Z is for Zipporah (Women of the Bible)

Z is for Zipporah.

Scripture Reference:

Exodus 2:16-22; 4:24-26; 18:1-6

Meaning of Name:

A sparrow.

Family Connections:

One of the seven daughters of Jethro; wife of Moses; and mother of Gershom and Eliezer.

Interesting Facts about Zipporah:

• Zipporah and her sisters were helped by Moses when shepherds tried to chase them away from the well as they attempted to draw water for their father's flocks.
• Zipporah invited Moses back to her father's house to break bread together at the request of her father.
• Zipporah marries Moses.
• She and their two sons accompany Moses part of the way on his journey back to Egypt.
• Zipporah had to circumcise their son with a sharp flint to save Moses' life which God was about to take from him for not performing the circumcision.

What We Can Learn from Zipporah:

• Do not cause my husband to compromise.
• Be obedient to God.

It's hard to believe this #abcblogging challenge from my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me is finished - I really enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the journey with me! Find all of my posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

Click on the image below to read more posts from others who are Blogging through the Alphabet!

Y is for Young Miriam (Women of the Bible)

Y is for Young Miriam.

Scripture Reference:

Exodus 2:1-10

Meaning of Name:

"Loved by Yahweh"

Family Connections:

Daughter of Amram and Jochebed; Sister of Moses and Aaron

Interesting Facts about Young Miriam:

• Young Miriam was protective of her baby brother, Moses, staying by the riverbank to watch.
• Young Miriam bravely approached the princess to volunteer to find a nurse for the baby.
• Young Miriam kept her relation to the baby a secret.
• She brought their mother as the nurse who was able to keep him and nurse him in their home until he was older.

What We Can Learn from Young Miriam:

• Bravery in the midst of an uncertain situation.
• Protection of loved ones.
• Young children can be used by God for fulfilling His purposes.

This Blogging through the Alphabet challenge has been hosted by my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me. Thanks, Marcy! If you would like to read more #abcblogging posts, simply click on the image below.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

X is for the Ten Virgins (Women of the Bible)

X is for the Ten Virgins.

(Like how I used the Roman numeral X which stands for the number ten?!)

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 25:1-13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Names Unknown:

These women are not named in this parable told by Jesus.

Interesting Facts about the Ten Virgins:

• This parable of the Ten Virgins was told by Jesus relating it to what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like at Jesus' return.
• Five of the ten virgins were wise and brought along oil for their lamps while they were waiting for the bridegroom to arrive.
• The other five of the ten virgins were foolish and did not bring oil for their lamps.
• They all became drowsy and fell asleep while waiting for the bridegroom.
• When the bridegroom finally arrived at the wedding banquet, the five wise virgins who had oil for their lamps were ready to enter into the wedding banquet.
• The five foolish virgins had to leave to go get oil for their lamps, and while they were gone the bridegroom arrived and the door to the wedding banquet was shut so that the foolish virgins could not enter.
• The five foolish virgins begged for entrance into the wedding banquet, but they were refused.

What We can Learn from the Ten Virgins:

• Jesus is returning as He promised.
• We do not know the day or the hour when He will return.
• We must be ready for His return at all times.
• Sinners must repent and believe in Jesus now before He returns.
• We, as believers, must shine our lights for Jesus in this dark world and not be lulled to sleep by the allurements of this world.

"William blake ten virgins" by William Blake - http://www.humanitiesweb.org/human.php?s=g&p=c&a=p&ID=667. 

Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. 

Thanks so much to Marcy at Ben and Me for hosting this Blogging through the Alphabet challenge! We are almost at the end of the alphabet!

You can find all of my posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

If you'd like to read what others are #abcblogging about, simply click on the image below. 

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

Woman of Thebez (Women of the Bible)

W is for Woman of Thebez.

Scripture Reference:

Judges 9:50-57


⁵⁰ Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and took it. ⁵¹ But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women—all the people of the city—fled there and shut themselves in; then they went up to the top of the tower. ⁵² So Abimelech came as far as the tower and fought against it; and he drew near the door of the tower to burn it with fire. ⁵³ But a certain woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. ⁵⁴ Then he called quickly to the young man, his armorbearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So his young man thrust him through, and he died. ⁵⁵ And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed, every man to his place.
⁵⁶ Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. ⁵⁷ And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned on their own heads, and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.


