SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part Three

Hear, my son your father's instruction
and forsake not your mother's teaching
Prov. 1:8 (ESV)

The word vigilant means, watchful, discerning and on the alert for possible danger.  This week's unnamed mother is one we can readily identify with.  Her son was born during a time and in a culture very much like ours today--immoral, violent, and spiritually weak!

And sadly, we find her modern-day sisters here too!  They are in cities notoriously known as: Kill-adelphia, Nap-ghanistan, and Chi-raq.  Their tear stained faces flash across our television screen daily. Their haunting presence in criminal court rooms all over America quietly watching and praying for a change!   We know her as...

THE VIGILANT MOTHER ( Judges 13:1-14)

The back story of this well known Bible saga is not generally emphasized in movies about Samson. Usually his relationship with Delilah is the focus.  But read Judges 13-16 and get the rest of the story!  You'll find an incredibly insightful and grateful mom driven to distraction by a strong willed and rebellious son!

 Samson, the Bible hero of Israel was the kind of child that kept his parents up all night wondering what he was up to!  Although he was a Son of Destiny, called from the womb to be a Nazarite (sanctified, set apart for God's use); he was not immune from sin.   

As a young adult, he was wanton, hot tempered, and was known to visit prostitutes.   But get this!  He was raised by a mother who did everything by the book!   She was God-fearing. Although barren for many years, unlike Sarah, she did not use a surrogate to become a mother. She was spiritually discerning.  She knew when God was talking to her and she obeyed without hesitation.  She set a godly example before her child. And in spite of it all, for twenty years she watched her child make mistake after mistake.

She watched, believed, and prayed long enough to see Samson finally fulfill God's destiny for his life!  And you can too!  So let's take a page from the Vigilant Mothers Handbook.  When your children insist on living on the edge and refuses to heed your pleas, here's what you can do!

1.  P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens) - I Thess. 5:17
2. Keep watching for opportunities to give wise counsel - Prov. 1:8
3. Don't waver in the belief that God will bring good things  out of this - Gal. 6:9
4. Let God's Word keep you encouraged -Ps. 119: 92

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SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part Two

"Do not fear, I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name.  You are
mine."  Isaiah 43:1b ESV)

Some mothers are called by birth and some are women who just had babies!  A true mother, whether she has birthed a child or not is no stranger to a lifetime of selfless love and sacrifice.  There's literally not much she wouldn't do to save her child from a life of pain and destruction!

That's why I guess, this Old Testament story gave me pause!  It's nestled between the accolades of King Solomon and his request for wisdom rather than possessions (I Kings 3:1-15) and the onset of his long prosperous reign in Israel!  But the real story to me, is not in Solomon's wise judgement but in the sacrifice of one incredibly courageous mother! Say her name with me, she is.....

A SACRIFICING MOTHER (I Kings 3:16-28)

There are two unnamed women in this story! Funny how the Bible writers don't tell us their names but didn't forget to mention their profession--they were prostitutes and they were mothers!  Could it be that, God needed to remind us that His grace covers even sinners who could draw a nice pension from the world's oldest profession? 

Again, I encourage you to read the scriptures for yourself, but let me just say to you.  When it came down to a life altering decision to be made; of the two women...only one made the choice of a mother!!!  Here's  a bit of wisdom that we need to share with young women today! 

1. Motherhood is a Spiritual calling (one of the highest)--sacred and life-long!  It is not a burden but a privilege and a place of powerful influence on the world.

It is not a hobby to venture into as trendy, convenient, and if need be, transferable when you want to do your own thing! You don't pick it up and put it down like a toy once you've grown tired of the responsibility. Children are a precious gift from the Lord (Psalms 127:3) no matter how they got here!

2.  Motherhood is a Sacred duty! Mothers are the child's first teachers!  That's why two verses in Proverbs, the book of wisdom, tell us that we should train, even from the womb, the child's personality and behavior toward God's purposes (Prov. 22:6; 15). He has entrusted such to us and the result has been mind blowing! (2 Tim. 1:5-6, Ex. 2:1-10, Luke 2:39-40) To neglect this duty is an embarrassment to the goodness of the Lord!

3. Motherhood is a Selfless priority!  When you bring a child into the world, life is no longer, all about you!  Forget about those so-called rights and cultural privileges and entitlement!  I've known mothers to go without food so their children could eat. (And some mothers who got their nails done instead of grocery shopping!)  Who wore shoes with holes so their children could be clothed. (And some who bought shoes while their children wore holes!)

