Book 2 - Day 6 The Shunammite Woman

            There could never be enough money to heal a wounded heart.  There could never be enough friends to replace the loss of a child.  There could never be enough “stuff” to replace a broken spirit.  For one woman in the bible, her name unknown except for the Shunammite Woman, her hospitable heart, love for God’s travelers and her open arms for those in ministry brought a well known prophet to her home. Even though her love for those in need, her generosity spoke volumes and her wealth enabled her to do many good deeds, only the faith and belief in God could save her dying son.

            Galatians 6:6 scribes, “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.” This Shunammite woman shared all her good things with the prophet Elisha.  “One day Elisha went to Shunem.  And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal.  So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.  She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.  Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him.  Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.’” (2 Kings 4:8-11).

            Lydia was as gracious to the Apostle Paul after receiving her baptism in Philippi, “When she (Lydia) and all the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.  ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.” (Acts 16:15)  After Paul and Silas were released from prison, the Lord led these men to Lydia’s house where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. (Acts 16:40) The Lord’s servants work hard and need refreshment. 

Elisha was very gracious and thankful for the hospitality of the Shunammite woman. I love how 2 Kings 4:11 reads, “One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there.” The hospitality this woman offered God’s prophet was full of love, comfort, warmth and ease.  Elisha knew this was his room, his place to rest when he came to Shunem and felt completely at ease.  So at ease and thankful, he sends his servant to call the woman and sees something she lacks, a son. This sweet, generous woman was barren.

The next year, joy like no other is experienced by this Shunammite woman, she gives birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her (2 Kings 4:17).  Celebration and praise, I am sure, enveloped this woman and all who knew her.  God had granted her a son in this couples old age because of the kindness given to his prophet.  “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 1:9, Isaiah 64:4).

As the child grew, a tragedy occurs, sickness. The child complains about his head and is taken to his mother where he dies in her arms.  Calmly, purposefully and quietly she lays her precious son on the man of God’s bed, shuts the door and goes to find Elisha (2 Kings 4:21).  “She called her husband and said, ‘Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go the man of God quickly and return.’ Her husband replies, ‘Why go to him today? It’s not the New Moon or the Sabbath?’ This Shunammite woman did not tell her husband, was not stricken with grief or racked with sorrow.  She knew who could bring this little boy back and she was on a mission to find him.

“She saddled the donkey and said to her servant, ‘Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.’ So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.  When he saw her in the distance, the man of God said to his servant, ‘Look! There’s the Shunammite! Run to meet her and ask her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child alright?’” 

Her reply will never cease to amaze me.  “Everything is all right.” she said.  This is the faith we need in the church!  This is the faith I seek after no matter the circumstances I am experiencing.  Paul shook the church when he announced to the Philippians, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in ANY and EVERY situation, where well fed or hungry, whether in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13). Everything is all right, God is in complete control!

After praying to the Lord, Elisha calls for the Shunammite woman and gives the mother her son.  Falling at his feet, humbling herself before this man of God, we should do the same before our King of Kings. “Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6).  All of those who fell on their knees before Christ were healed.  The woman who bled for twelve years clawed her way through the crowd to touch his cloak (Luke 8:43-44).  Blind Bartimaeus screamed to be heard over the crowd, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (John 18:35-42, Mark 10:46:52). The sinful woman who washed Christ’s feet with her tears was forgiven (Luke 7:36-50).  I know not all those who are sick will be healed; I know that not all of those seek the Lord for answers will receive what they so desire, but I do know where you can receive comfort, restoration of a broken heart and understanding from loosing a loved one. 

Jesus understands your pain.  At the death of Lazarus, after seeing and feeling the pain of loss of those he loved, the bible says, “Jesus wept.”  God understands your pain through the death of his one and only son, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).

 I love the Christian faith because we have a God who understands.  I love the Christian faith because our Savior understands all we go through.  I love this story from 2 Kings because the Shunammite woman had faith to move mountains.  She did not panic, she did not counsel ever person on her Facebook account.  She did not call all of her relatives to complain or grieve.  This Shunammite woman ran to the one she knew could help her son.  As Hannah ran to the Temple and prayed to the Living God, we should run to our High Priest seeking Truth, comfort and faith in the One who Saves. 

Let us pray and CONFESS the Word to the Living God;

Father,

            I desire faith to move mountains (Matthew 17:20).  I desire to know you and the power of your resurrection.  I am thankful I have a High Priest who knows all of my afflictions, temptations and understands (Hebrews 4:15).  I am thankful I can come boldly to the throne of grace and lay my petitions at your cross (Hebrews 4:16).  Help me to be a woman who practices hospitality (Romans 12:13).  Help me to open my arms to the church, to those who need rest and selflessly give to those who instruct me in the Word (Galatians 6:6). 

