WHO IS A WISE WOMAN 2 ?

MEMORY VERSE: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 13-18

Who is a wise person? A wise person is someone who wins souls for Christ. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” A wise woman is a woman who wins souls for Christ. Whenever we talk about soul winning many think it is for brothers only. My dear sister in the Lord, the work of evangelism is for everyone – brothers and sisters. Christ categorically said that whoever is not winning souls with Him is working against Him. Luke 11:23 says, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” We are either gathering with Christ or scattering what He is trying to gather. Many of us find it easy to invite our friends to our birthday parties, marriage ceremonies, wedding anniversaries, etc, but we find it hard to invite our friends to church. A wise person not only wins souls for Christ, they also do follow up. John 15:16 says, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” A wise woman bears fruits for Christ. After winning souls for Christ, we must ensure that those we have won for Christ remain in Christ – our fruit must remain. Have you checked on that brother who was not in church last Sunday? How about that sister who has been missing for two weeks? How about that family that has stopped coming to church, have you gone to look for them?

Who is a wise person? A wise person is a builder not a destroyer. A wise woman builds her house. Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” The house being referred to here is her household – her husband, children and other members of the family. A wise woman acknowledges the fact that her husband comes before the kids. One of the ways a wise woman builds her house is by laboring in the place of prayer for them. There is nothing wrong in working to bring home some income as a woman, but this should not be an excuse for not praying. Wise women don't compete with their husbands. They support their husband's vision and stand by him. A wise man also appreciates a praying wife. Asides praying for her household, she trains her children to respect and honour their dad. A wise woman does not report her husband to her children. A wise woman works with her husband not against her husband. She knows that if her husband succeeds, then she too has succeeded. There is a popular saying: ‘Behind every successful man, there is a strong, wise and hardworking woman’. A wise woman pays attention to the diet of her family. Sugar kills !

QUESTION: When was the last time you prayed for your husband?

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WHO IS A WISE WOMAN?

MEMORY VERSE: Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 13-18

Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” Who is a wise person? A wise person is someone who fears the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” What does it mean to fear the Lord? Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” A God-fearing sister will not sleep with a man she is not married to. The bible clearly states that fornication and adultery are sins. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” If you are having sex and you are not married, you are not God-fearing. Even if you are in courtship, you must not sleep with each other. It does not matter whether you can speak in tongues or not, if you are married and you are sleeping with a woman who is not your wife, you are not God-fearing. A wise woman is a woman who is at first 'God-fearing'. A wise woman will encourage her husband to have nothing to do with bribes.

Who is a wise person? A wise person is someone who properly applies his or her knowledge. A wise woman is a woman who properly and practically applies what she knows, especially things written in the Holy Scripture. A wise woman recognizes these two things: a man is not superior to a woman and God expects the man and the woman to play certain roles in marriage. The role of the man is to lead as the head of the family and the role of the wife is to submit to the head. Ephesians 5:22 says, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” As a woman, even if you are more educated than your husband, earn more salary than your husband, or older than your husband, you are to submit to your husband as unto the Lord. There are a lot of women who submit to the pastor but not their husband. Those women, according to the Ephesians 5:22, cannot be regarded as wise women. There are some sisters whose husbands are afraid of; i want you to know that those sisters are not God-fearing at all. If your husband is afraid of you that means you have not submitted to him. There are some sisters who the husband cannot correct talk less of rebuke, they are not wise at all. They are not also God-fearing. It does not matter what post a woman is holding in the church, if she is not submitting to her husband she is not God-fearing. As a man of God, it is important that you get permission from a woman’s husband before ordaining her into positions. That is her head - the man who God has put her under. If the man says no – it does not matter how spirit filled the woman is- please don’t put her into any position.

NOTE: A woman who is not ready to submit to her husband will not submit to church authority. We should not even permit a sister who is not ready to submit to her husband or a sister that is rude to her parents to lead us in praise and worship.

