2 Tim 2:20 “In a large house there are not only things made of gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others are for ignoble use. “ NET
Note from the Editor-Wow it is hard to believe that there are only 62 days left until 2021. This year has been full of faith, figuring it out and fortitude. For a lot us, mostly fear. Today, Oct 31, a day where over 148 million Americans are expected to still celebrate Halloween despite the scarier coronavirus epidemic–please continue practice safety. In a few days will be Election Day which like today may also get pretty nerve-racking . According to today’s USA Today, 2020 may produce the most voter turnout in a century. In 1920 the right to vote the 19th amendment was given to women. Susan B. Anthony (who illegally completed a ballot drop in 1872) and Elizabeth Cady Staton would have loved to see this day where a woman may become our 1st Vice President. And I am sure Sojourner Truth who was turned away in 1872 (the same year Elizabeth Woodhull the 1st woman to run for US President-coincidence?) would have been so excited to see this title possibly go to an African American woman! since The Daughter Line is praying for your continued health and wellness. Also we thank you for your continued support as we celebrated our 4th Year anniversary on October 19, 2020. We will soon be concluding our Commemoration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. However we urge you to extend your studies of estrogen excellence. Women have overcome many challenges literally since the beginning of Man. And this year is no different, though testing we can be ever so grateful that we can trust in a God who holds all the answers. He even gives us an example in Jesus so we can copy from his life!
Occurrences that happened in October historically for women are-3rd, 1904 – Mary McLeod Bethune opens 1st African American school in Florida. 10th, 1983 Dr. Barbara McClintock receives the Nobel Prize for Medicine with her discovery in mobile genetic elements. 11th, 1984- Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan is 1st U.S. woman astronaut to “walk” in space during Challenger flight. 30th, 2020 Juanita Holmes, officially becomes 1st female and 1st African American female to become NYPD Chief of Patrol (the largest police force in the nation!)
“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me”, is a provocative quote from Russian-American Ayn Rand (author of bestselling novel The Fountainhead). The famous women mentioned above have all done incredible things. Reaching extreme aspirations, they have been awarded and publicly recognized for their awesome genius. Assuredly, each one faced obstacles. Yet they let nothing stop them thus becoming eminent women of history.
Still there are other women who have made history with talents for ignoble purposes. Yes God gives everyone a talent Matt 25:15. Yet these types of women are acknowledged for their gifts of doing-well–“bad”. The bible is full of good stories of “bad” girls-Delilah, Bathsheba, Vashti, Jezebel are some instances. Yet the Bible states in 1 Tim 4:4, “For every creation of God is good,” Ps 104:24, “You have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures”, Prov 16:4, “The Lord has made everything for His purpose –even the wicked for the day of disaster“. Believe even these “bad” ladies were used for God’s good. In view of this, let us look at some weaknesses and strengths of Sapphira, Jael and Tamar.
Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11. The wife of Annaias, she conspired with her husband to falsely report on withheld monies. The consequence for Sapphira’s ignoble actions was immediate death. On the good side, she was loyal to her husband yet it was bad that she did not remember her first husband is the Lord. What a makeover story if she had put Him above her spousal allegiance, Luke 14:26. What we also learn from her is not to test the Holy Spirit.
Jael, Judges 5:4:24-31. The wife of Heber, who was at peace with Jabin an enemy of the Lord. Jael took Jabin in her tent, under false hospitality, to drive a deadly peg in his temple. What we learn from her is that a woman can be sharp and strong with the strength and wisdom of the Lord. We are incredibly smart, our mental acuteness can be a fierce weapon for good or a deadly poison for bad. Tamar, Gen 1:38. The daughter in law of Judah, in desperation to receive her rightful honor, became his “prostitute”. Judah forgot his pledge to her and in realizing he had wronged her called Tamar”more righteous” than he. This “bad” girl became a member of Judah’s lineage. His tribe was the most powerful in Jerusalem and the direct ancestral line of David, Solomon and our Lord and Savior Jesus.
Concern (C): Do you consider yourself of noble or ignoble use for God? The Message Bible reads, in Tim 2:20-21 “In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets-some containers are used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage.” Naturally, we yearn for lives worthy of respect, full of love and positive accomplishment. We also long for wealth, beauty , health and such desirables. None of us want to be of compost use for God though there is still great use that comes from compost. Truth is, a lot of us are excusing our garbage, which is making us lackluster and frankly we just need to take it out!
Encouragement (E): Sister, Be a crystal goblet! We have to rise above what strips away our shining faith. Life will attempt to chip at us and crack us. But God is the great potter. He can take the broken pieces of our lives and put us back together so we can do great things. Isaiah 64:8 “But now Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. All of us are the work of your hand.”
Act (A): Pray for Focus on Who then What Is Most Important. The trials set before these three women gave them an opportunity to either set their focus on themselves, their situations or their God. The triumphant stories all ended with those choosing and doing the latter. Additionally, we see the common thread in all, they were trying to save something temporary–kingdom, inheritance, money. However, the wise woman knows the focus should be on the eternal, Matt 16:25 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it”. What a noble thing to give oneself up for God. For we are momentary in comparison to finding the everlasting life He has for us- as a sparkling silver platter to serve others and Him.
For Further Women’s History https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/events/october/
This blog is dedicated to the Great Women Suffragists who paved the way-Thank you!
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