calendar for management of you and your household's activities, engagements, etc.
Purpose: To be a good manager over your household and to appropriately schedule in reaching out to others.
MONTHLY BUDGET:
- Write down everything spend during the month on your budget.
Purpose: To keep you accountable in being a good and wise steward and appropriately planning for the future.
DAILY SCHEDULE:
- Write out a daily schedule of your basic routine each day, including everyday chores to do. Managing it instead of it managing you!
- The idea is to have as many things as possible into a set routine.
- Think habit.
Purpose: To help you to organize and be a good manager of time.
WEEKLY CHORES:
- List Monday through Friday and write out a major household chore next to each day. This way you only have one big chore a day, making your load light. You might want to do a monthly/yearly chore list, too.
Purpose: To be an efficient keeper and manager of your home.
SPECIAL PROJECTS:
- List projects you need to get done, would like to accomplish, purchases for the home (with the expected dollar amount next to it), and home improvements/repairs (with the expected dollar amount next to it).
Purpose: To continually take these before the Lord until they can be accomplished. Therefore, they are not forgotten while seeking contentment, wisdom, patience, met needs.
GROCERY LIST/MEALS:
Grocery List:(subcategory tab)
- Make a new tab for your grocery list so it can be easily turned to in your book.
- Make a habit of flipping to this page when you remember you need something at the grocery store.
Monthly Meal Planner:
- Write out your dinner meal for a whole month in one column, and in the next column write out the food items you need for your meal.
- Make your master shopping lists off of this, organized the way you walk through the store.
Purpose: To be a good steward of your finances by planning and organizing and, therefore, being able to stick to your budget. Also, knowing what coupons to watch out for.
TAKE NOTE*
This is where I went wrong. I stopped concentrating on the 'prayer journal' and became focused on the 'organizer' to an extreme. Remember***Life is more than a clean house, orderly schedule, and nice fresh baked bread. It is about the people in our lives. God, Husband, and children, Friends and relations and community.
1) She is to BUILD her home. (prov. 9:1-6; 14:1; 24:3-4)
- What do you think of when you think of a home?
- You are in charge of making your house a "home".
2) She is to WATCH over her home. (Prov. 31:27; Prov. 17:4)
3) She is to MANAGE her home. (I Tim. 5:14)
- A stewardship, a service to your husband, or if single, to God.
4) She is to KEEP her home. (Titus 2:4)
- A good housekeeper
- Read the Proverbs 31 woman
5) She is to USE her home. (I Tim. 5:10)
- Her door is always open to care for others outside of her family and show hospitality.
MONTHLY CALENDAR:
- Get in the habit of using the calendar for management of you and your household's activities, engagements, etc.
Purpose: To be a good manager over your household and to appropriately schedule in reaching out to others.
MONTHLY BUDGET:
- Write down everything spend during the month on your budget.
Purpose: To keep you accountable in being a good and wise steward and appropriately planning for the future.
DAILY SCHEDULE:
- Write out a daily schedule of your basic routine each day, including everyday chores to do. Managing it instead of it managing you!
- The idea is to have as many things as possible into a set routine.
- Think habit.
Purpose: To help you to organize and be a good manager of time.
WEEKLY CHORES:
- List Monday through Friday and write out a major household chore next to each day. This way you only have one big chore a day, making your load light. You might want to do a monthly/yearly chore list, too.
Purpose: To be an efficient keeper and manager of your home.
SPECIAL PROJECTS:
- List projects you need to get done, would like to accomplish, purchases for the home (with the expected dollar amount next to it), and home improvements/repairs (with the expected dollar amount next to it).
Purpose: To continually take these before the Lord until they can be accomplished. Therefore, they are not forgotten while seeking contentment, wisdom, patience, met needs.
GROCERY LIST/MEALS:
Grocery List:(subcategory tab)
- Make a new tab for your grocery list so it can be easily turned to in your book.
- Make a habit of flipping to this page when you remember you need something at the grocery store.
Monthly Meal Planner:
- Write out your dinner meal for a whole month in one column, and in the next column write out the food items you need for your meal.
