Daily Treasure

“Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).

If “Ruby” were to meet today’s women at the local Starbucks for coffee, she would find those who have been influenced by TV shows and magazines to live their lives according to their version of what’s right. Virtue has been so distorted by a new sense of values. However, God’s standards have not changed with the times. He still admonishes people to lead holy lives. Being a woman of integrity may be frowned on by society but she is needed especially in the home. How we dress, carry out our responsibilities, and influence our household may take on a different form than “Ruby,” but, women, we are still accountable to God for how we live our lives. God will not be judging us by the external things such as beauty, fashion, and how immaculate we keep our house. He looks inside our hearts and cares about the moral values we embrace. The conclusion of the whole matter is to “fear the Lord” and everything else will fall into place. Relationships are a mess today because women don’t desire to be a “Ruby.” Men today need to find women who pattern themselves after the Proverbs 31 woman, but, even when they do, they don’t choose them for wives.

God has the “blueprint” for women to use as they seek to be all God intended them to be. Seek Him daily for help in implementing it. Yes, you will stand out from the crowd, but, in the long run, you will win the respect of your household and others around you. By the way, I don’t think “Ruby” has any extra time or money to spend at Starbucks to get a frappuccino.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: SPAIN: Pray as the Spain Field Council meets September 21 through 23.

“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27).

We see in today’s verse “Ruby” is not a lazy person. She keeps herself profitably busy. The secret in this is being content to do so. Being idle is not an option because she knows the dangers idleness brings. Worry, stress, depression, or all three can wreak havoc in your life when you have too much time on your hands. Those things are not of God so she must rely on God to teach her to find balance in her life. Her days, no matter how busy, start and end with God. He is the center of her joy and strength.

Anything I’m sharing about “Ruby” is under the scrutiny of her loved ones inside or outside her household. Maybe we don’t want to stay as busy as “Ruby,” but, I bet she goes to bed too tired to toss and turn all night. We are all prone to have “lazy” days, but we all know “woman’s work is never done.” We let it go and it is waiting for us when we do get to it. No sense in letting it pile-up. It all comes down to keeping things balanced and on an even keel. Can you do this in your own strength? Don’t even try!

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray for state, district and local leaders in our WAC groups.

“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Strength and honor are her clothing” (Proverbs 31:20, 25a).

“Ruby” may have to take care of herself and her household, but she manages to find time to reach out to the less fortunate. She maintains a glowing testimony. She wears “strength and honor” like fine apparel.

Many women give up trying to become a “Ruby” because they feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities. They feel there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done and also minister to the needs of others. Next week we will touch on the subject of “priorities.” They are needful if we surrender all to follow Jesus. As a “Ruby,”  you will have to learn the art of juggling. Write Philippians 4:13 indelibly on your heart and mind. You CAN do it all!

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Encourage women to complete the weekly studies in TWG. Pray for these ladies by name.

“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms” (Proverbs 31:17).

In striving to become a “Ruby,” you have to learn to take care of yourself. Often in the scheme of things, we put everything else ahead of our own needs. If you are not waking up a few minutes early to start your day in prayer before your hectic day begins, it is no wonder you start to feel your day unravel before noon. From the moment your feet hit the floor, you are getting ready to do spiritual battle. Sadly, many women don’t equip themselves for it. Draw strength from God. Take care of yourself. Eat right. Get in some exercise when you can. You will be amazed how much more stamina you will have to do your daily routine. Most important is to steal some moments alone with God throughout the day. Follow the example of “Ruby” and “gird yourself.”

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray that home missionaries will be able to successfully navigate through all the permits and overcome roadblocks Satan tries to throw in their way during the building process.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10).

After reading several commentaries on Proverbs 31:10-31, I decided to introduce you to “Ruby.” Read the scripture passage and become better acquainted. I will only share some of the verses. I’m glad the writer placed this in her study because our calling in the home requires us to embrace the character traits found in the Proverbs 31 woman.

 As I tried to organize my thoughts, I couldn’t help but feel what you may be feeling right now. We have a tendency to think we are very inadequate in comparison. “Ruby” is the portrait of the beautiful, godly woman. We wonder if we can measure up to her.

Almost all of Proverbs was written as a wise father giving his son advice. However, Proverbs 31 is a wise mother sharing her wisdom with her son. Whoever King Lemuel was, (some believe it was Solomon), his mother passed on some very sage advice to him. She gives him God’s guidelines for finding the perfect woman. If he chooses this kind of woman for his wife, he will be very blessed. The wording of these verses may have been written for Old Testament times, but godly standards do not change. They are just as relevant today whether a woman chooses to accept or reject them. To find a strong, godly woman who draws strength and guidance from God is a rarity in today’s society. Our verse says that woman’s price is “far above rubies.” “Ruby” outshines other gems. She is priceless. You may think you can’t match her brilliance, but, it doesn’t mean you don’t try. Give your insecurities to God and He will fashion you to be the best you can be. With God’s help, you can be a “Ruby.”

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray for Alicia Bunch, daughter of Panama missionaries Stan and Brenda Bunch, as she embarks on a three-year mission assignment.

We are surrounded by wickedness. It is something from which we try to shield our children and also our own ears, eyes and hearts. There is growing animosity against Christ and anything that is Christian in the United States. Our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world are suffering, even unto death, for the cause of Christ. When it seems that evil men are in control, we can take solace in reading what the Psalmist penned in Psalm 9:20, “Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men.” If we can remember that men are mere men, we can triumph in the truth that God is the Lord and in verse seven of the chapter we can read that “the Lord shall endure.” When these truths are cemented in our hearts, it is then we can rejoice with the psalmist, as in verses one and two he praises the Lord, “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will shew forth all thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee; I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.”

Pray Together: Pray for the High family as they prepare to welcome their new baby boy (Garyn) in October.

Pray for lives to be changed at the

WNAC National Retreat in Branson, MO.