            For those I know who are sick, I pray for the healing of _____________________.  I believe you will give him/her the comfort of knowing you are in complete control.  I pray you will give us wisdom on this illness, what doctors to see and medications to take.  If you choose to not heal this person by your hand, then I pray as the Apostle Paul to be content in all situations and to know we can do all things through Christ who strengths us (Philippians 4:12-13). 

            Father if now is the time for ___________________ to pass on into your presence, I pray for the Comforter, the peace that surpasses understanding and to heal my broken heart.  Thank you I can come to you for prayer.  Thank you I believe in something greater than myself. I praise you for your goodness and I praise you Lord for having a plan. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray, Amen.

Book 2 - Day 5 Jehosheba

Grabbing the baby and frantically running through the corridors towards the Temple, Jehosheba’s anxiety was at an extreme high.  Hearing the screams and rage coming from behind her, she focused on the task at hand.  Holding the baby close to muffle any cries, Jehosheba motioned for the baby’s nurse to hurry and follow her. 

“When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.  But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered.  She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed.  He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.”         

Athaliah, a murderer and wicked woman who encouraged her son in “wrong doing” (2 Chronicles 22:3), thought she had annihilated the royal linage of King David, but she was mistaken.  God always has a plan and will always triumph.  This prideful, arrogant woman was no match for another who loved the Lord and followed after his ways.  Good verses Evil, hate versus love, wicked versus righteousness and pride versus humility.  Jehosheba ran to the very place, the place Hannah ran for comfort, the place were our High Priest sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us (Hebrews 8:1-2), the Temple of the Lord.  Where else would you place a baby far away from wicked hands, but in the “secret place of the Most High” (Psalm 91:1).

Jehosheba reminds me of Mordecai’s words to Queen Esther, “Do not think because you are in the king’s house you along of all the Jews will escape.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” God will not let his people perish.

For six years, the young prince Joash remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord while a wicked woman ruled.  Christian, the bible never promises life without persecution or hatred, but on the contrary our Lord and Savior said we are to expect it and receive it with great joy, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12).

            I can only imagine what those six years were like.  Having to keep this child hidden, think of Jehochbed, from people who would intent him harm, to hide an infant, a child locked away from prying eyes and gossiping mouths, must have had Jehosheba on and her husband on high alert.  I am sure there were “sheep in wolves clothing” ready to messenger the latest uprising, gossip and revolt up to Athaliah.  Six years of praying, fasting and believing the Lord for protection and safety.  Six years of waiting for the right time to announce who the rightful king was.  Six years of private conversations, praying these men who stood beside Jehoiada the priest, Jehosheba’s husband, would not betray them or King David’s heritage.  How long are you willing to wait for the Lord?  Are you willing to stand up against evil, in such a time and season as this for our Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you Jehosheba?

            Joash was seven years old when he began to reign (2 Kings 11:21).  He reigned in Jerusalem forty years and did what was right in the Lord’s eyes instructed by Jehoiada the priest (2 Kings 12:1-2).  “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6).  Joash was trained in the way of the Lord and God’s eyes approved.  Because of one woman’s bravery, because of one woman’s quick thinking, because of one woman willing to risk her life for the Lord, for truth and righteousness, good conquered evil.  One woman. 

            I pray that I can be as Jehosheba.  I do not want to be afraid of those who can harm the body, but not kill the soul, for as Christ said, “Do not be afraid of them.  There is nothing concealed that will to be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.  What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.  Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:26-28).

            Christian, we are living in a time where many desire to silence the church.  We are living in a time where there is no prayer in school for our children and where many refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance for not to offend someone with the verse, “Under God”.  We are living in a time were Christians are being persecuted, killed, imprisoned and silenced because of the Gospel.  America is in a state of “luke-warmness”.  Where is the outrage of these atrocities? Where are the Christians who children attend public school campaigning for prayer? Where are the Christians who desire worship and praise instead of “ungodly, twerking, scantily clothed” concerts? Where are these Christians?  I pray your reputation precedes you as a Christian who spreads the Gospel, is unashamed to stand with Christ, who picks up her Cross daily and lives for a High Priest. 

            Do not think you are the only one.  As I write, I am reminded of what the Lord spoke to the prophet Elijah, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouth have not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18).  Pray to the Lord for those who will stand with you, pray with you, encourage you and desire this same precious seed to spread.  I plead with you Christian, do not compromise and succumb to the world.  It may look like there is no hope, but our God is a very big God.  We serve Maker of Heaven and Earth, Jehovah Jirah, El-Shaddai, Adonai, and the Great I AM!  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Fight the good fight and be as Jehosheba in faith, spread the Gospel and Truth of Jesus of Nazareth.

