Encouraging Women Today

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

A short interruption to post an article from a dear friend.

THE WOMEN

Our Holy Week has come and gone, but the brutal and miraculous scenes of that week must burn in our soul year around! It was not a pretty sight: The ground was soaked with blood; our Lord was beaten beyond recognition; darkness hovered over the land for three hours and an enormous earthquake shook the earth, tearing-apart the curtain in the temple. Even tombs opened, which allowed many people who had died to be raised to life (Matthew. 27:51-56; Mark.15:38-41; Luke 23:45 NIV).

All of Jesus’ disciples had fled for their lives, except John. He, Jesus’ mother, her sister Mary, and Mary Magdalene gallantly stayed near the cross. Others watched from a distance.

Some of these women were courageous enough to slip out before sunrise, on what would have been our Sunday morning, to put spices on His body, not knowing how they would move the stone from the grave. (Hey, we women know we can move most anything we have to!) To their surprise, an angel had rolled back the tomb—but Jesus was not there.

Scared nearly speechless, the women told their story to the disciples. Only Peter and John went to see. (They still did not understand that Christ was to rise from the dead.) So, they looked in the sepulcher, and then we are told, “They went back to their homes” (Luke 24:12; John 20:3-10 NIV).

Somewhere during this time, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, and then to the other women. Again he said to tell the disciples—who still did not believe the women had actually seen their Lord—to meet Him in Galilee. (Mark 16:10-11; Luke 24:9-11; Matthew 28:8-10 NIV). He finally had to reveal Himself to His disciples, who were behind locked doors.

It seems God has given women a dogged strength, much like the females in the forests: Don’t mess with those I love or you will see my wrath! It is a big mistake to get between a bear and her cubs. I’m glad He has endowed us with a sensitivity and intuition to know Him as intercessors, nurturers, and yes, warriors, when the need demands.

I cheer those in Jesus day who were with Him when He was alone; I cheer those of us who are with Him in our day when He is beguiled and seemingly alone. Every week should be a Holy Week as we remember His cross and resurrection!

Scriptures: In Text.

A Weekly Devotional – by – Evelyn Mills – 04-05-11

Thursday, April 07, 2011

In studying further the life of Moses we see that he continued growing in God by being OBEDIENT AND MAKING WISE DECISIONS.

At first Pharaoh pleaded that the plagues be stopped. He even recognized God as Supreme. When his magicians tried to produce the same plagues they had some success, but OUR GOD always came through all the way. AND HE STILL DOES TODAY. 1. These signs and wonders were to show Egypt as well as Israel, that the Lord is God above all gods and human beings. 2. They were also performed to establish Israel's faith and to convince them of God's power, love & supremacy. 3. They demonstrated God's power over the gods of Egypt. 4. They were divine judgments on Egypt and her gods in order to compel Pharaoh to let God's people go.

Let's take a look:

READ CHAPTERS 8,9, 10, & 11

Plague of Blood
Plague of Frogs
Plague of Gnats
Plague of Flies
Plague of Livestock
Plague of Boils
Plague of Hail
Plague of Locust
Plague of Darkness
Plague of Firstborn
Why did God choose these plagues?

What did you learn about God in these chapters?
1__________________________________________
2. _________________________________________
3. _________________________________________
4. _________________________________________


Do we REAP WHAT WE SOW? _______________________

Do wrong decisions doom us? ________________________Why or why not? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How did Moses keep God in control of his life? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How can you keep God in control of your life? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Translate Proverb 31 woman: She doesn’t worry about her family… up to- her husband is greatly respected…