The Great Ones is our theme through November. Each month has a different sub-theme:
September = Commands
October = Chapters
November = Choices

In September we looked at four disciple-making COMMANDS Jesus gave to His followers and which continue for us at Grace Church today.
In October we looked at four key CHAPTERS of the Bible and explored their relevance to our life today.
During November our 3rd sub-theme is CHOICES
We are looking at four individuals in the Bible and learning from some of their poor and good choices.
Elijah "Stand Up"
Lot "Look Up"
Ruby "Get Up"
Pontius "Speak Up"

We make thousands of choices each day. It's easy for us to take the ability to make a choice for granted. The ability to make a choice is a gift from God.
God could have hard-wired us to act the precise way that He wants us to, but He didn't. He created us to have a personal relationship with Him and in order to do that we have to have the ability to make choices.

Today we look at the choices made by a lady we have nicknamed "Ruby". She is the woman described in Proverbs chapter 31.

Within this chapter we see two characteristics that are unique to Christianity:
-The first is the Biblical view of women. Ruby illustrates a Biblical view of women. She is not her husband's slave, waiting around for direction from him. She is in charge and taking action. She is highly capable and successful.
We see that God values women and uses them in mighty ways throughout the Bible.
-The second characteristic of Christianity that we see in Ruby is the choice that she makes. We see this in Proverbs 31:15 as Ruby chooses to "Get Up". She doesn't sit back and wait for something to happen; she got up and worked to make it happen.

Throughout the Bible we see that working is an important aspect of our lives. There are many passages that issue warnings to us about idleness:
1 Timothy 5:8
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Some reasons why we need to work:
-it is better for our community when everyone is working
-we were created to work

There are people who are workaholics and people who avoid work like the plague. Both people can be sinful and dishonoring to God. This is why God gives us the example of Ruby...to help us understand the importance of work and how to work in a manner that is honoring to Him.

Here are four choices that Ruby made when she decided to "Get Up":

1. She works towards long-term goals.
Proverbs 31:16

2. She makes sure she is ready to work.
Proverbs 31:17

3. She works towards things that are profitable.
Proverbs 31:18

4. She works so she can care for others.
Proverbs 31:20-21

If we want to make a difference, we have to think differently about work. We have to think differently about getting up!
In the same way, if we want to stay in the Game, and have an impact in this world, we have to think about work differently. We're going to re-visit our four points one more time and look at how we can think differently about how we work.

1. She works towards long-term goals.
Mark 8:34-36

2. She makes sure she is ready to work.
1 Peter 3:13-15

3. She works towards things that are profitable.
1 Corinthians 10:23

4.She works so she can care for others.
1 Corinthians 10:24

Application and Discussion Questions:

1. Who are some of the women in your life you have influenced you? How did they impact you? What lesson did you learn from them? What did they do that made you respect them?

2. What was your first job, hardest job, worst job, and favorite job?

3. What training do you need to be better prepared to give an answer? Is there a Grace U class that interests you?

4. What is your biggest time waster? What do you do to try to limit its effect on your time? What is something you can do to turn it into something that is profitable?

5. Where you work (whether it your vocation or a volunteer position) who is someone that you are witnessing to? What steps are you taking to build the relationship with him/her? What steps are you planning to take to share your faith with them?

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Sunday, November 15 - Vada MacDonald
Monday, November 16 - Donald Kerby, Yolanda Schaefer
Tuesday, November 17 - Taylor Ann Carpenter
Thursday, November 19 - Stacey Denton, Kent & Teresa MacDonald
Saturday, November 21 - Diana Childs, Gracelynn DePyper