The Widow’s Grace

I often picture widows as older, I’m sure we all do but that isn’t always the case. I once saw a beautiful painting of the widow. She was carrying a child and others following her. The other widows mentioned in the Bible to take note of is the one from Nain, raising her son from the dead was the utmost in grace, he was all she had. And it is true of the widow who fed Elijah also.

This widow, a most sacrificial widow is one often hear about but know little of. No even her name, let call her, Livya, which means crown. Her devotion always touches our hearts, and  Jesus noticed her sacrifice and has preserved her story as a monument or crown to her, the legacy of one who could give, and He was watching to bless her.

During Holy week, when the crowds came to drop in their offerings and some to make a show or spectacle of themselves this widow was unnoticed by those around her as she dropped into one of the chests her two tiny copper coins. She passed along unaware that the Lord was watching, the one who sees as Hagar called Him.

Jesus even singles her out as giving all she had. I would imagine that later on she would either find a husband or someone would drop off food and clothing for herself and children if she had any, I’m sure she was blessed by the one who truly gave His all.

Give what you can, he doesn’t need your money, He just wants you to have a giving spirit. He doesn’t want forced tithes and offerings, the widow hid hers in shame, I have had some adults and children shame me, for giving $ 5 dollars.

You know how you see those boots for burn victims, donation boxes at stores for cancer victims or someone needing an operation, even the red kettle. In conversation, I said I put in five dollars, I got one response that was braggadocious, ” Yeah, we put in twenty. “, and one from a ten year old girl, ” Is that all? ” Like she was rolling in dough. Believe me,  gave more than they knew, it was only a comment, and that is why Jesus makes a distinction about giving. It’s nobody’s business.

Tithes and offerings are individual choices in my opinion, Jesus put us under grace, and as much as blesses me, I can bless others money or otherwise. Rebecca Jones / Emilio Vittorsio, thanks.

Grace For Rahab

We are all familiar with the story of Rahab, and in case you are not, she was the woman who hid the two spies on her roof, who had gone to scope out Jericho. While she was noted as a prostitute, she offered the men sanctuary and even told them she knew God was giving them her city.

Rahab found wisdom and grace from God in a moment and helped the spies, and that guaranteed her family being spared. She lowered the man to let the scape and they promised that if they saw a cord in her window, she would not be harmed, and indeed she was, and even is the lineage of Jesus. Rahab was offered and received grace.

But the cord has a lot of attachment to it. The scarlet cord was put on the temple door, when  the priest offered up the scapegoat, when it died, usually driven out of the city and pushed off a cliff, the cord turned white.

It is reference in the verse from Isaiah, that though our sins we as scarlet, they are white as snow. That is what Jesus did for us with His sacrifice, He finished it all.  we have the benefit of saving grace, Rahab did not have Jesus in the sense we do but extended her some amazing grace. Rebecca Jones Andreas / pixabay, thanks.

Sapphira Insulted Grace

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is in Acts 5:1-11. Though it is relevant to the early church and they may have been some of the Jewish converts from the previous chapter, they were believers and live in a communal life. Unlike communes of today no one was forced to give up everything to support a cause or cult, they were free to give as they pleased.

However, successful the couple had been in life or whatever land they owned they decide to sell a piece and withhold a portions of the proceeds, yet give the pretense to Peter and the fellow Christians, that they were saints and giving a false impression. While some may place the blame on her, it is plainly stated they agreed on the deception, likely to gain a reputation or position of leadership, or just to impress.

Much is made today of ministers who attain wealth, but wouldn’t they be like this couple, could they really lie to the Spirit of Grace or are they richly blessed? God will judge, wealth from God is a blessing not a curse. Parading yourself as poor in a holy pretense is wrong as well.

As for Ananias, he laid the offering at the feet of the apostles, when the Holy Spirit told Peter, that he was lying about it being all the money, he called him out on it, telling him it was his land and his money, that he did not have to the Holy Spirit. Ananias fell dead, like from the fear that overtook him.

