The First Ladies’ Bible: Proverbs 31

By Candy E. Young

The First Ladies’ Bible was written through the guidance of the Holy Ghost. God has created beautiful rubies, women, worldwide and given them assignments, gifts, and talents to fulfill His purpose.
This collection of essays explore what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman. It reveals how many of us mirror this woman in our daily lives.
These meditations consider the delicacies of our faith, power, strengths, and challenges. As you read and seek revelation and illumination, you can rediscover yourself in a transformative way.
Using current leading women in society such as: Queen Elizabeth II, Dr. Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, and Melinda Gates along with biblical women, as we compare their likeness.
With scriptural references, these inspirational messages examine women’s roles in life. We offer ten commandments that reflect the character of these roles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781664299733

Candy E. Young

Candy E. Young is a servant of the Most High God. Serving many communities, including her heritage, the grand old Church of God in Christ. She is the creator of several ministries. A former 1980 Olympic track athlete and world record holder, and mother to two adult children, Stefani and Mykele. She has coached and worked for over twenty-five years at several collegial institutions and universities. Recently retired and lecturer. [e-mail].

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Copyright © 2023 Candy E. Young.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher

make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book

and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Back Cover Photo credit: Akilah Evans, [e-mail]

Brenda McBryde Memorial credit: Jeremiah Hauser, [e-mail]

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, King James Version

(Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic

Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9971-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9972-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-9973-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023908931

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/7/2023

CONTENTS

In Memory of Brenda Paulette McBryde (Sister)

Introduction

Rubies

Judge

The First Lady’s Ten Commandments

Commandment 1     Trust

Commandment 2     Work

Commandment 3     Feed

Commandment 4     Prayer Covering

Commandment 5     Building and Outreach

Commandment 6     Strength and Honor

Commandment 7     Self-Care

Commandment 8     Family

Commandment 9     Wisdom

Commandment 10   Leadership

Proverbs 31

The Lord’s Prayer

A Sinner’s Prayer

Publishing Declaration

References

To

my Proverbs 31 women: Gertie Young, Pauline Ross, Lela Young, Cora Pitts, Ida Mae Hobson, Minnie Kitchings, Earrie Cupe, Teresa Parker, Shannon Young, Karen Hutchins, Robyn Williams, Artegious Moncrieff, Viola Addie Watkins, Mildred Young Wade, Loretta Meadows Clark, Millicent Gibson, and Mother Jeanette Fay King.

To my daughter, Stefani.

To my son, Mykele.

To my family: Brenda, Carolyn, Gayle, Deborah, JoAnn, Angelia, Stephanie, and of course, my only brother, John.

To my extended sisters: Georgeann, Andrea, Joetta, Cheryl, Connie, Mary, Mary W., Lisa, Knee-C, Marion, Elease, Delores, Robin, LaToya, Belinda, and Bernita.

To my aunts: Emma Mae, Marva Ann, Maxine, Marion, Dorothy, Edna, Laura Mae, Dora, Anna Mae, and Lillian McBryde.

To my daughters in love: Ayanna, Nicole, Shandi, Donica, Shana, Alisha, Sidney, Akeliah, Elyse, Bria, Joy, Asia, Londyn, and Tiombe.

To my nieces: Ronda, Keli, Amber, Savannah, Nicole, and Amani.

To my great nieces, Zara and Mila, and my great nephews, Ishmael Jr., Elijah, and Spencer.

To my host of female cousins, nephews, athletes, coaches, friends, coworkers, administrators, associates, and enemies.

IN MEMORY OF BRENDA

PAULETTE MCBRYDE (SISTER)

BrendasMemorialpage.jpg

http://hillandkunselman.com

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price

is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10 KJV)

INTRODUCTION

The First Ladies’ Bible was written through the guidance of the Holy Ghost for such a time as this. God has created beautiful women all over this world. He has given them assignments, gifts, and talents to fulfill His purpose. The First Ladies’ Bible is a journey through Proverbs 31 (P31) and we will learn about the Proverbs 31 woman. We will see that many of us mirror this woman daily. With a hair toss, high heels, military stripes, a stethoscope, a camera, a portfolio, a prayer shawl, a Bible, and instruments of our profession, we march on, determined to reach our destiny.

We will converse about the delicacies of our faith, power, strengths, and challenges. We will rediscover ourselves as we progress through these pages and seek revelation and illumination. The words lifted from these sheets will sink into our hearts and increase our spirits, humility, confidence, and wisdom. As we embellish the P31 woman, we will learn how priceless we are, which is far more valuable than rubies. The P31 woman is virtuous and above honor and reproach. She is human. She has issues but also well-thought-out remedies and solutions.

