Women of the Bible in real time: The woman adulterous, repentance

To end this series, I would like to talk about the adulterous woman.

The situation was very tense, the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery.

They were all around her and she was scared in the center of it all, about to be condemned.

According to Moses law should stone her for her sin. In fact, they were looking for an opportunity to criticize the Lord Jesus, if He agreed with the death penalty, they would question His infinite mercy, and if He forgave her then they’d accuse Him of disobeying Moses law.

Jesus wisely left the decision in their hands and said: "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

All of them were accused by their own conscience, and they left one by one, leaving only Jesus and the woman.

Then she heard these words, which brought great relief: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:1-8

Whatever your past may be, or the mistakes that you’ve already committed, know that the forgiveness of God is within your reach.

Do not condemn yourself. When there is true repentance, God is merciful to forgive.

Do not look at your accusers, they can do nothing but look at one that has the power to forgive sins.

Many people who were once in the presence of God and fell into temptation, do not have the strength to return, perhaps they are embarrassed by what others will say, or because they feel accused or simply because they think they do not deserve God's forgiveness, because they failed Him.

That burden is too heavy for you, let Him heal your wounds.

Do not waste time, now is your time, the Lord Jesus is waiting to tell you: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Women of the Bible in real times: Sapphira, influence

Sapphira was the wife of Ananias, they formed part of the early church in Jerusalem.

Voluntarily they agreed to sell some properties and give the full amount to help the church.

But when they had the money in their hands, their hearts were filled with greed and together decided that they would only give part of what they had promised and not the total value.

The apostle Peter questioned Sapphira on her joint collaboration, and she lied, saying they had given everything.

Her ending was sad, as was her husbands, as both died because of their dishonesty.

One influenced the other to be unfaithful and they both reaped the fruit of that decision.

How have you influenced the people around you?

Your husband, your friends, your neighbors, what have you been for them, a good or a bad influence?

We must never agree with the bad things that are displeasing to God, much less encourage others to do them.

How many women have influenced their husbands in a negative way? And he ends up making decisions taken by the words of his wife.

How many young people are involved in a world of addictions’, influenced by their so-called "friends"? How many people are influenced in their actions by modern society, by what they see on television or in magazines?

Do not be fooled by subtle words, be careful not to be an accomplice of evil.

Women of the Bible in real time: The Gentile (Canaanite) woman, perseverance

I couldn’t finish this series “Women of the Bible in real times” without talking about the Gentile woman also known as the Canaanite woman. The Bible does not mention her name, but we have much to learn from her.

The Canaanites were an enemy of the Jewish people; they had different beliefs and customs.

She certainly had heard of the miracles Jesus had done and she went off to look for Him. Her daughter was sick and she needed a solution urgently.

There were many barriers that were in her way to reach Him, but her faith and courage was stronger than any preconception.

Jesus at first ignored her, but she insisted and heard this answer: "It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

With these words, one might expect her to allow her feelings to emerge and overwhelm her, to turn around and just leave. Giving up is always the easiest path.

Although, she was aware that she was truly not worthy, she persevered because she knew that He alone had the solution and very humbly said, "That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

The Lord Jesus was astonished with so much faith and had to bless her.

We women are usually very sentimental, we can be full of faith, and perseverance, but suddenly we allow our emotions to emerge and within seconds everything goes downhill.

Rude words, a reprimand, a lack of attention, are reasons enough to sadden us and leave us feeling devastated.

We cannot allow our emotions to annihilate our faith.

How many people haven’t already abandoned their faith because of little things? Because someone didn’t say good morning, or he or she turned their face and did not answer them, and because of something so insignificant they missed out on their miracle.

Imagine if the Gentile woman had gotten mad, with the "no" she received from Jesus, her daughter would have never been healed.

Living by faith is being immune to all these things that try to prevent us from reaching our blessings and are just there to divert our attention.

Take this into account, be a woman of iron and not of glass.

Women of the Bible in real time: Martha and Mary, hospitality

People always talk about the story of Martha and Mary, as if one was the villain and one was the good girl.

But let's analyze well what we can learn from both of them.

The Lord Jesus was used to resting at the house of this family when He went to Bethel, what a great privilege, for sure He had a great affection for them and felt welcomed in their home.

Mary, who showed a great hunger for spiritual things right away, placed herself at the feet of Jesus.

She forgot everything to be with Him, there was nothing that could distract her; she could and would not miss this opportunity.

Marta liked taking care of housework; preparing meals, leaving everything in order for her guests, she was truly hospitable.

Imagine receiving the Lord Jesus in your home, she wanted everything to be perfect, and you can understand her, can’t you?

That’s why Martha was angry when she saw that her sister did not help in anything.

The Lord Jesus had to interfere, and in a loving way rebuked Martha, but He was not criticizing her concern for the service she wanted to provide or rejecting her generous hospitality.

