Encouragement for Women

Do you see opening your home at Thanksgiving as a gift from God to be used for the comfort and well-being of others? A Christian home is earth’s sweetest picture of heaven and a welcome relief in our stressed and weary society. Many folks are lonely, especially during the holidays. A question to ask ourselves in this holiday season is, “Who can I open my arms and my heart and my home to?”

In Paul’s day, women were coming to faith in Jesus Christ out of pagan religions. They truly needed the godly teaching and example of older women in both the spiritual and practical things of God. But the same is still true today. Women who come to Christ need help as they seek to put off the teachings and standards of the world and put on the behaviors the Word of God teaches.

I know there are a lot of jokes made about patience (“Patience is the ability to count to ten before blasting off!”, “I need patience—and I need it now!”), but when you’re the one who’s forced to wait while you suffer—or suffer while you wait—it’s no laughing matter. But, my friend, as the verse below says, we need to wait patiently on the Lord.

When our children are growing up in our home, we seek to train their spiritual sensitivity so they can “distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). We examine what’s going on in our home. We desire to protect them from ungodly influences and dangers. Then they leave the nest.

Our nation’s founding fathers approved the wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This declaration gave the people of this newly formed country a freedom they had not experienced before. Though it took many years for it to become the holiday as it is celebrated today, July 4th has always been an important date in our nation’s history. We celebrate much more than the approval of a declaration. The Fourth of July is a celebration of independence, religious freedom, and freedom from tyranny and oppression.

Paul wrote, “We do not cease to pray.” This is a good reminder for all wives that our prayers for our husband are not to be a one-time event. When our husband has an issue, need, or crisis, or we have a concern regarding him, we can offer up a quick prayer anytime and anywhere.

Knowing your purpose as a Christian woman is important. To drift aimlessly through your precious days is tiresome, frustrating, and unrewarding. It would be a great tragedy to wake up one day and realize all you could have accomplished if you had focused on some worthy goals along the way.

Like other single people, a widow has a choice to make. She can worry about her situation as a widow, or she can take up God’s challenge and take on the multitude of opportunities for service.

I once read about a woman who went to an art museum. Determined to see it all, she whisked from room to room, from painting to painting. Each time she criss-crossed the museum, she saw a gentleman seated on a bench across from one painting. He remained there the entire time, drinking in the glory of one masterpiece.

There are few questions I’m asked more than, "What makes a woman become beautiful in God’s eyes?" The simplest answer is devotion and time.

The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 is remarkable for many reasons. For starters, in that time and culture, it was uncommon for women to sit at the feet of a rabbi. Mary’s actions were a clear indicator that she desired to learn from Jesus. Then she “fell at his feet.” This action shows us that she recognized who Jesus is and chose to submit herself fully to His teaching and authority. It was an open act of worship. It was also the ultimate act of trust.

We don’t know her name, so let’s call her “Mrs. Noah.” She spent her days loving her husband, Noah, raising their three sons, and caring for their home. Daily life was simple, until the call came from the Lord, “I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you” (Genesis 6:18).