This post will be an ongoing series called "Word for the Weekend." I will post it each Friday and share a scripture passage. I pray that God will speak to you in some way through what I share.
My scripture for this weekend comes from two of my favorite passages: Proverbs 31 and Titus 2. When I attempt to do anything I ask myself, "Does this bring glory to God?" You may not think that everyday tasks you do bring glory to God, but I have to tell you they do! These verses prove that point. They also lay out how women should live, which is in a way that glorifies God.
Proverbs 31 is a mother's advice to her son. Beginning in verse 10, she tells him what kind of woman to marry. Let's examine that passage. Words in
italics are mine.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
She is rare.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Her husband trusts her and he is not lacking. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She constantly loves him. She doesn't mock him and his goals are her goals. 13 She
seeketh wool, and flax, and
worketh willingly with her hands.
She is industrious--and willing to be! She desires to help her family. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she
bringeth her food from afar.
She is thrifty and doesn't always buy what is easy to grab. She waits for that bargain so that she can be sure her husband has "no need of spoil" v.11. 15 She
riseth also while it is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She doesn't need anyone else to motivate her, she motivates herself. 16 She
considereth a field, and
buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she
planteth a vineyard.
She is an entrepreneur. 17 She
girdeth her loins with strength, and
strengtheneth her arms.
She doesn't shy away from doing hard work. She isn't afraid to sweat!18 She
perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle
goeth not out by night.
She isn't only willing to do hard work, she is willing to work long hours. 19 She
layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She is also willing to work consistently. 20 She
stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she
reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She has compassion on people and is generous in giving. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes sure that her family has everything they need so that when hard times comes they are prepared. 22 She
maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
She knows how to clothe her family. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he
sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is the leader of her family. 24 She
maketh fine linen, and
selleth it; and
delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She makes extra money using her talents to help her household. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She isn't afraid of hard times and isn't easily swayed. 26 She
openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She is smart and her words are gentle. 27 She
looketh well to the ways of her household, and
eateth not the bread of idleness.
She knows what needs to be done for her family and does it!28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he
praiseth her.
She is blessed! Amen!29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all.
She isn't satisfied with ordinary or second best. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that
feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
She is a woman after God's own heart. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
People praise her because of her virtuous nature. Now, I don't know about you, but, Oh! how I desire to be a virtuous woman! Titus 2 shed a little bit more light into the kind of woman God would have us to be.3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as
becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Women must have good, proper behavior that is holy. In order to do that we must not be gossips, not drink, and remember to teach good things. Our lives are our example; our teaching tool.4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Older women are to teach the younger. You are always older than some other woman/girl! We should love our husband and children, which may seem simple enough, but how many times have you acted in way that you didn't love them? 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
We are to be discreet, meaning modest. Modest in dress certainly, but also in the way we live out our lives. Modest women are not loud, rude, or crude. They don't dress in a way that would cause a man to sin in his heart. The verse says we are to be chaste, which means staying pure until marriage. We are to be keepers of our homes, not being idle in our tasks at home. The verse says that we are to be obedient to our husbands, meaning we should remember that Christ has put our husbands as the head of the household for a reason. The reason we are to act in this way is so the Word of God is not blasphemed. We don't want to say we are Christians and not follow every word of this God-inspired scripture. Then, how would be good examples unto others so that they may come to the saving grace of Jesus? This weekend's Word has been lengthy and it won't always be that way. I've shared what the Lord would have me to. May it be a blessing to you.
#7-Penguins:
