’WOMEN SHOULD UPLIFT ONE ANOTHER’

Happy Women’s Day to everyone out there, you are loved and you are different and loved with your differences. Firstly I would like to honor my father, your father, our father. Our beautiful parents in the Lord and also in the physically, there have been there for us and we just want to acknowledge their presence. We were granted this platform today to minister to you. With that said may their love grow for us and may our love for them grow, more wisdom, patient, and mercy.

Today was made possible by the historic journey of South Africa where over 20000 women marched to the Union building to petition against previous laws in our country, as black people we were oppressed. That is how freedom was obtained/granted. But however we as Christians we do not only celebrate this day merely because of what was achieved, but we take it further because we are freedom and we carry freedom. We celebrate the Father- Christ in us. Yes we do acknowledge what they achieved but we take it further, we celebrate the spirit of the Father in us. We are fortunate as women that the Bible that we read daily they acknowledge women, as we know some traditions they do not recognize women at all, we are so privileged that we are mentioned and recognized in the Bible. The Bible recognizes or mentions about 93 women but only 49 of them are named and today we must learn from all these women, either good or bad we learn from them.

[Luke 1:26-33]
“…And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women…”
This is one of the women whose journey is undisputed, this woman carried the Messiah Himself, she carried Jesus. The Bible outlines that this woman was chosen because she was a virgin but she was not entirely chosen because of that, one thing about this woman is that she did not carry a foreign message, she was not contaminated, she was pure, sanctified and purified. There is something we should learn from Mary.
(Verse 31-33)”And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom, there will be no end.”
And of His Kingdom, there will be no end. Mary did not know any other message, she had not received any message. An angel appeared to Mary, which at that time she was a virgin and told her she will bear a son, but Mary was amazed at what manner of greeting this was. Mary was amazed that how can she fall pregnant as she has never been with a man, the angel further explained that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and she will fall pregnant.

[Luke 2:15-20]
“…Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Shepherds made this news widely known, but – the word (but) cancels and contradicts what was said before. The shepherds made it widely known but Mary kept all these and pounded them in her heart, this is a character we picking up from Mary, a character of a quiet spirit. The moment the shepherds heard they made this news widely known. Mary who conversed with the angel kept these to herself, Mary could have announced that she will carry the Messiah but she kept all these in the heart.

We were once taught by Daddy Abigail that silence is a state of being- a position. Hence Paul says “when I stand it is no longer I” silence it is a position which one must occupy, to be specific a position which a woman must occupy. Silence is a sacred position, it is a very individual position, not a communal position. You became the sacred position, you carry it.

[Genesis 3:1-4]
”Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
Comparison between Mary and Eve. If it had been perhaps that when the angel appeared to Mary and people asked her what the angel said, she would have kept it in her heart. But here’s Eve the serpent came to her and said did God really say? This is where Eve lost her virginity, her purity because a controversial and falsely-hood message was now deposited unto her.

We learn from Eve that as a woman we are the door, the serpent could have confronted Adam, but went directly to the woman. The Bible says women are weaker vessels, but according to my understanding is that women learn easy and that is the weakness, but one should be weak to the Word of God and not to temptation. Evidently, another message opens another eye, Eve saw that the tree was good, she received a new sight. The Bible says the woman saw, meaning all along she was blind, she now saw that the tree was good, pleasant, and desirable for food. All this sums up the nature of the world, as it wants to look desirable, nice, and be wise to accumulate wealth, therefore after this encounter Eve now carried the world in her, she was now contaminated.

She also gave her husband and he ate. Adam was all along with her. Eve became the door and Adam was by her side. They then sewed fig trees to cover themselves, meaning the message they received and the source was ready to cover them, they were given the fruit now from the leaves they must now cover themselves. Eve, she saw that the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eye. In these times we live in, women are more concerned about beauty, a girl child at a very young age lose self-esteem and confidence because everything is structured around beauty.
There is a stigma that a room filled with women only is a disaster, an environment where women dominate is a disaster. I beg to differ, a combination of women means there is more strength, more power and this should be implemented and it must begin in the church.

[Luke 1:39-42]
Here is another woman Elizabeth, who conceived a son in her old age. These are the kind of women which should be raised and the kind of church we should become, that whenever we(women) meet our fruit just connects, there is no bitter or sour fruit. A connection that when one does not have the Holy Spirit and when they meet, the other becomes filled with the Holy Spirit. Our Women of Valor birth out these kinds of women, there must be a change whenever we meet. This stigma that states that women do not get along should be broken. There must be a change, when one lacks in strength the minute we meet one must be revived, one must be quicken, when we meet we must become one body.

[Ruth 1:6-17]
Naomi had two daughters-in-law who were widows because her sons had passed on. She ordered them to go back home, they wept and said they will go with Naomi wherever she goes. Naomi further insisted that she is too old to have children and if she was to give birth to sons would they wait for them until they are old to get married to them, Orpah left but Ruth remained. Ruth displayed bravery. Standing on her word-unwavering faith. It was the duty of the husband to take care but now that her husband was deceased, Ruth’s faith and trust were now in God. When unfavorable circumstances come your way yet you still have unwavering faith, brave enough, and stand on the Word of God.