He just wanted her to realize her priorities, putting spiritual things first and to not criticize Mary’s choice.

Some time later when her brother Lazarus died, Martha showed she had great faith in Jesus, believing He had the power to resurrect Lazarus, as He did.

Nowadays with so many tasks, we must watch not to leave aside our time with God.

Not that we are going to leave our home cluttered, but there is time for everything.

I know sometimes there is nobody to help, and we have many obligations to fulfill, but in the end of the day to make a quick prayer just to clear our conscious, only makes us feel like we are not giving our best to God.

Maybe you have changed your time with God to be on the Internet, to watch television or talk on the phone hours, and when you look at the clock you realize there is no time left for your spiritual life.

It is in these moments that we make the wrong choice, giving preference to so many other things and we forget the most important.

Let’s have the qualities of Martha, but never abandon Mary’s good choice.

Women of the Bible in real times: Mary, a servant

God needed a special woman, for a glorious mission.

Not that she could not have flaws like any other human being, or had to be a princess or a girl of royal family, and much less famous.

In fact, God was not looking for a pretty appearance; he was looking toward the heart.

So, what qualities should this woman have so that God could use her to fulfill His plan of salvation?

Without doubt, confidence, humility, loyalty, willingness to be used, a life that pleased God and a heart completely given to Him.

God found that in Mary, in a time when sinners were stoned. Mary, who was not yet married to Joseph, agreed to be an instrument in God's hands and said "yes", although her boyfriend and even society probably misinterpreted it.

How to become pregnant without being married yet?

But since God is perfect and thinks even of the smallest detail, everything happened in a way that Mary would never suffer, after all she was obeying.

She showed faith, obedience and strictly followed the plan of God.

She went through complicated situations, she became a fugitive because they wanted to kill Jesus, and after many years she had to attend His crucifixion for the sins of the world. That was painful, but soon she felt the joy of seeing Him resurrected.

Mary was spiritual, because although she was used for our Lord to come into the world, she was able to understand and recognize Him as the Son of God and became His loyal follower.

Do not worry if you come from a poor family, if you had the opportunity to study, if you're an ordinary person who has no position or titles, or if nobody takes you into account.

That makes you feel despised and useless for any task.

Do not forget, God does not see as man sees. The man looks at the outside, but God sees the heart.

And if yours loves and pleases God, He will use you as he used Mary.

Women of the Bible in real times: Esther, value

Pretty dresses, beauty sessions, etiquette classes, and delicious dishes, all a girl could dream for. The girls had big expectations to fill, who would win the beauty contest? Who would be able to reach the heart of the great Xerxes, king of Persia?

Esther could not imagine that from that day on her life would change forever; she was destined for the throne. No one imagined, but the chosen one was the orphan Jewish girl raised by her cousin.

Esther was beautiful, she feared God, and she was strong, brave and determined. It is true that now she lived in the palace with all these benefits, but her heart was grasped to those things.

A trap was being prepared against the Jews and God had to act, but whom could He count with?

Ester with her admirable and courageous faith, was the only link between the king and the people.

Following God's direction, she saved her people from a certain death that was to come, putting her own life at risk when she broke the protocol of the courts, presenting herself to the king without being called.

Her most famous phrase "And if I perish, I perish", made this woman a hero.

God used Esther to fulfill His plan, as the queen she was the only person that God could use to save the people of Israel from destruction.

And you, how far are you willing to go to complete Gods’ Plan?

Things are not always clear, more often then not we do not understand the situations we are put in, and why certain things happened or are happening, but God works that way.

Regret and making yourself the victim doesn’t help. Look at the example of Esther, had lost her parents she did not have anyone in this world except the cousin who raised her, but her faith in the God of Israel made the difference.

Do not think about your past, or the bad luck that you’ve had, or injustices that you’ve already suffered.

No matter the circumstances, place, or what people say, look ahead; use your faith, because when God acts, who can stop Him?

No human force has the power.

Women of the Bible in real times; Ruth and Naomi, testimony

It seemed like happy times in Moab , Naomi had her husband, her two sons and her two daughter-in-laws.

All of a sudden, death came knocking at her door, she lost her husband and later her two sons, from a single moment to another, she was alone and desolate. Imagine the suffering of this wife and mother, the only thing she had left were her two daughter-in-laws.

Naomi insisted that Orpah and Ruth go back to their parents’ house, because she was going back to Bethlehem, her hometown. Orpah returned to her family but Ruth chose to follow her mother-in-law and her God.

What could Ruth have seen in Naomi that would make her want to leave her family and city to follow her?

I’m sure not even Ruth could explain it, but we know exactly what it was; it was Naomi’s faith in the God of Israel. Ruth saw something different in her mother-in-law that captivated her and she enjoyed being close to her. Without a doubt she wasn’t an authoritative or impertinent woman, her testimony conquered Ruth’s love for now Ruth considered her a mother.

