Dorcas was an ordinary woman who truly believed in God. She spent her life constantly doing things for others especially giving to the poor.

There came a time when Dorcas became ill and she passed away. As is customary and through their grief her friends washed her body and prepared her for burial. Laying her in the upper chamber for viewing.

It was at that time that Peter had come to Joppa spreading the news of the goodness and blessings of the Lord to all those who believe.

When these friends of hers heard of his presence they sent two men out and begged Peter to come to them. Being a diligent servant of the Lord Peter went with them.

Upon his arrival Peter was escorted to the upper chamber where Dorcas was laid at rest. In the room there were many widows weeping about her passing. When Peter entered they began to show him the beautiful garments that Dorcas had so unselfishly made for them.

Seeing their pain he asked them to leave the room. Peter then knelt beside her body and prayed.

When he had finished his prayer he turned to the body and said "Tabitha arise". She instantly opened her eyes and upon seeing it was Peter she sat up. Peter then stretched forth his hand and Dorcas got up from where she had been laid.

Peter then called all the saints and widows and presented Dorcas to them once again alive and well. What a glorious time it was for the word was spread throughout the land.

When I read this passage it made me think of how wonderful it would be to be so favored by our Lord by our giving so unselfishlessly to those less fortunate than ourselves that he would give us life again.

In essence that is what his promise is to us today. Over and over again we find scripture that talks about helping the poor. Giving to them and helping them through their troubled times.

Proverbs 22:9 (KJV) He that has a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Wouldn't you say that Dorcas was blessed with a renewed spirit due to her undying generousity to the poor.

Are you feeding the lambs, taking care of the sheep?

Share with us how you are following Christ.

 Read more RSS Feed.

Each year Elkanah and his family would go out of the city to worship and to offer a sacrifice to our Lord of hosts at the

Every year it was the same but as time passed Penninah began to mock and torment Hannah because she was still barren. Things got so bad that Hannah cried all the time and even stopped eating. Her husband could not understand saying to her “Why do you make such a big deal of having no children?” “Isn’t having me enough”.

On one of their annual outings Hannah went up to the temple, she was feeling deep pain and prayed silently.

The High Priest thought she was drunk as he saw her lips moving but heard no sound from her. He chastised her for drinking and told her to get rid of her drink. Instead of getting angry at him for his assumption she explained her situation. Upon hearing her story he sends her away and effectively says that her prayer will be heard and her desire granted. She immediately was filled with joy. Thanking the high priest, she returned home and resumed eating once again.

On the family’s final day at the tabernacle they worshipped the Lord once more and then returned home to Ramah. That night she went home with her husband, and gave herself to him. The Lord remembered her petition and soon afterwards she became pregnant.

As promised, when the child was born, and she had weaned him she returned to the temple on her family’s next annual trip. She brought her son with her and gave him back to the Lord. Hannah left her only child at the Tabernacle with the High Priest Eli just as she had promised she would.

It was at that time that she prayed a song of praise for his birth - the

Subsequently, when the child (Samuel) proved himself a good worker, Eli blesses Hannah again with prayer asking the Lord to give her more children to take the place of the child she so willing gave to the Lord. And the Lord answered the prayers blessing Hannah and her husband with more sons and also daughters.

Hannah’s faith and trust in the Lord proved to be beneficial to more than just her and her husband. Her sacrifice to the Lord made it possible for her son to find favor with the High Priest and to subsequently bless all who heard his voice.

Enjoy this read more at the RSS feed

Jill shares the Good News of Jesus Christ through her book ministry . Her current book titled "God's Love" depicts a journey through the amazing life of award winning Gospel singer, Jordan Alexander.  You can read more at www.JillStJames.net

 Below is Jill's inspiration on Lydia of Thyatira.

As a prosperous business woman who worshiped the Lord, Lydia dyed cloth and traveled to Philippi to sell her goods. Paul was teaching the Good News there because the Spirit of God forbade him to preach in Asia.

Upon hearing Paul preach, Lydia's heart was open to receive the Word. She, along with her entire household were baptized and welcomed the apostles into her home, which immediately became their church.

Lydia is known as the first European convert, and took the message of Jesus back to her hometown city in Asia...the very city Paul was forbidden to go!

Because of Lydia's open heart and obedience, she helped spread the Gospel of our Savior in a region that didn't know of Him.

This is a great lesson to us, to always be available to follow the LORD's will. Great things can happen when we trust and obey His voice. He places us exactly where we need to be, when we need to be there. It's up to us to be aware of our surroundings and the opportunities available to advance the message and love of Jesus where ever we are.

Be a blessing!
 

She was a woman that found favor in Mordecai her cousin and Hegai the one who had charge of the King's Harem and then the king; even after the thirty days she was separate from her king she found favor in him. Haman even pleaded for his life knowing she could help save him.