- Make your master shopping lists off of this, organized the way you walk through the store.
Purpose: To be a good steward of your finances by planning and organizing and, therefore, being able to stick to your budget. Also, knowing what coupons to watch out for.
- 1) God has designed the wife to be her husband's HELPER. Gen. 2:18
Helper = One who shares man's responsibilities, responds to his nature, with understanding and love, and wholeheartedly cooperates with him in working out the plan of God. (Wycliffe Commentary)
Being a team with your husband - solidly behind and supportive of her husband.
This mind-set, this servant spirit, helps us to be more like Christ as we esteem others - especially our husbands - as better than ourselves. (Phil. 2:3)
OKAY, BUT HOW?
- Make a commitment to help your husband. Will you or won't you? Make a decision.
- Focus on your husband.
Focus your energy and efforts on his tasks, his goals, his responsibilities. Make him #1.
Ease your husband's life by helping him in tasks.
- Ask of your actions, "Will this help or hinder my husband?" - 2) God designed the wife to SUBMIT to her husband. Eph. 5:22
God's desire for us - married or single, young or old - is to honor, serve, and subject ourselves to one another. That's why it is good to have the qualities of a wife even if you aren't married. This way you'll be ready when and if the time comes, too. We reflect Christ's character as we move away from selfishness and defer to them.
When it comes to marriage, God arranged for the sake of order that the husband lead and the wife follow. Just like in a business, you don't have two presidents; they will often step on each other's toes. What do businesses have? They always have one president and then a vice president. The vice president is the president's right-hand man, helper, confidante, etc.
In the same way, God ordained roles or differing functions in the marriage so it can run smoothly and orderly.
"The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." I Cor. 11:3
Now, the husband's headship doesn't mean we, as wives, can't offer wise input (Prov. 31:26) or ask questions for clarification during the decision-making process, but, just like the president/vice president role, the husband's headship does mean that he is responsible for the final decision.
"Head of the house" doesn't mean barking out orders, throwing his weight around, and demanding submission from his wife; it simply means that his is the one finally responsible and accountable to God for his leadership decisions. We are accountable to God for how we submit to that leadership, regardless if our husband is a believer or not.
UNBELIEVING OR DISOBEDIENT HUSBANDS:
It might be very helpful to memorize I Peter 3:1
Our submission to our husbands - whether or not he is a Christian, whether or not he is obeying God - preaches a lovelier and more powerful sermon than our mouth ever could!
One exception: If your husband asks you to do something illegal or immoral, you are then not submitting to God who is above your husband. Go to a trusted pastor and follow the counsel you receive there.
YES, BUT HOW DO I SUBMIT?
Ephesians 5:22 says, "as unto the Lord."
God has instituted submission, commanded submission, and given us the power in Him to be able to submit
(2 Pet. 1:3).
This seems to be a hard one for many, but God is honored when we do, and time and time again we will see that obedience brings true contentment and joy to those who follow His ways!
PRACTICAL IDEAS:
- Dedicate your heart to honoring your husband.
o Change requires a decision. We have to decide to submit to our husband.
o Make up your mind to practice submission, and dedicate your heart to honoring God and your husband in this way.
- Remember to respect your husband. Eph. 5:33
o Submission flows from the basic heart attitude of respect.
o Ask yourself, "Am I treating my husband as I would treat Christ himself?"
o Do you, for instance, ask your husband to do something or do you tell him? Do you stop, look, and listen to him when he's talking? Do you speak about him with respect?
o Ask of each word, act, and attitude, "Am I bending or bucking?" whenever tension builds up in your heart and you're resisting or questioning your husband's direction. - 3) God designed the wife to LOVE her husband. Titus 2:4
The first thing married woman are to learn and practice is to love their husbands. (Titus 2:3&4)
The word "love" in this passage is "phileo," meaning friendship love - a love that cherishes, enjoys, and likes our husband! We are to value him and build a friendship with him. We should see our husband as our best friend and want to be with him more than any other person.
OKAY BUT HOW?
