MOTHER’S DAY – U. S. HISTORY 1868 -- Anna Jarvis of Grafton, West Virginia organized “Mother’s Friendship Day” due to the loss of family members in the Civil War By 1911 -- Mother’s Day was celebrated in every state in the Union May 8, 1914 -- President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY Mr. Zeb Strange and Ms. Audrey Jackson will be at the auditorium exit doors with a Mother’s Day gift for each lady in attendance.
“One Who FEARS the LORD” (Proverbs 31:30) Speaker: Bruce Sloan Evangelism & Church Health Consultant Region 4 – Northwest Baptist Convention Vancouver, Washington
PROVERS 31:30 “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” (New American Standard Bible, 1995) “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” (New Living Translation, 2015) “Charm can lie, beauty can vanish, but a woman who fears Adonai should be praised.” (Complete Jewish Bible, 1998)
ONE WHO “FEARS” THE LORD Hebrew = יְרֵ֤א (yare) = fear The root word “fear” (yare) used 55 times within the Hebrew Old Testament Hebrew = יִרְאַת־ַ (yir·’aṯ-) = fear feminine singular construct (OT = 3 times) The adjective describes a woman who is morally and reverentially committed to YAHWEH and therefore worthy of praise “yi
THE BIG IDEA Any woman who lives her life with a REVERENTIAL (FEAR) for Almighty God is worthy of our Praise. In doing so, she validates: Her Worth (Proverbs 31:10-12) Her Work (Proverbs 31:13-24) Her Wisdom (Proverbs 31:25-27) Her Witness (Proverbs 31:28-31)
1. HER WORTH (31:10-12) Virtuous = “a woman of strength” (v.10) Valuable = “a woman who is irreplaceable and a treasure to all who know her” (v.10) Trustworthy = “a woman of integrity who’s husband has no need for war or plunder” (v. 11) Consistent = “a woman who is a bountiful blessing to her husband” (v.12)
2. HER WORK (31:13-24) Industrious = a woman who takes care of her family to the best of her ability (v.13-19) Generous = a woman who ministers to others in need and handles business affairs wisely (v. 20-22) Impactful = a woman who’s faith-filled lifestyle advances her husband and family’s reputation (v. 23-24) -
3. HER WISDOM (31:25-27) EXPERIENTIAL = a woman who’s gained wisdom through life experience (v. 25) GRACEFUL = a woman who’s words carry the weight of kindness and mercy (v. 26) FAITHFUL = a woman who is constantly searching for ways to minister to her family regardless of the day, time or season (v. 27)
4. HER WITNESS (31:28-31) Praised by her CHILDREN = a woman who’s children respect her faithfulness (v. 28) Praised by her HUSBAND = a woman who’s husband heaps admiration and praise for her faithfulness to God and others Praised by GOD and her COMMUNITY = any woman who’s lifestyle and reputation is built on a Godly foundation is praiseworthy
CHARLES BRIDGES “No less does her husband praise her. His attachment to her was grounded, not on the deceitful and vain charms of beauty, but on the fear of the Lord. She is therefore in his eyes to the end, the stay of his declining years, the soother of his cares, the counselor of his perplexities, the comforter of his sorrows, the sunshine of his earthly joys.” (Proverbs, pages 626-627).
NOW WHAT? Are YOU living your LIFE with a REVERENTIAL (FEAR) for Almighty God? If so, your faith-filled lifestyle will validate: Your Worth (Proverbs 31:10-12) Your Work (Proverbs 31:13-24) Your Wisdom (Proverbs 31:25-27) Your Witness (Proverbs 31:28-31)
MELISSA RINGSTAFF Being a Proverbs 31 “virtuous woman” is not about being “PERFECT.” It’s about living your life with “PURPOSE.” https://avirtuouswoman.org/10-virtues-of-the-proverbs-31-woman/