Who delayed their dreams, so their child could achieve theirs, (And some who let others raise their child, go to their games, and birthday parties, while they finished their degrees!) The sacrificing mothers are in the first bunch and some have never given physical birth.  They are god-mothers, foster mothers, surrogate mothers, spiritual mothers, grand mothers, adopted mothers, etc.  

THANK YOU GOD FOR THESE NAMELESS MOTHERS -THANK YOU THAT THE CHILDREN THAT THEY HAVE NURTURED, AND ARE IN POWERFUL PLACES OF INFLUENCE, CAN NOW RISE UP AND CALL THEM BLESSED!  (Proverbs 31:28)! 

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SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part One

Before I formed you in the belly
I knew thee...(Jer. 1:5)

Recently, I spent five incredible mornings, hosting my church's week day 6:30 am prayer  line!  Meeting with brothers and sisters that early in the morning with praises and prayers in their hearts has been a special delight for me. It has also become a Spiritual life line for many facing incredible challenges ... including myself!

Since Mothers Day was soon approaching, I just had to give a shout out to these paragons of strength and courage, so I turned to God's Word for inspiration! 

Knowing that the virtues of Mary, Hannah, Deborah, Rachel and the like, would find their way over the pulpits on Sunday, I began a search of Unnamed Women!  Women who often get lost between the pages of Holy Writ.  Unsung heroines, with spotty reputations and less than virtuous lives.  Women whose spirits spoke to my spirit, because my life ain't  been no prayer book either! 

 As I turned the pages, they said to me... Say My Name, I'm a Mother too!  I cried, I sacrificed, I nurtured, I counseled...Won't you tell My story? And I said... I will... so for any one willing to read and learn, hear now the voice of:

A CONCERNED MOTHER - The Syro-phonecian Woman - Matthew 15:21-28

Do you have a child hooked on the modern demons of our time: drugs, sex, alcohol and violence? Life styles so horrible and degrading that you can't believe they came from your womb? What would you do to save his or her life? Take a cue from this Mom: alone (we don't know where daddy is?), unchurched, unsophisticated, considered a low-life to some,  willing to step up in the very face of Jesus to ask for help...what gall!  As you read the chronicles, it appears Jesus initially ignores her..He doesn't say a word.  She goes to the disciples, more aggressive in her pleas...they try to get rid of her. Finally they ask Jesus to dismiss her, putting an end to the matter! But nothing will deter her, she doesn't give up!  Call me what you want, just help my child, she cries! Finally, her persistence pays off and her child was not only healed, but her faith was rewarded.  And although she still remains unnamed, her story is forever recorded in the bible to give concerned mothers everywhere hope!

THIS IS WHAT WE'VE LEARNED:

1.  Be Prayerful - Never give up on your child - Ask, Seek, Knock..Matthew 7:7

2. Be Persistent - Delay doesn't mean Denial! - Ephesians 6:18; Luke 18:1-8

3.  Be Humble - Do not be arrogant in your request, God owes you nothing! James 4:6


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IN HIS PRESENCE: A Motivation to Keep Praying!

When all around me is in total chaos and fearful thoughts betray the faith that I know I have in God;  I can think of only one place to run and find sweet relief...In His Presence! 

My Sisters, have you been there?  Overwhelmed, discouraged, and confused. Tired of praying to God for a change in your circumstances but seeing none. Tired of the one-sided sacrifice.  Tired of the endless days of joylessness!  Tired of the preaching.  Tired of the same old platitudes of well meaning Saints who assure you that, weeping endures only for a night.....But never telling you how to make it through that ONE night!!   JUST PLAIN TIRED AND READY TO GIVE UP!  

Do me a favor...before you throw in the proverbial towel, find a quiet place, take 10 deep breaths, clear your mind, click the arrow on the video above, listen with your heart to this short song by Sandy Patti. (If you have trouble activating the video, paste this link into your browser:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKbCJJ3fcE0 )

Afterwards, pray a fresh prayer of surrender...placing all your concerns in God's capable hands.  Reinforce your thoughts with the promises He gives in His word...read one of the  passages below each day.  REFOCUS, REFLECT, REPOSITION YOURSELF....In the Presence of Your Heavenly Father!!

IN HIS PRESENCE THERE IS.....

• Power  - (Psalms 68:8; 97:5; 114:7)
• Courage - (Exodus 33:15)
• A Time of Refreshing - (Acts 3:19-20)
• Fullness of joy; pleasures evermore - (Psalms 16:11; I Thess. 2:19)
• Glory and honor -( I Chron. 16:27)
• Protection -( Psalms  17:2; 2 Chron. 20:9)
• Rest - (Ex. 33;14; Mat. 11:28-30)
• Grace - (Heb. 4:16) 
• Healing - (Isaiah 63:9)

CONFIDENCE, ASSURANCE, CLEANSING, HOPE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT, AND MORE WAITS FOR YOU !!!(Hebrews 10:19-25)

KEEP PRAYING, KEEP FAITHING THROUGH IT...COME INTO HIS PRESENCE TODAY!!!!