Let us Pray and CONFESS the Word of the Living God;

Adonai,

            I call on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Maker of Heaven and Earth and the Father of a Savior Jesus Christ.  The Christ said whatever I ask for in faith will be given unto me if I continue to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8).  I desire to ask as Solomon, Father I seek wisdom.  I desire the wisdom to fight this battle against righteousness and Truth.  I desire the wisdom to remember Scripture when I am confronted “worldly” attitudes, the love as Christ to share with all people and the belief you will give me the words to say when I need to say them.

            I do not want to be afraid of what others will say or do for we do not have a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). I know 1 John 4:18 writes, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Continue to strengthen me so I am unashamed, unafraid and bold in love for the Gospel.

            Praise you Lord for your protection. I praise you Lord I can dwell in the secret place of the Most High, finding rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  You are my refuge, my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.  I know you will save me from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  I know you will cover me with your feathers, and under your wings I will find refuge; your faithfulness will be my shield and rampart.  I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  Lord, a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near me. 

            I will make the Most High my dwelling, the Lord who is my refuge, and no harm will befall me, no disaster will come near my tent.  For you will command your angels concerning me to guard me in all my ways and they will lift me up in their hands so that I will not strike my foot against stone.  Lord you will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent!  I know the bible says, “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91). Praise God! In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray, Amen!

Book 2 - Day 4 The Israelite Women

 Having one foot in the “world” and one foot in the Christian life is not going to work.  You are straddling a line; a very fine line.  The pull of addictions, sexual desires and thoughts, power, prestige, or money can draw many to backslide from their faith.  I will admit, I have and not just once I might add.  I have fallen many times.  The Book of Proverbs pens, “…for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again….” (Proverbs 24:16).  You will backslide, you will fall and you will feel guilt if you truly desire to know God and have a relationship with him.  After the fall, backsliding and guilt, you have a decision to make.  Will you get back up? Is Christ worth fighting for?

            Great men and women have fallen.  The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans, “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.  I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
                So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” (Romans 7:14-25). 
            The great apostle had a problem with anger.  According to his own words, “I persecuted the followers of the Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify.  I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.” (Acts 22:4-5) This is the same man who wrote the most beautiful scriptures on love in 1 Corinthians 13.  How can this be? How can one have a murderous personality changed and redeemed to love the very ones who persecuted him? Through the love of Jesus Christ!
            “Therefore, we have a great High Priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

 My heart’s desire is for Christians to live for eternity.  What we do on this earth will determine our future.  I do not want to stand before the great I AM and explain why I did what I wanted to do.  I do not want to stand before Jesus Christ and give an account of why I did not do what he asked me to; why I chose my own flesh over his plan and purpose for me or why I was too afraid to stand for the Truth over the world.  I refuse to let that happen.

When the Israelites were tired of waiting on Moses, who was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, these ungrateful, former slaves decided to melt the gold received from the exodus from which God delivered them from and made their own idol to worship.  Sounds weird doesn’t it? It really is not too far off from where we are today.

Today, people worship those who have money, have “celebrity” status, monetary treasures, pleasure and self-fulfillment.  That golden calf was no more going to move those Israelites from the base of the mountain than these movies stars, who we dare to imitate, would sit and have lunch with “us”.  The golden calf was a statue and could never give the Israelites what they truly needed: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).  That statue was not going to provide for them when things got challenging and neither are those who have celebrity status, drugs, money or pornography.  That statue was not going to comfort them in their darkest hours during a depression, divorce, loss of relative or loss of a dream, neither will any “celebrity”, drug, alcohol, money or sexual enticement many worship. 

Why do we spend so much time on things that will never give us what we truly need in return?  That television is a black box; anything can come out of it and people willingly allow whatever into their spirit and worship.  “I can’t miss my nightly show.”  “I can’t read the bible, I might miss….” “I can’t go to church, ________ is on tonight.” Have we truly lost all sense? 

Sister, you have to purposefully prepare your heart for action (1 Peter 1:13).  You have to get up everyday and proclaim to keep your eyes focused on things above and not below (Colossians 3:2). If you choose to follow the world, then prepare to be marginalized.  Christian, be prepared to let the world to tell you what to wear, be prepared to let the world take control of your children, prepare yourself to follow the “next big thing”, follow the next dance craze or be prepared to follow others down for you will have no voice, no individualism or dream. 

