Mary of Bethany

Mary of Bethany begins our study for the She Did What She Could Women’s Campaign here at EFCC. In Mark 14:1-9 we receive an encouraging as well as exhortative message. We began this series with the encouraging reminder that God is simply calling us to do what we can. He is not asking us to be someone we are not; He is simply calling us to faithful service. However, this message is both an encouragement as well as a call to action. Jesus’ words to Mary of Bethany’s accusers, “…she did what she could” is just as much of a wake up call as it is a comfort. Like this woman who poured out her most costly resource upon Jesus, we too are called to live and love sacrificially for Jesus and His Kingdom. These five simple words not only give us the courage to step out of our comfort zones, they also command us to do so! This woman recognized Jesus is worthy of her very best, her every resource. Her example is a call to action for the rest of us to honor and serve Jesus with all we’ve got!

EFCC 2009 Women of Purpose Women's Campaign, She Did What She Could, 3

Deborah was a courageous woman, who simply did what she could with what she had. God gifted Deborah with skills of judgment and leadership. Deborah was faithful to do what she could, even if she had to hold court under a palm tree to do it!
Deborah was also confident in the Lord’s ability to follow through regarding his promises. Even when Barak was too afraid to go into the battle God had told them to go into, Deborah gave Barak courage to do so by going with him! Deborah models for us what we do when we get overwhelmed or fearful; we lean on the Lord for his strength instead of our own. As a woman, she could have opted out of the battle scene, but she obeyed God’s command by placing her confidence in His ability to deliver the victory he had promised.
God’s Word is full of promises to us. He doesn’t promise we will get what we want or that life will be easy, but he does promise he has given us His Spirit to defeat our broken spirit of sin and self-destruction. But the first step to victory over sin in our lives is to lean on his strength instead of our own. Just as Deborah faced, there are sure to be battles to fight. But like Deborah, the key to our success is trusting in and obeying God’s commands.
Sylvia Allen, who is helping Women of Purpose kick off a mentoring ministry to teen moms, understands the feelings of being overwhelmed and defeated. But Sylvia took great courage from Deborah’s example to lean on the Lord for strength and just keep doing what she can. Sylvia writes this: I am learning that in situations like this, when we really don't know what to do and our humanness wants to fix the situation, one thing that is true (and we can take it to the bank) is that God is able to give us exactly what we need at that given time. Most of the time it is just giving it up to Him, He is able to deal with the overwhelming situations that we could drive ourselves and those we walk alongside right over the cliff in record time. As we learned in our lesson this week, Deborah just stood firm, for the battle belongs to the Lord. The lesson could not have been anymore appropriate for I really did not know what to do, but I did know how to pray. The lesson brought comfort in a situation where I was just plain questioning and doubting myself, had I done enough? It served as a reminder, I did what I could; the rest was up to God, Amen!

EFCC 2009 Women's Campaign, She Did What She Could, 2

Greetings Women of Purpose,

Do you know you were created for a divine purpose? The Apostle Paul shares in his letter to the Ephesians, “He {God} created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10). Whether we think we are able to do good things or whether we feel like doing good things, Paul tells us this is part of our salvation package. Along with reconciling us into a personal relationship with him through Christ Jesus, God has created us to partner with him in to reveal his rich love and mercy to those who have yet to receive his love.

It has been said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” God understands the best way to show people how much he cares about them is to reveal his love to them through others who care about them. This month, we are kicking off our first Women’s Campaign, “She Did What She Could.” We will be going through the Bible Study together, encouraging one another to do what we can to show those around us God cares about them. The principle is freeing because God isn’t calling us to perfection, just love and faithfulness. I was especially grateful of this principle when I recently shared the truth of Jesus Christ to a Muslim woman helping me at a Postal Annex. To be honest, I am horrible at this kind of thing. But I asked myself as she was speaking to me about her religion, “Do I care about this woman enough to want her to know the One True and Living God?” I knew I would need God to clean it up, but I did what I could to show this woman the truth and love of Jesus Christ. She didn’t ask to know more about Jesus and it didn’t seem to be very fruitful, but I knew I had shown her my love by sharing about Jesus’ sacrifice of love to her. As we embrace our new church wide goal for these next couple of years, “God Cares – I care,” we must remember God is simply asking us to do what we can to reveal his love to those around us, no more and no less.

