Godly Women

The Most Influencial Woman in my Life: My Mommy


Well I've been MIA for the past couple months so I figured it was time to show the blogsite some love. I finished up my spring semester which has been one of my more difficult ones at Cal Baptist so far. I've been struggling to stay motivated with various aspects of life as I struggle through school. Spring is usually when I burn out each year since I've started college. For some reason there seems to be a pattern of horrible and discouraging professors each spring for me and it takes its toll on my motivation and attitude. So I decided to crank up my quiet time with God and really focus on a subject to study in scripture this year. Usually I depend on formal studies in church groups or discipleship groups for a spritual focus and my quiet time was typically a time of prayer and random flipping through the Bible for encouragement. I decided to give myself a focus in my personal study time as well and I've been going through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation making note of every Godly woman mentioned and see what scripture has to say about them. My Bible is now full of little sticky notes where I jotted down my thoughts on each one (I hate writing in my margins ;). I am so excited about this study and wanted to share what I've learned so far...I'm in I Corinthians now so I'll fill in more later as I go. It's obviously quite a bit of info but if you find the time to read some or any of it, I hope it encourages and blesses you. So many of you girlie friends I look up to for your own example of Godliness and encouragement lived out in your lives and I thank you!

(JUST AN INTRO)

Througout the creation process there is a pattern of: God said...it was...it was good...

He places man in the garden to work it and care for it. And here, for the first time, God says something "is NOT good."

Gen 2:18- "the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper (and GET THIS PEOPLE) who is JUST RIGHT for him.' "

So God brings all the animals to Adam to search for a helper (interesting that he gives Adam a reference point from which to say "hey, none of those creatures are gonna quite do it for me God"). And then God creates a woman.

Gen 2:23- " 'At last!' the man exclaimed." (I love that reaction, I must admit...isn't that what every woman hopes her future husband will say when God presents her to him?)

Notice God gave Adam work to do even before the fall...and created a "helper"(aka another WORKER) ...we were made to work and take care of things.

For some reason that stuck out to me as a perfect intro to a study of Biblical women...creation itself.

(from Eve to...the rest of my list in the order mentioned in scripture)

SARAH-this poor woman had definitely screwed some things up in life but the Lord chooses to bless her! Gen 17:16- "And I will bless her..yes, I will bless her richly..." (for God's glory as the mother of many nations including the line of Christ).

REBEKAH-this precious woman was willing to leave her family and everything she had known to go SERVE the Lord as Isaac's wife...yet again, another blessed mother of many nations. (Gen 24)

DEBORAH-prophet, judged Israel, leader, guide, encourager, singer, and "mother of Israel."(Judges 4-5)

JAEL- "most blessed among women" (sung by Deborah)...what a note to have been made about you in scripture.

Manoah's WIFE (Samson's mother)-God indicates that the woman is held accountable for the health of her baby by how she eats and what she does with her body while she is pregnant...the dedication of her baby to the Lord starts while it is still in the womb.

RUTH-"...wherever you go, I will go, wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God." She's loyal, hard working, thankful, humble, serving, obedient, virtuous ("by reputation"), loving daughter-in-law ("better than 7 sons"), caring, blessed, and a mother (to Obed...line of David/Christ). (Ruth 1:16-) How incredible! I always dreamed of one day leaving my home and family for whoever I marry, but Ruth goes beyond that to serve her mother-in-law as well. Incredible heart!

HANNAH- poured out her heart to the Lord (for children, the desire of her heart). Eli tells her, "be at peace and may God grant the request you asked of Him." (I Samuel 1:10-17). She dedicates her son to God and her "heart rejoices in the Lord."-ch. 2. Scripture seems to point out the significance that women had on the leading men He chose to work through (He intentionally CHOSE Godly women that He used to RAISE their children and help their husbands so that God can use them).

WIDOW at Zarephath-God instructed her, provided for her. She trusted and obeyed. She knew Elijah was a man of God (meaning...she knew what to LOOK FOR). I Kings 17

WOMAN from Shunem-hospitable, welcoming, discerning (Elisha as holy and Godly man...she also knew what resembled a Godly man...How many young women search for Godly men without really knowing what that looks like in today's society?), blessed with a son, God provided for her ;) II Kings 4:8-37...and ch 8

ESTHER- entrusted herself to Mordecai (and government/king), "perhaps you were queen for just such a time as this" (embraces her purpose), she fasts (her household as well), willing to die for God's purposes, she was a planner (wise). Esther 1-9

"A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER"- Proverbs 31...my favorite! A just and righteous woman who is blessed for her hard work and wisdom.