The world will consume and swallow you. God’s judgment on the Israelite people was to swallow them in the Earth, just as we are swallowed in the ways of the world.  Sin is enticing, but deadly.  The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).  I have a friend whose husband left her for another woman.  He moved to a different state and sees his sons twice a year.  Random phone conversations can be more heartache than good.  I am sure this man never once thought how those two boys must feel everyday when they see other father’s with their sons.  The swallowing of the world encourages people to “get mine” leaving a wake of sadness, broken hearts and pain behind them.  These boys have not a father to wake up to.  They have not had a father to spend holidays with, nor celebrate one on Father’s Day.  My heart has broken for them for many years, and I know there are more of these broken hearts.

Sister, do not make for yourself an idol. Sin is like yeast, a little can permeate the whole dough.  It is the same parallel to our lives.  If you take pornography or sexual gratification, opening the door will propel you down some dark stairs.  Your body may respond to a movie with no nudity, but the enemy will quicken the desire to see nudity.  When you’ve seen all the “nudity” your eyes can see, then you have to actions with the nudity.  Once you’ve seen enough actions, then the flesh, your eyes want to see something else.  Our culture has been desensitized and is moving to some very vile and degrading things.  “The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.” (Psalm 12:8).

            Christian, you have all you need in Christ to pick yourself back up, repent and move on.  The Lord understands all temptations, but you have to acknowledge you need help. A scripture to repeat daily is, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).  The first step is admitting there is a problem such as, “I watch too much television.” “I am addicted to food and overeating.” “I am addicted to drugs or alcohol.” “I can help put shop and spend all my money.” “I watch pornography or sexual images when my spouse is away.” “I have ungodly thoughts of other men.” These are typical answers we respond with, areas where many fall.  1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

            God will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). He will help you through any and all things if you so desire.  Jesus asked many people the question, “What do you want?” That would be my question to you, “What do you want?” Do you want a life stricken to the world, following it’s ever changing desires and philosophies or do you want to follow Christ, his plan and purpose for which you were created? I pray you let go of the idols in your life.  If you have backslidden, walked away from the church, I plead with you, pray these prayers with me and pray to the Lord for healing and Truth.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not let “man’s” interpretation of life and fulfillment dictate your own life and purpose.  I promise, “man’s” agenda is to always benefit him at your expense.

Let us pray and CONFESS the Word of the Living God;

Father,

            I have sinned.  Forgive me for backsliding, believing I can do this thing called life on my own.  Forgive me for doubting you and the plan set forth before me.  Forgive me for thinking the world has all the answers.  Have mercy on me, Father, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  Please, wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.  I know my transgressions and my sin are always before me.  Against you, and you alone, I have sinned and have strayed, but you are proved right when you judge.  You desire truth in the inner most parts, so teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

            Cleanse me with the hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. I desire to hear joy and gladness! Create in me a pure heart, Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take you Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

            I desire to teach others your way and for sinners to turn back to you.  Save me from unrighteousness and my tongue will sing your praises! Open my lips and my mouth to declare your praise for I know you do not desire burnt offerings, but a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you will never despise (Psalm 51:1-17).  You’ve heard my cry and lifted me out of the pit, the mud and the mire.  You’ve set my feet on a rock, the Lord Jesus Christ, and gave me a firm place to stand.  Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud or the world (Psalm 40:2-4).

          Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness, the strength to all things through your Son (Philippians 4:13) for I know that I am a new creation in Christ; the old has passed and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Thank you for a new vision for my future and for not leaving me in my past mistakes.  Praise you Lord! In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray, Amen.

Book 2 - Day 3 Shiphrah and Puah

I want to write you a story.  This story begins with a group of people who were blessed by God and began to multiply with children, family, worship and praise.  When the world looks onto God’s blessings, fear rises in the hearts of men.  When man’s greed for power consumes him, stopping at nothing including death, bondage and suffrage to achieve his desire, man will do anything for his pride, power and control.  “The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.” (Psalm 12:8).

            “Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them.  Then the new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. ‘Look’, he said to his people, ‘the Israelites have become much too numerous for us.  Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.’

            So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly.  They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly.

            The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, ‘When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.’ The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.  Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them ‘Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?’

            The midwives answered Pharaoh, ‘Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.’ So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.” (Exodus 1:8-21).

            No matter what man’s heart says, the bible says and God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). The Word of the Living God says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139: 13-16). I love this Psalm, for I am hand made, hand knitted together and formed by the very hands of God. I have a purpose and a plan, for the Lord has ordained my life for me.  So when man attempts to tell me I am here by some random chance, making a “life” a “person” ordinary, unimportant and disposable; my spirit sings to the Lord and I declare, “How precious to me are the thoughts of God! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.” (Psalm 139:17-18). I am a well thought out, purposefully made, no one like me, fingerprinted unique and picked for this time and this season.  God is amazing!