A woman that finds favor in all the men around, at different levels and different aspects of her life, has me in awe. God made Esther to be a woman "of noble character .... worth far more than rubies" (Psalm 31:10 emphasis mine) as he made all other women. We just have to walk in what he has already done for us.

Because she had pleased Hegai, he provided her with special foods and beauty treatments, as well as, being assigned seven maids while she was being prepared for the king.

Esther was a woman that settled into life without forgetting her heritage. She was able to obtain the finer "things" in life by obeying the laws of the land but protecting her nationality in the mist. (Chapter2:10, 20) In this book, you can almost sense her spirituality without the author even saying it. She had kept her connection with the Lord. She knew to fast and pray first before "challenging the world" (Chapter 4:15). She remembered her people and protected them. She also remembered her spirituality and focused on that to help her continue to find favor with her king. (Chapter 5: 1-8 and 7:1-10)

Esther showed women how to love their husbands. Before she became queen, she took with her, to please the king, whatever Hegai told her to take. (Something he/she knew would please the King). She always stated when she spoke to the King "if it pleases the king" saying whatever you like my husband, whatever you want my love, if what I suggest to you pleases you my king. Her husband, the king, was never displeased with her.

Esther was and is the biblical woman to help all other women to stand in their marriages and not be in bondage to situations. She is the one that never forgot her spirituality; remembers to pray first before going into "battle" a battle that was not hers to fight. I admire Esther because she never forgot herself and continued to be a help meet to her husband the king.

 http://www.essenceofawomanevents.com E.S.S.E.N.C.E Of A Woman, LLC

http://www.ckqgifts.biz Christian Business Owners Services & Gifts and 4 My Kids, Inc.

http://www.faithtravel4u.com Travel Business

You can read new posts on this blog via the RSS feed

In the days of Ruth judges ruled in Israel. There was no democratic society, no presidents, congressman, governors or the like. The judges' decision was law.

A man by the name of Elimelech who was from Bethlehem left his country because of a terrible famine. He settled in Moab with his wife Naomi and his two sons (Mahlon and Chilion). As the years passed Elimelech passed away. Naomi's sons were grown now and had taken wives (Orpah and Ruth) so she was not alone although I am sure she missed Elimelech terribly.

In time Naomi's sons passed away leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law all alone. With nothing left to keep them in Moab, Naomi decided to return to Israel where she had relatives. She had heard that the Lord had blessed the people by giving them good crops once again. Of course, she would take her daughter-in-laws with her as they were all the family she had in this strange land. And so they began their trip back to her homeland.

As they journeyed to Israel Naomi began to think about what she had asked of her daughters-in-law. They were young and attractive and could surely make new lives for themselves. They had fulfilled their duty to her according to the law of the land and she had nothing left to offer them to keep them with her. As she was old, had no more sons, and even if she could marry again and have children she could not ask the women to wait for them to become men.

So Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law  "Why don't you return to your parents' homes". You have been faithful to your husbands and to me. The Lord will surely bless you with another marriage. The women all cried and insisted that they go with Naomi.

Eventually, Naomi convinced Orpah it was the right thing to do, so she reluctantly left and returned to her parents. But Ruth refused to leave Naomi alone. So they returned to Israel where they caused quite a stir upon their arrival. Naomi was bitter now because of the circumstances surrounding her return home. No husband, no sons and no way to survive.

Since their were no men in their lives at the moment Ruth decided it was up to her to provide as Naomi was old. She said I will go to the fields and glean the free grain left behind by the reapers.

Ruth set out to find a field and found herself in the field of Boaz. Now Boaz was a relative of Naomi's and he was very well off. As Naomi worked diligently in the field Boaz returned and asked who was the girl in the field. He was informed that she was the daughter-in-law of Naomi his relative. She had been working hard all morning never stopping except to get a drink of water. This impressed Boaz.

After introducing himself to her he instructed her to stay in his field - never to go to another and that he would make sure that she was protected. He also instructed his reapers to leave additional heads of barley for her to glean. Boaz showed her favor because of her love and kindness to Naomi.

Upon returning home that evening Ruth brought with her all the barley she gleaned and even the remainder of her lunch. She told Naomi of her days adventures and they both rejoiced as surely the Lord had blessed them and Moab as well.

As time passed Naomi said to Ruth it is time for you to get a husband. She immediately thought of Boaz as he was a single man. In those days it was proper for a relative to take the wife and inherited land of a kinsman so as to continue the bloodline. So Naomi instructed Ruth as to what she should do to gain the favor of Boaz.

Ruth being the obedient daughter-in-law did exactly as Naomi had instructed. She put on here finest clothes and went to where he was. Taking precaution as to not let him see her until the evening was done. As he slept she lay down at his feet and slept making sure not to wake him.