QUESTION: Are you a wise woman?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

WISE BUILDERS

MEMORY VERSE: Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 26-31

Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman.......” The phrase ‘every wise woman’ informs us that there are foolish women, or unwise women. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus talked about five wise virgins, and five foolish virgins. Who is a wise woman? Firstly, she is a builder not a destroyer. Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” A wise woman knows the difference between her needs, and her wants. She knows that a good education for her children is a need, and the latest fashion bags,shoes,Chanel earrings, etc are just wants, and she puts her needs before her wants. A wise woman will not use her children’s tuition fees to buy bags, or shoes. Neither will she use the money meant for her children’s upkeep to buy gold bracelets, or plait hair. A wise woman prioritizes her needs. She knows that just as it is important for her children to get to school early in clean uniforms, so also her children needs to get to Sunday school early. No wise woman promotes division in her household. Luke 11:17 says, “But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.” No wise woman will report her husband to her children. Neither will she put down her husband in front of her children, family, friends, etc. Also on the subject of knowing-her-priorities-and-putting-them-in-the-right-order, a wise woman puts her children before her career. In addition, a wise woman puts her family before her ministry. A wise woman knows these three things: building a thing takes time, it involves a lot of work, and patience is required.

Secondly, a wise woman recognizes that God is the main builder. Hebrews 3:4 says, “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.” She recognizes that without God she cannot build anything. Psalm 127:1 says, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Thirdly, a wise woman builds on the Rock which is Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). Matthew 7:24 says, “therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” Christ is the foundation of her household.  She does not build on emotions or feelings. She builds on the sound doctrines of Christ. Fourthly, a wise woman builds according to God’s  pattern. Hebrews 8:5 says, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” It is unfortunate that many are building their household according to the patterns they see in soap operas, or reality shows on TV. There is a pattern for marriage in the bible. Ephesians 5:22-23 says, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” A wise woman trains up her children. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” She trains them in the fear of God. She trains them up to be diligent, and hardworking. She trains them on how to keep things. She trains them to respect the elderly. She trains them to have integrity.

QUESTION: Are you a builder? Are you a wise builder? Are you building according to God's own pattern?

PRAYER POINT: Father, the Great Builder, help me build my household.

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SONGS OF FOOLS OR REBUKE OF THE WISE

MEMORY VERSE: it is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools, Ecclesiastes 7:5

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 27, Ps 119:1-24, Isa 54, Matt 2

The friends of the wise are always wise. Proverbs 13:20 says he that walketh with the wise shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Not only that, a wise fellow circles himself with people that will tell him the hard truth not people that will tell him what he wants to hear. A wise fellow is always wary of people who flatter him. First of all, the wise don’t use flattery. Job 32:21-22 says I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away. If I were you I will stay far away from people who use flattery. Proverbs 29:5 says a man who flatters his neighbors spreads a net for his feet. Wise sisters will watch out for brothers who use flattery.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 says it is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the songs of fools. The problem with many is that they do not want to be told off, they prefer sweet lies to bitter truth. The rebuke of the wise will save you a lot of embarrassment and shame. It will help you fulfill God’s plan for your life. Naaman received his healing because of the rebuke of his wise servant, 2 Kings 5:2-15. At first he became furious because the man of God told him to go and dip himself in river Jordan 7 times. As he was about to leave, his servants told him that if the prophet had asked him to do something harder he would have done it, so why not just obey the simple instruction of the man of God. He listened to his servant and he was healed.

Uzziah on the hand surrounded himself with fools, 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. He walked in to the temple to burn incenses – something which was abomination for anyone who was not from the descendant of Aaron. Instead of his servants to warn him, they kept on saying long live the king. They kept on reminding him that he was the king of the land and whatever he says was final. When the priest were warning him , the followers kept on reminding him that he was the king and kings do not take orders from anyone. Since he would not listen, the Lord disciplined him and he became a leper. I pray that you will not end up like Uzziah in Jesus name. The psalmist says let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head, Psalm 141:5. The rebuke of the wise may be harsh and unpleasant but there is a safety in it.

