Peace of Mind - December 31, 2019

I have been richly blessed by the Women's Ministry of C3 Church, known as Daughters. Towards the close of the 2019 Women's Conference we were encouraged to speak life to each other, as the Holy Spirit led. Some gave a word of knowledge and others prophesied. The woman who held my hand prophesied to me: the sum of her announcement being, persist. 

I left that day and strolled into the STRAND (a favorite pastime of mine), where it was not long before my eyes caught a blue canvas tote with the words, "Nevertheless She Persisted", emblazoned on it. I purchased it, deciding to carry an artifact to remind me of the word I'd received. It was not until several weeks later that I realized the phrase I proudly carried on my bag had been captured by a larger story: the story of the feminist movement and specifically the outcry of women against the public chastisement of Senator Elizabeth Warren by Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell. 

As I investigated this larger story, I couldn't help but being struck by how different the cry of Biblical womanhood is from the cry of the feminist movement. Biblical womanhood is not ignorant of, nor apathetic to the reality of systemically protected discrepancies in the valuing and treatment of women. It is knowledgeable. It is concerned. It is engaged. But, it is all these things that the feminist movement is, from a God angle.  

It is knowledgeable from a human or natural vantage point, but the knowledge that it relies on (that fashions its concerns and directs its engagement) is that which is from God. Knowledge about who God is, who we are and our God sanctioned and designed dignity and purpose in the earth. 

Biblical womanhood is not reactionary-not moving out because it is provoked. Biblical womanhood is purpose driven and Holy Spirit directed: moving confidently, not in the strength of its roar or to claw for a power it idolized as it sat on the sidelines of history but, in the love and power of the Father. 
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Biblical womanhood is the picture of women already free, valued and loved, who are compelled by the love of their Father to invite others into the lived reality of true freedom, value and love. In the flesh, she prays, studies, organizes, speaks out, is silent, votes, runs for office, raises her kids, loves her husband and lays her life down in a myriad of other ways. She lays her life down in confidence because she has placed her trust in Him. She is confident because of His sufficiency. 

Confident in the face of assaults on her worth because she knows that God loved her so much that He gave His life for her on a cross. (John 3:16). She knows that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14).

Confident in the face of the accusations of her past because she knows that no weapon formed against her can ever prosper, as her righteousness [right standing with God] is established by God. (Isaiah 54:17). She knows that there is no condemnation for her in Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:1).

Confident in the face of opposition because she knows that greater is Christ in her, than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4). She knows that the battle is not hers, but the LORD’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Confident in the face of rejection because she knows that never will He leave nor forsake her. (Hebrews 13:5). She knows that when her mother and father forsake her, He will lift her up. (Psalm 27:10).

Confident in the face of calamity because she knows that all things He will work together for her good. (Romans 8:28).

Confident in the face of the threat of lack because she knows that the LORD is her shepherd, she shall lack nothing. (Psalm 23:1).

Confident in the face of her weaknesses because she knows that when she is weak, then she is strong in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).

Confident in the face of the unknown because she knows that He knows the end from the beginning and will take her to a good and expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11).

Confident in the face of the taunt of time because she knows that He will restore the years that the cankerworm has eaten. (Joel 2:25).

Confident in the face of the lie of purposelessness because she knows that all her days have been numbered and that she has been made in Christ Jesus for good works He has prepared in advance. (Psalm 139:16 and Ephesians 2:10).

Confident in the face of temptation and sin because she knows that no temptation is unique to her and that the Spirit that raised Jesus lives in her to make her victorious over the power of sin. (1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Timothy 1:7).
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Confident in the face of death and the grave because she knows that He shall receive her unto Himself and that the dead in Christ shall be raised to life! (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

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The Voice We Listen To
Read |Mark 4:36 -40| 

One of the first things a child masters is the sound of her mother's voice. At the sound of her mother she can be soothed or encouraged to the expectation that her needs will be met. She knows her mother's voice. And as she grows, her voice will continue to play a role in affirming, instructing and warning her. She will come to hear many voices, but of great impact with be the voice of her mother (whether good or bad).

Like a child harkens to the voice of her mother, so are we called to harken to the voice of our heavenly Father. It is for us to know His voice and to follow it. (John 10:27-28). And, unlike our human connection to our mother, we need not fear the soundness of the Father's voice. He is perfect and complete in every way! He counsels in the way of wisdom and everlasting life. He speaks and confirms that we are His and He is ours.

So whose voice are you listening to? When we think of voices, we may be tempted to think of that which is produced from a living breathing organism with a voice box. But, when we speak of voice, we are speaking of something much broader. We are speaking of any vehicle capable of carrying and disseminating a message. Society has a voice; your past has a voice and so do your circumstances. Yes! Your circumstances witness too. Are you believing them? 

In this month's Scripture reading, we see the disciples tossed in a little boat at sea, with Jesus unperturbed and at ease in the stern. (Mark 4:38). The disciples are panicked. They are panicked because of the voice [witness and or interpreter] they heed. You see, the storm was speaking. And we get a glimpse of what it said by taking a closer look at the question they asked of Jesus: Do you not care, that we drown? (Mark 4:38).

The storm had screamed of its own great might and their certain death. And in the wake of its false witness, it made the disciples wonder why Jesus had abandoned them for sleep.

But, all witnesses are not equally credible. Only God's witness is wholly credible, because His character and very attributes make Him beyond failing. What has become of the Word of God in your life? Do you submit to the counsel it provides? Do you invite the Teacher to teach? Do you hear as one believing? When God uses circumstances to speak, whose interpretation do you heed? Do you rely on the world's or God's?Whatever you observe, always ask Him to show you what it means. 

With a Word, Jesus silences and stills the storm. Next, He speaks to the storm that comes to brew in the hearts of the disciples on account of their fear of the elements. He quiets the storm-the whirlwind of commentary working against His purposes [to get them to the other side in quiet confidence]-to speak truth: don't lose your confidence because I am with you. (Mark 4:40).

When Jesus's voice is the one we heed, we do not find ourselves burdened, nor disturbed. Even His rebuke is an encouragement to His children. (Hebrews 12:5). Instead, at our hearing, our confidence in Him rises and we are at peace. (Romans 10:17).

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Grab your Bible, journal, pen and teachable heart and be encouraged to Godly confidence by this word delivered by Pastor Heather Lindsey: Open Book Test. Watch now:

Writer, Sally Lloyd-Jones, encourages us to relax into the embrace of our Christ-centered identity in this beautifully written, Scripturally sound and vibrantly illustrated series of devotionals: Thoughts that Make Your Heart Sing. It is a true gem for the young and the old.
Get your copy here: 
https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Make-Your-Heart-Sing/dp/0310721636

Her Heart Is Fierce Lined Journal ​is the perfect place to capture the wild adventure of eternal purpose God is leading you on as you grow in confidence in Him. Filled with Scripture references and inspirational quotes from women of God, you will find encouragement to reflect on how God is building your brave, from the inside out. Get yours here:

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• Guidance to support community members in creating their own Peace of Mind Self-Care Kit, to include printables.

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