Faithful Woman Newsletter Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be Praised. Proverbs 31:30 FWNL.ORG Winter Issue 2015 Volume 8 Number 1 In this Issue: Page 2: Hours! Really!?! Page 3: Survey Questions Page 4: Jesus The Teacher Had No Time To Waste Page 5: Is Satan Using You? Page 6: Ladora Pearson Page 7: See! Love! Serve! Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus... Philippians 2:5 The Master s Miracles By Clydene Short With Peter, Andrew, James and John, He entered in a Capernaum Synagogue. A man with an unclean spirit said, Let us along! Jesus of Nazareth, why have you come? Jesus said, Be quiet and come out of him. After crying with a loud voice, he came out of him. All who were there were amazed at what they saw and heard, And his fame spread throughout the region and abroad. After leaving the synagogue, they went home with Peter. There his mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They told Jesus about her at once, And He took her by the hand and lifted her up. At evening, when the sun had set, They brought to him all who were sick and demon possessed. The next morning long before daylight, He was praying in a solitary place. Peter and those with him searched for Him everywhere. Finding Him they said, Everyone is looking for you. He said, To the next towns, let s go. So I can preach there also. For this purpose, I have come, To preach the gospel of the kingdom. As they went throughout Galilee, a leper knelt down on his knee, Saying If you are willing, you can make me clean. Jesus, moved with compassion, touched him, And immediately he was cleansed. Jesus told him to show himself to the priest, But not to say anything to anyone else.
Hours? Really!?! By Stephanie Richardson In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Hebrews 5:7 We live in a really busy world. There are many options for activities: sports, school, Bible classes, movies, exercise, etc. In all of our activities, how often do we think to pray? More specifically, do we intentionally set aside time to pray? We often place a lesser priority on time to reflect, meditate, and pray: especially for longer than a few minutes. I am not talking about a minute here or there but praying for hours at a time. If we desire to be Christ-like, consider this: at times Jesus would retreat to a secluded place to pray for extended periods of time. How many times have you prayed for more than an hour? Can you count the times on one hand? There were occasions where Jesus prayed all night! I know it can be hard to imagine but we can and should pray for hours. Do we really sacrifice enough of our time in prayer or Bible study or even thoughts to God in an effort to grow spiritually? First of all, Jesus intentionally prayed away from the hustle and bustle of people with problems. He seemed to go to a specific place to get away. He quite often chose the mountain or a secluded area (Luke 9:28, Luke 5:15-16, Luke 11:1). We can t all go to a mountain; however, it would be beneficial to find a favorite place to be alone to be able to focus. In Luke 11:1, Jesus went to a certain place; He intentionally went to a secluded place that He had in mind. In this passage, the disciples knew how important it was to pray because they waited until Jesus was done before asking a question. I enjoyed attending the prayer retreats that focused on our relationship with God. Each person spent at least 2 hours by themselves in an area away from any distractions. We worked on our relationship with God through prayer, reflection, meditation, reading, singing, and praising God. I loved being outside sitting on my lawn chair feeling secluded from people and surrounded by God s nature in springtime. When finding that favorite place to pray, we can give our cares to God (1 Peter 5:7), study the Bible (Psalm 119:104), reflect on God s wonderful works (Psalm 9:1), praise God (Psalm 147:1), etc. page 2 - Faithful Woman Newsletter Second, Jesus made time to pray alone. As it says in Matthew 6:6, pray to your Father who is in secret and He will reward you. This can be really hard to do considering our busy lives. Our families need to be taken care of also. And I don t know how often Jesus prayed in secluded places but it appears He had a favorite mountain retreat. It was just Jesus talking to our Father in heaven alone on that mountain or secluded place (Matthew 14:23 and Mark 1:35). Not all prayer needs to be totally alone though. In Matthew 26:36-39, because His soul was troubled, it seems He chose to bring friends for support and encouragement. We can too! Third, Jesus prayed for long periods of time. In this busy world, Jesus made time to pray. Sometimes He chose to pray early in the morning, late in the evening, or He even stayed up all through the night. For example, Jesus prayed at night (Matthew 14:23-25, Mark 6:45-46, Luke 6:12). In Matthew 14:23-25, He had been talking to the crowds and after dismissing them, He went to the mountain to pray. He prayed until the 