I had really hoped to finish blogging through this book before the end of 2006, but I found other things about which to write. So, here I am in 2007 still working through Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes. There are three more chapters after this one. I think this delay in finishing has to be part of the “plan” for me. One of my resolution-not-a-resolutions is my desire to grow in holiness and godliness. Since posting about this last week, I have heard two sermons about godliness, been invited to read The Pursuit of Godliness with a friend, and “The Discipline of Good Deeds” has been waiting for me to address it. The answer to my New Year’s prayer seems to be coming together at the moment, like God actually wants to give me something I’m asking for. If all I have to do is read books and listen to sermons, this growth in godliness will be a breeze! (I hope you read those last two sentences with some humor in your mind as they were my pitiful attempts at illiciting a chuckle).

Hughes begins the chapter with a compare and contrast of the ambitions and aspirations of young women one hundred years ago with the aspirations and ambitions of young girls today. Girls journalled about what they would do to grow in character and maturity and grace. Today, girls text message (maybe) about what they’re not eating and which spin class they are going to attend. A century ago, women were valued for what they did. Not so in these crazy days. Women and girls are valued for how they look. Which brings me to a very convicting thought: the training that I am more than willing to undergo to have a fit bod is the same kind of strenuous, sweat-inducing, training I should enter in order to be a godly woman who is known for her good deeds. What I am learning is that godliness is all about what I do, not what I believe, not what I talk about, but what I DO.

Hughes discusses how good deeds have implications for our reputations, our appearance, and our means. She mentions several women who have excellent reputations because of their good deeds. As far as our appearance, she references Paul, who says, “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” (1 Timothy 2:9-10, emphasis Hughes’). She also includes the fact that our good deeds will be with us for eternity as our apparel. John writes in Revelation 19:7-8, “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure–for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” As to our means, she encourages women to use whatever resources they have for good deeds. We have been given what we have by God for a purpose. She writes, “Use what you have in doing good deeds until it truly costs you something.” Can I just say, “Ouch!” to that last statement? Ouch!

Getting serious and doing good deeds is beneficial all the way around! It is good for the church. No, especially the church. Paul teaches that the family of God comes first! “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10). Second, our good deeds are good for “the world.” By “the world”, Hughes means those within our sphere of influence. Our good deeds are one way we can spread the Gospel. Third, good deeds are for my good, namely my sanctification. Finally, good deeds are to be accomplished with an eye for giving God glory. Good deeds done for any reason other than for the glory of God do not count for anything.

One thing I am learning as I read Jerry Bridges’ book, The Pursuit Practice of Godliness, is that godliness’ foundation and fount is devotion to God. For my good deeds to amount to anything they must flow from pure devotion to God: from Him and to Him and through Him!

Growing in godliness means strict training: fleeing some things in order to pursue better ones, starving the flesh to feed the Spirit, dying to live, running to win, stretching my arms wider, more deep knee-bends, less stiff-necked-edness, and using my glutes for more than sitting.

My greatest sphere of influence is right here. Not my home on the web. My real home. This is where I have been very carefully placed by my Sovereign Father, and I can’t think of a better place to pour myself out! The place where my good deeds and my bad deeds (sins) are apparent. Apparent for my family to see and praise God for them OR see and be hurt by them. I so desperately want my family to praise God for me! If it were up to me, I’d be hopeless. But praise God, through Christ, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3)!