This is sometimes called a sin unto death, even as a believer, or perhaps the Lord allowed the destruction of his body for his soul to be saved. For he certainly could not be considered leadership material in an early church, something that later affected the papacy. God still is in control, keeps His word, is just and knows hearts. It is very unwise even plain stupidity to lie to His Spirit. This is different to blasphemy which appears to relate to only a certain group of Jews Jesus was speaking to, however, I would not choose to speak badly of His Spirit either. Many believers have worried about this sin, and perhaps, in regard  to spiritual gifts and warfare, but you should not be in fear, the Holy Spirit is not fear, reverence and awe, not fear.

Ananiah had insulted grace and now it was his wife’s turn, in she walked three  hours later, and Peter actually gave her a chance to come clean, asking about the price. What was she thinking, didn’t she wonder where her husband was? She continued the deception, and Peter tells her, that feet of the men who buried her husband, would also carry her out.

If it isn’t nice to lie to Mother Nature as in those old butter commercials, you should really know not to lie to the God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit, no matter who we deceive others or ourselves we must be aware of that and change it, so that we too, never insult the Spirit of Grace. Rebecca Jones / public domain

 

Miriam’s Song of Grace

We know, of course, that Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron. She enters the story early on as a young girl who was given the task of following the basket that carried Moses down the Nile, in order to protect him.

She then tells her mother that he has been taken into the palace where she is able to become his nurse. What happens to Miriam all this time may not include every detail but she is with her brothers as Moses leads the Israelites out of captivity.

She was a singer and praised God with her tambourine, a prophetess, and she even was allowed to see what leprosy was like but was healed. She disagreed with Moses marriage to Keturah, and she is famous for her song about the Pharoah, that the horse and rider have been thrown into the sea.

He life was one that was to have it share of difficulties, being only a girl, in a time when babies were slaughtered and her people in captivity. Seeing her brother grow up in luxury as her family struggled, though they may have benefited somewhat from the Pharoah’s daughter, but the time came when Moses no longer needed a nurse, was schooled in Egyptian culture and gods.

When his heart was touched by the captivity of His people and he actually killed an overseer, he was exiled, married Zipporah, and spent time with God. Miriam and Aaron were prominent in the rest of his story.

Had the little girl with a tambourine always praised God and found His grace in a song, even under captivity, dealing with two brothers, a High Priest, and a deliverer, who would the lead people out with gold and treasures, after a series of plagues, ask God to part the sea, be in the wilderness and not enter the Promised land.

Miriam surely had a measure of grace, and certainly, singing and praising even in difficult times, keep you close to the Deliverer, Jesus. Rebecca Jones / public doman

Rhoda’s Grace

This is Rhoda, whether or not she was a believer or not, she did receive a sign from God although she was in a little bit of shock and unbelief, this made was witness to a miracle and a great escape.

In Acts 12, we find that Herod has had James killed, and Peter is in prison. He is chained, asleep between two guards when an angel takes a staff and jabs his side telling him to get up, when he does, the chains fall off. A sermon in itself.

Peter thinks he is having a vision but does as he is told and puts on a cloak and strolls out with the angel past two guards. They come to an iron gate that opens by itself. Once outside and down the block the angel is gone and he is free and it is real, he has escaped the night before his trial and likely execution.

Now, people had been praying for him, and there were many at Mary’s home who had. She was the mother of John, also called Mark, who I believe to be the youngest disciple. Rhoda heard a knock and went outside to an outer gate, possibly through a courtyard.

She immediately recognized Peter, in her excitement she didn’t unlock the gate. Instead, she went back in telling them Peter was at the gate. They thought she was crazy, but they said it might be his angel.

Peter continued to knock, as a crowd came out, he motioned to them and hushed them up, and told them to get word to the other disciples, and he left. To Herod’s dismay, the commotion of the next morning finds no trace of him, and he orders the guards executed and dies later on himself. Rhoda probably continues her life as a maid in the house of mary, but it was unlikely she forgot the night of Peter’s escape, he may have told them the story, and if he didn’t she was still amazed by grace. Rebecca Jones / Kirill Balobanov Unsplash, thanks.

Grace Clothed Joanna

Joanna, was one of the “certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities” along with Mary Magdalene and Susanna.  Whether  demon-possessed, oppressed or suffered from some mental or physical disability we don’t know. She was a woman of the upper class and ministered to Jesus and the disciples from her means.

