When Hannah prayed silently and promised her son to God, the priest accused her of being drunk.

Women have endured misunderstanding for their true devotion for generations. Is it because their expression of love for God have been misconstrued by how others in the culture (i.e. male dominated leadership) would speak about or to them?

I have even heard women casting slurs on each other (to be popular with those in leadership)? I firmly believe that every church needs a woman’s pastor with equal authority to the men’s pastor, who can help shepherd women and children.

If men would not go to a woman with a “spiritual issue”, then why would a woman go to a man (who does not understand how a woman thinks)?

Of course every pastor/leader (whether for men or women) should be equally equipped. You wouldn’t make your husband have surgery done by your surgeon’s husband- who has never been to med school- just because he’s the “surgeon’s” spouse. Why are women relegated to the “pastor’s” spouse (who have had no official training in seminary) to oversee the women’s ministry? Just saying, if it’s important for men, then it’s equally important for women to have equipped leaders.

I view Paul as being a forward thinker in his generation. Many make overall rules based on his writings, forgetting the cultural implications of the day that no longer apply. For instance, women at that time were not educated in the same way as the men and therefore asked to be silent in church (so they could ask their questions at home, of their husbands).

In this passage, Paul demonstrated his ability to bring the gospel successfully to the Greek culture. Even so, we are challenged today to address issues of society that are different from centuries ago.

Damaris (see below), Lydia and Priscilla are just three examples of women believers/leaders in the early church whom Paul trusted and named.

– Teresa #transformedbyHim #givenaname

*photo from pexels.com

Acts 17: 22-34 (ESV)

Paul Addresses the Areopagus

22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[c] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;[d]
as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’[e]
29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

It really doesn’t matter what the “look” is, dads work from home. The lessons in real life that are taught by our fathers have lasting impacts, usually for good but not always.

The children who have a sense of being loved by their father (including discipline- because that takes time and attention) and are accepted for who they are tend to grow up into courageous individuals, able to carry the load and to help other with their load as well.

For the majority of children who have fathers who have been absent, abusive or emotionally injured and may unintentionally pass this injury down, we do our best to live our lives in search of feeling wanted or accepted. We may continue to carry an extra heavy load, not intended for human shoulders. It’s extra heavy because we may add unnecessary weight of the need for human acceptance (rather than being secure in God’s love alone).

Paul speaks to the people in this passage to help them realize that there is a solution to the needs of our broken humanity. Per Matthew Henry, Paul transitions from speaking about David’s royal lineage (don’t get caught up in the father’s line) to the Son of David’s amazing work (Jesus Christ the LORD).

As much as the children of Israel had the Law of Moses, it could not bring them life. Our heavenly Father provided His Son (through David’s line) to bear the sins of the world and to bring eternal life.

This means we no longer rely on “good works” to be loved and accepted but we rely on the completed work of His Son. This is life-giving. He rose again by the power of God.

Dad and all fathers are rejoicing because God has redeemed their efforts and healed us as his children. – Teresa #childrenofGod #redeemedbythebloodofthelamb #lovedwithaneverlastinglove

Acts 13:22-41
English Standard Version

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,

“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed[b] from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

*photo by Pexels

“My soul waits for the Lord…like a night watchman waiting for the coming of the dawn.” (Praise chorus from the 80’s)

This Psalm of ascent was recited as the worshippers ascended to Jerusalem. As the people got higher and higher in elevation, I’m certain their heartfelt, “out of the depths”, cry felt very real.

When the heaviness of sin weighs me down, there is no way to stand in His presence. Instead, a contrite heart waiting for God’s deliverance means I have humbled myself before His mercy.

My hope and redemption is in Him. He sent His only Son into the world, not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. – Teresa (John 3:17)

#JesusChristheLord #redemption #satisfactionforsin

Psalm 130: 1-8 (ESV)

130 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!
2 O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
that you may be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!
For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
and with him is plentiful redemption.
8 And he will redeem Israel
from all his iniquities.

The fog horn sounded incessantly, providing a signal for safe harbour. By evening, the sound faded into white noise. Then, in an instant, the sun broke through and the status quo changed.

Similarly, when the believers prayed for boldness the status quo changed. The Holy Spirit was delivered from the Heavenly Father in response to the disciples request to continue to “speak your word with all boldness”.

The disciples had all been recipients of Jesus’ healing touch, some through signs and wonders (i.e. Mary Magdalene). They requested that the Father’s touch would continue to others through the powerful name of His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

In a moment, those who were uneducated began to lead the entire Roman world to the Father through the Savior’s transformative presence spoken into their lives.

The comforter (aka Holy Spirit) guides us into all truth. We can experience change but do we desire boldness?- Teresa#HolySpiritcome

Acts 4:23-31 (ESV)

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,[d] said by the Holy Spirit,

“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’[e]—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.