4th watch of the night. Assuming each watch is 2 hours, then that amounts to at least 6-8 hours of praying alone. Earlier in this passage, Jesus wanted to retreat to a desolate place but the crowds followed Him. He had compassion on them and He took care of their needs first. He finished the important task at hand before dismissing everyone and heading to a secluded place to pray. In Luke 6:12, He prayed all night at the mountain before choosing the apostles. Sounds like He prayed a long time before making major decisions. Should we not do likewise? In another example, He prayed early in the morning (Mark 1:35, Luke 4:42). In Luke 4:42, He took many opportunities to find a desolate place to pray, that is, until the crowds found Him. Who knows how long that took but I would guess it was more than a few minutes. When we work hard for the Lord, it is good to take a break in a desolate place (Mark 6:30-32). Focusing our mind on God for longer than a few minutes can be calming, refreshing, and uplifting. God needs your time just like a best friend needs your time or your spouse and children need your time. How many hours did our savior Jesus spend alone in prayer to God? How many hours do you spend in a secluded place, alone, in prayer to God? Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2
Survey Questions We asked several women to answer a survey about Jesus Christ, The following is two responses. Survey by Joyce Kent Do you have a favorite Bible Verse? 2 Samuel 22:2-3 He said, The Lord is my [c]rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence. Why is it your favorite? I was reading one day & this verse just exploded in front of me. I love it for all it says. It lets me know God will be my strength in all areas. He is our Rock. In Him we trust for our every need. What quality of Jesus draws you to Him? Why does this quality draw your attention? I have always loved Matthew 19:14 Jesus says forbid not the children to come to me- 18:5 receive a child, you receive me. All of us are drawn to little children, but Jesus laid his hands on them showing how much they meant to him. What Bible Story about Jesus means the most to you or is your favorite? And why? Matthew 26: 69-75 Mark 14:66-72 Luke 22: 56-62 ( Peter s Denial) I have always admired Peter, even though at times he was impetuous, quick acting without thinking, But he was always sincere. When he denied Christ 3 times in these passages & then his reaction to it shows his heart is human. It is so heart rendering to read Luke 22:61 and the Lord turned & looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the words of the Lord I believe Jesus eyes showed compassion to Peter, even though he had denied Him. This should teach us also that we can be forgiven when we deny Him. What is one thing (or more than one thing) that we can learn from Jesus life on earth? We know he was with His Heavenly Father before coming to earth. He has left us teaching & if we follow & be faithful, we too, can be with His Father, God. That should give us strength every day. Survey by Clydene Short Do you have a favorite Bible verse? Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Why is it your favorite? Jesus apostles were arguing over who would be greatest in the kingdom when He quoted the above verse. I believe that today, we sometimes get puffed up and think that we are better than someone less fortunate. All through Jesus ministry, he served others. If the son of God could be a servant, so should we try to imitate Him. It means so much to me because, as a teacher, (something I love to do) lets me be a servant. Cooking and entertaining my Christian sisters (serving our annual breakfast in my home, etc.) lets me be a servant. Although these are things I enjoy, I realize there are other ways to serve in the kingdom that we may not enjoy so much. Those are the ones that really count, and afterwards make us feel good. I believe every good deed does more for the one who performs it than the recipient. What quality of Jesus draws you to him? The more I read about Jesus and what He gave up to come to the earth to live as a man and be tempted in every way, gives me great comfort and hope that no matter what we have to go through in our daily battle against Satan, we can draw strength from Him and His example. What Bible Story about Jesus means the most to you or is your favorite? And why? Mathew 9: 20 - The healing of the woman who had been sick for 12 years with an issue of blood. When I read in the OT about women who were counted unclean during their monthly issue, and how they were not allowed to touch certain things nor sit in certain places, and then to know that this was a Jewish woman who still lived under the Mosaic Law, I cannot imagine the life she must have been subjected to. The courage she showed indicated her desperation to finally be cured of her illness. Jesus knew what she had been through and even called her Daughter which must have thrilled her. What is one thing that we can learn from Jesus life on earth? To be in subjection to our leaders (government). Evil kings and Jewish leaders tried to kill Jesus all His life, yet He taught His disciples to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar s and to God, the things that are God s (Matt. 22:21). I have to remind myself daily that God is in control and he is larger than anyone serving this country. I also know that He uses those in power (good and evil) to bring his children to repentance. (A scary thing) fwnl.org - page 3