Chuza, the husband of Joanna, was the “steward” of Herod, which is like a tutor. The office of Chuza gave Joanna an excellent opportunity to witness in the palace, and she took full advantage of it.  She was a child of the heavenly King she felt that she must speak her joy abroad. She was clothed in grace.

Christians can find themselves in most unlikely of places, and situations. Tradition has it that Chuza lost his position in Herod’s palace because of his wife’s conversion to Christianity and her desire to witness among the servants. That she was so enthusiastic about Jesus is easily understood as she was healed or delivered by Him personally.

Healed and saved, Joanna gave thanks.to the Lord. She ministered to Him in turn she ministered to Him. She gave liberally to their needs and thus exemplified the grace of giving. And among the women at the cross, the heart of Joanna must have been in anguish as she saw her beloved Lord dying in agony and shame.

She may have been one of the consecrated women who followed Him from Galilee, and after His death, prepared spices and ointments for His body. The One who had cured her body and her soul was surely precious to Joanna, she cared for Him in life and at the burial. But joy was coming!

Joanna was among the grieving women who early on that first memorable morning when the tomb was empty. They beheld the angelic guardians and who explained “He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee.”  Recalling what He had said of His sufferings, death and Resurrection, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, became the first human heralds of the Resurrection.

The fact that they were the first to see the grave clothes and folded napkin as a sigh of His return clothed the other women and the faithful Joanna in grace. They went on to tell Peter and the disciples who wanted to dismiss it a just a tale but he went on and saw for Himself the Lord had risen.  Luke 8:1-3, 23:55, 24:10 Rebecca Jones / danang-wicaksono, thanks.

 

The Harlot’s Grace

In the Bible days, it was very common for women to be referred to as concubines, slaves, prostitutes, and yes, harlots. Women who were sold into slavery as sex slaves, to fill harems, and just poor women who sold themselves to survive. We read about two of the women who both had children in 1 Kings 3.

One of them rolled over on her baby and smothered it to death in the night. She switched it with another woman. In the morning the woman knew it was not her child and and an argument ensued. It called for the wisdom of Solomon. Before the king stood the two harlots, one with a live child, I do not know if the other woman carried the other baby or not. Perhaps, she had wrapped it in a basket for the king to see.

Both were boys, born three days apart, one woman had switched her son and when the mother started to nurse him saw that not only had he died but that he was not her child. Obviously, since the women lived together, it was she said, she said, no other witnesses and one may have been afraid of being accused of killing the baby.

One mother grieved, one lied profusely. Both mothers begged and pleaded with him to grant them his favor but only one would have it and one would be rejoicing and one sorrowful. It doesn’t take Solomon like wisdom to me, though it may have to them, and still to some.

His decision, to cut the baby in half, giving each woman a part. To the mother’s horror, she pleaded with Solomon not to order it as a slave stood by with a giant sword at the ready. She may have even thrown herself at his feet or onto the baby in the harlot’s arms, rather than watch him die, she would give him away. Let that soak in a while.

Isn’t the poor harlot’s answer as wise as Solomon? For even she loved her child enough to let another woman, and not really one of good morals and judgment take her baby. rather that watch it die by the sword at the king’s order, she agreed. While the foolish woman whose child had died, agree to the severing. Neither, of us will child.

Solomon was quick to return the baby to the mother, embraced the child, she no doubt bowed before the throne. Couldn’t women find it in their hearts to do that today? Isn’t there any love there. I know these were babies already born but the story applies to unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, does it not.

So determined to have rights to their bodies, the would severe the ties to motherhood. When Jesus gave women freedom, their bodies are their own, and it is His temple if you are a believer, and it can be, even if you are not and come to Him. You do not have to be a concubine, slave, prostitute or harlot.

That is not the life he would choose for women, He died for everyone, but has a special place in His heart for women and children. I wanted my Bible women story to go with my other post, and as read I realized I did not have one that fit, but I felt the Holy Spirit and the words, the Harlot’s Grace and where did my mind go but to this very story.

So let’s not judge, but pray for these women, be there to help when we can. The mother who give away a child rather than see it die, or even grow up in a terrible situation, does show love. And having helped a a few people in my day, I can truthfully say, their children would have done better had they left them alone, or let them be adopted.

