Sunday, February 22, 2009
Where Did She Go?
(Proverbs 31:1-10)
King Lemuel (regarded by some commentators as a pen name for King Solomon), perhaps in despair of prevailing cultural conditions, looked around the vastness of his realm and questioned, “Who can find a virtuous woman?” It may have been that virtue had given way to vice in the matriarchy of his day. It may have been that old-fashioned standards had been jettisoned for new models of femininity and motherhood. Whatever the reason, Lemuel laments the rarity of genuine virtue among the woman of his day.
His lament is “ripped from the headlines” of contemporary America! Virtue, it seems, has been tossed upon America’s cultural ash heap—along with modesty, decency, and chastity. What’s worse, the professing church is not far behind culture in rewriting the standards for godly ladies.
Just what is virtue? The dictionary answer is as good as any: “The quality of being morally good or righteous.” Perhaps that sounds a little prudish to our licentious culture. “Prudish” or not, it is Bible.
How may virtue be made practical in a woman’s life? Test yourself—your speech, attire, attitude, and motives—by asking yourself “Does ________ reflect moral goodness and righteousness?” And remember, if it’s doubtful, it’s dirty.
Showing posts with label virtuous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label virtuous. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wisdom for the Wife - 2
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Trusting Heart
(Proverbs 31:10-15)
Good marriages are built upon trust. Of course, trust is a two-way street. The wife must trust the husband with her heart—her feelings, emotions, dreams, and desires. Because of his position, the husband holds the keys to his wife’s happiness.
The husband must also be able to trust his wife. In fact, a woman’s fidelity to her husband’s leadership, reputation, and intimacy should be so sterling as to engender trust from her husband’s heart, not just his head. In other words, the wife should be so trustworthy as to never give her husband the slightest doubts about his confidence in her.
Practically speaking, ladies, that means that your husband should trust you in every aspect of life. For example, he should trust you to never abuse credit cards. He should have absolute confidence that you will not reveal private matters to others—even your very best friend. He should “rest assured” that you use your time profitably, rather than “hanging out” on facebook. (Ouch.)
Once a woman gains the “heart trust” of her husband, her position in his eyes is virtually unshakable. Heart trust expands the wife’s freedom and eliminates the husband’s anxiety. A husband’s heart trust is one of the most valuable possessions a wife can gain.
Of the virtuous woman it is written, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” May it be said of you.
The Trusting Heart
(Proverbs 31:10-15)
Good marriages are built upon trust. Of course, trust is a two-way street. The wife must trust the husband with her heart—her feelings, emotions, dreams, and desires. Because of his position, the husband holds the keys to his wife’s happiness.
The husband must also be able to trust his wife. In fact, a woman’s fidelity to her husband’s leadership, reputation, and intimacy should be so sterling as to engender trust from her husband’s heart, not just his head. In other words, the wife should be so trustworthy as to never give her husband the slightest doubts about his confidence in her.
Practically speaking, ladies, that means that your husband should trust you in every aspect of life. For example, he should trust you to never abuse credit cards. He should have absolute confidence that you will not reveal private matters to others—even your very best friend. He should “rest assured” that you use your time profitably, rather than “hanging out” on facebook. (Ouch.)
Once a woman gains the “heart trust” of her husband, her position in his eyes is virtually unshakable. Heart trust expands the wife’s freedom and eliminates the husband’s anxiety. A husband’s heart trust is one of the most valuable possessions a wife can gain.
Of the virtuous woman it is written, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” May it be said of you.
Wisdom for the Wife - 3
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Working Woman
(Proverbs 31:13-19)
Rather than being shunned, the Bible depicts hard work as one of the greatest blessings of life. In our luxury mad society, work has, for some, become a dirty word. In fact, some folks work at avoiding work! Such should never be the attitude of a Christian woman.
Consider, for example, the Proverbs 31 gal: She worked willingly with wool and flax, crafting material necessities for her household (13). She practiced sound principles of home economics when grocery shopping (14). She was not a “sleepy head,” but rather arose before dawn to prepare a hearty, country breakfast (15). (Can I get an “Amen,” guys?)
In addition to domestic duties, she had honed her skills as a sharp business negotiator, closing significant deals to the profit of her household (16). In other words, she could function effectively both in the home and in the “real world.” You must admit, she’s quite a gal!
“How,” you ask, “did she get so good?” The answer is simple, but in our day undesirable: she worked at it. It took work to learn to weave; it took discipline to get up early; it took effort to shop efficiently; and it took devotion to fix that hearty, country breakfast. She did it all—and more—by the simple, old-fashioned, oft-derided virtue known as work! Be a working woman!
The Working Woman
(Proverbs 31:13-19)
Rather than being shunned, the Bible depicts hard work as one of the greatest blessings of life. In our luxury mad society, work has, for some, become a dirty word. In fact, some folks work at avoiding work! Such should never be the attitude of a Christian woman.
Consider, for example, the Proverbs 31 gal: She worked willingly with wool and flax, crafting material necessities for her household (13). She practiced sound principles of home economics when grocery shopping (14). She was not a “sleepy head,” but rather arose before dawn to prepare a hearty, country breakfast (15). (Can I get an “Amen,” guys?)
In addition to domestic duties, she had honed her skills as a sharp business negotiator, closing significant deals to the profit of her household (16). In other words, she could function effectively both in the home and in the “real world.” You must admit, she’s quite a gal!
“How,” you ask, “did she get so good?” The answer is simple, but in our day undesirable: she worked at it. It took work to learn to weave; it took discipline to get up early; it took effort to shop efficiently; and it took devotion to fix that hearty, country breakfast. She did it all—and more—by the simple, old-fashioned, oft-derided virtue known as work! Be a working woman!
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