What Does She Look Like?

Proverbs 31:10- Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price ] is[ far above rubies.]

Proverbs 31:11- The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.]

This virtuous woman must be looked for and when someone is looking for something in particular they must know what it looks like.

 Virtuous ➡ Morally good; acting in conformity to the moral law; practicing the moral duties, and abstaining from vice;

1. A virtuous woman a woman abstaining from vice. There is no need to look for this woman in the pool hall, bar, night club or hanging around the street corner for you'll not find this type of woman in any of these places.

2. A invaluable woman her price is far above rubies no quantity

of precious stones can be equal to her worth.

3. She is an unspotted woman The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her

This is the kind of wife every man wants, but I'm afraid that too many young men are looking not only in the wrong places but aren't really sure where this type of lady maybe found.

 Where may one find this type of woman? On one of the Internet sights that’s so popular? Don't think so, you might end up with a so called French model (bonjour). How about Church? Oh, without doubt that’s a good place to start looking. The key word is look but you better know what see looks like for there are many that have creep in unaware.

Proverbs 31:30- Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Maybe if you are looking, this verse will give you good direction. It’s not favour or beauty that you’re looking for but its fear and praise. 

Desires

Desire Webster says it means ➡ An emotion or excitement of the mind, directed to the attainment or possession of an object from which pleasure, sensual, intellectual or spiritual, is expected; a passion excited by the love of an object, or uneasiness at the want of it, and directed to its attainment or possession.⬅

Desire is an emotion or excitement of the mind of an object from which pleasure is expected. What is it that you and I desire? Is it wealth? Longer life? What is it that excites you and I? In Psalms chapter 37 we read the word "delight" ➡ A high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy.⬅

Psalms 37:4    Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Have a high degree of pleasure and satisfaction of mind in the Lord and The Lord shall give thee the desires of your heart.

Psalms 51:6- Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

That's it God "DESIRES" truth in our inward parts and deep down inside you and I He will teach us wisdom. So why not;

Psalms 37:5    Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Yes, it's that desire for The Lord that will bring commitment to The Lord which will produce a high degree of pleasure; the end results "he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Control

Ever heard the phrase " I just couldn't control myself?" I'm sure we have all heard that, but what was the reason behind the no control? There are a lot of things we have no control over. We have no Control over the weather, other people, what time a business opens or closes, the attitude of those around us. As the batter comes to the plate he has no control over what ball will be pitched to him. His job is to hit the pitched that has been thrown to him or let it go by. The batters ultimate goal is to get on base. For if he never gets to first base he can never score a run. In Proverbs chapter 25 and in verse 28 we read these words; "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." A person that has no self control is like a city that has no walls for its protection. With no walls for protection the enemy comes in and takes control. We must protect ourselves against;

What ANGERS us ➡ Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.⬅

Our way of dealing with those who are angered at us;

➡ With Our Tongue- Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

➡ With Our Timing- Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

➡ With Our Treatment- Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

We see our tongue speaks kindly, our speaking comes slowly and the way we treat those who are angered at us better. It's learning to use self control, careful with our word, slow in our speaking while treating others better than they deserve.

➡ Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

It's Impossible

The first word that jumped out at me was the word "WISDOM."

Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: It is impossible to build a house without wisdom in the house building industry and with wisdom comes understanding. No one in their right mind would hire a builder to build their home without knowing something about their knowledge in building.  Just as we would not call a plumber to do some work on our teeth? Neither would we except the counsel from the short order cook at our favourite restaurant about problems we are having in our marriage. But I am afraid that to many times we take the word of those who know little or nothing about wisdom from the Bible. Ever heard this "the Bible says that when the end is near we will not be able to tell one season from another?" But what does the Bible really say?

Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

The first time we read the word "WISDOM" in the book of proverbs is in;

Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; did you catch the words "TO KNOW"

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

A wise person hears before they speak and by doing so they increase in their ability of learning and understanding. One who talks all the time very seldom can do what they have been told to do correctly. Reason being is the lack of hearing ability. The next time you want good solid advice go to the right person; need advice about the way your car is acting don't go to your medical Doctor. 