My words are never meant to hurt but heal, He heals hearts that break, He is the only one who can. Should you be reading this and find yourself making a decision. Make it the Lord’s way in love, even if you leave the child at the hospital. There is so much grace in Jesus, even for a harlot, and He would look at you in love. Rebecca Jones / Noel Otto, thank you.

Please read this as well.

https://adaughtersgiftoflove.wordpress.com/2019/01/25/aborted-grace/

Giving Birth To Grace

Sarah is another woman we can learn from. She made a big mistake by talking Abraham into fathering a child with Hagar, though the culture was different and the times, it is still the same today. So many women have children and no husband or are like the woman at the well with many husbands and still no husband, either legally or morally. This is not meant to criticize nor condemn, God knows people make mistakes, but you are supposed to learn from them. Too often, we don’t. He gives some people extended grace, that phrase appears a few times in the New Testament. So it is not wise to abuse that grace with continual or willful sin.

But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends ( or grace ) to the children’s children. Psalm 103:17. Yet, those children must become believers. And we know Abraham was the father of many nations. But before that, they lived in Ur, a land of idolatry. God called Abraham from that darkness.

Sarai had already made a heavy decision to follow Abram  of on journey. She had agreed to go, whether or not she was sure he was hearing the true voice of God. That would have made most people cringe. Though Christians should hear and obey the voice of Jesus by the Spirit, many cannot discern and fall prey to the enemy. It is easier to go with flow for some, though His loving and grace flowing to us should make our way clear.

Sarah and Abraham became parents only after, the Lord visited them with two other angels on the way to Sodom and Gomorrah. She laughed but had her child, if she’d only done that sooner. Letting her husband father a child with the handmaiden only let to bitterness and hatred. But God’s promise was in tact, not only was Jesus, appearing as the angel of the Lord and extending her grace, He would also extend it to Hagar, and Ishmael, by giving them water, but she had to return to her mistress and act in accordance.

Sarah, birthed Ishmael in a sense, because she had some doubts and tried to help God’s plan, when He didn’t need her help. In effect, she created her own problems as do we all at times. Some of them can be life altering or life long and others even destructive or deadly.

She gave her husband her approval. So do many women today. Perhaps, not verbally, or intentionally but the sanctity of marriage isn’t not as prevalent in our society. How confusing it must be for children to have many siblings, different sets of parents and grandparents, the passing of custodial guardianships and weekend visits, even if they are step parents, much less just other boyfriends or girlfriends. I see it all the time how much grace has been extended to families, and oft times that it is not even recognized or appreciated.

Sinners have no idea of the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, truthfully, some believers do not. Some may regard it as such, about what they eat and exercise but who they are intimate with is much more important. You can bet there were arguments and fights in the camp, and it is played out all too often on talks shows today, not that I watch them. I think they are revolting, and to make money from people’s fights or stage them, with DNA and child support issues. Is it any wonder there is division? But you know what? There is also grace. It is not a license to sin but to be free from it.

Marriage is sacred and holy to God, and I know, things happen that we are not in control of. And things you did not know before receiving Christ. It is best to marry first and then have children, but whether or not you are single, an unwed mother, a mature Christian raising grandchildren, God can make you a way, whatever wrong you have done or has been done to you. I am not here to condemn, but to encourage that no matter what your situation, whether or not it your fault or not, there is grace, and will give it freely.

Sarah was still beautiful and desirable even at an older age. God renews youth and gives lasting and inward beauty. He can restore order to chaos, love in place of fear, and reunite families, and husbands and wives, even cause those who would be enemies to be at peace with you. He can give you a better husband or wife is someone has hurt you or walked away, though I believe in forgiveness, He will show you the truth by His Spirit, if you pray and wait for His timing, He can make it beautiful.

The take away from Sarah’s story. There is extended grace to God’s family.

Follow a Godly husband, if he isn’t pray for Him, God’s love can fill the void as He is a spiritual husband.

Don’t try to force His promises, though the Word says to command His hand, it also teaches patience and resting in that promise. He brings His words to pass, He doesn’t require your help.