2 Samuel 11:21

Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Was it not a woman who cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez?

Name Unknown:

This obscure daughter of Israel who lived in Thebez is not named.

Interesting Facts about the Woman of Thebez:

• She, along with others, fled to a strong tower of Thebez in an attempt to escape bloodthirsty Abimilech who was determined to be king and had killed all his rivals - including his 70 brothers (only one had escaped).
• She was on the roof of the tower when she saw Abimilech rushing towards the tower to burn it and its occupants with fire.
• She found a millstone and threw it at Abimilech's head and crushed his skull. Not wanting it to be known that he had died at the hands of a woman, Abimilech had his armor bearer thrust through him with a sword, and Abimilech died.
• She was an instrument of God used to save her people from death.
• By defeating Abimilech, the woman of Thebez restored the God-given rulership of judges back to Israel.

What We Can Learn from the Woman of Thebez:

• The battle is not always to the strong.
• "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it, and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

Attribution: https://flic.kr/p/bR8ctv

Thanks so much to Marcy at Ben and Me for hosting this Blogging through the Alphabet challenge! It's hard to believe there are only 3 weeks left in this challenge! I can't wait to show you who I chose for the letter X! Be sure to come back here next week to find out!

You can find all of my posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

If you'd like to read what others are #abcblogging about, simply click on the image below. 

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

V is for Vashti (Women of the Bible)

V is for Vashti. 

Scripture Reference:

Esther 1; 2:1-4

Meaning of Name:

Beautiful woman.

Family Connections:

Wife of King Ahasuerus and Queen

Interesting Facts about Vashti:

• Vashti, the Queen, was ordered by the drunken King Ahasuerus to appear before his assembled guests (drunk as well) at the conclusion of his seven day banquet.
• Vashti, the Queen, was a beautiful woman and the King wanted to display her beauty in a prideful manner as he had displayed his other kingdom treasures.
• Some believe Vashti, the Queen, was ordered to come into the presence of this drunken group of men wearing only her royal crown. 
• Vashti, the Queen, refused her husband/the King's request risking both her crown and her life.
• Vashti was removed as Queen and never allowed to enter the King's presence again.

What We Can Learn from Vashti:

• Courage in taking a stand for what is right.
• Choose virtue and modesty over worldly admiration.
• God will protect us when we choose what is right in His eyes over what seems right in this world.
• Honor God above all.

"Vashti orig" by Edwin Long - http://protect.bjumg.org/giftshop/product_info.php?products_id=128. 

Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons. 

This Blogging through the Alphabet challenge has been hosted by my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me. Thanks, Marcy! If you would like to read more #abcblogging posts, simply click on the image below.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

U is for Unbelieving Wife (Women of the Bible)

U is for Unbelieving Wife.

Scripture Reference:

1 Corinthians 7:12, 14

¹² To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. 

1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, in the same way (in the previous verses he was referring to women with unbelieving husbands) be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

No specific name is given because Paul and Peter are referring to an unbelieving wife of any Christian husband.

Interesting Facts about an Unbelieving Wife:

• Paul gives explicit instructions to the unbelieving wife's husband to stay married to them if the unbelieving wife consents to staying married.
• An unbelieving wife is made holy (shares in the blessings of God) through her believing husband as he is blessed of God.
• She is under the influence of God's work by the witness (and Godly love) of her husband's life.

What We Can Learn to Reach an Unbelieving Wife:

• Don't ever give up praying for the salvation of a friend who is an unbelieving wife.
• Be a godly influence in the life of an unbelieving wife.
• Encourage the marriage relationship where there is an unbelieving wife.

I'll note my observations of three attitudes Peter references in verse 7 that husbands are to have toward their unbelieving wife:

1. Consideration (Be considerate with your wife...be sensitive to her needs and feelings which includes her intimate desires.)
2. Chivalry (Being physically weaker than man, protect her as the stronger vessel. Provide for her.)
3. Companionship (The unbelieving wife is an heir of the gracious gift of marriage ordained by God. This calls for friendship and fellowship in the marriage relationship.)

When a believing husband of an unbelieving wife lives by these three attitudes, his prayers will not be hindered. I would also suggest that loving her in such a way could definitely lead to her salvation.


