My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of person. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in fine apparel, and there come also a poor man in vile raiment. (James 2:1) The reference to respect of person indicates that all earthly distinctions should not in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ should disappear in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. And ye have respect to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool, Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:4) This type of activity takes place every Sunday in Churches around the world. James states that you should “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (Matthew 19:24) And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God. It is simple because a rich man trust more in him/her self-more than God. This is all about Love and the outward show of your love for your fellowman and God. (James 2:6-7) But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worth name by that which ye are called? (James 2:10) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Do you really love your brethren? 1Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angles, and have not love I am become as sounding bronze, or a tinkling cymbal. Here is the true test of your love according to God’s word in 1Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but Rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. When all these things are done away with what will you have left? Apostle Paul writes what we should have in (1Corinthians 13:13). And now abideth faith, hope, love these three but the greatest of these is Love. If you see your brothers and sisters in need and do not help you have not the love of God. How can you as a Christian with wealth live next to a poor Christian and do not help but yet say you have the love of God. Jesus says in John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father ye will do .He was a murder from the beginning, and, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. We he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.

R

And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow ,he also did predestinate to be conformed to image of his Son, that he be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-29 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold,silver, precious stones, wood, hay,stubble- Every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall test every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built upon it, he shall receive a reward. IF ANY MAN'S WORK SHALL BE BURNED,HE SHALL SUFFER LOSS;BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED,YET AS BY FIRE. 1Corinthians 3:12-15 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, patience; and to patience, godliness; And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather ,brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 2Peter 5-10 Examine yourself and make sure you are in the faith. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who secretly shall bring in destructives heresies, even denying the LORD that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they, with feigned words, make merchandise of you; whose judgment now for a long time lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angles that sinned ,but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be re-served unto judgment. 2Peter2:1-6 Are you sure you have been called? Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus ,whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this ,they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent ,and be baptized, every one of you ,in the name of Jesus Chris for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Act 2:36-38 without the fullness of the Holy Spirit you have no calling.

D

Proverbs 16:1-7 The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the Lord ,and thy thoughts shall be established. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea , even the wicked, for the day of evil. Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and by the fear of the Lord man depart from evil. When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 15:1-6 A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright, but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life ,but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A fool despiseth his father's instruction but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

D

St John1:-14 In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any-thing made that was made. Jesus is God manifested in the flesh. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory ,the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be saved ,all the ends of the earth; for I am God and there is none else. Act4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.Ephesians4:4-6 There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold ,the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Matthew 1;23 Behold the virgin shall be with child ,and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel ,which being interpreted, is God with us. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born ,unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder ,and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 1John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle ,and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one. Romans 1:8 Concerning his Son ,Jesus Christ our Lord ,who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead;

D

The true test of the gospel is the grace of God. The apostle Paul states in Galatians 1:6-10.I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.Which is not another;but there are some that trouble you,and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or angel from heaven,preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.As we say before,so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now seek the favor of men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Mankind is forever seeking the true secrets of the bible and its truth; but David stated in Psalms 25:14 The secret of the Lord is with those;who fear him and he will show them his covenant.

