God’s Great Woman

I came across the following today while studying . It spoke greatly to my heart and therefore I share it with each of you. It is a bit long but I am sure you will be just as blessed by reading it as I have been.

God’s Great Woman


Of the many women in God’s word, only one is said to be a “great woman.” Women like Sarah, Esther, Ruth, and Mary are commonly thought of as being great women in the Bible, and rightly so, but the lady who is actually called a “great woman” by the Lord is sadly overlooked. Consequently, most Christian ladies never learn from her life’s great example.

This woman is found in II Kings chapter four. Take a few moments, if you will, and read II Kings 4:8-37. Then continue with this tract as we point out some spiritual truths from this lady’s example.

The basic theme of this story is that this lady was considerate of the needs of God’s man, so God was considerate of her needs. She sowed seeds of kindness and reaped a great harvest. Yet, in doing so, she set some fine examples for Christian women of today. Take note of some of these examples and ask God where they need to be applied in your own life.



She Practiced the Golden Rule

The golden rule, of course, is derived from Matthew 7:12. In a nutshell, the rule is “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Well, unlike many modern women, this lady in II Kings chapter four practiced the golden rule. Without being told by anyone, as the man of God passed through her area, she thought of something she could do to help him in his ministry. Self-centered women of the world do not think this way, but this woman was different. She was led by God’s Spirit, not by the spirit of the world. She was led by the Spirit of I Corinthians 13:3-5 which says that charity “seeketh not her own.” This woman, being filled and led by the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, sought to comfort others rather than herself, even when having to bear the burden of having no children. She wasn’t bitter; she was a blessing instead.

Are you waiting for some special blessing to come your way? It may be that God is withholding this blessing due to some bitterness in your own heart, some bitterness that is causing you to cultivate a selfish spirit instead of a caring and considerate spirit for others. Perhaps you have a lesson to learn from the great woman of Shunem. Perhaps you need to follow her example and obey the golden rule.


She Was Spiritually Minded

This lady’s first comment about the prophet was “this is a holy man” (verse 9). She didn’t say, “This is a religious fanatic” or “Here comes the preacher; let’s pull the shades and lock the door!” No, she was a spiritually minded woman who enjoyed having a man of God around.

God is going to give this woman a son because He knows it will be a good investment. He knows that this is the kind of woman who will always ask, “What does God think about this or that?” Her act of kindness wasn’t just toward any man, but toward a HOLY man, and this greatly impressed God.

Christian lady, what is your attitude toward preachers and other dedicated Christian men and women? Are you a spiritually minded lady who enjoys the friendship and fellowship of spiritual people, or do such people make you nervous and uncomfortable? You can never be a great woman in God’s sight if you aren’t a SPIRITUAL woman.


She Didn’t Yield To Worldly Temptations

Notice in verse thirteen that this lady had the opportunity to be spoken for to the king! What an opportunity! What a chance to “be somebody” and “get some respect” for a change! What a chance to take a few steps up the social ladder! Yet, none of this interested her. She was a godly woman who sought to please God, not the world, so worldly temptations did not appeal to her. She simply said, “I dwell among mine own people.” This lady was content with her own people and had no desire to break away from her home and her roots and become a woman of the world.

Oh, how God’s women need this example today! Satan is firing his darts from all sides in an attempt to pressure Christian ladies to turn their backs on their God and the their families and become women of the world. Godly wives and mothers have left their homes and become “career women.” This is supposedly being done because “it takes two incomes to live these days,” but the real reason is just plain old worldliness. A great woman will say no to the world and dwell among her own people.


She Was A Woman of Faith

A few years after God gave this lady a son, the boy became sick and died. Rather than give up hope and become bitter, this lady runs to the man of God for help. In fact, when the servant asks her, “Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child?” she answers “It is well.” My, what faith she displayed. A dead child is not well, yet she had faith to believe that God could raise this child from death, so she said, “It is well.”