It's hard to believe this #abcblogging challenge from my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me is almost at an end. Thanks for taking the journey with me! Find all of my posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

Click on the image below to read more posts from others who are Blogging through the Alphabet!

T is for Tabernacle Women (Women of the Bible)

T is for Tabernacle Women.

Scripture Reference:

Exodus 38:8 (NIV)

They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

Names Unknown:

These Tabernacle women are not named.

Interesting Facts about the Tabernacle Women:

• The Tabernacle Women were worshipers of God who would serve at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
• They surrendered some of their most prized possessions, namely mirrors made with fine brass that they brought with them from Egypt.
• Their fine brass mirrors would be melted down and used to create the bronze basin (and also the basin's bronze stand) which the priests would use to wash their hands and feet in before they went into the holy place to minister (and after they came out of the holy place) so that they would not die (Exodus 30:17-21).

What We Can Learn from the Tabernacle Women:

• Sacrificing for the good of others is pleasing in the eyes of God.
• Be devoted in our worship of God.
• Give generously to the work of the Lord.
• Have a willing heart ready to serve wherever there is a need in the church.

What a brass basin would look like:

Attribution: "Book of Exodus Chapter 31-2 (Bible Illustrations by Sweet Media)" by Jim Padgett - Biblical illustrations by Jim Padgett, courtesy of Sweet Publishing, Ft. Worth, TX, and Gospel Light, Ventura, CA. Copyright 1984. Released under new license, CC-BY-SA 3.0. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Tabernacle:

(Notice the brass basin just before the entrance to the holy place.)

Attribution: "Scinia" by Anonymous work - http://www.rjews.net/gazeta/Photo/hram.php3?id=1. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

We are nearing the end of this #abcblogging challenge from my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me. Thanks for taking the journey with me! Find all of my posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

Click on the image below to read more posts from others who are Blogging through the Alphabet!

S is for Sarah (Women of the Bible)

S is for Sarah.

Scripture Reference:

Genesis 11:29-31; 12:5-17; 16:1-8; 17:15-21; 20:2-18; 21:1-12; 23:1-19; Romans 4:19; 9:9; Hebrews 11:11; 1 Peter 3:6

Meaning of Name:

Princess

Family Connections:

Daughter of Terah, the wife of Abraham (and his half sister); the mother of Isaac

Interesting Facts about Sarah:

• Sarah and Abraham had the same father, but different mothers (Genesis 20:12).
• Sarah was a faithful wife to Abraham.
• Sarah would be the woman through which the promised seed of Abraham would be born.
• Sarah, who had been barren, laughed within herself as she overheard God promise to Abraham that a son would be born to them. 
• Sarah's laugh was a laugh of doubt unlike her husband's laughter which was of joy after hearing the promise of God.
• Sarah grew impatient waiting for God to fulfill His promise, and as a result convinced her husband to take her maidservant, Hagar, in order to conceive a child that would not be the promised seed.
• The promised seed of God would only come through Sarah's womb.
• Sarah's name was changed by God (it had been Sarai) when He came in love and mercy after their decision concerning Hagar, to confirm His promise that Sarah would indeed conceive the promised seed.
• God kept His promise to Sarah and Abraham in the birth of Isaac.
• Sarah and Abraham named their son Issac, which means "laughter", given as a memorial of her laughter that was doubt at God's promise and of Abraham's laughter which was joy at God's promise.
• Sarah died at the age of 127.

What We Can Learn from Sarah:

• If God has given you a promise, don't lose hope for the fulfillment of His promise.
• Do not doubt the promises of God.
• Don't rush ahead of God - His timing is perfect.
• God will accomplish every word He speaks.
• God has a plan for my life that no one else can fulfill.
• Be careful of the influences we try to impose on our husbands.
• God keeps His promises.
• Be attentive to ways God confirms His promise to you while you are waiting for its fulfillment.

This Blogging through the Alphabet challenge has been hosted by my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me. Thanks, Marcy! If you would like to read more #abcblogging posts, simply click on the image below.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

R is for Ruth (Women of the Bible)

R is for Ruth.

Scripture Reference:

The Book of Ruth; Matthew 1:5

Meaning of Name:

Lovely friend

Family Connections:

Daughter-in-law of Naomi; Widow of  Mahlon; Wife of Boaz; Mother of Obed; Great-grandmother of king David.

