WOMEN OF THE BIBLE SERIES
Widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17:13-16) I Kings 17:13-14, And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth. 15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. During a famine, this widow fed the prophet Elijah before feeding her son and then herself. This widow was at the point of starvation, she and her son had enough food left for one last supper and they planned to lie down and starve to death. She did not have very much, only a handful of meal and a little oil. Notice! Here arrives the man of God! He tells her to feed him first. When she heard the Word of God, she went and did as Elijah had commanded her. This required great faith to use the last little bit of meal she had to prepare bread for a total stranger. Yet she did it by faith! God wants us to learn to trust Him in every circumstance, regardless of what outward appearances may suggest. When God gives you His Word you can bank on it. If you have dedicated your life to the Lord and are fully committed in carrying out His will, then you are the Lord's servant, and He is responsible to provide your need. She knew that the Lord was his God (I Kings 17:12). God was not unconcerned about the needs and misery of the poor widow. In fact, He sent Elijah to encourage her faith and give her some material blessings at a time when she felt all was lost. Elijah challenged the widow to act on faith and feed him first with her very last meal (I Kings 17:13). Elijah was declaring that the Lord God of Israel would supply her needs if she trusted him (I Kings 17:14). The widow believed God’s Word through Elijah and did as he said (I Kings 17:15-16). Because of her faith in God and what He said through the prophet Elijah, the widow was willing to exchange the certain for the uncertain, the seen for the unseen (I Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 11:27). God honored her faith not only with material blessings, but also with spiritual blessings. Her “…barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail” (I Kings 17:16). Even in the face of certain death she acted on faith, trusting in the word of the living God, and He provided. Jesus commended this woman’s faith in Luke 4. Luke 4:25-26, “But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.” The outcome of the faith giving was a barrel of meal that would not “waste” and a cruse of oil that would not “fail”. They would eat many days. She gave to the Lord and the Lord gave to her. She was rewarded for her faith giving. As the widow gave to Elijah first, then to her son and to herself. As was with the widow, we must give to God first before we can see God provide for us. The widow’s barrel of meal and cruse of oil never ran out. The power of God never fails, especially when you are scraping the bottom of the barrel. The flour that was used is a great reminder of Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bread of Life. The oil is a reminder of the Holy Spirit. They never fail. The meal and oil strengthened Elijah and the widow. The Word of God and the Spirit of God strengthens us. When we put the Lord first, He will multiply the little we have and meet our needs. No one has ever, or will ever, discover the limits of God’s great ability. God provides for His people. But there is a condition. We must trust and obey God's Word. Just as the widow trusted and obeyed the Lord, so we too must trust and obey Him. If we seek the Lord and His righteousness first, He promises to provide food, clothing, and shelter for His people. God will be with us every step of the way. He will hold our hands, hold us up, and even carry us when needed. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You that you are always faithful to Your promises of provision. You have faithfully provided for me and my family. You have promised to supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory. You are both our Provider for both our physical and spiritual needs. Thank You that You delight to provide for my needs. Lord, it is a great comfort to know that You know everything about me. You know the needs and necessities of life I have before they arise. Forgive me for not relying on You as I ought. Teach me to rely on You and to rely less on myself. Help me to cast all my care on You. Keep my heart ever thankful for Your gracious provision. In Jesus Name. AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Women of the Bible Series
Mary…Blessed and Highly Favored (Luke 1:26-28) Luke 1:26-28, And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou among women. A perfect Saviour was the only cure for an imperfect humanity. It was God’s plan from the beginning to send His only begotten Son to die on the cross for the sins of mankind (I Peter 1:19-21; Ephesians 3:9-11; Genesis 3:15). Who would be the woman God would trust to conceive, to deliver, and to raise; His Son and our Saviour? What mother did He use, select, and trust? That answer is Mary. While Mary was in a way favored above all women in being chosen as the mother of Jesus, however, this in no way suggests that she is to be worshiped, prayed to, or given a divine title. Note that Mary was chosen because she found favor with God (Genesis 6:8). Her humble and godly life pleased God to such an extent that he chose her for this most important task (II Timothy 2:21). Mary’s