Christian lady, are you following this great example of faith, or do you find yourself often doubting God’s ability to fulfill His word in your own life? Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Do you really believe Romans 8:28, or is it just another Bible verse with no special meaning to you personally? To be a great woman you must be a woman of faith.


She Was Emotionally Strong

Notice the emotional strength of this lady. She had a desperate situation on her hands, yet she held up and even kept the matter to herself. The only person she spoke with about the child was the man of God, the only one who could help her!

Most women today do just the opposite. They carry their many problems to their various friends and family members, and yet they never find any real help. Countless hours they spend chatting about their troubles with people who can’t offer any help at all! A great woman will not chat carelessly about her troubles. She will take such matters to God and maybe to a godly person or two who can actually offer some help. She doesn’t speak of her troubles for the sake of complaining or getting sympathy. She speaks only to get help.

What about you, dear reader? Are you the emotionally strong woman who controls her tongue, or are you the loose-lipped woman who spends more time complaining about problems than really seeking help with them?


She Was Thankful

After Elisha had raised the woman’s son from death, she “went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.” (verse 37) This tells us that she was THANKFUL for what God had done for her. She didn’t have a bitter attitude because of what had happened. She didn’t reason that she was entitled to be bitter with God and that she deserved to have her son raised. She was just thankful!

Christian lady, are you a thankful lady? Do you thank God regularly for His blessings in your life, or do you feel entitled to such blessings. A truly great woman feels entitled to nothing. She deserves nothing. She is simply glad to be alive, glad to be saved, thrilled to be a servant of God, and THANKFUL for God’s blessings in her life.

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” When is the last time you thanked God for your husband, for your family, for your church, for your salvation, for Christian friends, for your health? You could certainly have it a lot worse! Many women do! You ought to be thankful, and you will be, if you are a great woman.

God has a plan for your life. You don’t have to be a bad woman, or even a normal woman. You can be a GREAT woman, a great woman for God, if only you’ll follow His word.
Copyright © 2006 James L. Melton

Isaiah's Apron

This is Isaiah's apron that Veronica made for him. At this age they think they are 'to big' for bibs so I thought he would wear the apron. IT WORKED!!! She even added special buttons for him. As everyone that knows Isaiah knows he loves buttons. Veronica is the daughter of Yolanda. Thanks Roni you did a great job!

A Thought To Remember

Tough times never last; tough people do.

Now it is off to roll up my sleeve and get my free flu shot:(

A Thought To Remember

It is difficult to have rosy thoughts of the future when your mind is full of the blues of the past.

Birthday Cake

Nicholas made Isaiah's birthday cake. It was a train and I personally think that Nick did a GREAT JOB!!!!

Answered Prayer/Direction

We have finally gotten peace and direction concerning some areas that have been put before us. We have an answered prayer as well. After many years of salvation (4 or so) Jesse's father will be scripturaly baptized next Sunday.

Happy Birthday

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY
to
ISAIAH QUENTIN SANCHEZ

Tuesday

The week is off and running. A bit of a slow down from last week which will be nice.
Monday my oldest and youngest went for check ups (all was well) and Isaiah had his speech therapy session. Today we got groceries. Wednesday I take my three remaining children for their flu shots. Thursday is Christian's cardiology appointment in Clear Lake. Friday we are having company for the evening. Saturday (Isaiah's 2nd birthday) we are going to get a few school books and then to a Fall get together. Sunday is all day services. WOW!!! I just thought things were going to slow down a bit this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Eighteen years ago today God blessed us with a son!

Happy 18th Birthday

Jesus 'Jaime' Sanchez II

Thanksgiving

As I stated in my earlier posts, we had our Pastor, his family and Brother Taylor over for dinner on Thursday.(Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday)
I think every thing turned out nice. We had turkey (made by Jaime) dressing (made by me and for the first time in my life it was not Stove Top) mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, cranberry sauce (yuk), and rolls. Olivia contributed a wonderful dessert that Michele named October Cake. Whatever is was called.....it was awesome!!! (Thanks Olivia)

Tortilla Soup

By request I am posting my recipe for Tortilla Soup.

