Rise Up, Mighty Women of God!

This past Sunday, our pastor presented a topic that was empowering and encouraging to me, especially in my ministry to women! So often, we hear about the men in the Bible who have accomplished much, had the hand of God present in their lives, and been chosen for certain greatness for the Kingdom of God. But what about the women? 

Today, I'm going to show you several women that God used. Now we of course know of Esther and Mary, the mother of Jesus. But there were so many other women whose obedience to the Lord, both in the Old Testament and New Testament are models for women of today.

First, let's talk about Miriam. She was the sister of Aaron and Moses. She was also a worship dancer! (Exodus 15:20-21). The Scriptures call her a prophetess. She was held in the same regard as Moses and Aaron!
Next, let's talk about Deborah. She was also a prophetess and was judging Israel at that time...she was a judge, too, and the people of Israel knew her as a judge. They actually came to her for judgement. She was with the ten thousand men who were under the command of Barak along with Zebulun and Naphtali (Judges 4:4, 10, 14). 
What about Huldah? Haven't heard of her, I bet. But she was a prophetess, too. In fact, she was the keeper of the wardrobe (not the one from Narnia!), the palace garments. When Josiah was king, his ancestors were so far removed from the Law of the Lord, they didn't even know what it was until the priest, Hilkiah, found it in the temple in one of the cities they purged from idols and images. See, Josiah knew following the Lord was important to his father, David, but he had never done so as his father had. Huldah was the only one who had a word from the Lord for Josiah. (2 Chronicles 34:22)
In the New Testament, there was Anna, a prophetess. She served the Lord by fasting and praying day and night. 
There were women who ministered to Jesus, too. Mary, the sister of Martha, who poured perfume over Jesus' feet and dried them with her hair, Mary Magdalene, and Joanna and Susanna who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities.
Paul greeted Priscilla and her husband, Aquilla, who were joint pastors of the church in their own home. They pastored together!
Philip's four daughters who were virgins and prophesied. God gave them that gifting.
In John 2:1, we read about the greeting given to the elder and to the "elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth..."

You see, women hold a special place in the Kingdom of God. We can change our husbands into the men we want them to be, but we can certainly pray for them, and, as our pastor says, duck, and get out of the way of the Lord! 

Have a blessed week, Mighty Women of God!!

Lyn~