blessing would not only bring her great joy, but also much suffering and pain (Luke 2:35) because her son would be widely rejected and then executed for no fault of His own. In this world, when God calls someone to a specific mission for Him, it will almost always involve blessing and suffering, joy and sadness, successes, and disappointments. Mary stands out as one of the most, if not the most honored woman of all time. God’s description of Mary was “thou that art highly favoured, the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28). Mary was willingly obedient to God’s will or purpose. She was one who truly loved and followed the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength from her childhood to her death. It was evident that she had a heart that was humble, teachable, submissive, obedient, and worshiping. She was willing to bear whatever reproach would come because she was willing to do God’s will. Mary is another great example of Biblical motherhood. 1.Mother’s Sacrifice (Luke 2:41) Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. Parenting has always been a practice that demanded unseen sacrifice. It costs to have children today, but it is worth it all. Today, parents are bringing children into a fractured world with challenges the previous generations did not have to face. To put it bluntly, we are living in a godless society, that has abandoned the basic principles of life. I’ve heard people say I don’t know if I want to bring children into this world today. Don’t you let this world tell you that it is too big of a job for God to give you a child and bring child into this world and raise it for Jesus Christ. There are no degrees of difficulty with God. No big thing is harder for Him than a small thing. 2.Mother’s Service (Luke 1:26-35) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (Luke 1:31) Mary was a woman who was willing to be used by the Lord. She was at the place where God could speak to her and talk to her and be used of the Lord for a mighty work. The Lord is seeking mothers who are willing to walk with Him and surrender their will to His. If you will wait on God and seek the Lord and walk with God be there when God visits your life, God will do something in your life. 3.Mother’s Support (John 19:25) Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother,… One of the most difficult things for a mother to endure is to see their child have to bear their cross. Bless the mothers who will stand by their child when their child is bearing their cross. The Bible teaches, other than John, all the disciples fled, but His mother was there. If you want to be a godly mother, be there for your children when everybody has forsaken them and fled. When He was mocked, spit on, beaten, marred more than any other man, and nailed to a rugged tree, she stood by Him. This is the power of a mother’s love. A godly Biblical Christian mother will stand by their child when the entire world has turned against them. Mary discovered that God had a plan, personalized just for her. When we are obedient and comply with His purpose He can use us beyond our greatest imagination. We should be willing to obey God’s will and purpose for our lives even if we do not understand why. God sees the whole story and He has already written the final chapter. We can only see the current page we are on. Jesus set the example when He prayed, “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Points to Ponder: What seems hard for us, even impossible, is nothing for Him. In spite of a problem seeming difficult from our perspective, there are no degrees of difficulty from God's. Our problems, whether minute or monumental, are not problems at all to God. Questions to Consider: Do you trust God enough to let Him use you? What are some struggles you faced when the Lord wanted to use you in difficult circumstances? How did you overcome these struggles? PRAYER: LORD, I want to thank You for my mother, who loved me, labored for me, and has never left me. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Women of the Bible Series
Tabitha (Acts 9:36–37) Acts 9:36–37, Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. Joppa was about 10 miles farther northeast of Jerusalem than Lydda, and it was on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The church at Joppa was incredibly blessed by the ministry and service of Tabitha. Two names are given for her: "Tabitha," which was her Jewish or Hebrew name, and Dorcas, which was her Greek name. Her name means gazelle. Gazelle’s are known for their graceful nature. And certainly everything said about Tabitha (Dorcas) speaks about her grace and beauty as a Christian woman! She manifested spiritual beauty by her gracious good works and generous giving to those in need. She was deeply committed to Christ, a very faithful and devoted disciple, full of "good works". She was a doer of good deeds touching the lives of many people who humbly worked behind the scenes. Tabitha had a positive impact on the lives of so many others who were in need. She was known for her deeds, her devotion, and for her donations. She was very charitable and full of good works. Tabitha used her skills to help make coats and garments for the widow women. She was a servant who was an industrious woman and an involved woman. Praise the Lord for servants like Tabitha who uses their