In spite of what the mainstream media would have you believe, God is on the move! He is not dead, old-fashioned, or asleep at the wheel. He is watching diligently over His Word.
“The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled'” (Jeremiah 1:12, NIV).
God is pouring out His Spirit all over the world. Revival fire is being ignited in Europe, Asia, and pockets all across America from coast to coast. The Church is awakening; dry bones are coming to life as the Holy Spirit breathes on them.
I am also seeing an excitement among women that I have never seen before. No longer are we feeling that we must sit on a pew and be silent or that our place is only with the children. We do have our place under the authority of our husbands (married women) and our pastors, and there is a time and place for us to speak and a time and place for us be silent. But God has also given us purpose in the Church to serve and to share the Gospel.
Many women followed Jesus and ministered to Him.
“Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him [Jesus] and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there” (Mark 15:40-41).
Some of these women traveled with Jesus and financially supported His ministry.
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means” (Luke 8:1-3).
Can you imagine the excitement these ladies felt to be a part of the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Messiah? In the Gospels, we never see Jesus belittle a woman or a child. He welcomed them, healed them, blessed them, and ministered to them. In return, they loved, honored, worshiped, followed, and supported Him.
When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and offered her Living Water, she ran back to her village and told everyone about Him.
“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39).
I’ve heard it said that Jesus revealed Himself first to women at the empty tomb because women are sure to tell what they have seen! And they did. So should we. Stop waiting for an invitation or permission. You don’t need it. Let the Holy Spirit bring those dead bones to life and begin to tell what Jesus has done for you.
In several places in Acts, we read of women being a vital part of the early church–praying, prophesying, and providing for the ministry.
“They all joined in together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1:14).
They were excited about what Jesus had done in their lives. These women participated in the ministry because their hearts were on fire. They were filled with the Spirit and empowered to do great things for God. Well, God is doing it again! I remember 15 years ago when Joyce Meyer and Beth Moore were two of the few women in ministry that were really well known for speaking and writing. Now there are so many, you can’t number them. Why? Because God is on the move! He is working and moving in the lives of women and raising them up with a boldness and passion to share His love and His truth.
The prophet Joel, whom Peter quoted in Acts 2, spoke of a day when God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh.
“‘And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'” (Joel 2:28-32a).
Just as most prophesy has an immediate, ongoing, and ultimate fulfillment, this Scripture was partially fulfilled in the days of Acts but is still being fulfilled in the last days. Well, I believe those days are happening now. Do a google search of revival 2016. Muslims are turning to Christ. Buddhists are turning to Christ. Follow Joel C. Rosenberg or Charisma News on Facebook. Don’t listen to mainstream media and their lies and manipulation. God is on the move!
I am part of a women’s Bible study that is full of women who are excited about what God is doing in their lives. We come together once a week to share what God is showing us as we study His Word, often with tears of joy. I am also part of a women’s ministry in my community that just started meeting once a month. These ladies are passionate for God and His work among them. I’m telling you: God is raising up His women right now.
Let’s be a part of what Jesus wants to do in these last days. Let’s stop whining and start shining! We have too much to be thankful for to waste our words on negativity and complaining. Let’s be like those women in Jesus’ day who just wanted to be near Him and support Him.
Women of God, rise up and take your place in the kingdom of God!