Search Our Blog Posts
Blog Article Tags
We love building relationships. Subscribe to our blog to receive weekly encouragement in your email inbox.
- Details
Written by Lisanka Martínez, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela
““So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she said.”” (Gen. 24:58)
When my eldest daughter told us her decision to go to another country, 5,899 miles away from ours, to meet her groom's family, we were filled with apprehension, doubts and fears, which we expressed to her. Not only us, her parents, but also my older sister, my mom and other family members. It seemed so crazy to us that she had to go so far without knowing what she was going to find when interacting with such different people—different in age, culture, language, religion, among other things. She, showing great courage, decided to step out in faith, take the risk and walk away, leaving us worried about her future.
Comparing this family story with Rebekah's story, despite the obvious differences such as the fact that her family agreed, I notice that they have things in common: courage, good disposition, and the desire to discover God's plans in their lives.
Analyzing Rebekah's story, a little, we notice her great qualities when:
- She went out of her way to please a stranger (Abraham's Servant), which shows her hospitality (Gen. 17-20).
- She was God's answer to a prayer of faith (Gen. 24:12-14).
- She showed confidence in the direction God was giving to her life by accepting this change of circumstances (Gen. 24:58).
- She also showed patience and humility when making that camel journey of about 800 km (500 miles).
- It is an example of respect, submission and humility, shown by the gesture of covering her head with a cloak when she knew that the one who approached them was her future husband (Gen. 24:65).
Sarah’s story was repeated in Rebekah’s. She was beautiful and also barren, which changed by divine intervention. It should be noted that Rebekah, being so young, risked being separated from her family to start an adventure that she did not know how it would end. This is obviously not easy: to leave the family circle, to leave everything she was accustomed to, according to the rules and tasks for each family member. She found courage to do it, sometimes with positive results, at other times, not so much, but in the end, to fulfill God's covenant with Abraham. Her decision to leave on that unexpected trip led her to be an important part of something transcendental in the history of humanity.
Being encouraged to break ties with the family, even for a while, is not for all of us, but God has a way and a solution for each situation. Whether you have to do it to meet your future husband's family, for work or studies; because the situation in your country has become so difficult that you want to look for a better future in other lands, or because you have decided to be a missionary, or you have become a widow, you are single and retired wanting to change your life... God will always take care of guiding you, taking care of your when undertaking a journey like this, even when you have a difficult past, a complicated present, or you cannot even glimpse light in your future. God always knows your starting point and the place you will arrive at.
If you feel that that change, that unexpected plan is really His divine will, be humble and trust. Let yourself be guided by God towards a possibly extraordinary future. Are you willing to follow Rebekah's example and do what God expects from you? Will you trust that His plans are always the best?
#IronRoseSister #HIStories #Rebekah #unanticipatedplans #Godwillguideyou #trustGod #guestwriter #blog
- Details
By Johanna Zabala, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador
Do you know what is the first thing that our Heavenly Father formed in us? The heart. Yes, our heart, this being the first purposeful organ that God himself designed in the fertilization process. How wonderful! Let's look at Psalm 139:13-24. From the womb of each mother, He formed us. What a blessing! All details, thoughts, purposes, plans, and tests are and will be in Him and for Him.
Also, in the book of Jeremiah in chapter 1:5-10 (CEV), it says:
““Jeremiah, I am your Creator, and before you were born, I chose you to speak for me to the nations.” I replied, “I'm not a good speaker, Lord, and I'm too young.” “Don't say you're too young,” the Lord answered. “If I tell you to go and speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you what to say, don't leave out a word! 8 I promise to be with you and keep you safe, so don't be afraid.” The Lord reached out his hand, then he touched my mouth and said, “I am giving you the words to say, and I am sending you with authority to speak to the nations for me. You will tell them of doom and destruction, and of rising and rebuilding again.””
Given this text, it is extensively highlighted that we are of God, as His most beautiful creation, so we must continually seek to purify ourselves in His presence. Over time, I have taken a close look at the compelling need In each facet of life… that we should strive that our hearts be in the likeness of God's heart, as expressed in Proverbs 4:23.
I have considered that especially when we are growing up, a large percentage of information that we own automatically is acquired from our environment, from the good and the bad of everything. In that learning, dad and mom will always have a significant role in the individual structure of each person.
Every day we see many marital situations in any family, and some are even narrated in the Bible. When reading the book of Acts, specifically in chapter 5, verses 1 to 11, there is the couple Ananias and Sapphira, a union like any other, with possible spiritual struggles; and they, based on the context, had material possessions and properties. Both belonged to the church that met to serve the Lord. However, their hearts were far from what God wanted for them; dishonoring the Holy Spirit, when He knows everything about us.
Feelings and desires come from the human heart, marriage being one of them. It is a Christian duty to keep the marital union set apart for God inside and outside the church. We are all called to show the identity of Christ. It is not an easy task, but it is necessary with a pure and respectful heart.
From the testimony of Ananias and Sapphira, we must never let go of the relationship with the Heavenly Father from our intimacy; this is essential. We can be tempted to stray from God's blessing to the curse. If we, as women of God, allow marriage not to be an example in everything and not to be a team of faith and trust in God, or we let Satan fill the heart of either one, lying, pretending, and not loving the will of God, we can fall and die irretrievably.
The marriage that God designed for us is a supreme plan of Himself. He wants it to be for a holy purpose. He wants us to be a team, to be one with Him.
All this invites us to be aware of what we are and what we have under the presence of the Creator and His immense love for each one of us. In other words, each relationship requires sincerity, love for one's neighbor, obedience, and intimacy with God in every decision and action. Adding that we have an opportunity for changes for the Heavenly Father, which leads us to constantly heal our hearts. Over time it has been contaminated and, if we don't realize it, it can make us sick both spiritually and physically.
Ananias and Sapphira died both spiritually and physically. They had their attention on having money and not on the truth of the Lord. Free will is true, but lying greedily and without repentance, is something God hates and destroys.
Let us ask the eternal Father in prayer that we don’t fill our hearts with evil but with Him. Likewise, that we may be purified daily and that He keep our marriages in holiness and love, in Christ Jesus. Let us never delight in a lie, however small it may be; for the father of lies is Satan (Jn. 8:44).
Let's analyze this then: who do I serve, the Father of Truth or the father of lies? Am I irreverent in the presence of the Creator? Do I allow the Heavenly Father to search my heart? Do I work in fear and love of God? Am I really going to be the right help for my husband?
#IronRoseSister #HIStorias #lies #truth #holymarriage #pureheart #guestwriter #blog