Treat others with kindness, even those who hate you and use you. Live at peace as much as possible and be ready to cut off contact if necessary. If that means dropping off a child or allowing them to be picked up, do that and pray. You don’t have to get into things that don’t concern you. ( I know that can be a tough one. )

Don’t take your husband for granted, even if he does you, work on communication.

Take care of yourself. In all ways, including spiritually, it is paramount to maintain a personal relationship with Christ above all.

Never put yourself or children into abusive situations, seek professional help if you need it. God despises abuse.

And Mary gave birth to grace, so let Him birth it in us.

Rebecca Jones / pexels

The Gracious Anna

While we picture Anna as an older woman, and that she declares Jesus the Messiah. There is much more to her story. She was young one, and beautiful, happily betrothed and married, she became a widow at a young age and never remarried. Her husband’s name was not given. She devoted herself to the temple and God.

Anna was the daughter of Phanuel,  meaning, “The face, or appearance of God.” Her name means grace or favor, like Hannah, with no H. They were from the tribe of Asher and awaited the Messiah. That is something we, as believers and vaguely identify with because we Jesus as the Messiah and Lord, and have His Spirit. Yet ,we eagerly await His return.

He is likely the most renowned of widows in the Bible as recounted by Luke, the physician, in chapter 2 of his gospel. She was a prophetess, whether her husband was or father is not clear, perhaps she was given favor for the time she spent with the Lord, is is one of many in a line of continuing prophets and prophetesses who heralded the coming of the Messiah.

To prophesy simply means to proclaim a divine message, it is a desired spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12. Anna was one given the gift  to know events before and after, and one through whom God spoke to others.  As she gazed upon the face of the Babe of Bethlehem Anna knew by the Holy Spirit, that the past predictions of Him were fulfilled. She was very familiar with the prophets. Having waited for Christ she believed, along with Simeon, that Mary’s first-born Son was indeed the rod out of the stem of Jesse. Isaiah 11:1; Micah 5:2, they were both very old but had been given the opportunity to see the Messiah.

It was common for widows to live near the temple and be taken care of if they were not to marry a kinsman. the church has a mandate to care for widows and orphans. Anna was married for only seven years, and remained a widow for eighty-four years. being married as young as thirteen was not unheard of in those days, she must have been over one hundred years old when her eyes beheld the Saviour that she had longingly expected. She had grown old in the service of the sanctuary, and having seen, with Simeon, God’s Salvation, was ready to depart in peace, having beheld the Prince of Peace.

Anna was alone, and widows can know what it is to face a long, lonely life, of solitude. Anna could have chosen differently but as she gave herself to God, He gave more of Himself to her, His promise to be a figurative husband to widows. His love and grace are sufficient and He can bless in so many ways even if you are without family or children, you do not have to be alone when He is with you and you can be a blessing to others.

Anna turned to join the band of holy women who devoted themselves to continual attendance at the “night and day services of the Temple.” What an inspiration to pastors to see regular faces. She prayed, fasted, praised and was a crown of His beauty, regardless of age. Isaiah 62:3 It was no mere coincidence she was there when Mary and Joseph brought in the baby Jesus.

Anna was a woman of grace, and all the ages and stages of life. Blessed are all those who patiently and prayerfully await Christ’s second appearance. Hebrews 9:28 Rebecca Jones / public domain

The Judge’s Grace

Deborah was an unusual woman in the Old Testament. She was a judge. She sat under a palm tree and made decisions. One of which was to go to war, when Barak approached her about leading the charge, he wanted her to go along and she did.

This woman was strong, a leader, judge and warrior, perhaps, even fearless, a even poetess, though writing about Jael who drove a stake through Sisera’s head, is not exactly my type of poem. Not many women wielded this much power without being a queen or at least having his ear.

God extended grace to a strong woman to be a judge in Israel, she was right in the same category of Samson and Othniel. When looking to read about impressive women in the Bible, her story stands out.

And her name means bee, so she probably was as busy as one, instead of a bench, she had a palm, instead of a gavel, she had Jael, and instead of a courtroom a country to rule, and Israel was always doing battle, so the judge really needed grace. Rebecca Jones / stock photo