            If we come to think of man as wonderfully made, formed by the hands of God, or become as Shiphrah and Puah, fearing the Lord, “embryos”, children, babies, infants or people have a different meaning.  If we start our thinking by the Word of God, as these midwives did, there would be more children in the world.  My heart aches for the midwives, doctors or specialists who encourage the “Pharaoh” mentality.  If the baby does not suit your needs, you became “accidently” pregnant or if the timing isn’t right, the consequences can be easily disposed of.  How sad and heartbreaking is that thought?

            What a beautiful job you have if the Lord has given you the gifts and talents to be an obstetrician, midwife or nurse.  The desire you have to bring out the life from the “secret place” were in only nine months, a person is formed, can be thought of as nothing short of a miracle.  What a blessing you are to society, mothers, families and the baby coming in to the world.  You truly have a gift.  My prayer is that gift is used for God’s purposes and not man’s desires. 

            Life is precious, beautiful and exciting.  God has given woman the gift of forming a life in her womb.  If we sit long enough to think exactly what is happening, the growth, the formation, the purpose this child has, the short amount of time for development, the milestones of everything forming to make the body work is a miracle! All the intricate components of the heart beat, eyes to see, hears to hear, the nerves to feel and receive touch and the brain to process it all is amazing! And some believe this is all by random chance or accident? My sister, if you believe life is that worthless, that disposable, and that random with no meaning but all by chance, you are truly deceived.

            If your heart desires to know more, to seek the Truth about life, where we come from, how it all started, then I encourage you to pray.  Ask the Lord to show you any deception, where has the world crept into your thoughts or spirit? Does your belief come from a reverential fear of the Lord, knowing you are wonderfully made, or man’s agenda for what he wants? My heart’s desire is for women to think; to think how beautiful, how marvelous our bodies are and be amazed at the capability God gave us to bring life in to this world never taking that capability for granted or misusing our body for fear of what people will say. 

            I love these midwives feared the Lord and he blessed them. Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28). We are not to fear man, but fear the one who destroyes both our body and spirit.  The midwives may have feared Pharaoh, but they feared the Lord more.  I pray you are not easily swayed by this world’s ways, for world’s rules always have some agenda to benefit a “Pharaoh”.

            If God has given you the opportunity to promote life, then I pray you use this platform, gift and job to fulfill that call on your life.  Encourage these young women, each are a child of the Most High, a gift from above, special, unique and so is their child they carry.  I pray this encourages you, makes you think about your own purpose and your life.  Do you believe God formed you to be you? Do you believe the very hands of Maker of Heaven and Earth molded you exactly the way you are or do you believe life is random, ordinary, and disposable? Once we too fear the Lord, our outlook on life, the womb and women will change.  Remember my sister, you ARE fearfully and wonderfully made.

           

Let us pray and CONFESS the Word of the Living God:

Adonai,

            You created my inmost being; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you Lord, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me are written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:13-16).

            Before you formed me in the womb, I know you knew me and set me apart (Jeremiah 1:5).  Remind me the body is for the Lord; this is your temple and how special I truly am to you (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:13). I know that I was chosen before the creation of the world began to be holy and blameless in your sight, predestined to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5).  I believe the body and spirit are precious in your sight.  Made in the depth of secrecy to be formed and molded into your image and the image of Jesus Christ.  Help me to know how much you love me and the purpose for which I was created.

            If my purpose has been to deliver your precious gifts, then Father, give me the knowledge to encourage these mothers, help them through their labor and deliveries giving each of your children the love they deserve.  Remind me everyday how precious life is, that it is sustained by your very hand and breath (Psalm 18:35, 146:9).  I praise you Lord for your creativity, for every unique individual, for every child born unto you and the purpose for which you have set before each one of them.  Help me to learn more, to encourage mothers who may have the desire to abort your children, give me the words to comfort and to be unashamed of the Gospel before man (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).. 

            My heart’s desire is to protect the innocent, the ones who can not speak for themselves (Isaiah 1:17).  Show me where I can use my gifts to educate, to love, to encourage and to give to women who do not understand the depth of abortion.  I will open my arms and heart to them.  I desire to show them the love of Jesus Christ and spread the Gospel through any means possible including counseling those who have had abortions. Thank you for the opportunity to use my gifts and talents for you.  Help me to find favor in your eyes as Shiphrah and Puah.  In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray, Amen!

Book 2 - Day 2 Rebekah

The women of the bible are interesting. I enjoy studying these women for their strength, their courage, their testimonies and the situations where each rose to the occasion before her.  Rebekah is a fascinating woman.  I find it intriguing how she would in full confidence go to marry a man she knows nothing about.  I find her servant’s heart admirable and her desire to seek the Lord encouraging.  Rebekah was hand chosen by God for Isaac; born and molded perfectly to fit his personality, body and spirit.  God had a plan for this young woman, for out of Rebekah’s son would bring a nation of the Lord’s people.