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A NATION UNDER DIVINE JUDGEMENT?

Judges 21:25

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

Wow! seems like a million years since I had to recite this pledge in grade school.  We were taught it meant one thing back then but it sure has a different meaning now!

In theory it sounds very patriotic evoking sentiments that inspired lyrics found in songs like... America the Beautiful and  The National Anthem.  Words like home of the brave, land of the free.  Yet, in practice we have fallen, far, far short of that ideology.

First of all, , which god are you referring to? It's anybody's guess any more.  I thought I knew until the move to take the Ten commandments (a visual reminder of Jehovah's moral and civic laws) off the premises of public schools, government buildings and other public places.  I guess doing so did make room for those metal detectors, in-house police, and security cameras that catch teachers and students, having sex with each other and the underaged! 

This pledge assumes that we are a people unified over important things affecting our country.  Things like national security; the widening economic gap between the rich and poor; the rise of crime, violence and drug use; our failing education system, and the constant threat of a government unable to pay their bills in this wealthy country of ours each year!  We are more divided than ever...not just politically, but socially and morally!

I'm not a political pundit by any means, but like that Turbo Tax, commercial  says...you don't have to be a genius...to know our country is in trouble!!  Big  Trouble!!!

It's got me wondering if we might not be a country under Divine Judgement!!!  It's not the first time this has crossed my mind, but it really hit me when I read the book of Judges, as part of my  Reading through the Bible In A Year  plan.   I know the book well, but chapter 19,  A Levite and His Concubine, shook me to my spiritual core!!!  You could not miss the parallels of the moral and political conditions of  the nation Israel and our country!

I purposely will not recount the story here....I want you to read it for yourself. ( For those of you who like a little edge to your reading, put down your sexual thriller and read this instead!)
Then come back if you will and examine these points of similarities between the two nations:

• A nation in the throes of  moral failure: sexual perversions, and exploitation in the name of personal desires and assumed rights (Romans 1:26-28). 

•  A nation with a growing indifference to human suffering of the innocent, who have no voice in the matter (Judges 19: 24-26).

• Factions and schism existed between governing bodies of the nation. Political and social infighting leading to the point of possible civil warring.

• Prevailing attitude of acceptance or apathy as it involves violence against women 

• Lack of integrity in leadership both secular and religious. Would rather  side with infidelity than defend righteousness.  Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Having personal or political agendas (Judges 21:25)

There are so many more examples but this gives you a general idea.  After reading from this book one must ask the question:  How much longer can we survive as a nation before we reach the end of God's Grace?  I pray that Our Nation will come to their senses soon! Don't you?

Hebrews 10:26-39The Message (MSG)

26-31 If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.

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THE MEASURE OF A GREAT WOMAN, Part Three: Her Conversation!

"Let your speech always be with
grace, seasoned with salt..."(Coloss. 4:6)

There an old adage, attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt that goes something like this: Great people talk about ideas; average people talk about things, but small people talk about other people!

How true! Being women we are especially gifted in the art of conversation.  No doubt about it we love and know how to talk.  But this is the very reason we need to heed the words of Paul, the apostle more than ever.  The entire quote from the picture caption goes like this:  Let your speech be with grace, seasoned with salt that you may know how to answer anyone. (Colossians 4:6 (NIV).  In other words, as the old folks used to say...Taste your words before you say them!

For several weeks now, I've been encouraging you, my sisters, to strive for greatness! Not in the sense of the world but in God's eye--the only place it eternally counts!  I've reminded you that regardless of what you hear acclaimed as greatness, through media, music, and movies--mental, spiritual, and sexual, character is most important!  It's important in the eyes of your family and children (they watch and emulate what they see).  It's  important to future employers (your social media networks are favorite places to visit when considering you for a job). It's important to the Body of Christ (As a Christian you  represent God and His word to the world) and it should be  important to you. (If no one else recognizes you as the Queen you are, precious and priceless--you should).

I've put a  mirror before you from God's own word (I Peter 3:3-4) that proves that a beautiful face, fancy clothes, a sexy persona, or notoriety can't disguise a skanky lifestyle! You can dress a sow in pearls and diamonds....but at the end of the day she's still a pig!  Great women are much more than what you see on the outside. They are women of substance and endurance with integrity that can withstand anything that this fallen world can throw at her! Not easily imitated, but definitely worth imitating!