We will learn not to judge others or ourselves but will reserve judgment to its rightful Heir. We will learn the power and release of forgiveness, which blows like a gentle, cool breeze on a scorching, hot day. P31 gives us ten commandments to pattern our daily routine by, including self-care, one of my favorite commandments. The P31 woman causes us to self-reflect and introspect our purpose while completing our God-given plan. Lady P31 shines the light on the star He created in us. The book will spotlight other women of biblical and historic notation in The First Ladies’ Bible. Therefore, rise, women of God. Let us adorn ourselves in all that the Father has for us. We want to continue to leave a legacy of Proverbs 31 women, who are beautiful, priceless, and virtuous.

RUBIES

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10 KJV)

Rubies are precious gems. They sparkle in so many different hues and colors. They can be a deep red, orange-red, a violet red, or even appear in a garnet color. They are the next strongest gem regarding hardness and compared to the diamond. It is a stone of nobility, passion, protection, and prosperity. The ruby is also associated with virtue, which is why it demonstrated the character and richness it brought in biblical times.

Rubies, like First Ladies, have many qualities that are revealed when tried. The ruby is an elegant stone that shines through the most difficult circumstances. The ruby is noble and shines with humility while others speak of its beauty. The ruby is valued beyond financial gain.

The First Lady, whose price is far above rubies, should be valued beyond her imagination. Are you valued in your circle of life? The First Lady must realize she is unique, genuine, valuable, passionate, strong, forgiving, loving, protecting, godly, and righteous. She loves God, her strength and virtue because she fully relies on Him for everything. She is one with the Holy Ghost. She is virtuous no matter how hard life and issues try to dull her hue.

Remember that God created you with perfection and for His glory. Let the beauty of His creation speak to who He is as you fulfill your place, posture, and position in Him. You are all beautiful rubies. Shine, daughters, shine.

JUDGE

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. (Luke 6:37 KJV)

Some form of the word judgment appears over four hundred times in the King James Version (biblegateway.com). The noun judge is used to describe a person with the authority to determine if a person or circumstance is truthful or not truthful based on evidence and information. The verb judge speaks to forming an opinion about someone or something based on your knowledge and sometimes lack of knowledge concerning the issue.

We often view judgment as a negative opinion or casting doubt on someone or something. We understand biblically, judgment serves both roles. God will judge the sinful and righteous. As humans, our first posture assumes that judgment will come in a negative form. My son, who is a part of Gen Z, often said, Don’t judge. I would tell him that I was his mother. I was not judging but telling him the truth. The context of this scripture reminds us that whatever we submit or succumb to, we should expect a return. In the financial world, it refers to a return on investment. When we negatively invest in judgment, we might receive a negative return. This scripture also reminds us to forgive.

How do you help people that are heading into troubled waters? How do you talk someone off an emotional ledge with support and guidance? We share the gospel of Jesus Christ and don’t judge their circumstances. We can let him or her know about our personal experiences and how we overcame them.

I’ve often experienced that I cannot pour into a full vessel. A vessel can be full of hatred, stubbornness, deceit, malice, wrath, fear, and doubt. How can we pour this wonderful fragrance of God into these vessels of sin and unrighteousness? I have learned that to bless someone, I must be in a posture where I can receive from God. After I hear from God, I receive the revelation of how to help them. The Holy Ghost must purge me daily, and I must submit to the purging. As I serve others, I must resign my will to God and turn to serve the ultimate servant turned Savior, Jesus Christ. Learning to have a posture of service is rewarded with great rewards and is admirable. The higher you go, the more people you serve. The more people you serve, the humbler you become. We will talk about humble servants such as Esther, Ruth, and other biblical female giants in the Word of God.

Learning to forgive is the key that unlocks so many doors.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14 KJV)

This scripture opens the door for us. We must understand that Christ forgave and interceded for us while we were sinners before the almighty God. Christ sat in the seat of humility and served whenever He said, Not my will, but thy will be done. This was in reference to him submitting His life to redeem a dying and sinful world. We must spend more time in the seat of leading people to the Redeemer and not the seat of retribution. Judgment that is served from rebuke or reproof is usually served from a bitter cup. If someone is heading for a crash, a bitter herb may be needed to redirect him or her. This is very similar to the Holy Ghost trying to redirect us, and we ignore Him. Then something bad happens. We were warned and told not to be caught up in the chaos.

In The First Ladies’ Bible, I want you to be aware of judging and judgment. Judgment comes in so many forms. We must constantly be reminded that God is the ultimate judge, and He will repay. I was asking the Holy Ghost to work on me. Judgment was the area that was shown to me. I quickly said that I did not judge people, and the Holy Ghost sent me a phone call. Before I could find out who it was, I began to judge this person by his or her lifestyle. Then I asked myself, Why is this person calling me? The Holy Ghost said, That is what I meant. That person is my child too. They need someone to