Authentically Me

Are you happy with who you are?

Do you wonder if that is even possible?

Is it prideful to be happy with who you are?

Jeremiah struggled with his self-image and received this word from the Lord...

“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5

As followers of Christ...We are also chosen, set apart, and appointed by God.

What does it mean to be Chosen?

“He has selected you, and everything about you, to participate in the work He is doing at this point in history. Like a coach who methodically considers which runner to put on the track at particular stages of a relay race, God’s choice of you for this leg of the marathon was by design.” – The Resolution for Women

I believe that God has chosen each us for a particular purpose based on the decisions He knew that we would make throughout our lives.

God views our lives in their entirety.

He knows the challenges we will face...before we face them.

He knows how we will respond in any given situation.

Sometimes we make decisions that line up with His will and sometimes we make decisions that don’t line up with His will.

Either way...He knows how He will be able to use those situations to bring Glory to Him.

You don’t have to be perfect to be chosen...All He asks is for you to willing to submit to the Greater calling He has placed on your life.

What does it mean to be Set Apart?

“You’re not like all the other relay runners. If you spend all your time looking at the runner behind you or focusing on the one ahead of you, wishing you had their skills and talents, your lane will go unattended.” – The Resolution for Women

God chose to create you the way you are for a reason and a purpose.

We are all uniquely designed by the Creator of the Universe.

Who are we to question whether He did a good job or not?

Unfortunately...What do we tend to focus on about ourselves?

Things we wish were different.
Weaknesses.

Why do we tend to focus on our weaknesses?

We desire to be better or different.
We are concerned with how others view us.
Because our weaknesses are being pointed out directly or indirectly by others (the media, bosses, co-workers, parents, spouses, siblings, friends, teachers, and pastors)...even if it's done in a loving way or to help us.

It’s no wonder our weaknesses are at the forefront of our thinking.

 

I am very fortunate...as a lot of you probably are too...to have people in my life who encourage me and help me to see my strengths.

Do you feel like it is considered prideful for us to focus on our strengths?

I believe we need to have a healthy balance.
We need to be aware of our weaknesses but not obsess about them.
We need to be aware of our strengths but not be boastful about them.

It is very important for us to be aware of our strengths.

 

Take a moment to make a list of as many of your strengths as you can think of.

If you have a hard time discerning what your strengths are...ask someone.

Ask a close friend, your husband, your children, or other family members.

Make a habit of pointing out other peoples strengths.

They may not view something as a strength until you point it out to them.

God can use us in our strengths as well as our weaknesses.

How does God use our strengths?

To encourage others.
To bless others.
To meet the needs of others.
To reveal Himself.

How can God use our weaknesses?

To help us relate to others.
To display His strength.

What are some ways God has used you in your weaknesses?

During my childhood and teenage years I was very “socially challenged”.

In other words...I was extremely shy and introverted.
I hated this about myself and was frustrated about not being able to change it.
During my late teens or early twenties...a word of the Lord was spoken over my life that I would have the boldness of Peter. I wasn’t instantly indued with boldness but over time I have seen a major shift in that direction. God has allowed me to be placed in situations where boldness was required in order to be successful and bring glory to Him. Those situations have not always been the most comfortable but He has always empowered and equipped me with what I needed for His purpose to be fulfilled.

The following scripture has become very real to me throughout the years...

^“9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I have also been able to look back and see how my being shy and introverted gave me the opportunity to soak in all that was going on around me and to learn and grow from that.

This made me realize that things we perceive as weaknesses may not be weaknesses at all...just differences.

We are all created to be uniquely us...unlike anyone else...to fulfill the role God has designed for us.

 

You have an opportunity to impact the world around you in a way that no one else can. 

What does it mean to be Appointed?

Selected or designated to fulfill a specific task.

We have been given the task of fulfilling the plan God has for us based on the gifts, talents, abilities, passions, interests, strengths, and yes...weaknesses that He has given us.

We are the Body of Christ and all have a specific function to perform.

^“4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.” – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

^“16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? ...¹⁸ But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where would the body be?” – 1 Corinthians 12:16-19

I encourage you to read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 12:1-31.

Let’s all do our part for the Greater purpose for which we have been chosen, set apart, and appointed to fulfill.

 

Resolution #3 – Authentically Me

I will accept and celebrate my uniqueness, and will esteem

And encourage the distinctions I admire in others. 

 

Reading for March 9th: Pages 67-85 (Faithfully His)

 

Purposefully His

What is our role as Women of God?