Now for the piece de resistance (the most remarkable feature)--her conversation!  Yes, beloved, here's where it all comes to a head!  You can have the right character, the right conduct, but blow it all with the wrong speech!  It's confession time!  How many of you have blown it just that way?   I admit, I have... too many times. I've said the wrong thing at the wrong time or perhaps the right thing with the wrong tone, or even the right things to the wrong person!!!  It happens my dear and that's why we need the discipline of the Holy Spirit --EVERY DAY-- to keep us on our toes (Galatians 5:22).

When one starts thinking of prohibitive conversations, the mind automatically goes to crude, profane, or demeaning language.  Well, you're right on target.  That kind of language definitely does not befit a great woman.  But did you know there are other types of speech that are as damaging to the spirit? What about these?

• Negative Self-Talk - What do you say about yourself!  Are you, your worst critic?  Most women don't give others a chance to say bad things about themselves. They've done a pretty good job of downing themselves before leaving home. The damage continues when we take this attitude outside. How often do we talk ourselves out of great opportunities?  Before being asked, we list all our weaker qualities throw in a dose of the I can'ts, thus ruining a potentially fruitful conversation?

• Self-Centered Talk -  Now this can go two ways, but the focus is the same---it's all about you! The conversation that starts out like the Perils of Pauline (always in trouble, nothing going right, everybody is against me) makes you the star of your own Pity Party cinema. You portray yourself as the ultimate loser--and who wants to be around someone like that.  On the other hand, a woman who consistently talks about what she has, who she knows, and where she's been is also unbearable.  A great woman never brags or exalts herself.  She let's her works speak for themselves. (Proverbs 31: 31)

• Dooms-Day Spinning - All of us know someone who is adept at turning a perfectly inspiring conversation into a negative one!  They are quick to point out the dark and gloomy side of any situation.  Don't be that person! Stay positive and upbeat no matter how many bad things are happening.   Negative conversations have absolutely no redeeming value.  Choose to live with the hope that Christ gives you! Learn to take others to the high road in every conversation.  Stop, Look, and Listen to what truly great women do that keeps them unforgettable:

Whatever is true, whatever is noble,

Whatever is right, whatever is pure,

Whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy

Think (and speak) about such things.

(Philippians 4:8)

 

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THE MEASURE OF A GREAT WOMAN, Part Two - Her Conduct!

Endure hardship as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3)

I've been blessed in this life to be in the midst of some great women!  None of whom you've ever heard of, mind you but great nevertheless because of both their character and their conduct!

These women poured into my life at various stages, and taught me what it means to be successful in the eyes of God. They impressed upon me with their lifestyles, the importance of leaving a legacy of greatness to my children, grandchildren, and the women I minister to on a daily basis.

Women, like my mother, poorly educated, and a survivor of domestic violence, who without government aide of any kind and without spousal support, (although my father was considered  in my home town middle class), was able to raise nine children to become honest, hard working, and successful contributors to this society!

No man ever spent the night under our roof who wasn't a blood relative or a tenant (she ran a rooming house). Our home was poorly constructed but clean and food readily available.  She never put her personal life or career ahead of our physical or emotional needs and the police never darkened our doorsteps unless they were inquiring about something going on down the street or in another house!

Great women of the  black church, like my god-mother, Greeley Martin who made me feel special and unique in my own skin; and Laura Follis, who with a quiet and gentle heart, nurtured my spiritual gift of teaching and found me capable, never hesitating to tell me so.  College professors and administrators still trying to break through bureaucratic mazes and Corporate America's glass ceiling took time to mentor me and others coming behind them. Without ever a thought or fear of future  job security and esteem being taken from them.  Yet, these women are not given the coveted Medal of Conduct, while no less warriors in their own right!

Perhaps, like myself you find this appalling!  In an age where personal skill, talent, expertise, or notoriety wipes out of public memory bad or immoral conduct.  It's no wonder our youth can find no decent role models to emulate!  Anything goes as  long as you can make money at it~even if you're only famous for being infamously bad!!

Great women, truly great women are WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE!  They have more going for them than false beauty, popularity, pseudo friends, or desires for seeking that which is trendy, fashionable, or chic!  THEY ARE:

• Intelligent, but humble
• Passionate but disciplined
• Efficient but teachable
• Strong but gentle
• Affluent but giving
• Trust worthy but wise
• Determined but flexible

Endures much, Gives generously, Serves faithfully!
Women of Faith, Godly Character, and Exemplary Conduct!

~Beloved...Character Still Counts~

I Peter 3:3-4

3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 


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