August 4, 2004

Recently it came to my attention about God’s call on women in the church of today. I must admit it was a wild throw from left field. Yet, as I caught the ball of challenge I began with my own calling into God’s work. Here is where it all began…

It all began in the “garden of eden” where God created the first woman on earth. She was given a great task as she and man were put out of the garden because of disobedience towards their Creator.

She not only was given the ability to give birth, raise children, meet her husbands needs, but she also was given a gift of influence. Yes, it is evident as she beguiled by the serpent influenced man to take of the forbidden fruit.

In the OT and NT many women were used of God in many ways. Sarah was used of God to give birth to the child of promise. I am sure she had much to do with him learning about Almighty God who fulfilled the promise to give her a child. Then we have Rebekah who gave birth to twin boys and she was used of God to give Jacob the first-born’s birthright. We have Deborah who was used as a judge for Israel and God permitted it so that his will could be done. We have a maiden Esther who became the Queen of Persia and in her reign she was able to intercede on behalf of Israel so they would not be slaughtered by Haman’s devilish plot. We have Rahab who hid the spies so they would not be killed. The wonderful story of Ruth who became the mother of King David’s grandfather. We have Mary the mother of Jesus who was given the privilege to give birth to the Savior of the world. We have Mary Magdalene who was the first to see Jesus had risen from the grave, the first to see him alive, and the first to bear testimony that Jesus is alive. We have Lydia who was wealthy and God used her home as a place where his people met to worship him. We have Eunice and other women who taught the truths of God to their children or family.

All these women were called of God with a high calling to serve him with all their hearts.

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:26-29

We are no longer under a schoolmaster. We have been set free in Christ Jesus and our life journey is to bring glory to the one who paid the price for our sin. The law long ago pointed us to our sin and we were held under it until Jesus came to set us free from the law. For in Christ all the law and prophets were fulfilled completely.

If we void what Christ Jesus did then we are still held by the law. If we are free then we are free to respond to God’s call on our life.

These women have responded to God’s call on their lives. Beth Moore, Anne Graham-Lotz, Luci Swindoll, Patsy Clairemont, Joyce Meyer’s and many more.

Are you willing to say yes to the call of service in your life? Are you struggling with what others perceive about you as a woman? Are you afraid to say yes when your heart is tugging to serve Jesus?

Stand up for Jesus…Stand up or his royal banner of salvation…Stand up and share the good news…