March 31, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 31
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Following Scripture Verses

1. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3. Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5. Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Today's Pathway:
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"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." - Proverbs 31:30

Much of Proverbs 31 is filled with the teaching concerning the "virtuous woman". Today's verse reveals the priority that a godly woman ought to have. In our society we find that many women are obsessed with how they look. Between trips to the gym, shoe store, cosmetics counter, and beauty salon, many ladies find that they are spending so much time on their outward appearance that they have very little left over to spend on their spiritual well-being. The Scriptures warn that outward attractiveness is not what really matters. It may please self, but it does nothing to please God.

Paul also dealt with this issue in I Timothy 2:9-10 when he informed the women in Timothy's congregation that they should not be concerned about adorning themselves with the latest hair style, jewelry, or clothing, but rather with "good works". Please understand that Paul is not saying that a Christian woman ought to be unkempt, overweight, and "frumpy". He is saying that the priority in a lady's life must be her relationship with the Lord and living out that relationship in her daily activities.

While women need to pay heed to this verse, men who are looking for a potential wife should take note of it as well. Many a Christian young man has found a good-looking, well-spoken, educated woman and married her, only to find out that she would not be the wife to him that she should have been. When a wife refuses to live a godly life and refuses to practice Biblical Christianity in her relationship to her husband and children, it no longer matters how pretty she is or how gracious she appears in public. Those attributes are long forgotten as the husband tries to keep his home together.

Ladies, what is more important: your physical life or your spiritual life? Single men: what type of wife are you looking for? Both of you had better make the right choice.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery