Somebody Loves You

Guest (Male): Maybe there are some of you here this morning that are depressed or oppressed, and you've been hitting the bottle or you've been taking drugs. It's not good. Why? Because number one, you're going to ruin your life and you're grieving the Holy Spirit of God if you're truly a Christian. As a real child of God, I can't get away with anything in my life.

Guest (Male): Welcome to Somebody Loves You Radio, the Bible teaching ministry of Raul Ries in Diamond Bar, California. In today's study, we'll focus on godly motherhood. Pondering the biblical characteristics of a virtuous woman, Raul will encourage you to keep your personal relationship with the Lord at the center of all you do. As you walk in step with God, He'll help you balance your many varied duties at home, at work, and in ministry. Here's Raul Ries in the book of Proverbs.

Raul Ries: We're going to start in chapter 31 beginning with verses 1 through 31. We're going to go moving pretty quickly, but I want to bring up some highlights that are here for each one of us to understand what the Bible teaches about becoming a virtuous mother in the kingdom of God. Beginning at chapter 31, verses 1 and 2, the words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him. "What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?" Notice that she is personally directing herself to her son, King Lemuel.

Secondly, what did she teach her son? It starts with a negative action in chapter 31, verses 3 to 7. Because first of all, we see that she tells her son, "Do not spend your strength on women or on those who will ruin kings." That's a good, sound counsel to her son, which his father should have been telling him the same thing. So this mother was so concerned with her son that now in verses 3 to 7, she's going to give counsel to him.

She says, "Son, do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. Be careful with women." Nothing wrong with women. What she's talking about here is that she already had seen what evil women could do to a young man, especially a king. It would disqualify him. It happened to David. Solomon had experience with his father David when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and he fell as a king.

She's speaking out of experience. She's beginning to share with her son and saying, "Son, be careful of women that can destroy you." And of course, here she's talking about women that are manipulative, that can manipulate men. She's talking about women also that can seduce a man because of a physical nature and become kind of a whorish woman and take that young man and destroy his life forever.

Think of how many of our young men in the service today, whether it be Navy, Marines, Army, or Coast Guard, whatever, have been destroyed when they leave their home and they go overseas and they get destroyed by sexual things. Not only do they get destroyed, they get venereal diseases too. This is a problem. What this mother is saying is, "Make sure you stay out of fornication, stay out of adultery. Remember who you are. You are a king, and the one that is above you is God over your life. Notice who you're serving and who you're worshipping."

Then a second thing, notice verse 4. He says, "It is not for kings, oh Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for leaders intoxicating drink." Here he's talking to those in authority. He's trying to warn us because in the book of Proverbs in Proverbs 20, verse 1, it says wine is a mocker and those that drink it are stupid. That's what it says in the Word of God.

The reason I can speak with authority, without my problem was never alcohol. I drank very little, very few times and I was done. The reason is because I grew up in a home of alcoholism. My father was an alcoholic person. My father, I remember when I was five years old, taking me on his little scooter, his little Vespa, and taking me to work with him and standing outside when he came out of his job and then come back and check in.

Then in the afternoons, in the evenings with my uncle and his friends, get on their little scooters and go to a bar and me sitting outside of the bar in a newsstand and waiting for three, four hours while my father and uncle and friends would get plastered in alcohol. I know about alcohol.

This is here where she's actually giving warning to her son. I know that today yuppies and people with a lot of money, they love drinking their wine. I just really want to give a warning to you this morning because one of the things that we need to be careful of that Paul the apostle brings about in the book of Romans, that if you're in a place of leadership, which she's talking here about people in a place of leadership, you need to be careful.

Why? Because you can ruin yourself and your testimony and you can be put on the shelf by God. It will ruin you. In the other way around, if you're a business person, if you're a doctor, engineer, or whatever your profession may be and you like drinking your wine, I would pray that if you're a Christian and you do do that, that you do it in the privacy of your own home.

If you do it in the outward manifestation anywhere like a restaurant or a place where you're actually seen and some weak brother sees you doing that, you can make them stumble and God will hold you responsible for their lives. Read it in the book of Romans. It's a great warning about that. It's really important that we understand for the sake of our children, for the sake of our grandbabies, for the sake of your marriage and your life, that you hear what the Spirit is saying to the church today.

Listen to what God says in His Word. Here a mother giving counsel to her son: "Do not," he says, "give strength to women. It is not for kings, oh Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for leaders intoxicating drink, lest they drink and forget the law." What will happen? You'll forget about God and His Word. You can't be dominated by God's Word unless you have a clear mind. There's no possible way. That's why it says put on the mind of Christ Jesus.

Have a clear mind. Be you filled with the Holy Spirit of God continually and be you not drunk with wine. Very important what she's giving counsel to her son. He says, lest they drink and forget the law and pervert justice and of all afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, to him that is going to hell, give them all the wine he wants, and wine to those that are bitter of heart. Why? Because it makes you forget.