1. Make a decision to make your husband your #1 human relationship.
2. Begin to "choose" your husband over all human relationships.
3. Ask of your actions, "Am I spoiling my husband rotten?"
PRACTICAL IDEAS:
1. Pray for him daily - focusing on your husband in prayer will help you focus on him in your heart, your thoughts, and your actions.
2. Plan for him daily - Thinking of him and what you can do to help him today. (make lunches, plan special dates, etc.)
3. Prepare for him daily - Prepare the house before he gets home, prepare your appearance, plan your greeting to him.
4. Please him - pay careful attention to his wants, likes, and dislikes.
5. Protect your time with him - Stay off the phone as much as possible, etc., when he's home.
6. Physically love him - I Cor. 7:3-5 says it real clear!
7. Positively respond to him - respond initially by saying "Sure!" or "Okay!" This creates a non-threatening atmosphere for being able to ask questions.
8. Praise him - never speak critically or negatively about your husband.
*** Put this whole list to work, and you'll communicate "I love you" more powerfully than words alone can! (I John 3:18)
Managing Our Homes
Printable Prayer Journals
- Christian Prayer Journal
- 1. Daily prayer journal
2. Seven Day Armour of God
3. Seven Day Psalms 91
4. Bible Study Notebook - Free Christian Printables
- Use a 3 ring notebook binder for a journal that never ends, just keep adding pages. Print as many copies as you like. There is no limit. Truly free to you. [Expand pictures, if needed, before printing]
New themes will be added, so be sure to check back. Requests are welcome. Tell me what theme you would like to see added, be sure to be specific. ie. type of form: journal, list; theme: birds, butterflies; colors, scripture, greeting: Dear Lord, Abba Father, etc. - SHMILY:See How Much I Love You
- focuses on our priority after God as wives, which is to bring glory to Him through being a wife. It doesn't matter what stage (or state) your marriage is in right now. Pray to the Lord to give you the strength, forgiveness, and love you need to be the wife He intends for you to be.
- Raising Your Own Children
- Your brain will consist of a three-ring binder which is divided into sections for each area of your life! Each section should include the printable section divider (which is in the form of a graphic below...click the image and it will open the pdf file), all of the printable forms listed under each section, and the greatest part...you can three-hole punch ANY documents, ads, coupons, etc that you want to add to each section.
- Kids Prayer JOurnal
- This file consists of a cover page plus a page for younger children and a page for older children. The younger child page has space for three days worth of prayer notes while the older child page has space for four days.
V.I.P.S. or MINISTRY
Fifth Tab
In this section you put those in your life that mean something to you. Some people you are praying for. Your family and friends, neighbors, or co-workers. What can you do to help them?Learn to reach out to others:
- God has given us the ministry of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:18)
- He has blessed us each with a spiritual gift and ordered us to exercise them accordingly. (Rom. 12:6)
- He commanded us to go out and make disciples and teach them (Matt. 28:19 and 20)
- And He tells us to stimulate one another to love and good deeds and to encourage one another. (Heb. 10:24&25)
PRACTICAL IDEAS:
- Write notes - "A good word makes the heart glad." Prov. 12:25
- Make phone calls or visit sick, hurting, needy or discouraged people.
- Memorize Scripture - The tongue of the learned speaks a word in season. Isaiah 50:4
- Develop your prayer life - "Pray for all saints." Ephesians 6:1
- Get involved in a ministry that you have an interest in.
- At church or anywhere else, take on the ministry of encouragement or helps among the "flock."
- Write down five people you want to deliver the gospel to. Memorize how to deliver an adequate gospel message and take up a praying ministry for them until that opportunity to share comes.
THE NOTEBOOK:
- Make a "People to Pray for" sheet.
* On a piece of paper list Monday through Friday.
* List the people you want to pray for daily on all five days. (Besides husband and children). Try not to have more than four so it's not so overwhelming.
* Write down any enemies under all five days
- Purpose of that is to guard against bitterness and resentment and ill will, and to promote unity in the body of Christ, to keep yourself pure from sin. Pray for your personal response to them, blessings and growth for them.
* Make a rough draft list of all the people/ministries you want to pray for on a separate piece of paper. Divide the people up into the Monday through Friday categories and write them in on your "People to Pray for" sheet.