Appetite

Proverbs 23:2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

Appetite ➡ The natural desire of pleasure or good; the desire of gratification, either of the body or of the mind. Appetites are natural or artificial. Hunger and thirst are natural appetites; the appetites for olives, tobacco, snuff, &c. are artificial.⬅

This appetite here is watching what one says or talks about while eating at the table. But we see there are natural appetites and there are artificial appetites as over indulging in alcohol.

Proverbs 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

Here we see one who not only talks to much but they also have woe,sorrow, contention, babbling, wounds, redness of eyes.

Woe ➡ results ⬅

Contention ➡ Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel⬅

Babbling ➡ foolish talk, telling secrets⬅

What's the cause of sorrow, struggling, foolish talking, wounds with redness of the eyes

Proverbs 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

Tarry ➡ To stay; to abide; to continue; to lodge.⬅

The person that stayed to long at the bar which set off a fire within then that caused them to desire more. One drink is to many and a 1000 is not enough once you start. Don't be given over to a wrongful and weak appetite.

Wherever you are, be all there." Jim Elliot 

Freedom

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

Humility ➡ freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth. In theology, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.⬅

Fear ➡ A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear is the passion of our nature which excites us to provide for our security, on the approach of evil.⬅

By freedom from pride and the passion of our nature which excites us to provide for up our security on the approaching of evil. By these two there comes;

#1➡ RICHES: Riches are not always money

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

 What's going on in our heart, what do you really want, desire?

#2➡ HONOR: The esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation.

Matthew 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

Your family and friends may not think you're worth much honor but as you see they are not the ones giving honor.

#3➡ LIFE: That word "life" is mention in the book of Matthew 24 times, in the book of Mark 14 times, in the book of Luke 28 times but in the book of John it is uses 76 times. That is interesting, here are a few times it's used.

John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 6:48 I am that bread of life.

 I can see where real life is; Jesus!

No Quarreling

Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Strife➡ Contention in anger or enmity; contest; struggle for victory; quarrel or war.

Contention➡ Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel.

The beginning of anger, struggle, and quarrel as when one lets out water: therefore leave off the effort to obtain something before it gets to the point of not yielding to reason.

When I was a child and up until the time I went into the Military we had horses. The pasture where we kept our horses had a fairly good size creek running through it. On both ends of that creek where it entered the pasture something had to be done to keep the horses from leaving by way of the creek bed. So gates were built. Now these gates were built high enough to let the water run under them and high enough for when the creek rose but still low enough to keep the horses pastured. If a rain came and the water rose too high too fast then the swing of the gates were comprised and the gates would be endangered of being destroyed. If we knew of the oncoming storm then we could raise the gates for the oncoming water therefore save ourselves the trouble of rebuilding.

Could this be what we're being taught here? It's better not to start a quarrel but to stop it before it becomes an argument and gets out of control. This will save us from having to rebuild the relationship.  We're not always right and sometimes when we are does it make the difference of destroying a relationship? Choose your battles!

Devised Ways Directed Steps

 Proverbs 16:9 (A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. As we view this chapter we quickly see that it is dealing with The Lord teaching His people.

Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. If one does not know The Lord how are they to know what the Lords answer would be?

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Why would a person commit their works unto The Lord if they don't know The Lord?

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. If a person does not know The Lord why would they be fearful of Him?

Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. How could one possibly know what pleases The Lord if they don't know The Lord?

Verse 9 tells us that there are "devised ways and directed steps." The word "devise" means ➡ to plan the word "direct" means ➡ To regulate; to guide or lead; to govern; to cause to proceed in a particular manner; you and I may plan our journey but it’s The Lord that leads and guides our steps. We may buy the bow and even the arrows but once we pull the bow and let the arrow go we have no control over where it lands. Once we have committed ourselves unto The Lord prepared our hearts after His will and our desire is to please The Lord. The Lord will regulate, guide and govern our steps. Quit trying and start trusting for our Heavenly Father knows best.