talents for their service to the Lord! She was generous to the poor and those who were facing difficult financial conditions. She was a woman compassionately moved by the needs of the widows, orphans, elderly, etc. She wanted to bring pleasure to the Lord by her profession and practice. As God worked through Peter to heal (Acts 9:33-35) and to raise the dead (Acts 9:40), he also worked through Tabitha with her acts of kindness and love. Acts of love that help those in need are also an outward display of the Holy Spirit and are just as important as physical healings or other miracles. She was determined that her life was not going to be miserable, pitiful, or idle. When Tabitha died, she was remembered as a disciple who did compassionate works. She was a wonderful example of Proverbs 10:7, “The memory of the just is blessed...” Servants of the Lord are characterized by their steadfastness to the saints, to the Scriptures, to supplication, and to their surrender. It’s been said, “The greatest use of your life is to use your life so that the use of your life will outlive your life”. God is always at work behind the scenes. He blesses and uses people who are surrendered, sacrificial, and servant hearted. True love not only involves our devotion to God, but it also involves our kindness to man. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction...” James 1:27. Dorcas was most faithful to this duty. Not all are called to preach, or teach, or sing, or play an instrument at church, but everybody can be compassionate to others. What the Bible says about of good works? We are created for them (Ephesians 2:10). We are commanded to do them (Psalm 34:14). We are equipped to do them (II Timothy 3:16-17). God knows our works (Revelation 2:2). The Christian is rewarded for doing them (I Corinthians 3:13-15). Points to Ponder: Just as there was only one Tabitha, there is only one you. You are unique and irreplaceable. The things that we do and the lives that we touch will be remembered for good or evil. What we give and do for others today, will be what we are remembered for tomorrow. Every day of our lives, whether we realize it or not, we are building up a reputation by which we will be known. Do all that you can right now, and do it in a way that pleases and glorifies the Lord. Questions to Consider: Are you living for yourself or for others? What do we have to show when we leave this life? What kind of impact are we having on the lives of those around us? When you die will others be able to testify of your good works? What kind of memories will you leave in the lives of others? PRAYER: Lord, make a difference in me. Make a difference through me. Make me a difference maker. Each day You give me opportunities to reach others with the Gospel. I ask You to use me as one of Your instruments to restore one who has fallen in this broken world. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Women of the Bible Series
Hannah…Praying Mother (I Samuel 1:27-28) I Samuel 1:27-28, For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there. Billy Sunday tells of a minister who was making visits. He came to a certain home and asked for the mother but the child opening the door answered, "You cannot see mother for she prays from nine to ten." He waited forty minutes to see that mother, and when she came out of her prayer closet the light of glory was on her face, and he knew why that home was so bright; he knew why her two sons were in the ministry and her daughter a missionary. "All hell cannot tear a boy or girl away from a praying mother," comments Mr. Sunday. One of the greatest fears that troubles Satan is prayer. He trembles when a Christian prays. In this fractured world, each family faces troubles, tests, and tribulations, but the trial in your home can be turned into blessing if you turn to the Lord. A woman named Hannah begged God to give her a baby boy. Hannah had prayed earnestly, continually, and specifically for a child and God blessed Hannah and answered her prayers with the birth of Samuel. After the blessing of the child, she did not forget God, Hannah dedicated her son to the Lord for His service. Hannah kept her promise to God as she said she would (I Samuel 1:11). This truly exemplifies the concept of dedication. The LORD answered the prayers of thousands of godly people in Israel. Samuel, the last of the Judges (Acts 13:20) and the first of the prophets (Acts 13:24), by his godly life, his powerful preaching, and his anointing of King Saul and David, led Israel from the distressing days of the Judges, to the dynamic days of Israel. One woman prays and a whole nation is blessed. What a good God we serve! We learn at least three valuable lessons from Hannah’s prayer life (there are more than three): 1.Hannah prayed earnestly (I Samuel 1:11). “...remember me, and not forget thine handmaid...” Hannah’s heart was expressed in her words. A praying mother is a great asset to her home, her church, and her community. She prays for wisdom and discernment in teaching and training her children. Her prayer is a desire that her children would come to know the Lord, and to serve Him, and to do His will. 2.Hannah prayed continually (I Samuel 1:12). “...she continued praying before the LORD...” Hannah prayed several times a day; every day. A godly mother prays for her family every day. Just praying on occasion is not enough. The Scriptures commanded everyone to pray (Luke 18:1; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; I Thessalonians 5:17). 