Romans 8:28

This world, ruled by Satan, is filled with evil. And each day grows darker than the one before. That’s why every fiber of my being cries out for the return of Jesus. Oh how I long for my glorified body, and to dwell with the Lord forever. Because let’s face it. This side of heaven is a tough place to be. 

Jesus Himself promised rocky times for His followers dwelling on earth. (2Tim. 3:12) And there’s not a single one of us who hasn’t been touched by suffering or faced trials. But the apostle Paul also gives us another promise. Everything we go through, God will use for good for those who love Him.

Still, it can be hard trying to see the good in a bad situation. But our eyes are not God’s. And where we are blind, He sees everything from start to finish. All God asks, is that we trust in the uniquely wonderful plan He has for each of us. In patience, to continue loving, obeying, and praising Him, in good times and bad. Remembering that while we wait for Jesus, neither a smile nor a tear is wasted. 

As a home cook, I love the analogy of all things in our lives, good and bad, compared to a recipe. Each experience we go through is an important ingredient needed to produce a delicious outcome. God is our Master Chef. And He knows the perfect combination of events which will lead to amazing results beyond our imagining! A perfect helping of blessings, paired with a heaping side of love, joy, and peace!

We’d love to hear from you, so be sure to head over to Facebook and join in on the discussion. https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2

Luke 17:5

We live in a world which has a mindset that “more is better.” But Jesus says to walk closer to Him, we need to value quality over quantity. There were none closer to the Lord than the 12 men He handpicked to walk beside Him. For three years the disciples faithfully followed Jesus as He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and raised the dead. And still they cried out to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” Yet it wasn’t actually more faith they were seeking, but rather a deep, genuine faith that empowered them to fulfill all Jesus called them to do.

The disciples understood that faith is the Word of God in action. It is meant to be lived out, not left idle and stale. Because the deeper our belief and trust, the closer we are to God. Even the tiniest bit of genuine faith in the Lord, can produce amazing results in our life and in the lives of others. And that’s the kind of faith the disciples wanted. Because of their overflowing love and gratitude for their Savior, they wanted an active, deep faith. One that not only allowed them to walk closer to Jesus, but as did Jesus. Is that the faith you want? I do! So how can we have that kind of genuine faith? 

First through spending time in God’s Word. All relationships need nurturing. By feasting on the scriptures, we get to know who Jesus is and what He teaches. Another is through obedience. When we step out in trusting faith, obeying God’s will in all things, we learn to depend on Him completely. And third, we grow closer to the Lord by living out our faith for all to see. By loving, forgiving, and caring for others as Jesus does, we become living examples of our Savior in action for the world to witness.

Faith is the very foundation of Christian life. For as Hebrews 11:6 tells us, without it, it is impossible to please God. So today I challenge you to increase your faith! Pray that God puts a fire in your heart to take that small mustard seed, bury it deep in the soil of God’s Word, and watch it bloom into a faith of the highest quality! 

This week we study the life of Rebekah. A young girl with the courage of a lion. Whose faith and obedience to God can inspire us all. Her example of saying yes to God, paved the way for another girl to do the same. The young girl Mary, the mother of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And as I write Rebekah’s story, I have to ask myself, “Am I willing to say yes to God no matter the cost?” How about you? 

Genesis 24 - “Rebekah, Saying Yes To God No Matter The Cost”

As Rebekah hurried to bring the freshly prepared dishes to the dinner guests, she couldn’t help but overhear the conversation between the servant and her father, Bethuel. The gold bracelets on her wrists the servant had given her, clinked together as she placed the plate of smoked fish on the table. Rebekah admired the way they glistened in the candle light. And she listened as the welcomed servant told her father of the marriage proposal.

Rebekah’s day had been nothing out the ordinary. So how could she have predicted that a regular evening trip to the watering well, would change her life forever? But change it did. And all because she offered a stranger a drink.