So we're getting good instruction in Proverbs 31 from a virtuous, godly mother to her son. She says in verse 7, "Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more." What do people do? They drink to forget, only for a little bit. You wake up in the morning and you have the same problem, only for a little bit. It's better to bring it to the Lord and leave it at the feet of the Lord and believe in God that He is able to work out my problems and my situations.

Then check this out. In verses 8 and 9, he now brings the positive and she says stand up for the poor and the needy too. "Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause for the poor and needy." When you have a sound mind, you have a sound heart and you stand up for what's righteous, you will do what? You will even stand up for the poor and help them and the needy.

Because you're a realist, you're not an escapist. Alcohol and drugs make us escape. Sexual adventures make us escape. We have to be real. Now this great mother in verse 10 begins now as the proverb begins to describe this type of woman, who she is. Check this out. This is so beautiful here because now he's going to give to us her godly character as a woman from verse 10 to 31.

First of all, her worth. In verse 10 and verse 25 and verse 29, he says this, "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." There are no jewels in this world that will ever, ever bring the actual value until you find that wife that is really valuable to you, more than rubies. It's amazing when the Lord brings to you the wife that He wants you to have.

Some of you might be sitting here and saying, "Well, that's good for you, but not for me." But you know what? That's the wrong attitude to take. Yeah, there may be a lot of problems in your family, in your home, but things can change if both people learn to submit themselves to the Lord. Submitting, repenting, confessing to one another. And going to the Lord with all of your weight of problems and literally saying, "Lord, here we are. We are committing our lives to you, Lord God."

Maybe some of you sitting here today where your husband has been messing around for a long time with other women or your wife with other men. Some of you may be separate, some of you may be divorced, remarried. We're talking to a mixed multitude of people that may be sitting here, but yet the Word of God instructs everyone in our hearts if we're open to the Holy Spirit and we really truly want to do what's right. So here is what he says about the virtuous woman. He says, "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies." It's hard to find a good wife, but when you find her, hold onto her. Don't let her go.

Guest (Male): You're listening to Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries. Don't forget we are here to spur you on in your daily journey with God and we invite you to visit us anytime at somebodylovesyou.com for resources to enrich your spiritual life. Raul's six-lesson study specifically for mothers is available on CD and USB. We'll tell you how you can get a copy in just a few moments. But first, here's more with Raul Ries.

Raul Ries: It's so beautiful how God brings about His Word and the way he develops the Word of God because he says she's more precious than rubies. She is clothed with strength and dignity. She laughs with no fear of the future. She surpasses all other women. Imagine that. These are the qualities of a virtuous mother, a virtuous woman in the scripture.

Check this out, verse 11. "The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so she will have no lack of gain." Her husband trusts in her to make decisions because they're going to be based upon the Lord in a godly manner and fashion. Look what he says in verse 12. "She does her husband notice good and not evil all the days of her life." This is real important for women to know, especially Christian women.

You're saying, "Well, my husband's not really the leader of his home." You pray for him. You submit your life to Jesus Christ. By the way, if there are any women here that are being verbally or physically abused today, you don't have to put up with that. Did you know that? That's right. If you have a husband that is not a Christian or he's a Christian and he's verbally and physically abusing you, you need to draw the lines immediately and say, "Don't do that again."

Not get a divorce, but if he doesn't want to stop what he's doing, then I would get an attorney to cover yourself very legally and get a legal separation, not a divorce, so that God can help this man to get his life right with God. Show him you mean business. Don't mess with it. I talk to too many abuse women here. Guys, stop it. You're a coward for doing that.

It's really important that we understand what God's Word said. If you're going to be a Christian, then be a Christian, but don't abuse your wife. Take the reins of the Lord and become the head of your home and praying with your children, reading the Bible to your children and with your wife, and begin to bring in the rains and take care of your home and your family so that God can bless you.

But if you have a husband that doesn't want to do that, then you need to take the leadership of your children and your home. Because if you don't, your home will go down the tubes. You have to become strong. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life, for she seeks wool and flax and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships. She brings her food from afar. She not only goes shopping, but she's moderate when she shops. She doesn't put up the credit cards where you can't pay them. Don't do that.

I think that every husband and wife need to come to a decision: if we can't afford it, we're not going to buy it. There are a lot of people in trouble with their credit cards today. It's really important that we understand that she is smart. She knows how to shop all of the deals when she shops for her family.

Check this out, verse 15. She gets up early in the morning or she arises while it is yet night, also provides food for her household and a portion for her maidservants. She knows how to go out and become a good steward of what God has given to her among her family and among her servants. She considers a field and she buys it. From her profit, she plants a vineyard. Whatever she makes at home, whether she's making clothing or she's selling whatever, all that money she's made, she can go out and buy her own field. Imagine that. She's a good money manager.

Interesting that here he describes it all. She girds herself with strength, verse 17, strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good. Her lamp does not go out by night. She gets up early in the morning, takes care of the home, and she's the last one to go to bed. Sometimes husbands will come in after work and what do they do? "I've been working all day long and I'm not going to do..." oh boy.