Jesus the Teacher Had No Time To Waste By Susan Richardson down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates. There is no time to waste, we need to be teaching. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age when He began his ministry. (Luke 3:23) His ministry was completed approximately 3 ½ years later at his ascension up into heaven (Luke 24:50-51). Jesus, the son of God, was a teacher on a mission. He had very little time to complete the Father s will. He had so many things to teach and so little time to teach the people. There was no time to waste so He began teaching. In the winter of 1982, my husband and I discovered that I was going to have a baby. I was almost 30 years old. Suddenly, we were no longer just responsible for ourselves, but we were soon to be responsible for a brand new little soul. We knew it would be a commitment for the rest of our lives. That sounds like a LONG time, but in reality, it is very SHORT. You see, from our son s birth up to today s date, time has moved VERY QUICKLY. One day our son was an infant, the next he was a child, the next day a teenager, then he was off to college, then he was getting married, and then becoming a parent himself. Those years passed by so quickly and we were teaching our son the whole time by example, in conversations, by hands-on adventures, in home school education, in church, while we worked together and played together, and everywhere we went. Yes, we knew that to fail in our child s teaching and his learning of the gospel was to lose a soul for all eternity. There was no time to waste; our child would soon be a man. (Pro 22:6) Time is short and there are so many things to teach our children before they leave home on their own. Yes, we teach our children their ABCs and 1-2-3s and colors, telling time, manners, money, sharing, helping, etc. There is no doubt that those skills are important things to teach our children, but more importantly is to teach them about God every day and in every setting. Deut. 11:19-20 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest page 4 - Faithful Woman Newsletter Have we taught them enough? Did we teach them to turn to God in prayer every day? (I Thes 5:17) Did they see us reading and studying the Bible? (II Tim 2:15) Did we teach them the gospel? (Matt 28:18-20) Did we teach them about God? (Gen 1:1-Rev 22:21) Creation? (Gen 1 & 2) Sin? (Gen 3 and many more verses) and the Consequences of Sin (II Thes 1: 8) Did we teach them how to worship, to love, to forgive? How to be a good person, a good wife, a good husband, a good child, a good boss, a good servant? (Eph 5 & 6) There is no time to waste as our children grow up, we need to be teaching. Jesus had even less time to teach the Gospel. He wasted no time; he began teaching by example, at his baptism. (Matt 3:13; Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21-23) He taught in the synagogue. (Luke 4:16) He taught the masses when he spoke on the mount. (Matt 5-7) He taught in parables. (Mark 4:2) He taught his disciples to have faith and obedience. (Luke 5:5-10; John 21:5-6) He taught Nicodemus in private at night about being born again. (John 3:1-21) He taught by the sea side. (Mark 4:1) He taught about the faith of children and the kingdom of God. (Mat 19:14; Mark 10:13-14; Luke 18:16) He taught his disciples to pray. (Mat 6:5-13) He taught the woman at the well about living water (John 4:10) There are so many examples of Jesus teaching his whole earthly life and even after his resurrection Jesus was still teaching. (Luke 24:44-45). He taught so much in such a short time. He had no time to waste. Teaching is a huge challenge and should never be taken lightly. Proverbs 22:6 says, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. What we teach our children is important. We hold them in our arms; raise them in our homes for just a little while. Yes, they do need to learn math, and English, science, and maybe sports, and piano, and art, but if we do not teach them about God and His Son, Jesus Christ, we have missed the mark. (Phil 3:14) There is no time to waste. Jesus faced the time challenge too. He taught everywhere he went, he did not stop. I don t know how long I have to live on this earth, but I need to be teaching. My mission is to teach children. You see, there is a new generation coming along every day, new young souls to teach. (Matt 28:18-20). So, like Jesus, the teacher, who had no time to waste, neither do I, neither do we.
