You Can't Join Women's Ministry

I've heard many women say they don't belong to Women's Ministry.  This is disturbing to me, because Women's Ministry isn't something you join as you would a health facility or an organization.  If you are a believer and desire to follow Jesus, you belong to/in Women's Ministry.

I believe that where the breakdown in communication comes is that many women think that they have to attend WM special events to "belong" to WM.  While these events are fun and provide much needed fellowship among women of all ages, they alone don't define ISBC WM.  To better define what WM is, we should consider reversing the letters to MW, aka Ministry to Women.  This is what we are all about.  Women helping women!  When we look at the ministry in these terms, we come to a better understanding of our purpose as Christian women.

The ways we can reach out and help other women are limitless.  We can do it as individuals, in small groups, or as one large body of believers.  Our recent restructure is the perfect example of ways we are trying to raise awareness of the needs of women and implement ways to meet them. YOU ARE a part of this.  You don't have to serve on a leadership team to minister to women.  Some examples immediately come to my mind:

• Most of us know a woman who is lonely or hurting.  Or, maybe you have noticed someone coming to church that you don't know.  Approach her and get her phone number. Call her and invite her to lunch, shopping, or to see a movie.  Time is the most valuable thing we can share with someone and it means so much to them.
• Church e-mail provides many opportunities for us.  When you see the name of someone who is sick or has lost someone close to them, drop them a note.  In this day of technological birthday wishes and condolences, a hand-written note has special meaning.  Keep note cards and stamps on hand so that when you see the need come across e-mail, stop right then and write the note.
• Do you know a young mom who could use a couple of hours without kids to shop, go for a run, or even catch up on some much needed sleep?  Offer to keep the kids for a morning or afternoon, or go help her fold laundry and take a lunch with you.  It's like a vacation for her to have another adult to talk to and laugh with while she works.
• Are you a good cook?  Cook a meal for someone!  There doesn't have to be a death, illness, or surgery to take them a new recipe you have tried, or a cake, or some fresh bread.  Make two of what you are making and pray for the Lord to let you know who to share it with, or freeze it for when a need arises.
• Are you a good organizer?  It's Spring Cleaning time and many women would love help making better use of the spaces that they have.  Offer to help them paint that room they have posted about on Facebook.  Build friendships.
• If you don't know very many of the ladies, the events and Bible study classes are perfect ways to meet them.  Attend them! 
• Need a friend?  Be a friend!
• Are you aware of needs?  Get a group of women together to work as a team to help someone who needs help.
• Get some ladies together for a walk in the park, a picnic, a book club, a game night; be creative!  

This certainly is not an exhaustive list, but maybe it will spark other ideas.   The point is that Women's Ministry isn't something you join or belong to.  It is something we all belong "in" as we are called to serve others, love others, mentor others, and pray for others.  Our goal is to ever be mindful of the needs of those around us, and to respond as we are called to do so by the Father.  So, the next time someone mentions Women's Ministry to you, reply with a resounding "YES" I am part of this Ministry to Women.

God Bless You!

Pam Archer, Director
Ministry to Women

Hard Hearted Pharoah

In our One Year Bible study, we have been reading in Exodus.  God would give Moses and Aaron specific instructions regarding their plea to Pharoah to let the Israelites go.  He told them what to say, what to do, and what would happen.  God told them each time that Pharoah wouldn't do as he promised.  Knowing  in advance that Pharoah wasn't going to keep his word, they continued to follow God's instructions, appearing before Pharoah numerous times before he finally let the Israelites go.

I thought about this scenario.  I know that Moses and Aaron trusted God, or they would not have been obedient to Him.  Had I been Moses or Aaron I might have wondered why God put me through all of that, knowing full well that Pharoah was going to say no all of those times, prior to finally letting the people go.  I might have allowed Satan to whisper in my ear that God was playing me for a fool.  I might have questioned God as to why He wanted me to jump through proverbial hoops before Pharoah yielded.

Maybe God was testing Moses and Aaron's faith.  Perhaps he was testing their obedience. I'm sure there are many lessons he wanted them to learn through that experience.  Hard-hearted, and hard-headed Pharoah learned something, too.  He learned who the one true God is, and who was in control..and it wasn't him! 

It's hard to persevere when we don't see positive results, but there is always a reason for God doing things His way, in His timing.  He simply calls us to obedience, not outcomes.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3: 5-6