Night Time

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. I remember a story of two men who were approached by a multi-millionaire that told them he would give both of them a million dollars each. All they would have to do to receive this gift would be to go to the Sun and return. One of the men hung his head while the other man had a smile that gleamed all across his face.  What are you smiling about? His answer came, “We are about to be rich. Rich! Why do you think that? Didn't you hear what we were just told?” His friend said, “You can't go to the Sun, you'll be burned up.” His friend; still smiling replied,  “Yeah, if you go in the day time but we're going at night.” I wonder how many think that in the night time their wrong doings are hidden.

Here in this verse we are told that The Lord sees all. He sees the good things we do but He also sees the bad things. So this night time strategy will not work for His eyes are in "EVERY PLACE." The word Behold means ➡ To fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care. The eyes of The Lord are everywhere He has fixed His eyes with attention to observe with care the good as well as the evil. He knows the intent of our (my) heart.

➡ Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. You may run, even think you're hidden but it matters not whether it's day or night in a closed and locked room, by yourself and even in the privacy of our mind. The Lord has said I'm everywhere and I see all and know why!  

Backslider

 Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

A heart that turns away from God will become bored with their own ways. They will always have to have more to make themselves happy but a good person is satisfied with God's ways for it’s in Him they find satisfaction.

Backslider ➡ one who retreats or goes back. Could this be a person who spends too much time thinking about how things used to be before he accepted Christ as his personal Savior? Could it be a person who spends less and less time reading and studying their Bible? Spends less and less time talking and listening to their Heavenly Father? Someone who starts missing more and more Church services and Church functions? Commits to nothing which means they have no responsibility? It started in the heart first before it appeared on the outside. Let me ask this question; if one finds themselves allowing any or all of these things to happen in their Christian life what pray tell do they think will happen?

A good man finds that it is God’s ways that he finds happiness in and the happiness is not found in retreating but going forward. In Exodus we find the children of Israel at the Red Sea trapped, the Sea was before them and there were Mountains on both sides of them with Pharaoh's army rapidly approaching them from the rear, there's no where to go. God’s people in their minds and hearts look at the situation, they see the problem with no victory and they are ready to retreat.

➡Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.

➡Exodus 14:11 And they said unto Moses, because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?  

➡Exodus 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. Sounds like they are ready to retreat, but wait there's one who sees this problem different.

➡Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord , which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Sometimes you just have stop and stand still to see; in other words DO NOTHING!  

➡Exodus 14:14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Stand still and keep quite.

Exodus 14:15 And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

Go forward; here's one who sees the problem but puts their trust in what humanly speaking looks hopeless. Well, how did it all turn out? Sometimes you just have stop and stand still and be quite; in other words DO NOTHING!

➡Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Who was the first one singing? Moses, well there you have it! "A good man shall be satisfied from himself." A good person is satisfied with God's ways.

Casting or Caring

Problems, we all have them. What's good about having problems; you might ask? At first we think problems are bad and they are but in our problems we learn and find strength. If we never have problems then we would never learn and know how to solve them. Problems as bad as they may seem help us grow and depend upon our Heavenly Father. I had the idea that I would look and see how many times I could find the word problem in my Bible and what the problems were. Know what I found out? I found out that the word problem is not found anywhere in the Bible. Question, why not? The word problem means In general, any question involving doubt or uncertainty, and requiring some operation, experiment or further evidence for its solution.

That doesn't sound like trust; questioning involving doubt or uncertainty does it. We are told to   cast all, our cares upon The Lord Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7-Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

If we are placing our cares upon The Lord, if we were trusting The Lord with our problems then there would be no problems. So the problems we allow to come into our lives help us depend upon The Lord. Are we casting or caring?