MARY (MOTHER OF JESUS)- what greater priviledge, honor, and responsiblity would that be than to be entrusted with the son of God?, favored woman ("the Lord is with you"), "I am the Lord's servant...", Interestingly when Zechariah asked questions of Gabriel, Gabriel yelled at him and made him mute, but when Mary asks Gabriel questions, he explains gently to her. Luke 1:26-38

Poor WIDOW- Jesus makes a point to call over his disciples and point out how He saw all she gave...she did something worthy enough for Jesus to say, "Hey, look!" Mark 12:41-44

WOMAN with perfume-Jesus says, "she did a good thing to me." Isn't that what we all hope He can say about us? He says, "wherever the good news is preached throughout the world, her good deed will be remembered and discussed"(!) Mark 14

Women CHRIST FOLLOWERS- including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of Jesus), and Salome. "They had been followers of Jesus and had CARED FOR HIM while he was in Galilee." (Mark 15:40-)

MARY MAGDALENE- Jesus appears to her first after He is raised. She's really the FIRST to fulfill the "great commission" by "going out and telling the good news of His resurrection!" (Mark 16: 9-)

ELIZABETH- righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments. (Luke 1:6-)

ANNA- daughter, wife, widow, never left the temple, fasted and prayed as worship. Luke 2: 36-

IMMORAL WOMAN- Jesus recognizes her faith, she brings the very best of herself to him: perfume (the most prized possesion of a prostitute), tears (her emotions...and ladies we know how hard it is to give those over to God), hair (like adorning Him with her own crown), and kisses. Luke 7: 37-

Women CHRIST FOLLOWERS- (among them: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna) I want to be remembered as a "woman who followed Christ." Contributed their own resources to support Jesus and the disciples as they traveled with them. Luke 8: 2-

SUFFERING WOMAN- tried to hide, trembled, fell at His feet, explained to Him. "DAUGHTER, your FAITH, has made you well. GO in PEACE." (Luke 8:43-

MARTHA- welcomed Him into her home, worried and upset over many DETAILS. Luke 10: 38, 40, 41

MARY- sat at the Lord's feet listening, concerned with the ONLY thing worth discovering which is given to her. Luke 10: 39, 42

DAUGHTER of ABRAHAM- crippled, in bondage for 18 years by demon, healed on the Sabbath, PRAISED GOD! Luke 13: 11-

PERSISTENT WIDOW- always pray and never give up, drove the judge crazy, constant requests, even unjust judge granted her justice. "God is just and grants justice quickly, but how many have faith?" Luke 18:1-

WIDOW- Lord give me the heart of the poor widow: TRUSTING, FAITH, HUMILITY, COURAGE. Luke 21: 2-

WOMEN (FRIENDS OF JESUS who had FOLLOWED him from Galilee)- present at His death and followed his body to the tomb, prepared and annointed it, and they rested on the Sabbath. Luke 24: 1-

SAMARITAN WOMAN- Jesus approaches her boldly and with the truth. She witnesses EFFECTIVELY and many believed in Jesus because of what she said! (How powerful to be remembered that way!) John 4:7-

LAZARUS' SISTERS MARY AND MARTHA- notice this (MARY) is the same woman who later poured perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair! (I never noticed that she is the same Mary!) John 11: 1-

JESUS' MOTHER MARY and AUNT MARY (wife of Clopas) and MARY MAGDALENE- were present for his death. "Dear woman..." (He makes sure his mother will be cared for by entrusting her to John).

TABITHA (DORCAS)- a believer, always doing kind things for others and helping the poor and widowed. Acts 9:36

MARY (MOTHER OF JOHN MARK)- the woman who raised John Mark, hospitable, opening her home up for gatherings of prayer. Acts 12:12

LYDIA- Merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshipped God (what a legacy), listened, God opened her heart, accepted Paul's teaching, was baptized, invited them as guests in her home (and urged them to stay). Acts 16: 13

DAMARIS- joined Paul and became a believer. It is interesting that she is named and not just included in his description of "others with them". Acts 17:34

PRISCILLA- Aquilla's wife, Jewish believer, Paul lived and worked with them, she traveled with Paul, "(she) explained the way of God even more accurately.." Acts 18: 18 and 26

Four UNMARRIED DAUGHTERS of Philip- with the gift of prophecy. Interesting that scripture describes people by what their gifts are... and their marital status! (I always hate when someone introduces me and then they mention I'm single... and I'm thinking, "so?" but scripture even does it!) Acts 21:9

PHOEBE- commended by Paul, sister and deacon in the church, "she has been helpful to many, especially (Paul)." Romans 16: 1-

MARY- "worked so hard for your benefit." Romans 16: 6-

RUFUS' MOTHER-she is referred to affectionately as "dear mother..." who was a mother to Paul. (wouldn't you be honored beyond belief if Paul identified you as someone who he considered as his mother?) Romans 16: 13