Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Women as Change Makers;
Praise Makers
Luke 1:46-55
Mariam Hency Varghese
MTC of South Florida
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
I know women who are change makers before the Lord God, not before men or women. No one knows their hardships, joys or sorrows. These women work in silence unto the Lord, and for the Lord. These women are our grandmothers, mothers, sisters and aunts who change and shape over the course of years, but may never see an end result. Yet, the Lord sees all their work and will exalt each one in His time. Thank the Lord for these women in your life today.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, sets before us a challenge of praise even in the midst of a hard situation, as a young teenage mother. Songs of praise mark us as Christ’s followers, regardless of our age. What is the opposite of praise? Blame, criticism, silence, disapproval, condemnation, and disrespect. Do you know women like this or have you know women who have a tendency to be a nagger, someone who finds fault continually? Do you know any women who are thankful, devoted, joyful and cheerful in their lives?
Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Mary trusted God even though she did not understand her circumstances. Her faith, praise, and spiritual understanding were enough for her to be the Lord’s mother. Both, men and women underestimate the spiritual contributions that women make within their family and church. Christ repeatedly revealed women and girls as change makers throughout His ministry, such as: the woman at the well, Mary Magdalene at the tomb, the parable of the woman who lost a coin, the healing of the woman (Lk8: 43), the healing of a girl vexed by the devil (Mat15: 22), the Syrophencian women’s daughter who had a devil cast out (Mk7: 26) and more.
Examples of Deborah (Judg.4:4), Miriam (Ex.15:30), Ruth, Naomi (Book of Ruth), Huldah (2Kings22:14), Noadiah (Neh 6:14), Hannah(1Sam1:2), Abigail (1Sam25:2), Esther, Elizabeth (Lk1:41), Lydia(Acts16:14), Priscilla (Acts18), Phoebe (Rom.16:3), Tabitha(Act9:36) are women to get to know in the Word. In stark contrast, to learn about the women who were not women of praise or honor there are examples of: Michal and Jezebel. The Word of God challenges us in our inner most being to change our hearts to praise. Godly women are women who fear God, and desire to sing praise rather than complain. When a situation arises where we do not know what will happen, will we respond as Mary with praise?
I know women who are change makers before the Lord God, not before men or women. No one knows their hardships, joys or sorrows. These women work in silence unto the Lord, and for the Lord. These women are our grandmothers, mothers, sisters and aunts who change and shape over the course of years, but may never see an end result. Yet, the Lord sees all their work and will exalt each one in His time. Thank the Lord for these women in your life today.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, sets before us a challenge of praise even in the midst of a hard situation, as a young teenage mother. Songs of praise mark us as Christ’s followers, regardless of our age. What is the opposite of praise? Blame, criticism, silence, disapproval, condemnation, and disrespect. Do you know women like this or have you know women who have a tendency to be a nagger, someone who finds fault continually? Do you know any women who are thankful, devoted, joyful and cheerful in their lives?
Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Mary trusted God even though she did not understand her circumstances. Her faith, praise, and spiritual understanding were enough for her to be the Lord’s mother. Both, men and women underestimate the spiritual contributions that women make within their family and church. Christ repeatedly revealed women and girls as change makers throughout His ministry, such as: the woman at the well, Mary Magdalene at the tomb, the parable of the woman who lost a coin, the healing of the woman (Lk8: 43), the healing of a girl vexed by the devil (Mat15: 22), the Syrophencian women’s daughter who had a devil cast out (Mk7: 26) and more.
Examples of Deborah (Judg.4:4), Miriam (Ex.15:30), Ruth, Naomi (Book of Ruth), Huldah (2Kings22:14), Noadiah (Neh 6:14), Hannah(1Sam1:2), Abigail (1Sam25:2), Esther, Elizabeth (Lk1:41), Lydia(Acts16:14), Priscilla (Acts18), Phoebe (Rom.16:3), Tabitha(Act9:36) are women to get to know in the Word. In stark contrast, to learn about the women who were not women of praise or honor there are examples of: Michal and Jezebel. The Word of God challenges us in our inner most being to change our hearts to praise. Godly women are women who fear God, and desire to sing praise rather than complain. When a situation arises where we do not know what will happen, will we respond as Mary with praise?