Pride

Proverbs 13:10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

1 ONLY ➡ 1. Single; one along; as, John was the only man present.

2. This and no other. This is an only child.

3. This above all others. He is the only man for music.

2 PRIDE ➡ 1. Self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.

3 CONTENTION ➡ 1. Strife; struggle; a violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel.

2. Strife in words or debate; quarrel; angry contest; controversy

4 ADVISED ➡ 1. Informed; counseled; also cautious; prudent; acting with deliberation.

This and no other, self-esteem comes strife, struggles: but with the well informed is wisdom. I or anyone else that thinks our pride will not cause us problems have not read or paid attention unto what God is trying to teach us from His Word. When struggles in life come we should stop and see where the pride is that's causing these problems. It could be that we can't for whatever reason see the problem and as most of the time we think we're right. Most of the time and most of the people don't intentionally cause strife and struggles in their lives. If I will listen to wise counsel from Godly people that counsel from the Word of God then I will be well informed. Pride is awful:

➡ Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: >pride,< and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

➡ Proverbs 11:2 When >pride< cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

➡ Proverbs 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of >pride:< but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

➡ Proverbs 16:18 >Pride< goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

➡ Proverbs 29:23 A man's >pride< shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Listen to God's Word it's great for the soul!

Real Life

Proverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.
1⃣➡ IN THE WAY:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2⃣ ➡ RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
3⃣ ➡ LIFE:
Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
4⃣ ➡ IN THE PATHWAY:
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
5⃣ ➡ NO DEATH:
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Proverbs 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
It's all about Jesus with  Jesus you have LIFE with Jesus you have no Death if you don't have Jesus you're in real trouble; get Jesus in your life!

Biology

 Biology, did you ever take it? Have you ever dissected a worm, or frog since? The importance of how to learn, know and keep God's Word in our hearts and in our lives is of utmost importance. Did you know that there is a possibility of forsaking all or at least most of what the Lord has taught you?

Pro 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Pro 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

 How does one learn?

 Proverbs 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. We should retain His words and by retaining His Words we'll live. Retain means To hold or keep in possession; not to lose or part with;

 Not only are we to "retain "God's Word but we are told not to Decline from God's Word;  

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. There is the possibility of “FORSAKING” and there is a possibility of “FORGETTING.” How? This isn’t like riding a bike. Did you see that word “decline?” Decline means to lean, Do not turn away; don’t turn away from what God has taught you from His Word. Don't forsake what we have learned from God's Word.

  Proverbs 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

 We are given two reasons why we shouldn’t. #1-she shall preserve thee the word "preserve" means to keep or save from injury or destruction; to defend from evil. To save from decay; to keep in a sound state; #2- love her, and she shall keep thee. Could this be the reason we forsake God’s Word; is our love becoming weak? We can't hear if we're not in hearing range, if we don't read our Bibles then we're not in hearing range. If we fail to show up for Church services then we’re not in hearing range. If we fail to look into what we have read in God’s word by studying how will we think we’ll ever be able to retain? We retain what we love, we know about what we love? If we know nothing about God's word then can we say we love God's Word. If we don't read it or study how can we say we know anything about it?

Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Don't let what you have read and studied decline but instead be attentive to what God has taught you from His Word and incline To have an appetite; Toward it! How?

Proverbs 4:21 Let them not depart from thane eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

Principle #1- If God’s against it, so am I! No room for compromise here.

Principle #2- Every sin has its origin in our hearts. What’s going on within our heart?

Principle #3- It’s easier to keep the heart clean than to clean it after it has been defiled.

Principle #5- Small compromises lead to great disasters. Small not Big!

Principle #8- It is not possible to fight a fleshly temptation with fleshly weapons.

And if you want to be made free the truth is the only thing that will make you free.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

How does one “know the truth?” #1- Believe on Jesus #2- Continue in reading and studying God’s Word. #3- By learning of Jesus, that’s becoming a disciple. The results will be that you will know the truth and that truth will make you FREE.