The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs

Solomon asked in Proverbs 31:10, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Throughout the Proverbs Solomon defines the virtuous woman. Debbi Bryson has carefully searched through the Proverbs to ferret out those definitions. I believe that this research by Debbi, which has been put into an easy-to-read daily format, will be a spiritually enriching addition to any lady’s devotional reading. I highly recommend it to any lady who is seeking to become the woman that God would have her to be. I believe that it will provide valuable understanding as to a Biblical definition of a virtuous woman.

PASTOR CHUCK SMITH

Founding Pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

We all have questions, and many times we look in all the wrong places for answers. Debbi beautifully and clearly shows that the Bible is sufficient to give us answers and that we need not look anywhere else. We get wisdom only when we get it from God!

GEORGIA PURDOM, P
h
D

Research scientist and speaker

This devotional,
Wisdom for Women
, will become a tool to guide you in listening to the voice of God as He speaks to you through His word.

FERN NICHOLS

Founder and President of Moms in Prayer International

Visit Tyndale online at
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Visit Debbi Bryson’s website at
www.biblebusstop.com
.

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The One Year
®
Wisdom for Women Devotional: 365 Devotions through the Proverbs

Copyright © 2013 by Debbi Bryson. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph copyright © Susan Fox/Trevillion Images. All rights reserved.

Author photo taken by Jenise Brennan copyright © 2011. All rights reserved.

Designed by Jacqueline L. Nuñez

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the
Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, second edition, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. (Some quotations may be from the NLT, first edition, copyright © 1996.) Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the
Amplified Bible
,
®
copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from
The Holy Bible
, English Standard Version
®
(ESV
®
), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the
Holy Bible
, King James Version.

Scripture quotations marked
The Message
are taken from
The Message
by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible,
®
copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible,
New International Version
,
®
NIV
.
®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
™
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version.
®
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture verses marked
Phillips
are taken from
The New Testament in Modern English
by J. B. Phillips, copyright © J. B. Phillips, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1972. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-4143-7529-8

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Contents

Introduction

Life is a journey. Along the road, do you ever ponder the big questions:
What is the meaning of life? Where did I come from? What happens when I die?
Where do you find the answers? Do you wonder:
Are there no maps, no GPS systems, no road signs at the crossroads? Are there no yellow warning lights or guardrails on sharp curves and narrow bridges?
If there is a God, would he be so cruel as to leave us to flounder and wander and lose our way? When we are overwhelmed, when troubles surround us, when we’re sinking in the quicksand of life, is there no one who hears our desperate cries for help? Is there no one to send out a search-and-rescue party? These are questions that, if left unanswered, can and will leave us lonely and hopeless, fearful and confused.

The good news is, there is a God, and he has a message for you. His message is so big, clear, safe, and strong that it can radically and permanently change your entire life. God is not a distant God. He is near and kind and wise and good. Of course he cares about your personal journey, because he cares about you. No one has or ever will love you more.

We see reality from our narrow, limited position on planet Earth. We have tunnel vision. We can’t see the forest for the trees. But God sits above the fray. He understands your past more than you do. He knew you before you were born (Psalm 139). He is so aware of every detail of your present, that the very hairs on your head are all numbered. And the mysterious, uncharted waters in your future are crystal clear and eternally important to the one who wants you to know him as “our Father who art in heaven.”

What does all this have to do with wisdom? Absolutely everything. Wisdom is not a stale, rigid, boring set of rules engraved in stone long ago. Wisdom is alive and fresh. It’s as dependable and unshakable as the sun that rises every day. The sun is far removed from the control and whims of man. You can’t put it or the wind or a lightning bolt in a box. They are dynamic—meaning they are not static. They are full of power, energy, and activity. So is wisdom. What then is wisdom like? How can you recognize the real deal? James, the brother of Jesus, gives us this insight: “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17). Wow! This beautiful description piques our interest and stirs our hearts. How then can we acquire this amazing commodity? Surprisingly, wisdom is there for the asking; even a child can attain it.

The One Year Bible

I, like many, have always had a respect for the Bible. But even after becoming a Christian, I found it difficult to be consistent in reading it through, cover to cover. Then one day (over twenty years ago) I discovered
The One Year Bible
(by Tyndale House Publishers). As I thumbed through the pages, I knew God had given me a simple, doable way to read every day. Each morning I open it to the page with that day’s date. There I find a reading from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. What a joy! For the first time in my life I experienced deep growth and a sense that I was daily hearing God’s voice and guidance for myself. Honestly, the first few years I missed reading some days. But I learned not to try to catch up. I skipped what I missed and began again with the current day’s reading. Through the years, thousands have joined what we now call “The Bible Bus.” Friends, families, couples, and ministry teams find reading the same portion of Scripture cultivates fellowship and like-mindedness. Instead of dull duty, reading daily is fresh and personal as you “journey to the heart of God.” If you would like to join us, in the back of the book I’ve included a page of helpful instructions on how to develop a quiet time.

Wisdom for Women

Wisdom for Women
was birthed on an ordinary day in Juneau, Alaska. That morning I went for a walk to the glacier with my friend Lisa. As we walked, she shared her sorrow that women are often confused, discouraged, and sidetracked. Hard situations or bad choices cause painful life consequences. Then she stopped and said, “Debbi, write something for us. We’ll put it on the radio up here.” Quite to my surprise, by the time we got back to the house,
Wisdom for Women
had a name and a plan. Before long it began airing on the radio. God truly does work in surprising ways. It then took several years to write and record 365 audio devotionals now heard on stations across the nation and as far away as Belize and Israel. “Let’s sit down and talk” is the heart and tone. QR codes throughout this book allow you to scan and listen to the audio devotionals as you read each day.

Are you ready to travel through the profound and practical book of Proverbs? Will you look for God’s sunbeam of wisdom to guide your path? Do you long to grow and become a Woman of Wisdom? A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.

Now as we begin, I wholeheartedly pray this prayer over your life: “This is Debbi Bryson, praying that the practical wisdom of God’s Word will make you wise.”

Scan this code for audio devotionals or visit
www.tyndal.es/wisdom
.