Woman... God's Good Thing!

I would like to thank everyone for their comments and the wonderful response to the study of the Shulamite.  It is always encouraging to hear from you.  I would also like to let everyone know that our new website for women will be finished soon!  I know that this will be especially encouraging for those of you who left private messages and prayer requests because the website will not only offer great resources to help women in their Christian walk but will be a place for prayer requests as well.  It is always a good thing when we can find a place of agreement in prayer.  In a world where women are hurting and suffering in so many ways please note:  we are honored to pray for you and are in agreement with what God’s word says for your life.

I would like to invite everyone to log on next week for the beginning of a new teaching series... "Woman… God’s Good Thing".  The word of God says that a man who gets a wife gets a good thing.  To tell you the truth, not only was I curious about what God himself would call a good thing, I was surprised at how much I really wanted to be one.  It is amazing how much we can learn about our feminine nature when we let down the guard and let the Holy Spirit show us what’s hidden on the inside.  Deeply hidden on the inside of me was a woman who wanted better and wanted to do better.  I have also found that no man in his right mind can resist a good thing!

Women’s lives have changed so much down through the centuries but God’s word still retains its meaning and is in every way applicable today. I can assure you that masculinity is still very much captivated and somewhat intoxicated by femininity.  There are some counterfeits out there that try and mimic femininity or imitate it.  I always say, "You can doll it up to look like a woman but what makes us women is God given and it goes way down deep past the skin and bone."  You can shave its legs and put a wig on it, but being a woman is more than smooth legs and fixed hair (although the men really appreciate us for doing so lol!).  Femininity is in the very depth of our soul and spirit.  It’s more than the way we walk and more than just the way we talk.

God knew what He was doing when He made a woman and He declares us a good thing.  Maybe you are not convinced of that or maybe you are curious as to the details of what God would call a good thing.  Perhaps you want to have something better or you are looking to become something better.  It will always begin with the word of God.  Read Proverbs Chapter 31 this week.  From this teaching series in this one little chapter of the Bible, you will see what men want and need in women.  You will have a better understanding of what women find rewarding and fulfilling.  You will see what God values and praises in women.  You will see the blessings that accompany balance and order and so much more.  You will see that the Proverb 31 Woman was a good thing and you are probably more like her than you think.  So log back on soon and check out …Woman… God’s Good Thing!

Loving U Like a Sister,
 
Regina

#2 The Importance of Her Self Esteem

Insight Number Two: The Importance of Her Self Esteem

It’s easy to feel insecure in a world that constantly tells you that you’re not enough.  Most women have to battle negative thoughts and feelings about themselves. It’s funny though - most of us never even question where those negative thoughts are coming from. We need to stop and consider where it is that we are getting our information. As Christian women, we have God’s Spirit of truth and acceptance that lives on the inside of us. We can train our ear to listen to what His voice says about us instead of what the world is telling us.

The Shulamite woman seems to have battled thoughts that caused her to doubt and question her value as she compared herself to other women. How many times have we been there? In the first chapter of Song of Solomon, she is apologizing for the color of her skin as if she’s not enough or not as beautiful as all of the other fair skinned women (how funny is that to our generation of tanners?!). It’s interesting though, at the beginning of the very next chapter she is referring to herself as the rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valleys. It seems that a deeper voice of esteem and assurance took dominion over those insecure thoughts. According to the scholars, she was a poor country girl who worked with her family tending grapes. She would have had every imaginable reason to feel less or lower than the others but her words reveal that she was able to identify herself as something beautiful that she was offering the King.

The Shulamite woman was able to exemplify that being different from everyone else doesn’t make you less it makes you unique. She found favor and acceptance through looking into the eyes of the King instead of comparing herself with everyone else around her. I believe that she decided not to compete for a position that was already hers. You would be surprised at how many women end up there! She was able to withstand the challenge to a power struggle and never gave into the pressure to perform. Again, you’d be surprised at how many women end up there! Her response to the King was with words of the utmost sincerity, honesty and vulnerability. Now, as women, we all need to end up there!

Near the end of the last chapter in Song of Solomon, the Shulamite declares that she had found peace. Her self esteem was the second element that was a part of her finding it. Knowing that we are enough will not only help us win a serious war, it will also keep us from silly little battles that rob us of our time and energy. Next week's insight: #3 Her Attraction to Him!

Loving U Like a Sister,

Regina

Real Purpose, Real Value, Real Important!

Hello friends!  As a pastor's wife, I am frequently approached by young women in the church that are eager to find their place in the Kingdom of God.  Someone, somewhere, told them that they were born with a purpose and they are enthusiastic to find it out!  Unfortunately, these women are looking up instead of down. 

As I look back over the years, I can't help but laugh at the times I argued with God over my purpose.  Oh, so many times, my focus was on high places that seem to offer a promise of value and importance.  But the Holy Spirit was always so good at leading me to look at the lower places instead.  I often tell people about the widow woman (she had no children) who God allowed me to serve for seven years.  Now, THAT was a great fulfillment of God's purpose for me.  Serving her gave me great value and importance because SHE was great, valuable and extremely important to God.

Today, if you are searching for greatness, or a great purpose in the Kingdom of God, don't ever look beyond the Scriptures.  Jesus said the servant shall be the greatest of all.  I've been asked by several people lately, "what will you do this summer?".  My reply has been, "I'm not sure who and where, but I am sure I will serve somebody!  lol

One thing that I've learned, you are never too young or too old to serve.  To me, "ministry" is all about life application.  The more we serve, the more we will learn and grow.  The more we learn, the more we can impart to the generation coming up behind us.  As long as we stay in line and in order, God will be pleased.  Are you looking for a great opportunity this summer?  The greatest opportunities are hidden in the lowest places where most people never go!

Loving U like a Sister,

Regina