WISDOM for LIVING Week 5 Welcome to Dingwall Free Church Wisdom is… “a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.” Sermons from Proverbs May 2007

Psalm 100:1-5* (p. 131) 1Shout to the LORD with joy, all who to earth belong. 2Adore the LORD with joyful hearts and come to him in song.

Psalm 100:1-5* (2/4) 3Know that the LORD is God; he made us as his own. We are the sheep for whom he cares— his people, his alone.

Psalm 100:1-5* (3/4) 4Enter his gates with praise, his courts with thankfulness. Your praises gladly sing to him; his name for ever bless.

Psalm 100:1-5* (4/4) 5For God the LORD is good; his love is ever sure. His constant truth and faithfulness through every age endure.

Prayer & Children’s Talk A Wise Woman: “A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Prov. 31:30

Children’s Talk MOTHERMOTHER MUMMUM Mum Understands Me Her children arise and call her blessed… Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.

Pray for Madeline – her family - and for all our Mums

Paraphrase 63 from 1 John 3:1-3 How great the love the Father has so graciously bestowed On us, poor sinners that we are, to call us sons of God!

Paraphrase 63 2/5 from 1 John 3:1-3 And that indeed is what we are! The world ignores this claim, Because it did not recognise the Saviour when he came.

Paraphrase 63 3/5 from 1 John 3:1-3 Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will become Has not yet been revealed to us till Christ will bring us home.

Paraphrase 63 4/5 from 1 John 3:1-3 But this we know: he will appear; we shall be like him then, For we shall see him as he is when he comes back again.

Paraphrase 63 5/5 from 1 John 3:1-3 So everyone who has this hope in Christ will be secure, And so will purify himself as Christ himself is pure. This revision of Paraphrase 63 was prepared by Rev John M MacPherson

Bible Reading – Proverbs 31:10-31 Page 667 Wisdom is… “a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.” Prov. 3:18

Bible Reading (Pew Bible - page 667) Proverbs 31: 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. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

Bible Reading (Pew Bible - page 667) Proverbs 31: She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

Bible Reading (Pew Bible - page 667) Proverbs 31: In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Bible Reading (Pew Bible - page 667) Proverbs 31: Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 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.

Bible Reading (Pew Bible - page 667) Proverbs 31: 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."

Bible Reading (Pew Bible - page 667) Proverbs 31: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Psalm 31:19-21,24 (p. 243) 19How great’s the goodness thou for them that fear thee keep’st in store, And wrought’st for them that trust in thee the sons of men before!

Psalm 31:19-21,24 (2/4) 20In secret of thy presence thou shalt hide them from man’s pride: From strife of tongues thou closely shalt, as in a tent, them hide.

Psalm 31:19-21,24 (3/4) 21All praise and thanks be to the LORD; for he hath magnified His wondrous love to me within a city fortified.

Psalm 31:19-21,24 (4/4) 24Be of good courage, and he strength unto your heart shall send, All ye whose hope and confidence doth on the LORD depend.

Wisdom for Living - A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD IS TO BE PRAISED The last words in the book of Proverbs are these: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs 31:30-31) Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her

1 - God's A to Z - In Praise of Women Why did the writer bother composing a 22-letter Hebrew Acrostic? John Piper: Proverbs 31 applies to all women (married or unmarried), to: "inspire women to fear the Lord.., and inspire others, especially husbands and children to praise women who fear the Lord." Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her

2 - The Wise Woman Fears God What is the fear of God all about? EXODUS 20:18-20 When the people saw… they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance… Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning. Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you

3) What does the fear of God look like in action? A woman who fears the Lord is NOT anxious about the future: She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 31:25 14:26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

3) What does the fear of God look like in action? A woman who fears the Lord is ORGANISED and WISE: She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 31:26. 31:11-13 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

3) What does the fear of God look like in action? A woman who fears the Lord is STRONG: She is clothed with strength and dignity… 31:25. MEN, and children 31:28 : Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. TELL HER, TODAY!

Psalm 25:8-15* (p. 29) 8Because the LORD is just and good, He shows his paths to all who stray. 9He guides the meek in what is right And teaches them his holy way.

Psalm 25:8-15* (2/4) 10To those who keep his covenant laws He shows his love consistently. 11For your name’s sake, O LORD my God, Forgive my great iniquity.

Psalm 25:8-15* (3/4) 12Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He’ll teach to them the chosen way 13That they may prosper all their life; Their children in the land will stay.

Psalm 25:8-15* (4/4) 14God’s friends are those who fear his name; With them his cov’nant he will share. 15My eyes are always on the LORD; He’ll free my feet from every snare.

Please join us in The Church hall for a Hot or Cold drink God Calls Us to delight in Christ and to Share His Hope.

Proverbs 27:19