            In young Rebekah’s journey, her story begins with faith.  Faith in Abraham for his servant to bring back a wife, Eleazar’s faith to find the wife, Laban and Bethuel’s faith in God to send Rebekah to Isaac, and Rebekah’s faith to pack up and leave to an unknown land.  Our God desires our faith.  Rebekah mimics Abraham’s call to “leave your household and your father’s land to the land which I am giving to you.” Blindly Abraham goes and blindly Rebekah follows the promptings of the Lord.

            We first see Rebekah getting water for her family towards the cool of the evening.  Answering the call to serve, a stranger asks for a drink of water. She willingly gives the unknown man a drink from her jug and offers to feed his animals.  A servant’s heart God has given her, Rebekah generously gives of her time to a stranger.  This reminds me of Hebrews 13:2, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it”, for in a sense, she was entertaining an angel.  Genesis 24:7, “…to your offspring I will give this land, he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there.”

            Rebekah, beautiful, young, a virgin, and a sweet servant, was God’s answer to Abraham’s prayer and Isaac’s broken heart from his mother’s death.  She willingly left her father’s house to meet the man she would marry.  I am sure exceedingly excited with anticipation for her future husband, Rebekah would indeed marry a man who loved her greatly, but she would also feel the heartache of a barren womb.

            Just as her mother-in-law before her, Rebekah would spend twenty years seeking, praying and believing for children.  I’m sure witnessing births, just as Sarah, Rebekah longed for a family of her own.  In the time deemed by God as right, this beautiful servant became pregnant.  Although exceptionally thrilled with the pregnancy, Rebekah is concerned with the “jostling” of the babies in her womb (Genesis 25:22).  And this is what I love about Rebekah the most, “So she went to inquire of the Lord.” (Genesis 25:22).  “The Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’” (Genesis 25:23). Remember this bit of information, for it will come in handy when the “babies” are of age to receive Jacob’s blessing.

            The two boys could not be more different.  Esau, a hunter, mighty, strong and prideful, had his father’s favor for Isaac loved the game his son brought to him.  Jacob, a homebody, witted, secretive, schemer and manipulator, had his mother’s favor for he was the exact opposite of Esau.  Esau had also taken “foreigners” as his wives, Hittite women. Esau was a “worldly” man, who enjoyed the fruits of God’s bounty including women, food and self pleasures.  Remember, Esau was the one who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup.  His desire for immediate gratification reminds us he lacks self-control, the importance of his spiritual blessing and duties to his family.  His lack of self-control desired women his mother detested! “Then Rebekah said to Isaac, ‘I’m disgusted with living, because of these Hittite women.  If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women, like these, my life will not be worth living.”

            For Rebekah, yes, she favored Jacob, but remember what the Lord had told her regarding these two boys, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger that the other, and the older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23). As Mary treasured all the things surrounding the birth of Christ in her heart, Rebekah treasured the Lord’s words and kept them in her heart.  I am sure she was reminded daily of Esau’s abrasive attitude toward the family.  I am sure Rebekah watched as Esau become more and more entrenched with the world around him. 

I believe after taking the women as his wives, Rebekah had had enough.           

            Encouraging a son to deceive his father is ungodly, but the circumstance around Esau receiving Jacob’s blessing and giving the “inheritance” to ungodly, pagan women was more than Rebekah could allow.  We all know the rest of the story, but the “deception” many portray Rebekah to play is somewhat unfair.  The Lord gave her a word of knowledge regarding the two men; the older would serve the younger.  Oddly, this seems a theme in the Old Testament.  Joseph received the same dream regarding his brothers bowing before him, while God chose David, the runt of the family to serve as King.  Moses was also the younger sibling who was called a friend of God and used to deliver his people from bondage and Jacob blessed the younger of Joseph’s two sons when he in turn blessed his own family.

            As Christian women, what can we digest from Rebekah?  I believe we are to walk by faith and not by sight, to obediently following the promptings of the Lord when asked to “go and tell” and train our children in the way they should go and when they are older, they will not depart from it.  Rebekah walked by faith, leaving her family in to the family of God’s chosen.  We except Christ as our Savior and leave the desires of the world for the desires of God’s heart.  As Christian women, we are pray as Rebekah and “inquire” of the Lord.  She knew something was different about the pregnancy and just as Hannah ran to the High Priest, Rebekah sought the Lord for answers.  When our hearts inquire of knowledge, we are to seek the Lord’s will and not our own.

            Rebekah’s story is one of service, prayer and hope.  She had a servant’s heart as we are to serve the Lord.  She was a barren woman, as many before her, but continued to pray to the Lord for a blessing.  Christian, we are to never give up hope, but be as the persistent widow in the Gospel of Luke, always seeking the Living God, his plan and purpose for our lives, treasuring all the Lord gives us in our hearts.  I pray her story blesses you today.  I pray you “inquire” of the Lord, seek his face, anoint him with your prayers, never give up hope for change in Christ and believe God will work out all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). 