Serves our family of seven with left overs

12 tablespoons vegetable oil

16 corn tortillas, chopped

12 cloves garlic, chopped (I always use more)

1 cup chopped cilantro

1 medium onion, chopped

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes

4 tablespoons ground cumin

2 tablespoon chili powder

6 bay leaves

12 cups chicken stock

2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ( I always use less)

10 cooked chicken breast halves, shredded or cubed

Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded

Avocado, pitted, peeled, cubed

Sour Cream

10-12 corn tortillas, sliced and fried crisp

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Add tortillas, garlic, cilantro, and onion.

Sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes.

Bring to a boil and add cumin, chili powder,

bay leaves, and chicken stock. Return to a boil.

Reduce heat. Add salt and cayenne.

Simmer 30 minutes. Remove bay leaves and stir in chicken.

Reheat. Garnish with cheese,

avocado, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

Remember to modify to your liking.

ENJOY

A quick vent

I have many things I would like to say but will refrain. However I will say it is comforting to know that my Saviour will never betray my confidence.

A passage from last night's meeting: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12&13

Answers

We received a few answered prayers today. My father-in-law is home and looks well. He has gotten a bit weaker and is still quite raspy but good over all. Just as we were leaving to go to Bay City the phone rang. Finally an appointment for Christian. He will see the doctor on Thursday October 23rd. We must go to Clear Lake for the appointment but will be happy to have him seen. My niece came through the operation just fine. My husband will be doing a Bible study with the husband of one of our church members tomorrow night. And...........I found a nice plump turkey!!! THAT'S FIVE ANSWERED PRAYERS IN ONE DAY!!!! My two goofy teenage sons are currently putting up the Christmas tree. Yes, I am aware that Thanksgiving is not even here yet. However given the present situation (no details please) we agreed to let them go ahead with it. But.......NO OUTSIDE LIGHTS YET!!!!

Saturday

We had a garage sale yesterday and things went a bit better than I thought they would. I did not have much left over for the next sale and I ended up making about $150.00. My father in law was released from the hospital yesterday evening. We will be spending the day over there with them today. Our middle niece is in Wharton hospital having gall bladder surgery today. Please pray that she will have a speedy recovery. (She has two babies to care for and an unsupportive husaband.) I am on the search for a turkey!! I will stop by HEB in Bay City today and see if they have one. You would think they would be out already it is almost November!
Plan B will be chicken with red sauce. Michele's favorite:)

Thursday Prayer Request

Our phone rang at 3:30 this morning. You know the feeling?! Sure enough my father-in-law has taken very ill and is currently hospitalized at Matagorda General. We do not have much information other than he was having great difficulty breathing thus the trip to the ER. Please pray for him, his wife and the rest of our family.

Wednesday

Sorry for the long break. Not a lot to report at this time. Christian could not be seen by Dr. Harris last Thursday they said it was to 'touchy' and that we should just go ahead and get him into Texas Children's. That is were we are now...waiting for an appointment. We have been waiting for almost a week now so in one since I feel a bit relieved and thinking that maybe it is not as bad as they thought. The weather turned ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS today and that is great news for our garage sale this Friday. Michele, Olivia, Kimberly, my next door neighbor and I are having a HUGE sale this Friday. It should be a blast. I am not at liberty to get into detail but please keep our family in your prayers as the devil is up to no good in many different areas. I am patiently waiting for the proverbial silver lining to show forth through this cloud.
Our oldest son will turn 18 on the 18th. (wow how times flies) We have had a trip (two days 17th & 18th) planned for better than 4 months (just the three of us). However for more than one reason this is no longer possible. This could not have happened at a worse time I don't think.
We have Revival all next week beginning on Sunday. Bro. P.D. Taylor will be with us that week.
Bro. Taylor trained our Pastor, our Pastor trained my husband so it is always a bit like a family reunion. We will be having everyone over for a meal on Thursday and we are going to have Thanksgiving. Yes, I will be making a turkey in October but I think it will be fun.

Hope everyone has a great rest of the week.