Finding A Virtuous Women

R

Proverbs Chapter 31 This last chapter of proverbs contains 2 poems: (1) The Wise King 31:2-9; and (2) The Excellent Wife 31:10-31. Both are the teaching of a godly mother to King Lemuel, who ancient Jewish tradition identified as King Solomon, but who is otherwise unknown. Proverbs 31:1 "The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him." The name "Lemuel" means unto God. There is no record of a king Lemuel other than here. Many believe this, too, is from Solomon to God. So much of this has already been uttered by Solomon in previous lessons. When we started in Proverbs, chapter 1:8 told us: Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Proverbs 31:2 "What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows?" These 3 questions, as we stated before, make the person listening more attentive. These questions indicate the serious passion of a mother’s heart. Like Hannah, she had dedicated her child to the Lord. In the verses of 2-9, the godly king is addressed and told that his reign should be characterized by: (1) holiness v.3; (2) sobriety v.4-7; and (3) compassion v.8-9. This section is filled with succinct and solemn warnings against vices to which kings are particularly susceptible – immorality, overindulgence, unrighteous rule and indifference to those in need. Proverbs 31:3 "Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings." The prince, here, is reminded by his mother not to give his strength and power into the hands of a woman. She is reminding him that someday he will be king, and he must retain his power for the throne. Also, multiplying foreign wives destroys a king like it did Solomon. Proverbs 31:4 "[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:" Kings and princes are called upon to make decisions that affect the entire kingdom. They must be sober and able to make clear headed decisions. Alcohol affects your ability to function properly. A drastic mistake could be made under the influence of strong drink. In this verse and the next we see that intoxicating drinks can weaken reason and judgment, loosen convictions, or pervert the heart. They do not suit rulers who need clear, steady minds and keen judgment. Proverbs 31:5 "Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted." A person under the influence of alcohol cannot think clearly and could not remember the laws of the land. A drastic injustice could be done. Proverbs 31:6 "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts." Strong drink is to be reserved to kill pain. Those who are grieving need wine to help them forget. Strong drink as a medicine dulls the senses and helps to forget. Proverbs 31:7 "Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more." Just as in this verse here, drinking is for those who cannot face reality. Drinking is a symptom of a greater problem. In extreme cases, possibly relating to a criminal on death row or someone agonizing in pain with a terminal illness or tragic circumstance, are in utter contrast to that of the king. Proverbs 31:8 "Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction." This is saying to speak up for those who, for one reason or another, cannot speak for themselves. Plead their case, if you will. Proverbs 31:9 "Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy." Don't just stand there and let them be punished, because they are unable to defend themselves. Speak up for the poor and needy, especially those who are ruined by their condition of weakness. The king’s duty was to righteously uphold the case of the helpless in both physical (v.6) and material (v.9) crises. The monarch thus mediates the compassion of God. Verses 10-31 contains a poem which offers a beautiful description of the excellent wife as defined by a wife and mother (v.1). Spiritual and practical wisdom plus moral virtues mark the character of this woman in contrast to the immoral women of v.3. While the scene here is of a wealthy home and the customs of the ancient Near East, the principles apply to every family. They are set forth as the prayer of every mother for the future wife of her son, and literarily arranged with each of the 22 verses beginning with the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet in consecutive order. Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies." This "virtuous or an excellent woman" is a woman of high morals who is upright in all her ways. This is just saying that her worth cannot be measured in earthly things, such as rare stones (rubies). She does exist, but is very hard to find. Proverbs 31:11 "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil." This woman is totally faithful to her husband. He can have confidence in her, because she will not let him down. His wife will always be faithful to him in every situation. She will not even give the appearance of evil. He does not maintain jealous guard over her or keep his valuables locked up so that she cannot access them as was a common ancient practice in a house of distrust. She demonstrates impeccable loyalty to her husband, and her thrift and industry will add to his wealth. Proverbs 31:12 "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." She is on his side. She is beside him helping in everything. She loves to please him. She respects him and builds him up when he is down. She does not tear him down, but instills confidence in him. Proverbs 31:13 "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands." She is industrious and helps him produce for the family. She is not lazy. She works willingly, because she wants to help. Excellent women gathered the material for making cloths as we’ll see in verse 19. Proverbs 31:14 "She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar." We see, here, that she goes forth wherever the food for her house is and brings it home. Excellent women would go far to secure the best food for their families. Proverbs 31:15 "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens." She is not a sleepy-head. She gets up early and sees that her family and her maidens are fed. Her first concern is the welfare of her family. In order to have the food prepared for the family each day, she had to rise before dawn to begin the work, which she would do gladly. Proverbs 31:16 "She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard." I believe this is an indication that she is a business woman. She takes on responsibility in buying the land. She works outside the house when she plants the vineyard. She was resourceful and entrepreneurial in her investing and reinvesting. She doesn't say to the husband that making the money for the family is his job. She helps him in this, too, when she can. Proverbs 31:17 "She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms." We see, here, that hard work makes her very strong. Such women were not soft, but by virtue of rigorous work, strong. Proverbs 31:18 "She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night." That which she produced for the family of clothing, food and wealth was good and profitable. Candle or lamp is to be understood literally. She planted the vineyard during the day and wove late at night. She rose early before dawn to prepare the food, thus keeping a before sunrise to after dark schedule to care for her household, which was the foremost priority of her life. She protects what is her own. She appreciates her husband and her family and works to keep them. Proverbs 31:19 "She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff." We see here, again, that she looks for useful work to do. She is not lazy, as we said before. These tools are used to turn wool into thread for making clothing. In verses 20-24 her activities, driven by the priority of caring for her family, resulted in multiplied fruitfulness for: (1) the poor and needy v.20; (2) her own household v.21; (3) herself v.22; (4) her husband v.23; and (5) the tradesmen v.24. Proverbs 31:20 "She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy." She is not selfish, but shares with the less fortunate. She is generous in helping the poor and needy. She has a big, giving heart. Proverbs 31:21 "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet." She has seen to it that her whole family has warm, comfortable garments, even for snowy weather. Snow indicates the cold that occurs in the high altitudes of Palestine. Her labors anticipated her family’s need for warm clothing in such cold places and seasons. Proverbs 31:22 "She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple." She looks nice for her family. She takes care of herself, as we read earlier, and dresses nice so her husband will be proud to tell people that she is his wife. The efforts she makes to honor others are rewarded to her. These silk and purple garments are expensive evidences of the blessings returned to her by God’s grace. Proverbs 31:23 "Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land." She builds her husband up, and he has respect in the town. She never does things to make him ashamed. This woman made a significant contribution to her husband’s position in the community and to his success. His domestic comfort promoted his advancement in public honor. A man’s good reputation begins with his home and thus the virtue of his wife. Proverbs 31:24 "She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant." Here, again, we see her making money away from the home to help her husband. "Fine linen", of course, means righteousness spiritually. With all her other responsibilities faithfully discharged, she took time to make items of clothing for the purposes of trade.

R

What Type Of Women Are You? “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 1. Faith - A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15) 2. Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18) 3. Mothering - A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her children with the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16) 4. Health – A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11) 5. Service - A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13) 6. Finances - A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26) 7. Industry – A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14) 8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2) 9. Time - A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 ) 10. Beauty – A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6) O women of God its time to exam yourself when no one else is looking.

What & Who is keeping you out of Church

R

Ye did run well but who and what hindered you? The word of God states in Galatians 5:7 "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witness, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 If you are out of church today just remember man makes mistakes God does not. I urge you to find a Bible Teaching, Bible Preaching Church Home, Holy Spirit field Church today. Rev. Dr. Leonard G. Peters Sr.