Let us pray and “inquire” of the Living God, the same God Rebekah “inquired” of!

Father,

            I desire the heart of a servant.  I know my attitude should be the same as Christ’s for it is written, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).

            I pray to be quickly obedient and submissive to the plans and purpose you have for me.  May I be a loving wife who holds her husband with great esteem.  May I be a mother who will “inquire” of the Lord when questions arise with the children.  I pray to train them in the way they should go and when they are older, they will never depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

            I pray for the faith that can move mountains.  I pray to know you and the power of the Cross.  I pray to boldly stand for the Christian faith, no matter the persons present or the obstacles that appear in the way. I will treasure, as Mary and as Rebekah, all these things in my heart.  I thank you for listening to my prayers.  I thank you I can “inquire” of the Lord anytime I want, need and desire to spend time with my King.  In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray, Amen.

Book 2 - Day 1 Jochebed

 He was a beautiful baby.  Her heart leaped every time she would look down at those precious features.  He was different; her spirit knew something was different about this little boy.  In the quiet of the night, she gazed upon such innocence, such peace, such pleasure and a small smile spread generously across her face.  This one would be a strapping young man, as his need to feed was relentless.  Jochebed did not mind as it was one of the ways she quieted his little spirit with those soft caresses, warm milk and her heart beat close to his head. 

The smile faded from her mouth as his little eyes closed, full from the warm liquid supplied by his mother, lips pursed and head falling gently to the side, satisfied with a full meal, Jochebed knew tomorrow what was to come.  Her eyes glanced at the basket in the corner which lay in wait; suddenly she was filled with an overwhelming sadness and the tears began to flow.  Only the God of Israel could make her put this precious baby in crocodile infested waters.  “Lord, please, let no harm come to this child.” Determined not to wake the boy, Jochebed held him close, as close as she could, for this night would be over to quickly and he would be gone.

Moses’ mother is mentioned in the book of Exodus.  Exodus 2 describes the events of Moses’ birth, his family as Levites and the miraculous unfolding of God’s plan for this child, while Exodus 6:20 reveals her name as Jochebed.  There can be several ways to describe this woman: loving, faithful, devoted, courageous, hopeful and brave are just a few.  I would definitely describe her as courageous, for hiding a newborn baby would a tremendous task.  Just the knowledge of others knowing she was pregnant and then looking on wondering, “Where’s the baby?” could keep anyone on guard. 

Obviously she was a loving and devoted mother who wanted nothing more than to keep this gift given to her.  I’m not sure she was the first woman to put her baby in a basket in hopes of the child’s safety, but the hope and faith in placing a three month old in a papyrus, tar and pitch is strength only the Lord can give.  The more I read, study and write about these women, their testimonies and the challenges each faced, especially with their little ones, the strength to do the very things they did, is amazing! My heart cried out as read this imagining my little Maddie, who looked like an angel, holding her for three months, feeding, loving and caring for her, then praying for the power to place her in a basket in hopes she would be found in reptile swarmed waters is unbearable to think about. Jochebed had no choice, she was in bondage.

Moses’ mother was a slave.  Driven daily by scourging whips or ruthless commands, pressed on all sides to carry loads not fit for humans to endure and hopeless to a life of death, chains and bondage, Jochebed’s life is in desperate need of a savior. I am sure the Hebrews prayed for someone to stand for righteousness, the poor and oppressed, giving life to those who have no life.  Jochebed is a slave to the ungodly, the Egyptians; she is a slave to building their monuments, their wealth and their freedoms. 

Living under such scrutiny, the fear of being found with a Hebrew child could have resulted in death.  The fear of living under watchful eyes, working under inhuman conditions, while praying your newborn to be quiet and safe had to be unimaginable.  But we have to remember, at times, fear and faith go hand in hand.  To fearfully step out in faith when we can not see with the physical eye, is trusting God completely.

Making or getting a basket of papyrus, a weed that grew along the Nile in abundance, carefully coating the case with tar and pitch, Jochebed used her gifts, talents, wit and love to place this little boy along the reeds of the Nile River. As a slave, I am sure the Hebrews were well aware of the Egyptian’s practices and schedules.  Jochebed was not a naive woman.  She did not place the basket with her baby boy at some random section of weeds by hopes he would be found.  I am sure she knew the character of the Egyptians and their families.  Maybe knowing the Princess who found Moses would have the heart to take him, Jochebed placed the infant in the exact spot where the Princess habitually bathed by the river.  This was by no means random or an accident.  

