The Beginning of Wisdom

Written by Suzanne Benner

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”(Proverbs 1:7)

Beyond the connection between fearing God and righteous living, the Bible presents a tight link between the fear of the Lord and wisdom.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.” (Psalm 111:10)

“The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)

“A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil.” (Proverbs 14:16)

“The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom.” (Proverbs 15:33)

Once we’ve accepted that we need to fear the Lord, we pursue the path of wisdom. At the same time, seeking wisdom helps us understand what it means to fear God.

When Tough Times Come

"Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." (Acts 9:31)

There are times when life on this earth is hard and uncomfortable...and even downright painful. When those times come, you deeply need the comfort that only the Holy Spirit can bring.
How do you receive that kind of comfort?

Finding Treasures

Written by Gail Rodgers

Are your days filled with loneliness?  Do you dread getting up and facing another day? Come talk to a mentor. 

“[I]f you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3-5)

Time just seems to stand still when I am with my two grandboys! All the cares I have simply vanish when I am playing pretend with an imaginative, delightful three year old, or getting warm cuddles and ready smiles from the sweetest little baby!

Yesterday they came over and I was a ready participant when Logan said, “Let’s have an adventure, Gramma!” We put on our warm hoodies and went outside to explore the back yard. We were hunting for treasures and treasures we found!

What Can We Learn From Mary, Jesus' Mom?

by Jeff Baxter

The Gospel of Matthew and Luke teach us many things about the Savior's mom.  Mary's life is worthy for us to look at this Christmas season.  What can we learn from her?

First, God found favor in Mary, not because Mary was perfect and sinless, but because God's grace was on her.  We might assume that she was close to God in her fellowship, but this was not the reason for her finding favor.  Verse 28 says, ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Although Mary played a special role in the redemptive plan of God, if you know God, you are highly favored too and you can have the same kind of relationship and fellowship with God that Mary must have had.  Ephesians 1:6 uses the same word here for “favored” when it says that “his glorious grace…which he has freely given.”  Mary was a recipient of the same grace that you have received!  That is why you are highly favored. Because of God’s great grace! 

Wisdom From King Lemuel’s Mother

Scripture Passage:  Proverbs 31:1-31

INTRODUCTION: King Lemuel wrote the last chapter of Proverbs but he credits his mother with the wisdom contained in his words. Whereas most of Proverbs deals with a father speaking to his son, this chapter contains a mother’s wisdom that she gives to her son. Mostly, she deals with the danger of alcohol and the need for a virtuous woman.

1. THE DANGER OF STRONG DRINK (Proverbs 31:1-9)
1. The Wisdom of This Chapter (Proverbs 31:1-2)
1. The words of King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:1
   )
2. The prophecy that his mother taught him (Proverbs 31:1
   ): NOTE: a mother has great power to influence her children; consider the influence that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had on him (2 Timothy 1:5
   ; 2 Timothy 3:15
   ).
3. Given to her son (Proverbs 31:2
   )
1. Her own son – “my son”
2. Her physical child – “the son of my womb”
3. Her chosen child – “the son of my vows”; she had made vows to Lemuel’s father in marriage, but she had also likely made vows to God concerning her son and his upbringing. Compare Hannah (1 Samuel 1:11
   ).
2. Common Dangers for Kings (Proverbs 31:3-4)
1. That they would give their strength to women (Proverbs 31:3
   ; Deuteronomy 17:17
   ; 1 Kings 11:1-8; Nehemiah 13:26
   )
2. That they would give their ways to destruction (Proverbs 31:3
   )
3. That they would give themselves to drink (Proverbs 31:4
   )
3. The Warnings Against Strong Drink (Proverbs 31:5-7)
1. Destroys the rule of kings and princes (Proverbs 31:5
   )
1. Causes them to forget the law
2. Causes them to pervert judgment
2. Fit only for those who are losers (Proverbs 31:6-7)
1. The recipients (Proverbs 31:6
   )
1. Those ready to perish
2. Those with heavy heart
2. The benefits (Proverbs 31:7
   )
1. He will forget his poverty
2. He will forget his misery
3. NOTE: Christians are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37
   ) and will never have reason to fit in the above categories.
4. The Righteous Use of the Tongue (Proverbs 31:8-9)
1. To speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8
   ); consider Esther in Esther 4:13-16.
2. To plead the cause of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:9
   ; Psalm 82:3
   )
2. THE VALUE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN (Proverbs 31:10-31)
1. Her Purity (Proverbs 31:10-11)
1. She is virtuous (Proverbs 31:10
   )
1. Ruth (Ruth 3:11
   )
2. A crown to her husband (Proverbs 12:4
   )
2. She is valuable (Proverbs 31:10
   )
1. Like the faithful man, she is hard to find (Proverbs 20:6
   )
2. Like wisdom, she is more valuable than rubies (Proverbs 8:11
   )
3. She is vigilant (Proverbs 31:11
   )
1. Her husband trusts in her (1 Peter 3:1-4)
2. Her husband depends on her; having no need for spoil
2. Her Loyalty (Proverbs 31:12
   , 23)
1. She does good for her husband (Proverbs 31:12
   )
2. She increases the influence of her husband (Proverbs 31:23
   )
3. Her Industry (Proverbs 31:13-19, 27)
1. She is a master buyer
1. Buying wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13
   )
2. Buying food for her family (Proverbs 31:14
   )
3. Buying a field (Proverbs 31:16
   )
2. She is an accomplished craftsman
1. Working the wool and flax (Proverbs 31:13
   , 19)
1. Spindle: used to twist fibers into thread
2. Distaff: the staff on which the wool or flax is wound
2. Planting and reaping a vineyard (Proverbs 31:16
   )
3. Making good merchandise like candles (Proverbs 31:18
   )
3. She cares for those in her household
1. Giving meat to her household (Proverbs 31:15
   )
2. Looking well to the ways of her household (Proverbs 31:27
   )
4. She diligently accomplishes her work
1. Rising while it is yet night (Proverbs 31:15
   )
2. Girding her loins with strength (Proverbs 31:17
   )
3. Eating not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27
   ; see1 Timothy 5:10
   , 13)
4. Her Economy (Proverbs 31:14
   , 16, 18, 21-22, 24)
1. In purchasing and working flax and wool (Proverbs 31:14
   )
2. In purchasing and providing food (Proverbs 31:16
   )
3. In making merchandise, probably to be sold (Proverbs 31:18
   )
4. In clothing her house well (Proverbs 31:21-22)
5. In running a home business (Proverbs 31:24
   )
5. Her Charity (Proverbs 31:20
   ; Romans 16:1-2)
1. Stretching out her hands to the poor
2. Reaching forth her hands to the needy
6. Her Dignity (Proverbs 31:25
   )
1. Clothed with strength
2. Clothed with honor
3. Preparing for the time to come
7. Her Courtesy (Proverbs 31:26
   )
1. Speaking with wisdom (James 3:13-18)
2. Speaking with kindness
8. Her Testimony (Proverbs 31:28-29, 31)
1. Her children rise up and bless her (Proverbs 31:28
   )
2. Her husband rises up and praises her (Proverbs 31:28
   )
3. She excels the daughters of virtue (Proverbs 31:29
   )
4. Her own works praise her in the gates (Proverbs 31:31
   )
9. Her Sanctity (Proverbs 31:30
   )
1. She ignores the deceitfulness of favor
2. She ignores the vanity of beauty (Proverbs 11:22
   )
3. She exalts the fear of the Lord
4. She receives praise for her wise choice

David Reagan

http://www.learnthebible.org