3.Hannah prayed specifically (I Samuel 1:27). “For this child I prayed...” Hannah did not just pray for any child. She specifically prayed for a man child. There is nothing wrong with praying specifically. In fact, it’s Biblical. Just as it is important when we make a list of priorities, God desires that we prioritize our prayer life. Prayers for your family need to be specific. God remembered Hannah's prayer and Hannah bore a son and named him Samuel, which means “God heard”. Hannah learned a wonderful truth: God answers prayer. Samuel was a gift from the Lord. The Lord had given Samuel because she had prayed believing. The peace came before she got the answer. Peace doesn’t come from getting everything we want or think we need from God. Peace comes from leaving everything with God, being content with what we have and praying the Lord’s will be done. Prayer is the answer to our afflictions. Children are a precious gift from the LORD (Psalm 127:3). The prayer from every parent should be for the salvation of their children and that they would serve the LORD. Hanna’s influence on Samuel started a positive ripple effect. Samuel grew up to become a great man of God. He was a prophet, a judge, and started a school for prophets. He led many people to the Lord and honored his mother in ways that she hoped for. Hannah is a great example of godly motherhood. From the time she first desired to have a child, in prayer and purpose, she totally committed her future child to God (I Samuel 1:10-28). God was faithful in giving Hannah a son, and she remained faithful to her commitment to Him. She was devoted to the Lord. She viewed her son as a gracious gift from God. Hannah kept her word, she fulfilled her vow, and honored her commitment unto the Lord by dedicating Samuel to the Lord. He had been faithful to her, and she remained faithful to Him. Much can be said regarding Hannah's commitment and faithfulness. She kept her word and obeyed the Lord. We too must keep our commitments to the Lord. Points to Ponder: Surrender to the Lord and keep committed to Him! When we are in deep sorrow and our hearts are broken, prayer is the answer. The Lord desires to do the impossible through situations that seem unbearable. Questions to Consider: Have you made promises in the past that you failed to keep? Are you fully serving the Lord in the capacity He desires of you? What kind of ripple effect will you create in your encounters with others today? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I know that nothing happens in my life that You’re not aware of. I know that You will not abandon me in this affliction. SO, I’m asking You to teach me to see Your comforting hand in this affliction. May this sweeten my love, secure my hope, and strengthen my faith. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com WOMEN OF THE BIBLE SERIES
Elisabeth…A Mother Honored (Luke 1:5-7) Luke 1:5-7, There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. Elisabeth was righteous toward God and most faithful to her husband. It is said of both Elisabeth and Zacharias that they were “...righteous before God, walking in all the commandments of the Lord blameless." They had a personal faith in God and sought to follow Him every day. They walked with God, following all His commandments and ordinances. Elisabeth was a fit vessel for the forerunner of Christ as she was blameless in every commandment of the LORD. Being blameless does not mean perfect or sinless; it means to be irreproachable or faultless. They were faithful, living in such a way that no one could charge them with open sin. They offended no one; they lived honestly before both God and men. When we read the life of Elisabeth and her husband, Zacharias, we find them both " well stricken in years." However, wonderful surprises were awaiting this godly couple. God would do what seemed impossible and bless Elisabeth and Zacharias and bring joy into their home through the birth of John the Baptist. Elisabeth became the mother of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. Both Elisabeth and Zacharias were of the priestly tribe of Levi. Zacharias’ name means, "the Lord has remembered," and Elisabeth’s name means, "my God has remembered." Elisabeth was barren. She had no children, and no hope of having any children because both she and her husband were both “well stricken in years”, most likely at least sixty years of age. In their day, sixty was considered the beginning of agedness, and they were likely well past that. God is never late nor is He ever too early. He is always on time, working according to His timing that is always perfect. God promised them a son and would deliver the promise through His messenger the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:11-13). God promised that at the birth of John, Zacharias and Elisabeth would experience great joy and gladness and many would join them in their rejoicing (Luke 1:14, 58). When Elisabeth visited Mary, “the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost” (Luke 1:41). The Holy Spirit does not fill rebels or renegades. He fills those whose desires are only to please God. Elisabeth would in fact bear a son (Luke 1:57), and they were to name him