Rebekah’s  thoughts drifted back to a few hours before when she first happened upon the thirsty stranger. Her parents had raised her to have a servant’s attitude and a kind heart. So when she offered the stranger a drink, and to also water his camels, she thought nothing of it. But to this man, who introduced himself as the servant of Abraham, it meant everything!

For as the servant explained, he was on a mission for his master and had asked God for a sign. Rebekah was that sign! The man presented the girl with expensive golden jewelry, and Rebekah ran back to show her family. Returning to the well, Rebekah brought with her Laban, her brother. Laban invited the stranger and his entourage for a meal and lodging, and the group sat around the table where the servant revealed his assignment.

Rebekah’s thoughts were jolted back to the present when she heard the servant speak her name. She could hardly believe her ears! This messenger of Abraham wanted Rebekah to marry her uncle’s son, Isaac! The Isaac! Rebekah felt a twinge of excitement, because Isaac was a bit of a celebrity. For they had all heard the story of the great promise God had made to Abraham, and how that promise was fulfilled when, at 91, Sarah gave birth to their beloved son. And now God himself had chosen Rebekah to be Isaac’s bride! 

The commotion of it all caught up to Rebekah and she felt a bit dizzy. She sat down to collect her breath and her thoughts. Her father and brother agreed to Abraham’s proposal, and they carried on eating and drinking, celebrating late into the night. And when Rebekah finally crawled into bed, fear crept in as she realized the enormity of the change she was about to face. 

The next morning the servant and his men were ready to return to Abraham. Yet Rebekah’s family were reluctant to let her leave, asking for few more days. But when the servant declined, all eyes turned to Rebekah. This young girl who only a day before was living a simple, carefree life, now had a momentous decision to make. Would she leave everything she knew and everything she loved to step out in faith? Would she obey God leaving her future and the unknown to Him? After saying a silent prayer, Rebekah nodded her small head and replied, “Yes. I will go now with this man.”

As the caravan left the city, Rebekah settled in for the long journey ahead. Although she was filled with the sadness of leaving everything behind, she also had resolve. For Rebekah trusted in the promises of God, His goodness, and His love, no matter what. 

God rewarded Rebekah’s obedience. For what she didn’t know was that in a field far away, there was a man waiting. A great man of God who would love, honor, and cherish her, and whose heart she would heal. Although Isaac and Rebekah faced challenges throughout their lives, God remembered them. And He blessed the couple with sons who both became leaders of great nations. 

 

Mary Magdalene

The room was still dark when Mary awakened. For a moment the events of the past days seemed like nothing more than a horrible nightmare. As she rose and lit the oil lamp, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the polished water pitcher sitting on a table nearby. A tear stained face with swollen eyes, stared back at her. And instantly Mary knew it was no dream. She fell to her knees as the horrific images of her Savior being crucified came rushing back, and the tears began to flow once more.

Jesus Christ, Mary’s Master, Teacher, and Friend, had been arrested and sentenced to death. He was beaten beyond recognition, wearing a crown of thorns, and hung on a Cross. Many others who had followed this Man now deserted Him in fear. But not Mary. Her heart wouldn’t allow her to leave. And so there she stood at the feet of her Savior, whom she loved so dearly. She witnessed His unbelievable grace as He forgave those crying out for His death. She felt His amazing love as He turned the care of His mother over to His dearest friend. And with a broken heart, she heard Him take His very last breath. 

When it was over, Mary watched from afar as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea removed the body of Christ from the Cross. And after they had wrapped Him in linen filled with spices fit for a king, Mary followed behind as they laid His body in a tomb. And only after the tomb had been sealed with a stone rolled across it, did Mary return home to grieve her terrible loss.

That was two days ago. And now, in the early morning hours, Mary was off to meet the mother of James. Together they were going back to the tomb where her Lord laid. Oh how Mary had longed to go yesterday, but as it was the Sabbath, she had to wait. But at last, today, she could return to her Messiah. Loving and gently, she would properly anoint His body with spices she had so painstakingly purchased.

