SUNDAY
The Strengths Of Mary And Martha
We are beginning with two sisters. First, we see Martha’s strength. Jesus and others (we don’t know how many) went to Martha’s house. Her strength was serving. Some women are very good as a hostess. They can clean, and organize, and serve groups that come into their home. That was Martha. But, she got overwhelmed. Jesus told her that she was “careful and troubled about many things.” That’s me. I enjoy planning things, but I quickly get “careful and troubled about many things.” It’s good to be like Martha in our service to others, but it will also help us to be like Mary. Mary’s strength came from sitting at the feet of Jesus. We find Mary at the feet of Jesus on three occasions in the Bible. We will do well to spend time at the feet of our Lord.
“38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
“(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)” (John 11:2)
“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” (John 11:32)
MONDAY
The Poor Widow’s Strength Was Her Giving
When organizations have fund raisers for various causes, the ones who are recognized are the ones who give the most. What we give to God reaches far beyond the dollar amount. God knows our heart and ability to give. We can give our tithe, our time, our talents, our testimony, and give our thanks to the Lord. Jesus complimented the poor widow for giving all that she had. Let’s give our all to the Lord.
“41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 9:41-44)
TUESDAY
Dorcas’ Strength Was Using Her Talents For The Lord
My Mom has a great talent for sewing. She always enjoyed working with cloth and patterns, and made many of our clothes when we were growing up. She also used her time and talent to sew for others. There were many times that she made something special for someone to wear. She reminds me of Dorcas in the Bible. The Bible tells us that she “was full of good works and almsdeeds.” When the widows stood around showing the coats and garments that she had made, I believe that she had made the clothes for them. God gives us different talents. I don’t have her talent for sewing, but God gave me a joy for gardening. I love to work in my garden and share the fresh vegetables with others. Let’s use our talents for the Lord. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)
“36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.” (Acts 9:36-41)
WEDNESDAY
Priscilla’s Strength Was Knowing The Way Of God
In the 18th chapter of Acts we meet Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Paul stayed with them for a while in Corinth, and they worked making tents. Can you imagine the conversations they had about the Lord as they worked together day by day? Paul continued on in his missionary journeys, and Priscilla and Aquila went with him to Ephesus. After Paul left, Apollos arrived in Ephesus. “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” (Acts 18:26) Aquila and Priscilla learned a lot about Jesus, and they used that knowledge to help Apollos. As we read God’s Word and listen to preaching and teaching, let’s pray for wisdom. We can use that wisdom to help lead others in the Word and ways of the Lord.
“1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” (Verses from Acts 18)
Paul tells us more about Priscilla and Aquila in his letters. “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 16:3) “The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.” (I Corinthians 16:19)
THURSDAY
Hannah’s Strength Was Her Prayer
Hannah wanted a son. She prayed “in bitterness of soul” and cried out to the Lord. She vowed that she would give her son back to the Lord. God heard and answered her prayer. She took Samuel to the house of the Lord where he served the Lord. “And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.” (I Samuel 7:15) Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king of Israel. He also anointed David to be king. We need to pray continually for our children, that they will be saved and serve the Lord.
“9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.” (I Samuel 1:9-18)
FRIDAY
The Shunammite’s Strength Was Following God’s Leading In Caring For The Man Of God
Some little girls like to play with doll houses. I think we made ours out of boxes, and we made furniture out of cardboard and scraps of material. Something about this story reminds me of setting up a doll house. Elisha went to Shunem where there was “a great woman”. She often fed him when he went that way. She told her husband that they should make a little chamber for Elisha, with a bed, table, stool and a candlestick. This meant so much to the prophet, that he wanted to do something for her. He told her that God would give her a son, and He did. When God leads us to do something for someone else, it may not seem like much, but we need to follow through with God’s leading.
“8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.” (II Kings 4:8-17)
SATURDAY
The Strength Of Abigail Was Her Wisdom
David was hiding in the wilderness from King Saul, “And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.” (I Samuel 22:2) Nabal had three thousand sheep and David and his men were a wall of protection to his servants as they sheared the sheep. He sent to Nabal and asked him to give them some food in return. “And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?” (I Samuel 25:10-11) So David put on his sword and took about 400 of his men to go against Nabal.
“14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields:
16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.
17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
19 And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.” (I Samuel 25:14-19)
In her wisdom, Abigail saved her household. And after the death of Nabal, David asked her to be his wife.
“32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.” (I Samuel 25:32-35)