John (John 1:13, 60) a name that means "The Lord has been gracious" or "to whom the Lord is gracious." Luke 1:80, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” Zacharias and Elisabeth raised John for a time. Their faith, their prayers, and the things God had taught them doubtless touched John. That, coupled with the touch of God on his life, helped him become strong in spirit. Luke 7:28, “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” What an honor to John and to his mother, Elisabeth, for Christ to say this! Elisabeth proved to be a great blessing and encouragement to Mary. As Christians, we should never be satisfied with being just average spiritually. We should strive to be obedient to all the commandments of God. When we live within God’s will, loving Him supremely and obeying all His commandments, He will bless us and use us to bless others in ways we could never imagine. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I praise You and exalt You as the Lord of Life. Thank You that Your timing is always right, even when I want You to hurry up. Thank You that You do not bow to my schedule. Thank You that when You say "No" to my request, You are really saying "Yes" to Your best in my life. You are working out Your will. Help me love You more so I can be a blessing to those around me. May I learn to trust You as I wait on Your best. I love You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com WOMEN OF THE BIBLE SERIES
Rahab’s Faith (Joshua 2) Joshua 2:11, And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Joshua sent two men to the city of Jericho to spy out the land. Of all of the places they would end up staying, they lodged in the home of a harlot named Rahab. Once the king of Jericho heard of their whereabouts, he sent his men to go and find them, and the first place they went to was Rahab's home. Instead of turning them in, she hid them and protected them from being caught. In return for her loyalty, she and her family were spared when the city walls of Jericho came down. Rahab's faith stands out in four ways: 1. Rahab took a stand (Joshua 2:1-7). Rahab was a sinful woman from an ungodly background. However, she did understand and accept Israel’s God as the true God of heaven and earth (Joshua 2:10-11). Her faith produced self-denial. In protecting God's messengers, she defied and denied everything her king and countrymen stood for. She was no longer a part of sin-filled Jericho. Her life and allegiance changed, and people noticed it. God can change anyone. Although Rahab had a bad reputation in the beginning, she became an example of God’s grace. 2. Rahab took God at His Word (Joshua 2:9). Rahab's first words to the spies were "I know" (Joshua 2:9). She believed that the God of Israel was the one true God and that He alone could be trusted. Rahab experienced the grace of God. Although she was a harlot living in a heathenistic city filled with idol worshippers the grace of God as available to her. Her life teaches that God can save and use anyone who repents and receives Him. God provides atonement for past sins and failures. No matter what our past sins were, God can forgive us and change us (II Corinthians 5:17). 3. Rahab's faith caused her to show concern for others (Joshua 2:12-13). Rahab risked her life to save the spies. She feared God, saved the spies, and became part of the Jewish nation. She cared for the spies and helped them escape. She convinced her family to come to her house and stay there seven days as the army of Israel encircled Jericho. She did not know when the fatal blow would fall, but she persevered in her concern. 4. Rahab's scarlet cord (Joshua 2:21). The scarlet cord symbolizes the blood of the Passover lamb, which was put on the Israelites’ houses to protect them from God’s judgment on Egypt before God freed the Israelites from slavery (Exodus 12:21-23). In this sense, the scarlet cord hanging from Rahab’s home was a sign of the safety and rescue she could expect for her household. 5. Rahab believed God (Hebrews 11:31). Rahab was a prostitute, a Canaanite, and an idolator, who became a believer. Rahab's faith was great and her theology was straight. She knew very little about God and His covenant with His people, but she acted strongly on what little she did know. As a result, she turned her heart away from Canaan’s false gods, put her faith in Israel’s God (Hebrews 11:31) and joined with them in their effort to secure the land God had promised to them. Rahab became an ancestor in the family line of the Messiah (Matthew 1:5-6). It is interesting to note that up until this time, she, nor the inhabitants of Jericho, had actually seen any of the Israelites. But, they had heard of them. They heard of their conquests in the desert and of how the Lord had parted the Red Sea. At this point in time, the Red Sea parting had occurred some forty years earlier. The fear of the Lord caused this response in Rahab; she knew which side she needed to be on. I love the fact that God had taken care of these two men, even before they got to Jericho. The Israelites were about to take over the promise land, not because of their strength, but because of the Lord. Rahab was the great-great grandmother of King David. She was also in the ancestral line of Jesus Christ. The scarlet line that saved Rahab symbolizes the scarlet blood of Jesus Christ that ensures