As she walked in the darkness, Mary’s mind wandered back to when she first met this Jesus of Nazareth. Her life then was one of agony and suffering. Being possessed by seven demons, Mary was battered and bruised, both physically and mentally. She was considered an outcast and shunned by society. But then Jesus came. And instead of turning away in disgust as so many others before Him, He turned toward her. “Mary”, He called. Mary looked into His face and suddenly felt a wave of love wash through her that she had never before experienced. Finally she was free! The demons that had ravaged her life for so many years had left at the command of this Man! And from that moment on, in loving thankfulness, she had devoted her life to following and serving Jesus. But now with His death, all of that had been ripped away.

As Mary neared the tomb, she wondered aloud who would help roll the stone away so the women could get inside and perform the anointing. But when they arrived, to Mary’s horror, she found the stone already removed and no body inside. The linens Jesus had been wrapped in laid crumbled on the ground, but His body was nowhere to be found. Instead some strange man dressed in a white robe stood inside. “Jesus is not here”, said the man. “He has risen, just as He said.” Confused and afraid, Mary ran back to tell her fellow disciples what had just happened. 

Racing back to the tomb with Peter, Mary stood to catch her breath while the disciple looked inside. After seeing for himself that the Lord was gone, Peter left to tell the others, leaving Mary alone at the tomb. This was just all too much for her, and Mary collapsed in a pile of tears. In the midst of her grief, she heard a man ask, “Woman, why are you crying?" Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking this man the gardener, she pled, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Then suddenly the voice became the same familiar and loving one she heard calling her name all those years ago. “Mary”, He said. Instinctively she turned and answered, “Teacher!”

How could this be? Standing in front of Mary was Jesus, alive and talking to her! “Mary”, Jesus said again snapping her out her wonderment. “Pull yourself together and deliver my message to My disciples. For I have not yet ascended to My Father.”

Although she was pained to again leave her Lord, Mary obeyed. And as she left to share the good news, tears once again filled her eyes. But far from tears of pain, the tears she now cried were of joy and gladness. For her Savior had returned and had chosen her to be the first one to appear before. 

As she walked Mary now had a pep in her step, for she couldn’t wait to tell everyone of Christ’s return, His great love and His ability to rescue anyone from even the greatest depths of darkness.

 

Good morning and welcome to our study of the women in the Bible. As we dig into each of these remarkable women and their stories, I think you’ll find that even though they lived thousands of years ago, they have much in common with women of today. For they share the same struggles, triumphs, joys, and sorrows, that we all experience as women of God. So let’s start with Elizabeth. One of the greatest heroines of faithfulness and obedience the Bible has to offer.

Elizabeth is only mentioned in the first chapter of Luke. But even the little written tells us some amazing things about her great faith in God. Coming from a very prominent family descended from the line of Aaron, she married Zacharias, a priest from the division of Abijah. And Luke tell us that both Elizabeth and Zacharias were, “righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all of the commandments and requirements of the Lord.” (vs. 6) Yet even with their upstanding status before God they had no children, for Elizabeth was barren.

Year after year Elizabeth and her husband prayed for a child. And year after year their prayers went unanswered. Having struggled with infertility myself, I know how hard, painful, and confusing it can be waiting on God. Yet as the years passed and she grew older, even in her waiting, we are never once told that Elizabeth gave up on God or on her life serving Him. Instead she continued walking in obedience and trusting in whatever plans He had for her life. 

And as He so loves to do, God rewarded Elizabeth’s faithfulness when at the age of around 60, she became pregnant with a son. Not just any son, but the promised messenger of God who would proclaim the soon to be born Messiah and prepare the way of the Lord! (Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 3:1) Because of her great faith and obedience God not only blessed Elizabeth with a child, through her, He fulfilled a promise made to Israel hundreds of years before her birth. Isn’t that just like God! He loves to bestow upon His children blessings far greater than we could ever imagine!

