Far Above Rubies

FAR ABOVE RUBIES

Proverbs 31:10-31

Have you ever read Proverbs 31 before? Have you heard of the “Proverbs 31 woman”?

For thousands of years, God-fearing women have looked to the virtuous woman of Proverbs31. 
But what about today’s woman? Of what value can this ancient biblical chapter be to the diverse, complex life-styles of us now? Whether single, married, working outside the home or inside the home, having children or not…it is more relevant than you might think.
I’ve provided the verses here but you can read the whole chapter on your own to dip deeper.

Verse 10. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is FAR above rubies.
 Isn’t it hard today to find a virtuous woman? The world wants us to feel ashamed of being modest and holy. The devil is working over-time and double-time to destroy the virtuous woman God created us to be. Fight back and hold on tight to that value!
To date the record for the highest price paid for rubies is 30.3 million dollars. YOU are worth more than that. YOU. ARE. PRICELESS.

Verse 11. The heart of her husband doth SAFELY trust in her…
 The highest compliment in my opinion is trust. If your spouse, parent, boss, co-worker, or pastor/pastor’s wife trusts you without question; that speaks volumes of your character.

Verse 12. She will do him good and not evil ALL the days of her life.
Another showcase of character is not just doing “what’s right” when it’s convenient but when people persecute you and you still show compassion.

Verses 13-19 talks about whether working in a career or in the home, a woman takes pride in what she has done. She rolls up her sleeves and works hard. She hones her skills through education and applying herself.

20. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Giving to the poor and needy was one of the things that Jesus talked a lot about during his earthly ministry. Visiting the sick, comforting the lonely and depressed, and delivering food to those in need. I’m sure you remember a time when someone gave of themselves when you needed it the most. It could have been something small like a card, hug, or hot meal, but it meant the most  

21-22. These verses talk more about resourcefulness and providing for others. 

23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Another way for your conduct to shine through is when people know who you belong to. When people know your parents, spouse, or children because of your great kindness or hard work….that’s honorable.

Verses 24-25.  See 21-22

26.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Wisdom and compassion will get you much farther than trying to claw your way to the top.

27.  See 21-22

28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
      Blessed, yes!

29.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
     A crown that we will cast to Jesus’ feet.

30. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
This is the key to the “Proverbs 31 woman”. She is concerned more about the will of God than         anything else. Her success with her career, home, children and husband all came about because she gave them to God to nurture and blossom.

31. Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Your reward will be the “fruit of your hands”. You won’t have to boast about your accomplishments…they speak for themselves.

-Written By Katie Lindsay

Repurposed

Repurposed

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.                 2 Corinthians 5:17  

I've had a growing appreciation for antique malls and stores over the past few years - my thanks to friends and family who introduced me to this enthusiasm. I find that my enduring interest has grown affectionately nostalgic especially from discoveries of familiar items from my childhood. Most of the time I enjoy just walking and browsing and finding treasures here and there but my fascination has really grown as I observe items that seem to be useless, old, worn out, rough looking or rusty - things I see and sometimes think are a waste of selling space and yet people will purchase these items with a purpose in mind. I confess I have bought a few things a time or two and made good use of them myself.

I am wondrously amazed at the masterpieces that are created from items that seem worthless and ugly, but in the eyes of an artist contain potential! I've seen picture frames made with old window panes and walls paneled with old barn wood siding. How many times have rough old pieces of furniture been sanded, refinished or maybe taken apart only to be reconstructed to be made into something totally different? For example, on "Pinterest" are pictures of baby cribs turned into beautiful bench seats, quilt holders, chalkboards and baby gates etc.

The term we use today for this masterful creativity is called "repurposing" defined by Merriam-Webster " as to change (something) so that it can be used for a different purpose." This word makes me think of our Heavenly Creator who loves us so much that He took everyone of us and "repurposed" and is still "repurposing" us for His use. Some of us have felt set aside, worn out and useless from past mistakes until Jesus came along and saw our intrinsic value and a specific direction for our lives. How many times did we almost give up hope feeling worthless and ugly because of seemingly unforgivable sins we committed or because of offenses and deep hurt that came from people we trusted? It seemed we were going to be shelved permanently....lost....no one to care....then Jesus, The Master Creator, came passing by and His loving eyes fell on each one of us who were broken thinking all hope was lost! He gently picked us up, paid the bill, took us home, washed us off with waters of baptism and added a coat of Holy Ghost "paint". He knew He could use this vessel and filled it with His purpose for His Kingdom. It doesn't matter how many people pass us by; what matters is that our Heavenly Father eyed us and saw our need, our pain and our potential and made us His very own. It was love at first sight for Him. No matter what the culture, family, friends or acquaintances think or say, God's purpose in our lives is foremost and we must stay focused on that purpose....everything else is a distraction!!

In Luke 19:1-10 while passing through Jericho, Jesus eyed a much hated rich man named Zacchaeus hiding in a sycamore tree. In verse 5 Jesus invites Himself to the tax collector's home for lunch and in verses 9 and 10 after Zacchaeus confesses his wrongdoing and commits to making things right, Jesus says to him, "... This day is salvation come to this house.... For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus rocked Zacchaeus' world! A man who was scorned and dismissed was sought by The Master who forgave him, loved him and set him on the right path. If you have felt or are feeling broken, useless or passed by, please rest assured that The Savior sees, hears and knows exactly where you are at this season in your life. You are not ever lost to Him. He longs to have a relationship with you. A familiar passage in Romans 8:35-39 says that nothing can "...separate us from the love of God,...". There is no love like the love of Jesus Christ. He doesn't fail or make mistakes and He is always looking to "repurpose" priceless possessions for His kingdom. He values you more than you could ever know!

 

-Written By Becky Spann