salvation to everyone who believes and receives it. The same is true for us today. As Christians, we are blessed to live in God's promises. (The Bible is filled with His promises for us.) Sometimes, the new land is hard to see and even harder to walk through, but if we just step out in faith, we will see how God has taken care of every step we need to take. As the Lord leads you in His purposes for your life, you will see how He has prepared even those around you. And remember God clearly encouraged Joshua to, "…Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:9). May this encourage you today and go forth in all that the Lord is leading you to do. Points to Ponder: God has His Rahab’s to protect us. Sometimes the most unlikely person will come to our rescue. Questions to Consider: Can you give an example of this from your life? Do you believe He will forgive your sins no matter what you have done? PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Your mercy and for saving me from my sin. Help me to gain wisdom through godly fear and reverence of Your ways. Teach me to walk in Your ways and to honor You in all that I do. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Women of the Bible Series
Abigail (I Samuel 25:3) I Samuel 25:3, Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. There are many people in the Bible that will win your heart through their godly characteristics. In I Samuel 25, we see the life of Abigail, a beautiful woman who displayed wisdom and humility. You are called to bear with difficult people who can sometimes create trying circumstances for you. Your walk with Christ can thrive despite the chaos around you. In I Samuel 25:7, 16 we see that David had protected Nabal’s shepherds and was now asking for a reasonable favor in return: that Nabal would give them provisions when they arrived. Nabal was rich, and so it certainly would not have been any trouble for him to comply, but instead of being wise and generous, he chose to be stingy, which only provoked David to fight. When her husband refused to help David, Abigail intervened by taking the blame and supplying David’s need for food. Gathering an army of 400 men, David set out to destroy Nabal’s household, and had it not been for the wisdom of one woman, he would have. Abigail’s wisdom kept herself and many innocent people from being killed because of her husband’s foolishness. Abigail demonstrated her good understanding though she remained faithful to Nabal till his death, taking supplies to help God’s anointed and eventually marrying David. Through Abigail’s example, we see the cycle of wisdom in action: 1. She recognized that David was a godly man (I Samuel 25:18-20). Proverbs 9:10, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 2. Abigail avoided conflict (I Samuel 25:18-20). Proverbs 14:16, A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. 2. Abigail acted wisely to resolve the problem (I Samuel 25:18-24). Proverbs 29:11, A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. Points to Ponder:
· You are called to bear with difficult people who can sometimes create trying circumstances for you.
Questions to Consider:
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the "Abigails" who are sensitive enough to You that they can be used as Your vessel to speak to Your servants and for Your service. Thank You for the wisdom of the people found in Your Word that I can also be sensitive to Your leading in my life and be used in ways to promote your kingdom work. In Jesus Name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com WOMEN OF THE BIBLE SERIES
Ruth’s Reward (Ruth 1:14-17) Ruth 1:14-17, And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. 15And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Northwestern University researchers have developed an adhesive by combining geckos and mussels which has resulted in a superb adhesive which lasts for over one thousand contact cycles. Here we see Ruth who was not going to take no for an answer. Her actions spoke of her loyalty and devotion. As she would faithfully stick by Naomi’s side, may this encourage us to faithfully cling to Christ. We can take comfort that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. When Ruth promised her mother-in-law she would go where she went, live among her people, and honor her God, she showed an example of unconditional loyalty. When she committed herself to the very end of both their lives, she revealed the great woman she truly was. Ruth's decision beautifully portrays what every believer's relationship should be with Jesus. In Ephesians 5:25, husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved his bride, the church, even to the point of death (giving His life for the church). God intends for human commitments, specifically marriage, to be unending, and there can be no commitment to another without the total giving of oneself. We need more commitments like this one in marriage today. Ruth’s Fidelity. “...Ruth clave unto her...” (Ruth 1:14). What an example of human commitment and loyalty. The word clave means "to cling to, join with" It is a very strong word that carries the idea of a permanent bond. This speaks of Ruth's unwavering loyalty. Ruth’s Friendship. “...for whither thou goest, I will go...” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth was showing herself to be a true friend. A friend loveth at all times... (Proverbs 17:17)...