The Bible teaches us of women who were givers, as much as men should be providers but the duty of a woman is to give, the church must give, giving should be your nature.
[Luke 8:1-3]
“Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.”
‭‭These women provided for Jesus from their substance. In the world today they have misdirected their energy it is said a woman does not need a man to survive, certainly you do not need a man but you definitely need God. But we learn about these women who provided for Jesus from their substances.

[Proverbs 31:10-31]
The Bible says a wise woman builds her house but a foolish woman destroys her house with the same hands, therefore our hands should always be clean, they should bring forth fruits. How the world describes a woman differs. In order to be called a woman you must give birth, but the way the church describes a woman differs, you are a woman when you carry the fruits of the spirit when you are filled with the Holy Spirit.

[1Samuel 2:1]
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoices in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD.

[Judges 4:4]
Deborah a prophetess, wife of Lapidoth was judging Israel, back then this was the highest position, she was a judge. With regards to the world’s way of interpreting this verse, can be said because she holds a high position she does not need a husband. Deborah in her high position yet she submitted fully to her husband. Women will occupy high positions but in your positions do not forget where you stand because this is where you will need the aid of the Holy Spirit. Whenever you deviate from your rightful position the Holy Spirit will remind you of your position, the fruits will remind you of yourself. Remember silence is a position it is a state of being. What we are learning from Deborah is that it is not wrong to occupy a high position or to be a leader but do not forget who you are woman.

[Acts 18:1-18]
Priscilla was a fellow co-worker of Christ together with her husband. Priscilla has similarities with Deborah she also held a position but she was kept. Often when women are in high positions they change their ways, just a reminder never forget who you are.

[2 Kings 4:1-26]
The first widow had nothing and remember it was the husband’s duty to provide. Before the husband could die he had debts, his children had to go into slavery to pay off his debts. However, Elisha asked the woman what she wanted and he then instructed her to bring vessels and were filled with oil until there was no vessel to store more oil. This woman followed the instructions of Elisha and we learn faith from her.

(Verse 8)Elisha was persuaded by the woman to come and eat at her house every day and not by the husband. Although the Shunammite woman had the right to welcome Elisha in her home, she spoke to her husband and made him aware. This is the wisdom we need as women.

The woman did not tell the prophet that she needed a child, but it was Gehazi who spoke on her behalf. Women out there have been hurt and their trust is broken and has been in hurtful circumstances that even when they receive the Word of God they do not believe anymore. Today here is a teaching give God a chance, try Him and see for yourself. He has cleaned you with the waters which is His Word. You will surely testify you will find the peace that surpasses all understanding, you will be happy. Women let us normalize complimenting each other it makes a difference, a compliment is more special when it comes from one woman to another woman.

(Verse 16)”Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant…”
‭‭And she said, No, my Lord, do not lie unto to me, but she conceived. The son became sick but the father sends a servant to take the child to the mother. The son passed on. When the prophet asked her if all is well, she said it is well. The woman was without a child, the prophet gave out a word that she will bear a child, but again the woman was in disbelief but she eventually conceived. Later the son became sick and died. The woman took a trip to see the prophet and when she is asked how is everyone, she replied it is well. When this kind of question is asked while you are going through tough times how many would have such peace? This is the kind of woman we should be; unshaken despite our circumstances, the peace that surpasses every human understanding.

[John 11:17-27]
In interpreting this verse people often including myself, we discredit Martha for running to Jesus and approve Mary for staying behind, and again discredit Martha for being at the kitchen washing dishes and approve Mary for being at the feet of Jesus. As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming she ran to Jesus Martha believed, she said to Jesus ’if you were here our brother would not have died’. She still believed that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead. Be assured that we serve a good God, He can suddenly perform.

Mary said the exact words as Martha, it took Jesus seeing Mary weeping to ask where the had laid Lazarus to rest. God cares about you, it is only before the Lord where you can be healed completely. It is a norm that every woman before leaving their household they look at themselves in a mirror. The Bible is the true mirror showing your true reflection therefore make it a norm to open your bible daily do not wait for the Holy Spirit to lead you to bible scriptures. Women in the world initiate relationships, therefore also take initiative to open your bible and read scripture daily.

Women you are special, you are precious and different, do not let your body shape or shape of your nose to define you. Do not allow the world to define you but let the Word define you. You are wonderfully and fearfully made, you are likened to the Holy Spirit, made in the image of God. You are a woman who does not allow anything to define you but only the Word of God.

[Proverbs 31:13]
She provides for everyone not only her household but including her maidservants. The Bible says He trains my hands for war and fingers, therefore it should be God who gives you strength. Never allow your light to be deemed, shine so bright. Her household is clothed with scarlet color purple it symbolizes royalty. Let God be known in your gates the minute they see you they must see God. Do not eat everywhere as a woman, because as women we easily learn. Watch out do not become like Eve you rather starve and eat at home. Wisdom is known by her deeds-You should be without fault, the minute you act out of character, go back do not condemn yourself.

[Isaiah 54:1]
To all the women out there who are told they are not women enough because they are childless, belittled; here is a message. ’Sing oh barren women, there is nothing that defeats praise. You will never be ashamed.’

YESHUA; A CITY ON A HILL, THE LIGHT THAT CANNOT BE HIDDEN.