When Boaz awoke startled in the middle of the night he discovered her there. They talked as to why she was there and it was settled he would handle all the details in the morning. Quietly she returned to Naomi with a gift from Boaz and awaited the details to be worked out.

Now there was a slight problem with this arrangement there was another relative who was in line before Boaz. According to the law of the land this relative was to have first priority and if he could not or would not take on the responsibility then it would go to the next in line.

Down to the marketplace he went to find the relative and some chief men of the village to handle the business. The details about the land and Ruth were presented but the relative was unwilling to take on the task as he did not want Ruth's children to become heir to his land when he died. With this he handed off the responsibilities to Boaz who gladly accepted.

After the proper traditions had been taken care of Boaz married Ruth. The Lord blessed them with a son named Obed who brought much joy to the life of Naomi. For now she had a grandson whom she could care for and bring joy to her days of old. This small boy grew to be the father of Jesse and the grandfather of King David.

Through the sacrifice, dedication and obedience of Ruth her family tree was blessed for generations to come.

What about you? Has life dealt you an unexpected hand? Do you have the faith in the Lord to wait on his blessings for your future? Or have you decided to take your life in your hands and make your own way?

You can read new posts on this blog via the RSS feed 

Within my favorite local market, a huge blackboard displays the store’s monthly events and special days. August 26th marks Women’s Equality Day. Upon seeing the notice, I wondered, have I been missing something? I decided to do a little research.

August 26th, I found out, was designated as Women’s Equality Day in 1971 by the U.S.Congress to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote.

Such a victory might seem like eons ago to younger women, but I remember growing up in a time of  "little girls are to be seen and not heard" and "because I said so."  Women chose from three "careers"—secretary, teacher, or nurse. Talk about a glass ceiling; you could barely get on hands and knees to crawl! With much fortitude, however, the secretaries,teachers and nurses of yesteryear paved the way for female bosses, principals and doctors of today.  

Wow! Have we come a long way!

Women have been struggling with equality for centuries, although our Maker granted her equal status from the beginning. Woman was created in the image of God as a suitable helper for man [ezer in Hebrew] and as an equal custodian over all His creation.

(Note: ezer not ebed which is servant) NIV Genesis 2:18; NIV Genesis 1:27- 28

Recently, I was seated at a table of women,ages ranging from 30s to 70. All mothers, many had pursued corporate careers and now elected to stay at home with their newborns, while the remainder had opted out of their careers at a later time in their children’s upbringing. In listening to the three generations of stories that circled that table, I realized that certain aspects how we as women are viewed had not changed.  Advancements in rank and pay require women to think like "the guys". 

Additionally, the executive, MBA moms who had left their corporate worlds behind felt their status in their different roles as the suitable helper had dropped. It  saddened me that they weren’t seeing themselves as the helper—the woman created in the image of God.

I love the woman of Proverbs 31, one who is looked upon as capable and strong in her convictions. She brings honor to her husband with her wisdom in being responsible to business affairs, managing the household activities, and nurturing the love and respect of her family.

And how does Proverbs 31 woman gain her status? She is a savvy business woman, praised by her husband and honored by her children. She runs a busy household, leading by example. She is a seamstress, accountable to her customers to deliver on time, thereby, providing additional income for the family.

She goes the extra mile for quality in provisions for her family. She is the model woman as portrayed in this poem.

How does Proverbs 31 woman multi-task and maintain her health? She is certain to give herself the same measure of care she bestows upon her family. She eats fresh foods, she is rested, she is well-read, she gives of herself to the needy, and she is organized.

What ultimately sets the Proverbs 31 woman apart? She understands the need for God. He determines her priorities. Therefore, who must the virtuous woman as portrayed in Proverbs 31 be— married, children, businesswoman, and homemaker?  The answer is that one can be single or married, with or without children. She can be a designer, author, or stay-at-home mom.  Imperfections and all, the virtuous woman puts God first.

Several years ago I attended a women’s retreat at which we each were asked the question: "Who are you as a woman?" When it came my turn, after hearing the numerous adjectives others had chosen, I could say only, "I’m not the woman I use to be." I’d been growing into the Proverbs 31 woman, and I realized just then that I’d been set apart.  

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he shall not turn from it"

NIV Proverbs 22.6

by Anne Schrock

Contact us at: 888-211-0509

or view our web site www.healthierskinnaturally.com

 With an inquisitive nature, Anne Schrock sees her self as a lifetime student of healthier living. She is eager to help today’s generations achieve vitality as well as longevity.  A woman passionate to be in God’s grace, through her company La’ NE, Anne hopes to encourage others to adopt small changes along the way that eventually lead to major improvements in their health and happiness. 

You can read new posts on this blog via the RSS feed