* List current ministry involvements. Pray for them on the day they meet.
* Make a "Special Requests" or "VIP's" Sheet.
- Write in names and needs when people ask for special prayer.
- List names of those you discern in need of prayer or your tangible help - people God has put on your heart to lift up in prayer.
- Designate one day in your five days to pray for your VIP's.
- You might want to make a "Ministry" sheet (name the ministry) that you are involved in and pray for any special needs, goals, concerns, etc., of that ministry.
PHOTO CREDIT
Serving Others
Modest Needs
Dedicated to helping people with unexpected financial emergencies. Modest Needs work to stop the cycle of poverty BEFORE it starts for the low-income workers whom conventional philanthropy has forgotten.
Community
Sixth Tab
6. CommunityI like to use this section to do a community project. Ideally this should be done as a family. It is a great lesson to the children and brings the family together in a very special way. You may choose to do a group project with your moms, or individually. Either way you choose, helping the community you live in, connects you to people outside your "fish bowl".
PHOTO CREDIT
Family Missions
- Family Mission Statement
- It is critical for individuals and families to develop a vision for their future, for their reason to be. Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). Without a vision, families tend to drift and frequently disintegrate.
- Family Mission International
- Family Mission International is actively engaging families around the world in family discipleship ministries and the cause of world missions. It is our honor and privilege to encourage mentoring relationships between families in order to foster mutual growth and maturity in Christ. We are working to grow families that understand the foundational importance of the gospel and its application to daily life, the Biblical doctrine of the family, the power of family discipleship, and the joy of home education.
- Community Service: Family
- It's easy to feel disconnected, as many parents juggle work, school, kids, and activity after activity. But some simple things can bring a family closer - playing a game, going for a hike, or cooking a meal together.
One of the most satisfying, fun, and productive ways to unite is volunteering for community service projects. Volunteerism also sets a good example for your kids and helps the community - Serving Others as a Family pdf
- Hunger Walk
Soup Kitchen
Intergenerational Work
Visiting the Lonely - Serving Others Together
- People in need are all around you-in your own extended family, in your neighborhood and in your community. And some of the most rewarding activities your family can take part in together are those designed to help these people. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination, your sensitivity to others' needs, and your willingness to give. Even very young children can feel the joy of serving. Your whole family can feel closer to each other as you work together for a good cause and share the satisfaction that comes in helping others.
Accountability Checklist
ACCOUNTABILITY CHECKLIST- The idea behind this is, when you write it down, you feel more of a compulsion to see it through and not put it by the wayside.
- Write down your own "Accountability" list using practical and tangible goals, adding and deleting when fit.
- A rough outline (and not specific) would look something like this:
God: Am I
- Actively choosing God and His ways at every decision, word, moment, thought, and step each day?
- Consistent in my quiet time?
Husband: Am I
- preparing for my husband daily?
- Spending time with him?
- Positively responding to him?
- Noticing, regarding, honoring, preferring, esteeming, praising, admiring, and loving him?
- Bending or bucking with submission?
- Being predictably happy?
- Giving away to others what I haven't given first away at home?
Children: Am I
- spending quality time each day with them?
- Praying with them daily?
- Teaching them to follow God by my words and actions?
Home: Am I managing my home effectively
- with finances and budgeting?
- With housecleaning? (Managing it instead of it managing me?)
- With planning meals and shopping?
- Taking care of needs at home? (sewing, bills, repairs, phone calls)
Self: Am I
- Tangibly growing in my walk? (reading other books to help, classes, discipleship, studying)
- Memorizing scripture?
- Eating properly and exercising?
- Keeping to all these goals?
Write out your weekly verse on the "Scripture Memory Review" page.
You might want to make a "Prayers of Commitment" page that will be helpful for you daily or weekly to write out specific things you need to work on.
Examples:
Husband: Plan a special date for Friday
Children: Take to park this week
Home: Do dishes every day before husband comes home from work.
NOTE: Make this section your own personal section. The key is writing it down and making a system that works for you!