Hearing the lustful cries coming from the basket and sending one of her slave girls to get it, the Princess recognizes the boy as a Hebrew baby. Unable to dispose of the infant, her heart, instead, feels sorry for him (Exodus 2:5-6).  Miriam, Moses’ sister, who watched as her mother placed her brother in the reeds, followed behind to see what would happen to him (Exodus 2:4).  Speaking boldly, unable to contain her excitement of the Noblewoman taking interest in her brother, she asks, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”  The Scriptures are silent as to whether the Princess knew Miriam, for the child spoke to her as if having done so before.   As a child slave, she brazenly took the initiative to offer a solution that was against Pharaoh’s orders and the Princess agrees!

Only by an act of God could this possibly play out.  The coincidences are too rare, unheard of and impossible to comprehend.  The kindness and generosity of an Egyptian to a slave girl, let alone to pay a slave to feed the baby and agree to take him as hers is unfathomable.  Not only is the Princess in direct disobedience to her Father, how is she going to justify having a young toddler and raising a Hebrew in Pharaoh’s Palace? By the hand of God, with his creative, powerful and all knowing ingenuity, the Lord opens doors that no man can close (Revelation 3:8)!

Jochebed is given her gift once more.  She holds her little one, overwhelmed by the grace of God; sheer happiness and pleasure to nurse, hold and love this boy once again.  The Hebrew slave is obedient to the Princess, grateful and thankful for her generous heart, but knowing the boy would have a far better life in the Palace. Jochebed takes the child back to the Princess when he is weaned. 

 This is an amazing bit of God’s history, but remember all of his history points to his son Jesus Christ.  Jochebed can represent all people under slavery to sin.  She was oppressed on all sides, so are the ones who obey the desires of the world.  Many are blind fully unaware of their spiritual depravity, but each are aware of the pressures this world can throw at us.  The world is challenging to live in without the peace of God in our hearts.  Society will want to break you, have you chained in following what it wants and you will submit.  Just as Jochebed, fearfully and hopefully, broke away from her chains and believed in something bigger, we are to break away from the world and come into the family of God. 

            Our old way of life, slave to sin and society’s ever changing values could drive any person to the edge.  A heart that longs to be different, a heart that desires much more than this life, a heart that seeks after something bigger than itself will find Christ.  As Moses was “drawn out of the water”, we too are baptized, drawn out of the water as Christians and new believers, slave to sin no more.  We are now living in the Palace!

There is such hope in the Christian faith.  You can find joy in the most depressing situations, have the peace that surpasses understanding, know all things work for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose, and believe the Lord will use what the enemy has tried to destroy for good (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20). The Christian faith is exciting; we never know what the day will bring when we pray to be a blessing to those around us.  The Christian faith is trusting God to provide, having a hope in something we can not see, but know that it is there.  The Christian faith is believing there is more to eternity than darkness; the Christian faith is believing you have a purpose and plan, you have gifts and talents God can use and all things work together for good!

This Christian faith encourages us to seek the Living God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, to communicate with the Almighty and worship Jesus as the King of Kings! This Christian faith is powerful, making what seems impossible, possible.  This Christian faith is alive and I pray your walk with the Lord is exciting, growing in spiritual truths, abounding more in love and determined to run your race fanning the flame within.  For just as Jochebed, God will use anyone with a willing heart, a loving spirit and those seek his face! Praise the Lord!

Let us Pray and CONFESS the Word of the Living God.

El Shaddai, God Almighty,

            I am thankful for the women in the bible I can study. I am thankful I can read, meditate and pray on your Word daily.  I am grateful for the testimonies of the women you used in mighty ways.  My heart is full knowing I to can be used in a mighty way for your kingdom.  I know you have a plan and purpose for me, for my children and our family.  I know there is power in the Holy Spirit and the Resurrected Lord and I lay claim to the promises written for all Christians. 

            I know all things work together for good for those who love you and are called according to your purpose (Romans 8:28).  I am confident that you who have begun a good work will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).  I believe my gifts and talents will be used for your glory (Romans 12:6-8). I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

            I pray to be a mother who can let go of her children, giving you full access to your gifts formed and molded in my womb.  I am thankful for the ability to have these little ones and I pray they are devoted to you in prayer, living a life spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray for the strength for challenging situations, for the peace that surpasses understanding and the ability to praise your name no matter the case.  I pray to live in the world, but not be a slave to sin or it’s ever changing desires.  I pray to keep my eyes on things seated at the right hand of the Father, things above and not below (Colossians 3:2).   Thank you for your death on the Cross, thank you I am a slave to sin no more, thank you for the hope of Christ and thank you for calling me, using me as a vessel for you Kingdom.  In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray, Amen!