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). A true friend stands by those they love. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Jesus is that kind of a friend to us. May we, as believers, be that kind of a friend to Him. Ruth’s Future. “...where thou lodgest, I will lodge...” (Ruth 1:16). She is saying, whether you live in a mansion or a shack I will lodge where you lodge. Most will follow as long as certain conditions are met. However, Ruth was willing to follow no matter what. This is the kind of commitment Christ wants from His followers. Ruth’s Family. “...thy people shall be my people...” (Ruth 1:16). “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). We are His children. “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). As Christians, we have been born again into the family of God. Ruth’s Faith. “...and thy God my God...” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth left all behind for the sake of her new found faith. Paul who said, “...I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). May we, as God's children, be as faithful. When we look back on Ruth’s life. What she lost was nothing compared to what she had gained. Ruth’s full reward came about because of Who she trusted. How often have Christian’s missed God’s full reward because they only half trusted Him. God is still looking for people of deep conviction, those who will nurture a ‘for richer or poorer’, ‘in sickness and in health’, ‘till death do us part’ kind of commitment. Can you say these words to Christ? ‘I’m committed to You through thick and thin. Where You go, I’ll go. What You do, I’ll do. Whom You love, I will love. I’m with You, not only to death, but through death.’ Maybe, like Ruth, you need to leave something or someone behind to follow Christ. There will be sacrifices; the journey of faith is costly. Even today, your commitment to God will be challenged and tested. But hold on to God, persevere in your faith and don’t be afraid to love Him wholeheartedly. Because, like Ruth, you know what kind of God He is! PRAYER: LORD, You gave Heaven’s best to redeem me and give me the greatest security of all. How blessed I am to have a faithful friend in Jesus. Thank You for Your committed care and help me to trust You more. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com This is PART 3 of the 3 PART Series titled “Loving One Another”.
Loving One Another (I John 3:11-20) – Part 3 3.Comprehending Love (I John 3:16-20) I John 3:16-20, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. The manifestation of Biblical love in our life is the evidence that we truly belong to Christ. One visible evidence of love is the sacrifice it is willing to make for the object loved. There was no doubt in John’s mind about the love Jesus had. But he also said that fellow Christians should feel a sense of obligation to make sacrifices for one another. The love of Christ should be continuously active in the followers of Christ. If a brother is in need, whether it is the need of food, clothes, shelter, or service, and if one has the ability to help, but will not do so, how dwelleth the love of God in him? The point is that if we have no concern for the welfare of God's people, the love of God is missing in us. One who can see a need and shut his heart to it does not have the love of Christ. The person who lives a selfish life has missed the whole point of Christ's sacrifice. The test of true Biblical love is identified as a willingness to sacrifice one's own life for his brother. This is in contrast to Cain who hated and slew his brother. As Christians, we give ourselves for others. Why? Because he laid down his life for us. One can talk about what one believes, however, if what one believes is not real enough to motivate that person to good works, that persons faith is dead (James 2:14-17)! Genuine love doesn’t just talk, it acts. People who are insincere might talk about helping, but people who truly love like the Lord reach out to help a fellow believer. This degree of love might be called to demonstrate by meeting a material need. It might be manifested by lending a helping hand or a listening ear. There are countless ways in which we can show the reality of our love for the brethren. A young mother admitted, in a prayer meeting, that she never seemed to find time for her own personal devotions. She had little children to care for, and the hours vanished away. Two of the ladies from the church responded by assisting her in her home. “We’ve come to help you,” they explained. “You go into the bedroom and get started on your devotions.” After several days of this help, the young mother was able to develop her devotional life so that the daily demands on her time no longer upset her. It is to be more than lip love. Our actions speak louder than our words could ever speak. When we love one another, we know that we are living the truth. May the love of Christ saturate our relationships. PRAYER: Lord, help me to grow in my love for You and for others You have given me. In Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for reading PART 3 of the 3 PART Series titled “Loving One Another”. Please visit this website tomorrow. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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