Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

May 21st, 2013 JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 18 – 20 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 16 – 18; Psalms 101 – 105; Proverbs 21)

Scripture Memorization for May – Romans 10

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Proverbs 27:15

Read a great article by Pastor Paul Chappell– “Launch Out“

Read the “0521 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read a previous post from this passage – “Keep Your Eyes on the Lord“

A Bible Study Of Women In The Bible

Don’t Judge A Book By It’s Cover

“As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.” (Proverbs 11:22)

Gold.  It is a valuable metal that we treasure.  It will still buy things when the dollar fails.  We melt it into many shapes and use it to adorn our bodies.  Much gold was used in the Tabernacle, and the entire Ark of God was overlaid with it.  It seems unlikely that someone would take such a precious metal and put it on a pig’s nose.  Pigs are dirty.  They roll in the mud all day.  Their noses are in the slop the farmers feed them.  At times there is even pig snot running out.  I know, not a pretty sight.  But under all that mess is a fine jewel waiting to be cleaned up and treasured.

What is discretion?  The ability or power to decide responsibly; the freedom or authority to make judgments and to act as one sees fit; the quality of being discreet; prudence; tactfulness; the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight.

It sounds like a good quality to have, but remember this woman doesn’t have this quality.  Her beauty makes her seem as if she’s full of grace.  But she is a foolish woman and is compared to a swine wallowing in the mire of filthy lusts.   In other words,  you can’t judge a person on how they look.

We look in the mirror every morning to make sure our outside appearance is just right.   We check our hair.   We brush our teeth and make sure there is no leftover spinach on them.  We spend much money on make-up so our faces look just right.  We make sure our clothing matches and fits right.  If we walk by a mirror during the day or visit the ladies room we check ourselves to make sure all is still well.  Well, how much more do we need to check the inside of us so we don’t find ourselves in the nose of a pig.  The Bible is a perfect mirror to check how we’re doing on  the inside.  There is an answer to any situation or problem we face each day in the Word of God.  There are many lessons to learn about our attitudes, and regarding how we should conduct ourselves.

Read and study your Bible everyday.  Ask God to show you something from His Word.  Take a hard look at yourself and change those things that God is impressing on you.  Use your good common sense.  Get out of the pig’s nose and let God shine you up.

Thank You

1 John 5:13