As you begin your study in She Did What She Could, you will find this principle through Mary of Bethany’s anointing of Jesus’ head with oil. I love Jesus’ response to her accusers who berated her for wasting such a precious commodity, “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me…She did what she could” (Mark 14:6…8). Jesus wasn’t as impressed with her costly gift, as much as he was with her faithfulness to do what she could to honor and serve him as her personal King. When you wonder if what you can do is good enough, remember Jesus’ words to Mary’s accusers, “She has done a beautiful thing for me…She did what she could.” Jesus has done all he could to show us how much he cares for us, may we be women who do all we can to show others how much he cares for them. In our faithfulness to do what we can to respond to God’s gracious love, we will please our Heavenly Father and fulfill his divine purpose for our lives.

Marilyn Williams
Women of Purpose Director
mwilliams@efcc.org
760-781-2114

EFCC 2009 Women's Campaign:She Did What She Could, Intro

Hello Ladies!
Welcome to our first annual campaign, She Did What She Could! We are excited you will be partnering with us. We look forward to God using the women of Bible to encourage us on to do what we can to serve him. Since this is the beginning of the campaign, you can simply pick up a copy of your own book (see Joyce- 760-781-2114 or jmarks@efcc.org), and dig in! This campaign is simple and tailored for your own schedule. You can either begin the study as part of your time with Jesus or you can connect with another girlfriend to dig into the study together.

We will also be posting small snapshots of the study on the half-sheet flyers and on the EFCC website for women’s ministry (www.efcc.org/womens-campaign-2009).

The goal of the study is for you to be encouraged that God has a place for you in His Kingdom that is uniquely made for you! You don’t have to be someone you are not or compare yourself to someone else. You simply need to do what you can to respond back to God’s love through faithful worship and service. You can also connect with other women at the church who are doing the study. We pray you will realize your value and purpose to impact your immediate world for God’s Kingdom.

Stay tuned for more on this encouraging message!

Your Sister in Service to our Lord Jesus,
Marilyn Williams
Women of Purpose Ministry Director
Emmanuel Faith Community Church
760-781-2114
mwilliams@efcc.org

Perseverance: Calling on “Elohim”- the Creator and Finisher of all things!

When Jesus was suffering upon the cross, feeling betrayed and abandoned by the Father, he chose to cry out to the Father in the form of “Elohim- the Creator and Finisher of all things.”

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani: My God, my God [Who started all this: the Creator and Finisher of all things] why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

Out of all the names of the Father representing his vast character, Jesus chose to cry out to the One who started it all. Jesus cried out in his anguish to the Father --the creator and finisher of all things, the One who will now finish what he had started.

Perseverance requires we continue to have faith in the One who has begun a good work in our lives will complete it. We must hold onto the truth of God’s character displayed in His name Elohim (e-lo-HEEM): the mighty creator--the one who began everything and the one who will finish it as well. Jesus placed his confidence in knowing his Father Elohim would finish what he had started. In these uncertain and challenging times, we must faithfully cry out to our Heavenly Father, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). God will not be overcome by today’s economy. God’s plans for our lives will not be thwarted by the stock market crash. Let us cry out to the one who has begun his good work; he is the one who will complete it.

Consider getting connected with other fellow sojourners at EFCC. Contact Judy Nordquist @760-845-1723 or jnordquist@cox.net, Connecting Sisters in Christ, for direction and support in getting connected at EFCC. We were never meant to persevere alone. What a difference encouragement and friendship can make in all of our lives. God’s Kingdom is a community of love and life; don’t miss out!

See what others are saying about the new teaching message at Women in the Word, EFCC

Take a sneak peak at others are saying about Marilyn's message, She Did What She Could:

You gotta love the word of God. Isn't it amazing that God's word is living, powerful, timely and relevant? I appreciated the fact that our speaker today, Marilyn Williams gave us a fresh perspective on an old story. Like many of you, I quickly identified with feeling inadequate. In many ways, I think our feelings of inadequacy come from putting too much pressure on ourselves. For as long as I can remember, I have always tried to over-achieve in all areas of my life. Motherhood has certainly been no exception. I am constantly trying to do more, be more and not disappoint. Oh, and on top of all that, yes, I very much want my life to count for eternal significance. It's no wonder life can be exhausting! Yup, by all accounts, I am a Martha at heart.
It's a good thing though that our mighty God is in the business of changing hearts. The message today gave me permission and freedom to be exactly who I am! God loves and cherishes me in spite of the fact that I am an imperfect mother, wife, daughter, servant and friend. Thankfully, He does not require perfection from me or even a checked-off to-do list. The story of Mary and Martha proves that faithfulness and obedience are more important to God then even our good deeds.
We live in a culture today where "more" is often seen as good isn't it? Yet we all know people who seem like they have it all or do it all but in reality, they are spiritually bankrupt. I am certain that Mary's story is in the bible to show us that ordinary women can do extraordinary things for the Lord. Mary shows us the importance of being still, listening and making the Lord a priority over all things. She also portrays courage and unwavering faith when she boldly anoints her King with precious oil. It made me think that if the Son of God appeared at my front door, would I have sense enough to stop what I'm doing and sit at His feet or would I be in the kitchen, fretting about what to serve Him and what platter would look best to serve it on?Dear Sisters in Christ,Let's do what we can. Let's stop listening to the lies and stop comparing ourselves to what we think we should be. WE ARE ENOUGH. And God delights in our wholehearted presence and adoration.For more information on Marilyn Williams, visit http://www.marilynwilliams.com/--
Posted by Mom 2 Mom at 3:50 PM

3 comments:
Webb Family said...
i was encouraged by what she said today too!
February 4, 2009 4:39 PM
.:The Halls:. said...
What an amazing speaker. Exactly what we all need to hear...WE ARE ENOUGH!
February 4, 2009 8:57 PM
Danielle said...
I was absolutley inspired and encouraged today! Encouraged to stay TRUE to myself and know that I am enough and do do enough in every aspect of my life. I have also always been an over achiever and although I know I need to slow down sometimes this really hit home. Marilyn made me want to go home and disect my bible to find all of those speacial, wonderful hidden meanings. What a wonderful morning!
February 5, 2009 7:58 AM
Post a Comment
Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

It's All About Community! (1 John, Blog 1) Join in!

Divine Community, a Present Invitation

“The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life. This one who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and announce to you that he is the one who is eternal life. And now we testify and announce to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was shown to us. We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:1-3

What an amazing passage! John is describing to us the rich gift God has given us through the Son, Christ Jesus. First, John testifies to the divinity of Jesus Christ, being “the one who existed from the beginning…” Then John connects the Son, from the ancient of days, to the man whom they have personally seen and touched. That alone would be quite an amazing testimony. The disciples were able to touch the Son of God incarnate, coming from the Father as the Word of Life, with their own hands and see him with their own eyes. But the gift gets better.

Not only is John pointing his readers to Jesus for the gift of eternal life, John desires his readers to experience the gift of eternal life even now. John describes not just a quantity of life, but a quality of life -- a life of “fellowship with the Father and Son”. The trinity, The Father -- Son -- and Holy Spirit as one God in three distinct persons, is beyond our human comprehension, but we can appreciate how rich and how pure this fellowship of pure love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit must be. Their union is a perfect bond of pure love and self-less community. It is this loving and perfect union that John is trying to describe to us as he writes, “And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.”

John desperately wants us to experience the rich community of love that he and the disciples are experiencing with the Father and the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. Upon our conversion, when we acknowledge Jesus Christ as God incarnate and ask Him to forgive us of our sins, through the gift of the Holy Spirit Jesus gives us as His children, we are immediately invited into this sweet fellowship between the Father and the Son. As a result, the community of the Father and the Son is made available to us. Wow --perfect and self-less love made available to us. It is this community of relationship and love for which Jesus came and gave himself to us. But it is our daily choice to surrender ourselves to this fellowship of perfect love and community. When I think of the desperation I often feel -- feelings of loneliness, inadequacy and insignificance, I am reminded of what is available to me. The Living God invites me into the pure and loving fellowship of the trinity.


John 14:23 “Jesus replied, “All those who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and live with them.”

John 15:9-11 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!’

John 17:21 “My [Jesus speaking] prayer for all of them [those who place their acknowledge Jesus is the Son, God incarnate] is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father -- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.”

Oh what a gift awaits us, if only we give ourselves fully to it! As we enter and enjoy the sweet fellowship between the Father and the Son, eternal life begins here and now. We are adopted into such an intimate union, and it is in this community of perfect love that we are changed more and more into its likeness. There is truly no greater joy and no greater source of peace and purpose than enjoying this eternal and perfect community. It is here that we each become a child of the Father, saved by the Son and empowered by the Spirit. It is here that we each become the new creation the triune and Living God created each of us to be, reflecting his image and glory in unique and intimate ways. May we embrace and enjoy such a rich gift through the gift of Jesus Christ to us.