You got to be the leader of your home. But she gets up early in the morning until night. But then there are women that get up early in the morning and they're at the gym all day long. They are walking around or jogging around or whatever they do. It's really important that we see what this woman does.

Notice again, she says she extends her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy, verse 20. She helps people. She helps people that are in need. It's interesting, look verse 18. She perceives that her merchandise is good. Her lamp does not go out by night. She's getting ready to make some money. She stretches out her hands to the distaff and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches out her hand to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. Her home is taken care of. Why? Because she's home to take care of her home.

Women, I feel sorry for you if you can't stay home with your children. I'm sorry. But we're living in a time where two people have to work sometimes. But even though if you and your husband have to work, take the leadership of your home. Make sure your children are not being neglected in your home, but they're being taken care of by Mom and Dad.

Then check this out, verse 22. She makes tapestry for herself. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. She dresses beautifully. She doesn't walk around with a robe all day long and all night long. That's important. You know, husband leaves in the morning, you got curlers and "Bye honey, see you later," and comes home, "Hi honey, welcome home," curlers and robe again.

No, you should take care of yourself. You know, Dr. McGee used to say, "if the house needs painting, paint it." I didn't say that. Dr. McGee, he's with the Lord. Are you with him? But there's nothing wrong with a little makeup and a little perfume and getting, you know, dressed up a little bit. Remember your husband is out there all day long looking at beautiful women, and I'm not saying you're not beautiful. Okay. I'm not going to get that far. I'll be in trouble. But I think it's important also that the husband helps his wife to become beautiful.

Very important what she says here. Check this out. Verse 23. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. Reputation, your neighborhood, where you work, in the church. The gates were the most important place where the judges sat. He's a judge at the gates. She makes linen garments and sells them and supplies sashes for the merchants. She's a good business lady. Strength and honor are in her clothing. She shall rejoice in time to come. She always looks good for her husband and her household. I like that.

Very important and check this out. She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She's a kind woman. She's not boisterous. She's not loud. She's not demanding. She's not Sergeant Roberts. She respects her husband and her children and she's in submission to the Lord.

By the way, men, three times in the book of Ephesians, chapter 5, Paul says, "Husbands, love your wives." And to the wife never says love your husband, it says submit to your husbands as unto the Lord. How does that happen? When the husband is the head of his home and he loves God with all his heart and he loves his wife, his wife will have no problem submitting to her husband as unto the Lord. That's what the Bible teaches.

Verse 25, strength and honor are her clothing. She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness. Check this out finally. She watches over her ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. She's not idle throughout the day. She's always busy. Let me say this, I have seen some busy women. It's really important that you young women also know that your mother-in-law or your mother are there to become assistants to you so you don't get in the place of being destroyed emotionally. There are people that want to help you there.

Guest (Male): From doing laundry to serving as the household taxi driver, the work you do for your family may not feel glamorous, but it is honoring to the Lord. We encourage you to take heart in knowing that God sees the many ways you're investing in your loved ones. You're listening to Somebody Loves You Radio with Raul Ries.

Today's lesson was titled A Virtuous Mother. If you'd like to get a complete copy with much more teaching, we'll be happy to send one to you for a donation of five dollars or more. Simply call us at 800-634-9165. We'd also like to tell you about Raul's six-message study for mothers, which includes today's lesson as well as five others that will inspire you to nurture faith and godliness in your home.

Available on either CD or thumb drive, this resource will also support you in prioritizing your personal relationship with God as you guide your kids in His ways. To order Raul's six-part mother's series, visit somebodylovesyou.com or call 800-634-9165. We'll send you the CD set for twenty dollars or the flash drive for just twelve dollars.

That's 800-634-9165 or write to Somebody Loves You Radio, PO Box 4440, Diamond Bar, California 91765. The Somebody Loves You worldwide YouTube channel is a convenient hub of biblical teaching with podcasts of all of our previously aired radio programs plus Raul's straight talk streaming Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Pacific. You'll also find podcasts on iTunes and Spotify. We're a listener-supported ministry and we're truly thankful for the tax-deductible gifts that enable us to keep sharing the good news of Jesus. Thanks so much for your partnership. Join us next time as we dive back into the Word of God to get more understanding of His character and how we can better live our lives for His glory. Now with a final thought, here's Raul once again.

Raul Ries: Verse 28. And then if this happens, her children rise up and they call her what? Blessed. Imagine that. And her husband also praises her. Man, I got the best wife in the whole world. Thank you, Jesus. Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she is to be praised. You want to be known for what? For knowing and fearing God. That woman, man, she fears God. That's an awesome woman. Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates. Not only inside of the house, but outside of the gates, everybody knows who she is. They know who she is. She fears the Lord.

Guest (Male): This program is sponsored by Somebody Loves You Radio in Diamond Bar, California.