Mon.7.13.15...What A Woman!...Prov.31:10-31

We now come to the very end of the book of Proverbs. It is so rich we will take the next two days to glean the gold from it. Dr. Daniel Akin, who is the president of Southeastern Seminary in North Carolina, preached a great sermon on this passage-http://www.danielakin.com/gods-portrait-of-a-wonderful-wife-and-marvelous-mother/ I’ve included his excellent outline of the passage below to enrich you as well. As I was looking it over, my wife came in my dungeon (the nickname for my office in our basement furnace room) and I said, “This describes you!” Yes, she can drive me crazy at times, (just keeping it real:) but she has several great qualities as well. If you're married, I'm sure your wife has great qualities too. Sadly, in  our fallen state, we find it much easier to focus on our spouses' weaknesses. May this passage and outline remind us to praise them for their good qualities. For you single men, may this passage help you note what good qualities to look for in a mate. Be gracious with any gal. Very few would have it all together at a young age. And most still don’t years later. That’s true of us men as well. Also, if we men are to seek after the God of wisdom and reflect a life of wisdom, then many of the following qualities should be ones we strive for as well. 

God’s Portrait Of A Wonderful Wife And Marvelous Mother- Proverbs 31:10-31

I.        She is trusted by her husband.            

1)  She is virtuous. 31:10

2)  She is valuable. 31:11-12

II.       She is a hard worker.                         

1)  She uses her hands.  31:13-15

2)  She uses her head.   31:16-19

III.      She is compassionate. 31:20

1)  She helps the poor.

2)  She helps the needy.

IV.      She is ready for tough times.              

1)  First she takes care of others. 31:21

2)  Then she takes care of herself. 31:22

V.       She is a blessing to her husband. 31:23

1)  She enhances his reputation.

2)  She extends his responsibilities.

VI.      She is endowed with godly wisdom.      

1)  She is active with her hands.  31:24

2)  She is adorned by her character.  31:25

3)  She is appropriate in her speech.  31:26

4)  She is attentive to her home.  31:27

VII.     She is admired by her family.             

1)  Her children bless her.  31:28

2)  Her husband praises her. 31:28-29

VIII.    She is honored by the Lord.               

1)  She has a godly perspective.  31:30

2)  She receives godly praise.  31:30-31

To be fair, there are women that look up to this Proverbs 31 woman and others that resent her, feeling like what is being described is a perfect woman beyond their ability to emulate. But, the quote in the picture below says it well.

I would also note that this poem isn't a complete picture of an ideal wife. For example, nothing is said of her romantic side. But that is filled in by Solomon in another book of his, The Song of Solomon. 

1.- Read Prov.31:10-31. It’s an acrostic poem which we will look at further tomorrow. Pick out one verse or phrase, and look over the above outline as well, then share some of your thoughts about it.

2.- If you are married, think of a few strengths your wife has and praise her for such (31:28). She may not be the world’s greatest at such, but aren’t you glad she is not the opposite of those blossoming qualities? If you are single, please honor your mom for some of her good qualities.

Want to earn brownie points with your wife? Send her this YouTube clip love song based on Prov.31- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w7_nNd8zAs

Men, I commend you for being on the lookout for others to share the good news with. Recently, Oscar Vargas shared this good outreach story. “I gave my friend Richard at work a Greatest Mini-movies card last week, but I have not had the opportunity to see him again. He works in a different department in a different building at the work place. I will follow up with him tomorrow to see what he thought about the mini-movies and invite him again to church. I am sure he is very interested in knowing more about Jesus Christ. He likes the stories I share with him, and about how God has changed my life and those who come to the Lord. I will reach out to him again. I am praying for him and other friends. Amen. 

Announcements
It was great to honor many men at yesterday's M3 meeting, including the following men who received their Unstoppable award pins- Oscar Nunez, Nic Palhegyi, Horacio De La Torre, Louis Ortiz, William Dykman and Louie Ojeda. Congratulations men!

We also honored the team with the highest score for the month of June and that was Squad 5, led by Jack Rogers, with an average weekly score of 35.45. Way to go men! As you look at the scores for this past week, which do not include your squad leaders, you will see that Squad 5 won this as well. Well done! Also note how much better the other teams could have finished if everyone would remember to put their points on the board as soon as they finish posting on the blog. So if you notice that a brother in your squad or fire team is forgetting to post his scores, please give him a friendly text reminder. 

Speaking of posting your points, remember Monday's totals represent your scoring for the weekend.   

Squad 1			0	29.14	Squad 3			0	19
Eddie Morales	U	R5	48		Robert Roman	U	R1	32
Fire Team 1					Fire Team 1
William Dyckman	U		38		Guillermo Baez			0
Phil Raymond	U		14		Vince Diaz	U	R1	38
Ismael Andrade	U	R2	23		Antonio Palomar		R1	34
James Schmidt			20		Nic Palhegyi			13
Fire Team 2					Fire Team 2
Gary Remson	U	R1	55		Osiris Alday	U		35
Luis Ortiz	U		26		Ed Lake			7
Alex Dyckman	U		28		Rick Barrera	U		6
Fire Team 2			0	33.2	Squad 4			0	28.82
Sam Vargas	U	R3	48		George Rabiela	U	R1	83
Fire Team 1					Fire Team 1
Oscar Nunez			32		Dave Heidekruger	U	R2	30
Lou Ojeda	U		74		Michael Gonzalez			10
Fire Team 2					Chuy Cervantes	U		26
Israel Fuentes	U	R1	34		Fire Team 2
Flo Juarez			0		Rich Guardiola	U	R1	46
Dave DeBoer			26		Mark Estrada			26
					Horacio De La Torre	U		16
					Squad 5			0	37.75
					Jack Rogers	U	R4	116
					Armando Hernandez	U		38
					Andre Vargas	U		32
					George Doherty	U	R1	40
					Jose Billegas	U		41