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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to
observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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April 4, 2010
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Contents:
1) The Woman Whose Price is Far Above Rubies (A Study of Proverbs
31) (Bill Hall)
2) Baptism and the Blood (T. Doy Moyer)
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-1-
The Woman Whose Price is Far Above Rubies (A Study of
Proverbs 31)
by Bill Hall
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies"
(Prov. 31:10). These words serve to introduce the Bible picture of an
ideal woman. This is God's "ideal." This is beauty as God sees beauty.
This is God's formula for happiness and contentment. We would
emphasize that this is the ideal. This is the standard for which godly
women strive. No one woman has reached it to perfection. Many women,
however, focusing on the qualities that characterize the woman of Prov.
31, recognizing her beauty, and realizing that she is a picture of what
God wants them to be, have taken on her character to a remarkable
extent. We hope that we can encourage others to do so. God's picture of
the ideal woman provides a refreshing alternative to the world's
standard. The world would picture her as a career oriented,
independent, aggressive, self-assertive, refusing to allow anyone or
anything to get in the way of her personal ambitions and goals, looking
out for self, unrelenting in her pursuit of "success." Some would even
go so far as to picture her as being able to out-cuss, out-drink, and
out-maneuver any man if competition demands it. We are confident that
our readers' faith in God and His wisdom will enable them to overcome
the pressures of this modern and sinful world in order to
appreciate the beauty and grace of the woman pictured in this passage.
She Is Trustworthy
Whether her husband leaves the home for an hour, a day, or many days,
he knows that he can trust her to be faithful to the vows she made when
they married and to carry on the affairs of the home in the most
efficient manner possible. "The heart of her husband doth safely trust
in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil" (v. 11).
He is able to trust her in regards to the family's financial affairs.
She is a good manager. He faces no temptation to plunder or steal
because she has overspent. He has no lack of gain. She is capable of
living within the family income and is conscious of getting good value
in her purchases: "She seeketh wool, and flax... She is like the
merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar" (vs. 13,14). "She
perceiveth that her merchandise is good" (v. 18). She stretches the
dollar to provide the very best for her family. Through her careful
management the family enjoys what other families of greater income seem
to be unable to afford.
She Is Unselfish
She places the interests of her husband and children ahead of her own.
"She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life" (v. 12).
She loves her husband, rejoices in his successes, helps to build his
self-image, and is always supportive in everything that is good. She is
unselfish with her husband's time: "Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land" (v. 23). This verse
suggests that her husband is respected, that he joins with other
"elders" of the city in settling disputes among the people. She
encourages him in this even though no doubt such duties require time
away from home.
She watches after her children and provides for their needs. "She
looketh well to the ways of her household" (v. 27). She makes it her
business to know where her children are and what they are doing. She is
a disciplinarian.
She Is Hardworking
She "worketh willingly with her hands" (v. 13). She is not the family
breadwinner, but she finds ways to supplement the family income by
buying a field and then "with the fruit of her hands (out of her
earnings - NIV) she planteth a vineyard" (v. 16). "She maketh fine
linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant" (v.
24). She is skillful in her work: "She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff" (v. 19).
She is hardworking, but is not in competition with her husband. He does
not feel threatened by her, for she seeks his good. She is hardworking,
but not in such a way as to neglect her children, for she looks well to
their ways. She can be found when a bloodied knee needs attention or
hurt feelings need comfort and sympathy. She is hardworking, even
though all indications are that the family is prosperous with plenty of
household servants. She does not use her affluence as an excuse for
idleness, for she "eateth not the bread of idleness" (v. 27).
She Is Well Organized
Plans are made before the day ever begins. "She riseth also while it is
yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her
maidens (servant girls - NIV)" (v. 15). It is likely that the "portion"
mentioned in this verse refers to "tasks" that the servant girls are to
carry out. No time is wasted. She knows what tasks are to be performed
during the day, and she is ready to assign them just as soon as the
servants are available.
She also is aware of winter's approach and sees to it that proper
clothing is available for the family. "She is not afraid of the snow
for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet" (v.
21). Nothing "slips up" on her. She thinks ahead. She is
organized. There is little last minute scurrying around in this
household.
