Jan 24

From Sarai to Sarah

Biblical Women Comments Off

Genesis 17:15-16

 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

God made a covenant with Abram and called him Abraham instead of Abram. The covenant that God established with Abraham was that God will make Abraham a father of many nations. God established His covenant with Abraham and his seed and promised to be a God unto Abraham and his seed. Also God said He will give unto Abraham and his seed the land wherein he is a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. God said He will be their God. God also asked Abraham to His covenant and that every male child should be circumcised. Yes, the God of Abraham will be our God as well and He desires that our hearts be circumcised. Today He is our God through Jesus Christ. When we commune with God, He exposes any sin in our life and when we rend our hearts we shall be forgiven and made whole. The blood of Jesus cleanses our hearts and sets us free. We cannot free ourselves by our own deeds or by our own goodness but by Jesus Christ God’s only son are we set free. In Romans 2:29 Paul says, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” What God desires of us is the circumcision of the heart, in the spirit!

At the same time that God established this covenant with Abraham, He promised to give a son unto Abraham through Sarah. Sarai, Abraham’s wife was called Sarah from that point forward. God promised to bless her and give Abraham a son through Sarah. Sarah was going to be a mother of nations and kings of people shall be born from her. Abraham was an hundred years old while Sarah was ninety. For Abraham and Sarah this looked impossible. But, with God all things are possible!

God is a God of all flesh and everything is possible for Him. Human mind cannot perceive, scientists cannot prove, doctors cannot understand but God is all powerful and can do what our feeble minds cannot figure out. He is the Creator of the Universe, the many galaxies, and many planets, asteroids, stars, meteors, comets within each galaxy are positioned in place and everything functions in its right order because the Creator is in control of these. He who controls the Universe is also in control of our body which is intricately made. No matter what, when God establishes a covenant, He keeps it! If today you are claiming a promise of God and that seems impossible to you, just believe and go forward with the promise of God. He keeps His promises. If you are facing a serious trial, know that He will walk you through your trial and provide His amazing grace by covering you under His protective wings. Psalm 91:4 says, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Amen!

Next: Sarah Gave Birth to Isaac

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Jan 12

Eunice and Lois

Biblical Women Comments Off

II Timothy 1:5-6

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Eunice is Timothy’s mother while Lois is his grandmother. These two women always impress me every time I read about their faith. Lois and Eunice had unfeigned faith. “Unfeigned” means sincere and genuine faith. There is no fake representation in such unfeigned faith. This faith is unshakeable and does not get upset no matter how the circumstances look like. This same unfeigned faith that was in Timothy’s grandmother and mother was in Timothy as well. Paul is speaking that he is calling to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in Timothy. Paul addresses Timothy as his dearly beloved son (I Timothy 1:2, II Timothy 1:2). That tells us that Timothy was much younger to Paul. Paul must have enjoyed the goodness of Timothy’s mother and grandmother and so was able to speak of their faith with such an honor. Paul also says that without ceasing he remembers Timothy in his prayers night and day (II Timothy 1:3). These two were united in their mission to teach no other doctrine but that which is good and godly edifying in faith (I Timothy 1:4).

Paul says “wherefore” which means therefore or for this reason! So for the unfeigned faith in Timothy, Paul is asking Timothy to stir up the gift of God which is in him by putting on of Paul’s hands. Stirring up the gift of God is to put the gift of God into action by igniting it with the Spirit of God. In this case putting on of Paul’s hands symbolizes the bestowing of a spiritual responsibility on Timothy by Paul.

I would like to urge us all to consider the unfeigned faith that existed in Eunice and Lois that was found in Timothy. See this unfeigned faith was a wonderful spiritual quality that was inherited by Timothy from his mother and grandmother. Let us also think about the generations to come through us and let us make efforts to set up good examples to our children and grandchildren. Remember: the little eyes observe, the little ears hear, the little hearts ponder, the little hands do, the little legs walk and in no matter of time they would make an impression on people around them. Let us ask the Lord to help us lead exemplary lives completely dedicated for God’s honor and glory in full reverence unto Him and with unfeigned faith!

Next: Michal – Part I

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Dec 22

Mary Visits Elisabeth

Biblical Women Comments Off

Luke 1:39-45

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Mary arose and went to the hill country in haste to a city of Juda. She arose and went there because the angel Gabriel spoke to her about how Elizabeth was with a child. She went in haste to Zacharias’ house and saluted Elizabeth. Mary’s haste signifies her swiftness for Lord’s work. She heard the good news about Elizabeth and could not tarry any longer. Do we have the same swiftness for the glorious work of the Lord? Her saluting Elizabeth shows her respect and honor for Elizabeth. Elizabeth was much older than Mary and her act of salutation shows that she honored her. When Elizabeth heard the salutation the babe leaped in her womb saluting the King of Glory to be born through her. John the Baptist was in Elizabeth’s womb for six months already and John was the one to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. The two honorable mothers had a great love for Lord God and they are eager to see the things spoken by angel Gabriel to come to pass. When we have a vision birthed in us and there is a person who shares the same vision by the Lord for the Lord’s glory, our heart leaps inside us and we will be filled with the Holy Ghost. We do not tarry in the world but move ahead with the Lord’s family in the unity of Spirit for what is birthed in us is divine and we believe what the Lord said will surely come to pass like the way Mary believed.