PRAYER: Father, please give me the grace to turn at the rebuke of the wise.

PROFITTING FROM WISDOM - A WISE SON MAKES HIS PARENTS GLAD

MEMORY VERSE: A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Proverbs 15:20.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Lev 22, Ps 28-29, Eccl 5, 2 Tim 1

Psalms 111:10 says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. According to Proverbs 16:6, it is by the fear of the Lord men depart from iniquity. A fellow who fears the Lord will do anything to bring joy to his parents. You can be a worker in the vineyard of God, you can be faithful in the payment of your tithe, you can even evangelize, you can do all these and much more but if you are not looking after your parent it means you do not regard God. There are a lot of benefits in making your parents glad. When you honor your father and mother as the Lord commands, it will be well with you, Ephesians 6:2-3. Iif you are not in talking terms with your parents or you do not honor them as the Lord advises, you are only courting problems. There are many believers who are struggling today and they don’t know why. If you are struggling in any endeavor, you better check your life and see if you are making your parents glad. Sir, it does not matter how hardworking you may be; if you do not honor your parents prospering will be difficult.

Also honoring your parents brings long life and prosperity, Deuteronomy 5:16. Do you know that when you lie to your parents you are dishonoring them? Whether you believe it or not, anyone lying to his father or mother is dishonoring his parents. They asked you have you done your assignments and you said yes when you are even yet to start them. Because you don’t want to do the house chore, you tell your parents you have to do some assignments or you have test on Monday. These are lies and they have consequences. Many even lie to get extra pocket money. All because you do not want your parents to ask you for money; you tell them you are out of work when you are actually full time employed, it is still a lie. I know you are a wise fellow and I know you will repent immediately.

Proverbs 3:35 says the wise shall inherit glory. Daniel 12:3 says that those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the firmament. Do you know that the prayers of your parents are very potent? The prayers of your parents carry more power than that of men of God. Do you know that if your father or mother tells you,’my son it shall be well with you’, even the devil cannot change it? When you study your bible very well you will notice that no pastor or prophet prayed for Israel and Isaac yet they became very mighty. The Lord blessed these men because their parents prayed for them. Do everything possible to earn the prayers of your parents. If you are not in talking terms with your parents you better settle with them as soon as possible.

PRAYER POINT: Father, please forgive me for dishonoring my parents. Please let it be well with me.

IDENTIFYING THE WISE PART 2

Proverbs 12:8 –A man will be commended according to his wisdom but he who has a perverse heart will be despised.
According to Job 28:28, wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

As earlier discussed, there are four ways to identify the wise. We have discussed the first two; we will quickly look at the last the two.

Thirdly, the wise are identified by their actions. 1 John 3:7 says little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. By people’s action we can tell if they are wise or not i.e. if the fear of the Lord is present in their heart or not. Matthew 7:16 says by their fruits you shall know them. Anyone who truly fears God will not commit abortion. Many of us claim we fear God but our actions speak otherwise. If we ask the question who loves the Lord, almost everyone will raise up their hands. Jesus says in John 14:15, if you love me obey my commandments. Anyone who fears God will not have issues with paying his or her tithes.

Fourthly, the wise are identified by they stand for. Isaiah 32:8 says but a generous man devises generous things and by generosity he shall stand. A wise man or woman stands up for wise decisions. A brother or sister who fears the Lord will stand for righteousness.  What do we stand for? Do we stand for revenge or forgive and forget? Do we stand for racism and tribalism? Do we stand for the truth?
Proverbs 8:13 says to fear the Lord is to hate evil. One thing Christians are permitted to hate is the devil and evil things. The wise i.e. those who fear the Lord will not permit dodgey or funny deals to go on around them because they abhor evil. They hate fornication and adultery with a passion.

ACTION POINTS: Take necessary steps to be in the camp of the wise.