Interesting Facts about Ruth:

• Ruth was a widow who chose to stay in relationship with her mother-in-law.
• Ruth was loyal to Naomi and loved her deeply.
• She chose to leave her home in Moab and the false idols of Baal to journey with Naomi back to Bethlehem.
• Ruth was a devote worshiper of the one true God.  
• Ruth was not afraid of her unknown future that lay ahead of her in Bethlehem. 
• She listened to the advice of Naomi, an older woman. 
• Ruth was not ashamed of the low order work of gleaning with the poor and and outcasts in Boaz's fields so that she could provide food for herself and Naomi.
• Ruth found favor in Boaz's eyes who commanded his reapers to purposely drop extra sheaves for her.
• Ruth became the wife of Boaz after listening to the advice of Noami.
• Ruth and Boaz had a son, Obed.
• Ruth's decision to follow Jehovah and to completely align herself with the Hebrew people led her to becoming part of the ancestry of Jesus.

What We Can Learn from Ruth:

• Titus 2 relationships with older women are important.
• Be loyal and unselfish in your relationships.
• Comfort those who have suffered the same kind of loss as we have.
• Do not be ashamed of lowly work that brings provision in your home.
• God has a good plan for our lives.
• When given a choice, always choose the path that will lead you to God.
• Trust that God is in control of the unknown places you have yet to face in your life.
• God can take any life that is surrendered to Him and use it to bring His plan to fruition.

Thanks so much to Marcy at Ben and Me for hosting this Blogging through the Alphabet challenge! You can find all of my posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

If you'd like to read what others are #abcblogging about, simply click on the image below. 

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

Q is for Queen Sheba (Women of the Bible)

Q is for Queen Sheba.

Scripture Reference:

1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12; and Matthew 12:42

Meaning of Name:

Name unknown. We only know her as the Queen of Sheba.

Family Connections:

Unknown

Interesting Facts about the Queen of Sheba:

• Queen Sheba traveled around 1,200 miles to Jerusalem upon hearing about the wisdom of King Solomon and his relationship with the Lord.
• She came with a caravan of camels loaded with spices, gold, and precious stones to give to the king.
• Queen Sheba had a quest for knowledge and presented King Solomon with her questions.
• She was overwhelmed at the realization of King Solomon's wisdom.
• Queen Sheba praised God for the wisdom of King Solomon.
• She acknowledged God as the giver of the king's wealth and wisdom.

What We Can Learn from the Queen of Sheba:

• There is One greater than Solomon that we can learn God's truth from - Jesus. 
• Seek a deeper personal knowledge of God.
• Pursue God-given truths found in the Bible.
• Seek out relationships with others who are grounded in their relationship with Jesus and can teach us.

We are nearing the end of this #abcblogging challenge from my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me. Thanks for taking the journey with me! Find all of my posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

Click on the image below to read more posts of others who are Blogging through the Alphabet!

P is for Priscilla (Women of the Bible)

P is for Priscilla.

Scripture Reference:

Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19

Meaning of Name:

Worthy or venerable

Family Connections:

Wife of Aquila.

Interesting Facts about Priscilla:

• Anytime Priscilla is mentioned in the Bible, she is with her husband, Aquila.
• She (and her husband) were expelled from Rome because they were Jews.
• Priscilla, with her husband, were believers of Jesus Christ.
• She (and her husband) were able to return to their home in Rome after the death of Emperor Claudius.
• Priscilla labored together with her husband, Aquila, in the service of the church.
• She, along with her husband, sailed to Syria with Paul. 
• Priscilla (and her husband) explained the Way of God more accurately to Apollos.
• Priscilla and her husband hosted a house church in their home while in Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome.
• Priscilla (and her husband) were referred to by Paul as his co-laborers in Christ Jesus.
• Priscilla was united in love with her husband.
• Priscilla was united in Christian service with her husband.
• She (and her husband) are among the earliest known missionaries.
• Priscilla (and her husband) opened their home up to Paul who stayed with them 18 months.
• Priscilla (and her husband) risked their lives for Paul.

What We Can Learn from Priscilla:

• Unity in a marriage is a beautiful witness.
• Be active in the church with your spouse for God's glory.
• Practice hospitality.
• Grow in the Word of God together.
• Share your knowledge of the Word of God with others.
• Be a faithful friend.
• Bloom for God's glory wherever life takes you and your spouse.
• Stay faithful in serving the Lord together.

