A year ago, I was attending a meeting where the esteemed ex-DGP Ravi gave a speech on women. He was quietly listening to everyone (who were talking before his speech) when they told men should stand for women. Then he took the stage and said, "It is women who should be bold and stand for themselves." How true his words were.
I have always admired when women are bold and make a mark with their living. The Bible talks about brave women with the newness (Christ-likeness) that they got in themselves. Let us look at the New Testament women who can teach us a lot.
Can a Godly woman do business and succeed? Here is the example of Lydia. She was from Thyatira. She was a seller of purple. She was introduced to the Gospel by Paul. Verse 14 says, "She was a woman who worshiped God, and the Lord opened her mind to pay attention to what Paul was saying." After she and the people of her house were baptized, she invited us, "Come and stay in my house if you have decided that I am a true believer in the Lord." And she persuaded us to go. She was quite a marvelous woman who persuaded the man of God to trust her faith, and she had a place good enough for them to stay. The key to her remarkable life is that she let God open her mind to the word of God.
Can a woman preach God's word? A lot of people think this is a controversial question. Look at Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchrea, the port of Corinth. In Romans 16:1-2, Paul says of her, "Phoebe our sister, who is the servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also." Next time when we see a woman who works for the Lord, let's us remember Paul's words and honor their service unto the Lord and assist them when they are in need of us.
Meet another quiet, lovely New (a woman in Christ) woman. This is Tabitha, the widow woman who was raised by Peter to life. Not everyone can understand the struggle of widows. The Bible praises and adores this woman of God who displayed nothing but generosity! She was praised for her alms-deeds and good works. She presented nice dresses which she herself made to the women around her. (Acts 9:36 to 43). She was undoubtedly loved and cherished by many.
Here is a mother who was praised by Paul for raising her child by providing not only delicious food but scriptures: it is Eunice, the mother of Timothy. Her husband was a Greek. (2 Timothy 3:15). Paul says of her son as follows: "Ever since you were a child, you have known the holy scriptures." She was praised by Paul for her faith. Are we teaching our kids about scriptures? Are they growing with sound knowledge of God's word? Do they know what salvation, eternity, anointing are? God has entrusted us with the children to raise them to be His generation. May we not get deceived by worldly music and stories and pass it to them. They deserve to know God; our children deserve a godly mother and a godly upbringing. Can people like Paul look at us and say that we have given our children scriptures from their young age?
Meet this woman called Priscilla, who is always mentioned along with her husband. Paul can't talk about them separately as a man and a woman. He appreciated them as one, as a couple. This couple sets an example for us to serve God as husband and wife together. May God give us wisdom like Priscilla to do the work of the Lord with the godly husband that God has given to each of us. May we not stop by enjoying only family outings and tours, but may the men of God see us together in doing God's work.
Dear God, bless us like Lydia to do successful businesses. May we provide shelter for Godly people. May our minds be open to the word of God like hers. May we work for the Lord, like Phoebe labor for Christ, and honor every woman who works for you. May we be like Tabitha, who is remembered for her love in giving others good gifts. May we use our skills to make others joyful. Bless us to be like Priscilla, who was always mentioned along with her husband in serving the Lord. May we be mothers like the mother of Timothy, who raise children with scriptures from their very young age. And above all we thank you for giving us godly mother, grand ma, sister, friends and women of God who continuously inspiring us to live for you . In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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