PHOTO CREDIT
Christian Accountability
- A Need for support
- Christian Accountability - A Need for Support
Accountability is essential for any society to function and Christian accountability is no different. We are all held accountable in one way or another. For example, there are laws to obey and if we fail to be obedient, we may have to suffer the consequences set by the officials who hold us accountable. Accountability is simply being responsible for one's actions. - Christian Resposibility Bible Study
- One of the critical struggles for Christians in the 21st Century is determining God's balance between (a) personal responsibility/accountability as one seeks salvation and (b) personal joy produced by confidence in God's promises. Some Christians live their lives under an overpowering sense of guilt as they (a) are discouraged by a sense of unworthiness or (b) are deeply frustrated by their human attempts to 'earn salvation.' God does not want the person who allows Jesus Christ to rule his or her life to exist in this sense of guilt! The objective of salvation is to destroy guilt!
- Christian Mommies
- "Connecting women of all ages and backgrounds in a
community of support and love through Jesus Christ." - Christian Moms of Many Blessings
- Our goal is to do a super job of raising our families, not to just "hope it will all turn out right." That's why we try to have a positive emphasis.
Conclusion
Now, you have a wonderfully full notebook decorated and enhanced with things that will make you smile and hopefully :) make you open it.
I hope this is beneficial for you and your family. I would like to remind all Mommies that Motherhood is a Career with Eternal Rewards/Benefits. We are raising the next Genertion of Doctors, lawyers, leaders, Presidents, parents, and Christians. We are doing the most Challenging yet Most Rewarding Job as Mothers and Wives and we need to invest our entire being into this.
I hope this is beneficial for you and your family. I would like to remind all Mommies that Motherhood is a Career with Eternal Rewards/Benefits. We are raising the next Genertion of Doctors, lawyers, leaders, Presidents, parents, and Christians. We are doing the most Challenging yet Most Rewarding Job as Mothers and Wives and we need to invest our entire being into this.
Reader Feedback
submit
-
Reply
- Bibsiboo Bibsiboo Aug 6, 2009 @ 6:20 pm
- Loved the info on how to apply it and suggestions to try. Definitely will print out and include in my home journal. Thanks.
Related Lenses
-
Bible Verses in Home Decor
-
Inspirational bible verses and other refreshing motivational and friendship quotes can be used in your home decor in decorative ways. In addition to adding to your home decor, Inspirational quotes can be used on greeting cards, needle art...
-
A Personalized Prayer Journal Can Take Your Relationship with God to the Next Level!
-
"The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]" (James 5:16b AMP). Your prayers count! But, sometimes developing a disciplined prayer life isn't easy. Des...
-
How to use a Prayer Journal
-
This lense will focus on one of my favorite topics to teach as a Christian author and speaker, that of prayer journaling, or using the written word to communicate with and hear from God.
-
Home Organizer Notebook. Also known as a Homemaking Journal
-
Sometimes called a Homemaking Journal or a Household Notebook, a Control Journal or a Housekeeping Binder. Home Organizers are nothing new but have come full circle to help frazzled mothers and families keep on top of busy schedules and basic househo...
-
Home Builders Department at Christian Women's Resources
-
Welcome to my lens about the Home Builders Department of the Christian Women's Resources Website! I help Lori with the Faith and Home Builders Departments, so my plan is to provide you with some Faith-filled content to help build your HOME on the pri...
by MomwithAHook
I'm a Wife, Mother, Daughter and Friend. I love all things crafty and like to share them with the world.
more)Explore related pages
Everything Religious & Spiritual Headquarters- Everything Religious & Spiritual Taking all your lenses on religion, spiritu...
Surprising Ways God Answers Prayer- God always answers our prayers, but those answers don't always come in the ways...
Does Bible Reading Sound Boring?- When life gets busy or something like an economic disaster washes out your retir...
Mom-Daughter Connection- Hi! I am Alyssa Avant, Christian Author & Speaker, founde...
The Prayer That Jesus Taught Us- The Lord's Prayer is often the prayer we're all taught as youngsters, so the wor...
Faith Is Needed On Our 'Journey'- Do we think often about our soul's need for nourishment? Are we conscientiou...
