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Reflecting His Glory! |
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May arrives with flowers blooming and many celebrations including Israel’s Independence Day, and Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is a day to honor all women of valor. Some of us are mothers of physical children and many of us are also mothers of spiritual children. Mother’s Day is a time to be appreciated by those who love us by going out to eat, perhaps being served breakfast in bed, or even by giving beautiful flowers as tokens of love. |
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However, for me Mother’s Day is a time to realize just how important women are to God. When we take on the role of mentoring and discipling other women, in essence we take on the role of mothering. My mother served as a great inspiration to me, especially in my college years when I was a new believer in Messiah. Even though she was new in her faith herself, she modeled for me the importance of studying and memorizing the Scriptures. Additionally, my mother encouraged me to follow the calling that God had placed in my life. I will always be thankful for her prayers for she truly is a woman of valor, a virtuous woman indeed. Proverbs 31:10 raises the question, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” The comparison of a woman to precious jewels indicates the great value of a woman who trusts in God. Furthermore, in Titus 2:3-5, we are given a biblical mandate and the divine blueprint, so to speak, as to how we as women can honor God with our lives. “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored” (Titus 2:3-5). This portion pictures seven qualities that are like a beautifully-faceted diamond. Admittedly, most of us feel more like diamonds in the rough. However, as we yield our hearts and minds to the Lord, He can smooth out the rough edges and polish us. As He pours out His grace into our lives, we can become brilliant gems for Him. The beauty of my life will shine into the lives of others as I reflect His glory and honor. As it says in Proverbs 4:18, “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” As we live out these seven qualities, by God’s grace and enablement, our lives will indeed bring honor to His name, and His Word will not be dishonored. In light of Mother’s Day, I would like to encourage women of all ages and positions to recognize God’s calling for you to be a woman of God and to live out His divine calling in your life. As 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Messiah. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves.”
Let Your Life Shine An earthen vessel is fully functional as long as the light can be seen through it! God created you as a woman and has called you to serve Him. Yield your heart to Him day by day and let Him accomplish His will through your earthen vessel.
Being a Confident Woman Even though we may get older physically, the great news is that our inner self, the eternal being that will live forever, can be renewed with vigor and sustenance each day. We must not allow ourselves to get weary in our efforts to honor God with our lives. Each day we need to spend time with the Lord, depending on Him to understand His character and His Word, so that our inner person, our hearts, and our minds, will be transformed and renewed.
I Am My Beloved’s Through inspiring music, messages from the Word, and small group discussions we deepened in our understanding of our Beloved, and the covenant love that He bestows on us. The Messiah of Israel is the true source of our significance, our security, and our intimacy. All of us came away from this weekend with a renewed sense of enthusiasm to disciple, to mentor other women in our own congregations. When Yeshua meets our needs then we can reach out and meet the needs of those who He has placed in our lives.
A Woman of Valor God has called us to be women of nobility, to be clothed in His dignity and strength. We can praise the Lord with the psalmist and say, “But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head” (Psalm 3:3). When you get up each morning, be sure to dress for success as it says in Job 40:10, “Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity; and clothe yourself with honor and majesty.” Put your attitude under the control of the Holy Spirit of God, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Messiah whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24). Recognize your high calling as a woman: as a wife, as a mother, and as a daughter of the King. When we live in light of eternal values, we realize that it is worth everything to bring honor to our Creator. I pray that you are challenged not only to yield your own life to the Lord, but also to seek to disciple younger women who desperately need a biblical foundation for their lives. Remember that you are a daughter of the King of Kings and a servant of the Most High God. Let your light shine as a beautiful diamond for Him.Y |
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Attention Ladies! You can get the teaching from this article and more in Miriam Nadler's "I am My Beloved's: Growing Deeper in His Covenant Love" CD series! from The 2007 HOI Regional Sisterhood Retreat |
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Could you use a little
encouragement? |
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