With that they left for their journey, trusting and finding refuge in Gods’ arms, whom blessed both of them. Naomi had Ruth to take care of her, for she was older in age and she couldn’t work. Ruth married a man of God and was very happy. Ruth had kids; imagine Naomi’s happiness of being a grandmother, carrying a baby in her arms. Ruth was David’s’ great grandmother, of whom is in lineage with our Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s not easy to deal with feelings like this; loosing a loved one, a drastic change in your life, the feeling of loneliness, unprotected and abandoned, when it’s time to take a decision millions of thoughts cross our mind; the fear of the unknown overwhelms us.

It seems like the person is lost. But, who has never been through something like this?

All of us have, but what helps us to not stay stuck in time is the unconditional love God has for us which cures all wounds and motivates us to keep going.

When we think all is lost, God shows us the light at the end of the tunnel.

Women of the Bible in real times; Delilah, seduction

Delilah captivated Samson with her beauty and charm. She was the kind of women who had to get what she wanted, even if she had to be a drama queen or cry all week.

A seductive woman has her methods; she’s insistent, provocative and an instigator. Delilah charmed and persuaded, she pouted and made demands. With her ability to manipulate and seduce she discovered her husbands’ secret and handed her husband over to his enemies in exchange for money with not a single remorse. In the end, this was her plan from the beginning.

Samson should have never married with a foreign woman, meaning, not of the same faith. Rushing into things took him to destruction, marring quickly just because of the physical attraction is a risky and dangerous thing.

Unfortunately now a days we also see this happen and sometimes some of the women who are in church, are there only with the intention of seducing. These women don’t respect compromises and act conscious of their actions and intentionally. They know exactly what they are doing, they know it’s wrong, but they want to take it till the end.

Sensual women use their seduction power to achieve their conniving and ambitious targets without considering at all the Word of God.

Have you heard the phrase “ I don’t care if he’s in a relationship, he’s still not married, I’m going to seduce him until the end, and he will be mine…” Or … “I don’t care if he is married, I’m going to get what I want no matter who I have to step on.”

They always act with ulterior motives, to get rather a man, money, status, a promotion or simply with the pleasure of destroying others.

Of course that the end of this kind of woman is nothing good, because God can’t stand this type of behavior.

Women of the Bible in real time: Deborah, strength

Deborah was a woman of admirable strength, she was a prophetess, judge and wife, her life for sure was a non-stop one.

She looked after her husband and home intently, she led and advised the people of God and even went to war. This is indeed a brave woman!

In addition, she sang a song to the Lord in thanksgiving for her victory over her enemies.

Because of her commitment and dedication she was named , "mother of Israel", a title well deserved, is it not it?

She was the spiritual mother of the people; her faith and courage contaminated and motivated the people.

Today it’s no different, women need to double their work to meet all their obligations.

Take care of your house, husband, children, work, school, church. Oh, so many things to account for it seems you can’t keep up with everything.

Wake up early, get ready, give breakfast to your husband and you’re out the door and off to work. After a long day, you get off work and rush to church so that you won’t be late.

Then, you come home, prepare dinner, give some attention to your children, prepare everything for the next day, when you’re finish you long to sit on the couch and put your feet up; but you’re not done just yet, you have to still take care of yourself. Life seems like a marathon.

Don’t be anguished, you’ve just discovered you're a superwoman.

But, just as Deborah was able to perform many tasks, we can too. All you need to do is organize your time and depend on God in every situation.

Put yourself at Gods’ disposal, and He will give the ability to do all these things. Or will you give up, abandon everything and impede the purpose of God to be realized in your life?

Ask God to make of you, a warrior, whether it be in the forefront of your home or in the service of God's work.

Make yourself available to God and He will do the rest!

Women of the Bible in real times: Rebecca, dating

Abraham's servant had a real challenge; to find a wife for Isaac, a rich young man, sole heir of his father, the promise of God.

The requirements were that the future wife of Isaac be a woman of the same faith, of course this includes qualities such as hardworking, strong, compassionate and a heart willing to serve.

Rebecca was a lovely single woman and had great qualities that called Gods’ attention. She was a virgin, she remained pure waiting for the man that God had prepared for her and she wasn’t worried or spent time crying because she was single, and she never exposed herself to men to get their attention. Instead she was very dedicated, hospitable, kind and loved to serve everyone.

The day of her blessing was near, but Rebecca needed to pass the test of fire. She knew nothing, but her attitude would make the difference. She was about to reap all she had sown.

When Eliezer, Abraham's servant, arrived tired from his long journey, he asked Rebecca for water, as always she was gracious and helpful, immediately she gave him water and his camels, demonstrating once again her servant's heart.