Obedience is a theme running throughout the story of Elizabeth. Her entire life she was faithful to the Lord, no matter what. When her baby was born, the tradition of the time was to name the first male child after his father. But obeying what an angel had told Zacharias, she named him John. (vs. 13, 59-60) And in great joy she cried out, “This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men." (vs. 25), “Elizabeth was rejoicing in more than just the fact that she was having a baby. She was rejoicing over the fact that even though she had lived with the sorrow of barrenness for many years—even into her old age—it turned out that God had bigger plans for her than she or anyone else could have imagined. It turned out that she held a very privileged place in God's providential history.”....bethanybible.org 

Are you in a season of unanswered prayer, stuck in God’s waiting room? Ask yourself these questions. Am I praying with persistence? When I pray is it with the intention of God’s will being done? Am I trusting in His perfect timing? While I wait am I still walking in faithful obedience? Will I accept His answer even if it’s no? And finally, will I remember to bless and praise the Lord when He does answer?

God has great and wonderful plans for everyone who, like Elizabeth, live in faithfulness and obedience. And all He asks is that we trust in His goodness, His love, and His perfect timing. His promise to each of us is this, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” So trust God and His perfect plan. For one day we too will be greatly rewarded for our faithful obedience. And we can join Elizabeth in joyfully saying, “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” (vs. 45)

 Scripture Reading: Revelations 13

Satan has been called many things - Liar, Deceiver, Murderer, the Enemy, the Evil One, even the Antichrist. These are just a few of his names, and not one is ever flattering. He was revealed as the dragon in Revelations 12:17, and now here in chapter thirteen we see something more about his character that I want you to always remember.  

Satan is a counterfeit, who never has an original thought.

He has little to no imagination of his own, and often merely copies what God has already done. He demonstrates this here for us when he decides to create an unholy trinity. 

Satan, as the dragon, will set himself up as the anti-god of the “trinity” and then he recruits two helpers to join him in this war against God’s people. Together they will try to imitate God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

The Beast from the sea (Rev 13:1, 4) will resemble Jesus as the anti-christ. This antichrist will be the political “beast” of vs. 1. He will get his power and position from Satan (vs. 2), and will even suffer a fatal wound and come back to life (vs. 3). Although the anti-christ will deceive many into thinking his power comes from God, it will come from Satan (vs. 2).

The Beast from the earth (Rev 13:11-12) also called the False Prophet (Rev. 16:13, 20:10) will resemble the Holy Spirit. This beast will cause all on the earth to worship the anti-christ (vs. 12), and will also have supernatural powers, that will enable him to call fire down from heaven (vs. 13) and preform other miracles (vs. 14). The beast of the earth/false prophet will order men to create an “image to the beast” (vs. 14). His powers will even give the idol life, and the ability to speak (vs. 15). A one-world religious system will be forced into place, and he will have all that do not worship the anti-christ killed (vs. 15)! He will also demand that all must have a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads in order to buy or sell (vs. 16,17). The mark will have something to do with the number 666 (vs. 18).

I know this all sounds frightening, but thankfully this will all take place at the middle point of the seven years of tribulation. God's people will have already been raptured 31/2 years prior. 

What IS frightening is that if Jesus were to come for us today, these events could only be three and a half years away! Have you thought of that before? If Jesus came back for us today, do you personally know others who will be left to face this unholy trinity?  The Deceiver, this fake and fraud, will be able to deceive many and cause many to worship him rather than turn to a holy God. 

As I thought on this, my mind went back to Deuteronomy, chapter 6 and the Shema: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deut. 6:4-8)

The Shema to be the most important part of the prayer service in Judaism, and its twice-daily recitation as a mitzvah (religious commandment). Also, it is traditional for Jews to say the Shema as their last words, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night. (Wikipedia)

The chapter goes on to warn us and command us over and over again to study, obey and teach His Word to others throughout, "Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.  Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you;  for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land... Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you.  Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you..." (Deut 6:13-18)

In light of all we read in Revelations, and knowing that God could see the end just as clearly as He saw the beginning, I now understand God's sense of urgency as He commands us to study, obey and teach others His commands. Can't you?

