Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:4,5 - The Real Princess Diaries, Part 1

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 3:5,6 - God's Wisdom Brings Peace

by Marilynn Chadwick "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6 Trusting God's wisdom influences how we work and how we rest. Yesterday, we saw how taking a day off, a Sabbath, is a tangible way of relying on God's provision rather than on our own continuous labor. Plus, it's simply good for us as humans. I've recently noticed both men and women who are increasingly overwhelmed by their workload, as they balance jobs, caring for families, housework, exercise, and even church. Work hours and stress are up, and sleep and family time are down for all classes of employed Americans, according to recent studies. The book of Proverbs speaks about the work/rest rhythm ordained by God. As we trust the Lord with every area of life, he promises to make our "paths straight." How does Sabbath keeping, this once-a-week rest, bring much needed peace to those who embrace it? I've been drawn to Jesus's promise of rest after observing some very "exhausted souls" lately. Exhaustion can manifest itself as anxiety, depression, illness, or addiction. You may be working harder, running faster, accomplishing more, but who's watching out for your soul? Let's take a moment to reflect on these words from Jesus himself: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Since the time of ancient Israel, Sabbath-keeping has been life-giving for God's people. I wonder if Sabbath-keeping—in whatever ways we choose to practice it—might help set us free from the weight of unhealthy expectations and lessen the anxieties of fast-paced living? Sabbath is more than just a ritual or regulation. For Christians, Sabbath is designed by God to be a way of life. "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience" (Hebrews 4:9-11). Sabbath makes space for nurturing our families, our church, and our communities. Sabbath-keeping also helps us care for our souls in an age when many are thirsty for inner peace. And just maybe it could help us reconnect with God and with one another.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 9:10, God's Wisdom Gives Rest

by Marilynn Chadwick "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10 NIV The "fear of the Lord" brings wisdom that far exceeds our understanding. After all, God knows humans better than anyone. From the very beginning, he ordained a Sabbath. So, it would make sense that living according to God's wisdom and taking one day off every week would strengthen every area of life—our work, our rest, and our relationships. I'm reminded of the time David and I were invited to teach a marriage seminar to a gathering of young couples. We each made a separate list of our "Top Ten Marriage Tips." However, we decided not to reveal the results of our lists to one another until the moment we actually presented the message. It was fun to compare the different habits and insights we each felt had strengthened our marriage. When it came time for "the reveal," turns out David and I had chosen exactly the same "Number One Marriage Tip." It was simply this: Take one day off together every week. In other words, "Keep your Sabbath." Ironically, this was the very same advice our first ministry-couple mentors had shared with us way back when we were newlyweds. We took their advice to heart and many years later, we still take our day off together each week. If you factor it over our 48 years of marriage and ministry, together, that's well over 2000 Sabbaths! We have landed on some practices which make this day special, fun, even holy. We look forward to our weekly ritual of enjoying our favorite coffee in a quiet setting surrounded by nature. Often, we journal our specific prayer needs and give thanks for answers to prayer. Sometimes we enjoy a great movie and special treats. But it's more about the regularity of our Sabbath than any specific ritual. God seems so very present on those sacred, sanctified, set apart days. Our weekly Day Off has become more than simply time away from work— it is a "want to," not a "have to." A gift of grace. God knew what he was doing when he created Sabbath rest. Over the years, as we have followed his wisdom and not our own, these weekly Sabbaths provided life-giving boundaries and created space for our marriage and children to flourish. What are some practical ways you can begin to practice God's "rhythm of rest?" For more inspiration and insight on how to cultivate a flourishing marriage click here [https://www.momentsofhopechurch.org/books] to download a free copy of 8 Great Ways to Honor your Wife by David Chadwick and 8 Great Ways to Honor your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:10,30