Is Satan Using You? By Susie Shimp Have you ever considered how you are influencing people? Are you a good influence or are you the one who is portraying worldly wisdom? Matthew 16:23 (also referenced in Mark 8:33) records the event when Jesus tells Peter to get behind him and called him Satan for Peter was not thinking of the things of God. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get behind me, Satan. You are an offence unto Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men. This could sound unkind and harsh but Jesus was serious. He came to this earth specifically to die for the sins of the world so anyone who chooses to follow God can be with Him in heaven. When Jesus told the disciples of His impending death, Peter did not want anything to happen to Jesus. Can you imagine Peter, full of love for Jesus, possibly taking his hand or arm as a friend would, and expressing his immense desire for Jesus not to die? From a friendship perspective, Peter loved Jesus and could not see that Jesus death would be to any advantage. From a physical perspective, how would Jesus rule as King if He were dead? This must have been confusing and sorrowful to Peter. Today we have the whole picture of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection and how it means everything to our salvation. Poor Peter, he was caught between love and ignorance. Was Jesus unkind to Peter? Jesus was grieved that Peter wanted a will different than the Father s will. Jesus was trying to tell the disciples what was going to happen, He was not asking for their approval. How unkind would it have been for Jesus to let Peter think that everything could be okay if he did not die? It was crucial that Jesus correct Peter to help him understand what must happen because Jesus loved Peter enough to die for him and to die for us! us feel good and sometimes kindness comes in the form of loving correction. Jesus loved Peter even though his thinking was flawed. Peter was thinking physical, not spiritual. Peter wanted to change what Christ needed to accomplish. Sometimes what God says is hard to accept. If Peter could have talked Jesus into forgoing the cross, we would be lost. Worldly wisdom is deceptive. Sometimes we give advice to others that is not in line with God s will. Sometimes our advice seems reasonable and intelligent but not spiritual. For example, when we advise our daughters to be cheerleaders or ours sons to be lifeguards, are we considering all aspects of modesty and lust? Would this type of advice set them up to fail in their spiritual walk? It is easy to follow the ways of the world or be a shadow in the crowd. However, we are responsible for our influence on others. We can be well meaning but blinded by the worldly thoughts and ideas of our culture. Remember to contemplate spirituality in words of kindness, in advice we give, and in all our actions. Jesus s words of encouragement after He rebuked Peter were If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Have you considered how you are influencing people today? In Ephesians 4:29 and 30, the Bible speaks of words of kindness. Let no corrupt word proceed out your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Our words to each other must be kind for the purpose of edification. Jesus was not edified when Peter entreated Jesus not to die; he was offended by his worldly thoughts. We can have kind words but it must be backed up with the purpose of God. Sometimes kindness makes fwnl.org - page 5
Ladora Pearson 8/21/26 3/15/14 Proverbs 31 All who knew Ladora Pearson would definitely say this scripture describes her perfectly. Being in her presence was a spiritual inspiration to many. She was very unassuming and always put her Christian faith above all else. The Proverbs woman is described as one who willingly works with her hands and does not eat the bread of idleness. She reaches out her hands to the needy and on her tongue is the law of kindness. These phrases could also be used to describe Ladora Pearson. Ladora and her husband, Sam, began their Christian walk on 7/29/52 at the age of 26. From that day forward, she always strove to be the best Christian she could be, and taught her family to do the same. She finished her long and useful life at age 86, but her memory lives on through her family and those she came in contact with while serving her famous soup of love. Ladora was lovingly known as The Soup Lady by the shut-ins she served in her local congregation. Each Sunday she would prepare and cook an extra-large roast, so that on Monday she could make her vegetable soup from the left-overs. She would always tell her girls she used everything but the kitchen sink in the soup. Should Ladora miss a week, the dear shut-ins would give her a call to make sure everything was ok. They all loved her dearly. But this is not all she did, whenever Ladora would hear of a member of the church being in the hospital, she was always one of the first