I'm Blogging Through the Alphabet with my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me! Check out my other posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

O is for Orpah (Women of the Bible)

O is for Orpah.

Scripture Reference:

Ruth 1

Meaning of Name:

A fawn or young doe; or double-minded.

Family Connections:

Widow of Chilion, the son of Naomi and Elimelech; the daughter-in-law of Naomi and Elimelech; and the sister-in-law of Ruth.

Interesting Facts about Orpah:

• Orpah had been exposed to the truth of God because of her marriage to Naomi and Elimelech's son.
• At first, Orpah leaves with Naomi and Ruth, but realizing she will have to leave behind her old life she turns around and heads back to her life in Moab.
• When faced with the opportunity to return to Naomi's homeland where she would be able to serve the One True God, she refuses - embracing instead Moloch, the heathen god of Moab, as the object of her worship.
• Orpah chose the comfort of her familiar home of Moab rather than an uncertain future in a place she was not familiar with.
• Orpah went back to her own people and to her own gods. 

What We Can Learn from Orpah:

• There is only One True God.
• We can have a godly influence in the lives of our family members who have yet to make their personal decision for Jesus Christ.
• We are all faced with the choice to leave our old life for a new life with Jesus at the head.
• We can trust the distant, unknown places of our lives to a faithful God Who holds it all in His mighty hands.

Thanks for joining me during this #abcblogging challenge with Marcy at Ben and Me! See how others are blogging through the alphabet by clicking on the image below to read more posts.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

 

N is for Naomi (Women of the Bible)

N is for Naomi.

Scripture Reference: 

The book of Ruth.

Meaning of Name:

"My joy," "my bliss," or "pleasantness of Jehovah"

Family Connections:

Widow of Elimelech, mother of two sons, mother-in-law of Ruth and Orpah and grandmother to Obed.

Interesting Facts about Naomi:

• Naomi was sincere in her faith.
• Naomi's husband moved the family to Moab due to a famine in their homeland.
• She found herself in a strange land with foreign worship.
• Naomi's husband, Elimelech, died in Moab.
• Both of Naomi's sons died in Moab.
• Naomi was deeply loved by her daughters-in-law.
• Naomi returned to her native land of Bethlehem upon hearing that God had provided food there.
• Her faithful daughter-in-law, Ruth, begged to go back to Bethlehem with her and Naomi agreed.
• Naomi returned to Bethlehem empty and bitter.
• Upon her return to Bethlehem, she tells the women there to call her Mara which means "bitter."
• Naomi saw her life as bitter because of the death of her husband and sons, her dislocation in a foreign land, and her poverty.
• She thought the hand of the Lord was against her.
• Naomi advised Ruth in the steps leading up to Ruth's marriage to Boaz.
• Naomi once again utters words of blessing with the name of the Lord added, showing that her heart was turning from the bitterness that consumed her.
• Naomi's bitterness turns to joy upon the birth of her grandson, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King David. 

What We Can Learn from Naomi:

• Seasons come and go in a woman's life.
• We can choose to remain faithful to God throughout the ups and downs of life.
• Do not let a root of bitterness take place in our hearts.
• We can find hope once again that will lift us up out of a bitter attitude.
• We can have a positive influence in the lives of younger women as we take them under our wing to guide them. 
• Our character and faith can be a witness to others around us.
• We can always return home.
• God has a divine purpose in everything.
• God's covenant love never ends.
• Even the bleakest of situations can turn out for our good when entrusted to the hands of our loving God.

Naomi, Obed and Ruth (Emile Levy, 1859)

Thanks for coming along with me in this #abcblogging series on Women of the Bible! It's hard to believe we are halfway through this Blogging Through the Alphabet challenge hosted by my friend, Marcy, at Ben and Me. You can read more posts from others who are taking the challenge with me by clicking on the image below.

Come and meet the other women I've chosen to highlight during this Blogging Through the Alphabet challenge. You can find all of my posts from this series on my Women of the Bible page.

Walking in His Grace, 
Laurie

M is for Martha (Women of the Bible)

M is for Martha.

Scripture Reference:

Luke 10:38-42 and John 11; 12:1-3

Meaning of Name:

Lady

Family Connections:

The sister of Mary and Lazarus. They lived together in Bethany.