Elizabeth spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb”. Elizabeth spoke out loud with the power of the Holy Spirit and what she spoke is a reflection of the joy in her heart for she knew the Messiah will be born out of Mary, the blessed among women! When we are filled by Spirit and act under the influence of the Holy Ghost we will be jubilant and radiant. There is absolutely no fear other than the fear of the Lord because we are in the Lord. Isaiah 11:2 says, “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD”. When the Spirit of the Lord rests upon us there is a full measure of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Just observe the holy conversation between these two women and in no way were they saying these words by themselves but by the Lord’s Spirit. Mary would not have proceeded to Elizabeth and saluted her nor would Elizabeth have spoken the blessed words if they were of the world. They were separated unto the Lord and were chosen by God for special purposes. We, as human beings have a purpose for our life that the Lord purposed in His heart for us and when we dedicate our lives unto Him, He will speak unto us about His plan and purpose, He will reveal His holy will for our lives and when we believe He can accomplish that which He has for us, He will complete the work in us and through us just as He did it in the lives of Mary and Elizabeth. Mary and Elizabeth met here by a divine appointment and spoke the words of blessings unto each other and exalted the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ. God’s will and purpose for our lives is only to bring Him the honor and glory. The Spirit of God in us will lead us in the everlasting way, in His will, by His Holy Word to accomplish the Holy Work and finish the race before us!

Next: Mary’s Song

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Nov 30

Jesus Raises the Son of a Widow

Women that Received Physical and Spiritual Healing Comments Off

Luke 7:11-17

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he tht was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

Nain is a city in Galilee and Jesus went into this city and many of His disciples and men followed Him. Wherever Jesus went, His disciples and many men followed Him. Some sought the miracles in their lives and others simply followed Him to hear Him teach and to witness miracles. None that followed were ever let down and they were never disappointed but always were uplifted and encouraged by His power. We who follow Him today will also never be let down and He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Where else can we run to, but to Him who is our refuge and strength for He is our only helper in times of trouble?

When Jesus came near the city gate, He noticed a dead man being carried out and this man was the only son of his mother and she was a widow. She who was a widow must have faced so many troubles in the world already and right now she is suffering the loss of her only son. The heart of this mother must have been really sore and grieving bitterly. So many people from the city were with her. These many people have well done in mourning with this woman in sorrow.

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said unto her, “Weep not”. Our Lord is a God of compassion. When we, His children are filled with sorrow, He is full of compassion unto us and His words to us who are mourning are: “Weep not!” These two words that proceeded out of the Master’s mouth were worthy enough to console a grieving soul. He passed by the city gate and His heart ran out to the woman who needed Him the most. He reaches out to the needy, the suffering and the troubled in a very special way and He wants us to do the same.

He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. He was moved with compassion for this widow and He was not going to let her down and His words were accompanied with mighty acts. He touched the bier and they that carried the coffin stood still. I can only think that the men who carried the bier stood still as they sensed the power of God flowing through the coffin to the corpse inside. He commanded the dead young man to arise. Along with His special touch, He spoke the words of life into this dead man. He that was dead arose and began to speak. The dead man not only did arise at Jesus’ command but also started speaking. The life of the living Lord ran into every part of his body in an instant. Jesus then delivered the young man to his mother. This mother who was grieving moments before, now held her son with full of life and energy. He has power over our life, power over the wind and the sea and power over everything in this universe. He is the God of all creation! When we are filled with awe at the work of His hands, how much more should we wonder when we see Him face to face?

A fear that was godly came upon all that witnessed this miracle and they inevitably glorified God. They thought that a great prophet is risen when in reality He was here to save the entire mankind and provide the everlasting way. They further went on to say that God has visited his people and in fact God has sent His only begotten son so we through Him can have eternal life. They spoke these words because they wondered at His work and were rejoicing not just for the grieving woman but also for themselves because they were glad to be a part of this special visitation. And this rumor of Jesus went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout the entire region round about. The news about Jesus spread like a wildfire throughout the region. When we who have experienced the miraculous hand of God in our life, live out the glorious life of Jesus in us, who will not speak of the power in us? This will make people wonder where we got this special life. Let us live out the victorious life of Jesus here on earth. As I say this, I know the many trials and attacks that befell me; He will help us wade through the trials of life in an amazing way if we simply trust Him. Are you ready to completely trust in Him? The Word of God clearly speaks that Jesus was a walking wonder when He lived here on earth and we with the power of Jesus in us shall be walking wonders to those around us. May the living Lord fill our life with miracles such as these and may we be mighty witnesses of Him and His power!

Tomorrow: Samaritan Woman at the Well – Part I

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