by David Chadwick "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." Proverbs 31:10 "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30 Let's wrap up our week by looking at two verses from Proverbs 31 that describe a godly wife. As you may know, Proverbs 31 is an entire chapter dedicated to describing a godly woman, or as the Jewish culture describes, "a woman of valor." What makes an excellent wife? She is a true woman of valor. Her heart is for you, and her life's allegiance is to Jesus. She loves Jesus with all her heart, soul, mind, and might. She desires a biblical, Christ-centered marriage–one that lasts forever with the back door locked from the outside. For you men, this kind of wife is FAR more precious than jewels. She chooses to love all the days of her life. This is a woman who is far more valuable than your financial portfolio. Yes, even if you have millions of dollars in it! Again, yes, an excellent wife IS hard to find. But don't give up. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). Keep searching for her. Keep praying for her. And when she is found, don't ever let her go! As you watch and wait, also realize that a woman may possess great charm, winsomeness, and beauty, but this is NOT the foundation upon which you build a long-term, Christlike marriage. Outward beauty fails and eventually fades away. As my dad once told me, "Son, marry a woman with beautiful insides more than beautiful outsides." He knew that outward beauty, outward "stuff," fades. But inward beauty will never fade. Indeed, it will only grow and grow! I'm fortunate to have married a beautiful woman inside and out. But it's her inward beauty that I value most. And that beauty has only grown and grown through the years. This is what all men who follow Jesus should find most attractive. Picture yourself still holding hands with your spouse and with Jesus after decades of Jesus's grace and love filling your hearts. It's an eternal legacy every follower of Jesus should desire!

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 19:14

by David Chadwick "House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord." Proverbs 19:14 Today's proverb makes it very clear that prudence is a characteristic of a godly wife. The word "prudent" means "to act with or show care, wisdom, and thought for the future, particularly in managing practical affairs or avoiding risks." The verse starts off acknowledging that a home and financial wealth can come through family inheritance. While fathers, especially, most often work incredibly hard to create a generational blessing and legacy for their children and grandchildren, it is the Lord who gives a prudent wife. A prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. She is wise, careful, self-restrained, and diligent. A woman like this is a "grace gift" from God. Whereas fathers may leave house and wealth, this verse implies the Lord gives a man a prudent wife to know how to increase the family's assets because of her prudence. While not fearful or anxious, a prudent wife calculates decision-making with purpose and precision. She brings wisdom to home management, investments, and financial oversight. She offers good perspectives on decision-making. She is able to process alongside her husband in regard to how to make the best decisions for their family and their future. In our home, my Marilynn has overseen a lot of family management, which has been a special blessing to me. Her wise and prudent oversight has not only brought about family and financial favor, but her prudence in this area has freed me to do the ministry God has called me to do. Without her, I'd be nothing. For you men, while a home and wealth are wonderful gifts to leave to your children and your children's children, the best gift you can leave to the world is a prudent wife, someone who pours into and blesses your home in intangible ways.

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 18:22

by David Chadwick "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22 Today's proverb is found in Proverbs 18:22. It says finding a good wife finds favor from the Lord. First, take note how God calls marriage "a good thing" in his Word! As the Creator of the universe, God has intentionally woven his goodness throughout all of creation, marriage being one of those things. Secondly, in today's verse, notice that it's one man who finds "a wife." One wife. It does not say multiple wives. Do you think Solomon may have learned his lesson on how hard it was to have multiple wives? This verse certainly makes you wonder. The emphasis on "one wife" refers back to the beauty of Genesis 2:24 and God's original intent. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Since the beginning of time, God's design for marriage has been two people in a long-term, committed, forever, heterosexual union. Not only is this God's will, but when marriage is done his way, it becomes something over which God rejoices. And is beautiful beyond words. This kind of lasting marriage brings God's favor. It brings his blessing. It invokes miracles. It is a union in which God's power and presence reside. Now, after almost 50 years of faithful marriage to one woman, I see this truth more than ever. I can look back over my life with Marilynn and see God's presence and providence in so many different areas. I see where his guiding hand blessed us in so many different ways because of our faithfulness to him and to one another. We chose to forgive when we were angry. We kept moving forward in our callings when we wanted to give up. We have seen his divine power flow to and through us as we have sought to reach a broken world with the gospel of Jesus. Our marriage truly is a "good thing." If you are married, I pray that your marriage experiences the goodness of God and shows his goodness to others for generations to come.