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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Women Bold For Christ

Are you bold for Christ? Can other people really tell the difference between you and a non-Christian? Recently I have been studying some women of the bible and I have noticed that in both the Old and New Testament women are being bold. Women taking on bravery that actually surprised me considering their time, all for the love of God.



Comparing myself to these women I notice that I do not have as near as many trials as these women had, in fact compared to them I have no trials at all. So why is it that I find it so hard to be bold for Christ? He died for me and provided me with grace, grace not for me to keep but to give away. So shouldn't I be living my life in away that is a reflection of Him, sharing His love with others? Being bold for Christ?


Here are just a few examples of women being bold.


Two unsuspecting women were the first to hear of the coming of Jesus. Mary and Elizabeth (Luke 1:26-33 and Luke 1:39-45). Can you imagine in the time of Mary's life her having to explain to people that she a 
virgin, is pregnant and not with her soon to be husband's baby? This took boldness to tell anyone that her baby was the Christ. She risked being thrown away by her future husband, cast out by her parents, and possibly even stoned to death, but because of her faithfulness and obedience she is called blessed to this very day.




And then there is the woman at the well who tells of Jesus

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" They came out of the town and made their way toward him."

This woman of a poor reputation avoided other women by going to the well in the afternoon while the others went in the mornings. She threw aside any feelings of being uncomfortable and went and proclaimed to the town that she had spoken with the Messiah and because of her others gathered to Jesus.  


Mary Magdalene was an amazing example to women on how to be bold for Christ. Did you know that she was the first evangelist telling people the good news that Jesus Christ has risen?( Mark 16:9-11 and John 20:1-2What an amazing, devoted and brave woman she was. She was one of Jesus' followers and with boldness she and a group of other female disciples supported Jesus out of their own pocket and went about proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom (Luke 8:1-3)Mary followed Jesus to the end of His life, even while His male disciples scattered. It was she who was brave enough to stay with Him until the end, she was even there by the cross when He died and she was the one who was brave enough to go to the guarded tomb of Jesus, and it was she who first encountered the risen Christ. She ran to Jesus' men and proclaimed the good news that Christ had risen from the dead. With Mary as our example, we too can fearlessly follow Christ leading others to Him spreading the good news.





In Acts 18 and in Romans 16:3-4 we find Priscilla the teacher along with her husband committed to Christ. They were kicked out of their hometown for being Jews, but together they were bold and risked their lives 
teaching others about Christ. Priscilla was even hospitable inviting others into her home to talk about Jesus.



I think for a lot women, and people in general they feel nervous or uncomfortable when it comes to witnessing. Our fear may be that we think others will be uncomfortable with us, they may reject us, or its just not the popular thing to do. But looking over the lives of the women above how can we use feeling uncomfortable with a reason that holds us back? It is time for us to get over that, it is time for us to be bold for Christ and one simple way that we can start  is by asking a co-worker or a friend or neighbor "is there anything that I can pray for you about". I believe that is something simple and yet bold enough get started. After that start witnessing to them. Each person needs a customized way of seeing God's light. Some may need to just witness the way you live and know that they want that light in their lives too, while others are going to need to hear the scripture and know the facts, but no one is going to be won over by judgement. So be loving, be kind, be patient and be bold. Live your lives out loud for Christ in love, for we do have something to share and to be excited about!

Psalms 68:11 NIV 
"The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:"

Proverbs 31:30 NIV
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."




4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The boldest woman is always a woman who is herself, real and vulnerable. And you, Mrs., do a wonderful job of that! You keep being you because, in you, people see real love!

Candice Brevard said...

Thank you Amy, that was very kind. You too are a wonderful leading example of a strong, bold and beautiful woman in love with Christ. Love you friend!

Laura said...

Yes! So good. Thank you for the encouragement! Wondering... will you post something like this on Friday, how God is encouraging/revealing His heart to you and link up? I would love more women to be encouraged by your perspective.

Candice Brevard said...

Thank you Laura, I would be honored to! I love bragging on my God :)

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