Hello Friends:
As I was seeking direction for Tuesday morning Bible Study (Ladies discipleship class) 2014-2015, I distinctly heard the voice of the Holy Spirit say “God’s Total Woman.” What a joy it was for me to know I’d heard God’s voice answering my question about the Bible Study. Now the challenge was to hear clearly how to unfold His direction for our class.
We are always seeking God’s will and purpose for His prized creation “man.” As a teacher, I needed to know how to break this subject down into easily understandable concepts so I began with the scripture in the second chapter of Ephesians:
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Amplified)
If this is God’s will, and it is, our study would include:
1. Having a personal relationship with God Himself as Creator, Father, and Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
2. Teaching how to become a productive member of the Body of Christ.
3. Teaching how to be a more effective witness for Christ in the world.
I remembered hearing a phrase Gloria Copeland used several years ago, “Live long and stay strong!” As I repeated this phrase out loud, I heard the Holy Spirit add, “Live wise and stay alive. Live alert and be free from hurt!” Wow! That sounded like the close of our Sunday morning service…”Nothing missing and nothing broken,” all intact! I love it when God brings a plan together!
So here is the breakdown of God’s Total Woman class…watch out He’s pulling you in right now. Becoming a woman of:
1) FAITHFULNESS
2) DILIGENCE
3) KINDNESS
4) GENEROSITY
5) STRENGTH
6) INTEGRITY WITH GOD AND MAN
7) ABIDING ANOINTING TO PREACH, TEACH, HEAL AND TO DELIVER CAPTIVES
Now to fully understand God’s direction we will investigate His way of thinking on these subjects. I have found in most cases that we have a preconceived idea of the meaning of words according to our society, generation and education. Therefore, I love to study with the Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew and Greek words from the Bible. I want to understand what God meant by using certain words to describe Godly character and attributes. For example, the first attribute or character trait of total woman is faithfulness. I know what I think the definition is, but what did God have in mind by choosing this word “faithfulness” to describe His total woman? Our first step in studying this is the scripture itself. This is how God describes Himself in scripture.
1 Corinthians 1:9 (AMP)
9 God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Hebrews 13:8 (AMP)
8 Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).
Numbers 23:19(AMP)
19 God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?
What a wonderful “faithful” Father! What a glorious “faithful” Savior! What a powerful “faithful” counselor!
In the weeks to come I invite you to join us in person at the morning Ladies Bible Study or go online as we are taking each of these word puzzles and putting them together piece by piece and forming beautiful pictures of God’s Total Woman. We meet from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. every Tuesday and childcare is provided.
Let’s do this together,
Pastor Mary Jackson