Proverbs 31 - 1.31.25
Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-12 & 25-31
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Observation
The author of this chapter is unidentified, but it is a famous passage describing the virtues and attitudes of a godly, excellent woman. She is a woman of integrity, honor, trust, loving and hard working. This kind of woman is uncommon in the world, but to the man who finds her, she is a precious jewel that shines brightly. She is a treasure to him and his children.
Application
The world does not value the importance of a woman who chooses to stay at home, take care of her children and household. They feel she is not able to use her talents and gifts. I completely disagree with this opinion. God has a way that He has designed us to live and doing things “God’s Way” produces abundant fruit and a Blessed Life. A woman who trusts the Lord with all her heart and knows that He will lead, guide and direct her path can walk through life radiating strength and dignity. She is not fearful of the future because she trusts the Lord. She carries with her a sense of calm that can only come from trusting God and spending time in His presence. She is wise and creates an atmosphere that her children can thrive and feel safe in. Her husband is loved, honored and valued and gives her respect and praise.
The world tells us that true beauty comes from a fit body, nice clothes and lots of makeup, but that’s so far from the truth. A woman that is completely surrendered to God, reads and lives out His words, instructs her children in the ways of the Lord, loves and supports her husband, takes care of her household and radiates Jesus’ love and compassion to all she meets…that’s True Beauty. She is a priceless jewel that should be cherished and honored.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Help us to see beauty through Your eyes. Open our eyes to see the gifts you have given us and the people you have put in our lives that are precious jewels. Help us to always be thankful and grateful for our lives and our families. Help us to always honor and praise the precious women in our lives that give so much of themselves to make this world a better place. Thank you, Lord for Godly Women!
- Michelle Craig
Hebrews 12 - 1.30.25
S – Hebrews 12:1 - 3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
O – Our previous Hebrews chapter shows us many examples of faith in action. Those people are our great cloud of witnesses. They have already gone before us, endured much and came through victorious. They should be a constant encouragement to us to know we don’t struggle alone, and we are not the first to have these struggles. Like a runner who trains for the race, who gives up those heavy meals and sweets, and pushes their bodies out of their comfort zones in order to achieve their desired goals, we too, have to be disciplined and get rid of some “stuff!” We NEED self-discipline.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 - 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
A – We will suffer things here on earth but Jesus suffered the very worst of it so we wouldn’t have to. Suffering is just the training ground for Christian maturity. God shapes and molds us through our earthly suffering as we squirm under pressure. There are several versus that describe God as a skilled silversmith who refines and purifies his people.
Malachi 3:3 - He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.
We create much of our own suffering through our sin which can hold us back. But there are also things that aren’t necessarily sin and may be merely hindrances that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us. We must get rid of those as well.
Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder us and something else that may not. Is there a weight in your life you must lay aside? (Blueletterbible.com)
P – Lord, as Levi just so clearly painted us a picture last Sunday of paving the way for repentance, would you help each of us to know what things you want us to turn a 180 on and keep walking?! Help us to lay those little sins, big sins, and even the hindrances down which may not even be sinful but are keeping us from walking with you and witnessing to others in our full capacity! You want so much more for us and I pray we would lay those things down that we think are fun or that we can’t live without. And would you show us how much better our lives can be when we do that! May my life be an acceptable sacrifice to you Lord! In Jesus’ name!
- Crystal Flory
Hebrews 11 - 1.29.25
Scripture
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Observation
Hebrews 11 is a reminder of the great heroes of faith who have gone before us. The writer encourages us in our faith by reminding us of ways God has kept his promises. Likewise, we should be keeping a record of the many times God has shown up for us to encourage us to continue to trust and stand on his promises.
Application
By faith we believe what has gone before - that God created the world, that the scripture is God breathed, that he sent his son to die for our sins and draw us into relationship with him.
By faith we hope for the future – we claim his promises, we trust him to meet our needs, we know he loves us and wants to work in and through us. By faith we persevere - even when we don’t see what we’ve been hoping for, even if it takes months or years. Or if we never actually see the promise fulfilled, we still trust that he is moving and in control.
“The challenge is ours now to do as the faithful of previous times did. The point of this whole section has been to lift up the necessity of persevering in faith especially when adversity comes. The Promised reward is reserved for those who hold firm in faith through all of life’s challenges.” Asbury Bible Commentary
Prayer
God, please fill me with faith and trust in you in all circumstances. I have seen you work mightily and I know you will do it again and again. How freeing it is to put my hopes and my worries in your hands, knowing you are in control. My job is to follow you and walk in what you’ve called me to. The rest is up to you.
- Debbie Dunn