This attitude made her reach her blessing. Notice the detail: she served without ulterior motives, not knowing who he was and what his purpose was. She believed this was from God and her faith made her drop everything to go and meet her fiancé.

Have you thought that your fiancé may not be in the same city as you? Maybe he lives in another state or even in another country.

Do you feel discouraged because you do not see anyone who could be your other half?

Trust in God, He does amazing things.

But what are you doing to achieve the blessing in your love life?

Pay attention to the following tips:

* Are you looking for a husband, still acting like a woman of this world, or have you sought to acquire qualities that will really attract the man of God you are looking for, as Rebecca had?

* Never call the wrong kind of attention, trying to seduce him with your eyes or showing off your body, you must be gracious and discreet.

* If your heart is anxious and desperate, you may have taken hasty actions and you've been wrong again and again.

* Perhaps you have worried yourself too much with your beauty to get a husband, but do not forget the most important thing is character, your relationship with God, the man of God requires a woman of God, not just a pretty face.

* Something very important, you must find someone of the same faith, to marry an unbeliever can bring unhappiness and suffering to your life, be very careful when choosing. Better to let God choose, right? He is never wrong.

* If your dream is to do the work of God on the altar, take care of the people, love the people, have intimacy with God and He will take care of every detail of your life.

* Be honest, never do things with ulterior motives, to receive something in return, but do them because you really have a heart to serve, God knows the intentions of our heart.

Women of the Bible in real times: Sarah , submission

Sarah was beautiful, rich and married with the man she loved. Beautiful picture, is it not? But Sarah’s life was anything but easy; she had to face many challenges.

The first one was to leave the prosperous city of Ur of Chaldees, when all of a sudden God tells Abraham: “ Go to the land that I will show you.” To abandon everything and go to an unfamiliar place is not easy. To leave your comfort, the sure for something unsure, her beautiful house, her family, the place where she grew up and was happy, to go somewhere she had not even a clue of, specially for women something like this is not an invitation which sounds so appealing.

But knowing all of this, Sarah still accepted the challenge and she showed submission to Abraham. She proved she’d be by his side in any and every situation. No matter the circumstances, good or bad, she had decided she would follow her husband and her God.

Sarah served her husband with devotion, and respected him so much to the point of referring to him as lord.

But she carried a deep suffering, her reality was dark and cruel; she couldn’t be a mother.

Maybe she didn’t understand why that was happening to her, and even though Sarah had her husbands’ unconditional love, it was frustrating in those times to be a barren woman, it made her feel useless.

It brought much pain and suffering to Sarah to deal with her issue of being barren, she was humiliated because she couldn’t give her husband children and create his line of descendents.

To make matters worse even though it was her idea she had to see her slave caring her beloved husbands child. I’m sure she must have been jealous and upset.

This all felt like too much to handle, but God had made a promise and it was about to come true.

Sarah learned how to trust in Gods’ promises and at 90 years old her dream of being a mother came true.

How about you, in the midst of so many tribulations, have you chosen to follow the voice of God, or your own will?

In the midst of all your struggles, have you trusted or have you opted for the easy way out, trying to solve problems your way?

When God tells you to leave it all and go, do you think about how comfortable you are, all the things you have or do you leave it all behind to follow God and prove your love for Him?

How about your husband? Have you treated him with respect and submission or do you always have to have the last word?

These were Sarah’s dilemmas and each of us has to face our problems every day, but the decision is in our hands.

Women of the Bible in real times: Eve

Created by Gods’ hands, Eve had a perfect life, everything was peaceful, happy, calm, the life any woman dreams of.

Her home was beautiful, nothing was missing, she was happy with her husband, she had control of everything, and nothing could be better.

But all of a sudden because of her disobedience to the Word of God, her entire world came crashing down, her penalty was tough, her mistake cost her a lot and Eve was found guilty. Her sin brought terrible consequences to her own life, her husband and the entire world. Imagine, in just minutes your life changing the way hers did because of one action taken without thinking first, because she wanted to do things her way, she had a marvelous life, now everything seemed dark and mysterious.

But there was hope, Eve knew she was guilty, but she could serve God whom is merciful and forgives, she would give birth to children and would be the mother of all human beings, this showed a ray of sunlight in her darkness.

Maybe you find yourself in a similar situation, you couldn’t resist the devils temptation and now you feel lost, empty without God and disoriented.

You feel like you don’t have strength to go on, you’ve lost hope, or maybe you think you are not worthy of Gods forgiveness.

The shame you feel doesn’t allow you to move on, or come back to church, but know that your life has great value to God.

When you sincerely repent, God is merciful and forgives.

Stand up and fight, because your future is ahead of you, just like Eve, God will give you a new reason to smile, because He is your strength.

In the next articles, I will continue to talk about another woman of the bible.

Through their lives, their mistakes, their victories, their problems, we are going to learn how to handle our day-to-day battles.

Let’s see with whom you identify with.