The future holds no fear for her. "She can laugh at the days to come"
(NIV - v. 5). She is well prepared for the future. She has her
trust in God. She has nothing to fear. She can live her life in peace
and serenity.
She Is Benevolent
She is a woman of compassion, of sympathy, of concern for the needy. A
child that is hungry and poorly clothed, a family that has fallen on
misfortune, or an outstretched hand from an impoverished fellow-being,
stirs her spirit. "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she
reacheth forth her hands to the needy" (v. 20). Her children grow up,
learning by example the importance of caring for the fatherless and
widows.
She Commands the Respect of Others
When she speaks, "she openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue
is the law of kindness" (v. 26). No malicious gossip comes from the
lips of this woman, no harsh and unkind criticism, no shallow babble.
Her mind is fertile, and her speech manifests the depth of her
thoughts. She is kind, and her lips speak forth words of kindness.
She dresses becomingly. "Her clothing is silk and purple" (v. 21). She
cares about her appearance. Her clothing reflects her character and
self-respect. She knows what is appropriate for various occasions and
dresses accordingly.
She is a woman of strength. All who know her admire her fortitude. "She
girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms" (v. 17).
People respect her for her quiet, but strong, confident demeanor.
"Strength and honour are her clothing" (v. 25).
She Is Valuable
She is not just valuable, she is invaluable. Her worth cannot be stated
in monetary terms. "Her price is far above rubies" (v. 10). She is not
for hire. Her labor is a labor of love. What she does and what she is
cannot be bought for any price. She can only be repaid with love,
appreciation, and praise. Her "job benefits" are a good self-image,
fulfillment, the joy of a well-run household, the respect of her
children, the praise of her husband, the admiration of all who know
her, and, above all, the approval of God, who calls her a "virtuous
woman." Her benefits cannot be stated in monetary terms, for they too
are invaluable.
Her life is not an easy one. It calls forth all the energy,
determination, and strength she can muster. But her joy is complete.
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed" (v. 28); and her husband,
in love and appreciation, praises her, saying, "Many daughters have
done virtuously, but thou excellest them all" (v. 29). She may or may
not have physical charm or beauty, but she is beautiful with a beauty
that lasts and is enhanced with age. The man who finds such a virtuous
woman may not be rich in this world's goods, but he is rich indeed. A
virtuous woman -- God's wonderful gift to man!
-- Via Searching the Scriptures, July 1992, Volume 33, Number 7
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-2-
Baptism and the Blood
by T. Doy Moyer
The blood of Jesus saves us from our sins: the blood was "shed for many
for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). What does baptism have to
do with the blood?
Peter preached, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). Note that the expression "for
remission of sins" is the same as in Matthew 26:28. Jesus shed His
blood for the remission of sins. How can both be true?
The answer is in Romans 6:3-4: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were
baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as
Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so
we also should walk in newness of life." This tells us that when we are
baptized into Christ we are baptized into His death. We contact
Christ's blood when we obey the gospel and are baptized into Christ.
What saves us? The blood of Jesus. How do we avail ourselves of the
blood? Through baptism into Christ. Is baptism a work of our own merit?
No. We simply must submit to the will of God. Now, how can anyone deny
the necessity of baptism?
-- via The Beacon, June 9, 2009
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel,
for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the
deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins
(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ
(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water
for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4;
Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith;
for,
if
not,
salvation
can
be
lost
(Heb.
10:36-39;
Rev.
2:10;
2
Pet.
2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn), Denham Springs, Louisiana
70726
Sunday services: 9:15 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 4 PM (worship)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
tedwards@onemain.com
tedwards1109@gmail.com
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/audioser.html (audio sermons)
Directions:
Take the Denham Springs exit (exit 10) off of I-12. At the end of
the exit ramp, turn north. Go about a stone's throw to Rushing
Road. (You'll see a Starbucks, Circle K, and two other gas
stations; with each on each corner.) Turn left on Rushing Road,
and go less then 0.3 of a mile. Hampton Inn will be on the
right. We assemble in its meeting room, which is very close to
the reception counter.
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