visitors. She brought cheer to anyone around her. While it is easy to focus on the soup she delivered (or her time spent when visiting the sick), that is not what she really delivered. She cared enough to stop by and say hello, to check in and make sure that person was ok, and to remind them they were not forgotten. While the soup met a physical need, what she really delivered every week was love. Ladora is still remembered as a sweet compassionate lady whose influence is still alive today - Her favorite song was Precious Lord, take my hand. She lived by these words daily, and always attended worship with her local congregation as long as her health permitted. The final 2 verses of Proverbs 31 seem to best represent the memory of Ladora and her soup: Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. May we all serve the Lord with the compassion and zeal that Ladora Pearson did. page 6 - Faithful Woman Newsletter Ladora s Every Week Soup: Left-over roast, cut into small pieces Any and all vegetables you have on hand Canned diced tomatoes May add a little water Simmer until warm. Put in disposable containers and share with others! Other soups to try: Baked potato soup 6 medium potatoes, baked and cooled 3 can chicken broth 6 tablespoons sour cream 1/3 teaspoon pepper 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 3 tablespoon bacon bits 3 green onion sliced Peel potatoes and cut into ½ in cubes. Place half of the potatoes in a blender (depending on size of blender, you may have to do this step twice.) Add broth, cover and process until smooth. Pour mixture into small saucepan. Stir in sour cream, pepper, and remaining potatoes. Cook over low heat until heated through (do not boil.) Garnish with cheese, bacon and onion. Yield 6 servings 8 can Chricken Tortilla Soup 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained 1 can diced tomatoes, drained 1 can sweet corn, drained 1 can chicken breast, drained 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can chicken broth 1 can green enchilada suce 1 packet of taco seasoning Open and pour all ingredients inot a large stock pot or a slow cooker and stir together. Cook on low heat 2-3 hours. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado and tortilla chips.
See! Love! Serve! Amy Ellis Ladora was committed to loving others as Christ loved others. Christ saw a need in each of us, both physical and spiritual. Ladora tried to do as Christ did by meeting both a physical need (soup) and a spiritual need (caring). How can we too be like Ladora and follow in Christ s footsteps? First, we have to see the need. Look around you - what do people need? Try to look beyond the physical needs to the spiritual needs. Do the shut-ins need someone who cares? Do the widows or young moms need a burden lifted off their shoulders? Do people need a rest from their busyness in the middle of the week? Check out what is happening online at FWNL.org New this year! Each month you will find a new article in each of these new blog series. Second, love! Be about the people. Ladora was committed to making soup every week because she was committed to loving the people. I have a friend who continually amazes me. When visitors come to worship, she makes sure to get their phone number. And usually calls them within the week. If someone is just in town visiting either for a job interview or even vacation, she offers them a home cooked meal. Why does she do this? Because she has figured out how to be about the people. Third, meet the need! Get after it! Be committed! Get busy! Don t let the opportunity pass you by! Serve! Gal 5:13 tells us through love serve one another. While the through is an important word in the verse, we might could also say because of the love you have serve one another. We know that Ladora loved people, we can see it still even though she is no longer with us. Can people tell that you love? Here are a few ideas to serve others through love: Invite strangers and visitors over for a meal. Do house cleaning and yard work for the widows/widowers. Offer free babysitting to young parents. When someone has had a medical emergency or surgery or a death in the family, come clean their house or bring them food. Write letters of encouragement to those that are discouraged or struggling. Take time to hug the widows/widowers/elderly. Call those that might be lonely. Offer supper on Wed. night to those who don t have time to eat before Bible class. And the list could go on and on. So look around. See the need! Love! Then, Serve! PLus! Have you missed an issue or wish you could find an article you really enjoyed? All past issues and articles are online. Thank you to the Ladies of Pottsboro church of Christ for writing the articles in this issue. If your congregation would like to take on the challenge of writing for a whole issue, please contact us at submissions@fwnl.org. fwnl.org - page 7
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