Interesting Facts about Martha:

• Martha welcomed Jesus and His disciples into her home.
• Martha became distracted by her serving so that it took her away from Jesus' teaching.
• She complained that her sister, Mary, didn't leave Jesus' teaching as well to come and help her serve.
• In the repetition of her name, "Martha, Martha", Jesus affectionately begins His rebuke of Martha.
• Martha loved Jesus, and she was loved by Jesus.
• She went to meet Jesus as He was coming to their house because of the death of her brother, Lazarus.
• Martha had faith that Jesus could have healed her brother.
• Martha had faith concerning her deceased brother Lazarus, and that whatever Jesus asked of God He would surely give it to Jesus.
• Martha believed in the resurrection at the last day.
• She confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, who had come into the world.

What We Can Learn from Martha:

• Open our hearts and our homes to the leadership of Jesus.
• Be hospitable to others.
• Do not become so busy with our serving or responsibilities that we neglect time alone in the Word of God.
• Time in the Word of God is needed for our spiritual growth.
• Serving and learning are both duties in the Christian life.
• All that we do in serving and learning should be in honor and glory to God. 
• Jesus' delay in responding is not necessarily denial, but can be an opportunity for the display of the glory of God.
• Jesus knows the exact moment to display the power of God.
• We can trust Jesus with our cares, our sorrows, and our responsibilities.

In this fast-paced, busy world, I think we all can relate in some way to Martha. Finding a balance between learning and serving is something most of us struggle with if we're honest with ourselves. Let's remember to ask Jesus to help us. He's more than ready to answer our call for help in this area of our lives.



Walking in His Grace, 
Laurie  


This #abcblogging challenge is being hosted by my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me. Click on the image below to read more Blogging Through the Alphabet posts. Enjoy!

L is for Lois (Women of the Bible)

L is for Lois.

Scripture Reference:

2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Meaning of Name:

Agreeable or desirable

Family Connections:

The mother of Eunice, and grandmother of Timothy.

Interesting Facts About Lois:

• Lois was a devout Jewess who came to faith in Christ.
• Lois faithfully instructed her daughter (Eunice) and grandson (Timothy) in Old Testament Scriptures.
• Lois was respected by the apostle Paul as a woman of virtue and piety.
• Lois is commended by the apostle Paul for her sincere faith in Christ which she passed on to her daughter, Eunice, and to her grandson, Timothy.

What We Can Learn from Lois:

• Walk faithfully in the ministry of motherhood.
• Walk faithfully in our lives as believers to be living testimonies to our children.
• Share our faith in Christ with our children as instructed by Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
• Encourage our children to feast on the Word of God.
• Encourage our children to fellowship with God in prayer.
• Speak to our children about the power of prayer in a believer's life.
• Pray for the salvation of the souls of our children realizing that the seeds of faith we plant in them must be watered with our prayers that those seeds will take root.
• Trust in the God of all grace that the seeds we plant will take root in our children's hearts and will blossom for His glory.

Lois' faithfulness to live out her faith in Christ in front of her children and grandchildren reminds me of my wonderful Grandma Matthews, and the legacy of her life. My parents divorced when I was a young child. I have fond childhood memories of visiting my Grandma Matthews during weekend visits with my Daddy. He would always let me and my twin sister stay overnight with Grandma on Saturday nights so we could go to church with her in the morning. Grandma would buy us pretty dresses, shoes, and little matching purses that we would wear to church on Sunday. I remember waking up on Sunday mornings and finding Grandma sitting at her kitchen table with her Bible opened and her reading it. I remember sitting in Sunday School class at a wooden table with wooden chairs hearing Bible stories. I remember being in church service sitting next to Grandma listening to the Pastor's sermon. I remember memorizing Bible verses for the Christmas pageant. Such wonderful memories of seeds that my Grandma Matthews planted in my young life. Seeds that took root no doubt because of her faithful prayers. This is the kind of legacy I want to leave for my children and my future grandchildren.

I'm #abcblogging with Marcy at Ben and Me - thanks Marcy for hosting this Blogging Through the Alphabet challenge! Read more posts by clicking on the image below.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

K is for Keturah (Women of the Bible)

K is for Keturah.