To impact the lives of our family, friends, co-workers, etc. for the Glory of God in a way that only a woman can.

It’s Good to Be a Girl

“You were created in God’s likeness. “God created man in His own image...He created them male and female” (Genesis 1:27). You, as a woman, are worth neither less nor more than your male counterparts. You are different, obviously, but only in function (which I’ll address in the next chapter), not in value.” – The Resolution for Women

“Adam alone couldn’t accomplish the tasks assigned to mankind by the Creator. Man was in need of a partner, someone who could help him fulfill his mandate. Without her, these endeavors would go undone.

So from the beginning, God placed a mark of importance on women. They were (1) good because they bore His image and (2) necessary in the achievement of His purposes on earth. Look around you at the sphere of influence the Lord has placed you within. This circle of people and circumstances is in need of you. The touch, experience, wisdom, and feminine heart you bring into these arenas are all required if their outcome is to be what He has purposed it to be. You are not an addendum, a last-minute afterthought that can be tossed out without notice. Without your participation and input, much will be lacking. This was God’s intention.” – The Resolution for Women

This is what it means to be...Purposefully Feminine.

We were created uniquely different from men for a purpose.

In what ways are women and men different?

God can use us and work through us in ways that men are not designed for and vice versa.

Could you imagine a world without women??? It would be total Chaos!!

Men would probably say that it would be very quiet and calm but they know they would be miserable without us. We bring so much color to the world.

Role Reversal

How have the roles of women changed throughout the years... in the workplace, as a single woman, in marriage, as a mother, etc.?

Women want to be treated equally. They want the same rights and privileges as men.

In a lot of marriages and relationships...Women have become the dominant authority. It has almost become the natural order of things for the woman to be “the boss”.

Women have taken the role of disciplinarian and “decision maker” in the lives of their children.

Why do you think this has happened?

Is this a good or a bad thing?

It is not wrong for a woman to be strong.

It is not wrong for women to have an opinion.
It is not wrong for women to take part in the decision making process.
...but I think it has been taken to a whole other level.

In some instances...the roles that were designed by God have been reversed.

We have to be willing to submit to the role God has created us to fulfill.

Everyone has to submit to someone.

·         The employee, whether male or female, must submit to his or her employer (Colossians 3:22).
·         The citizen, whether male or female, must submit to the governmental authority (1 Peter 2:13).
·         The believer, whether male or female, must submit to spiritual authority (1 Peter 5:5).
·         The child, whether male or female, must submit to the parent (Ephesians 6:1).
·         And, yes, the wife must submit to the leadership of her husband (Ephesians 5:22-23).

Why do people struggle with submission?

Sign of weakness.

Giving up control.
Giving up freedom to choose.
Person you are submitting to is undeserving.
Don’t feel like the person you are submitting to is trustworthy.

If Jesus Christ was willing to submit to the purpose God placed on His life...why shouldn’t we?

“Though he was God, [Jesus] did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” - (Philippians 2:6-8 NLT)

Jesus Christ led by example. As children of God...we are to learn from his example and follow it.

Our children learn by example as well.

What example do you want your children to see?

I want my children to see their father leading our family spiritually, morally, financially, and in every other area.

I want my son to learn how to lead his family through the example that my husband sets.

I want my daughter to learn how to support her husband and work together with him to make their family the best it can be.

I want them to realize that with authority and leadership comes much responsibility and accountability.

You may be in a situation where your man is not “stepping up to the plate”.

God doesn’t expect to you to comprise your beliefs or morals.

He doesn’t expect you to sit back and be abused or taken advantage of.

In this situation...the best thing you can do is express your feelings to the man in your life and pray, pray, and pray some more.

God can do a lot more than we can to bring about change.

This is one of the main reasons it is very important for us to not be “unequally yoked”.

Before committing to a relationship it is very important for you to clearly define your roles and expectations.

If your foundation is God and you are both seeking His will...it will be easier to live out the roles He has designed for each of you to fulfill in your relationship.

So...Are you ready to resolve to live a life that is Purposefully Feminine?

This may be a difficult decision for you to make but just remember...You don’t have to do it alone. God can and will empower you to become the Woman of God you desire to be.

 

Resolution #2 – Purposefully Feminine

I will champion God’s model for womanhood in the face of a postfeminist culture.

I will teach it to my daughters and encourage its support by my sons.
 

 

Reading for Feb. 23rd: Pages 49-65 (Authentically Me)