Blessings,

sue

When you’re overwhelmed by heart-pounding panic, paralyzed by fear, or exhausted from yet another sleepless night spent worrying, you’ll do just about anything to get relief.

More than one in five American adults took medications for psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression in 2010, according to new research by Medco Health Solutions, Inc. Titled America's State of Mind ...
The analysis revealed that 20 percent of all adults took at least one drug to treat a psychiatric condition, while among women that number rose to 25 percent—or one in four—reporting having taken such drugs.*

 Faith is complete, blind trust and obedience.  Faith doesn’t understand everything – but it's doing it anyway because you trust God and His perfect care and guidance!

AND faith requires humility. It requires us to admit we don’t have all the answers or the abilities we need, but we know the One who does. Anxieties can flair up when we’re trying to do it all on our own. Therefore the first step is admitting we need help! (Look back at Phil 4:6-7)

 This can be hard because it may cause us to feel weak in an area where others may appear to be strong. There is always going to be the temptation to keep pushing and hope the anxiety goes away on its own.

Which can bring on other coping mechanisms, however. 

Some may try to alleviate stress by snacking constantly on junk food. Some drink wine or other alcoholic beverages to take the edge off. Others may try to find solace in television, books or social media. BUT none of these are healthy ways of dealing with stress and anxiety and can actually end up doing more harm than good.

PRAYER through faith is our answer. 

We need to turn our anxious thoughts and worries into prayer; which requires developing a conditioned reflex, like when we touch something hot our brain  immediately tells us to pull back. We need to recognize what's happening immediately and turn it completely over to God and His word promises that, " the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will mount guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  

No other stress relievers needed.

Paul is pointing out the fact that what we fill our minds with has a profound effect on our spiritual and mental state of being.

We need to remember that we live in a world at war. While God wants us to succeed and flourish, there is another who would love nothing better than to see us struggle and fail. He will come and whisper in your ear lies about your identity, your self-worth, your status before God, your past, your future, your hope; anything that will help him succeed in keeping you stressed, anxious and feeling like a failure. We not only need to recognize these for the lies they are, but combat them with God’s truth.

If you are walking through a valley of anxiety right now, there's hope! Give it all up, and keep turning it over to the One who is able to give you victory over whatever is causing your stress at the moment and fill your mind on the truths found in His word.

I hope you'll also remember this may be an on going battle which may not be won immediately, but He has given us our weapons of warfare and one another to help eventually gain the victory over our fears! If you're ready to fight, we're here to help! Please let us know how we can be praying for you over at Women in the Word!

Blessings!
sue

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Week Forty-nine...

Welcome!  We pray that you have all had a precious time worshipping the Lord this morning!  Below you will find some thought provoking questions that will provide you a starting point to your journal writing to complete this week.  We hope that you will find this time soul satisfying!

Our reading this week was 1 Timothy 4 - Hebrews 6...

1. What do you imagine it will be like when the LORD returns for you? How will His face appear? What words will He speak to you as He places “the crown of righteousness” on your head? Contemplate His glorious return.

And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness that the LORD, the righteous Judge will give me on that great day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His glorious return. (2 Timothy 4:8)

2. Today, as an act of worship, pray specifically for someone in authority over you. In what practical ways can you live out your faith as you relate to those with whom you live or work?

Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. (Titus 3:1-2)

3. What do you anticipate will be the three most difficult problems and temptations you will face in the next few days? What parallel situations can you see in Jesus’ life on earth? Thank God that He has already been where you are going, and ask for His strength to endure.

Since He Himself has gone through suffering and temptation, He is able to help us when we are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)