Scripture Reference:

Genesis 25:1-6; 1 Chronicles 1:32, 33

Meaning of Name:

Incense

Family Connections:

Abraham's concubine whom he took as wife (after Sarah died). The mother of Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

Interesting Facts about Keturah:

• As a concubine, Keturah did not have the rights of a wife; nor were her children considered rightful heirs of Abraham, although gifts were given by Abraham to his six sons.
• Keturah was the mother to six of Abraham's sons from which the six Arabian tribes of Southern and Eastern Palestine originated.
• Keturah had a part in helping to fulfill the promise that Abraham would become the "father of many nations".
• Keturah surrounded Abraham in his declining years with care and love.
• She remained faithful to Abraham.
• Keturah honored her role as a wife to Abraham.

What We Can Learn from Keturah:

• We all have a part to fulfill in God's plan.
• Remain faithful to our husband.
• Show care for our husband.
• Show love to our husband.

There were some differing opinions/theories that I wanted to include in my points of interest that I discovered, but I decided to leave them out. As you can see, I'm conflicted about whether or not to mention them since I'm even telling you this. It is worthy to note simply because of a very important lesson we can learn should the theory be valid. I'm no Bible scholar certainly, but here's a theory I found while studying that I can't leave out because of the life lesson I see in it that would benefit us all.

When Abraham sent away his six sons it is possible that some were still young enough to need the care of their mother, so Keturah would have been sent away with them. She had a choice to make in how she would respond in her time of crisis upon learning that she had to leave everything that she knew and loved. Keturah could have rejected the faith of the one true God that had been a part of her life as Abraham's wife. But from what we can see in the life of Jethro, a priest of Median (of the descendants of Midian, Keturah's son) and future father-in-law of Moses, she did not reject her faith, but carried it with her and her six sons to the land they had been sent away to by Abraham. She took the truth of God with her and continued to raise her sons in the faith. To sustain and pass on this faith, she must have had a deep, personal relationship with Yahweh.

How do we respond to the crisis of our lives? Do we grasp on to the faith of our personal relationship with God as Keturah seems to have done or do we forsake it in feelings of resentment for what has happened to us?

Again, I'm no Bible scholar, but the lesson is certainly worth thinking about, isn't it.

Venice Haggadah, Family of Abraham - Wikipedia Public Domain

"The image ... shows Abraham with the three women in his life. In the center are Sarah and Isaac; on the left are Hagar and Ishmael and on the right are Keturah and her children."


Thanks to Marcy at Ben and Me for hosting this #abcblogging event! Click on the image below to see how others are Blogging Through the Alphabet!

Walking in His Grace, 
Laurie

J is for Joanna (Women of the Bible)

J is for Joanna.

Scripture Reference:

Luke 8:1-3; 23:55; 24:10

Meaning of Name:

"Jehovah hath shown favor", or "The Lord is grace", or "The Lord give graciously"

Family Connections:

The wife of Chuza, the house-steward of Herod the Tetrarch.

Interesting Facts About Joanna:

• Joanna was among some of the women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases by Jesus (Luke 8:1-3).
• We are not told of which Joanna was cured.
• She helped to support Jesus and the Twelve out of her own resources.
• Joanna was a devoted disciple of Jesus.
• She was a believer in the house of Herod the Tetrarch.
• Joanna witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
• Joanna and the other women saw the body of Jesus laying in the tomb with myrrh and aloes.
• She and the other women went home to prepare spices and perfume to use to make their own contribution to the burial process after the Sabbath was over.
• She was among the women who discovered the empty tomb of Jesus after His resurrection.
• Joanna was among the first witnesses to tell others about the resurrection of Jesus.
• Joanna and the other women, along with the disciples, waited in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit as directed by Jesus before he ascended into Heaven.
• She devoted herself to prayer.

What We Can Learn from Joanna:

• Live a life of gratitude to Jesus for all that He has done for me.
• Give and bless others with a thankful heart.
• Be a witness for Jesus wherever I am...be it with unbelievers or fellow believers.
• Always give my best to those I love.
• Wait patiently for the promises of God to be fulfilled in my life.
• Be consistent with my prayer life.

Walking in His Grace, 
Laurie


I'm #abcblogging with Marcy at Ben and Me - thank you, Marcy, for hosting! Click on the image below to read more posts from others who are blogging through the alphabet!